[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-overthrowing-han":3,"chapter-overthrowing-han-overthrowing-han-chapter-20":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Overthrowing Han",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1222779,1620,"Chapter 20: The Killer Is Jia Chao! (4k)","overthrowing-han-chapter-20",20,"\u003Cp>After setting out again from Dahuang Hamlet, Dasang Hamlet and Sanma Hamlet were reached in no time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And when Magistrate Cui arrived here with his grand procession of officials, the nearby hamlets had already turned out in full force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no helping it — setting aside the natural instinct to watch a spectacle, the case of Old Master Ma’s household was fundamentally a major matter that touched everyone in the surrounding villages and hamlets… No helping it, for who else but the Ma family was the biggest landlord in this township? Who knew how many had come this time just to see whether Old Master Ma had truly been scared witless, as the rumors said, and if he really had, whether they might pay one season less in rent…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With such a major case, several hundred people have gathered round, yet there is no disorder — you, the Hamlet Chief, have handled this quite properly.” Magistrate Cui stepped down from his carriage, and his very first words were praise for the only presentable subordinate in this place. “I also heard that last night you sat together with that murderer Jia Chao in front of the Ma family gate — that shows a certain measure of courage as well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hamlet Chief of Dasang Hamlet, prostrated on the ground to welcome the carriage, gave a bitter smile at these words, yet still dared not raise his head, and his voice even trembled slightly: “My lord Magistrate, last night the Immortal Master of the Taiping Dao from our township happened to come to our hamlet, preparing to dispense talisman water and expound the Will of Heaven today. Therefore, the one who went forward last night to pacify Jia Chao and stood surety alongside me was that Immortal Master; I merely had a duty to fulfill and kept him company in sitting there. And today, the one who pacified the nearby villagers and bade everyone keep silent to await my lord Magistrate was also this Immortal Master… This humble man absolutely dares not claim any credit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Taiping Dao again.” Magistrate Cui shook his head repeatedly after hearing this, seeming somewhat annoyed, yet he did not appear inclined to meddle further. He simply waited quietly outside the hamlet gate for his accompanying clerks to go in and arrange matters properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Gongsun Xun, who was attending beside him, was truly startled — the Taiping Dao was originally the matter that concerned him most. Earlier he had wondered whether the Taiping Dao, with its future accomplishments, might actually possess some genuine divine power. But now it seemed, whether or not they were true immortals was another question, but at the very least, their “grassroots mobilization power” was truly terrifyingly strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And according to his mother’s words, this kind of ability was precisely the true hard power of a religion!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Gongsun Xun was letting his thoughts run wild, on the other side, the county clerks and soldiers who carried blades and rode horses had already arranged matters within the hamlet and came back to report. Our Magistrate Cui, his eyelids drooping, drew a sharp breath of cold air and stepped through the hamlet gate as if marching to his own execution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sanma Hamlet was truly crude and shabby inside, so much so that the only place where Magistrate Cui could set foot was that very household of Old Master Ma… But that actually saved trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun did not stand on ceremony either. He directly assumed the posture of a junior kinsman of Magistrate Cui and followed him in, head high and chest out, surveying the scene along the way. Sure enough, in the open space before the gate of the wealthy Ma household, he saw a Daoist priest holding a nine-jointed staff, maintaining order there with a kindly expression, bidding the hamlet folk to make way and so on. And the clerks and soldiers around also treated this man with great courtesy, even accepting his direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun halted his steps at this point, taking his place by one side of the main gate, and observed this scene with keen interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, on the other side, having entered the main gate of that wealthy Ma household, Magistrate Cui neither went to inspect the inner gate and beyond where the deaths had occurred, nor went to the innermost part to console the terrified Old Master Ma, nor personally tried the case. Instead, he directly entered a side room and sat down, then issued an order for his county’s Menxia Zeicao to clarify the facts of the case through public interrogation right there at the main gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every profession has its specialty — Magistrate Cui had come precisely to preside over the situation, while the Menxia Zeicao was the one who tried cases and caught criminals; one could not say there was anything wrong with this move of his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first to come forward were the aggrieved parties. To call them aggrieved parties was really to refer to distant clan members who had not even been present at the time of the crime, and a group of women who were frightened out of their wits and could only weep and wail. As for Old Master Ma himself, although it was said he had escaped through a dog hole at the time, by now he was utterly terrified and refused to come forward for a confrontation no matter what… So the Zeicao questioned for a long while, but only heard some useless words pleading for justice, of no help whatsoever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thereupon the Menxia Zeicao waved his hand and had these people temporarily taken away, then continued to stand before the Ma residence gate issuing orders: “Bring Jia Chao up here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, the several hundred villagers before the main gate suddenly fell utterly silent, so quiet that one could seemingly hear a pin drop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, the Menxia Zeicao, Magistrate Cui in the side room, and Gongsun Xun, who had paced to a spot between the side room and the Zeicao, all instinctively furrowed their brows… It was not that there was anything amiss, but rather that anyone long accustomed to holding office, long accustomed to wielding power, was unaccustomed to any situation emerging beyond their control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet each person merely started for a moment, then immediately returned to normal. Magistrate Cui in the side room once again narrowed his eyes toward the brazier in the room, and the Zeicao also inwardly laughed at his own paranoia, then promptly urged the soldiers who had long been waiting to one side to bring up Jia Chao — already bound by the hands, hair disheveled, clothes stained with blood — for questioning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You are Jia Chao?