Chapter 30

Generally speaking, the Political and Legal Affairs Committee, as a guiding party committee department, does not directly intervene in the public security system's handling of a specific case.

Translation: Generally speaking, the Political and Legal Affairs Committee, as a guiding party committee department, does not directly intervene in the handling of specific cases by the public security system.

Check: keep all info.

Zhang Yong understands this internal rule.

Translation: Zhang Yong understands this rule within the system.

Even if Chu Jinsong is the secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee of Nanzhou City, he cannot order Zhang Yong to do anything specific.

Translation: Even though Chu Jinsong is the secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee of Nanzhou City, he cannot order Zhang Yong to do anything specific.

But this is:

Translation: But the thing is:

Chu Jinsong can treat him as a typical case of improper law enforcement and even dare to slap the table at a meeting of thousands, directly giving a thought‑education lesson to the public security leaders.

Translation: Chu Jinsong could take him as a typical example of improper law enforcement, even daring to slap the table at a meeting of over a thousand people, directly giving the public security system's leaders a lesson in ideology.

That would cause a lot of trouble.

Translation: Then the trouble would become huge.

If the leaders suffer criticism, will Zhang Yong still have good days ahead?

Translation: If the leaders suffer humiliation and criticism, will Zhang Yong still have good days ahead?

When Lin Dongfan played the Chu Jinsong political‑legal trump card, Zhang Yong's eye‑roll wasn't meaningless; he instantly realized he had offended a young master and kicked an iron plate.

Translation: When Lin Dongfan played the Chu Jinsong political and legal trump card, Zhang Yong's white-eyed stare was not in vain; he instantly realized he had offended the Crown Prince and kicked an iron plate.

So‑called choice is really just a matter of deciding whom to offend.

Translation: The so-called choice is actually just a matter of deciding whom to offend.

Today we must offend someone.

Translation: Today, one must offend someone.

Either we offend Young Master Lin Dongfan or we offend Cheng Dao; trying to muddle through is impossible.

Translation: Either offend Crown Prince Lin Dongfan, or offend Cheng Dao; trying to muddy the waters is out of the question.

This matter shouldn't be overthought; the more you think about it, the more embarrassing it gets, and the feeling of regret is no less than helping a child with homework.

Translation: This matter shouldn't be overthought; otherwise, the more you think, the more embarrassing it gets, with a melancholy index no less than tutoring a child's homework.

Zhang Yong suddenly felt:

Translation: Zhang Yong suddenly felt:

Yang Guifei, who doesn't know how to use trigonometry to refine melamine, in a dazed state abandons the quantum entanglement of Prince Li Xuan of Longevity, and half‑heartedly studies the ecliptic angle with Emperor Xuanzong of Tang; she actually has straight‑A talent and is a woman who understands politics.

Translation: Yang Guifei, who doesn't know how to use trigonometric functions to refine melamine, in a dazed state abandoned the quantum entanglement of Prince of Longevity Li Xuan, half-heartedly studying the ecliptic angle together with Tang Xuanzong, actually also has straight-A talent; she is a woman who understands politics.

So what then?

Translation: Then again, so what?

I, as an officer, have been a homework‑tutoring dad for three years, and my blood pressure once spiked to 250 mmHg; do I not know that the two characters for "politics" are left‑right structured? There's no reason I should be inferior to a woman.

Translation: As an officer who has been a homework-tutoring dad for three years, with blood pressure once spiking to 250 mmHg, how could I not know that the two characters for "politics" are left-right structured? There's no reason I should be inferior to a woman.

Zhang Yong suppressed the inexplicable feeling of regret welling up inside him.

Translation: Zhang Yong suppressed the inexplicable melancholy in his heart.

He bluntly vented his grievances at Cheng Yaozong and the other villagers: "The anti‑corruption bureau is investigating a case, why are you all crowding around here stirring up trouble? Have you finished tutoring the kids' homework? Who is the father‑in‑law who knows the Pythagorean theorem? Even the Great Qing dynasty wouldn't tolerate this nonsense—I suggest you all go home and each draw your own lots."

Translation: He decisively poured his grievances onto Cheng Yaozong and the other villagers: "The anti-corruption bureau is investigating a case, why are you all crowding around here for no reason? Have you finished tutoring the kids' homework? Who is the father-in-law who understands the Pythagorean theorem? The Great Qing dynasty already frowned upon this nonsense; I suggest you all go home and each tend to your own children."

"Damn it! Is he investigating a case or digging up my family's ancestral grave?" Cheng Dao's neck flushed red with anger.

