A Republican-Era Mystery: One Corpse, Three Birds
Through the story of a corpse used by people from several walks of life, with twist after twist, this novel lays bare the twisted desires for power, wealth, and sex, the darkness of society, and the helplessness of ordinary people during the warlord conflicts of the early Republic of China.
A warlord entrusts a cache of treasures to the Wuniao County Police Bureau for a discreet sale, but Bureau Chief Zhang Shiguan spots something suspicious and refuses to let it go. Zhang loses his footing and falls into the water, but his body cannot be found. Was it murder or an accident? Liu Zhendong senses a case within a case. Wang Shengcai catches Jia Mansion's servant Ahu having an affair with the master's wife, Lady Di, and uses it to extort money from them. Jia Jingxuan knocks him down, and the next day the boatman Wang Kui uses the incident to extort money as well. Ahu and Lady Di report Master Jia to the county authorities, claiming that he beat Wang Shengcai to death. Liu Zhendong leads a police squad in opening the grave to examine the body. Wang Shengcai extorts another sum from Lady Di. Where did the body passed off as Wang Shengcai's come from? And why did the body originally buried as Wang Shengcai vanish without a trace? A black-market deal at a small temple in Pingyang falls through, and Liu Zhendong uses a corpse to implicate Du Liuzi in Zhang Shiguan's murder. Du Liuzi is executed. How does Liu Zhendong escape danger? How was one corpse switched for another? Ahu uses the nurse Ruifang to get in touch with Xiao Zhanguang of the police. Lady Di sets the record straight, and Wang Shengcai, Wang Kui, and Ahu are arrested. Division Chief Huang Gang unexpectedly becomes bureau chief. What deal did Director Lei make with the warlord? The Black Leopard and Black Tiger gangs are locked in a fierce confrontation. Ahu is secretly released from prison, then ambushed. How does he escape death once again? Can the mystery of Zhang Shiguan's uncertain fate be solved? The warlords and police hunt Zhang Shiguan and Liu Zhendong, leaving them with nowhere to turn. Master Yunhai mobilizes his forces, and they ultimately win.
This novel has a captivating and suspenseful plot that keeps readers hooked, while its vivid and memorable characters leave a lasting impression.
It's a worthwhile watch, a truly excellent work that exposes the unfairness of fate in that era, the ugly face of humanity driven by money, and the unscrupulous means to achieve one's goals.