Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 120 - 119: Sudden Death

Lu Qing has always had a good memory, and this matter didn’t happen very long ago.

Previously, when borrowing soldiers in Runzhou, it was Situ Jing who refused to compromise, insisting that his Centurion must personally inspect the waist card of the Golden-faced Imperial Censor before following orders.

Last time, although Situ Jing didn’t see the Golden-faced Imperial Censor in person, he remembered his own orders clearly. Now, seeing Lu Qing voluntarily handing over the waist card, he guessed it was because of the previous incident.

Through the mask, he couldn’t discern the other’s expression, nor could he detect any emotion from the steady tone, making it impossible to guess if this act of handing over the waist card contained any dissatisfaction from the Lord Imperial Censor toward him.

But he didn’t think his previous actions were inappropriate, so he confidently took the waist card and examined it carefully, letting out a slow sigh: "Indeed, everything under Heaven is within the Holy Emperor’s sight."

"Yes, since I was transferred to Li State until now, in two months, four or five people in the imperial guard have inexplicably died."

"I was already at my wit’s end over this matter, unable to find the root cause."

"Now that the Lord Imperial Censor has come to assist, it is indeed a blessing for me."

Lu Qing didn’t expect Situ Jing’s reaction to be so direct and forthright.

For most officials, if anything happened within their jurisdiction, whether directly related or not, they would immediately try to cover it up to prevent it from affecting their political performance in future evaluations.

Faced with a high-profile figure like the Golden-faced Imperial Censor personally intervening, they would neither dare to obstruct nor feel at ease in their hearts. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Situ Jing’s behavior made him see things in a new light, feeling a sense of "a great father has no mediocre sons."

At the same time, he was also curious. Although Commanders command the imperial guards in various places and are periodically rotated to prevent them from becoming entrenched, forming factions, and threatening the court, it wasn’t yet time for such a rotation. So why was Situ Jing, who was stationed in Runzhou two months ago, suddenly transferred to Li State?

General Situ had two sons, both in the military, making the three of them the most trusted military generals by Emperor Jin in court, their status not inferior to Cao Tianbao.

At this critical juncture, they didn’t transfer anyone else but specifically transferred Situ Jing and sent himself over.

It seems there indeed are some mysteries within the Li State imperial guard’s affairs.

With these thoughts in mind, Lu Qing maintained the cold authority of the Golden-faced Imperial Censor on his face: "I wish to hear more details."

"Previously, I was stationed in Runzhou, as the Lord Imperial Censor is aware," Situ Jing sighed. "Although I haven’t dealt with you directly before, there was indeed such an incident of borrowing soldiers."

"Shortly after, an imperial edict came from the capital, transferring me to Li State as Commander. It was said that the original Li State Commander suddenly fell ill and died before treatment could arrive, and Li State’s imperial guard was leaderless, requiring my urgent appointment."

"When I rushed over day and night, the previous Commander had already been buried, leaving only old and young servants in the Commander’s Mansion, all of them covered in scars."

"After inquiring, I learned that the previous Commander didn’t exhibit any faults initially but later, for unknown reasons, his temperament drastically changed to become extraordinarily violent, not only beating and scolding the household servants without reason but suddenly flying into a rage and drawing his sword to kill people."

"He even treated the soldiers in the military camp the same way. One moment he was fine, the next he went mad, wanting to hit and kill, causing grievances in the camp with everyone on edge."

"Later, when the subordinates couldn’t bear it any longer and planned to report to the court, the Commander suddenly fell ill with a strange illness and died unexpectedly."

"After that, incidents continued to occur within the imperial guard camp."

"Before I assumed the position, it was just hearsay, not counted. But since my arrival, I’ve already seen with my own eyes no fewer than four deaths."

"So these servants in the mansion were all left by the previous Commander?" Lu Qing asked.

Situ Jing nodded: "That’s right. Initially, there weren’t any servants with indenture, the young and strong ones couldn’t bear the abuse and fled for their lives."

"The ones remaining are those with nowhere to go, or who are too old, or too timid."

"They have no place to go and are quite pitiful. I was in a hurry to assume my position and had only brought a few personal soldiers, so I kept them."

"Were any of the remaining people in the mansion eyewitnesses to the previous Commander’s incident?"

"I’ve asked since my arrival, but no one in the mansion knows precisely how the previous Commander died; they only found their master gruesomely dead in his room the next morning."

"How gruesome was his death?"

"His entire body was festering, and he died of suffocation."

Situ Jing’s words stunned everyone present; if not for the masks covering their faces, hiding their expressions, surely everyone would have looked shocked.

Since Emperor Jin ascended the throne two or three decades ago, the times have been generally prosperous and stable. Occasionally, small disasters or difficulties arose but never disrupted the overall situation, and plagues were unheard of.

Now, the situation in the Li State imperial guard reminds one vaguely of the onset of a plague, causing a chill of fear.

"To my shame, it’s been two months since assuming office, and I haven’t found even the slightest trace of the reasons behind this."

"Of the four people who died after my arrival, I summoned a doctor when they fell ill. The doctor, however, was helpless and couldn’t diagnose the illness, and shortly thereafter, the patients died one by one as I watched helplessly."

Situ Jing pounded his fist into his palm, letting out a long sigh, "I heard that the Lord Imperial Censor handled the County Magistrate and his cronies, who were abusing the people, in Taiping County, Congzhou. This matter also reached the Runzhou area, earning universal praise, and I had heard of it."

"Now that you have come to Li State to investigate this matter, I will fully cooperate without hesitation and ensure that no more soldiers suffer."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a young servant, aged thirteen or fourteen, rushed in, "General! General! Someone from the main camp sent a message saying something happened there and you should hurry over to take a look!"

"They say someone suddenly went mad, and others can’t control him!"

Situ Jing abruptly stood up, his face turning a bit grave, and he looked towards the Golden-faced Imperial Censor.

Lu Qing waved him on: "Please lead the way, Commander; we will follow you to the camp to see what’s happening."