Ch 53: Evil Will Be Punished

Five major charges, all listed completely.

Although there is no physical evidence or witness testimony yet, and an immediate accusation can’t be made, everyone understands that someone so familiar with Great Qian Law wouldn’t make a false accusation. Furthermore, “investigate every grievance” is an ironclad law of Great Qian. Sun Jian’s words are all justifiable. Appealing in court by striking the injustice drum demands a thorough investigation.

The legal clerk sighed and whispered in Li Yi’gou’s ear, “Sir, if this is true, this person is under our prefecture’s jurisdiction. We must thoroughly investigate this. If we don’t handle it properly, you and I will both lose our positions.”

“It’s already come to this. Not conducting a thorough investigation is dereliction of duty. You don’t need to teach this official that.” Li Yi’gou said with a dark face and fiercely.

How could he not understand the seriousness of this matter?

Regardless of who the bloody defendant is, not conducting a thorough investigation is dereliction of duty. However, once the defendant’s charges are confirmed, their prefecture will become famous throughout Great Qian.

Hongnong Prefecture City has produced such a criminal. Even without the charge of dereliction of duty, the Imperial Court will accuse him of negligence.

The court is constantly plagued by factional strife, and his superior, Governor Yao, is eyeing him, wanting to get rid of him.

To protect himself, he recently swore allegiance to the Second Prince, but now he’s caused such a stain. This matter is thorny!

“Sir, the petition is here; please handle the case impartially.”

Seeing the tense atmosphere in the court, Sun Jian strode forward, pulled out the petition he had prepared, and passed it to the legal clerk to submit.

At the same time, he gave Li Yi’gou a strange smile.

This smile made Li Yi’gou’s heart sink, and he had a bad feeling.

He didn’t rush to look at the petition. Instead, with a dark face, his eyes kept scanning Sun Jian, as if trying to see through his true intentions.

From the moment this young man entered, he hadn’t given Li Yi’gou a good look and had been targeting him.

It seemed he wasn’t here to file a complaint, but to target Li Yi’gou.

Who is he? Who is he working for? What is his purpose?

After observing repeatedly without result, and with so many eyes watching him handle the case, Li Yi’gou didn’t dare delay.

He waved his hand and said, “Since this person committed assault and abduction in broad daylight, and you stopped him, you acted righteously. This official will not pursue this further.”

“Alright, this official has received the petition, but this case is very complex and requires a thorough investigation. The government will post a notice to inform the public. If you have nothing else, you may leave.” Li Yi’gou knew this matter was full of suspicious points and feared it was a trap set by his enemies in the court. He didn’t directly state his position but adopted a conciliatory strategy.

That’s it?

Sun Jian shook his head and smiled wryly. Li Yi’gou was indeed an old fox.

Having been an official for many years, he was very politically astute. In this situation, he was able to be watertight.

But he had misjudged the situation. Sun Jian wasn’t a pawn of his factional opponents, but the judge who would drag him into the abyss.

“I advise Sir to look at the petition to avoid any oversight.” Sun Jian narrowed his eyes, again hinting that Li Yi’gou should look at the petition before drawing conclusions.

He was very much looking forward to seeing Li Yi’gou’s expression when he found out the defendant was his son.

“What’s there to see? Even if this person committed a heinous crime, the government will naturally handle the case. You’re just a scholar; what do you know about judging cases? Go back and wait for news.”

Li Yi’gou still had that perfunctory look.

Sun Jian sneered, pointed at Li Jian lying on the ground, and said, “He’s more than just heinous; he deserves a thousand cuts. According to Great Qian Law, such a person without loyalty to the emperor or filial piety to his father should be subjected to a thousand cuts.”

Li Yi’gou was furious and slammed the sounding block, “How dare you make such a… such a disturbance in the court! This official orders you to leave…”

Before Li Yi’gou could finish scolding Sun Jian, the legal clerk, who had picked up the petition to look at it, kept pushing him, causing him to stammer several times.

“Sir… Sir…”

Li Yi’gou was furious: “Audacious! Why are you constantly pushing this official?”

“Th… this… petition…”

The legal clerk’s expression was complex, his hand holding the petition trembling, his speech hesitant.

Seeing the usually calm legal clerk like this, Li Yi’gou was surprised and took the petition.

When he saw the defendant’s name: Li Jian, his pupils constricted, his face turning so dark it seemed water could drip from it.

His gaze quickly fell on the bloodstained man in the corner. In an instant, Li Yi’gou’s breathing became heavy, and his chest began to rise and fall.

“Jian’er!!”

With a loud cry, Li Yi’gou’s hair stood on end, and he rushed down from the dais to turn Li Jian over.

After confirming that it was indeed his son, his heart ached!

To think that the “heinous criminal” was actually his own son!

The most crucial point was that during the confrontation in the court, he hadn’t noticed at all…

He let his severely injured son lie there for so long.

At this moment, everyone suddenly realized what had happened and gathered around to check Li Jian’s injuries.

Seeing Li Yi’gou and the others’ expressions, Sun Jian was overjoyed.

Damn it!

This is what he deserved! This is what’s called getting what you deserve.

This is exactly the effect he wanted.

Sun Jian crossed his arms and said gloatingly, “That’s right, Sir Li, the one who deserves to die is your son, Li Jian.”

“You should have given him a better name. ‘Jian’ means ‘cheap’, and he really is cheap.”

“And Sir, your name is Li Yi’gou. I thought it was Li Yi’gou (Li One Dog), haha.”

“Tsk tsk, you father and son, one is a beast, and the other is cheap.”

Li Yi’gou had already gone into a rage when he learned it was his son, and now, hearing Sun Jian’s words, his face turned purple with anger.

He ordered his men, “Bring this man who speaks nonsense before this official! Immediately throw him into prison and torture him! If he dares to resist, execute him on the spot!”

The yamen runners looked at each other, wanting to act but hesitating.

They weren’t fools. They were in the court, with the sign “Justice Prevails” hanging above their heads.

Even Li Yi’gou’s close advisors didn’t dare act rashly!

Who in the court didn’t know the cause and effect of this matter? If this matter wasn’t handled properly and the news leaked, they would all lose their heads.

Moreover, Sun Jian was so confident, and he had merit, so there might be some big shot behind him…

“What are you standing there for? Didn’t you hear this official’s order? Quickly arrest this beast!” Li Yi’gou roared hoarsely.

Sun Jian smiled faintly, “Oh, Prefect Li, you’re really impressive.”

“Me, a beast?”

“Isn’t your son even worse than a beast?”

“You, as Prefect, allow your son to act recklessly, commit evil deeds, abduct women, disregard human life, commit countless crimes, and disturb the city. Now you dare to make false accusations?”