However, Luo Guozhang was carried up by two government officials in a half-dead state.
The two government servants who carried him had expressions of contempt, relief, and novelty.
The shape of Luo Guo Zhang is really unique.
He was grunting, sweating on his forehead, and his legs were twitching and shaking, looking like he was in unbearable pain.
The scarred man and others walked up on their own.
But most of them walk with a limp.
As for the faces, some have fresh blood scabs on their noses, some have big bumps on their foreheads, and some have bloodshot eyes on their upper and lower lips...
Magistrate Xia looked at the group of prisoners being brought up, with a rare flash of surprise in his eyes.
It seems that these people have been severely punished.
However, this method of torture is quite original.
Magistrate Xia thought this way and looked at Magistrate Zheng thoughtfully.
Magistrate Zheng, "..."
Why do you feel that the prefect's eyes are strange?
Magistrate Xia said: "Since severe punishment has been used..."
"Sir, I haven't used it yet," Magistrate Zheng said quickly.
Magistrate Xia, "..."
Never used it?
Oh, they must have been injured in the fight when arresting these people.
However, the Fengqi County government officials also have a very strange way of beating people.
How did Magistrate Xia know that the injuries on Luo Guozhang and others were not caused by the officials of Fengqi County at all?
There was a sound of "pop!"
Magistrate Xia was stunned.
"You and the others have committed a heinous crime of abducting and selling young children... quickly and seriously punish them!"
"mighty--"
The government officials on both sides immediately heightened the atmosphere and showed their majesty.
The former Yaxia magistrate re-examined the case. In the backyard, Mrs. Ye, the wife of Magistrate Zheng, rummaged through the boxes with great fanfare.
"This material is too bland! No way!"
"This set of jewelry is too old-fashioned. Little girls may not like it, no!"
"This kind - take it, take it! That's the young lady from the prefect's family! I haven't seen anything good..."
While inspecting the jewelry made of materials that the girls had found, Mrs. Ye made a disgusting judgment on her lips.
My master specially sent a message, saying that the prefect's daughter was a guest in Daliushu Village and asked her to send some clothes and jewelry.
This is a great opportunity to make friends with the prefect's family, and you must not miss it.
As the wife of the county magistrate, Ye Ming certainly knew the stakes involved.
So, I hurriedly packed my gifts and prepared to go to Daliushu Village.
But I couldn't help but feel a little guilty in my heart.
Why would this daughter of the prefect come to a rural place like Daliushu Village as a guest?
At the same time, I am also very curious, what is the difference between the country girl that the master wanted his son to marry?
"Madam, the master asked you to bring some ready-made clothes, but there are no clothes for seven or eight-year-old girls in the house." Chuncao, the eldest girl serving beside Ye, said: "Why don't you go to the ready-made clothes shop to spread the word and let the shopkeeper choose some clothes?
Are the clothes you are waiting for delivered to the house?"
"Why is it too late? We can just go to the shop and choose." Ye shook his head and said.
After saying that, he pointed at several exquisite jewelry and fabrics.
Then he said: "Wrap all these things, and then wrap some high-quality bird's nests."
After listening to Ye's words, several girls quickly packed their things.
Ye thought for a while and finally remembered that her son was also left in Daliu Shu Village by his master.
If we say that Mrs. Ye used to be a little dissatisfied with her son who always wanted to run away to Daliushu Village.
But I couldn't resist my son's constant teasing, so I just turned a blind eye.
Anyway, my son is still young, so if he really likes her, it won't be a big deal if he takes her as a concubine in the future.
As for marrying someone as the main wife, she would never agree to it.
If you don't belong to the right family, you won't be laughed at if you marry a country girl for your son.
But now, Mrs. Ye was extremely happy when she heard that her master actually left her son in Daliushu Village.
The daughter of the magistrate's family is there, and his son is also there. Isn't it just that the one who is near the water and the tower first gets the moon?
The two children have been in love since they were young, and they will be able to marry their son to a girl from the prefect's family in the future.
My master is really wise!
Ye's heart was filled with excitement when he thought about it.
"Quick! Pack some clothes and pens for the young master..."
Mrs. Ye gave the order and hurried out with a few girls and a cart of things.
**
Qianya.
Magistrate Xia's interrogation went very smoothly.
Whether it was Scar Man or Luo Guo Zhang and others, they all confessed happily.
It was so satisfying that Magistrate Xia frowned.
"Sir, do you still have any questions?"
Magistrate Zheng looked at Magistrate Xia's expression and asked carefully.
