Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 427 - 402: Interrogating Zhang San!

Chapter 427: Chapter 402: Interrogating Zhang San!

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, people worshiped the moon at night.

This had been a custom inherited for thousands of years on this land, but that night, there were events leading to the loss of national fortune within Daxing City.

However, for many commoners, nobody knew exactly what had happened.

Everyone just felt constantly uneasy recently; perhaps something significant might have occurred.

Thus, many people went to bed early that night and silently prayed for the peace and safety of the Great Sui before falling asleep.

Yet, during that night, throughout Daxing City, countless people heard a strange and eerie voice whispering in their minds while they were in their dreams.

At first, no one could make out what the voice was saying, as if the sounds were not produced by a human voice but rather a bizarre organ.

But soon, they vaguely seemed to catch a few phrases repeated in the whisper:

"Zhang San... betrayal... Heavenly Punishment Sect... Saint Heir... "

All the syllables were indistinct, so much so that many people did not understand what the voice was saying.

Indeed, quite a few people woke up startled from their sleep.

Consequently, the next day on the streets and alleys of Daxing City, everyone was talking about the bizarre voice in their dreams from the previous night.

Not only did many commoners dream of this voice, but even some high officials did as well.

Even the Crown Prince, while sleeping, dreamed of this voice and nearly kicked the Crown Princess Consort off the bed.

After all, whenever he heard the words "Zhang San," certain parts of the Crown Prince’s body would involuntarily fill with vigor and start to swell.

Yes, his fists!

So, early the next morning, Zhang San was brought to the grand hall of the Ministry of Punishment.

This time Zhang San was very cooperative because he did not believe the Ministry of Punishment had summoned him for anything important; at most, they would just inquire about what he had seen, heard, and done the previous night, then make a record to report to Kaihuang.

After all, the revival of Yuwen Ming had a significant impact on the Great Sui, most importantly, Yuwen Ming had taken away thirty percent of the nation’s fortune when he left.

Such a serious incident was definitely not something the Ministry of Punishment would overlook.

Indeed, just as he was brought into the grand hall, Zhang San realized that many people had arrived before him.

Even Minister Shen Wei, who was reportedly ill for many days, had recovered.

"Greetings to everyone, and to Minister Shen! I heard you’d been ill recently, which worried me terribly. If it weren’t for the fact that I was being hunted and had to hide, I would have definitely visited you!"

Sitting nearby, Shen Erxian frowned slightly and thought, "Why don’t you just go to Shen Wei’s house instead? Always causing trouble for me!"

Upon seeing Zhang San, Shen Wei scowled, slammed the desk with force, and shouted angrily, "Villain Zhang San, do you confess your guilt?"

"No clue, what’s up? Burp—"

While speaking, Zhang San, perhaps from having eaten too much breakfast, let out a long belch.

This attitude made many people present feel that Zhang San was full of contempt for the Ministry of Punishment.

An official next to Shen Wei bowed and said, "Minister, execute punishment!"

Zhang San glanced at the speaking official and said harshly, "Who is this dog official that resorts to punishment without asking questions? Let me tell you, be careful when your child leaves school! I’m not a vengeful person, but others may not be so kind. Don’t say I didn’t warn you kindly!"

Hearing Zhang San’s words, the official who had just spoken about executing punishment grew even angrier.

Shen Erxian coughed and said to Zhang San, "Zhang San, do not speak nonsense. This is Vice Minister of Punishment Yang Hongming, not only a disciple of Minister Shen Wei but also an imperial relative! Mind your words!"

"Oh..." Zhang San nodded as if suddenly enlightened, and said apologetically with a smile, "Got it, I was mistaken just now, my apologies. Just make sure your kid is careful when he leaves the Imperial College!"

Shen Erxian held his forehead, thinking, "I’m at my wit’s end, the Ministry of Punishment can do whatever they want!"

Yang Hongming, upon hearing what Zhang San had said, grew even angrier.

At that moment, Shen Wei slammed the desk with fury, and only then did Yang Hongming seal his lips.

Shen Wei, looking at Zhang San, whose face wore a placid expression, asked, "You... truly do not know your crime?"

Zhang San sighed and said with a bitter smile, "I would have never thought, my actions being so covert, that you would still discover them."

Upon hearing these words, many faces in the Ministry of Punishment displayed triumph and secret delight.

Isn’t this case closed now?

But Second Master Shen was utterly baffled.

He knew that, given Zhang San’s character, even if the evidence was laid before him, solid as a mountain, Zhang San would still argue for an hour!

How could he possibly admit it just like that?

Besides, Shen Wei, you haven’t even specified what crime Zhang San has committed.

This lad wouldn’t be planning another trick, would he?

Zhang San said loudly, his face stricken with grief, "If loving one’s country is a crime, then I, Zhang San, am unforgivable. Sentence me! Have at it! I, Zhang San, am clear of conscience!"

Shen Wei was furious!

Damn it, playing me for a fool!

Bang!

Shen Wei angrily slammed the desk; this time, he stood up from behind the desk, his eyes glaring at Zhang San.

"Zhang San, are you the mastermind behind the Floating Corpse Case?"

Zhang San shook his head and said, "No! Wasn’t this matter investigated and cleared by Kaihuang, who granted me a pardon?"

Shen Wei felt somewhat embarrassed, as initially, because Zhang San was a suspect, that was why he had been arrested, only for Zhang San to escape from prison. However, Kaihuang later issued an order for his pardon. Now, it truly was inconvenient to charge him using the Floating Corpse Case.

"Zhang San, someone saw you yesterday going to Daye Fang to meet the Zheng Family Head, the assistant minister Zheng Fang; then Zheng Fang died. Do you have anything to say about this?"

Zhang San chuckled, bowed and said, "Minister Shen thinks too highly of me. Although I, Zhang San, am formidable enough to be the first from the Town Martial Office to reach the True Core Realm and become a Military Chief, I’m not so formidable that my mere gaze can kill someone."

Shen Wei angrily asked, "I am asking you why Zheng Fang, defying the curfew, went to meet you in Daye Fang late at night!"

Zhang San took out a document from his Gluttonous Bag and handed it to Shen Wei through someone beside him.

"I am a martial artist from the Town Martial Office. Recently, the capital has intensified its patrols, so we from the Town Martial Office also must patrol at night. This is my application to participate in the night patrol, approved by the Town Martial Office. So, it’s completely normal for me to patrol at night!"

"What about Zheng Fang?"

"You ask him!"

"He’s dead!"

"His death has nothing to do with me; I’m not his father!"

Shen Wei was almost driven mad by Zhang San; after a prolonged inquiry, he couldn’t extract a single useful word.

"Zhang San, someone saw you last night pushing Zheng Fang into the Turbid Water Well at Daye Fang. Is this true?"

"You say there’s someone? Where’s the witness? Bring them out! Surely, you can’t expect me to believe just because you say so."

Shen Wei, the Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Punishment, dealt with cases where those being interrogated were usually no ordinary individuals; they were highly cultured, educated, and well-bred.

Thus, he had never encountered someone as unreasonable as Zhang San.

"Fine! Bring the eyewitness!"