Chapter 1212: Dying Face Upward

To think, a distinguished Commander of Nine Schools, a member of the Hall of Military Affairs, would be imprisoned at the slightest stir. That, of course, was impossible.

However, for a figure of such eminence to be confined within his own manor was, in itself, to become a prisoner!

Jiang Wang swiftly grasped the severity of the issue. Huang Yixing’s identity was sensitive!

How could this man hold the position of Pacification Envoy for Hengyang County town?

No, that was merely a banner!

He was a flag flown by Old Yang's faction upon their return to Qi.

He was the prime example used to declare, "Yang people are also Qi people!"

Cao Ji’s rebuke of Huang Yixing, born partly from momentary anger, was also a deliberate warning, a signal that he would not tolerate this man bringing Old Yang's bureaucratic habits into the State of Qi.

Originally, this would not have been a problem.

But Huang Yixing’s sudden death transformed it into a massive issue!

Jiang Wang could completely envision it. There would undoubtedly be those who would spread the word that Cao Ji had forced this man to his death!

Consider Huang Yixing, returning as a Qi person, eagerly welcomed as a hero of the initial returnees. While somewhat flattering, his patriotic heart was sincere, what crime could he possibly have committed?

You, Cao Ji, with your constant talk of Old Yang's bureaucracy, are you not fundamentally refusing to recognize Yang people as ministers of Qi?

The State of Qi now dominates the Eastern Domain, having swallowed how many nations? And how many people have returned to Qi from other countries?

Even the Prime Minister of the nation, Jiang Ru Mo, tracing back several generations, was a person of the State of Rong!

Were those people, those ministers from other countries, never recognized by the so-called "true Qi people"?

How were they supposed to place themselves?

The biggest problem lay in this—

Jiang Wang understood full well that this kind of "bias," this kind of "old Qi people" superiority complex, genuinely existed!

When Jiang Wang had first gained merit on the Qi-Yang battlefield, earning the title Marquis of Qingyang Town, did not Lei Zhanqian still view him as a rustic commoner? When he successfully emerged from the Heavenly Manifestation Secret Realm, already a guest of the Chong Xuan Clan, did not the Fourteenth Prince, Jiang Wuyong, still scold him for being rootless and base?

In this case, Huang Yixing and Cao Ji were both extremely representative.

One was an old Yang official who returned, controlling a county, and could be considered a high-ranking official. The other was a native-born "old Qi person," who had risen step by step to the absolute upper echelons of the State of Qi.

If this matter wasn't handled properly, it would be a tremendous political incident!

Jiang Wang was silent for a moment, then said: "I do not know if the various lords have any further instructions for this humble one?"

He now realized that the North Garrison's formal summons of him could not simply be for him to testify.

That day, that scene, within the entire returning Qi delegation, who knew how many people had witnessed it firsthand? The clues he, Jiang Wang, could provide would not be more than anyone else’s.

Xie Huaian looked at him and said: "By imperial oral decree: Command the Fourth Rank Green Plaque Jiang Wang to thoroughly investigate this case. He must seek justice for Minister Huang in the netherworld!"

It was indeed a personal order from the Emperor!

Jiang Wang had no possibility of refusing, so he cupped his hands and bowed towards the direction of the Qi Palace, saying: "This minister receives the order!"

As a Fourth Rank Green Plaque, being transferred to investigate a case was within his duties. Although everyone knew that his investigative abilities were questionable.

In a major case like this, Jiang Wang was certainly not foolish enough to shoulder the entire burden. This was not the Yellow River Assembly, where you could fight or not, just step forward and fight.

The Emperor had entrusted him with such an important case. If he didn’t handle it well, it might not just be a matter of punishing himself with three cups.

Therefore, after the bow, he immediately said to Commander Zheng: "This humble one's experience in cases is very limited, and my ability to handle cases is limited. I only worry about acting rashly and potentially jeopardizing the court's grand plan."

Commander Zheng was his major backer within the North Garrison, and he naturally wanted to hold onto him tightly.

Commander Zheng also did not disappoint him, immediately saying: "Since the Emperor values you, just exert your abilities. Of course, this office will also dispatch elite constables to assist you."

This was almost openly saying, "You just go, the specific investigation will be handled by professional people."

Just at this moment, the perpetually silent Deputy Patrol Envoy Yang Weitong suddenly spoke: "In this humble official's opinion, Green Plaque Constable Lin Youxie is very suitable to assist Constable Jiang in handling this case."

