Tang Dynasty Prison Administration

005: The Monk Case

"And what's going on with you two?" Zhang asked, looking at them with suspicion. "What are you doing here in the middle of the night? Are you up to something sneaky or something?"

"Nonsense!" Zhao Qing shouted angrily upon hearing this, "We..."

Zhao Qing hesitated, glancing at Su Wen, but Su Wen ignored her, simply bowing and saying, "We have other matters to attend to, so we won't disturb you any longer. We'll be leaving now!"

Su Wen patted Zhao Qing on the shoulder, and the two left one after the other.

After spending quite some time, Su Wen and Zhao Qing finally arrived at a magnificent villa. Su Wen glanced at the sign above the villa and saw it clearly read: "Lin Residence!"

"How can such a wealthy family live in such a remote and impoverished place?" Su Wen asked.

Zhao Qing pondered for a moment and said, "Oh, this Lin family is the family of Lin Wenzu, the scholar who was married to Zhang Wan's eldest daughter. This Lin Wenzu was quite remarkable. Zhang Wan sponsored his studies, and he passed the imperial examination in three years and was appointed as the magistrate of our Anle County. Unfortunately, he caught a cold and passed away. As a result, Zhang's eldest daughter became a widow. Now that I think about it, it seems like it's been a year or two!"

Su Wen responded but didn't reply, instead heading straight for the temple!

Before long, Su Wen and Zhao Qing arrived at Qingming Temple, but unfortunately the temple gates were already closed. It was also late at night. Zhao Qing stepped forward to knock on the door, but Su Wen stopped him, saying, "No need to knock and disturb them. Let's wait here for a while!"

They waited for more than half an hour. Zhao Qing and Su Wen were both getting cold and couldn't stand it. Su Wen even got up and jumped around for a while, but the place where the temple was located was really too cold.

Zhao Qing was almost numb from the cold. Just as she was about to speak, Su Wen said, "Let's go back!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qing was stunned for a moment, and really wanted to curse!

But he dared not, so he sighed and had no choice but to follow Su Wen toward the main road.

Zhao Qing asked, "Aren't we taking the shortcut?"

"No need, we can just go back via the main road!"

......

On the way back, the two were cold and tired. Walking from afternoon to evening was no easy feat for Su Wen, who rarely walks!

After spending quite some time, the two finally arrived at the gate of Anle County.

Upon reaching the city gate, they saw a man huddled to one side, waiting for the gate to open. Two soldiers stood on either side of him, one of them raising his gun and asking, "Who goes there?"

Password: Peace and tranquility!

Password: Changping Taiping!

After speaking with one of the people, Zhao Qing then said, "Magistrate Wang of Anle County and Coroner Su have all the authority to handle cases. Coroner Su needs to investigate this case at night, so he left from the west side of the city, took a side road to Qingming Temple, and then returned via the main road. Please open the city gate and let us in!"

The soldier replied, "Yes, sir. Please, both of you!"

As Su Wengang walked to the soldier's side, he caught a glimpse of a man huddled to one side. The man was handsome, but his clothes were tattered and even looked rather shabby.

Su Wen asked, "Who is he?"

The soldier said, "Oh, he said his name is Chen Yun. He heard that Old Liu, the charcoal seller, was the murderer of the monk, so he came back specifically to say that Old Liu is not the murderer!"

Su Wen frowned and said, "Oh?"

......

County government office!

After pouring a cup of tea for Chen Yun and Zhao Qing, Su Wen slowly said, "Chen Yun, tell me, how did you get to know Old Liu?"

Chen Yun took a sip of tea to warm himself up and said, "Zhang Nu and I were childhood sweethearts, betrothed since we were little. My father passed away a few years ago, and I failed the imperial examinations, causing my family to fall into poverty. To prepare for the exams, I went to Chang'an. A few days ago, a friend from my hometown mentioned that my father-in-law, Zhang Wan, wanted to marry Zhang Nu to Yao Yicheng's son, so I immediately rushed back. When my father-in-law learned of my family's decline and my failure to pass the exams, he decided to marry Zhang Nu to Yao Yicheng's son. The night before last, Zhang Nu and I discussed it." We eloped and fled Anle County, intending to return and tell my father-in-law, Zhang Wan, after I passed the imperial examination. So, the night before last, around 7:45 PM, Zhang Nu and I passed by the door of Old Liu, the charcoal seller. I told Old Liu about Zhang Nu and my affair. Old Liu was a good man; he gave us his only donkey so that Zhang Nu and I could leave this place together. Just as we reached the next county, I heard that Old Liu had been convicted of murder. Old Liu was a good man, and I believed he couldn't be the murderer, so I decided to come back to testify for him!

Upon hearing this, Su Wen smiled and asked, "Where is Zhang Nuren?"

Chen Yun said, "She was afraid that if she came back, her father would force her to marry Yao Yicheng's son again, so I let her stay at my uncle's house temporarily!"

Zhao Qing didn't speak; he was too sleepy to do anything but drink tea.

Su Wen smiled slightly and said, "Actually, whether you come back or not is irrelevant to this case, because the case has already been solved!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yun was greatly alarmed and hurriedly said, "But Old Liu isn't a bad person!"

Su Wen waved his hand and said, "I didn't say he was. This case was already solved on the way back. Now we just need to wait for dawn, find the murder weapon, and the truth will come out!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qing instantly woke up from his drowsiness and asked, "Brother Su, have you solved this case?"

Su Wen looked at Zhao Qing and said, "Tomorrow at daybreak, you will take men to bring Zhang Wan, Zhang Wan's eldest daughter, Zhao the butcher and his wife, and Old Liu to the county government hall!"

Zhao Qing frowned, still somewhat confused, but still replied, "Yes!"

"Oh, right, remember to call all those people who carried the sedan chair for Zhang's eldest daughter!"

"yes!"

"Just get a few good swimmers to go into the well and retrieve the murder weapon!"

"The murder weapon is in the well?"

Su Wen nodded in agreement.

......

A golden light pierced the darkness and descended upon the earth; no matter how long the night, it could not stop the dawn from arriving!

Sunlight shines on the plaque of Anle County Government Office, revealing four characters amidst the golden light: "A Bright Mirror Hangs High!"

Magistrate Wang looked at Su Wen with a shocked expression and said, "I only entrusted this case to you last night, and you've already solved it today?"

Su Wen nodded in agreement, saying, "Having gained the favor of Magistrate Wang, I investigated this case tonight. I know that the sooner I solve the case, the more I can repay Magistrate Wang for his trust in me!"

Magistrate Wang frowned, his face wary, and said, "Don't end up like that County Lieutenant Ma, being tortured into confessing?"

"Please rest assured, Magistrate Wang, today you may simply sit high in the courtroom, and I will handle all the judgments in this case!"

Magistrate Wang nodded in agreement: "Very well!"

......

Before long, Zhao Qing and a group of constables brought everyone to the main hall, while Su Wen stood quietly to one side and waited.

Then the constables on both sides shouted in unison, "Wei..."

Su Wen took a deep breath and slowly turned around, looking at Old Liu, the charcoal seller, and said, "Old Liu, you are the murderer who killed that monk. You must confess the truth!"

Old Liu was beaten dozens of times yesterday, his skin torn and bleeding, and with no one to treat him, he is now weak and feeble, weakly saying, "Sir, I'm innocent!"

"Old Liu, you must answer my questions truthfully!"

"yes!"