Translation: "Damn it! Is he investigating a case or digging up my family's ancestral grave?" Cheng Dao's neck turned red with anger.

Uncle Seventh Cheng Yaozong also stuck out his head and shouted: "What the hell kind of case is this? Who dares to swing a shovel today? I'm willing to risk my old life…"

Translation: Uncle Cheng Yaozong also poked his head out and shouted: "What the hell kind of case is this! Whoever dares to move a shovel today, I'll risk my old life to..."

"Bang!"

Translation: "Bang!"

Before Cheng Yaozong could finish speaking, Zhang Yong fired a shot into the sky.

Translation: Before Cheng Yaozong could finish, Zhang Yong fired a shot into the sky.

The deafening gunshot made Cheng Yaozong shrink his neck in fright, leaving him speechless on the spot. Even the bureau‑chief‑level Cheng Dao turned ashen, holding back his anger with nowhere to vent.

Translation: This deafening gunshot made Cheng Yaozong shrink his neck, leaving him speechless on the spot. Even the Bureau Chief-level Cheng Dao was shocked, his face turning livid, holding back anger with nowhere to vent.

In the face of "truth," all loudmouths are paper tigers.

Translation: In the face of "truth," all loudmouths are paper tigers.

Zhang Yong blew away the lingering smoke from his barrel, then leisurely tossed Cheng Yaozong a multiple‑choice question: "A, take your people home for breakfast. B, I'll arrest you all and charge you with provoking trouble and obstructing official duties. C, stay and help Captain Lin dig the grave to make amends. Which do you choose?"

Translation: Zhang Yong blew away the residual smoke from his gun barrel, then leisurely tossed Cheng Yaozong a multiple-choice question: "A, take your people home for breakfast. B, I'll arrest you all and charge you with provoking trouble and obstructing official duties. C, stay and help Captain Lin dig the grave to make amends. Which do you choose?"

"Our Cheng family's grave isn't for anyone else to dig; if it's dug, we'll dig it ourselves!"

Translation: "The Cheng family's grave isn't for others to dig; if it's to be dug, we'll do it ourselves!"

Cheng Yaozong without hesitation chose the standard answer: C.

Translation: Cheng Yaozong without hesitation chose the standard answer: C.

Seeing his nephew Cheng Dao's ashen face, Cheng Yaozong assumed he was merely a dutiful son and stepped forward to comfort him: "It's fine; let's just treat it as gathering the bones and moving the grave."

Translation: Seeing his great-nephew Cheng Dao looking ashen, Cheng Yaozong thought he was just a pure filial son, stepped forward to comfort him: "It's fine; let's just consider it collecting bones and relocating the grave."

Cheng Dao, on the verge of tears, said: "Uncle Seventh, this grave really can't be moved…"

Translation: Cheng Dao wanted to cry but had no tears: "Uncle, this grave really cannot be moved..."

"Don't worry; we'll first collect the bones today, then I'll find a feng shui master to pick a auspicious spot for your father, choose a good day, and rebury him—it won't ruin your official prospects."

Translation: "Don't worry; today we'll first collect the bones, then I'll find a feng shui master to pick a blessed spot for your father, choose an auspicious day to rebury him, and it won't ruin your official career."

This is his uncle, who has considered every big and small matter, yet failed to grasp the real reason Cheng Dao wants to cry but can't.

Translation: This is his paternal uncle, who has considered everything big and small, yet failed to realize the true reason Cheng Dao wants to cry but can't.

Everything will be done according to the village's rules.

Translation: Everything follows the village's rules.

Cheng Yaozong sent someone to buy a string of firecrackers; digging up the grave and lifting the coffin cannot be done without setting off firecrackers.

Translation: Cheng Yaozong had people buy a string of firecrackers; digging up the grave and lifting the coffin cannot be done without firecrackers.

When the firecrackers go off, ten thousand taels of gold appear.

Translation: When the firecrackers go off, ten thousand taels of gold.

Several able‑bodied men of the Cheng family immediately sprang into action, some digging soil, others preparing stools and ropes for later use in lifting the coffin.

Translation: The Cheng family's several able-bodied men immediately got to work enthusiastically. Some were responsible for digging soil, some for preparing the frame and ropes, to be used later when lifting the coffin.

Zhang Yong glanced at the death‑pale Cheng Dao and shook his head helplessly.

Translation: Zhang Yong looked at the ashen-faced Cheng Dao and shook his head helplessly.

Turning around, he asked Lin Dongfan with significance: "Captain Lin, was that shot loud enough? Today I'm risking everything to back you—do you have confidence we'll unearth something?"

