"Not satisfied." Chen Qingqing blurted out without hesitation.
Qin Shousheng frowned, a look of displeasure on his face. "What else do you want?"
"Your Excellency, although my elder brother was seriously injured by Wang Decai, the other people also participated. They should also be punished accordingly, otherwise my elder brother's suffering would have been in vain."
Furthermore, even if Wu Shiren didn't physically intervene, he was still the instigator. Since this happened in his restaurant, as the manager, he bears undeniable responsibility and must provide appropriate compensation. If this matter is simply swept under the rug, I, the woman, will not accept it.”
Upon hearing Chen Qingqing's words, Zhao Tian, Wang Qi, and the others were stunned and looked at each other in disbelief.
This brat looks so gentle and weak, how can she be so vicious? She even wants the magistrate to beat them. It's just too much of a bully.
Wu Shiren was initially surprised, then became furious, his eyes almost popping out of their sockets. "You surnamed Chen, do you have any conscience at all? It was our testimony that allowed Wang Decai to receive the punishment he deserved. Now you're turning around and accusing us, and you even want compensation. This is simply unreasonable."
"That's right, we didn't lay a hand on them! You're framing innocent people!" Zhao Tian said indignantly after regaining his composure.
Wang Qi also denied it outright, "Yes, I only saw Wang Decai hit Chen Feng, none of the rest of us even touched him."
Wu Shiren was so angry that his fat body trembled. Wang Qi, Zhao Tian, and the others were all indispensable master chefs in the shop. If they were punished, the shop would be without chefs and would have to close down.
No, we absolutely cannot let them get beaten.
“Sir, I can guarantee that it was Wang Decai who did it. No one else did it. You can’t just listen to their side of the story.”
Qin Shousheng nodded, "Don't worry, Manager Wu. What I need to judge a case is evidence. Since you say you didn't hit him, I will naturally believe what you say."
As he spoke, his eyes were filled with dissatisfaction as he looked at Chen Qingqing.
“Miss Chen, you say that these people also participated in the beating, but they can all testify to each other that only Wang Decai committed the beating. I have already severely punished the murderer.”
As for Wu Shiren, he's also a victim. Since he didn't lay a hand on anyone, it proves he didn't instigate this. Stop making trouble and quickly take your family home!
This is blatant cover-up, a naked cover-up!
Chen Qingqing frowned. She knew that it was already quite an achievement to make Wang Decai, the instigator, pay the price today.
If these people stubbornly refuse to admit it, there's really nothing we can do; we'll have no choice but to swallow this bitter pill.
It seems that we'll have to find another opportunity to deal with these people later.
Just then, Wang Guotou shouted loudly, "Sir, I can testify that these people made a move."
Wu Shiren was taken aback, then glared at him irritably. "Wang Guotou, this is none of your business. Stop talking nonsense and shut up!"
Wang Guotou acted as if he hadn't heard him and ignored the matter. He knelt down and kowtowed in the court, saying, "Your Excellency, I personally witnessed these people attacking Chen Feng."
Qin Shousheng originally wanted to downplay the matter and let it go, giving Wu Shiren face, since Wu would send him some filial money every year.
But now another witness has appeared, and I'm so angry!
As the county's top official, he had to suppress his anger.
"Since you saw it with your own eyes, why don't you tell the truth quickly?"
Wu Shiren glared at Wang Guotou through gritted teeth and threatened, "Wang Guotou, you'd better think carefully before you speak, or don't blame me for disregarding our years of master-servant relationship."
Wang Guotou glanced cautiously at Wu Shiren, a greedy and stingy man who would find various excuses to deduct their wages every month.
If he were to tell the truth now, he would probably lose his job, but seeing Chen Feng being bullied, he felt uneasy if he didn't speak up.
He steeled himself, gritted his teeth, and said...
"The shopkeeper closed early that day. I went home and slept all night. When I woke up, I realized I had forgotten the pastries I bought for my wife at our lodgings, so I went back to the shop to get them. It was just getting light, and I was afraid of disturbing the people resting in the shop, so I walked quietly. But when I got to the shop, I found a crowd gathered in front of Chen Feng's shack. I didn't know what was going on, so I secretly hid behind the door and peeked in."
Upon closer listening, it was discovered that Wang Decai had lost silver and claimed that Chen Feng had stolen it. Immediately afterward, everyone punched and kicked him, and some even beat him mercilessly with wooden sticks. Everyone except the shopkeeper, Wu Shiren, joined in the attack.
If you don't believe me, you can look at Zhao Tian's arm. He was injured that day, and he probably still has scars.
And Wang Qi, in the chaos, Chen Feng scratched the back of his neck several times; I saw all of this with my own eyes..."
The more they listened, the more guilty they felt. Wang Qi unconsciously covered the back of his neck, and Zhao Tian also put his arms behind his back.
Chen Qingqing was surprised by the turn of events and looked at Wang Guotou with gratitude in her eyes.
With a righteous expression, she said, "My lord, now that the witnesses and physical evidence are clear, I beg you to punish the evildoers and give my elder brother justice."
Qin Shousheng's face was extremely ugly. Although he intended to protect Wu Shiren and his associates, the area outside the hall was crowded with onlookers. If the case was handled unfairly, it would surely arouse public anger and be extremely detrimental to his career.
We cannot lose sight of the big picture and pick up trivial matters, only to capsize in a ditch. We must proceed steadily and surely in order to rise to prominence.
He had no choice but to bite the bullet and loudly pronounce the verdict.
"Wang Qi, Zhao Tian, and others assisted the principal offender in beating others, committing the crime of being an accomplice. Although their crime does not warrant the death penalty, they endangered the lives of others. Therefore, this judge hereby sentences each of them to twenty strokes of the cane and each of them to pay Chen Feng one tael of silver for medical expenses. If there are no objections, the payment shall be made in court."
Wang Qi, Zhao Tian, and the others stood there dumbfounded, not understanding what was happening, when they were dragged out by the yamen runners like dead dogs to be executed.
A chorus of wails erupted outside.
Qin Shousheng gritted his teeth and looked at Chen Qingqing, "Miss Chen, are you satisfied with this result?"
Chen Qingqing raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Your Excellency is discerning and a brilliant judge. Such a fair ruling is a blessing to the people. I admire Your Excellency's wisdom and intelligence to the fullest extent."
Hearing Chen Qingqing's flattery, Qin Shousheng's ugly expression softened slightly. He slammed his gavel and said, "Court adjourned!"
......
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