Chapter 51 Accountability

  Xiao Jia Ding felt silly for even asking, many Tang poems were written by monks and have been widely circulated, so why can't they write poetry? Although he hasn't been in the Tang Dynasty for long, he has already gained a deep understanding of it. Tang poetry is indeed infused into every aspect of the great Tang. With reciting poetry as a popular fashion, this Emei sect's competition for the position of leader is normal.

  Huiyi said, "Comparing poetry and lyrics is a requirement of the ancestral master's will, it must be compared. At that time, we will invite three famous Confucian scholars from Yizhou, plus two Shifu ancestors as judges to determine the winner."

  Xiao Jiading originally wanted to ask if he was being invited to be a judge, but the words reached his lips and were swallowed back. He still had some self-awareness after all; others were inviting famous scholars, could he even compare?

  Hui Yi continued: "The family teacher's martial arts can be stable and win, but poetry and Zen principles are not stronger than other brothers. Especially Zen principles, so they can only find a way in poetry. The family teacher hopes that Xiao Shi Zhu can help with one arm."

  "How can I help?"

  "If Xiao Shi agreed, then Master would have his own arrangements at that time."

  Xiao Jiading thought for a moment, helping others cheat on poetry wasn't something he hadn't done before. When he had just crossed over, he had helped Du Erniang's little maid do it once. Now, helping the old nun from Emei Sect again, he could earn twenty taels of silver at once, which was still a good deal, and he happened to be short on money.

  "When will it be held?"

  "In fifteen days, however, Master Xiao Shi needs to go five days in advance, and then the family master can make arrangements. At that time, I will come to pick you up."

  He nodded and was about to respond when his eyes rolled over and he said: "Your Emei Sect's martial arts aren't bad, are they?"

  "It's just physical exercise, nothing special."

  "Hehe, quite modest." Xiao Jiading smiled, looking at the little nun's pale red lips. "Helping your master fight for the position of sect leader is no joke. To be honest, this amount of money is a bit less."

  Huiyi's pretty face flushed red as she said softly: "A nun has little money, but if Master Xiao thinks it's too little, we can still negotiate..."

  Xiao Jiading waved his hand: "You listen to me finish. I also know that you monks don't make money easily, so how about this? You help me with a small favor, and I'll agree to this matter."

  "Xiao Shi, please speak."

  "This busy is actually very simple."

  Xiao Jia Ding leaned in close to her translucent earlobe and softly stated his request.

  Huiyi nodded and said: "This is easy. I can do it."

  "That's good."

  Huiyi didn't say much more and stood up to bid farewell and left.

  Xiao Jiading rewrapped the money box on the table and put it beside him, telling Yu Gui that they could order food now.

  Zhu Haixin didn't go to the outhouse, he was in the front hall watching Loulan roast lamb skewers. Seeing Huiyi leave, he returned to the house and looked at Xiao Jiateng with a sly expression, saying: "Big brother, how is it? Is there any fun?"

  Xiao Jiading cursed with a smile: "Get out! You damn pervert! The other person is a monk, don't make jokes!"

  Zhu Haixin smiled and didn't ask what they were talking about, and went out to urge them to hurry up with the dishes.

  The dishes were served quickly, and after the two of them finished eating, they returned to the government office.

  Xiao Jiading put the small box of copper coins back in his own residence, rested for a while, and then the cloud board outside the yamen rang. He came to the signing room, where Shu Tongwen told him that County Magistrate Kang had said that there would be a meeting in the Flower Hall in the afternoon, and asked him to go directly to the Flower Hall.

  Xiao Jiading arrived at the flower hall. The flower hall of the government office is both a reception room and a small conference room, the hall is very large, with two seats in the middle, and two seats on either side. On the table were pastries, snacks, and water.

  Next to the first two benches on the left, there was a bench and several cases with the Four Treasures of the Study on top. Xiao Jia Ding knew that this should be his seat. However, he didn't sit down and returned to the entrance of the signing room to wait for County Magistrate Kang to come out from the inner house, which could be seen from here.

  After a while, the county lieutenant, Wen Zhuzhu, and two county captains, Deng Quansheng and Wen Youde, arrived one after another and walked towards the flower hall. When they saw Xiao Jiading, they all smiled and nodded. Only County Captain Deng came over in a very exaggerated manner, cupping his hands together in greeting: "Xiao Zhiyi, I heard yesterday that you went to the countryside to investigate a case, you must be tired!"

  Xiao Jiading returned the courtesy: "As it should be."

  After a few more words of idle chatter, County Magistrate Deng said: "It's about time, I'll go to the yamen entrance to welcome Prefectural Judge Gu."

  After Deng Xianwei left, Kang County Magistrate came out soon after, wearing official robes and walking in a dignified manner. He arrived at the gate of the signing room, saw Xiao Jiading, and forced a smile on his face. Xiao Jiading knew that Kang County Magistrate was currently worried about that case, where did he have the heart to smile?

  The county magistrate asked: "Has Custodian of Justice arrived?"

  "Not yet, County Magistrate Deng has gone to welcome him at the gate. County Lieutenant Jiang and the others are waiting in the flower hall."

  The county magistrate thought for a moment and said: "Tell others to follow me to Yimen to welcome him!"

