Under Li Yi's strong request, MIngzhu reluctantly wrote down the contract.
The content of the contract was just like what she said just now. The contract would last for half a year. If Li Yi didn't neglect his duties and did what a County Lieutenant was supposed to do, she would personally write a letter to allow him to resign after half a year.
This condition was very lenient. Li Yi felt that he wouldn't do any worse than the previous County Lieutenant Zhou. After half a year, he would be a good man again …
With the receipt personally signed by the princess in his bosom, he immediately felt much more at ease. His dejection was swept away, and he was in high spirits. In an instant, the elegant scholar turned into a dignified and handsome county magistrate.
Liu Ruyi's training over the past few days had been very effective. At the very least, when he was serious, he looked like a completely different person.
Seeing the sudden change in him, Li Mingzhu's eyes flashed with a strange light, and then she found it a little funny. What made him change so much was not a reward, but actually allowing him to resign from his position …
It was the first time that she saw such a strange official.
…
Autumn was actually the season to collect land rent. However, the benevolent Emperor exempted Qing 'an Prefecture and the neighboring prefectures from taxes for two years. There was no need to collect taxes during Li Yi's term of office.
As for arresting thieves and trying cases, it wasn't that complicated. If anyone lost something, they would come to the yamen to file a case. The constables would symbolically investigate and find clues. Then, they would find the thieves and everyone would be happy. However, most cases couldn't be solved. After a long time, they would be left unsolved. The rate of solving cases was actually very low. In this aspect, there was no difference from the future.
Unless it was a major case or a lawsuit that involved human life, it had to be treated seriously. However, if such a case really happened, the most anxious person should be County Magistrate Liu. As a County Lieutenant, he only assisted the County Magistrate in investigating the case, so he didn't make Li Yi worry too much.
Fortunately, there weren't many cases like this, and there were only a few of them in a year. Most of the cases that needed to be dealt with were small cases such as fighting, theft, and robbery.
Li Yi had already learned about these things from Liu Yiyi. Generally speaking, the county lieutenant's daily life was relatively leisurely. It wasn't as hard as he imagined.
Just like the former County Lieutenant Zhou, he usually stayed in the county government office. Things like patrolling the streets and maintaining public order were naturally done by his subordinates. He was basically a hands-off boss, and the busiest time was when he used public office for personal gain.
…
"When he spoke just now, he placed his hand on his chest. This is a very focused action, which means that what he said is very likely to be the truth."
In the county jail, a man who was accused of theft was brought in. After a few questions, Li Yi explained to MIngzhu.
"Your Excellency, I really didn't steal anything!" He didn't think that this unfamiliar lord would be willing to believe him. When the man heard this, he was startled for a moment before saying with tears and mucus flowing down his face.
"Of course, this is not absolute. It's just a possibility. But at least it can clear him of some suspicion and focus more attention elsewhere."
"As for the suspect just now, his answer seemed to be flawless, but when he was asked to tell the situation backward, he made a lot of mistakes, which means that he didn't do it at all. It's more likely that he was lying. Similarly, this can only be used as a reference, and specific evidence is still needed. "
MIngzhu looked at the scribe next to her, who was writing at a fast speed and recording down every word that Li Yi had said just now.
Although she hadn't figured out the basis of Li Yi's theory for the time being, it was undoubtedly correct. Just now, several suspects were baffled by his interlocking questions. In the end, they contradicted themselves and gave themselves away in their words, so they had no choice but to confess.
This was obviously a gentler and more effective interrogation method. If it could be summarized into a book and implemented by the Ministry of Justice in all the government offices, it could greatly improve the efficiency of the trial, reduce the use of torture tools, and benefit the people. It would be a great contribution.
She had already asked someone to record what Li Yi had said in the court last time. During this period of time, she had tested it on many people. Although it didn't match every time, it was proven in most cases.
"Did you think of all these things yourself?" MIngzhu looked at him, her beautiful eyes full of doubt.
This magical method of distinguishing lies required a lot of experience and meticulous observation. If it was suggested by an experienced official, it would be barely acceptable, but with his age and experience … this matter was really suspicious.
"This matter, I have to start from a winter many years ago …" Li Yi's face revealed a look of reminiscence.
"Later, when he left, to thank me for saving his life, the old man gave me an ancient book, which was written in the book." Li Yi used the name of the nameless old man again.
"Where's the book?" MIngzhu asked.
"I lost it."
Li Yi replied without a blush or gasping for breath.
MIngzhu knew that she couldn't get any truth from him today, but it didn't matter. There was still half a year, enough for her to dig out more useful things from him.
When he left the county jail, he saw Liu Yishui still wandering in front of the duty room. Li Yi waved his hand and signaled him to come over.
"Your Excellency, what's the matter?" Liu Yishui asked with a face full of smiles.
"Go and get a map of the prefecture city."
…
On the first day of County Magistrate Li's office, all the yamen runners were gathered together.
Arrester Li had just announced that from that day on, they had to learn something every day. Every once in a while, there would be an assessment. Those who failed the assessment three times could pack up and go home.
Although these yamen runners were also lowly people, because they worked in the yamen, they usually had to bow and scrape to the officials. In front of the ordinary people, they could be regarded as half an "official". No one wanted to lose this ancestral rice bowl.
In addition, County Magistrate Li also set some new rules.
When they went out to patrol the streets, they would no longer wander aimlessly. County Magistrate Li divided the prefecture city into small areas, and each of them had their own jurisdiction. They only needed to be responsible for the security of their respective areas.
This seemed to be a little easier, but everyone knew in their hearts that although they had a clearer division of labor, their responsibilities were also clearer. They could no longer have the thought of idling around in the yamen by doing errands in the yamen.
Some people were happy, while some were worried. Liu Yishui, who had been promoted by County Magistrate Liu to be the monitor, was one of the happy ones.
After knowing that what they were going to learn was what County Magistrate Li showed in the court that day, which was a method to distinguish lies and make suspects confess without torture, they even faintly looked forward to the "training class" that County Magistrate Li mentioned.
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