Chapter 115 Did the prisoner Lu Zhan confess...?

Chapter 115 Did the prisoner Lu Zhan confess...?

Two days later, the rain stopped and the sky cleared.

Two days later, the water level of the Yellow River began to drop.

Magistrate Zhao of Heyin County immediately set about arranging for grain transport boats to cross the river, but after three days of trials, only one boat successfully reached the other side. The boatman handed the ropes tied to the boat to General Wu, and then, pulled by the ropes on the opposite bank, the boat returned safely.

The Yellow River had calmed down, and Magistrate Zhao immediately returned to the county office to report. Upon hearing this, Governor Zheng led his soldiers onto the boat.

Upon seeing the flag waving on the opposite bank, Wu Zhen ordered, "Pull the rope."

With two ropes pulling it along, and with the cooperation of the officials and soldiers on both banks, the boat safely arrived at Heqing County.

"This humble servant has failed in his duty, and I beg Your Honor to punish me." Before Governor Zheng could even disembark, Wu Zhen knelt down first.

The soldiers who hadn't had time to loosen their ropes all knelt down.

“I have already reported this matter to the court. You shall wait for news,” said Governor Zheng. “Until the news arrives, you should make amends as soon as possible and try to atone for your crimes.”

"yes."

"Get up," said Prefect Zheng. "Has Magistrate Du been found?"

"Yes, seven nights ago, the soldiers of General Lu's mansion carried Lord Du out of the mansion. They were discovered by the yamen runners guarding outside the mansion and were caught up about a mile south of the city. The man abandoned Lord Du and fled south, but was finally captured on the banks of the Yellow River." General Wu recounted in detail, "That night, Magistrate Sun and County Lieutenant Lin led the yamen runners to break down the gate of the general's mansion, arrested General Lu, and imprisoned him in the county jail, waiting for you to judge the case."

"Lead the way," said Governor Zheng.

Wu Zhen bowed and led the way. After a few steps, he realized what was happening and immediately instructed his subordinates to prepare a carriage.

"My lord, please wait a moment. The ground is muddy. I will prepare a carriage to take you there."

Prefect Zheng nodded, and then asked again, seemingly casually, "When did Magistrate Du disappear?"

"May 18th or 19th? 19th, yes, May 19th. I remember it was at the funeral of General Lu's father, the day the Lu family held their religious ceremony. I was there too. Before the ceremony started, Lord Du hurriedly left. Not long after the ceremony, I heard that Magistrate Du had disappeared, and all the yamen runners were out searching for him." General Wu replied earnestly. He sighed and said, "Magistrate Du is a responsible man. After the first month of the lunar calendar, he patrolled the riverbank with his yamen runners every day. After the Yellow River flooded, he was even more dedicated, coming early in the morning and returning after dark. It's just that he was a bit too radical in suppressing extravagant funerals, showing no respect to anyone. General Lu probably knew Lord Du's temperament, which is why he took such a risk and did such a foolish thing."

Governor Zheng listened silently. "You also believe that it was Commander Lu who kidnapped and imprisoned him?"

Wu Zhen sensed something was amiss, but didn't dwell on it. He nodded and said, "The people have been caught, how could this be fake?"

“You’re right.” Governor Zheng looked to the side and then asked about the extent of the crop damage.

Wu Zhen was unaware of the situation, but fortunately the carriage arrived. He helped Governor Zheng onto the carriage and then breathed a sigh of relief.

Half an hour later, the carriage arrived outside the county government office. Wu Zhen went in and shouted a message, and the clerks in the office all came out to greet him.

Prefect Zheng alighted from his carriage and went straight inside. "Where is Magistrate Du?"

"Lord Du is seriously injured and cannot get out of bed. He is lying in the government office. I will lead the way for you." Magistrate Sun bowed and jogged ahead.

Du Li went out to check on his fields, leaving only Meng Qing and Wang Zhou at home. The two of them, along with their servants, were pounding the ground, which was covered in footprints and dents. Hearing footsteps, the mother and son looked up and saw a man dressed in a purple official robe.

"This humble woman greets Your Excellency the Prefect," Meng Qing said, bowing.

"This is Magistrate Du's second sister-in-law," Magistrate Sun introduced.

Prefect Zheng glanced at it and walked straight to the eaves. "Does Magistrate Du live in this room?"

"Du Min awaits Your Excellency's arrival. Please come in." Du Min hurriedly got out of bed. He forced himself to walk a few steps and said with a pale face, "I am unwell and cannot come out to greet you. Please forgive me, Your Excellency."

Governor Zheng quickly took a few steps forward and helped him up, "Go back to bed and lie down. How did you get so badly injured? Did that old bastard Lu Zhan do this?"

