A Little Skillful Man Breaks the Salt Poisoning Code (Part 2)
In the backyard of the county government office, Yan Zhiwei gathered everyone together.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, lights began to illuminate the courtyard. The soft, orange glow lit up Yan Zhiwei's face and revealed the objects she held in her hands—ripe crabs and tangerines.
Yan Zhiwei washed his hands, called someone to bring out a bowl of egg whites, and then found some crab-peeling tools. He then proceeded to process the crabs in front of everyone.
Yan Zhiwei pinched the crab's navel with two fingers, twisted her wrist sharply, and the shell separated from the bone. Before long, a large, plump piece of snow-white meat was presented to everyone.
Jiang Qin was dumbfounded, and even Inspector Zhu rarely raised his eyes.
Seeing Yan Zhiwei's unhurried movements, Zhong Dianxin realized he had been tricked and was furious: "Young lady, are you playing house? We are investigating a case. Can you take responsibility for wasting our time?"
Yan Zhiwei remained silent and mixed the crab and citrus into the egg white.
After a while, Zhong Dianxin couldn't wait any longer and stepped forward to snatch the bowl from Yan Zhiwei's hand.
"I'd like to see," Zhong Dianxin muttered, only to find that the originally clear and bright egg white in the bowl had turned into a flocculent mass.
Zhong Dianxin's eyes widened in surprise. Yan Zhiwei pouted and took out a clove of garlic from her bosom, dipping it slightly into the liquid in the bowl. The white garlic gradually turned black.
"This humble woman only knows that arsenic turns black when it comes into contact with garlic, and coagulates when it comes into contact with egg white." Yan Zhiwei showed the unusual contents of the bowl and took half a step back.
"In my opinion, the poisoning of this envoy was not caused by human intervention, but by mistakenly eating incompatible foods such as crab and citrus. Excessive consumption of these two foods will produce arsenic, which will harm your health."
"If you don't believe me, you can have a doctor come and ask him a few questions."
Yan Zhiwei bowed deeply. Lingnan is a coastal region and a major producer of seafood. It was rare for a distinguished person to come down for an inspection, so the officials below were naturally extremely attentive.
The capital of the Great Zhao Dynasty is located in the north, inland, so the opportunity to eat fresh seafood is rare. Given such hospitality, it is quite normal to eat more seafood.
Yan Zhiwei swallowed hard, still not daring to relax. Even though she had given a relatively reasonable explanation, whether or not it was believed was ultimately a matter for those in power.
Moreover, food poisoning is a matter of dosage. Even though crabs and citrus fruits may produce arsenic, it is unknown whether the amount will reach a toxic level.
She could only offer a guess; as for other possible answers…
Inspector Zhu fiddled with his waist token, his sharp eyes fixed on Yan Zhiwei, who was bending down. In Yan Zhiwei's blind spot, he smiled meaningfully.
"In that case, the truth has come to light." Inspector Zhu raised his hand. "Lord Zhong, I never expected that such a small county as Lingnan would be full of hidden talents."
The Inspector Zhu turned his back and personally untied the ropes binding Manager Liu: "You are innocent."
He turned back again, his eyes piercing Zhong Dianxin: "What a fine official of the court, daring to make arbitrary conclusions and attempt to disregard human life."
"Once you take off this official robe, I never want to see you again."
"Drag him out." At the order, the clerks waiting on both sides stepped forward. In no time, Zhong Dianxin's once proud head was lowered to the ground. The clerks continued to drag him, and after a few shouts, Zhong Dianxin could no longer be seen in the courtyard.
Yan Zhiwei finally felt relieved. There were still some unused ingredients on the table. Being a cook, she couldn't stand waste, so she got up and used the remaining ingredients to make a mixed egg fried rice.
The rice, coated in egg batter, is plump and fluffy, with crab meat interspersed among it, revealing its pinkish-white color.
The aroma was enticing. Jiang Qin's Adam's apple bobbed as he took a bite and praised it repeatedly.
Jiang Tan then pushed the plate of fried rice to Inspector Zhu, whose face was ashen. Inspector Zhu ate a few bites without saying a word.
Yan Zhiwei was a little nervous. Although the main goal of this investigation was to clear Manager Liu's name, as a chef, she still hoped to win over the palates of discerning customers.
Seeing that the inspector had finished cleaning the plate, Yan Zhiwei finally slumped her shoulders. Just as she was about to let out a long sigh, Inspector Zhu, who had just stepped away, turned back and said to Yan Zhiwei from a few steps away, "Although she is a country girl, she is not without wit."
"His cooking skills are passable."
“I’ve been living at the county government office these days.”
