Chapter 120
On the seventh day, the county court reopened for the retrial.
Both parties arrived early, their carriages meeting at the entrance of the county government.
"Good morning, Boss Zhang."
Qin Hongde scoffed coldly at the composed man before him. After waiting seven days without Zhang Fangyuan coming to beg for mercy, seeing him now at the county government filled him with displeasure.
His original intention had been to force the Zhang family to back down and suppress their martial arts school’s influence. Yet, these stubborn bones refused to yield. Still, losing the lawsuit would damage the Zhang family’s reputation. It was the same outcome with different path.
Thinking this, his expression eased slightly. Father and son entered the courtroom with their hands behind their backs.
Xu He slightly narrowed his eyes. The odds of winning this battle were low, but showing weakness would only embolden the enemy. Though his face remained confident, his heart felt like floating duckweed, until his husband’s firm hand grasped his, rooting him back to solid ground.
"Let’s go."
Xu He nodded.
Today, many townsfolk gathered outside the courtroom to watch the spectacle. Since the trial wasn’t open to the public, they could only wait outside for the magistrate’s final verdict.
Zhang Fangyuan had actually submitted a request for a public hearing, but it was predictably rejected by the magistrate on the grounds that the case was too "sensitive" to attract widespread attention.
The magistrate’s gavel struck, and the bailiffs shouted for order. The magistrate declared, "Today, we reconvene the retrial of Qin Hongde and Qin Shang’s lawsuit against Zhang Fangyuan and his fulang for malicious competition and intentional assault. Zhang Fangyuan, the seven-day deadline has passed. Do you have any witnesses or evidence to present?"
"Your Honor, the plaintiff Qin Shang disregards the law, bullies others with his influence, and attempted to harass my fulang. Gathering evidence for this case has been difficult."
"Many things in this world are difficult, but hardship cannot excuse wrongdoing. Everyone who beats the grievance drum claims hardship," the magistrate retorted. "If the defendant has no proof, don't slander others with baseless accusations."
Zhang Fangyuan countered, "Your Honor, the plaintiff accused my fulang of seduction and used it as justification for assault. Yet, all their submitted witnesses and evidence come solely from their own side, with no neutral third party."
"The Qin family’s tyranny is no recent development. The incident occurred in a bustling marketplace, there should have been many witnesses. Yet, despite my efforts, not a single person dared to testify. This alone proves the plaintiff’s intimidation tactics."
Qin Hongde snapped, "No evidence? Stop fabricating lies to slander us! You can’t win a lawsuit by spouting nonsense!"
"Your Honor, please rule swiftly. The defendant has no evidence and continues to malign others, his intentions are clearly malicious."
"Qin Shang has a history of harassing decent folk. Just last month, in Tingle Alley, he harassed a married woman. When her husband intervened, Qin Shang and his thugs beat the man half to death!"
Qin Shang’s face paled, and Qin Hongde’s brow furrowed. "Nonsense! Show evidence or face charges for defamation!"
"Your Honor, I speak the truth. The witness waits outside, please summon them for questioning!"
The magistrate, seated beneath the plaque 'A mirror hangs high,' glanced at Qin Hongde and paused before replying coolly, "This witness is irrelevant to the case. Do you have other evidence?"
[明镜高悬 (míng jìng gāo xuán): Lit. A mirror hangs high; Fig. Justice is impartial. A traditional plaque hung in Chinese courtrooms, symbolizing fair judgment.]
The Qin father and son exhaled in relief.
Xu He’s heart sank. "Your Honor, the witness proves Qin Shang’s prior misconduct. Why refuse their testimony?"
Evidence rejected, no evidence accepted, was this trial just a farce? Xu He gritted his teeth. No wonder the hearing was closed. It was said officially to "protect" his reputation, but the truth was to hide the corruption beneath.
"Impudent fool! Do you dare question this court?!"
The magistrate’s roar silenced the courtroom. Zhang Fangyuan’s chest burned with stifled rage. Every advantage went to the Qin family. If not for his tempered self-control, he’d have dragged the magistrate down and beaten him senseless.
The gavel struck again. Eager to conclude, the magistrate had assumed the parties would settle privately during the seven-day recess. Yet here they were.
With the Zhang family uncovering Qin Shang’s past crimes, prolonging the trial risked exposing more scandals. Best end it quickly: "Without further evidence, this court rules-"
Before he could finish, the court secretary hurried over and whispered in his ear. The magistrate’s expression shifted.
"Escort them in at once."
The courtroom buzzed with confusion. Moments later, an elderly man entered. The Qin father and son exchanged puzzled glances, they didn’t recognize him.
