"Well... it's true that good people don't get rewarded."
Xiaotao, who was hiding behind and watching, spoke softly while sobbing.
Although Gao Wenyin's eyes were red, she still comforted Xiao Tao: "Who said that? Didn't you just meet San Lang?"
Xiao Tao pouted and nodded, "Madam is right." Then she turned to Qingmei and said, "Sister Qingmei, will Third Brother rule that Wu Zhang is not guilty?"
Qingmei blinked and said, "How should I know that?"
Having said that, Gao Wenyin gently grabbed her collar with her jade hand and looked at Zhang Fei, who was sitting in the middle, with great concern.
This person is not a plant or a tree, so how can he be heartless? After hearing what Aunt Liu said, many people outside the court wept silently.
Because this is not just Wu Zhang's problem, but a social problem that many people face. Anyone with elderly people in the family can relate to this.
Even many old men in the court were moved and sighed in silence.
One person dies, the whole family dies.
...
...
This is the tragedy of the world.
Zhuo Qun saw all of this and whispered to Cai Yanqing, "It seems that they are planning to use everyone's sympathy to reduce Wu Zhang's crime."
Cai Yanqing nodded slightly.
......
After Aunt Liu left, Su Che immediately said that all the witnesses he had arranged had appeared in court. At the same time, he produced specific evidence to prove that the Wu family had reached the end of their rope and Wu Lei was ready to mortgage his land to borrow money.
This point required Wu Lei to testify in court in person.
However, Wu Lei had the right to protect the privacy of his relatives, and Su Zhe did not take Wu Lei to court, because Su Zhe believed that for Wu Lei, both the palm and the back of his hand were his flesh and blood, and every word Wu Lei said in court would be tormenting.
Moreover, the evidence is easy to find and Wu Lei does not need to go to court.
Of course, Zhang Fei did not ask Wu Lei to appear in court, but instead summoned Wu Zhang to appear in court.
After a while, two policemen came up with a young woman in her twenties wearing prison uniform. She should have been pretty, but now she had disheveled hair, a purple face, sunken eyes, a dull look, and she was muttering to herself.
She was taken to the prisoner's bench on the right and stood for trial.
Zhang Fei looked at Wu Zhangshi and called out, "Wu Zhangshi."
Mrs. Wu Zhang seemed not to hear anything and kept mumbling something.
Isn't she crazy? That's terrible! Zhang Fei was worried when he saw Wu Zhang's expression. He hesitated for a moment and said, "Wu Zhang, I know you are suffering a lot, but don't forget that you still have two children who are crying for food. I believe your mother-in-law cares most about these two precious grandchildren. If they suffer any more losses, I'm afraid your mother-in-law will find it difficult to forgive you."
"Dong'er! Xia'er!"
Mrs. Wu Zhang muttered twice, and her dull eyes suddenly regained their spirits. She looked around as if she was looking for her children, but after looking for a long time, she did not see the two children. She seemed relieved, but also a little disappointed. She muttered to herself: "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry for you. I don't have the face to see you again, wuwuwu..."
When she said the last part, she couldn't help herself, so she squatted down, covered her face and burst into tears.
The people outside the court were already very sympathetic to her, and when they saw her crying so miserably, they couldn't help but cry too.
Zhang Fei waited for a while, then suddenly picked up the gavel and knocked a few times to stop the discussion outside the court. After the surroundings were silent, he said to Wu Zhang: "Wu Zhang, you are really sorry for your husband and your two sons. You only want to atone for yourself and even hide the truth. This is extremely selfish. Have you ever thought about what your husband will face, and how your two children will live in the future?"
Many people nodded desperately and cast encouraging glances at Wu Zhang.
As expected, Wu Zhang's wailing gradually turned into sobbing. After a while, she slowly raised her head and stared at Zhang Fei blankly. She was slightly stunned. She didn't expect that this official was so young.
Zhang Fei nodded to the royal police beside him.
The royal police immediately helped Wu Zhang up.
Zhang Fei then said to Wu Zhang: "Ms. Wu Zhang, I hope you can understand that whether you are guilty or not is not up to you or me, but the law and the truth. What you need to do now is to tell us the whole story and wait for the court's verdict."
Mrs. Wu Zhang looked at Zhang Fei and opened her mouth several times, but she was already crying and couldn't make a sound.
Xu Zhiqian whispered, "Mr. Judge, how about I go and comfort her?"
"No, you are the chief clerk now. To be fair, you should not have a private chat with him at this time." Zhang Fei shook his head.
Xu Zhiqian nodded, then stepped aside.
Zhang Fei hesitated for a moment and said, "Give her a cup of tea."
"yes."
A royal policeman immediately came up with a pot of tea and served Wu Zhang a cup.
Zhang Fei smiled again and said, "Don't be anxious. Have a cup of tea and think it over carefully."
“Thank…thank you!”
Mrs. Wu Zhang took the tea and shed a few more tears.
The people outside the court also calmed down as Wu Zhang's emotions stabilized. They suddenly discovered that the president of the court was not only handsome, but also approachable. Not only the president of the court, but also the prosecutor and the royal police were all polite and gentle.