Commander Zheng furrowed his brow slightly: "Constable Lin's ability to handle cases is certainly not a problem, but her strength…"

Yang Weitong laughed and said: "When handling cases within the borders of our State of Qi, what is cultivation so important for? Furthermore, isn't there the World's First Inner Mansion?"

This statement left people with no room for refutation. Commander Zheng himself didn't mind too much, only asking Xie Huaian: "Doctor, do you think this is feasible?"

Xie Huaian sat upright, speaking slowly and deliberately: "Patrolling the world is the duty of the North Garrison, this old man can only be considered an outsider. This matter can be decided by the Commander himself."

Just as he, a dignified court doctor, was sitting in a subordinate seat at this moment, this was after all the North Garrison. In specific cases, the North Garrison Commander was the main authority.

Commander Zheng then said to Jiang Wang: "Constable Lin Youxie will assist you in investigating and handling this case. Constable Jiang, His Majesty has placed great hope in you, you must not fail."

Jiang Wang had originally been thinking of seeking another major backer, that of the deity Yue Leng.

If Yue Leng were to go with him, he could just follow along, make an appearance, how simple would that be?

But thinking about it, he knew it was impossible. Yue Leng couldn’t act as his deputy, even if Yue Leng himself agreed, with Yue Leng accompanying him, others wouldn’t recognize this as Jiang Wang’s investigation.

Lin Youxie was different. Hindered by her cultivation and status, she could not possibly overshadow Jiang Wang.

And her ability to handle cases, Jiang Wang was very clear on!

He had always tried to keep his distance from Lin Youxie precisely because her eyes were too sharp.

Jiang Wang bowed: "I will only exert my utmost effort!"

Commander Zheng had already made his decision, and he had no room for maneuver. He couldn't possibly, at this point, open his mouth again to ask for someone else. Moreover, he truly didn't know of anyone who could be his deputy and was stronger than Lin Youxie in terms of investigative ability.

Only in his heart did he gain some enlightenment.

So, Yang Weitong… was also part of Lin Youxie’s network within the capital's patrol office.

Putting Lin Youxie into such a major case was in itself a form of experience accumulation.

At this moment, Yang Weitong took a scroll painting from his sleeve, stood up, and handed it to Jiang Wang: "To dilute the impact of the incident as quickly as possible, the scene could not be preserved. This is the scene where Huang Yixing died, we have already had a painter sketch it. Huang Yixing’s corpse is also sealed nearby, awaiting your examination."

In a situation where the scene could not be completely sealed off, this was indeed the best possible arrangement. It preserved the clues to the maximum extent.

Jiang Wang received the scroll painting and unrolled it to look.

The entire painting was composed from an aerial perspective.

That morning, the light was dim. In front of the tall city gate of Zhaoxiang City, a blood-stained old man lay on his back on the ground, surrounded by startled and scattered pedestrians—probably because it was too early, there weren't many passers-by at that time.

One could see that Huang Yixing had fallen from leaning against the city tower.

The painter's skill was outstanding. The bloodstains on the person's face were all clearly outlined, every detail present.

It was no different from observing the scene itself.

It was only a pity that the painting depicted Huang Yixing's appearance after falling from the city, not the process of his fall.

Of course, the painter rushed to the scene later and definitely couldn’t have seen the fall. What the painter could do was to restore the scene he saw on the scroll painting as much as possible, making it seem as though the viewer was there in person.

One point left a deep impression on Jiang Wang—

In this painting, Huang Yixing's expression was very strange. Although it was blurred by bloodstains for the most part, one could still sense that this person hadn’t been in great pain at the time of death.

His eyes were open, staring straight upwards, seeming to look through the painting scroll… looking at the person viewing the painting!

Jiang Wang rolled up the painting scroll, cutting off those eyes.

Carefully putting away the painting scroll, he then asked: "Several lords, are there any other instructions?"

"Handle the case properly, do not tarnish the reputation of my North Garrison." Commander Zheng said, standing up and walking towards the outside: "Let Doctor Xie speak a few words to you."

Yang Weitong also followed him out: "I will go and summon Lin Youxie."

In an instant, only Jiang Wang and Xie Huaian remained in the Constitution Hall.

For no reason, Jiang Wang's eyelids twitched.