Chapter 69: Big Pig’s Head

Murder?

That’s a serious matter.

But the way it was said made no sense. Suddenly there was a “he”—who was “he”?

Ma Bing hurried to ask, “Who is he?”

Xiao Zhu blinked and said, “Lao Yu.”

Each question got only one sentence in reply, making people anxious.

Ma Bing had no choice but to continue, “Who is Lao Yu? How do you know he committed murder?”

Xiao Zhu licked his mint candy a few more times before swallowing and saying, “Lao Yu, Lao Yu is my father’s master.”

After a pause, he added, “So scary, a bad guy!”

That was it.

Ma Bing: “…”

Xie Yu: “…”

Why don’t you answer the second half of the question!

Just as the two began to show signs of impatience, Xiao Zhu started to shrink back, lips trembling, on the verge of tears, leaving them helpless.

Xie Yu realized the biggest problem in dealing with children was the communication barrier.

They were too young. Especially children without proper guidance, their speech and thinking were disorganized. They spoke whatever came to mind, jumping from one topic to another, making it hard to get a coherent story even if you patiently tried to guide them.

Moreover, most of these fragments were useless.

If the other party were an adult, Xie Yu could certainly apply pressure, but this approach was completely ineffective with children.

Press them too hard, and they would get scared, clamping up like a clam or simply bursting into tears.

In the world of children, the authority and status of adults were utterly useless.

I’ll cry, and I’ll cry my heart out, regardless of anything else.

Yu Pei and A De, listening from a distance, were almost driven to frustration, yet secretly relieved they weren’t the ones dealing with it.

The Kaifeng government office was busy, with people constantly coming and going. Many people turned around only to notice several people squatting by the wall, startling them.

Once they recognized who it was, they couldn’t help whispering:

What are Lord Xie and Miss Ma squatting there for no apparent reason? It’s quite endearing.

Helpless, Ma Bing had to use every trick she had, coaxing and tricking the boy into answering a few more questions. Finally, she more or less got the gist.

Xiao Zhu had come with his father, but being a small child, he only knew his father surnamed Zhang. People usually called him “Zhang the Pork Seller,” and he came to the city every day to sell pork.

When they got to this point, everyone’s expressions turned a bit strange.

To ordinary people, meat was indeed valuable. Naming a child to express a simple wish for wealth wasn’t wrong—after all, names like “You Tian,” “Man Cang,” and “Fu Gui” were common.

But if you yourself are selling pork, why would you name your son “Xiao Zhu” (Little Pig)?

Are you planning to weigh and sell him someday?

And that “he” who supposedly committed murder was Zhang the Pork Seller’s master, an old man named Yu from the same village. According to Xiao Zhu, he was a rather terrifying old man who treated Zhang the Pork Seller poorly.

Oh, and Xiao Zhu had come here on his own.

When Ma Bing and Xie Yu heard this, they broke into a cold sweat. What a careless father!

With so many people coming and going in the city, how could a child run off without you even noticing? Forget about kidnappers—what if he got hurt by accident? Then you’d regret it, but there’d be nowhere to cry.

“We should send the child back first and ask his father for more details.” Communicating with this child alone was too exhausting; it could drive a person mad.

As Ma Bing was about to bend down to pick up Xiao Zhu, Xie Yu gestured to the back, calling, “A De.”

A De, still lamenting the loss of his innocence after being touched by another woman, reluctantly came over to pick up the child.

Sigh, just got touched by another woman, and now he had to carry someone else’s kid…

Soiled, truly soiled!

After being questioned for so long, Xiao Zhu wasn’t too scared anymore, especially since he still had candy in hand, so he obediently let himself be carried.

“Were you running off like this, and your father wasn’t worried?” Yuan Pei asked with a smile.

When this was mentioned, Xiao Zhu actually looked a bit proud, swinging his short legs and saying, “He’s too busy. I just need to get back before he finishes selling all the meat.”

Xie Yu frowned, “Too careless.”

But Yuan Pei said, “Sir, the common people have to work and earn money; they can’t afford to be too meticulous. Remember when we went to Donghe County, the children in the fields were all running around without any supervision!”

He had many siblings at home, and life was tight, yet they all grew up wild, without anyone really watching over them.

Sometimes the older ones were supposed to look after the younger ones, but the older ones were still children themselves—how could they?

Yuan Pei still remembered how many times he was forgotten in the fields and ditches as a child, only to be remembered when the family was about to sleep. Still, he grew up, bruises and all.

