He was about to send the man away when the woman in the hall began to report, "Sir, last night I came across a child collapsed in front of my shop. I took pity on him, considering he was young and injured, and it was raining heavily, so I took him in without permission. This morning, when he woke up, I asked him about it and learned that he had run away from the government office. I know this matter is of great importance, so I dare not conceal it, so I have come to report it."
"What?" Upon hearing this, the chief clerk slammed his desk and stood up, asking in surprise, "Is the person with you?"
"My Lord, the child was seriously injured and caught in the rain. He had a high fever last night. Fortunately, the doctor's treatment was miraculous. He has regained consciousness this morning and is currently recuperating at the home of a craftsman I know well, in Shoukangfang."
Just in case, fearing he had recognized the wrong person, the chief clerk asked, "What's the child's name? How old is he? How tall is he? What are his characteristics?"
Xu Jiang answered them one by one, "The child's surname is Lu and his name is Zhen. He looks about seven or eight years old, thin and small. His left leg was broken by a crutch, so he can't walk."
The chief clerk could no longer sit still after hearing this. He hurried to the door in two steps and shouted to the yamen runners who were left behind, "Come on, send two people with this woman to Shoukangfang to look for someone, and then send someone to inform the master that the child has been found!"
There was a sudden commotion. Two yamen runners hurried over, but Xu Jiang calmly said to the chief clerk, "Don't worry, sir. I have something else to tell you."
The chief clerk said sternly, "Hurry up and tell me, don't delay important matters."
"Sir, Lu Zhen's foot is badly injured, and the broken bones are constantly shifting. I've called in a doctor today, but he's told me not to move for a hundred days, or else there will be long-term consequences." Xu Jiang said earnestly, "This child lost both his parents, his ancestral hall was dismantled, and with no one to rely on, he was kidnapped and bullied, nearly dying on the streets. Fortunately, despite his young age, he has a strong heart and persevered through all the hardships, ultimately making it through. Sir, you are in charge of the county's registers, and you should know that although this child is young, he is a registered citizen. If this condition continues untreated, his life will be ruined. I hope you will have mercy on him and follow the doctor's orders, allowing him to recuperate with a carpenter for a while." She knelt before him and said, "This daughter kneels in Lu Zhen's name to thank you for your kindness."
Upon hearing this, the chief clerk's expression softened considerably. He pondered for a moment, then invited the man to stand up. He said gently, "My lady, you are kind and righteous, but this boy is involved in a kidnapping case, which is of great importance. I cannot make a decision on my own. I need to consult the magistrate before making a decision."
As he was speaking, the magistrate came in with a group of guards, "They said the man has been found. Where is he?"
The chief clerk stepped forward and whispered several times in his ear about the situation. The magistrate frowned, his eyes scanning Xu Jiang several times before he heard the chief clerk whisper, "Sir, why don't we send someone to investigate with this woman first? We can then make a decision based on the circumstances. What do you think?"
The magistrate thought this was a good idea, so he called two guards and ordered, "You two go with this lady to investigate the situation. Be sure to return quickly."
"yes."
Xu Jiang bid farewell to the two men, then led two yamen guards away on donkeys and horses.
The journey lasted two hours, and by the time Xu Jiang and the two guards returned, it was almost time for the market to close. Uncle Cao also arrived, and upon entering, he and Xu Jiang greeted the magistrate first, and then the chief clerk.
"I, Cao Deqing, pay my respects to the Magistrate and the Chief Registrar."
The magistrate asked, "Who are you?"
Uncle Cao calmly replied, "Your Excellency, I live in Shoukangfang. Three generations of my ancestors have been carpenters, and we are registered citizens. I am currently taking care of Lu Zhen, the child that Shopkeeper Xu saved."
Two guards stepped forward to explain the details, confirming that Cao Deqing and Xu Jiang were right. The magistrate breathed a sigh of relief, a heavy weight finally lifted from his heart, and his expression softened considerably.
"Everyone, stand up." He then called the chief clerk and two county magistrates forward to discuss the matter. "Now that the kidnapper has been found, the kidnapping case can be closed. Prepare the documents. Tomorrow I will personally report to the Dali Temple and have the verdict pronounced as soon as possible."
The chief clerk glanced at Xu Jiang and said to the magistrate, "Then this child..."
As the year drew to a close, the government office was overwhelmed with official duties and short on staff, and there was simply no way they could spare anyone to look after a little kid. Now that he knew his whereabouts and someone was willing to take care of him, it would save him a lot of trouble. Thinking of this, the magistrate had no reason not to agree.
"Since the doctor has instructed him to rest, he cannot be moved. Since you two are willing to share the burden of public service, I will leave the child in your care for the time being." The magistrate then instructed the chief clerk, "Give them two taels of official silver as the cost of the child's medicine. Also, send someone to visit him daily and make up for any shortfalls promptly."
"yes."
Uncle Cao and Xu Jiang looked at each other and hurriedly thanked him.
The dust settled and everyone was happy. The two came out of the county government office and felt relaxed all over.
"Uncle Cao, I'll have to trouble you to take care of the child from now on."
"Let's not talk nonsense. Boss, you've been busy all day and must be hungry. Why don't you come to my house for a meal?"
Xu Jiang thought that she had to go see the child anyway, so she agreed and said with a smile, "Then I'll bother you, aunt and sister-in-law."
The two of them then went to Cao's house.
The Cao family members were relieved to see the two of them return together. Cao Dali led Xu Jiang's donkey to water and feed it. Aunt Cao came forward and asked, "How did it go?"
Uncle Cao smiled and replied, "It's settled."
"That's good!" Aunt Cao looked at Xu Jiang, stepped forward and took her hand. "Master, you've been running around for this matter, so it must be hard. My wife and I have prepared some simple food. Please don't be disgusted and use some of it."
"Aunt, please don't be so modest. I've often heard Third Brother and A Lai praise your cooking skills, and today I finally get to taste them."
"Those greedy bastards!" Aunt Cao scolded her with a smile and pulled her into the house. "Master, please come in quickly. The food will get cold soon."
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