Chapter 36: Living in Mourning and Giving Birth

  Zhu Haixin said to Yu Gui and Xiao Lao Han, "You two go help out in the kitchen too, it'll be faster that way. We still have to go to court after eating. I'll chat with my big brother here."

  As soon as two people heard they had something to say, they quickly got up and bid farewell, pulling the door shut behind them.

  Xiao Jia Ding looked at him and said, "What's going on?"

  Zhu Haixin lowered his voice and said, "Did you catch Wu Donghai handling a case incorrectly today?"

  "Hmm, have you heard?"

  "Yes, it's all over the detention house. Wu Donghai has mishandled cases more than once or twice, and there's nothing new about it."

  "Huh?" Xiao Jia Ding furrowed his brow and said: "He often botches cases?"

  "Uh, it's gotten to the point where Xu and Deng have to wipe his butt for him all the time. County Magistrate Deng and Xu have told him many times to take a good look at the criminal code, but he just nods in agreement and doesn't actually do it! Cases that should be wrong are still wrong, and cases that shouldn't be wrong are also wrong. If anyone else besides County Magistrate Deng and Xu says this to him, he gets angry and says no one needs to interfere, if they have the ability, they can just fire him."

  Xiao Jiading knew that there were such people everywhere, a kind of inertia, an inertial force that did not strive for progress, and also refused to listen to others. He said: "Is this the matter you want to tell me?"

  "No, but it's related to this matter." Zhu Haixin's voice dropped even lower. "Just now, after you called them over to discuss this matter, Wu Haidong came back and told several close bookkeepers about you!!"

  "What did I say?"

  "You say he's nitpicking, trying to find fault in everything, but he's not afraid. You call him a troublemaker, trying to make a name for himself by causing trouble, and use him as a scapegoat, but he's not afraid of you making things difficult for him."

  "Hmm, what's his background? He messed up the case and still acts so arrogant?"

  "He has no background, just a few dollars at home. This bookkeeper was bought from Zhong Fachao for a sum of money back then! Every year during festivals, they have to offer incense to Zhong Fachao. Usually, he runs around very diligently. So even though he doesn't understand the law and often mishandles cases, nothing happens to him. --- Just now I saw his arrogant attitude, it seems like he doesn't take you seriously at all, brother! I'm so angry about this. You can't just let it go, or else he'll really think he has Zhong Fachao backing him up and that you're afraid of him!"

  Zhong Facao was the former county magistrate of Shaocheng County and is now transferred to the prefectural government as a law officer. He is also the father of Zhong Wenbo, the so-called "Number One Talent of Yizhou" who lost in a poetry duel with Xiao Jiadeng.

  Xiao Jiading nodded, and upon learning this news, Wu Donghai's impatient face immediately appeared in his mind. He couldn't help but sneer - Zhu Haishan was right, although he had to keep a low profile, he also had to take action when necessary, kill the chicken to scare the monkey, establish his own prestige, otherwise, people like Wu Donghai wouldn't take him seriously.

  On the other hand, handling cases in the government was different from others, holding the power of life and death. If the case was mishandled, it would be difficult to recover from. A wrongly handled case would be a huge stain, especially for the county magistrate. It would directly affect the county magistrate's performance, because County Magistrate Kang didn't understand the law and had fully entrusted him with the matter. If there were problems in this regard, he would be held directly responsible! If he couldn't fulfill his role as the gatekeeper, then it wouldn't be necessary for him to stay in office.

  So now the problem is not about taking care of Deng Xianwei's face, but to think of a way to handle the case well and add luster to the county magistrate's political achievements. Only in this way can one's position be secured and not disappoint Tang Lin, the former Minister of Justice, who had shown concern for oneself.

  If you want to get things done, you will inevitably offend people, and it's impossible for everyone in the world to be satisfied with you. Xiao Jiading thought it through, even if more people are dissatisfied with himself, as long as two people are satisfied with him, he is not afraid of anything. These two people, one is the County Magistrate of Kang, and the other is Tang Lin, the former Minister of Justice and now the Governor of Yizhou!

  Especially Tang Lin, he is indeed a criminal law expert. He was one of the main members who participated in the compilation of "Tang Law Notes" two years later. His foundation in criminal law is very deep. The reason why he recommended himself as the county magistrate's executive assistant, apart from being grateful for the poem that touched his heart, is mainly because he valued his knowledge of criminal law. Therefore, he must let him further understand his knowledge of criminal law and show off his legal skills. If he can get his recognition and appreciation, then his future promotion and reuse will not be a concern.

  To handle a case well, or at least not mishandle it, you must have a group of experienced and skilled clerks who are familiar with the criminal law, otherwise, one wrong move can lead to complete failure.

  In a short moment, Xiao Jia Ding had thought out his future direction of effort and the principles for handling cases. Specifically to this matter, he also knew what to do.

  Zhu Haixin saw Xiao Jia Ding deep in thought and said: "Big brother, you can't let him be so arrogant, that's too humiliating!"

  Xiao Jiading smiled faintly: "He messed up the case, doesn't think about reflecting on himself, and instead blames others for finding him trouble. People like this, I just want to find some trouble for him!"

  "That's right! This kid's backing is just bought with money. If something really happens, Zhong Fa and Cao won't go all out to help him."

