"Forget it." Since she couldn't figure out the whole story at once, Zhao Fusheng simply stopped trying.
The boat will naturally straighten when it reaches the bridge.
"What's certain for now is that Paper-Man Zhang's target is the Ghost Coffin."
Now that the Beggar's Alley Ghost Calamity had been resolved, and the Beggar's Ghost hadn't been completely sealed, if Paper-Man Zhang truly was a Ghost Tamer as Zhao Fusheng suspected, his rash entry into the Confucius Temple would very likely cause the Fierce Ghost to revive, thus plunging him into peril. A person who tames a Fierce Ghost can never truly compare to an immortal Fierce Ghost. Given his personality, he would definitely lurk nearby, waiting for a suitable moment to act.
"He won't leave anyway. Sooner or later, he'll lose his patience and reveal himself. When we catch him, the whole truth will come to light."
Zhao Fusheng waved a hand, and the others nodded in agreement.
Kneeling by Zhao Fusheng's side, Zhang Chuanshi let out an almost imperceptible sigh of relief.
Zhao Fusheng caught this in the corner of her eye, a slight smile playing on her lips. Then she pressed her lips together, as if she hadn't noticed Zhang Chuanshi's abnormality, and turned to Fan Bisi: "Did your trip to Bao County go smoothly?"
The Fan brothers' expressions sharpened. Fan Bisi kicked his younger brother, and Fan Wujiu quickly stood up and replied, "Smoothly."
Fan Bisi also nodded: "After you suppressed the two ghosts, no anomalies appeared. We hurried along, focusing solely on completing the task and returning swiftly, without alarming any 'outsiders.'" The 'outsiders' he referred to were naturally Deputy Magistrate Zheng of the Demon Suppressing Department in Bao County.
However, Fan Bisi's expression showed no joy. He seemed hesitant to speak: "But, Fusheng..." He only started the sentence, but Zhao Fusheng already guessed his unspoken words: "You're worried that this matter won't stay hidden for long, and my parents' corpses will revive again?"
Fan Bisi lowered his head, remaining silent, but his attitude undoubtedly confirmed her guess.
"No need to worry." Zhao Fusheng shook her head, then swayed her chair twice. "I've thought about that problem too." At her words, the Fan brothers' tense expressions relaxed. For some reason, Fan Bisi now felt both wary and somewhat fearful of her. After she returned from the dead, her entire demeanor had changed dramatically, as if she had been reborn. After successfully resolving the Beggar's Alley Ghost Case, her prestige had only increased, making Fan Bisi feel not the slightest doubt about her abilities when she spoke of ghost calamities.
"The Fierce Ghosts' revival was merely temporarily interrupted by me. Now that the Ghost Mist has appeared, this seal won't last long. After a while, when the situation in Wan'an County stabilizes a bit, we'll find a way to resolve this ghost case."
Zhao Fusheng's words brought a smile to the Fan brothers' faces. That day, the two had been forced to make a choice, secretly burying the Zhao couple's corpses in Bao County territory. If this matter were exposed, Deputy Magistrate Zheng would surely not spare them. The two brothers hadn't tamed any Fierce Ghosts, and their patron was now dead. Offending a powerful Ghost Tamer would be a huge headache for them in the future. If Zhao Fusheng was willing to step in and clean up the mess, it would naturally be the best possible outcome for the brothers.
Zhao Fusheng observed the subtle shifts in the two brothers' expressions, smiled, and then instructed: "Starting tomorrow, announce throughout Wan'an County that I will be taking on ghost cases from now on. If there are any cases in various towns and villages, they are to be reported by the local authorities without delay."
After speaking, she looked at Fan Bisi again: "You are an old hand of the Demon Suppressing Department. According to the old rules, recruit some general workers and servants to manage administrative affairs. Clear out all the side rooms, especially the dossier archives. It's best to find someone literate to properly categorize and store the disorganized dossiers."
Now that she had resolved the Beggar's Alley Ghost Case, she had some temporary free time. During the intervals between taking on new ghost cases, she would read dossiers to increase her understanding of this world and of Fierce Ghosts.
Fan Bisi, hearing her words, felt a great weight lift from his heart and quickly nodded in agreement.
"The silver offered by the gentry—" He was about to speak when Zhao Fusheng interrupted him: "It goes into the treasury, to be used for paying the wages of the general workers and servants." She added a reminder: "But remember to keep detailed accounts."
Her words startled Fan Bisi. "But these are your private assets—"
The Demon Suppressing Departments across the Great Han Dynasty were not poor, but the wealth didn't lie in the public treasury, but rather with the Commanders and Envoys within the yamen. The local gentry and powerful families had a custom of paying money and making offerings to the Commanders; this was a 'protection fee,' a universally accepted practice. As for extra expenses for the yamen, as long as the local Commander was strong, there were plenty of people willing to join as general workers to seek the protection of the powerful.
"These don't even need to be paid," Fan Wujiu said. "If the Demon Suppressing Department were to resume full operation, not only would they not receive wages, but they'd also have to make offerings to you! It'd be better to recruit some Envoys at a high price; that would be of great use too."
