"Was it you who committed the murder last night?"
The words resounded in Zhong Lin's mind like a thunderclap, and he quickly put on a panicked and fearful expression, his voice trembling as he said, "Officer... Officer, please don't make false accusations, I am a law-abiding citizen!"
"A law-abiding citizen?"
The middle-aged Government Official shot a sharp gaze, slamming the table.
"I know you, the painter selling paintings next to the Dining Pot Tower, selling a painting for three taels of silver, making more than ten taels of silver in just one afternoon. That street is managed by Qin Yong, and Qin Yong surely wouldn't let go of a cash cow like you, extorting silver from you, and you held a grudge, broke into his house at night, and killed three people, isn't that so?"
Zhong Lin put on an expression as if he was about to cry and said, "Officer, I wouldn't dare say that. I just settled in Black Mountain County and don't even know who Qin Yong is, so how could I kill anyone? Besides, after I returned home yesterday afternoon, I didn't go out again, and my neighbors can vouch for me."
"Still dare to quibble, I see you won't shed tears till you see the coffin. Guys, take him, I don't believe I can't pry open your mouth."
With the middle-aged Government Official's scolding, a young man beside him stood up slowly.
Just then, another Government Official ran in from the door, whispered a few words, and the three of them showed a look of joy and quickly followed him out.
As they were about to walk out the door, the middle-aged Government Official turned back and shouted at Zhong Lin, "Wait here, don't leave without my order."
With the three of them gone, only Zhong Lin was left in the room.
Zhong Lin's mind was racing. The Government Office couldn't possibly know he killed the three people of Qin Yong; what they said was definitely just to trick him.
But Zhong Lin suddenly thought of something. This era wasn't like the well-established legal society of his previous life, where everything required evidence. Here, being forced to confess under torture was common, even in the past life there was the "Great Memory Recovery Technique," let alone here.
Zhong Lin lowered his head, his eyes flickering with uncertainty, pondering what to do next.
Running was not an option, as this is the County Government, not the wilderness, especially with Little Stone still at home.
Just as Zhong Lin was feeling anxious, footsteps came from outside the door, it was the young Government Official from before.
"Yes, Officer, any instructions?" Zhong Lin quickly replied.
The young Government Official led Zhong Lin directly towards the main hall of the County Government.
As Zhong Lin walked, he looked around. The hall was spacious, with two rows of wooden racks on each side, neatly lined with wooden staves, copper gongs, treasure parasols, ceremonial items, and weapons.
At the back of the hall was a desk, with documents, slips, pen racks, and red ink stones all in place.
Several people stood in the hall, including the middle-aged Government Official who had previously deceived him, but they all centered around an elder sitting in a Taishi Chair.
The elder wore official attire, his face stern, exuding an official air that made it hard for people to look directly at him.
"Quickly pay your respects to the County Magistrate," the young Government Official reminded him.
Zhong Lin did not dare delay, hastily bowing, "Commoner Zhong Lin, paying respects to the County Magistrate."
The County Magistrate was the assistant to the County Magistrate, mainly responsible for security, inspections, arrests, and other administrative tasks, second in position only to the County Magistrate.
"Alright, start painting!"
The County Magistrate waved his hand, signaling Zhong Lin to get to work.
The middle-aged Government Official said, "Zhong Lin, the Government Office is giving you a chance to redeem yourself by drawing the appearance of the thief based on the description, hurry up."
Zhong Lin took a deep breath. At this moment, he could do nothing but follow orders.
Stepping forward, he went to the already prepared pen, ink, paper, and inkstone, where a person dressed as a pharmacy apprentice began describing the thief's features.
As the other person described, the image of the thief quickly formed in Zhong Lin's mind.
Moments later, Zhong Lin picked up his brush and began to paint. In just the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a bearded image came to life on the paper, with fierce eyes, as if it could walk out of the painting at any moment.
"That's him, that's him."
The pharmacy apprentice pointed at the figure in the painting and shouted.
The constables and the County Magistrate who were watching Zhong Lin's painting were equally stunned.
It was mainly because Zhong Lin's three-dimensional painting technique was indeed shocking, lifelike, like a photograph, seemingly ready to step out at any time.
"Old Fang, go issue the sea capture notice! Don't let the thief escape."
The middle-aged Government Official acknowledged the order, took the portrait Zhong Lin had just drawn, blew on the ink to dry it, and left the hall.
"Your name is Zhong..."
"Zhong Lin?" The County Magistrate nodded, "I see you, Mr. Zhong, your painting skill is extraordinary. If you can assist the County Government in sketching wanted criminals, it would greatly enhance our county's security. I wonder, Mr. Zhong..."
"I would be willing, thank you, County Magistrate, for your recognition."
Zhong Lin agreed decisively, feeling ecstatic inside that a solution had come.
"County Magistrate, the constable just now said I was involved in Qin Yong's death, am I..."
The County Magistrate looked puzzled, "Who is Qin Yong?"
"Sir, Qin Yong was one of the victims in the robbery and murder case yesterday."
A constable whispered an explanation beside him.
"Just a rascal, let the Black Water Gang find him themselves."
The County Magistrate snorted coldly, got up and left directly, leaving Zhong Lin still baffled.
"Brother Zhong, congratulations, we're colleagues now. I'm Chi Yan, a few years older than you, feel free to call me Brother Yan."
Chi Yan, the young Government Official who had led Zhong Lin in, greeted him with a full face of smiles.
"Brother Yan, what did the County Magistrate mean just now? Am I in the clear?"
Zhong Lin cautiously asked.
"Haha," Chi Yan laughed heartily, patting Zhong Lin on the shoulder, "You were fine all along, just now Old Fang was trying to trick you. Just a rascal died, the Government Office doesn't bother with gang feuds. The questioning was just a formality, if they want the killer, let the Black Water Gang find them themselves."
They really were tricking me; my soul almost jumped out from fright.
Thinking of that middle-aged Government Official called Old Fang, Zhong Lin had a mind to drive an arrow through his heart.
"Come on, I'll take you to get you started with the job."
Chi Yan draped his arm over Zhong Lin's shoulder and walked towards the office area.
The Government Office had six clerks, the office was located in rooms on either side outside the main hall.
Chi Yan led Zhong Lin into one, found an old clerk to register his name and place of origin, then handed him a badge.
As they walked out, Zhong Lin's eyes were still a bit dazed, as if on a roller coaster ride from entering the County Government to now. Who would have thought he would finally become a part of the Government Office.
This life is really darn funny.