Confrontation in Court
"Eh"
Fang Zelin picked up the tea beside him, took a sip, and glanced at the child in the distance whose face was still streaked with tears.
He tilted his head back and thought for a moment, then sighed inwardly, deciding to go to the government office tomorrow.
If this matter is truly as the waiter described, then I will offer my assistance.
However, we'll have to check back tomorrow to see what really happened.
It is not appropriate to draw a conclusion based solely on one person's statement.
Fang Zelin finished his meal hastily and then returned to his room.
The next day, just as the sun was rising, Fang Zelin listened to the noise outside.
Looking out the window, I saw a group of people walking forward below, and I could vaguely hear the words "Squire Wu.
Upon seeing this, Fang Zelin's heart stirred slightly, and he guessed that it was time to hold court.
After paying the bill downstairs, I followed them upstairs.
"Oh, it looks like this. The Zhang family is going to die in vain. This isn't the first or second time that the county magistrate has protected Squire Wu."
"Who can argue with that? Zhang's husband had already come several times before, but he always came back empty-handed."
At this moment, everyone shook their heads and said...
Despite saying that, the group still headed towards the government office.
Fang Zelin followed in the crowd, seemingly lost in thought upon hearing this.
After a short while, they arrived at the yamen (government office). Looking up, they saw several people carrying a corpse that was supported by a bamboo frame and covered with a straw mat, and bringing it into the yamen.
The child from last night had arrived at the yamen early. Upon seeing the straw mat, two streams of tears immediately flowed down his face, and he rushed towards the mat with a loud cry.
In just a moment, she began to cry so loudly that the world seemed to darken.
Then, a middle-aged man with a square face and wearing a round hat walked in, surrounded by people.
At first glance, the square-faced man didn't seem like a bad person. However, upon closer inspection, his eyes kept darting around, completely ruining that impression.
One could only think that this person was probably a treacherous villain.
"Who goes there and makes such a racket!"
Just as the child below was crying, the county magistrate arrived at the yamen and slammed his gavel down.
The constables holding fire and water sticks shouted angrily, which scared the child's crying back.
Upon seeing this, Fang Zelin frowned.
"My lord, this man has falsely accused me without cause! You must do me justice!"
Wu Changlin, who was standing to the side, stepped forward and immediately cupped his hands in greeting.
Upon hearing this, the county magistrate in the hall glanced at Wu Changlin, as if only then noticing him.
"So it's you. Is the person crying down here Zhang's child?"
"It's him! That Zhang's husband has sued me repeatedly, and he died on his way to file the lawsuit yesterday for some unknown reason. Now he's falsely accusing me again. What kind of world is this? Someone died and they're coming after me. I guess it's because I have some wealth that makes people jealous!"
Wu Changlin knew that there were many onlookers at this moment, so he slowed down and began to echo the words of the county magistrate above.
Upon hearing this, the magistrate stroked his beard and addressed the child below, "Child, what is your name? Why are you falsely accusing Wu Changlin? Are you after his family's wealth and trying to extort money from them?"
"Since you say Wu Changlin killed your father, what preparations have you made? Did you witness it yourself? Is there anyone to testify for you?"
The magistrate, holding the petition, began to interrogate the officials.
Judging from their demeanor, they were clearly interrogating the child as if he were a criminal.
If someone hadn't helped write the complaint, I probably wouldn't even have been qualified to enter the yamen right now.
The child had already been terrified by the officials banging on his water and fire sticks earlier, and was completely stunned.
Hearing them interrogate him like a criminal, he had no idea what to say.
For a moment, he stood there like a fool, staring blankly behind him, as if trying to find someone to help him.
However, the people behind him instinctively avoided eye contact when they met the other person's gaze.
With Wu Changlin having such a close relationship with this county magistrate, how could they dare offend him?
Besides, even if you step forward to help, you won't be able to convict the other person, so what's the point?
"Sir, this child cannot speak, so he probably cannot write a complaint either. This complaint was likely written by someone else, which only makes the common people appear more innocent."
Seeing this, Wu Changlin quickly stepped forward and continued speaking.
Hearing this, the magistrate nodded and had someone bring paper and ink to the child. "Write another complaint. If you cannot write one, then it is a false accusation!"
The child was stunned by what he saw and seemed completely at a loss.
He came from a poor family and had never been to school. Making him write now would be worse than killing him.
Under the pressure of everyone's gazes, the child suddenly collapsed to the side.
Seeing this, Wu Changlin scoffed. He'd been sued so many times, but when had he ever gotten into trouble?
These troublemakers never learn!
Thinking this through, he looked at the county magistrate, his meaning clear: the case could be closed.
The county magistrate didn't want to delay this matter for too long. The other party had just sent him a beautiful young woman yesterday, and he wanted to go back and enjoy her as soon as possible.
"Guards! The person making the complaint below is unable to speak or write. There are other hidden circumstances in this case. Considering that he is merely a young child, he will not be punished. Send him away!"
After saying that, he slammed the gavel down.
Several yamen runners immediately lifted the straw mats and headed straight out of the yamen.
Just as the corpse arrived outside the yamen, a Yin Qi suddenly rose up, and a burly man with a sallow complexion roared angrily, about to storm into the yamen.
But just as Yin Hun came to the door, the four characters hanging high in the mirror in the Yamen immediately emitted a light invisible to ordinary people, hitting Yin Hun hard.
"Zhang Tiemu, your lifespan has come to an end. Come with us."
The spirit was still somewhat unwilling to give up, but at that moment, two soul-reaping messengers appeared and seized it without saying a word.
Upon seeing the two underworld officials on either side, Zhang Tiemu felt as if he had found a savior and knelt down with a thud.
"Your Honors, officials and merchants in the yamen have colluded to harm my family. I beg you to redress my grievances!"
Upon hearing this, the two soul-collecting messengers both sighed. "According to the rules of the Underworld Bureau, underworld officials are not allowed to interfere in the affairs of the mortal realm. Since you are already dead, come with us to the City God."
"So, those who ruined my family and caused our deaths are being allowed to go unpunished?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Tiemu's face was filled with anguish. He then looked at his child beside him; his child was so young. If he were gone, what would become of him?
He should have died yesterday, but he held on to his last breath, waiting for today's outcome.
Unexpectedly, this is the outcome; he couldn't hold on any longer.