Chapter 519: Normal

Chapter 519: Chapter 519: Normal

Still in that soldiers’ barracks, though relatively simple, at least it was spacious enough. The bunk that originally slept eight now had only Shen Hao as a single occupant, so there was plenty of room to pull up chairs and have a cozy gathering.

Last time it was a big pot of stewed beast haunch. Today, things were much more refined: the meat was sliced, imitating the hot pot style Jiang Cheng had treated them to before, with side dishes and fiery liquor, really whetting the appetite. Of course, Shen Hao didn’t make all this himself—the Governor’s Office kitchen helped out after hearing that Lord Shen liked holding private cook-ups in the barracks, currying favor quite smoothly.

Just like before, all the men seconded from Fengri City’s Black Banner Battalion were gathered around eating and drinking.

"Sir, do you think both sides will take the bait?"

Only Wang Yiming knew the whole story; the others had more or less heard outlines. They knew their boss was about to screw over both the Ministry of Justice and Prince Shou’s Mansion in one go, so they were excited to be part of something this big—even as a bit of nervousness lingered, worrying it might fail.

Shen Hao picked up his wine bowl and took a big swig, grinning: "What? Getting anxious?"

Not only did Wang Yiming give an awkward smile, but so did the others around them. It wasn’t that they’d never seen action before, but getting their hands dirty screwing over a prince and the Ministry in one go—now that was a rush.

"You’ve all seen Wang Yiming’s acting—what do you think? Eat, don’t just sit there. This thing’s called hot pot, we don’t have it back in Fengri City. If you like it, we’ll get the mess hall to learn how to make it when we get back."

Speaking of hot pot, it was a favorite food of Shen Hao’s in his previous world. After so long in this place, he thought he’d forgotten it, but after Jiang Cheng treated him to it, the craving came back in full force. Now, just seeing the bubbling chili oil made his mouth water on reflex.

Shen Hao called everyone to dig in, and the men didn’t stand on ceremony, picking up their bowls and fishing out meat from the pot. After the rough big stew last time, this hot pot was even more relaxing and enjoyable.

"Honestly, I have a lot of faith in your work. Didn’t Li Qing leave in a rush just now? Obvious she was bluffed by Wang Yiming’s performance, hurrying back to tip off Xue Gui. And this afternoon, the Major Case Department refused your request for a second autopsy too, right? What excuse did they give?"

"Said their own forensic doctor was still processing the body."

"Heh, that’s a pretty sloppy excuse, right? Can’t you guys tell what trick they’re playing?"

When Shen Hao asked this, a circle of faces broke into grins, but all looked at Wang Yiming. Even though everyone understood deep down, rules were rules—Wang Yiming was the Deputy, biggest in rank here apart from Shen Hao, so even if they got the point they left it to Wang Yiming to answer first.

This kind of unspoken understanding was actually kind of amusing; rough, burly men, but all with delicate minds.

Wang Yiming wasn’t precious about it. He set down his bowl and chopsticks, smiled, and said: "Sir, I figure the Major Case Department is deliberately ’pinching our throats,’ trying to use this method to block our ’crime scene record’ and delay us finishing the ’initial case file.’ Whether it’ll work in the end, I wouldn’t dare to claim."

"What’s there to claim or not claim? We’re doing everything people can, then leaving the rest to fate. If we have confidence and read things right, then we’re almost certain to win; if not, then it’ll flop, and we’ll just have to come up with something else."

No matter what was really on his mind, Shen Hao wouldn’t show it in front of his men. If they failed, they’d have to try again with greater difficulty and maybe not have enough time, but he wasn’t going to say that out loud.

But this time, he truly was confident; as long as Xue Gui at the Major Case Department wasn’t a complete idiot, he’d definitely be misled. As long as they became suspicious, that was half the victory already.

"Sir, honestly I’m more worried about Prince Shou’s Mansion. Compared to the act we put on for Li Qing, the one for Prince Shou’s Mansion feels a lot stiffer to me."

"Stiff?" Shen Hao picked up a big chunk of meat and enjoyed the spicy oil and tender beef. It was true—Wang Yiming’s act for Prince Shou’s Mansion was a lot rougher than for the Major Case Department. If you examined it closely, there were even some things that didn’t add up, almost like it was ’wrong in a suspicious way.’ But that was precisely what Shen Hao settled on after careful calculation.

Don’t people often make ’ridiculous’ mistakes? Like a big boss tripping and falling while walking alone; rare but it does happen. Can you say he did it on purpose? Sometimes you just trip accidentally.

That’s what you call ’logic in illogic.’

It’s abnormal, so it counts as a ’mistake.’ If every mistake looked perfectly ’reasonable,’ that would actually be ’suspicious.’ That’s why Wang Yiming, ’deliberately erring,’ felt so awkward and unnatural.

This was different from the case with the Major Case Department.

Tricking the Major Case Department wasn’t about acting out a ’mistake’ but giving deliberate ’guidance.’ Because these were things they’d done many times before—just letting it ’slip out’ this time. So it felt much more natural for Wang Yiming.

"No rush. Tomorrow morning, go again to the Major Case Department to ask about the second autopsy. If they still refuse, then we’re pretty much set. If not, we’ve failed.

Meanwhile, step things up at Prince Shou’s Mansion. The key is to show them clearly different attitudes; this kind of signal is easy for them to pick up. With doubts already in their hearts, they’ll end up scaring themselves. Once the Major Case Department makes their move, the Prince will be convinced he’s been sold out.

When that time comes, we can finally relax and investigate the case properly."

Sowing discord or conflict between the Prince and civil officials was just a means, not an end. Shen Hao’s goal was to handle the investigation Jiang Cheng assigned him: dig out the killer and deliver him to Qin Xiuyuan.

The meal didn’t last as long as last night, and not as much wine was drunk—not because Shen Hao forbade it or they didn’t have enough, but everyone knew they were shouldering serious responsibilities and couldn’t let loose. After dinner, they helped clean up the dishes and left Shen Hao and Wang Yiming to talk business in private.

"Tomorrow’s the turning point—regardless of win or lose, we’ll know for certain. If it fails, destroy your copied documents immediately, return to Fengri City so Wang Jian can take over for you, and after that, you can’t show up in this matter anymore."

"Understood, sir." He’d expected as much—Wang Yiming’s tone was neutral. If the plan failed, time for another strategy, and as the chief operator, he’d have to dodge, avoid escalating things.

Shen Hao continued, "If it succeeds, still destroy your copied documents, but keep pushing for the second autopsy until you get their freshly-made initial case file."

"Sir, what if they refuse to give it?"

"Don’t worry. If our plan works, they’ll have to give it to you. Otherwise, how are they supposed to fight over jurisdiction?"