evening.
“Hurry up!”
Two constables, holding long swords, urged Zhou Zhilu who was walking in front.
Zhou Zhilu had no choice but to quicken his pace and came to the gate of the county government office.
Although Wanghai County is a remote and small county, the county government office is a place where the imperial court shows its majesty, so it is naturally not too shabby.
On both sides of the county government gate, there are two pairs of tall bronze lion sculptures, with sharp eyes and majestic momentum, as if they can pounce on the prisoners at any time.
After all, it was his first time in such a place. Zhou Zhilu felt his mouth was dry and he swallowed involuntarily.
After walking around the screen wall and through a corridor, you will arrive at the lobby of the county government office.
There was a couplet on the pillars on both sides of the lobby.
"To deceive others is to deceive Heaven, and not to deceive yourself. To betray the people is to betray the country. How can you bear to betray them?"
And right above the lobby hangs a plaque with five dignified characters "Wanghai County Main Hall" written on it.
"Go in!"
The constable pushed Zhou Zhilu into the main hall with both hands.
After staggering a few steps, Zhou Zhilu stood firm, feeling annoyed.
Feeling the gazes of the yamen runners on both sides of the county government office, Zhou Zhilu straightened his chest and raised his head, and he felt less nervous.
A person with a clear conscience has nothing to fear. Do you still dare to throw dirty water on me?
There was a crisp sound of "Snap".
Magistrate Fang, who was sitting in the county office, slammed the gavel and shouted, "Zhou Zhilu! Do you admit your guilt?"
Zhou Zhilu snorted inwardly and replied calmly, "May I ask what crime I have committed?"
"Do you admit to the crime of breaking into a private residence at night and peeping into the Chen family's bedroom?"
Zhou Zhilu: "...Uh, I know my crime."
County Magistrate Fang then asked, "Then why did you kill the Chen family?"
Zhou Zhilu frowned slightly and flatly denied it, "I just peeped into the Chen Mansion at night, but I definitely didn't harm anyone there!"
"Humph! You peeped into the Chen residence at night for no reason, and the next day the entire family was brutally murdered. And you claim you didn't harm a single person in the Chen residence? How can I believe you?"
"I spied on the sexual intercourse at Chen's residence at night! After being discovered by the constable that night, I immediately fled. The constable who was on patrol that night can also prove it."
"But who can guarantee that you didn't come back and attack the Chen family that night?"
"But I don't have that kind of strength! There are many guards at the Chen Mansion. With my skills, how could I kill them?"
"Then you must have accomplices helping you! Why don't you just hand it over to me!"
"I have no grudge against the Chen family, so why would I want to murder them?!"
"You are the only one who says there is no grudge or hatred. Who knows what kind of blood feud is buried behind it?"
"If it was really me who killed him, then why would I stay where I live? Wouldn't it be better to go far away?!"
"Perhaps you were hoping for just this kind of luck, but I saw through you at a glance!"
Zhou Zhilu was furious when he heard this. "What do you mean, sir? Why are you so sure I'm the murderer? Was there any trace of me at the crime scene? Did anyone else see me or my fictitious accomplice? I grew up in Wanghai County. Wouldn't it be easy to find out if I have any grudges against the Chen family? Killing someone and then staying in the residence—what good does that do me?"
Magistrate Liu, like a devouring lion, spoke impatiently, "I've been solving cases for over twenty years, and I immediately saw that you were a major suspect! Not only did you murder everyone in the Chen residence, you also disguised yourself as a ghost to murder the people, and even deliberately stayed in your original residence, hoping to get away with it! Now you're furious and embarrassed, which proves that you have ulterior motives! You still dare to talk back at this point, I'm afraid you will be severely punished!"
Zhou Zhilu said in disbelief, "There's no evidence, no proof. Could it be that you, sir, are judging cases based solely on your own guesswork?! Over the past twenty years, I dare not imagine how many unjust cases have been committed, and how many innocent people have been left without redress!"
"Asshole!"
County Magistrate Fang's face paled and sank. He stood up abruptly, pointing at Zhou Zhilu and shouting, "Do I need a young boy like you to teach me how to handle a case? Just for insulting an official appointed by the imperial court, I will punish you right now! This is just your rage after having the truth exposed!"
Zhou Zhilu took a big step forward, raised his hand and pointed behind him, shouting, "To deceive others is to deceive God, don't deceive yourself. To betray the people is to betray the country, how can we bear to betray them! These huge couplets are hung on both sides of this hall. Is the Lord ignorant of right and wrong, or does he not want to know? Is it because he lowered his head so much that he can't see behind him?!"
"Bang!" County Magistrate Fang slammed the gavel, angrily saying, "You bastard! I will definitely..."
"Please understand, sir!"
Before County Magistrate Fang could finish his words, someone suddenly interrupted and shouted loudly.
When County Magistrate Fang looked closely, he found that it was Liu Yong, the head of the county government!
Liu Yong walked out with his head lowered, his eyes fixed on the ground. "Sir! I've fought Zhou Zhilu before, and in my opinion, he's definitely not capable of killing over thirty people in the Chen Mansion silently!"
County Magistrate Fang narrowed his eyes and stared at Liu Yong. He did not reply immediately. After a while, he said, "Captain Liu, lift your head and look at me. Tell me what you want to do."
Liu Yong sighed, then raised his head and said with a firm gaze, "I believe that this case should begin with the only living person in the Chen Mansion, the servant. I hope your Excellency will understand!"
"...Okay, okay, very good." County Magistrate Fang glanced at Tu Qing who was sitting in the lobby and drinking tea silently, and slowly sat down.
"In that case, then let's do as Captain Liu said and summon the servants from the Chen residence to the hall."
After a while, two yamen runners came in, carrying a servant with thin cheeks, sunken eye sockets and a tired face.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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