"If you want to advance further, you can come to me. I'd be willing to reserve a private chef position for you."
"Go to hell!" Yan Zhiwei pouted.
This man is truly unreliable; he's just an arrogant inspector who relies on his official position. He doesn't even look thirty yet, and he's probably just some son of an official trying to pad his resume. If we're talking about real skills to support himself, his abilities are probably not as good as Yan Zhiwei's.
Another day of resentment towards the rich and powerful! Yan Zhiwei sniffed.
——
Outside the county government office, Zhu Mingyu looked anxious.
I only went to buy some jars. Although the journey there was a bit slow, and I hesitated for a long time because I couldn't successfully bargain as Yan Zhiwei had instructed, I finally made it home before dusk.
Unlike Yan Zhiwei, who was unjustly implicated in the case of a high-ranking official, if the commotion hadn't been so great, he probably wouldn't even know where to look for Yan Zhiwei.
That's an official appointed by the imperial court! Given Yan Zhiwei's personality, if he were to offend a powerful figure, Zhu Mingyu couldn't even imagine it.
Zhu Mingyu's face darkened, and he almost kicked and crushed the pebbles at his feet. The bright moonlight shone on the half-piece of gold-inlaid jade hidden under his rough linen sleeve. The jade was translucent and pure, completely out of place with the rest of his clothes.
——
"Manager Liu, I've done you a great favor today."
At the county government office, Yan Zhiwei, who was completely unaware of Zhu Mingyu's current worries, walked out with Manager Liu after the crisis was averted.
Manager Liu's hands trembled, and his face was flushed. It wasn't until they reached the threshold and were about to part ways that he came to his senses: "Madam Yan, no, Manager Yan, if it weren't for you, I'm afraid I would have been in deep trouble."
As if remembering something, Manager Liu quickly bowed and said, "I will never go back on my word. From now on, as long as it is needed, salt in your restaurant will be provided free of charge within my means."
This was the deal that Manager Liu agreed to with Yan Zhiwei.
Yan Zhiwei whispered in Manager Liu's ear that after the matter was settled, Manager Liu would supply salt to her restaurant free of charge. She had considered this deal in her mind. Although the price of salt was not high, it was still an essential expense for the restaurant, and it would add up to a considerable sum over time.
Yan Zhiwei was taken aback, thinking that she would have to subtly persuade Manager Liu to acknowledge the unsigned debt. She hadn't expected him to be so quick to agree.
Yan Zhiwei smiled and said, "The manager is indeed a straightforward person." She tried to help Manager Liu, who was bowing, but instead touched his thin and hunched back.
Yan Zhiwei remained silent for a moment.
“I’m helping you today not entirely for profit.” Yan Zhiwei glanced at Manager Liu’s faded outer coat, thought of the group of bald-footed beggars in the market, and recalled Manager Liu’s back as he distributed porridge.
"I know you've had it tough. In these chaotic times, everyone tries to protect themselves, but you're different."
I admire you.
Yan Zhiwei sighed: "But I'm different. I don't have your kindness. Everyone has their own destiny. I just want to get what I deserve."
Yan Zhiwei looked up: "Fifty percent of the market price. This is the lowest return I can accept." Yan Zhiwei knew the market price; a 50% discount was right at the cost line, so Manager Liu wouldn't lose money, and she would also protect her own interests.
"I'll come back tomorrow at noon to collect the contract regarding the 50% discount on salt." Without looking back, Yan Zhiwei turned and left.
"Zhiwei!" Yan Zhiwei had just stepped out of the threshold and hadn't gone more than a few meters when she heard a familiar voice.
Zhu Mingyu had messy hair, huge eyes, and weeds still hanging on his clothes, probably because he had just climbed over a wall or crawled through a dog hole.
"You look so disheveled, you're filthy, like you're doing something wrong." Yan Zhiwei found it amusing and reached out to brush the weeds off Zhu Mingyu's robes, but was instead grabbed and hugged.
"I thought you weren't coming back." Zhu Mingyu said, his voice choked with emotion.
"Did they make things difficult for you? Are you feeling unwell?" Zhu Mingyu sniffed left and right, his hand hovering above Yan Zhiwei's head before withdrawing it.
Yan Zhiwei pressed down on Zhu Mingyu's hand that was covering her, then spread her arms out and spun around to show Zhu Mingyu: "What could possibly happen?"
"Anyone who didn't know better would think I'd lost an arm or a leg." Yan Zhiwei pursed her lips and rolled her eyes. "You really want me to die a horrible death? You want to hold my funeral as soon as possible?"
Yan Zhiwei habitually teased Zhu Mingyu, expecting to elicit a flustered response, but the opposite happened. Zhu Mingyu didn't laugh; instead, he held Yan Zhiwei's shoulder with a cold expression.