In comparison, the yamen runners in the past were robbers.
They still have the nerve to criticize the public security, procuratorate and courts.
Slander!
This is absolutely slander!
It is said that facts speak louder than words.
After a while, Zhang Fei asked Wu Zhang again: "Wu Zhang, are you ready to make a confession now?"
“Yes…yes.”
Wu Zhang nodded repeatedly, her eyes full of gratitude. After a while, Wu Zhang narrated the whole process of the case.
It’s just like everyone imagined, but it’s more bumpy.
What everyone sees and hears is just the tip of the iceberg!
During these three years, Wu's mother went on hunger strike more than ten times, but she was always persuaded by her two grandsons and coaxed back to her senses.
But after Wu Lei fell ill, Wu Zhang fainted from hunger, which made Wu's mother determined not to implicate her son and daughter-in-law anymore. But she also knew that as long as Wu Lei was there, he would not let her commit suicide by hunger strike.
So she begged Wu Zhang desperately, and later even beat, scolded, and cursed her, like a madman, begging at one moment and cursing at the next. All these things forced Wu Zhang into no choice but to agree to Wu's mother's request.
It happened that Wu Lei was going to the dock to earn money that day and he did not return for the whole day. Wu Zhang took her mother to the river, and the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law watched the last sunrise. Wu's mother was worried that Wu Zhang would be implicated, so she let Wu Zhang go first, and then she crawled to the river to end her life.
Moreover, when talking about Wu's mother, Wu Zhang's words were full of respect and love.
It can be seen that the relationship between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law is very good.
It can also be seen that Wu's mother is also a virtuous mother.
After she finished speaking, Zhang Fei asked Su Zhe, "Does the Attorney General have anything else to ask?"
Su Che shook his head.
Zhang Fei asked again: "Does your procuratorate still insist on prosecuting Wu Zhang for manslaughter?"
Su Che nodded and said, "Yes."
Zhang Fei said: "Then you can start your closing statement."
Closing arguments?
What's this?
Many people looked at Su Che curiously.
Su Che nodded slightly, then stood up and said, "The facts and evidence have proven that it was not Wu Zhang who pushed Wu's mother into the river. This was not her true wish, but it was indeed Wu Zhang who pulled Wu's mother to the river. Without her help, Wu's mother would not have been able to commit suicide by jumping into the river.
But we cannot ignore that during this period, Wu's mother begged, beat, scolded, and threatened Wu Zhang. In this long-lasting struggle, I believe that anyone would probably not know what to do.
More importantly, no one can help her with this matter. Even now, no one present can come up with a solution that satisfies both parties."
As he spoke, he looked around.
Everyone frowned and remained silent.
No solution!
Unless we give them money, but this is not a solution. Even if there are kind-hearted people, how could they give it to them?
"All of you present here are the smartest people in Hezhong Prefecture, but none of you can come up with a solution. However, Wu Zhang is just a village woman, and she has to endure everything. Not only does she have to endure Wu's mother's pleading, beatings and scolding, but she also has to take care of an already impoverished family. She has no other thoughts, so I hereby ask the presiding judge to sentence Wu Zhang to manslaughter."
"Well said!"
"What's good about that? Manslaughter is also a crime. I think Wu Zhang should be acquitted."
"That's right! This... This can't be blamed on her at all."
......
Unlike Zhang Fei, who received immediate applause from the audience after his impassioned closing statement, there were many voices of doubt outside the court.
When the case was being tried, many people were eager to convict Wu Zhang of manslaughter, but when the case reached this point, people were hoping that Wu Zhang would be directly convicted of not guilty.
She didn't deserve this.
However, many officials in the hospital nodded in agreement.
"Silence! Silence!"
Zhang Fei knocked the gavel a few times to stop them, then pondered for a while and suddenly said to Su Zhe, "Has Chief Prosecutor Su ever considered that Wu Zhang knew that Wu's mother was going to the river to commit suicide, but she still dragged her there. This was definitely a conscious act, and she was clearly aware of the consequences. It should not be considered as a lack of consideration."
Su Che was stunned, thinking, you are not in the state of ear pen, are you going to sue me?
In fact, he also knew that both manslaughter and negligent homicide were a bit far-fetched, but if you want to retrial, you must charge with this crime.
I didn't know how to object for a moment.
Even Xu Zhiqian, the person beside him, looked at Zhang Fei with confusion.
Zhang Fei added: "Although this case is a criminal case, it was caused by a family conflict. As the saying goes, it is difficult for an honest judge to judge family affairs. I, the presiding judge, do not know how to make a judgment."
When these words were spoken, everyone in the audience was stunned.
Su Zhe, in particular, looked at Zhang Fei in confusion.
It would be fine if you were the spy and acted unexpectedly, but as the president of the court, why don't you play by the rules?
Zhang Fei ignored their looks and turned to look at the VIP seats on the upper left side. He asked with a smile, "Grandma Lu, are you willing to help this judge?"
Grandma Lu asked blankly, "Judge...Judge, how can we help you?"
