Chapter 76 Slander
However, things did not go as smoothly as Su Fengzhang had expected. On the fourth day of his imprisonment, the drum outside the yamen was struck.
The laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty stipulated that anyone who beat a drum to protest against grievances concerning major military and national affairs, major corruption and crimes, or extraordinary injustices and tragedies could do so. Otherwise, the drum must not be beaten, and violators would be severely punished. If someone beat the drum to report a crime, the chief officer must immediately respond; those who did not immediately respond would be punished one level more severely.
What this means is that unless it is a serious matter, anyone who beats the drum to complain will be punished.
But once the drum is beaten, the government must handle it immediately, otherwise the officials will also be convicted. This is a double-edged sword. The people of Hushan County have better governance, and there has been no case of beating the drum to appeal for justice for more than ten years.
The official who replaced Lord Cai was named Lu. He was the county magistrate sent by the court a year ago. Because he was a newcomer, the difficult task of serving during the New Year fell on him.
He originally thought that the job was a bit troublesome, but since there was nothing to do during the New Year, he just wanted to rest in the back court. Who knew that a murder would happen in the county school on New Year's Eve, and the two most outstanding students in the county school were involved.
When he received the report, County Magistrate Lu almost dropped his teacup. Lin Changqing and Su Fengzhang were both people he knew.
The former had outstanding academic performance, and he had often heard the instructor mention him, with much praise in his words. He had even read a few poems and thought they were good. Such a person was most in line with the superiors' wishes, and if he could continue, it would be of great benefit to Hushan County.
The latter is half a student of Mr. Cai. It is said that his father was also an official in the county government. He has had many dealings with the county government over the years. He has received gifts from the Su family. Although the gifts are insignificant, the thought behind them is important.
Who would have thought that one of the two most promising students had died tragically and the other had been thrown into a cell.
County Magistrate Lu felt that he was so young but his hair was almost bald, so he immediately sent someone to deliver a letter to Lord Cai, and at the same time sent someone to check the scene, intending to wait until County Magistrate Cai came back before doing anything else.
But before I could even breathe a sigh of relief, someone was so bold as to strike the drum to report the incident!
But now the drum for reporting has been sounded, and if he dares not to obey it, he will be punished. County Magistrate Lu had no choice but to bite the bullet and walk into the court. He was not the county magistrate, so he only sat in the lower seat. Sitting opposite him was Sun Zhubu, who was also the unlucky guy he had called.
County Magistrate Lu and Chief Clerk Sun exchanged a glance, both feeling extremely embarrassed. Chief Clerk Sun coughed first and reminded, "Master Lu, the yamen runner at the gate just now reported that the man beating the drum to complain was a fellow townsman of County Scholar Lin Changqing. I'm afraid this is still related to Lin Changqing's murder."
This made the situation even more difficult. County Magistrate Lu said with a bitter face, "Isn't it true? The case hasn't been fully investigated yet, and Lord Cai hasn't returned yet. Why is this guy beating the drum at this time?"
Finally, the two of them sighed and summoned the person in.
Soon the yamen runners brought their men into the court. The noise they had just made was so loud that the people around came to watch the fun regardless of the fact that it was New Year's Day, and the entrance to the yamen was packed with people.
The man who came was dressed in mourning, his face was haggard, and he was about the same age as Lin Changqing. It was Mu Wei, who had been quite at odds with him in the academy. As soon as he entered the door, he knelt on the ground without paying attention to his status as a scholar and said, "Please, sir, make a decision for me!"
County Magistrate Lu frowned slightly and said quickly, "Why do you have to be like this, Mr. Mu? You are a student with honors and achievements. You know that officials don't kneel. If you have anything to say, just talk it over nicely."
Sun Zhubu also said: "That's right. If you have any grievances, just speak up and tell them. Why bother beating the drum to complain? You know, if there is no great injustice, beating the drum will make you guilty."
Mu Wei, however, insisted on kneeling on the ground, shouting, "Lord Lu, Lord Sun, Changqing died tragically on New Year's Eve, and his blood is all over the ground. You must stand up for him and punish the real culprit."
County Magistrate Lu felt that things were not going well and frowned as he said, "Of course. Lin Changqing was a student at the county school. We will naturally find out the truth and let the deceased rest in peace."
"I know who the murderer is." Mu Wei suddenly shouted.
Sun Zhubu secretly thought that something was wrong and was about to speak to stop him when he heard Lu Xiancheng casually ask, "Who is it?"
"This person usually has a kind face and has deceived countless people, but behind the scenes he is cruel and ruthless. He even killed my brother Changqing on New Year's Eve."
"This person is none other than Su Fengzhang, a county student from Yuexi Village, Hushan County, who topped last year's college entrance examination!"
County Magistrate Lu then realized something was wrong and frowned, "Su Fengzhang and Lin Changqing had no grudges against each other. Why would he kill his classmate when he had such a bright future? Do you have any evidence?"
At this time, someone in the crowd who were watching the excitement also shouted, "Yes, Brother Su has always been kind and good-tempered. He has never had any disputes with anyone in the county school. Why did he kill Lin Changqing?"
"Mu Wei, you can't wrongly accuse him just because you have a personal grudge against Brother Su. Murder is no small matter."
Mu Wei listened to the people around him speaking up for him and shouted, "Sir, I have evidence."
Sun Zhubu frowned and asked, "What evidence do you have to prove that Su Fengzhang is the real murderer?"
Mu Wei shouted, "Please, my Lords, summon Su Fengzhang to the court. I am willing to confront him in court."
