CH 8

Cao Yan didn’t delay. After all, this case was too straightforward and there was nothing worth preparing for.

He immediately announced that the Bureau of Prisons and Punishments would hear the case in three days.

Zhang Fei was notified immediately and was somewhat worried about this.

The reason he was so assertive before was entirely because he had figured Xu Zun out.

Even in the future, if the values and views of a lawyer and judge were in alignment, things would go more smoothly. All the more, during such dynastic times, success depended more on the judge’s view, than the lawyer’s arguments.

Now, not only has the judge been changed, but the court conducting the trial was different. This, of course, was very bad news for Zhang Fei.

This would definitely be a tough battle.

Fortunately, they also informed Zhang Fei that the hearing would be held in the prefectural office, not in the offices of the Bureau of Prisons and Punishments.

This was because many official documents of the case were held in the prefectural office, not in the offices of the Bureau of Prisons and Punishments. Moreover, Ayun was also being held in the prefectural office. If it was to be tried in the offices of the Bureau of Prisons and Punishments, it would be very troublesome, as many important documents would have to be transferred, which involved many procedures.

This was somewhat comforting to Zhang Fei.

In his view, the prefectural office was home ground!

But the Wei brothers were now on tenterhooks. Their previous words of gratitude were just that—words of gratitude. They didn’t expect Zhang Fei to so readily ask this of them.

This…!

“Brother Zhang San, how can we help you?”

Wei A’er anxiously said, “You’re not going to make us lie, are you?”

Wei Ada was even more frightened, shrinking to one side, listening with his ears sideways.

They were completely baffled this time. They were the victims, but they were supposed to testify for the assailant. Was this some kind of joke?

It was simply outrageous!

Zhang Fei laughed and reassured, “Of course not. Giving false testimony is illegal. You only need to tell the truth about the situation that night. You can repeat whatever you told the government when they questioned you. Leave the rest to me. Don’t worry, I won’t harm you.”

Wei A’er nodded dumbly.

Just at this time, a knock came at the door.

“Is Zhang San in the room?”

Zhang Fei recognized the voice as the innkeeper’s.

“Yes.”

Zhang Fei opened the door to see the innkeeper standing there and asked, “What can I do for you, innkeeper?”

The innkeeper said, “Someone just booked the left suite for you.”

This suite was a much larger room.

Zhang Fei was surprised and asked, “Do you know who booked it for me?”

The innkeeper said, “The person didn’t give his name, but he said that he hopes you would be able to rest and gather his strength so that you can clear Ayun’s name tomorrow.”

“Ah?”

Zhang Fei looked at the innkeeper in astonishment.

At this moment, another boy came forward, bowed, and asked, “May I ask if this is the residence of Zhang San?”

Zhang Fei quickly replied, “It’s me.”

The boy immediately presented two sets of brand new clothes with both hands, saying, “These are what my young master ordered me to deliver to you.”

Zhang Fei asked, “Who is your young master?”

The boy replied, “My young master heard that you are standing up for Ayun, so he sent these clothes to show his support.”

Zhang Fei was once again dumbfounded.

He began to wonder, just who exactly was Ayun? These recent events were strange as the historical records did not mention Ayun having any significant background.

The innkeeper seemed to see Zhang Fei’s doubts, glanced at the Wei brothers inside, and then pulled Zhang Fei aside and whispered, “Zhang San, you may not know this, but actually, many people are indignant for Ayun.”

Zhang Fei asked, “Really?”

The innkeeper replied, “Of course. Ayun is a well-known beauty in the county, and Wei Ada is a notoriously ugly man. No one would want her to marry Wei Ada. All of this was because of actions of Fang Datian. The penalty of eight acres of land was far too little.”

Zhang Fei suddenly understood.

Beauty!

It was apparent that since ancient times, beauty garners support!

When the case blew up, many people were indignant because Ayun was a well-known beauty in the area, while Wei Ada was a notorious ugly man, and an old bachelor at that.

This was simply like a sticking a flower in cow dung.

Men’s hearts were in support of Ayun.

Plus, the case brought against Fang Datian made people feel even more sympathetic towards Ayun.

Needless to say, this was of great assistance to Zhang Fei.

The people demand justice!

“Cough, cough!”

Zhang Fei suddenly whispered to the innkeeper: “Innkeeper, if there are more kind-hearted people who give me their support, and I happen to be not around, you can accept it on my behalf. We must allow people to give voice to justice.”

The innkeeper was stunned, then nodded and laughed: “I get it, I get it!”

Zhang Fei asked again: “Where’s the suite?”

Who would refuse to stay in a suite? Zhang Fei, who was heavily in debt, was very much in need of this kind of support.

But what puzzled him was that while there were many people who supported him, no one ever sent him a maid to take care of his most basic needs. Isn’t that supposed to be a given?

This was indeed a bit disappointing!

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. Zhang Fei, who was originally in financial difficulty, was now eating and drinking well everyday thanks to the help of many righteous people. His condition was getting better day by day.

Today was the day of the trial.

“Sigh, who would have thought that such a simple case would stir up so much controversy in the city.”

Cao Yan, dressed in official attire, lamented to Xu Zun as he walked towards the courthouse along the corridor.

Xu Zun was just wearing casual clothes today, clearly showing that he was staying out of the matter and letting Cao Yan take the lead. He understood that Cao Yan was implying that he was the one stirring things up here, making everyone uneasy.

Indeed, without his support, the case wouldn’t have been such a huge issue.

Xu Zun sighed and said, “After all, a human life is a matter of great importance. If you and I were to simply impose the death penalty, wouldn’t that be too hasty? Didn’t Emperor Taizong set up the Bureau of Prison and Punishments to avoid treating people’s lives lightly?”

“Prefect Xu makes sense!” Cao Yan nodded awkwardly.

Xu Zun’s words were quite poignant. If Xu Zun could decide everything alone without review, then what was the need for the Bureau of Prison and Punishments? The point of the superintendent’s power of review was to do these “extra” things.

If you deny this point, then your Bureau of Prison and Punishments might as well be dissolved.

Just then, a cheer erupted from outside the courtyard, and the name “Zhang San” could be faintly heard.

Cao Yan frowned and said, “No wonder that guy is so arrogant, it turns out he has already bewitched the public.”

Xu Zun immediately said, “You’re right, that fellow is incredibly arrogant, acting as if this government office is his own. I can’t handle him, I hope you can take him down a notch.”

Cao Yan did intend to give Zhang San a show of authority. He said this to Xu Zun because he wanted to test the relationship between Xu Zun and Zhang San. Hearing Xu Zun say this, he was relieved.

Just then, Xu Yuan suddenly hurried up from behind and said, “Prefect, a letter just came from the capital. You have been appointed Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review, and you are asked to return to the capital immediately to take up your post.”

Xu Zun asked in surprise, “Why is that?”

Xu Yuan glanced at Cao Yan, not wishing to speak more with Cao Yan around.

Suddenly, another person came up and whispered something in Cao Yan’s ear.

Upon hearing this, Cao Yan’s expression changed. He said to Xu Zun, “I’m afraid I can no longer preside over this case.”