Chapter 10, which hand struck you

Hahaha, ridiculous, truly ridiculous

At last, Heifu stood in front of Chang Zhen of Huyang Pavilion. The two were of similar height, their eyes locked in a mutual gaze, each regarding the other as an enemy. Today, it would be either your death or mine

The pavilion chief, the thief seeker, and the pavilion soldiers categorically denied, stating that there was none

Perhaps it is because Zheng holds a title and an official position that he is the one to recount the course of events

Firstly, did Hu Yang and Ting Chang Zhen ever entice the two black servants to share the credit and deceive for rewards?

Huyang Pavilion Chief Mingzhen, in his twenties, resides in the county town. It is said that he is a relative of the county's left guard, having inherited his father's title, and holds the rank of "Zanniao" (3rd level). He passed the official examination of the Qin state relying on his martial skills and was appointed as the Chief of Huyang Pavilion, achieving success at a young age and has always been somewhat arrogant.

At Huyang Pavilion, many people spoke with certainty, claiming to have witnessed the black man assaulting someone. It is likely that he, relying on his superior martial skills, showed disdain for the authorities.

At this moment, Xi indicated that Heifu could make a statement, so Heifu recounted how the chief of Huyang Pavilion coveted the rewards for those three bandits, first attempting to persuade them to share the merits, but ultimately planning to forcibly seize them instead...

This is their last opportunity for self-defense; otherwise, they will have to entrust their fate to the judgment of Xi.

But Ji Ying had no other choice, mumbling about his injustice, his head hanging lower and lower

Heihfu sneered, "Town head, you surely remember the beating you received, don't you?"

When grappling with me barehanded, he also exerted more strength with his left hand. Whenever he struck me, he would first use his left hand, causing pain upon impact. The town officials and merchants, unaware of this, absurdly accused him of using his right hand to inflict harm. Is this not laughable?

I have never been involved with them, so how could I conspire to deceive?

Bao, feeling a bit uncertain, took half a step back, his small eyes darting left and right, unable to make up his mind. In the end, he could only rely on his own common sense and confidently stated: "It should be the right hand! That's right, it's the right hand!"

He is lying

Secondly, did Hei Fu really take action against the head of Huayang Pavilion?

In this situation, does the long-term resident of Huyang Pavilion still dare to speak recklessly, is it due to a sense of luck, or is it that he was already prepared

Heihe laughed without speaking, then turned back and asked the crowd at Huyang Pavilion: "You all claim to have seen me punch someone, which hand did I use?"

How many punches were thrown

If both crimes are punished concurrently, he and the black husband will not only fail to receive any reward, but will also face severe penalties. Perhaps tomorrow, they will be branded on their faces, reduced to official slaves, dispatched to the frontier as soldiers, and may even implicate their families

Thus, the merchant Bao, as a witness, became the crucial point. He looked at him with a consulting gaze, but after a long hesitation, Bao cautiously replied: "I am not aware of this matter..."

After writing down the key testimony, Xi turned his gaze towards the two men in black: "Do you have anything else to say?"

As for the three thieves, it was said that at that time their line of sight was obstructed by the pavilion guard, and they did not see clearly

On the other side, Chang Zhen of Huyang Pavilion seemed to see that the scales of victory were slowly tilting in their favor, and he immediately felt a sense of triumph.

Ji Ying realized that the situation had become quite dire. The two questions raised by the prison clerk, if confirmed by the final testimony, would be detrimental to their side. If both were substantiated, he and Hei Fu would face severe penalties

Heihe knew why Huyang Pavilion Chang and others wanted to slander him. According to the Qin law, if a soldier fights with someone, it constitutes the crime of "private fighting." Since the other party is an official, the punishment is even more severe, treated as "injuring a person like a thief." One should have their head shaved and be sentenced to a year of hard labor, such as repairing royal tombs or building city walls.

A punch.

