Chapter 83: Going Away
County Magistrate Lu sent out the letter early. Lord Cai really valued Su Fengzhang, and this matter was of great importance and had a serious impact. After receiving the letter, he set off overnight and finally caught up with the lawsuit.
At this time, his face was still weathered and his expression was cold. He was led to the court and sat down. He looked at Mu Wei with disgust in his eyes, but looked at Su Fengzhang with a bit of relief.
"County Magistrate Lu cannot make a judgment on the spot, but I can."
"Come here, present all the case files. I will make a judgment immediately."
"Anyone who has a confession, please repeat it and confirm it by signing it. All physical evidence, please carefully record it. Chief Clerk Sun, please go and invite several respected elders from Hushan County to sit in on the trial, so as to avoid any accusations that my judgment is unfair."
Magistrate Cai knew that given his relationship with Su Fengzhang, even if there was overwhelming evidence, if there was even the slightest impropriety in the handling of the case, it would easily lead to criticism. Naturally, he would not allow such a thing to happen.
Sun Zhubu went to invite them personally, and even though those respected old gentlemen were unwilling to wade into the muddy water, they had to give Mr. Cai this face. In front of everyone, Mr. Cai re-examined the case.
Now, three or four eyewitnesses have been found. Some can prove that Mu Wei came back early, some saw Mu Wei climbing over the wall, and some even said they saw him covered in blood and looking panicked. This one was a servant hired by the Mu family.
Several old men who were invited to serve as witnesses nodded and said, "The evidence is irrefutable. There is both human and physical evidence. Lin Changqing's murder was undoubtedly committed by Mu Wei."
This murder case, which lasted for most of the day and was full of twists and turns, finally ended with Su Fengzhang being released in court and Mu Wei being sentenced to death row and beheaded in the autumn. When Mu Wei heard the verdict, he burst into tears.
However, having just witnessed his cruelty and viciousness, the people watching around him not only did not sympathize with him, but instead stayed away from him, fearing that he would suddenly kill again.
The exciting lawsuit made the group of common people very satisfied, and Lord Cai had to use his authority as the county magistrate to make them disperse slowly.
After understanding the situation, Su Zhaoshi could no longer hold back her tears. She held her son's hand tightly and shouted, "It's okay, Feng'er is okay. Let's go home, go home now."
"Mother, wait a moment." Su Fengzhang said, and then went to pay his respects to Lord Cai.
"I would like to thank you all for hanging up the Qin Mirror, which saved me from imprisonment this time."
Lord Cai laughed heartily, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "No need to be so polite. In fact, even if I hadn't returned, you would have been fine. I was eavesdropping outside just now. You are so meticulous that you can see the big picture. Your constant pressure has left Mu Wei with no way to evade the charges, and he has confessed his guilt."
County Magistrate Lu couldn't help but laugh when he thought about what had just happened. "Yes, Mr. Su is really amazing. If he can become an official in the court in the future, he will definitely be a good judge of cases."
"If I didn't know that the adults were honest and impartial, how could I dare to defend myself, and how could I have the opportunity to defend myself?"
This thank you to Su Fengzhang was said sincerely. Although the county government of Hushan County could not be said to be incorruptible and selfless, Lord Cai had set a good example. Small matters could be left vague, but on the whole, it was still relatively fair.
It was precisely because of this that he had the opportunity to defend himself. To be unfair, if he had met a corrupt official, Mu Wei would not have needed to make any false accusations. He could have just stuffed a lot of silver into the pockets of the corrupt official and let him convict him of the murderer. After all, he was caught at the scene, and no one would listen to his defense. The truth would not matter.
Seeing that he knew how to be grateful, Master Cai felt better and said with a smile: "You must have suffered a lot this time. You originally had good intentions, but because of this, you ended up spending the New Year in prison."
"Now that you understand the case, you should go back early and take good care of your health."
Su Fengzhang nodded and was about to leave when he said, "Master Cai, Master Lu, Master Sun, I wonder if you remember a businessman named Wang Huan in prison."
County Magistrate Lu said, "I think I've heard of this name. It's said that they sold inferior goods to the store, and that's why they were sued."
Su Fengzhang said in a low voice: "I have had some contact with him in the past few days. I heard him complain about his injustice. That's all right. This man's words and deeds are quite generous. He doesn't seem like an ordinary businessman."
Lord Cai and his companions were naturally no fools, as they were able to serve in the court. They quickly realized the meaning of this statement. Lord Cai narrowed his eyes and said with a smile, "I understand."
Su Fengzhang didn't say much, just bowed deeply before leaving.
When passing by the coroner, Su Fengzhang stopped again and said, "Brother Coroner, I wonder what will happen to Changqing's body?"
The coroner said, "Of course, we will notify the family to take the body back for the funeral. If there are no family members, we will notify the other clan members."
Su Fengzhang nodded and said, "Please let me know when the time comes. We are friends, and I want to see him off one last time."
"Mr. Su is such a kind-hearted man." The coroner sighed. If he had been implicated by a friend and ended up in jail, or even nearly had his reputation ruined, it would have been good enough that he didn't vent his anger on the other person. How could he have remembered to send him off?
Su Fengzhang then walked towards his relatives. Su Lanzhang couldn't help but rush over and hugged his waist: "Second brother!"
"Are you scared this time?" Su Fengzhang touched his head, especially when he saw that his palms had shrunk, he couldn't help but feel distressed.
