County Magistrate Liu tidied up his official robe, cleared his throat, and walked to Li Yi, saying with a smile, "County Magistrate Li, I really admire you for solving the case so well. If today's event is spread out, I'm afraid that our Anxi County will be much more peaceful."
County Magistrate Liu was not sure about Li Yi's character when he met him for the second time. However, as long as one was a human being, he would like to listen to flattery. A flattery could always shorten the distance between them.
"Lord Liu, you flatter me." After all, County Magistrate Liu was his superior, so Li Yi couldn't always put on airs. Therefore, he cupped his hands with a smile and said very modestly.
County Magistrate Liu was a bit flattered when he suddenly showed a smile. He thought that County Magistrate Li didn't seem to be like those rich playboys, so he couldn't help but feel slightly happy and said, "There is still an important case to be solved. If County Magistrate Li has nothing to do, why don't you sit down and continue to watch? You can also give me some advice when necessary."
County Magistrate Liu's words were very polite. If the person in front of him was County Magistrate Zhou, he would probably casually say, "Old Zhou, I have something important to deal with. This case will be handed over to you. You are not allowed to go home for dinner if you don't finish the sentence …" Then, he would go to the back hall to taste tea and have fun with his concubine …
He had been a county magistrate for so many years, and this period was the most aggrieved time for him.
Fortunately, Li Yi was not an insensible person. In the future, they would meet each other frequently in the same county government, so he had to build a good relationship with County Magistrate Liu. After all, nominally, County Magistrate Liu was the boss here.
"This is my duty. It's good for me to get familiar with it in advance. If I can help you, it will be better." Li Yi smiled and sat on his seat again.
County Magistrate Liu nodded and felt very comforted. Then, he sat back in the hall and slammed the gavel again, "Bring the criminal!"
The young prince, Li Xuan, who was sitting next to Li Yi, turned his head to look at him from time to time.
He really wanted to learn how to read people's minds, but he was worried that if Li Yi opened his mouth, he would suffer for a few days again. He was in a dilemma.
At this time, Li Yi's heart was depressed. A few days ago, he had read a lot of books on micro-expressions and FBI investigation, and now he had to use them so soon. Could it be that all of this was predestined?
A moment later, a middle-aged man was escorted into the hall. After he was asked to kneel in the hall, he announced loudly, "Sir, the criminal is here!"
County magistrate Liu slammed the gavel and said loudly, "Zhao Fang, County magistrate Liu, Yi, Magistrate Liu," Magistrate Liu, I'm asking you again. Magistrate Fang, Magistrate Liu is Magistrate Liu,
Half a month ago, the Splendid Cloth Shop in the city was burned down. Although there were no casualties, all the cloth in the shop was burned. Shopkeeper Wu, the owner of the shop, suffered a heavy loss.
After many investigations, the suspect was finally identified as the shopkeeper of another shop not far from the Splendid Cloth Shop.
The two shops were not far from each other, so they naturally had a competitive relationship. Not long ago, the Splendid Cloth Shop developed a new type of cloth that was very popular in Qing 'an Prefecture. The shop's doorstep was almost trampled flat by customers. The other shop was naturally deserted. They watched as someone else made a fortune. Their feelings were probably no different from Magistrate Liu who saw Magistrate Zhou suddenly become the magistrate.
Jealousy was a scary thing. They were both cloth sellers. Why did your shop's business have to be better than mine?
Furthermore, the two of them had quite a bit of personal grudge between them. Thus, on a quiet, moonless night, Shopkeeper Zhao stealthily came to the entrance of the Splendid Cloth Shop and set it on fire …
Then, he also set it on fire.
Shopkeeper Zhao was set on fire, but Magistrate Liu was worried. This case was neither big nor small. Logically speaking, both of them were merchants with low status. Magistrate Liu did not have to worry about handling this case.
However, the shopkeeper of the Splendid Cloth Shop was the Judge. In this case, Magistrate Liu had to consider it carefully.
Although Zhao Fang was the most suspicious, the evidence was not conclusive. Some heavy punishments, non-murder cases, or other serious cases could not be used. If such torture tools were to be used, they must be reported to their superiors and the brand must be verified. Moreover, they could not use it on the same criminal more than twice. Otherwise, it would be considered torture to extort a confession.
A few days ago, His Excellency had personally sent someone to the county yamen to inform them that the court meeting was approaching. This was also the time when the imperial censors were most active. These censors had nothing to do, so they wandered the streets and learned about the government from the commoners. They wanted to get hold of the officials' weaknesses. If they used torture improperly and were labeled as cruel officials, it would damage His Excellency's achievements. Then, as the county magistrate, he would not have a good time next year.
"Your Excellency, I'm innocent." Zhao Fang said unhurriedly, "I didn't set the fire, I'm innocent."
The result was the same as before. Magistrate Liu was enraged when he saw Zhao Fang's calm expression. He snapped, "How dare you! Do you really think I don't dare to use torture on you?!"
Zhao Fang knelt in front of the court and remained silent. He thought to himself, 'So what if I have to torture him? It's nothing to suffer a little pain. However, if I'm convicted of arson, I'll be punished severely.'
Magistrate Liu picked up a red stick and was about to throw it at Zhao Fang. Suddenly, an idea flashed through his mind. He immediately waved his hand and the stick fell to the ground. He then said coldly, "The criminal, Zhao Fang, set the fire without any reason. The evidence is conclusive, but he still dares to deny it … Men, drag him out and behead him!"
The runners were startled when they heard the explanation. They glanced at Magistrate Liu, then at Li Yi. The Magistrate was applying what he had learned on the spot …
Li Xuan curled his lips. It was interesting to see something like this happen the first time, but it was boring the second time.
Li Yi was startled too, but he found the Magistrate to be interesting.
Zhao Fang's expression changed when he heard the words' drag him out and behead him '. He was about to say something, but when he raised his head and saw the expressions on the runners' faces, his heart skipped a beat. He knew that the Magistrate was trying to intimidate him. A Magistrate did not have the authority to decide the life and death of a person.
He straightened his body and said in a clear voice, "Sir, even if you behead me, I didn't set the fire."
His attitude was as if he had been wronged, and would rather die than surrender.
Magistrate Liu's expression froze. He was startled for a moment, before he could no longer suppress the anger in his heart.
Why did the same trick work so well when County Magistrate Li used it just now? Why did the man kowtow and confess? But it didn't work at all when it came to him?
Is he looking down on me, Magistrate Liu?
Magistrate Liu became even more furious when he saw the runners around him could not help but laugh. Just as he was about to execute the punishment, Magistrate Li slowly rose from his seat and brought his fists together, before he said, "A human life is at stake. Sir, I'm afraid it's … inappropriate."
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