It was merely a small person who, in a moment of urgency, shouted grievances at the official by the roadside and accidentally knocked over the thief and the constable, nothing more. As for the claim made by the constable that I resisted with force and even struck him, that is entirely untrue; I do not understand why he would say such a thing... This is the situation, and there is no need for further explanation.

The thieves and the guards exchanged glances, and in the end, they all chose to agree with the merchant Bao's statement: "It is the right hand"

As soon as these words were spoken, the merchants Bao and the head of Huyang Pavilion, along with others, were instantly left dumbfounded, while inside the hall, the sound of clerks rapidly recording the testimonies echoed.

When asked again, the three thieves stated that they were bound nearby, at a considerable distance, and could not hear clearly

Because I am left-handed

In the hall, the presiding judge, Xi, listened to the statements of the two individuals while noting down two contradictory points in their accounts on the bamboo slips, and raised questions.

Zhen seemed quite familiar with the interrogation procedures. She first bowed respectfully to the presiding judge and then slowly said

Not good! This guy has indeed recanted his testimony!

Moreover, just as Pan confirmed, even if I am not injured, when I engage in a fight, I always throw the first punch with my left hand, as for the reason...

Moreover, aside from the crime of "assaulting officials," if the two of them accuse the head of Huyang Pavilion of unjustly seizing credit and rewards without sufficient grounds, they will also face the charge of "false accusation." According to the laws of Qin, the accuser will be subjected to a punishment corresponding to the crime they falsely accused, which is known as "punishment for false accusation."

A mere little soldier dares to report to the authorities? Ridiculous

He has already been contemplating how to celebrate once this case is won, perhaps he could go to the city and enjoy himself with the women there, mocking the foolishness and overconfidence of the black husband while nestled among the women by his side

Huyang Tingchang felt that there might be a trick in this matter, but at this point, if he were to provide a different answer, it would surely arouse the suspicion of the jailer, which would be unfavorable. He impatiently pointed to the right hand of Heifu and said: "It was the right hand that hit me, striking my abdomen..."

Heihe raised his hands; his family had been engaged in farming for generations. These were hands that had labored for many years, with calluses on the palms, and strong, muscular arms. It seemed that with a gentle forward motion, he could easily crush the merchant Bao, who resembled a deer-headed rat...

I did not dare to be negligent and immediately summoned the thieves and the guards to proceed swiftly. Upon arrival at the location, I saw that three thieves had already been bound, but the two who had captured them were whispering to each other, seemingly discussing something.

"Indeed, it is so, Doctor." After carefully examining, Nuzi reported back.

With a look of surprise, Xi listened with interest to Heifu's account, while the head of Huyang Pavilion and the merchants had long turned ashen.

Qiu Gui is one of the many deities in local superstition. It is said that if it visits a household, that household will fall into poverty and despair. For a merchant to utter such a malicious vow is indeed quite daring

The merchant Bao was quite bold, adopting the demeanor of someone arguing in the marketplace, and thumping his chest he declared: "It is true that you two saved me from the hands of the bandits, but in this court, in front of the jailer, if I dare utter even half a word that is untrue, may the ghost of Qiu visit my home!"

Huyang Pavilion's Chang began to smile as the situation turned around

Huyang Pavilion's Chang rolled his eyes: "Perhaps you have some unspeakable matters, or perhaps you are relying on your superior martial skills, disregarding the authority of the officials"

Let the officials be informed

I was filled with suspicion and approached to question them. According to custom, I examined the two individuals and simultaneously inquired how they managed to capture the thief with only two against four. Unexpectedly, a soldier named Heifu was evasive and, after a disagreement, he actually resorted to violence against me. Later, when I saw the superior officials' carriage, he knocked down the thief catcher and the station guard, then ran into the road to falsely accuse me of stealing credit and rewards... This is how the matter stands, without further explanation.