"Why is he here?" Xu He whispered to Zhang Fangyuan.
After the Zeng family’s earlier visit, Zhang Fangyuan had refused their help. They’d agreed not to involve them, so why show up now?
Zhang Fangyuan shook his head slightly, equally puzzled. Was the Zeng family finally moved to defend their grandson’s lineage?
"Deputy Magistrate Zeng! What brings you here? Please, take the seat of honor!"
The county magistrate forced a smile, bowing slightly. Though annoyed by the interference, he had to show deference. The deputy magistrate outranked him. One bad report could ruin his annual evaluation.
"Magistrate Zhao needn’t stand on ceremony. I’m merely observing today’s proceedings," Deputy Magistrate Zeng said calmly, taking his seat. "Where does the case stand? Proceed as usual."
The impatient magistrate now had no choice but to continue with his superior watching.
"Defendant Zhang Fangyuan, you mentioned a witness. Summon them now!"
Zhang Fangyuan and Xu He exchanged a glance, a flicker of hope passed between them.
"Call the witness!"
Unable to find witnesses from the marketplace, Zhang Fangyuan had shifted tactics. He tracked down the young couple Qin Shang had previously victimized. The husband, still bedridden from his injuries, and his wife, worn thin by grief and poverty, had agreed to testify, out of gratitude to the Zhang family and hatred for Qin Shang.
"Commoner Shen Xiaolian greets Your Honor."
"Madam Shen, the defendant alleges Qin Shang harassed you and assaulted your husband. Is this true?"
"Your Honor, it's true."
The woman recounted the events in detail, weeping at the painful memories.
The Qin father and son darkened. Just as victory seemed certain, a deputy magistrate had appeared. Was he the Zhang family's ally? Their earlier confidence wavered, they didn’t even interrupt the testimony.
The county magistrate, meanwhile, studied his superior’s expression. Seeing no disapproval, only calm tea-sipping, he relaxed. Perhaps this was just a formality.
He reasoned that the newly arrived deputy magistrate must have heard of the Qin family's influence and wanted a cut. With a few bribes later, all would be well.
"Records show you received aid from the defendant, silver and servants to carry your husband to the clinic. Is this true?"
"Your Honor, Boss Zhang is kind-hearted. He did help us."
The gavel slammed. "Impudent woman! Colluding with the Zhang family, then testifying falsely, do you know the penalty for perjury?!"
Zhang Fangyuan and Xu He stiffened. How had helping someone become a crime?
Even with the deputy magistrate present, the bias was blatant. Zhang Fangyuan shot his grandfather a questioning look.
Their eyes met. Deputy Magistrate Zeng set down his teacup and smiled faintly, utterly detached. Zhang Fangyuan suddenly understood.
"Your Honor, I’d never dare lie!"
"You took the Zhang family's silver yet never reported the crime. Where’s your proof Qin Shang harassed you? Medical bills don’t prove his guilt, but Zhang Fangyuan’s payments prove yours!"
"This court finds you were bribed into giving false testimony!" the county magistrate declared. "The Qin father and son are upstanding citizens. Why would they harass a married woman? This is clearly fabrication!"
"Your Honor, I only helped in her time of need. If I’d truly bribed her, her husband wouldn’t still be bedridden!"
"Silence!"
Zhang Fangyuan’s hands clenched. Even with witnesses, the court twisted everything. His heart turned cold.
Deputy Magistrate Zeng glanced at him discreetly. Even now, the man showed no repentance, just stubborn pride. Useless.
Such unruly defiance made him unfit for recruitment. Better invest in obedient scholars than this hotheaded fool.
"The case is clear. Magistrate Zhao, pronounce the verdict."
Zhang Fangyuan’s fists tightened. Not only had his grandfather refused to help, he had actively sabotaged him.
Fine, at least he’d rejected his "offer."
The county magistrate, emboldened, announced, "Defendant Zhang Fangyuan fails to provide sufficient evidence. He is ordered to compensate the Qin family 300 taels for medical expenses, receive twenty cane strikes for assault, and cease operations of his martial arts school due to malicious competition."
As he raised the verdict slip, the courtroom doors which were closed for a private trial burst open. A squad of soldiers marched in, parting to reveal a man in crimson robes.
The county magistrate’s hand trembled.
Deputy Magistrate Zeng bolted upright, stunned.
"Prefectural Judge?! Why- how are you here?!"
[通判 (Tōngpàn): Prefectural Judge (higher than the deputy magistrate)]
YEEEES!!!!! I was getting sick with how mad I was getting!!!! F all of those corrupt people!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update!!!