Chapter 40: Kill the Chicken to Warn the Monkey

  Xiao Jiading furrowed his brow and said, "Why wasn't this recorded in Zhao's confession?"

  "Because she was the only one who said so, County Magistrate Kang thought she was being evasive. If that were the case, wouldn't it be a case of manslaughter? So he didn't believe her account."

  "Hmm, did you ask about the man who had an affair with Zhao's wife, as mentioned by the deceased's mother Tong?"

  "No, because Tóng said that at the time it was evening, she only saw a man and Zhào in the wild outside the house, they were having an affair, she was afraid and called out, the man ran away. So she didn't see who the man was either."

  "This is troublesome." Xiao Jiading said: "Then this statement is only Mr. Tong's own statement, and there is no other evidence to prove it?"

  "But it wasn't, so this statement was ultimately not believed by County Magistrate Kong."

  "As for the motive of this case, neither Zhao's own account of accidental killing nor Tong's account of being caught in adultery is credible; doesn't that mean there is no motive?"

  County Magistrate Deng nodded: "Yes, I thought of this when reporting it. However, for such a motive that can't be clearly stated, we have also tried similar cases in the past and sentenced them to death. The higher-ups didn't say anything and approved it. So maybe this case isn't suspicious in this aspect?"

  Xiao Jiading said: "If it wasn't for this, I wouldn't have thought of any other doubts. Let's talk about it again tomorrow when we ascend to the hall."

  "It can't be helped."

  Back in the signing room, Xiao Jia Ding concentrated his energy to review the verdicts brought by Wu Donghai. After reading a few, he discovered a large number of errors. Fortunately, most of these cases were county-level cases that could be concluded with one trial, and the punishments were just flogging or caning, which was equivalent to spanking. He didn't dare to read on, fearing that he would see some major cases that he had mishandled, which would make him lose face completely. The materials in his hand were already sufficient.

  He was just about to take the judgment to report to County Magistrate Kang, when he saw County Captain Deng beckoning him from not far outside the door. He put down the judgment and walked over, saying: "Is there something?"

  "There's nothing else." County Magistrate Deng said in a low voice, "Wu Haidong, the clerk from the prison, mentioned that he wants to invite you for dinner tonight and I'll keep him company. He also has some gifts to pay his respects to you. I don't know..."

  Xiao Jiading sneered in his heart, isn't this Wu Donghai very arrogant? Didn't he say that he had no way to deal with him? It seems that it was County Magistrate Deng and the others who did some work behind the scenes to persuade him to yield first, so they invited guests. However, it's useless, such a person who doesn't understand the law at all will only bring trouble to himself if he stays in the yamen, he must be driven away! He had already made preparations.

  Xiao Jia Ding, with a difficult expression, said in a low voice: "I was just about to tell you this! Alas, this matter is troublesome, and I don't know what's going on. County Magistrate Kang just called me over and said that Wu Donghai, the clerk, doesn't understand the law at all and often mishandles cases. He's already considering dismissing him."

  Deng County Magistrate was taken aback, staring at Xiao Jia Ding. Xiao Jia Ding did not evade his gaze, furrowing his brow and saying: "Let's talk privately, this Wu Haidong may not understand the law very well, but he's actually a good person. It wouldn't be right to drive him away like this. I was thinking of speaking up for him with County Magistrate Kang, but since I'm new here, it's not easy to speak up for him either. How about you go find County Magistrate Kang and put in a good word for him?"

  Wu Haidong often mishandles cases, and Deng County knows this because his assistant Xing XuZhong is well-versed in criminal law and has corrected him several times. The yamen also knows that Wu Haidong doesn't understand criminal law but likes to linger in the prison. Perhaps it's because there's more oil to be squeezed from this line of work. If County Magistrate Kang were to find out about Wu Haidong's actions and consider dismissing him, it would be reasonable. However, now that Xiao Jiading has arrived, County Magistrate Kang wants to dismiss Wu Haidong; the connection between the two is probably self-evident.

  County Magistrate Deng took another look at Xiao Jiateng, this matter was likely to be used by Xiao Jiateng, the new executive, to kill a chicken and scare the monkey, he couldn't ruin his plan. After all, it wasn't worth it for someone like Wu Haichuan. Besides, if County Magistrate Kang had already decided to fire Wu Haichuan, there was no use in trying to persuade him otherwise. He knew that once County Magistrate Kang made up his mind, he wouldn't easily change it.

  "Needless to say, I've had enough of Wu Haichuan. He's got no skills and is too arrogant, often mishandling cases. He doesn't even listen when you try to teach him criminal law. How can someone like that stay in our department? It's better to get rid of him before he causes more trouble! I'm leaving."

  Having said that, Deng County Magistrate bowed his hands and left.

  Xiao Jiading smiled slightly, looking at his back, this old fox was quite good at adapting to the situation. However, if this matter were to be exposed to County Magistrate Kang, it would likely not end with just being driven out of the door.

  He returned to the signing room, Xiao Jiading held those few judgments and came to the case of Kang County Magistrate, bowed his head and said: "Kang County Magistrate, I found that there are some problems with these judgments."