  Logically, the one who came was just a judicial officer from the seventh rank, while the county magistrate of Kang County himself was from the sixth rank, with a much higher ranking, and didn't need to go out to greet him. However, this time it's different, as it relates to whether that case is a miscarriage of justice or not.

  A miscarriage of justice would be a stain on his political record, and in severe cases, it could lead to criminal liability for "falsely accusing someone of a crime". Therefore, the County Magistrate Kang cannot help but feel tense.

  Xiao Jiading hurriedly ran to the flower hall to inform County Cheng and the others, and they arrived at the ceremony gate.

  The gate of the yamen is the second gate, inside is the office area of the yamen, outside is the grand hall for trials and interrogations, as well as the prison and the police station. The main gate of this gate is generally not open, only on festive occasions or when welcoming a high-ranking official would it be opened. This customer, Gu Sifa, was not of a high enough rank to warrant the opening of the gate, but Kang County Magistrate had already ordered the gate to be thrown wide open and welcomed him with the ceremony due to a high-ranking official. At the same time, he also personally led a group of officials to welcome him at the gate. Such etiquette would not have been exceeded even if the Governor of Yizhou had arrived. It can be seen that Kang County Magistrate attaches great importance to this matter.

  They waited for a long time, and finally, the official horse-drawn carriage of the provincial government arrived, with more than a dozen yamen runners opening the way in front and behind. The scene was still quite grand.

  Deng Xianwei, who was waiting at the gate, hastily came forward and personally lifted up the curtain of the carriage. He then stood aside to assist in supporting her out.

  A fat man came out of the sedan chair, and what was most striking about him was his big belly, which puffed up his official robe like a large inflated ball. He glanced at County Magistrate Deng without noticing the hand he had extended to assist him, and slowly made his way down, holding his belly, saying: "Where is County Magistrate Kang?"

  "Welcome at the gate."

  Magistrate Gu frowned, seemingly displeased that Magistrate Kang had not come to the gate to greet him. He held his belly and slowly ascended the steps of the yamen, followed by County Lieutenant Deng and several clerks who were carrying his official robes.

  As he entered the yamen, walking on the covered walkway, he had already seen County Magistrate Kong and others standing at the ceremonial gate in the distance. He did not quicken his pace, but continued to stroll forward with an air of leisure.

  The county magistrate of Kang County came forward with several assistant officials and bowed his hands, saying: "Judge Gu has had a hard journey!"

  Guo looked at the judge with a lazy expression, waved his hand and turned around, without saying a word, and continued walking inside.

  He was very familiar with the county government office and knew where the meeting was being held, so he went straight to the flower hall. Without waiting for County Magistrate Kang to arrange things, he sat down in the first position with a loud thud. County Magistrate Kang had no choice but to sit down beside him. The others also took their seats according to their order of precedence. Xiao Jiading and Gu Sifa's two attendants sat behind the low table and couch at the side of the two heads. The two clerks who came afterwards were obviously the specific case-handling clerks from the prefectural government office, and they sat down in the lower position.

  Gu Si looked around and didn't even look at the County Magistrate, saying: "This case has made Judge Zhong extremely angry. He has already reported it to the Governor, who was shocked after hearing about it. The Governor said that you can't just take a virtuous woman and force her into confessing without any evidence! And it's still one of the ten most heinous crimes! Doing things this way is likely to be too reckless with people's lives!"

  The last sentence was said with great severity and solemnity.

  This fat guy is so arrogant, it turns out that there are thorny things behind him. At this moment, the county magistrate Kang and others saw sweat on their foreheads. As soon as he came up, he set the tone, directly announcing that this case was a miscarriage of justice, and even accused them of being reckless with human life. Without asking for a trial, it further revealed the severity of the matter.

  The county magistrate made them all speechless, each bowing their heads in silence.

  He snorted and continued, "The common people are our children, we as parents should love them like our own! But some people don't think that way, when a murder case occurs and can't be solved, they just find someone to pin the crime on! And it's still a virtuous woman who is respected in the village! This will make the common people lose heart! Gentlemen, the previous emperor once said: 'Water can carry a boat, but also capsize it!' The common people are the water, we are the boat, you're stirring up the water to overthrow our dynasty! Things are very serious! When you framed this case, didn't you think of such consequences? Didn't you consider the imperial court and the emperor? You only care about your achievements, without regard for the lives of the common people!"

  As he spoke, his words became more and more unreasonable, making the county magistrate sweat profusely, yet not daring to retort. Xiao Jiading then stood up and said: "Magistrate Gu, this case, based on the original evidence, is a conviction without any problem."

  Gu Si looked at Xiao Jia Ding with a pair of white eyes, saw that he was wearing the attire of a book official, and his chubby face suddenly turned icy. He sternly said: "Who are you? Does an official's words need your interruption?"

  "In Xià Jiā Dǐng's place." Xià Jiā Dǐng said indifferently.

  As soon as he heard the name, Gu Sifa's face, which was originally stern and imposing, suddenly cleared up, and even had a hint of a smile. He nodded and said: "So it's Xiao Zhīyī. I've heard that Tang Sima of our prefecture holds you in high esteem, saying that you're very knowledgeable about criminal law. But this case was already closed before you arrived. Do you know anything about it?"