Fox Road Travel Notes

Yang Jiaoyu had a headache. He was a learned scholar.

The ideal is to let the saint's way spread widely in the world, and the spring breeze will turn into rain, and enlighten the people's hearts in this increasingly corrupt world.

Not only was he very satisfied when he was a county student, he was also very handy.

He likes to reason with students and talk about knowledge.

He also likes that everyone in the county will respectfully call out to him when they meet him: "Old Master..."

He knew that the admiration in the eyes of the students and the respect in the mouths of the common people were all true.

But he is not an official who feeds the people.

When he took over the official seal of Xiuwu County, he felt that the world in front of him had changed.

He couldn't tell whether the humility on the faces of the subordinate officials was genuine, nor could he tell whether the confessions in the prisoners' mouths were false.

So, he really had a headache.

My head hurt so much that I wanted to leave this mess behind immediately and go back to be his tutor.

However, he is definitely an aboveboard person and a person with conscience.

Therefore, after listening to Chen Zifu explain the doubts about this rape and murder case, as well as the newly discovered clues, he did not hesitate to support the retrial of the case and bring justice to those who may have been wronged.

Of course, there was another factor in why he was so enthusiastic.

That means Zhou Zhicheng is his student, his former proud disciple.

He had never believed that Zhou Zhicheng would kill someone, or because he committed adultery!

In Yang Jiaoyu's eyes, Zhou Zhicheng is smart, studious, enthusiastic and has a sense of justice.

He looked at him as if he were looking at a self-planted seed.

He believed that such a student would be a good official in the future.

When Zhou Zhicheng was first imprisoned, he also vouched for Ye Zhixian and ran around for him.

However, when Zhou Zhicheng confessed his crime and handed over the bloody clothes, his heart was filled with disappointment and anger.

From then on, I never saw him again.

The evidence presented to him by Chen Zifu proved from all aspects that the murderer may be someone else.

This surprised him, surprised him, and made him feel a little guilty!

As a teacher, shouldn't he discover these doubts first?

Shouldn't he always believe in his students?

The more he thought about it, the more he felt that he was not a qualified official or even a qualified evangelist.

His eyes were shining, he grabbed Chen Zifu's hand and said impatiently: "Then, let's go and arrest the coachman Sun Laoer immediately?"

Chen Zifu shook his head: "No, we should interrogate Chen first."

"This case has been concluded at all levels. We cannot leave Shangguan with an excuse to reverse the case for no reason, otherwise he will be hated by others."

"Besides, this is still a case decided by Yubi!"

"Oh--"

Yang Jiaoyu suddenly realized: "The county minister is still thoughtful!"

Indeed, from this sentence, it can be seen that he is indeed not an official.

I know absolutely nothing about these twists and turns in officialdom.

When Mrs. Chen was taken from the women's prison to the back hall, what she saw was not two squads of murderous government officials.

It is not an angry official behind a public case, but an ordinary Eight Immortals table.

At the top, there sat an old man with a kind face and kind eyes, and at the bottom, a young man in his twenties sat.

Next to him, stood a boy of fifteen or sixteen years old.

The whole room felt less coercive and more equal. Apart from that, there was no one else.

What surprised her even more was that everyone's expressions were gentle and kind...

The old man smiled and said to the young man: "This matter is not my specialty, it still needs to be decided by the county magistrate."

The young man nodded humbly and spread out his pen and paper.

Just as she was about to speak, the boy next to her, who was fair and sunny and had bright eyes, stood up and brought a spoon over and placed it next to her.

He said softly: "Sister, this is not a courtroom, and the people here do not regard you as a prisoner. Please get up, sit down and talk!"

A flash of panic flashed in Chen's eyes, and she was a little at a loss, with a blush on her face.

After being imprisoned for two years, except for being a little pale and thin, she still looks beautiful.

It is as beautiful as a little flower that is messy and haggard after the rain and wind.

She lowered her head and muttered: "Little girl, I don't dare, please ask an adult."

Chen Zican smiled gently: "Sister, this Yang Jiaoyu is a good man. He is also Zhou Xiucai's teacher."

"This County Magistrate Chen is also a good man and will not let others suffer unjust injustice."

"They invited you here today because they believe, eldest sister, that you are a good person just like them."

"A good person who will not let innocent people suffer, and will not let evil people escape!"

"Now, three good people will be together. There is no distinction between superior and inferior. The purpose is to let the truth of the matter come to light."

"So sister, if you don't think you are a criminal, then please sit down and talk."

Yang Jiaoyu and Chen Zifu looked at each other without speaking.

Chen Zican's approach is a bit deviant.

But they all knew that Chen was already frightened after being tortured by the Five Poisons, and it was not easy to let go of her inner defenses.

And they don't have time at all.

Chen still lowered his head, and the atmosphere was silent.

After a long time, a teardrop fell on the ground, and then another. Her shoulders twitched and she sobbed silently.

After almost half a stick of incense, she finally calmed down.

A cup of hot tea was handed to her hand.

Her hand couldn't help but flinch, then slowly stretched out her slender fingers, held the teacup, and held it against her chest.

After another long while, she finally raised her head.

Her face was full of tears, and she looked fragile, but she said with great determination: "Little girl, she did not kill her husband!"

The three people all nodded slightly.

This silent affirmation gave her infinite courage.

She felt that her soul was burning, her blood was boiling, and there was something deep in her heart that wanted to rush out, release, and scream...

She stood up, sat on the low stool, and looked squarely at the two adults at the Eight Immortals table.

Using all his strength, he whispered again, "I have no adultery, and I have never killed my husband!"

Chen Zifu smiled happily, the most difficult stage was over.

He spoke slowly and in a calm voice: "Since your husband is going to Beijing to trade, he must have brought some silver with him."

"Do you know how much money he took with him when he went out?"

Chen thought for a while: "When he came to Beijing this time, he said he had more than three thousand taels of debt to collect, so he only brought 600 taels of silver with him."

"Is it cash or banknotes? Where are they placed?"

"It's all in cash."

"I found more than a hundred taels of silver to make odd envoys on the road. They are all in my bag."

"Five hundred taels of silver, which are ingots worth ten taels and one ingot, are placed in the bag."

Chen Zifu nodded, feeling even more certain that he must be seeking wealth and murder.

He asked casually: "So, do you and the scholar Zhou Zhicheng know each other?"

Mrs. Chen pursed her lips, feeling a little embarrassed, but she still shook her head without hesitation and nodded again.

Without waiting to ask questions, he explained: "The first time I saw him was in court."

Chen Zifu said: "You should know that the case between Zhou Zhicheng and you has been settled with a pen."

"He will be beheaded this fall, and so will you."