Chapter 207: The Prefectural Prison

207. Chapter 207: The Prefectural Prison

At lunchtime, He Cuihua still brought it up: "Xiao Jin, your mother can't control you anymore. I only beg you to be extremely careful. Sun Dalei's parents... once they learn of this, who knows how heartbroken they'll be..."

At that point, He Cuihua couldn't go on. She rose and walked out. Just then, Zhao Zhentang was coming back. Seeing his wife's expression, he understood what had happened, but he had no words either. He merely let out a long sigh and sat down at the table. Zhao Jin greeted him, but father and son didn't know what to say to each other. They just sat there eating in silence. After a couple of mouthfuls, Zhao Zhentang set down his bowl, slapped the table, and said sullenly, "I never should have agreed to let you and Zhenxing learn any martial arts back then."

Unlike the rest of the family, Zhao Zhentang said only that one line, then asked, "The prison is nearly bursting now. Just the arraignments alone will take days. With so many people, aren't you worried something might go wrong?"

Although even the Prefect now had to fear and defer to Zhao Jin, many official formalities still had to be respected. Since constables and officers had arrested those people and thrown them into the government prison, the proper procedures of interrogation, sentencing, reporting, and review had to be followed. If someone retracted their confession in court or started making wild, false accusations, Zhao Jin would also face trouble.

After all, Zhao Jin was no innocent, law-abiding commoner. If many things came to light, although they could be suppressed, it would still be a hassle. And if someone with ill intent really escalated the matter, things would start spiraling out of control. Zhao Zhentang had spent over a decade in the yamen; he had seen and heard too much, which was why he said this.

"Father, can people be killed inside the prison?" Zhao Jin asked. Seeing Zhao Zhentang freeze, he added, "Something like hanging would do. It doesn't matter how we explain it afterward."

Zhao Zhentang's mouth twisted into a bitter smile as he shook his head. "Other fathers and sons talk about family matters and idle gossip. You, boy, talk to your old man about killing people."

At this, Zhao Zhentang's brow furrowed and he said sternly, "How did you suddenly become so ruthless? Xiao Jin, once a man grows accustomed to killing and seeing blood, his nature changes. By then, the whole person is ruined."

"Father, I'm not ruthless. I just want to handle things thoroughly. Besides, if I'm not ruthless, others will be ruthless toward me. I thought this was just business, but they resorted to murder!" Zhao Jin said a couple of lines, his voice suddenly rising.

"I thought everyone understood the unspoken rules and knew where the boundaries were. I never imagined that while you play by the rules, others go for the kill. If I had been ruthless earlier and swept away all that scum inside and outside the city, how could Dalei have..." By the end, Zhao Jin was roaring.

He Cuihua, who had already gone back to her room, heard the commotion outside and rushed out in alarm, thinking her husband and son were quarreling. When she came out, she found Zhao Jin's face streaming with tears. His hands kept wiping at them, but he couldn't stop.

He Cuihua immediately grew frantic. Just as she was about to speak, Zhao Zhentang shot her a look and waved her off. He Cuihua understood her husband's meaning and reluctantly returned to the room.

Zhao Zhentang sighed, reached out, and patted his son's shoulder. "It's not your fault," he said softly. "Who could have imagined such senseless slaughter would happen out of nowhere?"

Zhao Jin wanted to speak, but not a single word would come out. The suppressed emotions he had held since the ambush finally broke free beyond his control at this moment.

During the first month of the year, the nights were very quiet. Everyone stayed home celebrating the New Year. The yamen area was even more deserted. Not just at night—even during the day, people took detours around it. The reason was simple: the hundred-plus corpses laid out there that day had terrified everyone. Whether they cared about such things or not, everyone said the place was thick with baleful energy.

It wasn't just passersby. Even the Prefect's family, who lived behind the yamen, had moved into the borrowed residence of some wealthy household in the city. This, too, was because the baleful energy was too heavy; staying there at night gave people the creeps.

Others might be afraid, but the minor clerks and runners in the yamen didn't care. As they put it, when Xuzhou flooded, the dead outside the city were far more numerous, and no one saw any baleful energy then. It was pestilence that killed people. What was there to fear in the dead of winter? If they weren't afraid, the jailers guarding the prison were even less so. Life and death—what hadn't they seen inside the prison walls? Why would they care about this?

For them, the only real annoyance was having no rest even during the New Year. Nearly a hundred people had been suddenly crammed inside, and entire families had been arrested at once. What's more, it was a case tied to a cult and rebellion, so there wasn't even anyone coming to visit or bring food. That meant no chance to squeeze any perks out of them.

There were rules about dividing the spoils from raided homes in the yamen, and the jailers could usually get a cut. But that was just standard practice. The problem was, a few of the serious offenders locked up here had plenty of nerve. They just kept saying, "I accept I'm to be executed or dismembered, but if you jailers go too far, watch your backs on dark roads, and watch out for your families."

Everyone was a native of Xuzhou and knew well the capabilities of these Incense Sect cell leaders. Many jailers even knew that quite a few cell leaders outside hadn't been caught. This threat was very effective. So the jailers all had some complaints, thinking, "You constables earn merit and rewards, while we're stuck here stifled and put upon."

Complaints aside, when they saw Zhao Zhentang and his son, along with Chen Wu and his son, arrive, their faces were all smiles, not daring to show the slightest neglect.

"Chief Chen, Brother Zhao, Master Jin..." The head jailer bowed as he greeted them politely. He called out three names in a row, then stopped himself short.