"It wasn't him, I rammed it myself to get General Lu to let me out." Du Min leaned weakly against the bed, subtly observing Prefect Zheng, and explained, "After General Lu sent men to abduct me, I woke up to find myself locked in a side room with guards outside, but no one paid any attention to me. At first, I didn't know where I was until the day the pontoon bridge collapsed. My brother and sister-in-law were anxious and recklessly broke into the prefect's mansion. I heard my nephew's voice; he shouted that the pontoon bridge had collapsed and told me to come out quickly. How did the pontoon bridge collapse? I asked General Wu and Magistrate Zhao, and they both said that there were even bigger floods in previous years, but nothing happened in previous years, only this year. I was frantic, but no one answered the door when I called. I could only ram my head against the door, hoping that the mastermind behind it would be afraid and let me out. But I rammed it too hard and was unconscious for four days. When I woke up, I pretended to have amnesia and acted for three days. I think I fooled General Lu, and he finally let me go."

Du Min was agitated, and his blood rushed to his head, turning his pale face flushed. He coughed a few times, which aggravated the wound on his head, causing him to sweat profusely and his face to turn deathly pale again.

Governor Zheng stepped forward and helped him lie down. "Don't get agitated. Focus on recovering. I will take care of you."

Du Min coughed incessantly and said with difficulty, "Sir, please go away. I've caught a chill and I don't want to spread my illness to you."

Governor Zheng stood up. "You lie down. I'm going to the prison to meet this old scoundrel."

"I will not see you off."

Governor Zheng turned and went out. He saw Meng Qing outside the door, paused for a moment, but asked nothing and strode away.

County Magistrate Sun hurriedly followed, and Meng Qing also wanted to follow, but he didn't have the proper status to do so, so he could only wait.

Governor Zheng, accompanied by County Magistrate Sun and General Wu, arrived at the prison under the guidance of the jailer.

Lu Zhan and Lu Ditang, the two brothers, changed into prison clothes. They had been locked up in the cell for seven days, looking disheveled and with vacant eyes. When Governor Zheng walked to the outside of the cell, the two did not react.

"Lu Zhan!" Governor Zheng roared, "You audacious old thief, how dare you commit the heinous crime of imprisoning a county magistrate! You are an official appointed by the imperial court, yet you knowingly break the law. Tell me, did you commit the crime of imprisoning Magistrate Du?"

"It wasn't me, I have no idea," Lu Zhenjiang denied.

"You don't know? The man we arrested was one of your guards. He knocked out the gatekeeper and carried Lord Du out of the garrison commander's mansion. Wasn't he acting on your orders? Who are you trying to fool?" Magistrate Sun said.

"I don't know, and I didn't give that order," Lu Zhen insisted, refusing to admit it.

Magistrate Sun looked at Prefect Zheng, who said, "Interrogate that soldier from the prefecture."

Magistrate Sun's heart skipped a beat. He quickly said, "Your Honor, I have already interrogated him. He has confessed and signed the document."

Governor Zheng glanced at him indifferently.

Magistrate Sun shut up.

During the retrial, the soldier named Xue Rong changed his story, insisting that he had orchestrated the kidnapping of Magistrate Du. He claimed, "Old Master Lu was kind to me during his lifetime, and I wanted to give him a grand funeral, so I kidnapped Magistrate Du. But General Lu strictly adhered to the laws of the court, and even though Magistrate Du had disappeared, no one could stop him anymore, and he did not give Old Master Lu a proper burial."

“Your Excellency, he lied. We interrogated him the day after we arrested him. His confession at the time was that he was instructed by General Lu.” Magistrate Sun stood up and handed over the signed and sealed confession.

Governor Zheng took the statement and asked, "What do you say about this confession?"

"The prisoner was so eager to get away with his crime that he blinded himself and shifted all the blame onto Lord Lu."

County Magistrate Sun looked at the warden. Had the incident occurred in prison because he had been bribed?

"Since..." Governor Zheng was ready to go with the flow and shift the blame onto the soldiers.

"My lord..." Du Min, supported by Meng Qing, staggered out and asked, feigning ignorance, "Has the prisoner Lu Zhan confessed?"

"No, this soldier admitted that he orchestrated it all," Governor Zheng said calmly.

"Does Your Excellency also think so?" Du Min asked in return.

Governor Zheng remained silent.

Du Min remained silent.

"Bring Lu Zhan in for questioning," said Prefect Zheng.

The warden walked away, and Magistrate Sun followed. A short while later, Lu Zhan was brought up.

"Lu Zhan, were you aware of the kidnapping and imprisonment of Magistrate Du?" Governor Zheng asked.

Du Min closed his eyes. He had indeed guessed correctly: Governor Zheng was biased towards the Lu family of Fanyang.

"I don't know," Lu Zhan replied.

"You didn't know? I was imprisoned in the garrison commander's mansion for nine days, and after I was injured, a doctor stayed by my side day and night. You're saying you didn't know?" Du Min questioned.

