All the officials present looked at Ji Zhibai in surprise. Many of them almost blurted out the same words.
"Are you crazy?" Ao Huang said what all the officials were thinking.
In the confrontation between Fang Yun and the Left Minister's faction, the Left Minister's faction was a bit despicable before, but they still used official methods to deal with Fang Yun, and Fang Yun also relied on his own ability to fight back. But now, in order to defeat Fang Yun, Ji Zhibai actually represented the suspect and personally went into battle.
Even some of the officials who were originally part of the Left Minister's faction felt that Ji Zhibai had gone too far this time.
Ji Zhibai calmly said, "This official is the Patrol Inspector of Mi Province. In order to maintain harmony between colleagues, it is reasonable to avoid fighting with County Magistrate Fang. However, this Shopkeeper Gong is not only a citizen of the area I am patrolling, but also a citizen of the area I am governing last year. He has suffered grievances and came to this official for help. Then this official will reluctantly plead on behalf of the people."
Ao Huang said in a low voice, "Fang Yun, can this dragon scold people?"
This was the court, so Fang Yun prohibited Ao Huang from speaking carelessly.
"No." Fang Yun dao.
"Then this dragon will not speak." Ao Huang angrily stared at Ji Zhibai.
Fang Yun slammed the gavel and shouted, "Who is standing in the court!"
Shopkeeper Gong looked at Ji Zhibai.
Ji Zhibai cupped his hands and said, "Because Shopkeeper Gong accidentally killed his wife and child, he is filled with remorse and grief. Revealing it to me in private is already the limit. It is difficult for him to speak in the court, so this official will relay it on his behalf."
Shopkeeper Gong immediately lowered his head and reached out to wipe his tearless eyes.
Fang Yun's hand left the gavel and said, "Could it be that Shopkeeper Ji knows the Gong family's affairs like the back of his hand?"
"I don't dare to say I know it like the back of my hand. However, Shopkeeper Gong once cried and explained some reasons, "Ji Zhibai said.
Fang Yun's expression darkened, and he looked at Yu Bachi. Yu Bachi immediately said, "This lowly official will go and find out who let an unrelated person see the prisoner!"
Ji Zhibai opened his fan. He gently fanned himself and said, "Prison Head Ji and I are old friends. He has made a small mistake and is preparing to resign from his position as prison head. He will leave Ning An City immediately, so you don't have to worry about him. Oh, right. This official also made a small mistake and should not enter the prison to see Shopkeeper Gong. I will ask for forgiveness and forfeit my salary for a month. "
When Ao Huang saw Ji Zhibai's smug look, he was so angry that he wanted to burn Ji Zhibai to death with his dragon flames.
Fang Yun's expression remained unchanged as he said, "Warden Yu will stay here. As for Warden Ji's dereliction of duty. As for Prison Head Ji, we will investigate it later. " After he finished speaking, Fang Yun looked at Ji Zhibai. Mishou had been run by the Left Minister's party for decades, and Ning An County was the most important place. It was normal for a prison head to rely on Ji Zhibai.
"Yes!" Yu Bachi suppressed his anger and looked at Ji Zhibai, his fists clenched. Ji Zhibai was imprisoned right under his nose. For him, it was a great humiliation.
"Then, please answer my question," Fang Yundao said.
Ji Zhibai smiled and said, "This is Shopkeeper Gong of the Open Source Grain Store. He is in charge of the store's affairs. Originally …"
Fang Yun slammed the gavel on the table and interrupted Ji Zhibai. He said, "You will answer whatever this official asks. Don't tell me Lord Ji doesn't even know this simple rule."
"Please ask, Lord Fang. However, this official also has a question. This is a family matter. According to the law, the Gong family should discuss it and then the county magistrate should make a decision. Why did you take the initiative to investigate this case? Moreover, there isn't even a plaintiff! Everyone. What do you think? "Ji Zhibai said as he turned to look outside the door.