Translation: Turning around, he asked Lin Dongfan meaningfully: "Captain Lin, was that shot loud enough? Today I'm putting everything on the line to support you; do you have confidence in digging something up?"

In other words,

Translation: In other words:

To back you, I've already offended Bureau Chief Cheng of the Housing and Urban‑Rural Development Bureau; if you can't take him away today, the Cheng family will surely slap me to death in the grave pit.

Translation: To support you, I've already offended Bureau Chief Cheng of the Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau; if you can't take him away today, the Chengs will surely slap me to death in the grave pit later.

Lin Dongfan understood and smiled: "Rest assured, when the firecrackers blast, ten thousand taels of gold will appear."

Translation: Lin Dongfan smiled knowingly: "Rest assured, when the firecrackers go off, ten thousand taels of gold."

"Then I'm at ease."

Translation: "Then I'm relieved."

Zhang Yong joined in the laughter, laughing with genuine ease.

Translation: Zhang Yong also smiled, smiling with great ease.

Lin Dongfan added: "Please keep an eye on Bureau Chief Cheng for me; don't let him slip away in the chaos."

Translation: Lin Dongfan added: "Please help me keep an eye on Bureau Chief Cheng, don't let him slip away in the chaos."

"No problem, I'll handle it."

Translation: "No problem, I'll handle this."

Having chosen to side with Lin Dongfan, this final post will be held firmly by Zhang Yong even if Lin Dongfan says nothing.

Translation: Having chosen to stand on Lin Dongfan's side, this final post, even if Lin Dongfan doesn't speak, Zhang Yong will unhesitatingly hold his ground.

Whether it's an ant's leg or an elephant's leg, once you've embraced it you must hold on tight.

Translation: Whether it's an ant's leg or an elephant's leg, once embraced, one must hold fast.

Zhang Yong turned and summoned another officer, Wang Feng, and the two flanked Cheng Dao like bailiffs; outwardly they comforted him with "the innocent are clear," but in reality they were controlling the situation.

Translation: Zhang Yong turned and summoned another officer, Wang Feng, and together they flanked Cheng Dao like two judicial officers; superficially comforting Cheng Dao with "the innocent are clear," they were actually controlling the situation.

Cheng Dao knew as clear as a mirror that he couldn't run; all he could do was watch helplessly as his clansmen dug the grave.

Translation: Cheng Dao's mind was like a clear mirror; he couldn't run away, so he could only watch helplessly as his clansmen dug the grave.

Not long after.

Translation: Not long after.

The grave was completely dug open, revealing a black coffin.

Translation: The grave was completely dug up, revealing a black coffin.

Cheng Yaozong directed everyone to thread the ropes through the coffin's bottom, secure the coffin, and fasten four ropes front and back. Eight sturdy men stood on either side of the pit and pulled the ropes together to lift the coffin.

Translation: Cheng Yaozong directed everyone to thread the ropes through the coffin's bottom, securing the coffin, with four ropes fore and aft. Eight sturdy men stood on either side of the grave, simultaneously pulling the ropes to lift the coffin.

"One, two, lift!"

Translation: "One-two, lift!"

The sturdy men shouted the unified chant in unison and exerted force.

Translation: The sturdy men shouted in unison, exerting force together.

The coffin in the pit remained completely still.

Translation: The coffin in the grave remained utterly still.

Cheng Yaozong barked at the crew: "Haven't you eaten? Eight of you can't even pull a dummy coffin. Put your strength into it—don't dawdle. Look at the sky; it's definitely going to rain later."

Translation: Cheng Yaozong scolded the crowd: "You haven't eaten, right? Eight people can't even pull a small coffin. Put your strength into it, don't dawdle. Look at the sky; it's definitely going to rain later."

"Everyone, listen to my chant: one, two, lift!"

Translation: "Everyone, follow my chant: one-two, lift!"

Under the call of one strongman, the eight men again united, pulling the ropes to lift the coffin. Their palms were red‑lined from the ropes, yet the coffin in the pit remained utterly immobile.

Translation: Under the call of one sturdy man, the eight again united, pulling the ropes to lift the coffin. Their palms were left with red marks from the ropes, yet the coffin in the grave remained utterly still.

It simply couldn't be moved.

Translation: It simply couldn't be moved.

A sturdy man looked glumly at Cheng Yaozong and said, "Uncle Seventh, this coffin is too heavy to pull; maybe we should lift it with a wooden pole instead."

Translation: A sturdy man looked at Cheng Yaozong with a sullen face: "Uncle, this coffin is too heavy; we really can't pull it—maybe we should lift it with a wooden pole instead."