"Do you really have no idea how anxious I am?" Zhu Mingyu's grip was too loose, and Yan Zhiwei felt a throbbing pain from the depths of her muscles, causing her to hiss involuntarily.
Zhu Mingyu said, "Didn't you say that if the government is in danger, we common people should get as far away as possible? Yet you still dare to set a trap for us with your own body?"
"Can't you be more careful?"
"I'm not saying this." Yan Zhiwei had never seen Zhu Mingyu with such a solemn expression, and for a moment she didn't know how to organize her words.
After a moment of distraction, Yan Zhiwei murmured, "I didn't intend to step forward... Sigh, okay, I admit I acted impulsively, but I'm perfectly fine now, next time, next time..."
"There won't be a next time!" Zhu Mingyu hugged Yan Zhiwei tightly. "Next time, call me."
Zhu Mingyu thought that he was strong and a man, so if the other party wanted to vent their anger, they should come to him.
Yan Zhiwei was still in Zhu Mingyu's arms, smelling the faint scent of soap on his robes. She raised her neck again, unable to break free.
"Hey, Zhu Mingyu!" Yan Zhiwei wasn't very tall, barely reaching Zhu Mingyu's shoulder.
Zhu Mingyu's embrace remained warm, and seemed to be getting tighter.
Yan Zhiwei was suffocating from being suffocated and didn't want to listen to Zhu Mingyu's nagging anymore. She had a sudden idea and slumped down, saying, "Oh dear, my legs are weak."
Zhu Mingyu looked surprised, and Yan Zhiwei leaned half her weight on him: "I was so tired just now. You have no idea how difficult that corrupt official is to deal with. Sigh, that newly appointed inspector from the central government, he acted like he'd seen a ghost whenever he saw me, as if he wanted to run two miles away..."
Yan Zhiwei changed the subject, her right hand around Zhu Mingyu's neck: "Look, I can't even walk now."
"Why don't you carry me on your back?" Yan Zhi smiled, and she nimbly twisted her body, climbing onto Zhu Mingyu's back like a monkey climbing a tree.
Zhu Mingyu felt a heat behind his ear, and Yan Zhiwei, seeing this, blew a breath into his ear with ill intent.
"Giddy up!" Yan Zhiwei was still immersed in the joy of successfully completing the transaction with Manager Liu, and her voice trembled with laughter at the end.
"Hold on tight." Zhu Mingyu sighed, lifting Yan Zhiwei up with both hands.
A man and a woman were on the road when the distant sound of a night watchman startled the birds from their roosts.
Dark green moss spreads across the bluestone hill, its lingering white sheen reflecting the moonlight.
A warm touch was imprinted on the skin, blushing someone's face and striking someone's heart.
...
Jiang Qin gazed at the two figures growing ever more distant, their eyes meeting in unison: "A talented man and a beautiful woman, a picturesque scene."
"The scenery is beautiful, but the woman is just a village woman." Zhu Liji put his hands behind his back, the moonlight reflecting off his dark pupils. He recalled the scene he had just witnessed at the door where Yan Zhiwei was asking Manager Liu for a price.
Too much appeasement.
They bought salt at half price, couldn't stick to the original agreement, and are still indulging in self-pity.
He's really only cut out to be a kitchen manager.
“Nothing more than a country bumpkin,” Zhu Liji commented, frowning.
“But I think this girl is kind-hearted, and Yu-di is well taken care of by her.” Jiang Qin nudged the person next to him with his fan. “Now you can rest assured.”
As the youngest son of the Marquis of Jiping, who guarded the frontier, Zhu Mingyu was returning to the capital with his father after a campaign when he unexpectedly encountered villains and fell into a trap, his fate uncertain.
Fortunately, he was blessed by heaven and Zhu Mingyu escaped death and even made contact with the imperial court.
The day after receiving the news, his elder brother Zhu Liji volunteered to be sent to Lingnan for inspection.
Jiang Qin shrugged and asked, "When are we going to see him?"
Zhu Liji glanced at Jiang Tan, his eyes deepening: "I just happened to be passing by when I came to see him."
Zhu Liji said, "The important thing is to find out who the corrupt officials are."
The silver dagger he carried was drawn, its cold blade slicing through Zhu Liji's pupils.
"I'll still have to trouble the young strategist Jiang to investigate for me." Zhu Liji nodded. "If food poisoning is ruled out, who in Lingnan County is secretly plotting against me, and who wants to take my life?"
The dagger was sharp, suddenly piercing the chaos of the sky.
Jiang Qin finally stopped smiling and talking.
The night is still long.
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