"Because of the collapse of the Heyang Bridge, my father was hastily buried. As his son, I feel deeply ashamed. These days, I have been lacking in energy and have neglected the affairs of the manor. As a result, I did not notice that Xue Rong was abusing his power in the manor under my name." Lu Zhan looked guilty. "Officially, I have failed to discipline my subordinates. In private, I have not managed my household properly. I bear an inescapable responsibility for Lord Du's misfortune. This matter is over. I will resign from my post to observe mourning and never return to officialdom."

Du Min's face turned cold.

"Lord Du, do you have any further questions?" Governor Zheng asked.

Du Min did not answer. He understood that the Lu family in Chang'an had exerted their influence, and Governor Zheng would not uphold justice.

"Does Your Excellency have any questions? According to General Lu's statement, will he be punished?" Du Min asked.

“He is in mourning and has no official post, so there is no further way to demote him. However, the fact remains that the supervision was ineffective. He has also promised never to return to officialdom. Are you not satisfied with this outcome?” Governor Zheng asked.

“Yes, kidnapping a high-ranking official is a serious provocation against imperial power and the dignity of the court. This is due to his ineffective supervision and poor governance. It cannot be resolved simply by him resigning. He should be dismissed from his post and never be employed again,” Du Min declared.

Governor Zheng stared at the wound on his forehead, and he relented, "As you wish."

Lu Zhan's face was tense. Although he was spared punishment, he was dismissed from his post, and his reputation was ruined.

“Xue Rong was the principal offender and committed the crime of kidnapping a prisoner. When my life was in danger, he intended to abandon me in the wilderness and drugged me. He is suspected of murder and should be sentenced to hanging.” Du Min added, “If he hadn’t kidnapped me, the Heyang Bridge might not have collapsed. His actions are extremely heinous.”

Governor Zheng laughed, "As far as I know, the Heyang Bridge collapsed at night. Even if you weren't imprisoned, how could you have been rescued?"

Wu Zhen stepped forward, his face flushed, and said loudly, "The reason the Heyang Bridge collapsed was that a large tree, uprooted and dragging a wrecked boat, became entangled on the bridge, blocking mud, driftwood, and haystacks. The excessive force caused the bridge to collapse. Before Magistrate Du was abducted, he patrolled the river daily with his constables from upstream to downstream. After he disappeared, his constables searched for him and were unable to patrol the river. If this hadn't happened, the tree and the wrecked boat would have been discovered during the day, and the bridge wouldn't have collapsed."

"Isn't patrolling the river your duty?" Governor Zheng asked.

"Yes, I have failed in my duty. Please punish me, Your Excellency." Wu Zhen took full responsibility.

"Your Excellency, is Xue Rong fit to be hanged?" Du Min pressed on.

The prisoner kneeling below the hall trembled with fear, while Lu Zhan clenched his hands tightly, afraid that Xue Rong would go back on his word.

The atmosphere in the courtroom froze.

Magistrate Sun was poked in the waist. He turned around and saw the yamen runner winking at him. He turned his head and saw Meng Qing standing behind the door beckoning to him.

"Governor? Is it because I didn't die that he wasn't sentenced to be hanged?" Du Min asked again.

Magistrate Sun quietly left the courtroom. Meng Qing whispered a few words to him, and he nodded, then walked out and said, "This kind of audacious and wicked scoundrel should be sentenced to hanging and public humiliation, his family property confiscated, and his descendants made to be sons of criminals. In addition to their rebellious nature, they should be forbidden from marrying into respectable families, forever ostracized by their neighbors, and never qualified for the imperial examinations or family lineage. You, Xue Rong, are a sinner to your family. After you die, you will not be buried in the ancestral grave, but abandoned in a mass grave to be gnawed on by wild dogs! You will be cursed by your descendants every day."

Xue Rong collapsed to the ground, his voice hoarse as he struggled to speak: "It wasn't me..."

"Shut up!" Lu Zhan snapped.

Wu Zhen took two steps forward and slammed him to the ground.

Governor Zheng stood up and slammed his gavel down. "What's going on? Silence!"

Du Min smiled sarcastically, "Your Excellency, what are you still hesitating about? I am still waiting for you to uphold justice for me. I, a dignified county magistrate, was kidnapped and nearly lost my life at the hands of thieves. Isn't that enough to sentence him to hanging? If you are a kind-hearted person who cannot bring yourself to do it, then let the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate handle this case and let the Emperor review it."

"Yes, who knows, in a fit of rage, the emperor might sentence him to the same crime of implicating his entire family, sending his wife, children, and elderly relatives to the gallows as well," Magistrate Sun continued to threaten.

"It wasn't me, it wasn't me who kidnapped Lord Du, it was Chen Yong! I... I was acting on Lord Lu's orders!" Xue Rong cried bitterly. "Lord Lu, I'm so sorry! But I did nothing wrong, I was just ordered to escort Lord Du back to the county office. I don't deserve to die, and my descendants shouldn't be implicated because of me!"

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Author's Note: Here it is, another chapter! Don't say I didn't update enough!