“If it were on the official road, the terrain is broad and not suitable for an ambush. Moreover, if the deceased was ambushed on the official road, there’s a village three li to the south and a military camp five li to the north. The heavy rain came suddenly last night—if I were the murderer, I would never set up an ambush on the official road. It’s too easy to alert others, too easy to be discovered, and it would be even easier for the victim to escape.”

　　Robert Harris didn’t say if he agreed or not, lowering his head in thought.

　　After a moment, he asked again, “What else did you notice?”

　　“I can also tell that this person must have lived outside the frontier for many years.”

　　“How so?”

　　“His skin is rough, clearly from years of exposure to the northern winds, and his body still bears frostbite scars.

　　Also, when I was coming back just now, a child in the village told me that he saw the deceased enter the mountains yesterday and asked about the location of Mile Temple. If he lived in Guzhu, or often traveled to and from Changping, there’s no way he wouldn’t know where Mile Temple is. He even gave that child two copper coins. After I got back, I soaked the coins in hot water and found they were covered in grease. Anyone living in Changping or the Jimi Prefecture would be influenced by local habits and pay attention to cleanliness. Only those Hu people from beyond the frontier don’t care about such things, which is why the coins were so greasy.”

　　After William Harris finished speaking, he pursed his lips and looked at Robert Harris.

　　He saw the corners of Robert Harris’s mouth twitch, seemingly unintentionally, then his face darkened as he said, “All of this is just your speculation, with no evidence at all. I’ll have Henry Grant take over this case. You are not to interfere any further.”

　　Henry Grant was Robert Harris’s subordinate, also the head of the quick-response constables in the yamen.

　　Generally, the yamen had three classes of officers, collectively called lizu. But their duties differed, so they had different titles. For example, those who guarded the yamen, stood on both sides during trials, escorted prisoners, and carried out punishments were called zaoli, similar to bailiffs in court. Those responsible for summoning defendants, investigating crimes, and searching for evidence were called quick-hands, akin to modern detectives. In addition, there were minzhuang, who guarded city gates, prisons, warehouses, patrolled urban and rural roads, and handled emergencies—these minzhuang were similar to modern armed police.

　　The county constable commanded all three classes. Henry Grant was the head of the quick-response constables, also called the head of the arrest squad, and was one of Robert Harris’s trusted men.

　　When William Harris heard Robert Harris say this, he knew that Robert Harris already believed his deductions.

　　But since Robert Harris wanted him to stand aside, he felt a bit unhappy.

　　One must make a name for oneself early!

　　William Harris was already seventeen; in four more years, he would be considered an adult. He very much wanted to change everyone’s opinion of him, hoping to help Robert Harris, or at least increase his standing in Robert Harris’s eyes.

　　But now, it seemed Robert Harris didn’t want him to steal the spotlight.

　　If he didn’t know that Robert Harris actually cared about him, William Harris might have been very angry.

　　However...

　　Surely his old man had his reasons. Since Robert Harris didn’t want him to show his face, William Harris had nothing more to say.

　　“All right, I still have to hurry back to the county seat to report the case to the magistrate.

　　Let Brian stay here for the next two days. On the fifteenth of August, I’ll be hosting guests at Mile Temple. If you’re willing, help out Brian; if not, just ignore it. In any case, don’t get involved in this matter again. If I find out you do, you’ll be punished by family law.”

　　Robert Harris’s voice suddenly became especially loud, and his tone was very stern.

　　William Harris couldn’t help but groan inwardly, but could only bow and agree.

　　“And also, have Mrs. Harris clean up the room. Tomorrow I’ll have your stepmother and Chloe come over too, so they can keep an eye on you.”

　　Chloe was William Harris’s half-sister.

　　William Harris had no way to refuse, so he could only grit his teeth and agree.

　　“All right, I’ll be off then.”

　　After Robert Harris finished speaking, he strode out.

　　William Harris followed behind him. Seeing Robert Harris mount his horse outside the courtyard gate, he suddenly had an idea and stepped forward to grab the reins.

　　“Dad, can I discuss something with you?”

　　“What is it?”

　　“Could you give me some pocket money? Now that I’m clear-headed, I don’t have a single coin on me. I want to buy something I like, but my purse is empty.”

Chapter 9: Big Business (Part 1)

　　A son asking his father for money is only natural.

　　Even though William Harris’s two lifetimes added up to nearly fifty years, he still unhesitatingly reached out his “wicked black hand” to Robert Harris.

　　There’s no helping it—even a hero can be stumped by a single penny!

　　He wanted to improve his quality of life, to live better—didn’t all of that require money?

　　Invention and creation... those things need capital. If Edison hadn’t had bank loans and the support of tycoons, with his own meager assets, he couldn’t possibly have invented the light bulb. In short, for the sake of money, he’d even play the fool.

　　Robert Harris looked at William Harris in surprise, then suddenly smiled after a moment.

　　So you know to ask your father for pocket money now?

　　Ever since William Harris regained consciousness, he’d been just as indifferent and desireless as before, as if nothing in the world could move him. It even made Robert Harris suspect whether William Harris had really recovered! If he had, how could he be like this?

　　Now, things were different!

　　Robert Harris finally believed that William Harris had recovered.

　　If he hadn’t, how could he know the benefits of “Brother Kong Fang” (money)?