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly… This humble man is indeed Jia Chao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You killed those people?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I dare not deceive my lord. The nineteen souls who perished in the Ma household, every one of them, were killed by me alone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What weapon did you use?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just that waist saber I brought back from the army… It has just been sealed away by the esteemed gentlemen of the county.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How did you kill them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First I scaled the wall and lay in ambush at the inner gate. Once the guests and retainers at the inner gate were all thoroughly drunk, I cut them down one by one… like, like slaughtering chickens! Then I went straight into the inner residence. The people inside had all gone to bed and were completely unresponsive. I was very careful, doing my utmost… to kill with a single stroke, and I killed them all too! Then, I dipped my hand in the blood of those guests and wrote a few crooked blood characters on the spirit screen at the inner gate…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What characters did you write?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The killer is Jia Chao!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How is it that you can read and write?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I learned my own name as a child. As for characters like ‘killer,’ I grew accustomed to seeing them on army proclamations and wanted posters everywhere.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That does make sense… Let me ask you further: you killed nineteen people in succession, and all along you did not kill women or children. Why, at the very end, did you instead kill one of Old Master Ma’s concubines?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because Old Master Ma himself escaped through a dog hole, and I was filled with fury and hatred in my heart…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you were so furious and hateful, why did you stop after killing nineteen people and not continue?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This commoner originally only sought to trouble Old Master Ma and his henchmen, and had no intention of harming the innocent. Therefore, last night after killing that concubine, I felt a stirring of pity in my heart, and so I sheathed my blade and wrote those characters, to avoid bringing calamity upon others… Thinking back on it now, it was also Old Master Ma’s cunning — he deliberately left that concubine behind to flee for his life, to disturb my resolve.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That does tally with the results of the examination.” The Menxia Zeicao sighed, and then finally asked the other crucial question. “I heard that you only returned home yesterday from Lulong Fortress to receive your reward. You should be settling down and establishing a livelihood, living a good life. Why would you commit such a brutal act against a prominent household of your own village?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was to ask the motive for the killing. If this matter was not clarified, this case could not reach a conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will not deceive you, my lord!” Jia Chao suddenly raised his head at these words, his expression and tone both becoming agitated. “The killing was truly not my original intent. I was simply forced into a corner by them, with no other path left!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun, who had been frowning deeply all along, suddenly exchanged a glance with his trusted aide Han Dang, and both saw the word “alarm” in the other’s eyes!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You were home less than a day before committing such a heinous crime, and yet you speak of being forced by others — what kind of reasoning is this?” The Zeicao barked his question sternly, also out of habit; when interrogating a criminal, one must never let the other party feel they have something to rely on. “In the space of half a day, this wealthy Ma household forced you to the point of killing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly so!” Jia Chao answered with his head held high, completely ignoring Gongsun Xun beside the Zeicao, and then opened his mouth to recount the events of the previous day one by one — from having his horse led away the moment he returned home, to the plans he overheard while sneaking about. Later, he even repeated word for word that phrase about being “fierce as a tiger, ruthless as a goat, greedy as a wolf.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This speech, once delivered, stirred the villagers into an uproar; left the county Zeicao speechless; silenced even Gongsun Xun and Han Dang, who had originally been somewhat alarmed and uncertain; and even made Magistrate Cui in the side room unable to sit still… In Magistrate Cui’s view, moreover, the destructive power of such words was damn well even greater than the case itself. Just think, if such talk were to spread from under his jurisdiction, how could he possibly come out well?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thereupon, Gongsun Xun, who was standing before the side room, was immediately beckoned inside by Magistrate Cui, and then quickly came back out, loudly announcing a message before the crowd: “Magistrate Cui has words, to be heard by all of you: under his jurisdiction, he will absolutely not permit powerful magnates fierce as tigers, officials ruthless as goats, or ruffians greedy as wolves! He orders Jailer Zhang to immediately lead the county soldiers of this county to arrest the Ting Chief, the Constable, and all the Ting soldiers of this ting, and subject them to severe torture and interrogation as to whether they have committed acts of cruelty against the people! Even the Se Fu of this township, he will memorialize the Prefect and then dismiss him from his post, letting him defend himself!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, Gongsun Xun, long accustomed to serving as a commandery clerk, narrowed his eyes and added one more line on his own authority: “Magistrate Cui is of such lofty integrity and acts with such thunderous decisiveness — will you villagers not bow in gratitude?