Chapter 113: His face changes drastically
Fengqi County Government Office.
Magistrate Xia sat in the court.
Luo Gou Zhang and others were brought up.
However, Luo Gou Zhang was half-dead and was carried up by two yamen runners.
The two yamen runners who were carrying him had expressions of disdain, relief, and curiosity.
Luo Gou Zhang's appearance is really strange.
He was groaning, sweat was on his forehead, his legs were twitching, and he looked like he was in unbearable pain.
The scarred man and others walked up by themselves.
But most of them walk with a limp.
As for their faces, some had fresh blood scabs on their noses, some had large lumps on their foreheads, and some had blood streaks on their upper and lower lips...
Magistrate Xia looked at the prisoners who were brought up, and a rare look of surprise flashed in his eyes.
It seems that these people have been severely tortured.
However, this method of torture is quite unique.
Prefect Xia thought so and glanced at County Magistrate Zheng thoughtfully.
County Magistrate Zheng: “…”
Why does the prefect's eyes look weird?
Prefect Xia said, "Since severe punishment has already been used..."
"Your Excellency, it has not been used yet." County Magistrate Zheng said hurriedly.
Magistrate Xia, “…”
Never used it?
Oh, he must have been injured in the fight when he was arresting these people.
However, the Fengqi County yamen runners had very strange ways of beating people.
Prefect Xia had no idea that the injuries on Luo Gou Zhang and others were not caused by the yamen runners of Fengqi County.
"Snap!"
Magistrate Xia slammed the gavel.
"You are guilty of kidnapping and trafficking young children. This is a heinous crime... Confess the truth immediately!"
"mighty--"
The yamen runners on both sides immediately created an atmosphere and demonstrated their majesty.
The prefect Xia in the front court re-examined the case, while the wife of the magistrate Zheng in the back yard, Mrs. Ye, rummaged through the drawers and cabinets in a big way.
"This material is too plain! No!"
"This set of jewelry is too old-fashioned. A little girl might not like it. No!"
"This kind of thing—take it away! She's the daughter of the prefectural governor! She's seen all sorts of good things..."
While examining the materials and jewelry found by the maids, Ye made disdainful comments.
My master sent someone to tell her that the prefect's daughter was visiting Daliushu Village and asked her to send some clothes and jewelry.
This is a great opportunity to make friends with the prefect's family and must not be missed.
As the wife of the county magistrate, Ye certainly knew the interests involved.
So, he hurriedly packed the gifts and prepared to go to Daliushu Village.
But I couldn't help but feel a little confused.
Why would the daughter of the prefect come to visit a rural place like Daliushu Village?
At the same time, I was also very curious about what was different about the country girl that the master wanted his son to marry?
"Madam, the master asked you to bring some ready-made clothes, but the mansion doesn't have clothes suitable for a girl of seven or eight years old." Chuncao, the eldest maidservant who served Ye, said, "Why don't you send someone to the clothing store to tell the owner to select some high-quality clothes and send them to the mansion?"
"It's too late. We can just go to the shop and choose." Ye shook his head.
After saying that, he pointed to several exquisite jewelry and fabrics.
He added, “Pack all these things up, and pack some top-quality bird’s nests.”
After hearing what Ye said, the maids packed their things quickly.
Ye thought about it and finally remembered that her son was also left in Daliushu Village by the master.
If it is said that Ye was somewhat dissatisfied with her son who always wanted to run to Daliushu Village.
But unable to resist his son's nagging, he turned a blind eye.
Anyway, my son is still young. If he really likes her, it won’t be a big deal to take her as a concubine in the future.
As for marrying her as the principal wife, she would never agree.
It's not a good match for my son to marry a country girl, so I won't be laughed at.
But now, when Ye heard that her master had left his son in Daliushu Village, she was extremely happy.
The magistrate's daughter is there, and his own son is also there. Isn't it just a good opportunity to get the moon first because he is close to the water.
The two children have been in love since they were young, and if they are lucky enough in the future, they can marry their son to a girl from the prefect's family.
My master is so wise!
When Ye thought of this, he was filled with excitement.
"Quick! Pack some clothes and writing materials for the young master..."
After giving a series of instructions, Ye hurried out with a few maids and servants and a cart full of things.
**
Front yamen.
The interrogation of Magistrate Xia went very smoothly.
Whether it was the scarred man or the hunchbacked Zhang and the others, they all confessed very readily.
It was so satisfying that Governor Xia frowned.
"Sir, do you have any questions?"
Magistrate Zheng observed Prefect Xia's expression and asked carefully.