"You can't even lift it—just open the coffin."

Translation: "You can't lift it either; just open the coffin."

Now after all lines, output ===TITLE=== and translation of chapter title: Bureau Chief's golden coffin.

Title: "The Bureau Chief's Golden Coffin". Could also be "The Bureau Chief's Golden Coffin". We'll output that.

Then

: Zhang Yong -> Zhang Yong.

: Chu Jinsong -> Chu Jinsong? Actually Chu Jinsong is a person name: Chu Jinsong. Also Nanzhou City -> Nanzhou City. Nanzhou is Nanzhou (place). So we have Nanzhou (place) and Chu Jinsong (person). Also Political and Legal Affairs Committee (Political and Legal Affairs Committee) is an organization; we should translate meaning: Political and Legal Affairs Committee. It's not a person name, so translate.

: but it is: (maybe typo) but no named.

: Chu Jinsong again, Public Security System (Public Security System) translate.

That being the case, trouble will become huge.

If the leader gets humiliated and criticized, will Zhang Yong still have good days ahead?

: Lin Dongfan (Lin Dongfan), Chu Jinsong (Chu Jinsong), Political and Legal trump card (Political and Legal trump card) translate.

So-called choice is actually just a matter of choosing whom to offend.

: no.

: Young Master Lin Dongfan -> "Young Master Lin Dongfan"? Actually "Young Master" is an honorific meaning "His Highness" or "Young Master". It's a title, not part of the name. So we translate it as "Young Master Lin Dongfan". Usually "Young Master" means "His Highness the Crown Prince", but here it's used as a nickname for Lin Dongfan. The line: "Either offend Young Master Lin Dongfan" means to offend Young Master Lin Dongfan, so we translate "Young Master" as "Young Master". So "Young Master Lin Dongfan". Also Cheng Dao.

This matter cannot be deeply understood; otherwise, the more you comprehend, the more embarrassing it gets, and the melancholy index is no less than that of tutoring a child's homework.

: no.

: Yang Guifei, Prince of Longevity Li Xuan, Tang Xuanzong. Also trigonometric functions, melamine, quantum entanglement, ecliptic angle, straight-A student talent.

: however (maybe typo) but no named.

I, this officer, have been a tutoring dad for three years; my blood pressure once spiked to 250 mmHg. Do I not know that the two characters for "politics" are left-right structured? There's no reason I'm not even as good as a woman.

Zhang Yong tucked away that inexplicable melancholy deep in his heart.

: Cheng Yaozong, Cheng Dao, villagers, homework, Pythagorean theorem, Great Qing, Bureau Chief.

"Damn it! Is he investigating a case? He's digging up my family's ancestral grave!" Cheng Dao's neck flushed red.

Uncle Seven Cheng Yaozong also poked his head out and shouted: "What the hell kind of case is this! Who dares to move a shovel today! I'll risk my old life..."

: no.

: Zhang Yong.

: Cheng Yaozong, Cheng Dao, Bureau Chief-level.

In the face of "truth," all talk‑only heroes are paper tigers.

: Captain Lin, Lin Dongfan, provoking trouble, obstructing official duties.

: Cheng family, grave.

: Cheng Yaozong.

Seeing his great-nephew Cheng Dao with a deathly‑ashen face, Cheng Yaozong thought he was simply a filial son, stepped forward to comfort: "It's fine, let's just treat it as gathering bones and relocating the grave."

Cheng Dao wanted to cry but had no tears: "Uncle Seven, this grave really cannot be moved..."

: Cheng Dao, feng shui master.

This is his close uncle; he considered everything big and small, but failed to realize the real reason Cheng Dao wanted to cry but had no tears.

: no.

Cheng Yaozong had someone buy a string of firecrackers; digging up the grave and lifting the coffin, not setting off firecrackers simply won't do.

: no.

Several able-bodied men of the Cheng family immediately got to work with vigor. Some were responsible for digging soil, some for preparing the frame and ropes, to be used later when lifting the coffin.

: Cheng Dao.

Turning around, he asked Lin Dongfan meaningfully: "Captain Lin, was that shot loud enough? Today I'm risking everything to back you—do you have confidence digging up something?"

: no.

: Bureau Chief Cheng, surname Cheng.

Lin Dongfan understood and smiled: "Rest assured, when the firecrackers go off, there will be ten thousand taels of gold."

: Zhang Yong.

: Zhang Yong.

: Lin Dongfan, Bureau Chief Cheng.

"No problem, I'll take care of this."