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The villagers below exchanged a few glances with one another, and only then, led by that Daoist priest holding the nine-jointed staff, did they prostrate themselves and bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun, his expression stern, accepted this bow on behalf of Magistrate Cui, who had not shown himself, and only then stepped back two paces, continuing to let the county’s Menxia Zeicao handle the case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That this wealthy Ma coveted your horse first, with many witnesses, is probably true. As for his family and guests then spouting mad ravings there, intending to violate your sister-in-law… setting aside that this is only your one-sided account… I ask you, last night you killed nineteen members of the Ma household in succession — eighteen males and one female — a crime beyond pardon. Do you have anything else to say?” The Zeicao glanced at Gongsun Xun, this noble young master who had appeared halfway through, and finally asked the last and most critical question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In reply to my lord!” Jia Chao, disregarding his hands bound behind his back, directly threw his whole body to the ground in supplication. “This commoner knows his own crime is beyond pardon, and seeks only death… There is only one matter I must make clear, and I beg my lord to hear it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let him speak.” Magistrate Cui in the side room suddenly interjected personally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Magistrate bids you speak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thank my lord!” Jia Chao struggled to knock his head upon the ground. “My father passed away five years ago, and my mother departed this world before the new year. According to the law, although I have just returned home, my elder brother Jia Ping and I are already considered to have divided the household. And this time, I returned from the army alone, with only one horse and one saber. These have now both been implicated in the case, and I absolutely dare not say more about them. But my elder brother and sister-in-law, along with the house, land, and remaining property — according to ritual, law, and custom — should all belong to my elder brother. All I ask is that when my lord seals my family property according to the law, he will not implicate my brother and sister-in-law… Only this!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zeicao lowered his head and remained silent… He knew that this was not the moment for him to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And sure enough, before long, the Magistrate actually came out personally to speak: “I did not expect that a commoner like you would also understand the way of filial piety and fraternal duty. Since that is so, I shall make the decision: the sealing of this family property will stop at what is appropriate and will absolutely not implicate your brother and sister-in-law.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thank my lord for his grace.” Jia Chao’s tears and mucus flowed together — he was clearly grateful to the extreme.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since that is the case,” Gongsun Xun beside him suddenly spoke up, “the saber has already been sealed away. As for a single horse, why doesn’t the Magistrate let this young man make a trip to his brother and sister-in-law’s home in Dasang Hamlet, to help the county lead it back, and thus conclude this final detail… I wonder what the Magistrate intends?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Very well.” Magistrate Cui nodded casually, his reply very crisp. After all, the criminal was bent on death, no unexpected trouble was arising, and with everyone getting along well, the Magistrate naturally found Gongsun Xun much more agreeable. “This horse was originally a gift from you, Worthy Nephew, to him. You go and lead it back, and while you are there, comfort his brother and sister-in-law at their home — that can also be considered fulfilling the sentiment of a friend… I will first return to the township Ting quarters to rest. The criminal must also first be escorted to the Ting for custody. If Worthy Nephew finishes this matter, you may come find me, and you and I can have a proper chance to get better acquainted then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With these words, he actually strode off directly… The crowd of villagers hurriedly, once again under the lead of that Taiping Dao priest, knelt and bowed in farewell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun also bowed deeply, then glanced at Jia Chao, who was staring at him with a terrified expression. He said nothing, and directly, under the guidance of the county soldiers, went with Han Dang and the others to the home of Jia Chao’s brother and sister-in-law in Dasang Hamlet opposite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And when they arrived at the other party’s home, entering through the main gate that had long been broken open, Gongsun Xun did not go to lead the horse away. Instead, he directly dismissed all the clerks and soldiers, keeping only Han Dang as a guard beside him. Only then did he call out Jia Chao’s brother and sister-in-law from inside the house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After several urgings, Jia Chao’s elder brother and his wife finally stumbled out of the house, both their faces pale and their eyes red-rimmed… Only, unlike the latter, who was timid and shrinking back, the former, the moment he saw those two standing in the courtyard, directly fell to his knees with a “thud”:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I beg you, Young Master, save my elder brother!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Gongsun Xun could speak, Han Dang beside him could not hold back — he stepped forward directly, grabbed the man by the collar, and hauled him up from the ground:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You scoundrel, are you called Jia Chao or Jia Ping? Are you the elder brother or the younger? If you cannot speak clearly, on what grounds should my family's Young Master help you save anyone?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the saying goes: \"When falsehood is taken for truth, truth becomes false; when non-being turns into being, being becomes non-being.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: There is also a new book group. Interested students can join: 684558115.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeking recommendations, seeking bookmarks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3055,"2026-06-04T19:42:03.441Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","96b49bc59c265e29b195d13a933929b241b3840b57391e221ce2cb00adddb4d6","overthrowing-han-chapter-21","overthrowing-han-chapter-19",548,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Foverthrowing-han-cover.jpg"]