Attentive care was something only the rich could afford to dream of. The poor had no right to be choosy—they just lived by luck.

If luck was good, they’d live without illness or disaster until death; if luck was bad… well, they’d just have to accept it.

Another life would come along anyway.

The lives of the poor were truly no more valuable than a blade of grass.

Xie Yu was taken aback, recalling the scenes he had seen in Donghe County not long ago—it did seem to be true.

It seemed he still knew too little about the lives of the common people.

But thinking again, even now that he was consciously making an effort to observe, he was only scratching the surface. When things happened, he still tended to assume.

Then what about those lofty aristocrats, the clean scholars, and high officials? They couldn’t even be bothered to look, yet they sat high in the temple halls, making decisions about people’s lives based on assumptions…

Ma Bing had no idea that a few simple words had made Xie Yu think so deeply and broadly. She simply asked Xiao Zhu:

“Does your father know about this matter you’re talking about?”

Xiao Zhu nodded, whispering, “He told me not to tell anyone.”

“Was that his exact wording?”

“Yes, my father repeated it several times.”

Ma Bing and Xie Yu exchanged glances.

“Don’t tell anyone…”

That phrase was quite interesting.

If there were truly no problems at all, Zhang the Pork Seller wouldn’t have needed to emphasize it repeatedly. He could have just said something like “Don’t make up stories.”

But instead, he said “Don’t tell anyone,” which suggested that Zhang himself likely noticed something unusual but, out of some concern, dared not speak openly.

Soon, the group arrived near the pork stall Xiao Zhu had described.

Being carried by A De, Xiao Zhu could see higher and farther than anyone else. He pointed early at a bustling small stall in the northeast corner and cried, “Dad!”

Everyone looked closely and indeed saw it was very busy.

It was a large stall, and Zhang the Pork Seller was working alone, having to attract customers, weigh the meat, cut it, and for those who needed it, finely chop it into mince or remove some bones, wrap them carefully in lotus leaves—so busy he was spinning like a top.

No wonder he hadn’t noticed his son had wandered off.

Perhaps he had noticed, but simply couldn’t spare the time to deal with it. After all, the past few days had been safe…

Yuan Pei approached first, “Zhang the Pork Seller?”

Zhang looked up and, seeing an official, instinctively hunched his shoulders, bowed, and said, “Yes, yes, that’s me, sir… Xiao Zhu?!”

Xiao Zhu stretched his arms toward him, “Dad!”

Zhang was frightened, about to reach for his son when he remembered his hands were covered in oil, leaving him at a loss.

He was just a village butcher, always afraid of officials. But today, several officials had come at once, and his “piglet” was sitting in someone else’s arms—what a huge trouble he must have caused!

Seeing Zhang sweating profusely, Yuan Pei smiled, “Don’t be afraid, your son didn’t cause any trouble.”

Zhang let out a heavy sigh of relief, only then realizing his legs had gone weak.

Xiao Zhu ran to his side, hugging his leg and calling, “Dad!”

Zhang, not caring about anything else, slapped his son’s forehead hard and scolded in a low voice, “Told you not to run off, not to run off…”

You not only ran off but also brought officials here!

After scolding his son, Zhang turned back with a face full of smiles, saying, “Several officers, uh…” He noticed the sharp-looking young lady and, while wondering if the yamen now employed women, changed his words, “Several esteemed officials, thank you for coming all this way. I, uh, this meat…”

He hurriedly picked out several pieces of premium fatty meat, wrapped them in lotus leaves, and tried to give them for free.

Yuan Pei and A De stepped forward to stop him, saying, “Don’t be foolish—you’re making it seem like we’re here to rob you. Don’t tarnish the reputation of the Kaifeng yamen officers.”

Since they were all in official uniforms, their sudden gathering at a small stall naturally drew the attention of passersby. Even those wanting to buy meat stood far away, afraid something might happen.

Seeing Zhang becoming increasingly flustered, Ma Bing said, “Your son said something about your master, Old Yu…”

With people coming and going here and the matter not yet clear, Ma Bing only briefly mentioned the name.

If such a thing existed, Zhang would surely react.

Sure enough, upon hearing “Old Yu,” Zhang’s face changed, and he immediately turned to glare at his son, “You little devil!”

Xiao Zhu, scolded by his father, only shrank his neck, his eyes quickly reddening, tears welling up, looking pitiful.

Seeing Zhang’s reaction, everyone had their suspicions confirmed.

Yuan Pei gestured to him and said, “Come on, come with us to the yamen and explain.”

