Chapter 278: Investigating the Case

Liu Zheng took a look at these people from the Supervision Department.

The Liangzhou Supervision Department.

Its scale was actually not small.

There was one Counselor, over a dozen Executives, and two thousand subordinates, including yamen runners, logistics personnel, and dozens of clerical officials.

Liu Zheng immediately divided the Supervision Department into three branches on the spot.

The first was the Supervision Department; its departmental duties were those of a public security bureau in later ages, with yamen runners managed and deployed under it. However, it was stripped of the power to judge and close cases, being responsible only for violent operations, detention, escorting, and executions.

The second was the Inspectorate Department; this newly created branch was the equivalent of a procuratorate in later ages, primarily responsible for accepting cases, investigating and gathering evidence, filing accusations, and providing defense.

The third was the Sentencing Department; this was naturally the court of later ages. It was a department positioned between the Supervision Department and the Inspectorate Department, responsible for pronouncing sentences based on the investigations and evidence from the Inspectorate Department and the laws, releasing the innocent, and handing the guilty over to the Supervision Department.

For the three departments, he appointed one Counselor and three Deputy Counselors for each, followed by a number of staff members.

The crowd looked at each other in dismay upon hearing this.

Since ancient times, a single Supervision Department had been sufficient for handling and judging cases.

They were still very unaccustomed to this sudden division into three departments.

Someone asked, "Young Master, is this not a bit superfluous? A proliferation of departments is not a good thing."

Liu Zheng, however, smiled and said, "The Supervision Department is a privileged department; without oversight, errors are inevitable. Now that the three departments each perform their own duties with clear division of labor and different perspectives, the truth of a case can be investigated. As for the effectiveness..."

He chuckled, "This case will reveal the clues!"

The crowd did not believe him at all, and some even found it hard to understand; what was the point of adding two more departments, incurring so much extra expense, and having to support so many more people?

They even felt...

That this Governor Liu had lost face to the Liangzhou Army and was deliberately taking his anger out on these people.

This case?

The crowd secretly sneered; could he really overturn the verdict?

Seeing that this group did not believe him, Liu Zheng said, "Everyone, the judicial system is the guarantee of social order and must never be treated lightly! It is no exaggeration to say that the stability of the state and the peace of the people all depend on this! Therefore, Liu Zheng implores you all: this matter is of great importance. Over the next few days, you must observe carefully and not treat it as child's play!"

After speaking, he bowed seriously with his hands cupped.

Seeing this, the crowd dared not joke anymore and responded by cupping their hands, "Rest assured, Young Master, your subordinates will certainly do their utmost!"

Only then did Liu Zheng begin the distribution of duties on the spot.

The work of the Supervision Department was simple and clear, requiring no further demonstration from him. The role he most importantly assumed was that of the procuratorate. He took over the case and began to file it.

Next was the most important step.

Investigation and evidence gathering!

He led a team of officials from the newly established Inspectorate Department to be responsible for the plaintiff's side. Jiang Xuan led a group of people to be responsible for the defendant's side.

The story branches into two, each to be told separately.

Jiang Xuan arrived at the prison and saw the disheveled, haggard figure whose hair had turned white in just one day and night; his heart ached.

"Bring out the prisoner Chen Mingze!"

Jiang Xuan brought the documents over, and the yamen runner in charge of the prison shouted.

Jiang Xuan frowned upon hearing this: "What prisoner? No verdict has been reached yet. The Young Master said they are all merely suspects, suspects!"

"Bring out the suspect Chen Mingze!"

Chen Mingze was brought over immediately. When he saw it was Jiang Xuan, his eyes turned red, and he avoided his gaze, whispering, "Captain Jiang, Mingze has already confessed. If there is something to be done, just carry out the execution; why go through all this?"

Jiang Xuan slapped the table and said angrily, "Chen Mingze, at this moment I am not your captain, and you are not my subordinate. The Young Master has just clarified the judicial process; this is a necessary procedure. Bring him over!"

The two sat face to face.

Jiang Xuan clenched his fists and asked through gritted teeth, "Chen Mingze, you said you killed Wang; then tell the truth: how did you kill him, what method did you use, and what was your motive! Remember, every word you say will become evidence in court. If there is the slightest falsehood, it is a disregard for the law, and you will bear the consequences yourself!"

Chen Mingze was stunned by Jiang Xuan's questions and, for a moment, did not know how to answer.

Jiang Xuan sneered coldly, "You only kicked Wang once, and you could make him die suddenly the next day?"

"Since when did you learn such supernatural powers?"

"Just because Wang took the Liang family's daughter as a concubine, you killed him? Does killing him benefit that Liang concubine? If you kill Wang, can you be with her?"

"Speak!"

"What is the truth!"

Chen Mingze's face changed drastically, and he looked panicked.

He stammered, not knowing how to respond.

Looking back at Liu Zheng's side.

He did not go directly to the brothel to ask people, nor did he find the Liangzhou Army soldiers who were with Wang that day to inquire; instead, he came directly to the vicinity of Wang's residence.

The residence had already begun to handle the funeral arrangements.

From inside, sounds of wailing for the dead could be heard from time to time.

The group from the Inspectorate Department wanted to pay a visit upon arrival, but were stopped by Liu Zheng, who led them to a tea stall by the street.

"Oh my, what a tragedy..."

"This Wang was a good man. How could he just die like that, perfectly healthy?"

"Who's to say! That Liang family daughter is truly a femme fatale! Ever since she married into the Wang Family, she has bullied the legal wife to no end..."

"Pfft, isn't it just because she has some gold and silver? I heard she even has an affair with the family's groom!"

"Shh, don't talk nonsense..."