Having chosen to stand on Lin Dongfan's side, for this final post, even if Lin Dongfan doesn't speak, Zhang Yong will unhesitatingly stand firm.

Whether it's an ant's leg or an elephant's leg, once you've embraced it, you must hold on tightly.

: Wang Feng, Cheng Dao, Lin Dongfan.

Cheng Dao's heart was as clear as a mirror; he wanted to run but couldn't, so he could only watch helplessly as the clansmen dug the grave.

: no.

The grave was completely dug open, revealing a black coffin.

Cheng Yaozong directed everyone to thread the ropes through the coffin's bottom, loop them around the coffin, with four ropes front and back. Eight sturdy men stood on either side of the tomb pit, simultaneously pulling the ropes to lift the coffin.

: no.

The sturdy men shouted in unison, exerting force simultaneously.

: no.

Cheng Yaozong scolded the crowd: "You all haven't eaten, right? Eight people can't even pull a coffin. Put your strength into it, don't dawdle. Look at the sky—it's definitely going to rain later."

"Everyone, listen to my chant: one-two, lift!"

Under the shout of one sturdy man, the eight again united, pulling the ropes to lift the coffin. Their palms were reddened by the rope's pressure, yet the coffin in the tomb pit remained utterly motionless.

: no.

A sturdy man, looking sullenly at Cheng Yaozong, said: "Uncle Seven, this coffin is too heavy; we really can't pull it—maybe we should use a wooden pole to lift it."

Can't even lift you—just open the coffin.

Lin Dongfan walked to the edge of the tomb, and one sentence infuriated the crowd.

Directly open the coffin.

This violates the villagers' rules for relocating graves.

Cheng Yaozong retorted with a cold face: "Surname Lin, you forced us to dig the grave, we did! Now you want us to open the coffin in the pit and pick up the bones—do you really think the Cheng family has no one?!"

"I respect your village customs and support you lifting the coffin first, then collecting the bones." Lin Dongfan said: "The problem now is that you can't lift it; we can only open the coffin directly."

"Bullshit! Who says we can't lift it?" a burly man shouted.

Lin Dongfan frowned and said: "You eight have been pulling for so long, the coffin hasn't budged at all—don't you think there's something wrong with this coffin?"

Upon mentioning the coffin's problem, everyone suddenly realized the eerie truth inside the coffin.

In an instant.

Their faces turned pale with shock, and they instinctively stepped back a few paces.

The villagers, natives of the place, all had some superstitious notions in their minds; their first thought was of encountering evil, corpse transformation, and similar ominous matters.

Seeing everyone frightened and unwilling to approach the tomb, Lin Dongfan shook his head, speechless at this group that had slipped through the net of nine-year compulsory education.

Lin Dongfan turned and ordered Tang Xia and Zhang Xiaoguang: "You go open the coffin."

Tang Xia and Zhang Xiaoguang glanced at Cheng Yaozong's reaction in unison; this time Cheng Yaozong also fell silent, standing aside without a word, and did not mention whether it complied with the rules.

Mainly because Cheng Yaozong himself felt uneasy.

When buried back then, eight people carried the coffin down. Now, after so many years, the corpse weighing over a hundred pounds has turned to bones; the coffin should be lighter than before, yet eight people can't move it.

This strange affair weighed on Cheng Yaozong's mind, filling his head with eerie ghost stories.

Now Cheng Yaozong fears nothing else.

He only fears that when the coffin lid is pried open, the bones inside will not only be unrotted but will have a greenish face, fangs, and long black fingernails.

The more Cheng Yaozong thought about it, the more nervous he became; he quickly lowered his posture and walked up to Lin Dongfan.

Worrying, he asked Lin Dongfan's opinion: "Can we delay opening the coffin? First invite a feng shui master to take a look."

"Don't panic, you'll understand soon."

After saying that, Lin Dongfan urged Tang Xia and Zhang Xiaoguang to open the coffin immediately.

Tang Xia and Zhang Xiaoguang each took a pry bar and simultaneously pried the right side of the coffin lid.

This coffin lid had obviously been loosened before; the two didn't need to exert much force, and a casual pry flipped the lid to the other side.

Everyone on the spot was stunned by the sight inside the coffin, their eyes staring blankly.

The bones were piled high with gold!

As this terrifying wealth was exposed, Cheng Dao's legs went weak and he collapsed on the spot. The officers on either side quickly grabbed his arms, but he still couldn't stand; his legs seemed crippled.

He trembled and cried out tearfully: "What... what is going on? Seventh Uncle, how could there be so much gold in my father's coffin..."