Chapter 1: Helping to Catch an Adulterer (Part 1)

  In the Tang Dynasty, the Central Plains were the most prosperous place in the world, with a large population and highly developed agriculture and commerce. The Westerners called it a land of gold everywhere. During the Qianyuan period, the ruler was determined to strengthen the country, and through diligent governance, he expanded the foundation left by his predecessors, making the Tang Dynasty's national strength rise to another level, with the people living in peace and prosperity, known as the "Qianyuan Prosperous Era".

  In the fifth year of Qianyuan, the court began to wage war against Austria, and the prelude to the war was opened. Due to the consumption of the war, many businessmen made a fortune from it! Jin Wanquan, who did rice business, was one of them. He took advantage of the situation to buy and sell, making a lot of money.

  As the chairman of the board of directors of the First Detective Agency, Jin Wanquan's business has made a profit, so it is natural that the investment in the detective agency will also increase. From this point of view, Su Jing may have to be proud for a while.

  "You're quite optimistic, boss. With your talent, why not go to the capital and take the imperial exam? When you top the list of successful candidates, I'll follow you as an attendant and we can enjoy good food and drink together, won't that be wonderful?"

  Su Jing put down the pen in his hand and used a fan to tap on the attendant's head, saying: "Follow me, as long as we make a name for ourselves in the future, we'll still eat well and drink well, and won't be any worse off than those officials and wealthy merchants. Got it? Do a good job, first go outside and see if there are any business opportunities."

  Actually, this little fellow is also depressed. He has been following the person who claims to be Holmes for a whole month now, and this "First Detective Agency" has also been open for a month, but not a single case has come in. To be honest, this little fellow has always been dissatisfied with Su Jing's detective agency. The people here don't even know what the two words "detective" mean! If it weren't for Su Jing helping Jin Wanchuan catch the thief who stole Tang Bohu's famous painting, I reckon Old Master Jin wouldn't have sponsored this weirdo to open a detective agency either!

  "Don't just stand there stupidly, go out and greet the guests quickly," Su Jing instructed, seeing that someone had arrived.

  The person who came was a middle-aged woman. Judging from the decorations on her, she should be a noblewoman. She is slightly fat and has a fierce look in her eyes, and at home, she must be a tiger-like figure.

  "How should I address you, madam?" Su Jing asked politely.

  "Call me Mrs. Wang then. I heard you handle all sorts of investigation cases here?" The woman's eyes showed a hint of suspicion.

  Su Jing took out a brochure and handed it to Mrs. Wang, then introduced: "This detective agency specializes in handling all kinds of investigation cases, from murder and robbery to finding lost items. If you have any difficulties of this kind, we are willing to do our best to help, with fair prices and considerate service!"

  Mrs. Wang also didn't bother to look at what the manual said, but took out a silver ingot and placed it on the table, "Don't say so much nonsense, since you're willing to help, I'll tell you the task, here's the deposit, and there will be another reward after it's done!"

  Originally, Su Jing was self-righteously proud of his integrity, but the silver on the table was quite dazzling. Su Jing smiled and accepted the silver: "I don't know what task the lady has entrusted me with?"

  "Help me catch the adulterer!"

  "What? Help Madam catch an adulterer? Whose adultery?" The servant was somewhat surprised.

  Madam Wang sat upright with a calm and composed demeanor, exuding an air of nobility as she said: "My husband, Wang Lingsong!"

  At this moment, even Su Jing, the great detective, was shocked and couldn't close his mouth. "Wang Fu Yi? Madam, you can't be joking with me, can you?"

  "Who else would joke with you? Honestly, if it weren't for the government or some lawyers who didn't dare to take on this absurd and difficult case, I wouldn't have come to you." The stout Mrs. Wang spoke without a hint of sympathy, completely heartless.

  "Yes, yes, but after the matter is settled, I wonder how much the reward will be? You also know that Lord Yi of this mansion is not easy to provoke in Jianye City." Su Jing also knew the severity of the situation, but if the reward was substantial, it might be worth taking on.

  "A reward of one hundred taels, is it enough?! But the premise is that you can catch that seductress who hooked up with the old man!"

  One hundred taels?! Since Su Jing arrived in this world, it's the first time he's ever heard of someone willing to give him one hundred taels of silver! This isn't a joke!

  "Good! Then please, madam, sign the contract. This way, neither of us can renege on our accounts!" With that, Su Jing very professionally pulled out a contract, with all the terms clearly listed. But Lady Wang didn't have the patience to read through those complicated clauses. For her, relying on the prestige of the Duke's household, getting out of this contract would be as easy as pie!

  "Alright, I'll sign, but don't think you can welch on the deal!"

  This is the first time Su Jing has earned money since he came to this world, although not much, but it's also a small achievement. He loved reading about crossing over when he was in school, and didn't expect it to happen to him. He remembered clearly that he was originally planning to accompany his girlfriend to meet her mother-in-law that night, but unexpectedly encountered a thunderstorm! The shocking lightning struck people's hearts with fear.

