Chapter 408: Ping’an Solves the Case

Respect the Spirits but Keep Your Distance — Analects of Confucius, Yong Ye

Back in the Spring and Autumn period, Confucius once traveled with his disciples through the various states, advocating his political philosophies. They had visited the state of Wei twice, but neither time had succeeded in persuading its rulers. Left with little choice, Confucius decided to take his disciples to the state of Chen, hoping for a change of luck.

On their journey, as they passed through the states of Song and Zheng, misfortune struck. First, Sima Niu, one of Confucius’ disciples, fell gravely ill, slipping in and out of unconsciousness. Soon after, Confucius himself succumbed to a similar ailment, fainting multiple times. When he finally regained consciousness, his devoted disciple Zilu urged him to pray to the spirits. But Confucius, steadfast in his belief that life and death are determined by fate and wealth and honor lie in heaven’s hands, refused. With calm authority, he spoke the now-famous words: “Respect the spirits but keep your distance.”

Respect the spirits but keep your distance — this, the ancients believed, was the proper attitude toward ghosts and deities.

In the present hall, if it weren’t for Lord Zhou Houjie recounting the recent ghostly incident at the local government office, the scholars of the Hanlin Academy might never have believed it. Yet when he spoke, there was an undeniable weight to his words that compelled them to believe at least a little.

After all, Zhou Houjie’s reputation for integrity and capability was widely known throughout the capital. His mind was sharp, his character impeccable, and he had never once been known to tell a lie.

The way Zhou Houjie described the events was vivid and precise. Though no one present had witnessed the events firsthand, it was as if they were experiencing the chilling scene alongside him. A faint, creeping cold brushed the nape of their necks.

“This…” Li Chunfang found himself at a loss for words, unable to respond.

“Never thought I would witness something like the tales of spirits and strange occurrences that I’ve always heard about,” Yuan Wei said, holding a cup of steaming tea to warm his hands. “I once heard that vengeful ghosts had sought justice from Judge Bao—perhaps this case is similar. It seems Lord Zhou’s fame for fairness and honesty spreads so far that even the spirits have taken notice.”

“Oh, you flatter me,” Zhou Houjie said, shaking his head with a wry smile.

Zhang Juzheng, stroking his chin thoughtfully, seemed to hold a different opinion regarding the ghostly encounter at the government office. Yet, uncertain where to begin due to Zhou Houjie’s esteemed reputation, he fell silent, deep in contemplation.

Beside Zhu Ping’an, Zhang Siwei listened with a mixture of belief and doubt. Still, knowing Zhou Houjie’s character, he found himself leaning more toward belief than skepticism.

“Please, Lord Zhou, reconsider,” said the magistrate of Wanping County, seated to Zhou Houjie’s right. He bowed respectfully. “The evidence and testimony in this case were clear. The accused at the time was undoubtedly the murderer. Zhang Dalin has nothing to do with this.”

“Clear evidence, you say?” Zhou Houjie countered. “Then how do you explain the mud on the shoes from the pond? Or the bloody murder weapon found at Zhang Dalin’s doorstep?” He pointed out the inconsistencies he had uncovered while reviewing the case files and interrogations.

“Lord…” the Wanping magistrate tried again to persuade him.

“Enough. Speak no more. Mountains can be moved, seas can be filled, but this case must not be overturned,” Zhou Houjie declared firmly.

“Lord Zhou, your handling of this case will surely become a celebrated story,” Yuan Wei remarked appreciatively.

“I seek neither fame nor fortune,” Zhou Houjie replied, shaking his head. “I only wish to be clear in conscience and give the deceased justice.” There was a serene certainty in his expression, a steadfast righteousness that radiated from him.

Indeed, his sincerity filled the hall. The atmosphere became imbued with a sense of moral clarity, a surge of righteous energy that lifted everyone’s spirits.

And yet, just as the air hummed with this noble energy, a small, discordant voice broke through.

“Um… Lord Zhou, may I ask—how did that ghost leave?”

All eyes turned toward the source: Zhu Ping’an. His eyes shone with clarity, like water washed clean, and a faint, playful smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

Now is really the time for questions like that? the Hanlin scholars thought, silently scolding him for ruining the solemn mood. Yet Zhu Ping’an remained completely unfazed.

“He climbed over the wall,” Zhou Houjie replied, though inwardly he found the question odd.

As expected, Zhu Ping’an’s smile widened, a glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes. Unlike the others, he had never truly believed the ghost story. Having been raised in the modern era under twenty years of strict atheistic education, he found it impossible to accept ghosts—even in this strange new world of the Ming dynasty, where unexplained phenomena abounded. His ingrained skepticism refused to bow to superstition.

Of course, he couldn’t openly proclaim atheism here—not without courting severe punishment. To declare disbelief in spirits is to insult the emperor himself! he thought wryly, imagining the consequences.

Yet even without invoking atheism, Zhu Ping’an had learned that all attempts to fabricate the supernatural left traces, tiny flaws that could be detected.

And he had just found one.

Asking how the ghost left was the key to unraveling the mystery. Zhou Houjie’s answer confirmed his suspicion, prompting the knowing curl of his lips.

Most in the hall, however, did not grasp the significance of the question. Yuan Wei, for instance, frowned at Zhu Ping’an, thinking him childish and curious to a fault.

There were exceptions. Zhang Juzheng’s eyes lit up, a knowing smile forming as he looked at Zhu Ping’an, realizing there was method in his inquiry.

“Looks like the ghost was fake,” Zhu Ping’an said confidently, a statement of certainty that shocked the room.

What? The ghost was fake?

A murmur of disbelief spread. Many doubted his words, murmuring among themselves.

“Young scholar, why say this?” Zhou Houjie asked, incredulity in his voice.

“Ghosts are incorporeal, fleeting, invisible. They leave no trace. If it were a real ghost, it could pass through walls or simply float outside. But climbing over the wall? That’s impossible for a true spirit,” Zhu Ping’an explained calmly, highlighting the crucial detail.

His insight struck everyone like a bolt of clarity. Zhang Siwei gasped, instantly understanding the truth. Others nodded slowly, realization dawning.

“If I’m not mistaken, there should be footprints on the wall of your office, Lord Zhou. It rained that day; the ground was wet, the shoes must have been muddied. Climbing over the wall would leave marks. I imagine you’ll find the evidence if you check,” Zhu Ping’an added, sharing his deduction.

Lord Zhou’s eyes widened in understanding. Bowing in apology, he quickly left the hall with the Wanping magistrate to verify the claim.

About an hour later, Zhou Houjie returned to the Hanlin Academy, gratitude and relief lighting his face, and he made a special trip to thank Zhu Ping’an.

Indeed, upon inspection, fresh footprints were discovered on the back wall of the office, and faint marks were found on other walls outside. Following this discovery, Zhou Houjie ordered the re-arrest of the suspect released the previous day. Under intense interrogation, the truth emerged: the suspect had bribed a highly skilled thief to impersonate the deceased, staging the “ghost seeking justice” ruse to manipulate the case.

Yet in his arrogance, the culprit had left traces that could not be concealed. Under rigorous questioning, he confessed to the crime.

“Today’s outcome is thanks entirely to Zihu,” Zhou Houjie said earnestly. “Had it not been for him, my reputation would have been tarnished, but worse, an innocent man would have been wrongfully punished. I have already reported this success and requested that Zihu be credited.”

Zhou Houjie was a man of integrity. No matter how much anyone tried to dissuade him, he insisted on ensuring Zhu Ping’an received recognition—an unyielding commitment to justice and honor.