Fan Bisi and Zhang Chuanshi both nodded. Neither of them evidently saw anything wrong with Fan Wujiu's words.
"..."
Zhao Fusheng suddenly reflected for a moment. She currently possessed a modest fortune and had been calculating how to suppress wages when hiring people. She thought she was already ruthless enough, but she hadn't expected the people around her to be even more exploitative. However, Fan Wujiu's words did not sway Zhao Fusheng.
Silver would not appear out of thin air. As everyone suggested, if general workers were not paid wages but were instead required to make offerings, the source of these 'offerings' could naturally be imagined.
"The Demon Suppressing Department will not be adding any Envoys for now." Zhao Fusheng pondered for a moment, shook her head, and then decisively stated, "Just do as I say." Although Fan Bisi was perplexed, Zhao Fusheng was currently the strongest, so naturally, everyone would listen to her.
With the two brothers assigned tasks, Zhao Fusheng's gaze fell upon Zhang Chuanshi. He felt a vague unease and quickly spoke up proactively: "Then I can also help with some of the accounting work—" His right eyelid twitched incessantly, fearing that if he spoke too slowly, great misfortune would befall him: "I've been running a shop for many years; I'm good at calculations—"
"You won't be needed for that." Even if he hadn't spoken, Zhao Fusheng wouldn't have forgotten him. "Your accounts aren't clear enough."
Zhang Chuanshi recalled their first interaction and felt a little guilty. Hearing Zhao Fusheng's words, just as he was about to argue, Zhao Fusheng looked at him and smiled: "And you have other things to do."
Her smile, seen through Zhang Chuanshi's eyes, always made him feel she had ill intentions. As he trembled with trepidation, he heard Zhao Fusheng say, "Next time we handle a ghost case, you'll come with me."
"..."
Zhang Chuanshi's face turned ashen, and he slumped to the ground. His eyeballs quickly bloodshot, swirling, then a fierce glint appeared in his eyes. He clenched his fists, about to resist, but the moment he looked up at Zhao Fusheng and saw her cold gaze, as if waiting for him to act out, all of Zhang Chuanshi's immense anger and resentment dissipated.
"Your—Your Excellency Zhao—" he stammered, his body trembling.
Beside them, the Fan brothers exchanged glances, their faces showing the relief of having survived a calamity. Zhao Fusheng's words conveyed two attitudes:
Firstly, she resented Paper-Man Zhang, and Zhang Chuanshi was closely related to Paper-Man Zhang. Furthermore, from their recent conversation, it was clear that Zhang Chuanshi had been concealing information from her. Zhao Fusheng's decision to bring Zhang Chuanshi along for the next ghost case was clearly intended to teach him a lesson, and also to make an example of him for the Fan brothers to see.
Secondly, she had assigned tasks to the Demon Suppressing Department, instructing the Fan brothers to manage miscellaneous affairs within the department, and nominated Zhang Chuanshi to accompany her. This implied that the Fan brothers would not be involved in the next ghost case. For the two of them, this was undoubtedly a piece of extremely good news.
Fan Bisi, being the more thoughtful one, speculated that this was likely Zhao Fusheng's reward for their earlier successful handling of the Zhao couple's burial. Thinking this, he immediately knew how he should conduct himself in the future.
Zhang Chuanshi wasn't foolish either; what Fan Bisi could infer, he could too. Thus, he immediately cried out in injustice: "I truly don't know where Paper-Man Zhang went. He really isn't dead. As for whether he tames Fierce Ghosts, I honestly don't know, Your Excellency Zhao..."
Zhao Fusheng, hearing him speak, put her feet down and sat upright. She leaned forward, looking at Zhang Chuanshi: "Is that all there is to it?"
Zhang Chuanshi, seeing her approach, was so startled he sat back on his heels. Hearing her question, he desperately nodded: "Yes, I am just an ordinary person, merely distantly related to Paper-Man Zhang. I usually just borrow his false reputation to act arrogantly and make a living—"
Zhao Fusheng smiled, reminding him: "Old Zhang, when my parents' Fierce Ghosts revived, those two door panels where they were placed left behind ghost shadows. Did you tell Paper-Man Zhang about that?"
The moment she uttered these words, Zhang Chuanshi instantly broke out in a cold sweat, daring not to utter a sound.
"We were barely done with the funeral when you immediately went to report—"
Having experienced the Beggar's Alley Ghost Calamity, her understanding of Fierce Ghosts was now far greater than when she first entered this world. Things associated with a ghost could transform into malevolent objects, such as Liu Huacheng's Soul Register, the Headless Ghost's Ghost Coffin, and the Zhao couple's door panels. Zhang Xiongwu wasn't merely coveting the Ghost Coffin; it was possible that the Zhang family had also been collecting other highly malevolent items.
On the day the Zhao couple was buried, Zhang Chuanshi closing his shop was no coincidence; it was likely he went to tip someone off. His coffin shop was directly across from the Demon Suppressing Department, and he hadn't left even after trouble broke out at the Department, which meant he must have had some ulterior motive regarding the Demon Suppressing Department.
