Di Renjie of the Tang Dynasty, Song Ci of the Song Dynasty, Kuang Zhong of the Ming Dynasty, and Yu Chenglong of the Qing Dynasty.
These were all renowned master detectives throughout various dynasties.
You must understand that constables in feudal times didn't even know what surveillance was, but as long as a murder case involved interpersonal relationships and financial dealings, by unraveling the clues, they would always find something.
Therefore, Chen Jianye could kill outsiders as he pleased, as long as he didn't leave his own belongings at the scene.
But to kill someone in the Courtyard, he needed an opportunity.
Moreover, Chen Jianye's target was not one person, but a group!
To ensure his own safety, he couldn't act in haste.
'It seems in the original plot, Jia Dongxu died in 1961, crushed by equipment malfunction during a Carpentry transfer exam...'
Chen Jianye glanced at Dongxu's back and muttered to himself.
According to Zhao (Specialist), there were two Carpentry transfer exams every year.
He just didn't know if Dongxu died in the first or second transfer exam.
'Live a few more days, cause a bit more trouble, you won't have the chance once you're gone.'
Chen Jianye turned and went back into the room.
He had already decided on Dongxu's date of death.
Outside the Siheyuan (Courtyard) gate.
"Can the Courtyard matters be coordinated well?"
Director Nie asked with a smile.
"Yes, Leader, rest assured, absolutely."
Yi Zhonghai guaranteed.
"Lao Yi, it's not that I doubt you, but if something happens, can you handle it?"
"I was very disappointed that you didn't write a report to the street office about the Chen Family matter."
Director Nie questioned.
"Director Nie, the Chen Family matter came too suddenly before, and I thought I shouldn't trouble you."
"I really didn't expect things to escalate to that point."
Yi Zhonghai didn't explain, simply and directly admitting his mistake.
"Work hard. When something happens, don't always think about covering it up; you need to resolve conflicts."
"The Jia family is prone to taking advantage, and Chen Jianye can't tolerate grievances. I know you Grandpas are very busy, but there's nothing to be done."
"In your position, fulfill your duties, isn't that the principle?"
Director Nie's expression softened.
"Yes, yes, yes."
The three Grandpas of the Courtyard nodded repeatedly.
If they said no, their positions as Grandpas of the Courtyard would not be secure.
"South Gong and Drum Lane No. 95 Courtyard has always performed well, even receiving the Advanced Courtyard award last year."
"I hope you will continue to make efforts and deliver a satisfactory answer to the masses."
"I still have other places to inspect, you may go about your business."
Director Nie waved his hand.
His purpose in coming was to check on the Courtyard's situation and incidentally give Yi Zhonghai and others a warning.
He genuinely had no intention of replacing Yi Zhonghai and the others.
Firstly, Yi Zhonghai and the other two did indeed work, perhaps not perfectly, but would replacing them make things better?
Secondly, although a malicious incident occurred, Yi Zhonghai ultimately did cover it up, not causing him any trouble.
Leaders like people like Yi Zhonghai.
Don't cause me trouble, that's better than anything.
Rough work can be refined, but causing me trouble, that's when a replacement is truly needed.
Director Nie left.
"You say, Director Nie wouldn't have any issues with the three of us, would he?"
Liu Haizhong felt a bit uneasy.
"Lao Liu, you're overthinking it, what issues could Director Nie have with us?"
Yan Fugui said indifferently.
"You haven't made any mistakes, so of course he has no issues with you."
"Director Nie saw me hitting my child."
Liu Haizhong was quite frustrated.
He had hit his child like this before, but Director Nie hadn't seen it then.
"No need to worry, as long as we manage the Courtyard well for the street office, Director Nie won't touch us."
Yi Zhonghai, however, saw things clearly.
The three chatted for a few more sentences before returning to their respective homes.
After Chen Jianye finished eating and washing the dishes, he took a cleaver and sat at the doorway, sharpening it.
He found that he quite enjoyed sharpening knives.
His mind was very calm when sharpening knives.
But others' minds were very anxious.