He spoke with such certainty that the onlookers were unsure whether he had any real evidence. After all, it was a case of life and death, and Mu Wei couldn't slander Su Fengzhang just because of such a small matter.
Even County Magistrate Lu and Chief Clerk Sun became uncertain. They discussed it in a low voice and finally agreed.
Liu Xiong was also standing in the crowd. When he saw Mu Wei's confident look, he secretly thought that something was wrong. Now, seeing the people around him talking about it, he felt even more confused.
"Brother Liu, do you think Brother Su has..."
"Impossible. Brother Su has a promising future. Why would he do something that would ruin his future?"
In prison, Su Fengzhang was weaving the third small object. As he did it more and more times, his skills improved.
Wang Huan next door was amused and asked him, "Su Xiucai, I didn't expect you to have such a skill. It looks quite interesting. Why don't you give me one to play with?"
Su Fengzhang handed over the one he had just made and said, "I'm glad you don't mind."
Wang Huan laughed and said, "It's a little rough, but considering it was written by a scholar, I think it's pretty good."
Su Fengzhang raised his eyebrows slightly and was about to speak when he heard the jailer outside calling his name.
"Mr. Su, Lord Lu has ordered that you cooperate in the interrogation." The bailiff who came to bring the man to court was quite polite.
Su Fengzhang's heart skipped a beat. As he walked out of the prison, he whispered, "Big Brother, has Lord Cai returned? Why is he being brought in for questioning today?"
The yamen runner gave him a sympathetic look and said, "Master Cai hasn't returned yet. Master Lu is investigating the case."
Su Fengzhang soon understood what had happened. He nodded soothingly to Liu Xiong and others, and his eyes fell on Mu Wei who was kneeling in the court, his expression unclear.
"I am Su Fengzhang, a student. Greetings to Lord Lu and Lord Sun." Su Fengzhang bowed but had no intention of kneeling.
County Magistrate Lu nodded and said, "Mu Wei, Su Fengzhang is here. If you have any evidence, please bring it out."
Mu Wei looked up and glared at Su Fengzhang. Although he had been detained for four days, he had some stubble on his chin and his hair was a little messy, but he looked handsome and elegant when he stood there, and his demeanor was somewhat different from usual.
It’s this person, this person!
Mu Wei couldn't help but feel a bit jealous and ashamed in his heart. He even forgot to kneel down and beg for sympathy. He suddenly stood up and stared at Su Fengzhang with hatred, as if he wanted to burn holes in his body.
However, he didn't know that in the eyes of others, he was kneeling and Su Fengzhang was standing, so he seemed somewhat weak and pitiful.
But at this moment, he stood up with a menacing look, making Su Fengzhang, whose face was pale, look weak, pitiful and innocent.
Mu Wei was unaware of the change in the mentality of the people around him, and shouted sternly: "Su Fengzhang, do you admit your guilt?"
His loud shout startled the two adults above him. County Magistrate Lu couldn't help but curse Mu Wei in his heart for being so noisy. If someone didn't know, they would think he was the one who solved the case.
Su Fengzhang remained calm and composed. The more anxious Mu Wei became, the calmer he became: "I don't know."
Mu Wei was indeed angered by his attitude. He pointed his finger at him and cursed, "You brutally murdered Lin Changqing, causing him to die in his prime, and you still don't know how to repent?"
Su Fengzhang ignored his anger and said, "Why do you say that, Mu Tongsheng? I am also saddened by Changqing's death, but this matter has nothing to do with me. Please don't slander me."
Mu Wei cursed, "You're still trying to make excuses when death is imminent. Poor Changqing, he opened his heart to you and treated you as his best friend, but he didn't know that one day he would die. If it weren't for a fellow countryman like me, he would have died with regrets."
County Magistrate Lu couldn't help but frowned and reminded: "Mu Tongsheng, if you have evidence, just show it to us immediately and don't talk nonsense."
Mu Wei bowed and shouted, "Sir, I have three questions for Su Fengzhang first."
"Okay, if you want to ask, ask now." County Magistrate Lu was just wondering whether Mu Wei had any real evidence, but now he felt that it was not right.
Mu Wei turned to look at Su Fengzhang and shouted, "Su Fengzhang, let me ask you, has Changqing's teaching you how to write poetry and lyrics helped you make great progress during this period?"
"Don't talk about other things, just answer my question directly."
Su Fengzhang nodded and said, "Indeed, Brother Changqing has taught me a lot."
Mu Wei nodded and continued to ask the second question: "After you entered the county school, you have always ranked first in the monthly exams, but you stumbled in the annual exam. The first place is always there. Is this true?"
Su Fengzhang shook his head and said, "I tied with Changqing for first place. This was personally assessed by the instructor, so Mu Tongsheng should know. My Lords, the county school has records on this matter, and we can easily verify its truth."
Without going to the county school, several students below shouted, "Indeed, they are tied for first place. The instructor also praised Lin Changqing and Su Fengzhang as the two pillars of Hushan County School. They have great potential in the future."
Mu Wei's face darkened slightly, and he didn't bother to be mysterious anymore. He directly asked the third question: "Chang Qing's poetry talent is far superior to yours, and he snatched the first place this time. Are you jealous of him? You are on good terms with him on the surface, but secretly you want to eat his flesh and sleep with him?"
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The author has something to say: I know you are going to scold me for not cutting it in the right place.
Humph, intentional
Otherwise, why would the playful little cutie come again tomorrow?
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