Why did he feel that the prefect was a little dissatisfied with these prisoners who confessed too quickly?
Magistrate Xia thought deeply and said: "Most of the people who commit crimes and commit crimes will make all kinds of excuses when they are questioned, trying to exonerate themselves..."
When Magistrate Xia said this, he paused and said, "But these people... confessed too simply. They seemed to have something to rely on..."
Magistrate Zheng looked indifferent after hearing what Magistrate Xia said.
"I'm afraid your magistrate is overly concerned. The evidence of the crimes committed by these people is conclusive and there is no defense for them. We can only plead guilty."
As for reliance, what can a group of human traffickers rely on?
Is it possible that someone can still rescue them?
After hearing Magistrate Zheng's words, Magistrate Xia was silent.
Magistrate Zheng asked: "Master Magistrate, do you think...when will the verdict be announced?"
In Magistrate Zheng's view, this is a case without the slightest doubt and the verdict can be pronounced immediately.
According to the law, this type of child abduction and trafficking is a crime.
It can range from being imprisoned for a few years to being exiled or even beheaded...
Now this case involves the kidnapping and trafficking of an official's daughter and the kidnapping of a prince. It can definitely be sentenced to death.
It just happened to give him prestige as the magistrate of Fengqi County.
It can also add a lot of merit to him.
"How does Magistrate Zheng think the sentence should be pronounced?" Magistrate Xia asked instead of answering.
Magistrate Zheng said matter-of-factly: "Of course it's beheading."
"How many people were killed?"
"Of course..."
Magistrate Zheng paused.
Finally got over it.
If all important criminals are sentenced to beheading, the identities of the prefect's daughter and the prince must be recorded in the case file.
but--
Magistrate Zheng looked at Magistrate Xia with an embarrassed expression.
It is a matter of honor for the girl's family. Magistrate Xia will definitely not be willing to record in the case that his daughter has been abducted and trafficked.
After all, a seven or eight-year-old girl will be planning to get married in a few years.
If someone knew that he had been taken away by human traffickers for many days, it would probably affect the marriage.
"How about... let's go and ask the man in Daliushu Village what he wants?" Magistrate Zheng asked tentatively.
If the young master agrees, then all these people can be beheaded just for kidnapping and trafficking the prince.
Magistrate Xia shook his head.
"Too...that gentleman lives here in seclusion, and the Holy Heart of the Holy One is unknown. If this matter is spread back to the capital, I'm afraid it will cause a disturbance, which is inappropriate."
"Then..." Magistrate Zheng was at a loss.
My heart suddenly dawned.
Could it be that...the reason why those criminals simply confessed their crimes and surrendered to the law was because they knew they would not lose their lives?
As imperial officials, they absolutely cannot sentence people to death casually without legal basis.
Otherwise, wouldn't it be criticized as taking human life lightly?
At this moment, Magistrate Zheng suddenly felt a little aggrieved.
They are obviously extremely audacious and extremely guilty people, yet they cannot be severely punished.
Moreover, even if you are sentenced to exile, as long as there is someone to take care of it.
Either he escaped halfway, or someone took his place, or he was domineering in the place of exile, etc.
Things like this can happen.
Thinking about it this way, it’s really unacceptable.
His biological daughter was abducted and trafficked. As a father, he would definitely want to kill his enemy.
The prefect must have other plans in mind.
Even if it was just to protect his daughter's reputation, he would definitely find a way to kill those people.
With this thought, Magistrate Zheng was no longer anxious.
Anyway, the prefect definitely hopes that those people will die miserably than anyone else.
Sure enough, Magistrate Xia said with a thoughtful look: "It's better for these people to plead guilty. I'm afraid there is another reason..."
Magistrate Zheng, "..."
Haha, as expected.
Magistrate Xia said, looking at the head catcher he brought.
"Inspect these people immediately. Are there any other cases involved?"
"Yes, sir!"
The catcher bowed in agreement and strode out.
Magistrate Zheng understood.
If this case can't cost you your lives, there might be other cases, right?
Perhaps, nothing can become something.
Magistrate Zheng suddenly felt a little gloomy in his heart.
However, Magistrate Xia looked at Magistrate Zheng again and said, "Have you confiscated the stolen goods? Present them!"
Magistrate Zheng quickly summoned the master to get the dirty things.
Suddenly he remembered the jade pendant that the little sugar baby had given him. He quickly took it out and said, "There is also this jade pendant..."
When Magistrate Xia saw the jade pendant, his pupils suddenly shrank and his expression changed drastically.