Chapter Seven

  When the people with the surname Bai saw this situation, they were all shocked. Leng Wu said: "Li Yi, do you have anything to say now? Don't you dare to confess the truth to me?"

  Li Yi: "Your Honor, I am innocent."

  Leng Wuwei: "It seems you won't confess without being punished. Come on, give me twenty heavy slaps."

  The yamen runners looked at each other, but no one moved. Tian Da stepped forward, picked up the board and started hitting, and Leng Wuwei also came down from the platform and started hitting as well. At this time, the people all cheered and said that the county magistrate was a good official. Lin Yunshi couldn't believe it: "Am I seeing things wrong? He... he actually used corporal punishment!" Lin Fei's eyes were wide with amazement. Yue Zhen stroked his beard, also admiring the county magistrate's courage.

  "Make way, Magistrate Cao Tong is coming."

  "Look, the good show is about to begin."

  Commoner B: "I don't know how this county magistrate should handle it either..."

  Cao Tong's face turned iron-green, and he quickly walked to Li Yi's side, shouting: "Ah, Master Li, I'm late! Let you suffer!" He turned around and faced Leng Wuwei: "County Magistrate Leng, what is the meaning of this?" Leng Wuwei smiled and said: "I don't know what brought Director Cao here today. After I finish investigating this case, how about we have a drink together?" Cao Tong said: "No need, just release Master Li first, and we'll talk about other things later." Leng Wuwei said: "That's not right! This is the county court, and I'm in charge here. Even if you're my superior, you can't interfere with the case. Someone, bring a chair for Director Cao!" After finishing speaking, he ignored him and turned back to his seat. He gave Tian Da a glance, and Tian Da didn't say anything, picked up the board and started hitting.

  "Cao Tong judged: 'Leng County Magistrate, are you going to be forced into confessing?'"

  Leng Wuwei: "According to the laws of our dynasty, if a criminal refuses to confess even when faced with ironclad evidence, corporal punishment can be used. Master, show Governor Cao the testimonies of these two witnesses and see if I am wrong."

  Cao Tong judged with a glance and said: "Hmph, just based on this point alone, it can't be said that Young Master Li drove Little Cui to her death."

  Leng Wuwei: "What else do you need as evidence, Lord Cao? We have both physical and eyewitness testimony."

  Cao Tong said: "This..."

  Leng Wuwei smiled and said, "Director Cao, if you insist on covering up for the criminal, just say so. I'll give you face, after all, you're my superior, and I still have to listen to you."

  Li Yi loudly shouted: "Lord Cao, quickly save me! You can be promoted because I have always recommended you to my father..."

  Leng Wuwei: "How dare you, actually daring to insult the imperial court officials! Come, give me twenty more slaps." At this time, the bailiffs seemed to wake up and started beating fiercely like a tiger. After all, it's not that they're not afraid of officials, but rather they're afraid of being managed.

  Cao Tong pointed at Leng Wuwei with a trembling finger: "Leng County Magistrate, you're playing with fire, wait for me...", after finishing speaking, he turned around and left. The crowd saw Cao Tong leave with his tail between his legs and they all applauded.

  Li Yi saw Cao Tong walking away, and seeing the imposing manner of Tian Da, he really had the possibility of beating himself to death, so he also surrendered. Cold Wu Wei: "Good, this official pronounces the verdict: Li Yi's case of forcing Xiao Cui to her death and framing Zhao Dazhu has been thoroughly clarified, sentenced to beheading, reported to the Ministry of Punishment and executed immediately, Zhao Dazhu is released for being innocent."

  Commoner: "Good, great sir is wise indeed..."

  Leng Wuwei removed his official hat and said: "Although I am a donated official, I want to tell everyone that I will absolutely not do anything that goes against my conscience. Today, tomorrow or in the future, I can give up this black hat for you..."

  Yue Lai Inn. Lin Yun Shi: "Second brother, this county magistrate is really bold, actually dared to make a judgment on this case, it's truly strange, doesn't he fear anything?" Lin Fei sighed: "If the imperial court had more officials like him, governance wouldn't be so corrupt." At this time, Yue Zhen excitedly walked back and forth, stopping for a moment to say: "We can return to the capital now." Lin Fei was puzzled: "Mr. Yue, why can we..." Before he finished speaking, he suddenly realized. Lin Yun Shi also said: "I understand too..." The three of them burst out laughing together.

  Lin Yun's poem says: Cold and indifferent, we will meet again.

  County government office. Tian Da: "Leng Shao, I'm asking you to stop shaking now, the case has been sentenced, what's the point of shaking anymore."

  Leng Wuwei: "You have martial arts skills, you're enjoying the fight, but I don't know any martial arts at all. This time if we can't capture him accurately, we'll both be done for."

  Tian Da: "Forget it, if I really have to kill you, I can rescue you by myself. After all, we are brothers in adversity. How did you feel when the people called you Qingtian?"

  Leng Wuwei wiped the cold sweat and said, "What can I feel? I only know that my heart is about to jump out. I don't know what to do next. You quickly pack your things, don't be busy when it's time. If we see anything unusual, let's leave."

  Tian Da complained: "If that's the case, why bother being a clean official? Can't you just turn a blind eye?"

  Leng Wuwei: "You're a roughneck, there are some things you won't know and can't understand. Otherwise, Guanyin wouldn't have let me become an official. You'd better be a bodyguard."

  Tian Da let out a loud "oh", but it was unclear whether he truly understood or just pretended to.