A group of people were discussing the matter heatedly.

Liu Zheng laughed as he listened.

Sure enough, this matter was not as simple as it appeared on the surface.

The problem, it turned out, still lay with this Miss Liang!

Of course, one cannot fully believe the gossip on the streets, so the matter must be investigated step by step.

Liu Zheng gave orders immediately.

Three people went to tail the coachman.

Three people went inside for routine questioning.

Another three, in their official capacity, collected clues provided by the neighbors.

And among those who visited the Wang Family home was Liu Zheng.

Once the bailiffs arrived, the members of the Wang Family began to wail one by one, begging the officials to ensure Wang would be the one to uphold justice, demanding a life for a life, and calling for the murderer to be severely punished.

Upon seeing the newly arranged mourning hall, Liu Zheng noted that Wang's legal wife, Zhou, was naturally kneeling in the center wearing mourning clothes, followed by Wang's children, and then the relatives and family members in order of precedence. In ancient times, the status of a concubine was actually very low, barely better than that of a house slave. Therefore, the other two women who appeared to be concubines were already positioned at the very end. One of them was indeed quite beautiful, and after these officials entered, she cried the most sorrowfully; furthermore, she was clearly pregnant, and she was undoubtedly that Miss Liang.

"My lords, when will the murderer be executed? You must not let them go!"

The legal wife, Zhou, said while wiping away tears.

The Counselor of the Inspectorate said coldly: "There are still hidden circumstances in this case, and it has not yet been concluded. Prefect Liu has ordered a thorough investigation of this matter; open this coffin, we need to perform an autopsy!"

As soon as these words were spoken.

Everyone's expression changed drastically.

"No!"

"An autopsy?"

"My lords, the dead are to be respected, why do this?"

"This, this, this, this must absolutely not be done!"

Everyone was shocked.

In ancient times, the reverence for the dead was even greater than for the living. This person had already been placed in the coffin, and the coffin had already been nailed shut, waiting only for the funeral; how could it be opened so casually?

What if the ghost was disturbed?

Since ancient times, no one had ever dared to do such a thing!

That Zhou also cried out, throwing herself onto her husband's coffin, threatening to die if they proceeded: "The departed is gone, what are you doing! My husband died an unnatural death; it is fine if you catch the murderer, but why bring my husband into this!"

The others were also filled with righteous indignation.

Someone even mockingly said that since the Yinzhou Army was being troubled by the Liangzhou Army, they had come to find trouble with a dead man; could it be that Prefect Liu only had this much ability?

All sorts of nasty remarks emerged one after another.

During this time, Liu Zheng secretly watched Miss Liang in the corner; sure enough, Miss Liang's face was deathly pale, and for a moment, she even forgot to wail for the dead.

Thinking of this, Liu Zheng smiled faintly and suddenly exclaimed: "Everyone, stay calm, there is a sound in the coffin!"

This sentence startled the entire room, and many people were so frightened that they stood up and ran out.

Liu Zheng deliberately walked to the side of the coffin, tilted his head to listen, and said with a grave expression: "Did you hear that? There is a sound inside; could it be that Wang is only feigning death!"

Feigning death?

Everyone looked at each other in dismay.

Ancient people were deeply convinced by talk of ghosts and gods. Being frightened by Liu Zheng like this, the sounds of their racing hearts and rapid breathing were enough to make the atmosphere on the spot become eerie.

"No..."

"Impossible, impossible!"

That Miss Liang's expression changed drastically, and she couldn't help but mutter.

The others, meanwhile, looked at each other in dismay.

Cases of feigned death had existed in ancient times. This had nothing to do with ghosts or gods, but Wang's legal wife was full of joy: "Is it really feigned death? Open it quickly, open it, husband, husband..."

It was evident that the two were a devoted couple.

The people from the Inspectorate looked at each other, thinking that Prefect Liu was indeed clever; in this way, there was no reason not to open the coffin.

The coffin was quickly pried open.

Most of the others were very afraid.

Only Liu Zheng and his men, along with the legal wife Zhou and the concubine Miss Liang, could not help but crowd around.

Wang lay quietly inside, his face already blue and bloated, his pupils dilated. He had undoubtedly been dead for a day.

Only then did Liu Zheng say: "Take him away for an autopsy!"

"You, you, you..."

"Liars!"

"There was no feigned death... you bunch of liars!"

The group only then realized they had been tricked, but it was already too late; Wang's corpse was quickly carried out by the men of the Inspectorate.

Zhou wailed and howled, threatening to die again, but Liu Zheng grabbed her and whispered: "Madam Wang, if you want to know the real murderer, just go back for now. Trust Liu Zheng; I will definitely give you an answer!"

"Ah!"

Upon hearing the name "Liu Zheng," Zhou was clearly startled.

Liu Zheng?

Prefect Liu?

Young Master Liu?

He had actually come to investigate this matter in person?

"Liu, Prefect Liu..."

"Shh..."

Liu Zheng nodded: "The dead are to be respected, that is true, but if the truth is not uncovered, the dead cannot rest in peace! Madam Wang, my apologies."

Saying this, he led his men and transported Wang's corpse back to the Inspectorate.

At this moment, several secretaries and forensic doctors from the Inspectorate had already arrived.

Seeing the corpse of Wang, they covered their noses one by one.

"Young Master..."

"We have already examined this corpse; there is no doubt it was a homicide!"

"The internal organs are ruptured, which shows how vicious the person who struck him was; this has all been recorded in the file..."

"Indeed, why bring it back again?"

Everyone present did not quite understand.

Only Liu Zheng said indifferently: "Open it up!"

"What?"

Everyone in the room.

Was shocked and turned pale.