"I'm not afraid, I'm just worried that my second brother will suffer." Su Lanzhang said this, but her eyes turned red with honesty.
Su Fengzhang has been imprisoned these days, and the Su family feels like the sky has fallen. His mother and aunt cry every day, but he is helpless. Su Lanzhang hates himself even more for not studying hard. If he also has a degree, he can at least help.
Su Fengzhang didn't know that his brother and sister-in-law had changed after this incident, and his brother had even changed his usual laziness: "Second brother is fine."
"Mother, Second Uncle, Village Chief, and all the uncles, I'm sorry for making you worry this time. It's all Feng Zhang's fault."
"It's good that you're okay, it's good that you're okay. It's not your fault." Uncle Su was originally frowning, but now he finally felt relieved.
It's not just him, everyone from Yuexi Village who came with him is like this.
The village chief also smiled and said, "I'm glad you're okay. This disaster was truly an unexpected one."
"Okay, let's leave here first. We can't talk in front of the government office." The village chief reminded.
Su Arong came in an ox cart, so Su Fengzhang, Su Zhaoshi and Su Lanzhang got on an ox cart.
Su Zhao glanced back at the other ox carts and told her son, "This time, thanks to my uncle and the village chief for their help, and the villagers also helped a lot. You must remember this kindness in the future."
"Mom, I saved it." The ancient clan concept is deeply rooted in people's hearts, and the relationship between the Su family and their clansmen is getting closer day by day.
Su Zhaoshi added, "And the eldest young master of the Gu family, if he hadn't been willing to help you this time, I'm afraid we wouldn't even be able to enter the government office. I gave him money, but he wouldn't even accept it. He's been really dedicated to you."
"Don't worry, mother. I will come to your house in person to thank you tomorrow." Su Fengzhang also knew that Gu Beichen must have spent a lot of connections and financial resources.
"Mom, is everything okay at home? Did I scare you this time?" Su Fengzhang asked with some guilt.
"Everything is fine at home." Su Zhao patted his hand and said with a smile, "As long as you are fine, there will be no trouble at home."
"It's because I didn't do my job properly that I made you worried." If he had been more careful at that time, this probably wouldn't have happened.
Su Zhaoshi was not happy to hear this and said, "You meant well, but who could have foreseen this would happen? And that Mu is so cruel and ruthless. I've never heard of anyone killing someone for a poem, and yet he even went so far as to slander you."
Hearing this, Su Lanzhang also said bitterly: "That man is too evil, too abominable. Why didn't Lord Cai sentence him to behead immediately, but to execute him in the autumn? Wouldn't that mean we have to wait for another half a year?"
Now that her son was fine, Su Zhaoshi felt relieved and calm. She said, "Why do you wonder why officials in charge of criminal justice are classified as autumn officials? Since ancient times, beheadings have always been carried out in autumn. The elders say that executions in autumn are in accordance with the will of heaven and will not only avoid punishment from heaven, but will also bring blessings."
Su Lanzhang couldn't help but say, "Can beheading someone bring good fortune?"
Su Zhaoshi said: "Those who are killed are the most evil ones, and there will naturally be blessings."
Su Fengzhang explained, "This is just one of the reasons. In fact, in the Great Zhou Dynasty, unless His Majesty orders an immediate execution, not only the county magistrate, but even the prime minister cannot kill someone immediately."
"Even if Lord Cai has decided to execute him in the autumn, this murder case still needs to be reported through various levels, from the prefect to the imperial court, and then to His Majesty for the final decision. With all this back and forth, it will take at least a month or two for the final verdict to come."
Su Lanzhang was stunned and said in surprise, "Then why are there always corrupt officials who take human lives in operas?"
"Watch less plays in the future, they are all lies." Su Fengzhang said.
He didn't say that if you encounter a local tyrant who takes human life lightly, even if people die, it will be difficult to report them. In the absence of sufficient control by the central government, the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty are meaningless, so what can the common people do?
Perhaps he should be thankful that the county he lives in is relatively stable and that Lord Cai is a good official.
Su Zhaoshi said bitterly, "It's really a bargain for him. He has lived a few more months."
Su Fengzhang, on the other hand, disagreed. "The conditions in death row are only worse than those in prison. They only hold death row prisoners. Mu Wei comes from a wealthy family, so he must be living a life worse than death in death row."
Su Zhaoshi finally vented her anger after hearing this and said, "That's how it should be. If we let such a wicked person get away with it, even Heaven would be displeased."
Su Fengzhang sighed slightly in his heart. What would be the use even if Mu Wei was severely punished? Lin Changqing was already dead, and the dead could not be resurrected. He would never see that living and talented scholar again.
When they returned home, the others had tactfully left. As Su Fengzhang entered the yard, he saw a brazier on the ground. It turned out to be prepared by Aunt Bai. "Erlang, quickly step over the brazier and get rid of the bad luck."
They were eager to try all the methods they could find to ward off bad luck on him. Su Zhaoshi even took out a box of amulets and said, "I've prayed at all the nearby temples. Wear these in turns, and keep the rest in the house. With the Bodhisattva watching over you, no demons or ghosts will dare approach."
Su Fengzhang felt amused and helpless, but he accepted the kindness. From the large number of amulets, one could see Su Zhaoshi's panic a few days ago. These were all expressions of her deep love for her son.
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Author's words: First update
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