  "Hmm. Do you know what's wrong with this kid?"

  "This is too much, always asking for money and cards from the master of the case. I heard that a lot of money was taken, but there's no evidence."

  "Don't mention things you can't handle first, are there any other mistakes?"

  "Ah...!" Zhu Haixin thought for a moment, and suddenly his eyes lit up, saying: "Right, his wife gave birth to a son for him two months ago!"

  Xiao Jia Ding glared and said: "Is this also considered a mistake?"

  "Hey big brother, don't be in a rush, his wife gave birth to this son when his old man had just passed away less than two years ago!"

  Xiao Jiading immediately understood. The Tang Code stipulates: "Those who give birth to children during the mourning period for their parents, will be punished with one year of hard labor." Mourning for parents belongs to the category of heavy mourning, which requires a three-year mourning period. During this time, it is not allowed to have children. Otherwise, they will be sentenced to one year of hard labor. It was clear that Wu Haicheng had given birth during the mourning period.

  This kid, as a clerk in the prison department, actually doesn't even know this is against the law. It's clear he's a complete legal idiot. Such a legal idiot is still working in the prison department, it's really a big joke.

  Two people were talking when they heard Yu Gui knock on the door and say: "Young Master Xiao, the meal is ready. Can you eat now?"

  "Unexpectedly, Lou Lan's culinary skills are so skilled, and in just a short moment, the dishes are already ready. Hurriedly said: 'Okay! Serve the dishes!'"

  Dishes were served one by one. They were placed on a low table and soon filled the whole table.

  Xiao Jiading said: "This is a sumptuous feast, I couldn't tell, Loulan girl's culinary skills are so exquisite!"

  Zhu Haixin also chimed in, saying to Yu Gui: "I say, Master Yu, my elder brother has praised Loulan's culinary skills so much, shouldn't we invite her over for a meeting?"

  Xiao Jiading hastily said: "Right, right, Loulan girl has worked hard, there's enough dishes, let her come and eat together too!"

  As soon as he said that, several people were slightly stunned. In ancient times, men were superior to women, and women could not sit at the same table to eat together. Xiao Jia Ding, however, invited her to join them for dinner, which made Yu Gui somewhat embarrassed, looking towards Old Man Xiao.

  Zhu Haixin was delighted and said: "My elder brother has already spoken, let Loulan girl come together to eat, hurry up and call her!"

  Yu Gui had no choice but to go out and called Lou Lan in.

  Loulan was a Western Region barbarian woman. Although she grew up in the Great Tang Central Plains, her nature was open and uninhibited, without the reserve or coyness of women from the Central Plains. She walked in with big strides and knelt down to sit on the couch beside Xiao Jia Ding.

  The beauty is by his side, Xiao Jia Ding is very happy, and with the understanding of the road ahead, he is even more delighted, smiling and saying: "Why don't we drink a little wine?"

  Zhu Haixin applauded and said "good" repeatedly.

  Because Yu Gui and others knew that Xiao Jia Ding would still go to the government office in the afternoon, they didn't dare suggest drinking wine. Now that Xiao Jia Ding has brought it up himself, he won't refuse, so he quickly fetched a jar of Pi Tong wine.

  Qiongtong wine is a local specialty of Yizhou, although it's not as famous as Shuchun wine, but because of its cheap price and strong liquor, many ordinary people drink this kind of wine.

  Loulan quickly went to fetch the wine jug. Yu Gui broke open the mud seal, hugged it and poured it into the large wine jug with a gurgling sound, then used the ladle to scoop a bowl for each person.

  Xiao Jiading saw that Loulan was not in front of him and hastily asked: "Why isn't Miss Loulan here?"

  "Then you girls shouldn't drink anymore, right?" Yu Gui said with a smile.

  "What's wrong with that?" Xiao Jiading glared and said, "Miss Loulan has worked hard all day to prepare a table of dishes, but you won't even let her have a cup of wine. That's too inhumane! Bring it here!" Xiao Jiading snatched the jug from Yu Gui's hand, poured a bowl, and placed it in front of Loulan, saying, "Come on, drink up."

  Loulan grew up in the Central Plains of the Tang Dynasty, naturally knowing the low status of Han women, and she was a Hu woman, whose status in the Tang Dynasty was even lower than that of ordinary Han women. Moreover, she was only a small eatery's waitress. However, Xiao Jia Ding, this learned scholar, would actually let her sit at the table to eat together, and personally poured wine for her, making her feel warm inside, gratefully smiling, saying: "Thank you, young master Xiao."

  Xiao Jiading saw her beautiful blue eyes so deep, just like the blue sea beach in the photo, sparkling water. Her eyelashes were longer than those of ordinary Han women, flapping like butterfly wings. Her high nose bridge and milk-white skin made her look even more stunning. When she smiled, there was a small dimple at the corner of her mouth. Xiao Jiading had never been close to such a Western woman before, and he thought himself immune to beauty, but looking at this exotic beauty in front of him, smelling the faint fragrance on her body, he couldn't help but feel a little dizzy.

  Xiao Jia Ding stared blankly at himself, and Lou Lan's cheeks, as white as snow, flushed with two red clouds, and she slightly lowered her head.