Zhang Fei asked: "How do you think this should be judged?"
When these words were spoken, everyone's jaw dropped.
Cai Yanqing and other officials even stood up. They knew that Zhang Fei must have made such an arrangement, but they did not expect that this would actually help him make a judgment.
Cai Jing and the others also turned around and looked at Zhang Fei in astonishment.
If that's the case, what else do you need?
Without waiting for Mrs. Lu to speak, the scholar said, "How can this be done? How can we help the president make a decision?"
"Why not!"
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "This time, the chief judge came here not only to build the public security, procuratorial and judicial system, but also to try the law of the rule of law. What is the law of the rule of law? Simply put, it is a consensus among the people to defend their own interests. When this consensus is written, it becomes a law. This case is closely related to your interests. At the same time, you and Wu Zhang are not acquainted, and there is no interest relationship. The chief judge believes that you will make a rational judgment."
Cai Bian and the others listened as if they were in a classroom, nodding frequently, and Su Che also seemed to be thinking about something.
If we explain this issue from the perspective of the legal system, it seems to make some sense.
Here they are the only ones who can understand quickly.
Everyone else was still confused.
Those people looked at each other in confusion. Is this really possible?
Zhang Fei added: "It doesn't matter if you don't understand. Let me tell you, and you just need to follow your heart."
He coughed lightly, "Those who think Wu Zhang should be convicted of murder please stand up."
Everyone looked at each other, and no one stood up.
Zhang Fei waited for a while, "Those who think Wu Zhang should be convicted of manslaughter, please stand up."
The scholar and the two citizens slowly stood up.
Zhang Fei smiled and nodded, and asked them to sit down again, then said: "Those who think Wu Zhang should be found not guilty, please stand up."
Mrs. Lu and the butcher stood up immediately without hesitation, and the other seven people who had not yet expressed their opinions also stood up.
Su Che frowned. Did he want to beat the innocent?
Xu Zhiqian thought so too, but she clenched her fists nervously. On the one hand, she hoped for such a verdict, but on the other hand, could this approach really convince the public?
You have to know that the officials next to him were not there to see Zhang Fei show off, but to find trouble.
“Thank you for your help”
Zhang Fei nodded, and then extended his hand to signal, "Please sit down."
Lu Chapo and the others looked at Zhang Fei in disbelief. Could it be that the presiding judge really wanted us to make the judgment?
The other officials present also looked at Zhang Fei with wide eyes.
Do you really listen to them?
But the people looked at Zhang Fei with great anticipation.
The whole audience held their breath in total silence.
Zhang Fei looked around, thought for a while, and said loudly: "In terms of reason, this judge, like Lu Chapo and the others, also believes that Wu Zhang should be found not guilty, but based on national laws, this judge cannot make such a judgment.
Because once this judge makes a not guilty verdict, who can guarantee that someone will not verbally force the sick parent to commit suicide in order to evade the responsibility of supporting them and avoid legal responsibility? This is unacceptable and should not be learned, because the law should take care of the interests of the elderly, the weak, the sick and the disabled. According to etiquette, saving each other is the most basic morality and cannot be abandoned or violated. This cannot be used as a reason to assist the parents, or even to assist anyone to commit suicide. "
Originally everyone thought that Zhang Fei was going to acquit Wu Zhang, but there was another twist.
this....
Su Che was lost in the lake.
What exactly do you want?
But many scholars and officials nodded frequently after listening to it, saying it was really well said!
They couldn't help but look at Zhang Fei with admiration.
Zhang Fei said: "Based on Wu Zhang's behavior, she chose to help Wu's mother commit suicide under the various behaviors of Wu's mother, such as begging, beating, scolding, crying, etc., which should be regarded as desperation, and she consciously assisted Wu's mother to commit suicide. It was not premeditated, and she should be charged with intentional homicide."
Su Che was a little unhappy.
He also knew that homicide was a more appropriate charge, but the penalties for homicide and murder were not severe, so what was the benefit of a retrial?
Then Zhang Fei said, "Since it was not Wu Zhang who pushed Wu's mother into the river, and she was coerced, I have decided to give her a lighter sentence and sentence her to three years in prison as an accomplice.
However, since there are two hungry children at home and the family is facing a life-or-death dilemma, according to the assessment of this Court President, her husband Wu Lei is unable to take care of the two children alone, so this Court President specially allows Wu Zhang to suspend her sentence temporarily, take care of the family first, and then serve her sentence here after the two children grow up. "
"I object!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Su Che stood up and said, "There is no criminal law in our dynasty that allows for the suspension of serving a sentence."
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "But I, the presiding judge, have the imperial edict and the imperial decree. Apart from the ten heinous crimes, I can make an appropriate judgment based on the circumstances of the case and the law of the system, even if there is no such provision in the Song Dynasty Criminal Code. Maybe there will be one after today."
As he said this, he looked at Wu Zhang and said with a smile, "Wu Zhang, you can go home now."
Without waiting for Wu Zhang to thank him, he knocked the gavel lightly and said, "Adjourn the court."
For a moment, there was thunderous applause outside the courtyard that lasted for a long time.
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