The Gong family members immediately expressed their support, but Gong Liushi's family remained silent. They were angry, but they didn't dare to say anything.
Fang Yun shouted angrily, "Ridiculous! Human lives are at stake. Does this also belong to the Gong family? The two deceased were not only members of the Gong family, but they were also part of the human race. They were Jingguo citizens, and they were also citizens under this official's rule! Although there is no plaintiff in this case, this official has the right to investigate! "
A smile appeared on Ji Zhibai's fair face. He said, "Since County Magistrate Fang is investigating this matter, then this official understands. However, even if the three members of the Gong family were part of the human race, this is still a family matter. Moreover, Shopkeeper Gong accidentally injured them after drinking, not killing them. According to the law, the decision should be made by the clan and not by the national law. "
Fang Yundao said, "If it was accidental injury, then it would naturally be decided by the clan. However, if it was murder, then it would be decided by the national law!"
Ji Zhibai said with a smile, "Sir, you are right. However, this case is an accidental homicide. Shopkeeper Gong, did you want to kill your wife and children, or did you just want to vent your anger on them because the grain store is about to close? "
Shopkeeper Gong immediately shook his head and said, "This lowly one definitely did not want to kill my wife and children. The reason why I did it, other than because I was drunk, was because I had lost my livelihood. I was extremely depressed and wanted to vent my anger on my wife and children. In all honesty, this lowly one really did not want to kill the two of them! "
Ji Zhibai raised his head and said, "Sir Fang, did you hear that? Shopkeeper Gong did not want to kill his wife and children. This case was an accidental injury caused by him venting his anger because the grain store was about to close! "
Fang Yun slammed the gavel and said, "Bring the Gong family's neighbors."
"Yes!"
The bailiffs brought a dozen people to the court. These people were all above ten years old and below ninety.
A legalist official cupped his hands and said, "This official has already examined all the witnesses' eyes, ears, nose, and memories. They can all testify."
Fang Yun nodded and looked at Shopkeeper Gong's neighbors and said, "Have you heard of Shopkeeper Gong wanting to kill his wife and children? If you have, raise your right hand. "
The sixteen people in the court all raised their hands, including a thirteen year old child and a seventy year old man.
When the officials and bailiffs saw this scene, they felt a chill in their hearts. Even Ao Huang was shocked.
Fang Yundao said, "From left to right, tell us what you heard."
The middle-aged man on the far left cupped his hands towards Fang Yun and said, "This lowly one reports to Sir Fang. Shopkeeper Gong often said that he wanted to kill his wife and children. Ever since I became his neighbor, I've heard it no less than a hundred times. It's really hard to describe it one by one. "
Fang Yundao said, "Then tell us what you remember as evidence."
"As you wish. I remember last winter, when it was almost the new year, I heard Shopkeeper Gong hit his wife while cursing, 'You damned woman, if it weren't for the fact that you were obedient, I would have killed you long ago! Do you know, as long as I use some money, even if I kill you, I can still get away! '? Another time, I heard him curse, 'It's good if I kill you, I'll replace you with someone else.' The year before last … "
Ji Zhibai interrupted the witness and said, "Sir Fang, these were all words spoken in anger! For example, there's a saying in Sichuan that goes, 'F * ck his ancestors'. Could it be that the person who cursed really went to the coffins of other people's ancestors? These were only words spoken in anger, who hasn't said them before? These words spoken in anger cannot be used as evidence. "
However, Fang Yun said, "Sir Ji's words are incorrect. Whether or not words spoken in anger can be used as evidence depends on whether it's spoken in anger or whether it's thought. At that time, when Shopkeeper Gong hit people, his thoughts were clear and his reasoning was meticulous. It clearly wasn't unintentional words spoken in anger. Instead, he threatened to 'kill' Gong Liushi and had a motive! The witness continues to answer. "
Shopkeeper Gong suddenly knelt down and shouted, "Sir, please judge clearly, this one …"
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