Zhang had no choice but looked anxiously at his stall, which had just started operating, “This…”

It was hot, and if the meat wasn’t sold quickly, it would spoil.

An entire pig—his hard work for half a month would be wasted.

Suddenly, Xie Yu, who had been silent, said, “Buy it all for the yamen, pay accordingly.”

The yamen regularly housed nearly a thousand people; not just one pig, but even ten pigs could be consumed.

Upon hearing this, Zhang was overwhelmed with gratitude. He bowed to the new and old customers watching and said, “The officers have bought it all! Closing early today! Sorry, everyone!”

Upon hearing this, the crowd realized Zhang hadn’t committed any crime. The onlookers disappointedly dispersed, while those wanting to buy meat had to go elsewhere.

While Zhang was loading the meat, Ma Bing smiled at Xie Yu, “Director Xie, you truly have a meticulous mind.”

If they had forcibly taken Zhang to the yamen, with so many witnesses present that day, rumors would inevitably spread and harm his business.

By doing so, Xie Yu ensured that the case would not be delayed, the business of the father and son would remain unaffected, and outsiders who saw the yamen purchasing meat would naturally assume Zhang’s innocence, thereby dispelling all suspicions.

Even if it was later discovered that Zhang had issues, outsiders would automatically interpret it as the authorities setting a trap…

Even when saying the same thing, it always made Xie Yu feel particularly pleased when it came from her mouth.

A smile appeared in Xie Yu’s eyes, “You’re just flattering me.”

Ma Bing chuckled and pointed ahead, “Then let’s stew a big pig’s head!”

The kitchen had a daily purchase quota and fixed menus. By now, they were likely already preparing lunch. Suddenly adding nearly an entire pig would be a headache for them.

It would be better to cut a few pieces now for lunch and dinner as a treat, slightly reducing the amount so the kitchen could handle it.

Pork was cheap and often considered unclean, mainly consumed by the lower classes. Nobles and officials mostly ate venison, beef, and lamb. Although some occasionally ate pork, it was still a minority.

Xie Yu wasn’t picky but had never eaten pig’s head.

He instinctively looked toward Zhang’s cart as Ma Bing pointed, seeing a large pink pig’s head, its big mouth slightly open, small eyes half-closed, a look of death with lingering regrets, yet somehow smiling…

Forget it, better not look.

Hearing Ma Bing stifling laughter beside him, Xie Yu realized she was teasing him again. He felt a bit helpless but more pleased.

He told himself, look, she interacts with so many people every day, why does she tease only me and not others?

Perhaps she hadn’t realized it herself, but clearly, she felt differently about him.

He really appreciated this difference.

Besides, now she could joke around again, gradually forgetting the troubles brought by the young Miss Yuan.

That was very good.

Since nothing was clear yet, it wasn’t appropriate to formally interrogate. Xie Yu and Ma Bing discussed it and decided to take Zhang directly to the herb garden, answering questions while cutting the pork.

But to Xie Yu’s surprise, Ma Bing really wanted that pig’s head!

That big pig’s head with a half-smile!

Zhang skillfully processed the pig’s head and, as Ma Bing requested, cut a large piece of premium pork belly, roughly estimated at about five jin.

Wang Heng was happily fanning himself nearby, “Great, another feast!”

Unfortunately, Yuan’s little girl had some kind of disagreement and hadn’t come around these days.

Xie Yu sent someone to deliver the remaining half pig to the kitchen. Ma Bing quickly started a fire and boiled water, pulling A De and Yuan Pei to help.

Xiao Zhu, not knowing anything, was taken by Wang Heng to play and soon burst into laughter.

Old people always liked to play with children.

Once adults were involved, everything became simpler.

Zhang, stepping into the yamen for the first time, felt uneasy all over, but after years of living on the streets, his speech remained articulate.

He rubbed his hands and said, “I do have a master surnamed Yu, and his temperament is somewhat strange, but, but he certainly wouldn’t commit murder!”

Xie Yu asked, “Did Xiao Zhu tell you something before, and you warned him not to tell anyone?”

Zhang licked his dry lips, clearly torn with inner conflict, but in the end, he couldn’t withstand the pressure from the yamen runners and truthfully confessed.

About five or six days ago, while playing hide-and-seek with his friends, Xiao Zhu suddenly told Zhang that he saw Old Yu carrying a knife and a blood-soaked bundle heading to the back mountain. At the time, Xiao Zhu was curious and wanted to follow, but he was timid, and it was getting dark. Halfway, he was scared back by the cawing of crows at the village entrance.

