HCB Chapter 981 The superior gives orders, the subordinates carry them out
Chapter 981 The superior gives orders, the subordinates carry them out
The prison guards who ran back hurriedly squatted down, some of them grabbing Zhang Jinyan's wrist to check his pulse;
Some reached under Zhang Jinyan's nose to check his breath;
Some even reached out and touched Zhang Jinyan's neck.
At this moment, the cell was completely silent; not even a breath could be heard!
Everyone was afraid... afraid that something that shouldn't have happened would happen.
However, when the people who were checking his breath and pulse all withdrew their hands and looked at each other, they finally confirmed it... The thing that shouldn't have happened had still happened: the former Assistant Minister Zhang Jinyan... was dead!
The jailers stood there, looking at each other, none of them daring to utter a sound.
The jailer was stunned for a moment before he came to his senses.
He glanced at the dead Zhang Jinyan, then at the jailers standing around him, and hurriedly ordered, "Listen, two of you stay here and guard this place. The rest of you, quickly go and patrol all parts of the prison to prevent any further delays!"
"This jailer will go see the magistrate of the Northern Garrison and report this matter immediately!"
After saying that, the jailer didn't dare to delay for a moment and quickly ran out.
Whether the sudden death of a condemned prisoner in the dungeon they were guarding was a big deal or a small matter depended on what the higher-ups said.
Small... but so small that they simply wrapped a dead prisoner in a tattered mat and carried him away;
It's so big...so big that they can't even imagine it!
The jailers followed orders and acted accordingly.
The jailer ran wildly out of the prison and headed straight for the office of the Northern Garrison Commander.
At this moment, Lord Tan Wen in the office had also heard the third watch announcement and was thinking to himself... was what was supposed to happen tonight really about to happen?
Zhang Jinyan was, after all, a second-ranking official, a position of great power and influence. Why couldn't he just focus on being a good official and doing his job properly?
Why insist on marrying your daughter into the Prince Yi's mansion?
Why should I insist on climbing onto Prince Yi's shabby ship?
He married his daughter into the Prince Yi's mansion to become a princess, and finally became the Prince Yi's father-in-law, thus becoming a member of the royal family. But what does it matter?
So what if her daughter became Princess Yi? Prince Yi could still divorce her at any time, showing no affection whatsoever as husband and wife.
So what if you're Prince Yi's father-in-law? Prince Yi can still abandon you without hesitation, as if he's afraid you'll get in his way if you live!
It's both pathetic and laughable that you've even dragged your own second daughter into this mess. So what?
It's just another shameless, laughable farce and joke!
I really want to ask Zhang Jinyan in person: if he had known that his family would end up like this, would he have gotten on Yi Wang's pirate ship in the first place?
Will he still marry his eldest daughter to Prince Yi, and also give away his second daughter?
Will the Vice Minister's Office still be as arrogant, domineering, disrespectful to the emperor, and lawless as before?
Just as I was thinking this, I heard the sound of rapidly running footsteps.
Tan Wen frowned slightly, thinking to himself: They've finally arrived!
Tan Wen looked towards the doorway...
Sure enough, the owner of the footsteps rushed into his office!
The one who came in was the jailer from the imperial prison.
The jailer, panting heavily, stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and reported, "Reporting to Your Excellency, something has happened in the prison!!"
Zhang Jinyan... Zhang Jinyan just suddenly went crazy, as if he was caught in a nightmare, and he caused quite a commotion!
The men had no choice but to tie him up, thinking that he would be fine once he calmed down.
Who knew...who knew...not long after, Zhang Jinyan was completely lifeless!
He...he's dead!
"What did you say?
Zhang Jinyan is dead?
Tan Wenteng, who was sitting behind the desk, suddenly stood up, put his hand on the desk, and leaned over to ask.
"Yes, sir, Zhang Jinyan is dead!"
The jailer bowed his head and replied.
"Somebody come!"
Tan Wen shouted.
"Your subordinate is here, please give your orders, sir!"
Someone answered from outside the door.
"Quickly summon the coroner and bring him to the imperial prison to investigate!"
Tan Wen gave the instructions.
"Yes, I obey!"
The people outside responded and quickly ran away.
The jailer stood there, trembling with fear, not daring to even breathe loudly!
Tan Wen sat back down in his chair, glanced at the prison warden whose face was filled with panic, and then spoke in a much gentler tone.
"Alright, you go back to the prison and wait. I'll take my men there right away!"
"Yes, my lord!"
The jailer bowed deeply, then, with his legs feeling heavy, quickly ran back into the cell!
Tan Wen watched the jailer's hurried departure and shook his head with some sympathy.
The jailer was really unlucky; he was given this fright for no reason.
Perhaps... I could just turn around and raise my hand to spare him punishment!
Oh no, he really can't escape punishment. If he were to be spared, the fact that he let him off the hook would be too obvious!
Let's punish them!
As for the caning... just find two people who are on good terms with the jailer to do it, that'll do the bare minimum!
Tan Wen picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip of the cold tea...
The cold tea was refreshing and invigorating; Tan Wen felt that the drowsiness he had felt not long ago had vanished instantly!
The saying goes, "When the superior gives an order, the subordinate carries it out!"
Tan Wen gave the order, and soon everyone in the prison arrived.
The coroner was also dragged out of his warm bed by Tan Wen's men.
The coroner was dreaming, his eyes not even fully open, when he was dragged out of bed and then out of the house!
Fortunately, the coroner's professional ethics were ingrained in his bones and had become instinctive. Even in his half-awake state, he didn't forget to bring his tools of the trade with him!