  "Oh?" County Magistrate Kang heard that there was a problem with the judgment and immediately became tense.

  It is worth noting that in ancient times, the performance of officials included a very important aspect: prison litigation. If there were major problems with this, no matter how well you did in other aspects, it would also be vetoed by one vote.

  Xiao Jiading then took out several cases of misjudgment and explained them one by one. Some were originally innocent but were sentenced to guilty or lightly sentenced, while others were heavily sentenced for light crimes or vice versa, with the guilty being sentenced to innocence.

  The county magistrate's face turned increasingly ugly, and after listening to it, his old face almost turned green. He said in a low voice: "Who handled these cases?"

  "It was all handled by a scribe named Wu Haidong."

  The county magistrate asked: "For those who come and go as they please, how should they be dealt with?"

  The crime of misjudging a case is the name that judges should bear for intentionally or negligently mishandling cases. The general principle is to decide on punishment according to whether they have handed down heavy sentences for light crimes or light sentences for heavy crimes. Xiao Jiading said, "I've already looked at this, and in his situation, he may be sentenced to one year of imprisonment."

  "Alright! Let's catch him immediately..."

  "County Magistrate Kang, isn't this a bit too rash?!"

  The county magistrate was taken aback, pondered his words for a moment, and immediately understood the meaning of Xiao Jia Ding's words. This Wu Hai Dong was just a clerk in charge of handling criminal cases, he only took out the draft judgment, reported it layer by layer to himself. It was up to him to make the final decision on the case, whether to sentence someone to flogging or to report to the prefecture for further review. Therefore, if he were really held accountable, he as the county magistrate who made the final decision would also be unable to avoid blame. If he were really held responsible for Wu Hai Dong's crime of bribery, he would be sentenced to one year of penal servitude. The county government could not make a final judgment in the first trial, and must report to the provincial government for a second trial. Wouldn't that mean letting his superiors know that he had mishandled the case? If the censor found out and impeached him, it was possible that he would lose his official position.

  Luckily, Xiao Jia Ding reminded himself, and the County Magistrate of Kang looked at him gratefully, nodding slowly and said: "What's wrong with this man?"

  Xiao Jiading understood that the County Magistrate of Kang was trying to find another reason to deal with Wu Haichuan. He had already inquired about this from Zhu Haisil and said in a low voice, "I heard that he had a son two months ago. However, his father has been dead for only two years. If this is true, then he is guilty of having a child during the mourning period, according to the criminal law, which would result in a sentence of one year's imprisonment!"

  "Hmm!" County Magistrate Kang nodded, "You've done a good job. Go tell Captain Dai to personally investigate this case and not to show any leniency! The results of the investigation must be reported back to me in person!"

  "Yes!"

  Xiao Jia Ding arrived at the Capture Bureau. Dai Bo, the captain, saw him and smiled all over his face as he came up to greet him, clasping his fists in respect: "Your subordinate pays respects to Xiao Zhi Yi!"

  Logically, Dai Boutu was a yamen runner, while Xiao Jiading was only a clerk. The two did not have a superior-subordinate relationship, yet Dai Boutu referred to himself as a subordinate, which was naturally a sign of his trust in Xiao Jiading.

  Xiao Jiading hastily said: "Dai Bu Tou, we're brothers from the same family, no need to be so polite, right?"

  Xiao Jia Ding said the two were "brothers of their own family", which made Dai Bu Tou's whole body feel light and his smile even more radiant. He hurriedly welcomed him to his own room.

  Xiao Jiading said: "Brother, I came to find you today because there is something I want you to do."

  "Big brother, you say so, little brother will go through fire and water, without hesitation!" Since Xiao Jia Ding had already said that the two were brothers of their own family, Dai Bu Tou immediately changed his title, calling Xiao Jia Ding "big brother". In fact, he was much older than Xiao Jia Ding.

  Xiao Jiading didn't mince words, saying: "Brother, this matter isn't my personal affair, it's an order from County Magistrate Kang that I'm here to convey. County Magistrate Kang heard that Wu Haidong, the clerk of our county yamen's penal department, actually had a child during his father's mourning period! This outrageous and unfilial act has enraged County Magistrate Kang, who ordered you to personally investigate this matter. If it's true, he won't show any leniency - such an ungrateful son must be punished according to the law! You must report the results back to County Magistrate Kang."

  "Yes! Handle it quickly!" Captain Dai said in a low voice, "I also heard that Wu Haichuan has repeatedly extorted and accepted bribes from the mastermind behind the case. Do you want to investigate this as well?"

  If Wu Haidong took bribes and mishandled the case, then this miscarriage of justice would ultimately be signed off by County Magistrate Kang after a trial. If it was a miscarriage of justice, it would implicate him, which cannot happen. So, Xiao Jiading shook his head and said: "Forget it, family scandals should not be made public. If it's something else, we can investigate, but if it involves our yamen, let's not make a fuss."

  Dai Bu Tou immediately understood Xiao Jia Ding's meaning as a veteran of the yamen. He hastily nodded and said, "Alright, I understand."