Damn it, I'm in the garbage book I wrote

Chapter 788 Hello everyone, it's been a long time!

Upon hearing this, the crowd erupted in a clamor, followed by shouts from outside: "Lord Xia is back! Lord Xia has returned to Fuliang!"

Before long, a massive crowd surged in from all directions. The entrance to the yamen was packed with people, and people were piled up by the windows, in the trees, and even at the entrance to the courtyard.

Zhang Jianzhi turned to Li Chengqian and asked, "When did Lord Xia return?"

Li Chengqian blinked, then scratched his head somewhat awkwardly: "I don't know..."

As they were talking, Xia Lin had already put on his fifth-rank county magistrate's robes and walked out. He was the only fifth-rank county magistrate in the entire country. More importantly, his fifth-rank was different from others. His official hat was specially made, with a turquoise in the center of his forehead and two four-clawed golden dragons on either side of the turquoise.

This means that he was not only a fifth-rank county magistrate but also enjoyed the powers of a prince, making him second only to Xia Daosheng in the world.

He walked out from the back and sat down. Xiao Wu looked up and was stunned at first, then turned to look at Dou Ya Zi. Dou Ya Zi just tilted his head and looked at Xia Lin, pointed to his stomach and then to his waist.

"Let that pregnant woman sit down first," Xia Lin said to the bailiff after pointing at Douyazi. "Don't let the baby slip out while she's standing there."

His words made everyone burst into laughter, but no one said he wasn't serious, because Lord Xia had always been like that, but that didn't affect his impartiality and integrity.

But only Xia Lin, pointing at the plaque below, tugged at Li Chengqian's sleeve, crying out, "Ah...ah ah...ah...ah..."

Li Zhi, standing next to him, covered his face and said, "Yes, that's right. Your Uncle Zhang."

Xia Lin propped her head up with her hand and said, "Alright, go over things with me again."

First, the injured man recounted that he insisted that Xiao Wu had tried to seduce him to extort money, and then instigated his servants to injure him.

Xia Lin showed no expression after hearing this, only raising her chin: "Defendant, please make your statement."

Xiao Wu recounted yesterday's experience again, emphasizing that he never intended to seduce anyone.

"How could you not have any! Look at your seductive appearance, just like your seductive mother! I wonder whose bastard you're carrying."

The old woman immediately began to curse, while Douyazi remained silent, simply smiling at Xia Lin. Xia Lin coughed, then sighed, "The courtroom is not a place for you to speak recklessly. Sir, what is the proper course of action for someone throwing a tantrum in court?"

"A thousand years' imprisonment."

"No need for imprisonment, this old woman can't take it anyway, just slap her twenty times."

Twenty slaps landed on the old woman's face, making her look unrecognizable. She dared not utter another word and could only sit there sobbing.

Xia Lin, resting her chin on her hand, looked at the confession handed to her below: "Both sides have their own version of events, but neither can produce any evidence. How am I supposed to make a judgment? However, I have three questions. Where does the plaintiff, Huang Ge, live?"

"I live on Lümen Street in the west of the city."

Why did you appear in Xuefu Lane in the north of the city that day?

"This... perhaps it's to visit a friend."

Xia Lin frowned: "Let him say it himself! What are you talking about? Do you want to slap him?"

The old woman dared not speak again, while the person on the stretcher said weakly, "Just taking a walk to digest my food."

He wandered around aimlessly, covering ten miles. Fine, that's a long walk. Xia Lin didn't dwell on it further, but instead asked his third question: "You said Wu seduced you, trying to steal your money. Do you have any evidence?"

"Yes, she gave me an embroidered shoe yesterday, saying it was to pledge our love."

At that moment, someone immediately presented the shoe, and Xiao Wu became anxious: "No, that's the shoe I lost while running away, and he picked it up..."

Xia Lin frowned again: "Don't answer unless you're asked."

Xiao Wu lowered his head and remained silent, while the lazy man continued, "This girl has a reputation for frivolity in Fuliang Academy. Despite her young age, she often stays out all night, spending her days in unfamiliar places. She must be naturally promiscuous. Please, sir, judge for yourself..."

"Anything else to add?"

The man shook his head: "No, please do me a favor, sir."

Xia Lin coughed and cleared his throat. "I won't ask you about the Wu family anymore. I will now make my judgment."

The room fell silent as everyone listened intently to the judgment of the highly respected Lord Xia. "This commoner, Wu, is guilty of assault and should be exiled three thousand li. However, considering her young age, she is hereby fined three hundred li."

After saying that, Xia Lin rummaged through his pockets for a while and pulled out three hundred taels of silver notes, then pulled out five hundred taels of silver notes and put them aside: "Xia Lin, for lax discipline, fined five hundred taels of silver."

Now, everyone from top to bottom was filled with questions; no one could understand why Lord Xia would suddenly impose a fine on them…

"The plaintiff, Huang Ge, is guilty of false accusation, harassment, and intent to commit violence, and is sentenced to seven years in prison. Considering the severity of his injuries, he will be spared physical punishment. He will be imprisoned after he recovers." Xia Lin raised his head: "Any questions? Ask them now."

