Sighing softly, Zong Jiyuan said,

"If you want to live, you have to do what I say. Tomorrow morning, when Lord He ascends to the court to try the case, you have to honestly tell the truth that you just told me, especially the process of the death of the eldest brother of the Hu family, you must explain it clearly, maybe you will be beaten, but compared to the Hu family losing a life, it is cheap enough for you. After that, I will definitely find a way to keep you from dying, but in the end, it depends on your attitude of confessing your sins, do you understand?! ”

"I—I understand, then, what about tonight, can I go home......

Zong Jicai asked, still trembling.

This guy still wants to go home, Zong Jiyuan is really amused by his innocence, while secretly sighing that it is no wonder that he will be used, while saying,

"Home? What the hell are you thinking, you're going to have to live in this county jail tonight. But don't worry, I'll say hello to the officers, try not to make you suffer, and think about what you can do to make amends for your crimes. ”

"Good, good ......"

After saying a few good words in a row, Zong Jicai suddenly knelt in front of her and cried,

"Cousin, for the sake of our surnames, you must save me, I don't want to die...... If I survive, I will definitely be a good person and stop causing trouble......"

"Alas......"

It seems that he is not stupid yet, and he already knows what serious consequences he is facing, Zong Jiyuan sighed and said,

"As long as you do what I say, don't make any more extraneous branches, I promise to find a way for you to live, hurry up."

"Yes, I see......"

Zong Jicai stood up tremblingly, followed the messenger who was called in by Zong Jiyuan, and went to the county jail.

The confession was obtained, but looking at the transcript in his hand, Zong Jiyuan couldn't help but fall into deep thought again......

The next day, knowing that there was a case to be tried today, everyone was prepared early in the morning.

Just after the hour, the drums at the entrance of the yamen were beaten, and He Ruichang, Zong Jiyuan, and Diao Saburo each came to their own positions, and the three classes of officials stood in two compartments. As soon as there was a startling sound, Lord He commanded,

"Come, drum-bearer, come to church!"

Although so far, the ins and outs of this case have almost been figured out, but the formalities that should be gone still need to be done, so when Hu Zhenli walked up and knelt down in the lobby, He Ruichang still asked very majestically,

"Who are you, kneeling? Why did you come to beat the drums? ”

"My lord, the villain's name is Hu Zhenli, suing that Zong Jicai for picking quarrels and provoking trouble, and beating his brother to death for no reason, I hope that Lord Qingtian will be the villain's master and severely punish the real murderer!"

Because he already had a few things in his heart, and after more than a day of brewing, Hu Zhenli's mood at this time seemed to be much calmer, and he seemed to speak very calmly.

When He Ruichang heard this, he couldn't help but glance at Zong Jiyuan, and when he saw that the little master nodded at him, he said,

"So, the official came to ask you, do you have a paper?"

"Yes, the villain has a written sheet of paper here."

While speaking, Hu Zhenli took out the complaint prepared on the first day from his clothes and handed it to the errand officer on the side, who then carried it to the public case.

He Ruichang took it and read it, the content was basically the same as what Zong Jiyuan told him, so he nodded and said according to the procedure agreed by the two in advance,

"Okay, Hu Zhenli, the official already knows about the grievances you stated, so you can wait for the time being."

"The villain obeys."

agreed, Hu Zhenli followed Diao Sanlang and waited behind the "avoidance" card.

This was also discussed by He Ruichang and Zong Jiyuan in advance, so that Hu Zhenli could clearly hear everything that happened in the court, of course, including Zong Jicai's narrative, to understand the hidden facts in this case, so as to save the verdict, which would make him mistakenly think that Yazhong was shielding the murderer.

In addition, if you can't let Zhang Guizhen go to court if you don't have to, it's better not to let her show up, after all, that woman is already very hurt.

At this time, He Ruichang once again slapped the shocking wood,

"Take Zongji to the court!"

"Bring Zong Ji to the court—"

With the shouting of the hall officer, Zong Ji came to the lobby under the escort of the two officers, and knelt in front of the hall with a "plop".

At this time, he was not brought with the torture instrument, mainly because he was afraid that he would be frightened and refuse to admit it on the spot, which would be difficult to do. After kneeling, Zong Jicai secretly looked at Zong Jiyuan, Zong Jiyuan nodded to him helplessly and funny, and this guy whispered,

"The villain Zongji only kowtows to the adult."

"The one who kneels, are you Zongjicai?"

He Ruichang asked according to the procedure to verify his identity.

Zong Jicai still said in a low voice,

"It's the villain......

"Zong Jicai,"

He Ruichang looked at the confession transcript in his hand that had been left yesterday and said,

"Can you plead guilty to Hu Zhenli's case of picking quarrels and provoking trouble and beating his brother to death?"

"Back to the blue sky,"

Zong Jicai kowtowed again, and said cautiously,

"Hu Zhenli said that there are indeed such things as picking quarrels and provoking troubles, but the villain never thought of harming his brother's life, please ......investigate it carefully, my lord."

"yes, well, you might as well tell me what happened in person."

Seeing that he did not deny it, He Ruichang softened his voice.

Zong Jicai also really carefully and according to Zong Jiyuan's request, he recounted in detail what he had said, especially what happened on the night of the crime. After he finished speaking, He Ruichang nodded slowly and said,

"Okay, if it's really as you said, the matter of killing people can be investigated in detail, but the crime of causing trouble after drinking is inevitable, come and punish Zong Jicai as a cane for twenty!"

"Huh!"

The servants on both sides came over and beat him with twenty torture rods in the court, and Zong Jicai was also beaten enough, and shouted vigorously, and then He Ruichang ordered him to be suspended in prison, and then announced another sentence, and after seeing that the treatment was almost done, he announced his withdrawal from the court.

Zong Jicai was escorted, Zong Jiyuan turned directly to the side, invited Hu Zhenli to come to the side hall and took a seat, made a cup of tea and handed it to him, and said,

"Brother Hu, Lin Shiming, do you have any impression?"

"This、I seem to have an impression,"

Hu Zhenli tried his best to reminisce, saying,

"However, the villain really can't think of anything to offend that person."

"That's right......"

Zong Jiyuan thought for a moment and said,

"Brother Hu, I think that the trial of this case has been so far, the facts of the case have almost been clarified, and I am afraid that if the retrial continues, I will have to let Gui Zhen's sister-in-law go to court, which is not good for her, don't you say?"

"Yes, it's still thoughtful ...... master"

Speaking of this, Hu Zhenli remembered the tragic appearance of Zong Jicai being beaten in the lobby just now, and the anger in his heart had been eliminated by most of it, so he said,

"Okay, what should be done next, it's all up to the master to decide, the villain will all obey."