"Where is Liu Zhao? He is the Libationer of the Commandery Academy-why hasn't he kept his students in line? Has Liu Zhao arrived? Tell him to come see me at once!"
Liu Yin immediately seized on the crucial point. Wang Yang had scarcely been imprisoned before so many people arrived; someone must have contacted and incited them. Whether Liu Zhao was among the instigators or not, if he could not persuade the academy students to leave, Liu Yin would charge him with dereliction of duty first!
The Prison Assistant replied with a miserable expression, "According to the students, Libationer Liu went to lecture at the Nanping Commandery Academy the day before yesterday and has yet to return."
Liu Yin abruptly glared at Wang Yang, his gaze fierce enough to devour him.
Wang Yang rolled his eyes at Liu Yin. "He went to another commandery to lecture. Why are you glaring at me?"
Zong Rui said, "This case has already provoked unrest among the students and now concerns commandery affairs. As Commandery Assistant of the Southern Commandery, I am bound by duty and cannot stand idly by."
With that, without even asking Liu Yin, he strode straight into the Torture Chamber and seated himself openly in the deputy examiner's chair.
Times had changed. Earlier, he had lacked any legitimate grounds to participate in the case and had been forced to leave. Now he had every right to be there, so naturally he stood on firm ground. As for whoever had occupied the deputy examiner's seat before, that did not even enter his considerations. He was the Commandery Assistant. If he participated in the case, who else could serve as deputy examiner?
Liu Yin's face stiffened as he fought to suppress his fury. He had to admit that he had handled this