"My lord, I'm innocent! I'm innocent!"

Xia Lin smiled and looked at Huang Ge on the ground: "What grievance do you have?"

"It was clearly that woman who seduced me... I just couldn't resist her temptation."

Xia Lin shook his head and sighed, "First of all, I want to apologize to everyone."

As he spoke, he stood up and bowed to the people, then said, "Originally, I should have recused myself from this case, because the defendant, Ms. Wu, is my disciple, and a teacher should not judge the affairs of his disciple. However, given the circumstances, there is no other way."

This immediately sparked discussion among the people, and everyone looked at the man who had been stripped of his responsibilities with disgust.

Lord Xia's disciple seducing that scarred rogue? For money? What a joke! It's obvious he just saw the girl was pretty and wanted to take advantage of her.

Xia Lin continued, "But regardless, the guard in this household went too far. It was my negligence, so my dereliction of duty is more serious than hers. Therefore, I am fined five hundred. As for why the fine is three hundred, please read out the Great Wei Law, sir."

The clerk quickly stepped forward and said loudly, "According to the laws of the Great Wei Dynasty, if someone enters a residence at night and is killed on the spot by the master of the house, no action will be taken. However, if they are detained and injured, the matter will be dealt with according to the facts. Yesterday, when Huang Ge entered the residence, there were only two people inside, a fourteen-year-old girl and a ten-year-old girl. Neither girl was able to protect herself. Later, when the house guards arrived and drove them away, they used excessive force, causing injury. This should be considered excessive punishment. However, according to the laws of the Great Wei Dynasty, the master of the house bears the responsibility for excessive punishment of servants. At the same time, if the servants are unable to bear the responsibility, the father, elder brother, or teacher will bear the responsibility."

"According to the laws of the Great Wei Dynasty, Huang Ge broke into a private residence with the intention of harming a young girl, but failed. Since the attack was unsuccessful, he should be given a lighter sentence of three to five years. However, in addition to the crime of false accusation, he will be punished for all crimes together, resulting in a seven-year prison sentence. The actions of the master's guards were excessive, but given their eagerness to protect their master, their punishment should be appropriately reduced. The responsibility of the servants and apprentices will be borne by the master and master, and the fines and confiscations should amount to three to five hundred taels of silver."

After the clerk finished reading, Xia Lin patted the silver notes on the table: "Make a note of it, the fine has been paid. Take him away, heal his injuries and come back to serve his sentence."

Huang Ge was carried out, and the people along the way gave him no pleasantries. He had even molested the women of Lord Xia's household. If it had been anyone else but Lord Xia, this man would have been chopped into mincemeat today. Seven years was far too lenient for him.

"Pooh!"

I don't know who spat first, but then the spitting continued like a storm all the way, until Huang Ge was carried out covered in white spittle, as if he were covered in spider webs...

At this moment, Xia Lin struck the gavel again: "If no one appeals, the case is closed, and the court is adjourned."

At that moment, applause rang out, and the people immediately knew that Lord Xia was still the same upright and incorruptible Lord Xia; he had finally returned after so many years away.

"No way! My uncle is too kind. I don't agree. That man should at least be beheaded and his head displayed to the public!"

Tuoba Shang was very unhappy at this moment. He was about to step forward to argue, but Li Chengqian grabbed him and said, "No."

"Why? Look how infuriating that is! They've been bullying Xiao Wu and saying so many nasty things."

"Fool." Li Chengqian tapped Tuoba Shang: "You're so restless. Why is everything so orderly here? It's because there's a law to follow. Do you know that when the headmaster wears those clothes, he represents the court and the law? His judgment is based on the law and cannot be changed!"

The common people actually shared the same sentiment as Tuoba Shang. They also felt that the sentence was too lenient, and some scholars had even begun to argue about it. However, the problem was that Xia Lin did not punish the other person more severely because of his involvement in the matter. On the contrary, this made people even more convinced of his point.

In other words, as long as Xia Lin is here, everyone has a backer and won't be like before, getting their legs broken and being thrown into the mountains to fend for themselves just because they glanced at a rich person's dog.

Li Zhi, who had been mostly silent until now, suddenly spoke up: "Father, this is actually a way of establishing your authority. Establishing authority is not just about killing people, but also about fairness. He is the scale in the hearts of the people, and only by being impartial can he gain their trust."

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Yes, he is indeed very wise. I have learned a lot."

"What kind of great wisdom is this? It's infuriating!" He put his hands on his hips and said, "No way, I'm going to go beat that guy up."

"Stop it now." Zhang Jianzhi grabbed Tuoba Shang's arm. "Let's go, let's go...we'll talk about it when we get back. Don't embarrass your uncle..."

At this moment, Xiao Wu had already helped Douyazi out. She saw Li Zhi at a glance. Although her eyes were still red, they lit up the moment she saw Li Zhi.

"What are you all standing there for? Go back and teach your little sister a lesson!" Bean Sprout said angrily, "She's almost made me miscarry!"

(End of this chapter)