Chen Wu and Zhao Zhentang both wore wry smiles. Zhao Zhentang pointed at the head jailer and laughed scornfully. "Old Chi, what are you babbling? You've got the generations all mixed up."

Head Jailer Chi hurriedly smiled apologetically. In this city of Xuzhou, you could not fear anyone else, but you had to fear this young master Zhao Jin. Just the sight of the corpses laid out flat in front of the yamen, and the hundred-some prisoners inside this jail, was enough to tell everyone how formidable this master was. Compared to Chen Wu and Zhao Zhentang, Zhao Jin was the one who commanded the most respect. To put it more precisely, besides Zhao Jin, Chief Constable Chen's son, Chen Sheng, also had to be served with great care. Who didn't know that among Zhao Jin's group, this young master was second-in-command?

Head Jailer Chi understood this logic. Zhao Zhentang and Chen Wu understood it too. Everyone understood it. So it was just brushed off with a joking scold.

Head Jailer Chi was a man who knew his limits, so he received them at the main entrance of the prison. All the jailers on duty had followed him out, each one bowing and smiling apologetically. The bulk of this attitude was for Zhao Jin's benefit.

"Old Chi, is it convenient for these people to go in?" Zhao Zhentang asked.

Besides the two father-son pairs, twenty household guards stood behind Zhao Jin and the others. Head Jailer Chi had spotted them long ago. Hearing the question, he paused briefly, then said with a smile, "What wouldn't be convenient? We're all on the same side here. Go right in."

Zhao Jin smiled and nodded, leading his men inside. In truth, Zhao Zhentang and Chen Wu had also exchanged pleasantries, but the prison staff only had eyes for Zhao Jin.

It was tradition for government offices and yamens to be dilapidated. Unless absolutely necessary, no official would ever repair them. The prison, however, was frequently maintained—thick walls, a heavy wooden door reinforced with iron.

"Masters, the smell inside isn't very pleasant. Please bear with it." Someone inside opened the main door.

Inside the door was a corridor. Near the entrance were two small rooms, likely where the jailers rested. Before even entering, one could smell the stench of blood, rot, and decay wafting out from within.

"We haven't been inside for a day either. Let's air it out a bit first," Head Jailer Chi said with a smile.

Zhao Jin made a gesture. Four household guards behind him carried two small chests to the front. Setting them down, they opened the lids directly. Under the lamplight, the chests gave off a gleaming silver glow.

"This is five hundred taels of silver. Uncles, take it for some tea," Zhao Jin said with a smile.

Head Jailer Chi, standing at the front, froze. His eyes locked onto the silver and couldn't move away. The dozen or so jailers behind him also crowded forward, every eye gleaming. No matter how this silver was divided, each man would end up with at least ten or twenty taels. That was equivalent to several months' or even half a year's worth of perks.

"Tomorrow, whatever Uncle Chi tells you all, just repeat it. Uncle Chi, stay. The rest of you, go have your tea first!" Zhao Jin said loudly.

There was not a trace of politeness left in this statement. With five hundred taels of silver laid out and such words spoken, what was there left not to understand? Everyone knew this involved enormous risk, but thinking that it was Zhao Jin doing it, they all kept silent.

Head Jailer Chi glanced at the silver again, then turned his head and barked, "Go over to Old Liu's place nearby and wait. Those off duty, head home. I'll accompany these masters inside for a look. I'll call you back later."

The jailers outside, hearing this, greeted Zhao Zhentang and the others and dispersed in a hubbub. The household guards first moved the silver chests into the small room. Head Jailer Chi also rummaged inside the small room for a moment, then brought out several lanterns. Once lit, the guards carried them.

After this short while, though the smell still lingered, it had become bearable. With someone leading the way holding a lantern, Zhao Jin and the others followed behind, and together they walked inside.

The environment inside the prison was naturally unpleasant—exceptionally dim, and with the intermittent sounds of weeping and wailing echoing through, it was as gloomy and eerie as a realm of ghosts.

The household guards, visiting such a scene for the first time, all had cowed expressions. In contrast, Zhao Jin and Chen Sheng looked completely normal. Head Jailer Chi, who had been stealing glances at them from the side, was inwardly amazed. No wonder they had accomplished so many shocking great deeds at such a young age. Truly extraordinary.

"Uncle Chi, that man is being held in solitary confinement. He hasn't suffered any hardship, has he?" Zhao Jin asked in a low voice.

Head Jailer Chi immediately understood. He leaned close to Zhao Jin's ear and whispered, "That gentleman is in the spot near the window. It's ventilated there, and it was specially cleaned. He was even given a new set of bedding. He's not suffering."

Zhao Jin nodded. They were talking about Zhou Xuezhi. He was a crucial witness, so of course he needed special treatment.

After saying this, Zhao Jin swept his gaze across the gloomy cells. The prisoners locked inside all stared at him with hearts full of resentment. But when Zhao Jin's gaze met theirs, they either lowered their heads or shrank back. Having been arrested, they all knew full well what Zhao Jin had done outside and how many people he had killed.

"Uncle Chi, I've heard that when people are thrown into prison, some, fearing their crimes will be exposed, might become desperate and take their own lives. There is such a thing, right?" Zhao Jin asked with a smile.

Head Jailer Chi instinctively wanted to smile and agree, but then he immediately grasped the meaning behind Zhao Jin's words. He was dressed warmly, and the prison was stuffy; moments ago he had felt rather hot. Now, a chill ran through his entire body, and he shivered twice. Head Jailer Chi hesitated for too long, and Chen Sheng looked over at him.