Originally, this matter would have passed, but the next day, Xiao Zhu saw it again!

“…For several days in a row, that kid said he saw Master Yu going to the back mountain,” Zhang said. “Each time, he carried a knife and a bloody bundle, sometimes a larger bundle, sometimes smaller…”

At the time, he also found it strange and followed once, and indeed saw the same thing!

Just imagine, on a dark and windy night, an ugly old man carrying a knife, holding a dripping blood bundle, going alone to the back mountain, looking back every few steps, very alert…

Everyone imagined it and felt a chill.

Old Yu was the village butcher, had taken a few apprentices in his early years, but due to his bad temper, only Zhang persisted. Now, he hadn’t completely retired, and most of the pork business in and around the village was still handled by Old Yu.

Because of this, Zhang didn’t want to compete with his master for business, hence getting up early every day to sell meat in the city.

In theory, a butcher occasionally dealing with blood and meat wasn’t unusual.

But why the secrecy?

No one knew where Xiao Zhu heard the story, but he said maybe Old Yu was killing people, chopping them up, and burying the pieces one by one in the back mountain.

After hearing Zhang’s account, everyone fell silent, then turned their heads in unison to look at the innocent-looking Xiao Zhu laughing beside Wang Heng.

This…

Actually, in previous years, there had indeed been cases of butchers using their convenience to kill, chop up bodies, and dispose of them!

Butchers usually had skilled hands at cutting meat, and their tools and carts were all ready. Even if there was blood everywhere, no one would easily suspect them, making them an ideal choice for murder, robbery, chopping up bodies, and disposal.

“Director!” Zhang clenched his teeth and knelt directly, “Although my master isn’t particularly kind, but, but he certainly wouldn’t commit murder!”

Xie Yu didn’t rush to conclusions.

Before the case was solved, many people said the perpetrator was a good person, but this “goodness” had nothing to do with murder.

“Xiao Zhu says Old Yu is bad, and you also say he isn’t kind. Why exactly is that?” Ma Bing, who had quickly handled the pork, added scallions, ginger, and cooking wine to the pot to boil off the blood foam, came over to ask.

“Heaven, emperor, ruler, parents, and teachers—’teachers’ are as close as parents. An apprentice shouldn’t speak ill of a teacher, or people will point fingers.”

But since the officials asked, Zhang couldn’t avoid answering.

“My master truly has no major faults, just… just lost his wife and child early in life, and with no hope in his later years, he fears teaching his apprentice well would lead to the apprentice starving the master, so he always holds something back…”

Zhang’s words were too euphemistic. Everyone in the village knew Old Yu had many faults. He had accepted apprentices but always made them endure five or six years of hardship—serving tea, pouring water, washing feet, and giving massages. He didn’t treat them as apprentices but as unpaid servants!

You could say enduring hardship was acceptable, a master’s harshness, but even so, Old Yu didn’t properly teach the skills. He would say one sentence and hide half, leaving the apprentices to figure things out on their own.

Over time, how could ordinary people endure?

Originally, there were five or six apprentices, but only Zhang remained.

Even so, Old Yu would scold and beat Zhang at the slightest provocation.

In recent years, even though Zhang had grown up, Old Yu still beat him several times, not caring who saw!

Meanwhile, the water was boiling. Ma Bing went over with a large ladle to skim off the blood foam, rinsed it with fresh water, then added rock sugar to caramelize it, and added other seasonings to stew.

She placed two large stones on the lid to make it more flavorful and tender.

As the seasonings came together, the aroma gradually emerged, salty and slightly sweet, enticingly mingling with the greasy scent.

Even Xie Yu couldn’t help glancing at the pot a couple of times, continuing the questioning in the thickening fragrance, “You respect your master, which is fine, but murder is a serious matter. Since you noticed something wrong, you should have reported it to the authorities. Can your master really come before the law?”

At the very least, if you truly believed your master was innocent and wanted to clear his name, couldn’t you go check it out yourself?

But instead, you did nothing and didn’t report it. If there really was a murder case, wouldn’t that delay things!

But he couldn’t say this to ordinary people, just thinking to himself.

Because if the murderer had indeed killed someone, killing one or two made no difference to them. If Zhang rashly went to check, Old Yu might kill him to eliminate the witness.

But you should have reported it to the authorities!

After hearing this, Zhang looked ashamed but showed no regret.

Seeing this, Xie Yu and the others could only shake their heads.

What good fortune Old Yu had to have such a foolishly loyal apprentice!