"What do you want by staying here?" Zhao Fusheng asked again.
Zhang Chuanshi was drenched in sweat, his lips trembling, but he didn't speak. Zhao Fusheng showed no intention of forcing him. She let out a cold laugh: "If you don't want to say, so be it. I have plenty of patience. We'll see whose life is greater, yours or mine."
"..."
Zhang Chuanshi trembled upon hearing her words, collapsing to the ground like an eggplant wilted by frost.
Zhao Fusheng paid him no further mind, then waved her hand, signaling for everyone to disperse.
That night was the calmest she had experienced since her rebirth in this foreign world. There were no revived Fierce Ghosts, and her room was immeasurably more comfortable than Beggar's Alley. Yet, Zhao Fusheng unusually suffered from insomnia, unable to sleep the entire night.
Fortunately, after resolving a ghost case, Magistrate Pang was sensible enough not to bother her. She caught up on sleep during the day and felt much better when she woke up at noon.
Although Fan Bisi was ruthless, he was also discerning and efficient. After receiving Zhao Fusheng's orders, he completed the task quickly within a day. The people he selected also appeared quite honest and reliable. While Zhao Fusheng was catching up on sleep, they first cleaned and tidied the side rooms where archives and dossiers were stored.
After Zhao Fusheng woke, Fan Bisi brought a plate of freshly baked flatbread and handed it to her, saying, "The first ones found are all general workers. As for suitable personnel to organize the dossiers, that will take some more time—" As he spoke, he secretly observed Zhao Fusheng's expression from the corner of his eye. Seeing her roll up the bread and eat it heartily, not looking angry, he inwardly relaxed and continued, "So, I only had them temporarily clean the side rooms and put away the scattered dossiers. Once we find the right people, we'll categorize and store them properly."
"Not bad." Zhao Fusheng nodded. The rolled flatbread was made of coarse grain, slightly scratchy on the throat when swallowed. Seeing her frown, Fan Bisi immediately said, "The Demon Suppressing Department suffered a ghost calamity a few days ago, and many wealthy households in the city fled. Many supplies are incomplete. Things will get much better after a while."
Life in the Great Han Dynasty was indeed backward. The flatbread in Zhao Fusheng's plate was already a 'delicacy' that most people in this world could not enjoy. Her primary task now was not to eat, but to strive to accumulate merit points to preserve her life.
"Mhm," she replied. "For the next few days, you can handle minor matters on your own. Don't bother me unless necessary. If Magistrate Pang has any news, inform me immediately."
The Soul Register was in her hands, so she had the Fan brothers thoroughly suppressed for the time being. On major issues, she wasn't afraid of the Fan Bisi brothers harboring ill intentions—she wasn't planning to entrust major matters to them anyway. As for minor matters, Zhao Fusheng clearly knew what to grasp and what to delegate. From the current situation, Fan Bisi was doing quite well with the tasks she assigned.
She handed him the empty plate, which Fan Bisi took. Zhao Fusheng pushed open the side room door and entered. It was entirely different from her first visit. The room had been thoroughly cleaned; shattered tables, chairs, and bookshelves had been swept away, and spilled bloodstains had been scrubbed clean, still damp with watermarks. The dossiers that had been scattered on the floor were also collected and temporarily stacked on a bookshelf to one side. The dusty shelves had been wiped exceptionally clean, and blood-soaked cobwebs on the ceiling had been removed. With the windows pushed open, the entire room suddenly appeared bright and comfortable.
Fan Bisi carried the plate, following behind her. After hesitating for a long moment, Zhao Fusheng said, "If you have something to say, just say it." She was clearly surveying the room, yet it was as if she had eyes on her back, observing his every move.
Fan Bisi's heart trembled, and he quickly said, "Fusheng, those door panels—" He paused slightly here. "When we buried your parents, I was worried something might go wrong, so I took the liberty of having the door panels and coffins buried in two separate locations." He had known early on that objects associated with Fierce Ghosts could transform into highly malevolent items, but previously, guarding against Zhao Fusheng, he had deliberately spoken in halves, withholding information. However, Zhang Chuanshi's situation had served as a wake-up call, prompting him to voluntarily come and pledge his allegiance to Zhao Fusheng today.
Zhao Fusheng smiled, knowing that her handling of Zhang Chuanshi was already showing initial results. Fan Bisi was indeed a clever man; if used well, he would clearly be an asset to her. "You've done very well. Later, when I have some free time, I'll go dig up those two door panels."
Although Fan Bisi was seasoned, he was still young. He had been on tenterhooks, but now, praised by her, he couldn't help but smile.
In the time that followed, Zhao Fusheng ignored all other matters, dedicating herself entirely to the dossiers, studying the Demon Suppressing Department's history of handling ghosts in Wan'an County, thereby gaining experience.
Ten days passed in a flash.
On this day, Magistrate Pang personally arrived in a small palanquin, bringing his secretary and two or three apprehensive old men, all entering the Demon Suppressing Department's yamen. They had brought a new ghost case, hoping to enlist Zhao Fusheng's help to resolve it.
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