Why did he feel that the prefect was somewhat dissatisfied with the prisoners for confessing too quickly?
Prefect Xia pondered and said, "Most criminals, when questioned, will try to make excuses in an attempt to exonerate themselves..."
Magistrate Xia paused for a moment, then added, "But these people... confessed their guilt too readily, as if they had something to rely on..."
After hearing what Prefect Xia said, County Magistrate Zheng looked indifferent.
"Your Excellency the Prefect is probably worrying too much. The evidence of these people's crimes is irrefutable. There is no way to defend them. They can only plead guilty."
As for relying on, what can a group of human traffickers rely on?
Is it possible that someone can rescue them?
After hearing what County Magistrate Zheng said, Prefect Xia remained silent.
County Magistrate Zheng asked, "Sir, when will the verdict be announced?"
In the eyes of County Magistrate Zheng, this was a case without any doubt and a verdict could be announced immediately.
According to the law, this is a crime of trafficking children.
The lightest punishment is imprisonment for several years, the worst is exile or even beheading...
In this case, the kidnapping of the daughter of an official and the kidnapping of a prince are both possible. The person can be sentenced to immediate execution.
This is just the right opportunity to establish his authority as the county magistrate of Fengqi County.
It can also add a great achievement to him.
"What does County Magistrate Zheng think the verdict should be?" Prefect Xia did not answer but asked instead.
County Magistrate Zheng said as a matter of course: "Of course it's beheading."
"How many people did you kill?"
"Of course..."
County Magistrate Zheng paused.
Finally came to my senses.
If several important criminals were all sentenced to death by beheading, the identities of the prefect's daughter and the prince must be recorded in the case file.
but--
County Magistrate Zheng looked at Prefect Xia with embarrassment.
Since this concerns the girl's reputation, Magistrate Xia would definitely not be willing to record in the case file that his daughter had been abducted.
After all, a girl of seven or eight years old will have to get married in a few years.
If people knew that I was taken away by human traffickers for many days, it would probably affect my marriage.
"How about...we go ask the gentleman from Daliushu Village what he thinks?" County Magistrate Zheng asked tentatively.
If that young master agrees, then all these people can be beheaded just for the crime of kidnapping the prince.
Magistrate Xia shook his head.
"That master...is living in seclusion here, and His Majesty's heart is unclear. If this matter were to be reported back to the capital, it would probably cause a disturbance. That's not appropriate."
"Then..." County Magistrate Zheng was at a loss.
I suddenly realized.
Could it be that... those criminals confessed their crimes and accepted punishment simply because they knew they wouldn't lose their lives?
As officials appointed by the imperial court, they absolutely cannot sentence people to death without legal basis.
Otherwise, wouldn't people accuse you of taking human life lightly?
At this moment, County Magistrate Zheng suddenly felt a little aggrieved.
These people are obviously extremely evil and daring, but they are not severely punished.
Moreover, even if he is sentenced to exile, as long as someone arranges for it.
Either they escape halfway, or someone takes their place, or they act tyrannically in the place of exile, and so on.
Things like this can happen.
Thinking about it this way, it’s really unacceptable.
County Magistrate Zheng secretly observed the expression of Prefect Xia.
When his own daughter is abducted, a father would certainly want to kill the enemy with his own hands.
The prefect must have other plans in mind.
Even if it was just to protect his daughter's reputation, he would definitely find a way to destroy that group of people.
Thinking of this, County Magistrate Zheng was no longer anxious.
Anyway, the prefect certainly wants those people to die a miserable death more than anyone else.
As expected, Magistrate Xia said thoughtfully, "These people confessed their crimes so readily. I'm afraid there are other reasons..."
County Magistrate Zheng: “…”
Haha, it’s true.
As Magistrate Xia spoke, he looked at the captain of the police he had brought with him.
"Investigate these people immediately. Are there any other cases?"
"Yes, sir!"
The captain bowed in agreement and strode out.
County Magistrate Zheng understood.
This case won't cost you your lives, but there may be other cases, right?
Perhaps, nothing can become something.
County Magistrate Zheng's heart suddenly became a little gloomy.
Magistrate Xia then turned to Magistrate Zheng and said, "Have you confiscated the stolen goods? Present them to me!"
County Magistrate Zheng quickly called his legal advisor to take away the dirty items.
Suddenly, he remembered the jade pendant that Xiao Tangbao had given him, and he quickly took it out and said, "And this jade pendant..."
When Magistrate Xia saw the jade pendant, his pupils suddenly shrank and his face changed drastically.
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