Fang Yun said, "Bring me the Court Hearing Record for review."
Xia Jingen handed over a stack of papers. Fang Yun flipped through them quickly, corrected several clerical errors, then took out another sheet and wrote words such as "Lawsuit," "Debt Dispute," and "Zhang Youde v. Liu Quan for Repayment of Fifty Taels of Silver." He then noted the date, wrote his own name, and placed this sheet on top.
"Court Clerk Yu." Fang Yun raised his head and looked at Yu Bachi, who was seated below.
"This subordinate is here!" Yu Bachi hurriedly rose to his feet.
"The top page shall serve as the cover. Bind these documents into a volume and store them together with the complaint and other documents in the county yamen archives. Also make a copy of the Court Hearing Record and submit it to the Prefectural Legal Office for filing," Fang Yun said.
"Yes!" Yu Bachi hurriedly agreed. Everyone noticed that his tone was somewhat excited and his breathing had quickened.
Most people did not understand, but County Deputy Tao Dingnian, Registrar Shen Ming, criminal affairs adviser Xia Jingen, and several others immediately understood. To Yu Bachi, this was likely the greatest opportunity he would encounter in his lifetime!
With every reform, not only would its leaders leave their names in the annals of history, but outstanding followers could likewise become renowned for all eternity!
Whether it was Fang Yun's judgment in this case or the unprecedented Court Hearing Record, both seemed insignificant. Yet the former displayed how Fang Yun moved with ease between the Confucian School and the Legalist School, while the latter revealed nothing at first glance; still, once Fang Yun used it, everyone felt that the entire trial had suddenly become orderly, as though the court hearing had finally been set