Strange Things About the Ming Dynasty: I Work in Jing'an Division to Catch Ghosts

History books will only tell you that the Ming Dynasty fell to rogue bandits and established slaves. But they dare not record that what really makes this empire rot from the roots are those things hidden in country folk tales, bedside nightmares, and taboos. When the living people of a village line up at night to respectfully offer their heads to the "Dragon King" in the well; when a whole cavalry team of the border army, missing for three months, stands frozen outside the gate of the capital, including men and horses, their skin and flesh already dried; when in the deep courtyard of the back house of the Governor of Water Transport, the sound of babies gnawing on their own mothers can be heard... The historian stopped writing and the people shut up. At this time, we need to appear. We have no names, no official registration, and our only identity is that we are secretaries of the Jing'an Department who walk outside the imperial court. From the emperor to the county magistrate, they use their power to maintain order during the day, and we are responsible for ensuring that the night does not swallow everything up. On my waistband, one side is engraved with "The Emperor's Favor is Mighty" and the other side is engraved with "Kill without mercy." My luggage contains not official seals and command arrows, but ink fountains, dog blood, peach wood nails, and an old razor specially used to shave the heads of "things". Don't get me wrong, I am not a Taoist priest or a judge. My only mission is to find them, contain them, or put them to rest completely. I am Pei Jin. Open my notes, and before you get scared, please remember the first rule: Any story you hear is true.