Chapter 284 — Disappointment
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 1 of 4
Song Yan decisively left all the household's social obligations to Dou Yan.
The Earl of Donglin was of middling build with fair skin, and years of a life given over to wine and women had left his gaze somewhat muddy.
Having abruptly been put in charge of the Five Wards Commandery and given a deadline of one month to close the case, he had no idea where to begin. Leaving the palace, he had gone straight home and consulted with his advisors for the better part of the day without arriving at any good plan. He was stewing in frustration when a servant brought in Song Yan's card. With a bitter laugh, he handed it to his advisors. "Well? What am I to do?"
One of them pondered briefly, then said, "The Duke of Dingguo was executed and Lady Jiang died of illness, yet the Duke of Yingguo could do nothing to him. A man like that is not one you may offend, Patron, whatever the circumstances... You must of course receive him... But you have only just taken over the Five Wards Commandery and are not yet familiar with the case... Did not His Majesty bestow upon him Emperor Taizong's sword and charge him with investigating the fire at the Yingguo Estate? In a manner of speaking, he too bears a duty to investigate... Why not wait until tomorrow and go together to the Commandery? Once the case is clear to all, we may think of a plan together. Best of all would be to summon Lord Huang, the new prefect of Shuntian, to the Commandery as well..."
The Earl of Donglin nodded repeatedly and, taking the advisor who had given him this counsel, went to the reception hall.
Song Yan and Gu Yu paid their respects to the Earl of Donglin in the manner of junior kinsmen.
Chuckling, the Earl invited them to sit and made solicitous inquiries about the fire at the Yingguo Estate.
Song Yan had no choice but to recount the course of events once more.
No sooner had he finished than the Earl exclaimed indignantly, "The Shuntian and Jing'an Ward Commandery has grown far too lax! Had they rushed over the moment the report came in, how could the thieves have broken in? Small wonder His Majesty was furious. This matter must not be glossed over or excused—otherwise the noble houses of the capital will be no better than kitchen gardens, open to any who fancy a stroll. Where is the safety in that? This must be investigated, and investigated to the very bottom. Whoever dares shield or slacken in the matter shall be dealt with as an accomplice of the thieves!" For all the vehemence of his tone, the words were hollow.
Song Yan had seen plenty of such bureaucrats, and knowing the Earl's character and conduct, he could hardly fail to recognize the man's stalling for what it was.
"Your Lordship speaks reason," Song Yan said mildly. "Only the world is vast and the crowd thick, and nearly four hours have passed since the crime. Even were the whole city under martial law this very moment, I fear the thieves' trail would be hard to find."
You had better know it!
The Earl nodded—then Song Yan turned his words about: "But the commander of the East Ward Commandery is a capable man. He has already taken his men to comb through every guild and trade in the East Ward, having them identify..."
The Earl still looked blank, but his advisor had caught the drift of Song Yan's words. Clearing his throat, he put in with a smile, "What is this East Ward commander called? I did not expect him to be so resourceful. With such a grave matter in the capital, these jugglers and street performers ought to be brought to order—who knows but the thieves may be hiding among them!"
.
His Majesty has lost his temper; someone must be made to answer.
And with the capital's guilds and trades, there was a ready supply of scapegoats!
"Yes, yes, exactly," he said hurriedly. "Not only the East Ward—the other four wards ought to be set in order as well." He quickly summoned his personal attendant. "Go, bring me the commander of the East Ward from the Five Wards Commandery!"