Especially those who had offended him, or those who worried he would cause trouble.
Yi Zhonghai was one of them.
"This kid is sharpening his knife at the doorway again."
Yi Zhonghai had a headache.
He had just guaranteed Director Nie that he would coordinate the Courtyard's relationships well.
And then Chen Jianye turned around and started sharpening his knife.
What was he going to coordinate?
The Jia gate was tightly shut.
Bang梗 wanted to go out and play, but Dongxu wouldn't let him.
"Let Bang梗 go out, I don't believe that kid would really dare to make a move."
Jia Zhangshi said through gritted teeth.
"Mom, why don't you go out for a stroll?"
Dongxu said irritably.
He wouldn't gamble with his own son.
Jia Zhangshi was immediately speechless.
The conflict between the Jia and Chen Family was constant, and Jia Zhangshi certainly wouldn't dare to test if Chen Jianye's cleaver was sharp with her own neck.
But letting Bang梗 go, Jia Zhangshi was truly willing.
Anyway, Qin Huairu could continue to have children.
"This life is unbearable."
Dongxu sat in the room, holding a large enamel cup of water: "Wife, go to First Master's house and talk to First Master."
Qin Huairu hesitated, then got up.
After Qin Huairu left, Jia Zhangshi walked over to Dongxu: "Dongxu, living like this isn't the way."
"You don't need to tell me that."
"I'm already annoyed, aren't I?"
Dongxu said irritably.
"What I mean is, why don't we think of a way? The Chen Family has only one person, and we, the Jia family, have so many; can he always suppress us?"
Jia Zhangshi's brows were deeply furrowed.
"Mom, you and I are thinking the same thing."
"Every day, I'm so stifled. So, what do you suggest we do?"
Dongxu said excitedly.
"In my opinion, we might as well make the first move and... Chen Jianye..."
Jia Zhangshi's face was fierce, and she put her hand to her neck, making a 'snap' gesture.
Dongxu pursed his lips: "Alright, you can do it."
Easy to say, you go ahead.
"Look at what you're saying, can I do it?"
Jia Zhangshi immediately wilted.
"Then you want me to do it?"
Dongxu became even more displeased.
"Where did your thoughts go? I was thinking of letting Sha Zhu do it. He has a grudge against Chen Jianye. As long as we provoke their relationship, Sha Zhu will get fired up and not care about anything."
"He already dealt with Chen Jianye once, so doing it again is quite normal, isn't it?"
Jia Zhangshi had a cunning look on her face.
"Mom, you're truly a genius."
"However, I just argued with Sha Zhu; if I ask him to help my family, he definitely won't do it."
Dongxu was in a dilemma for a moment.
"Sha Zhu doesn't listen to us, but he listens to Qin Huairu."
"As long as Qin Huairu goes and cries to Sha Zhu, Sha Zhu will definitely fight with Chen Jianye. Then we can just watch the show."
Jia Zhangshi had already planned everything.
"No, Huai Ru is my wife. Letting her go and cry to Sha Zhu, what would that make me?"
"You can put that thought aside."
Dongxu flatly refused.
After all, the Jia family was a respectable household in the Courtyard.
He, Dongxu, was even more of a dignified person.
His self-esteem would absolutely not allow him to let his wife seek help from another man.
"Look at you, I'm discussing with you, why are you getting angry?"
"If Sha Zhu deals with Chen Jianye, he won't get off lightly either. Imprisonment would be the least of it; he might even 'eat peanuts' (be executed)."
"Honestly, he covets someone from my Jia family; I've disliked him for a long time."
"Wouldn't it be better to deal with both him and Chen Jianye?"
Jia Zhangshi desperately tried to persuade him.
"Let me think about it, think about it again."
Dongxu got up, hands clasped behind his back, feeling immense pressure.
If murder wasn't illegal, he would definitely kill Chen Jianye.
Letting Qin Huairu use the 'borrowing a knife to kill' tactic was indeed best for the Jia family.
But the sacrifice was his own wife, and Dongxu felt like he was actively putting on a cuckold's hat.