  Su Jing was also unfortunate, perhaps because he had done too many wrong things, a bolt of lightning as thick as a bowl mouth struck him directly, and afterwards he knew nothing, only to wake up and find himself outside the gate of Jianye City!

  It's strange to say, but Su Jing originally thought he had traveled back in time to the Tang Dynasty of ancient China, because the people here called themselves the children of the Great Tang. However, the year number was Qianyuan, and Su Jing thought that his knowledge of history was not bad, but in his memory, there seemed to be no Qianyuan year number in the Tang Dynasty? Moreover, the capital of the Tang Dynasty should have been Chang'an, but the capital of this world's Tang Dynasty was called Jing Shi! It's a bit similar to the Ming Dynasty.

  Su Jing once thought he was dreaming, so he hoped that after having a dream one day, he could wake up. But the result shows that there is no such thing as daytime dreams, and he really came to another world!

  "A melodramatic plot!"

  This was Su Jing's first curse after coming to this world, but a living person, especially a young and promising youth like Su Jing, couldn't starve to death in this world, could he? Originally, Su Jing had thought that with his outstanding abilities, he could make a name for himself in this world. However, the reality proved that this world was not lacking in people who were eloquent and full of clever ideas. Moreover, the high-tech products from Su Jing's previous world couldn't be replicated in this world due to its backward craftsmanship, making it simply impossible! So he could only use his wits to get by, and came to Jin Wanquan's house, solved a theft case, gained Jin's recognition, and was funded to open a detective agency.

  In fact, the theft case was also very simple, and the specific case process is as follows:

  Jin Wanquan spent several thousand taels of silver to buy the authentic "Snow, Moon, Autumn and Frost" painting by Tang Bohu, one of the Four Great Talents of Jiangnan. However, it went missing without any reason on the second day after he brought it back. At that time, there were only three servants guarding the room where the painting was kept, and they were the most suspicious ones.

  Jin Wanquan also interrogated the three men, but couldn't get an answer for a long time. The words were said again and again, who would be willing to admit it? Even if severe punishment was used, there was still a possibility of extorting a confession.

  At that time, Su Jing, who was still a servant in Jin Wanquan's family, volunteered to say that he could find out who stole the famous painting. Jin Wanquan let Su Jing investigate with a try-it-out attitude.

  Su Jing first made three people wait in three separate rooms that were not connected to each other. He asked the first question to servant A: Are you a thief?

  Of course, the answer I got was: I am not!

  Then he asked Household Slave B a second question: I asked Household Slave A if you are a thief, guess how he answered?

  "He admitted he was a thief?"

  Then he asked Jia Dingbing the same question: I asked Jia Dingjia if you are a thief, guess how he answered?

  "He said he wasn't a thief!"

  It's actually a very simple logical judgment, the key lies in Su Jing's first question: Are you a thief?

  If the person asked is not a thief, he will definitely tell the truth that he is not. If he is a thief, he will also disguise and lie that he is not a thief! So the first servant's answer must be: I am not a thief!

  On the contrary, when Su Jing asked the second person a question, Jia Ding Yi said that Jia Ding Jia admitted to being a thief. It was clear that he was guilty and hadn't thought before telling a lie! So he is the thief!

  Mr. Jin was overjoyed and immediately promised to let Su Jing be a lawyer, but the forward-thinking Su Jing wanted to be a detective and asked Mr. Jin to set up a detective agency! Mr. Jin agreed, and then 'The First Detective Agency of Great Tang' appeared.

  While investigating the case of Madame Er's adultery, Su Jing received his first case! Of course, he had to do his best to handle it.

  According to Madame Wang's account, Master Yi often uses the excuse of going out for social engagements at night to visit the courtesan "Chu Die" at the Wan Hua Lou. However, Madame Wang has been unable to find any evidence and wants Su Jing to catch the adulterous couple in the act, as it would be unseemly for her, a middle-aged woman, to go to such a place herself.

  Su Jing slightly adjusted himself, it turned out that he was asked to catch an adulterer in the brothel. What a joke! Isn't this place just for men's entertainment? What's there to catch?! However, since Madame Wang had already paid the deposit, he naturally had to do his job.

  "Boss, what should we do? Should we take this case?" asked Chen Zhan, his attendant.

  Su Jing patted the ten taels of silver in his chest pocket: "Of course we'll take it! Tonight, let's go to a brothel and catch someone in the act!"

  Chen Zhan said excitedly: "Really? Then boss, can you find a few girls to drink with me?"

  Su Jing gazed at his lecherous eyes, and tapped him on the head with a fan: "We're going to do something serious! Not to indulge in romantic affairs!"

  Chen Zhan rubbed his aching head and muttered in disappointment: "You're really weird, going to the temple to do serious things! Who would believe it if I told them?"