Heifu and Ji Ying certainly said so

Heikufu stepped in front of the merchant Bao and said: "You claim you saw me throw a punch at the head of Huyang Pavilion with your own eyes?"

Xie was slightly surprised that Hei Fu could remain so calm in a desperate situation, and nodded, saying: "But feel free to ask."

Thus, Huyangting Chang and others firmly asserted that Heifu had taken action, which was indeed a malicious intent

Heihe has almost grasped the operational patterns of the Qin court, emphasizing procedural justice, with judges possessing strong meticulousness and logic, and the combination of witness testimony and physical evidence, which is indeed very similar to later court trials

He slowly walked to the center of the hall, and at this moment, he had undoubtedly become the protagonist of this interrogation.

"Criminal, why do you laugh?" The joy ceased as the jailer prepared to punish Pan

However, Xi did not favor any party's statements, but instead turned the page and asked the next question

It seems that the news coming from outside is not wrong; those who operate in the shadows still have some usefulness. This merchant, Bao, has always been timid, and with just a little intimidation, he has already sided with them

Heihe also rolled up the sleeve of his right arm and extended it in front of the angry official, only to reveal a scabbed-over wound on his right elbow: "Your Excellency, please see clearly. I was injured in my right arm while capturing a thief, and to this day, it remains difficult for me to move it. How could I possibly harm anyone?"

Ji Ying was so angry that he wanted to jump over and hit the merchant, but Hei Fu held him back and said to Xi: "Yuyuan, this merchant is from Huyang Pavilion and is well acquainted with the pavilion chief and others. On that day, he acted as a mediator for them, trying to make us share the credit with Huyang Pavilion. His testimony is not trustworthy"

Heifu and Ji Ying certainly denied it vehemently, stating that they were aware this was prohibited by law and that they did not have the courage to engage in violence against the officials

We are in danger, in danger!

Upon hearing these words, Hei Fu felt a heavy weight in his heart, while Ji Ying was even more enraged, shouting: "You unscrupulous merchant, we clearly saved your life, yet you repay kindness with enmity, colluding with these people to deceive us!"

Pan raised his head and said: "I laugh at this pavilion chief and the merchants for their foolishness. I remember it clearly that the black servant drew his sword with his left hand, and thereafter held the blade in his left hand, which caught us off guard and led to our being outwitted."

He smiled at them, revealing a set of large white teeth, then raised his left hand high above his head, like an athlete announcing victory after a competition

Bao Nuli straightened his body: "I see."

On that day, I was in the Huyang Pavilion, practicing weaponry with two or three companions in the pavilion, when I suddenly received a call for help from a local merchant, Bao, who said that a group of bandits was attacking him nine li south of the pavilion

He Fei felt a sense of unease in his heart, and upon looking at the merchant Bao, who was sweating profusely in the deep autumn heat, he vaguely guessed the reason...

Ji Ying was anxious, but he at least remembered why he had been beaten just now. He endured until Hu Yangting finished speaking before hurriedly rebutting him

At this moment, Heifu stepped forward and respectfully asked, "My lord, may I pose a question to the merchants, including Bao?"

At this point, the merchant Bao has finished his statement

While Bao was making his statement, Heifu remained silent with his lips pressed together, and Ji Ying, listening to all of this, became as anxious as an ant on a hot pan

Then I ask you, can you see clearly which hand I used to hit him

I witnessed the black man punch the town chief

Whether you believe it or not is up to you! It depends on the keen observation of the prison officer

The statements of both parties were contradictory, thus the merchant Bao became a key witness

At this point, Bao no longer cared about any pangs of conscience and began to desperately slander Heifu, vividly describing how Heifu had a quarrel with the town chief, how he became furious out of shame, and how he relied on his superior martial skills to throw punches...

As he spoke, he lifted his shirt, revealing a faint bruise on his abdomen—this was inflicted by a subordinate of the pavilion chief, Hu Yang, who had struck him with considerable force

As everyone focused their gaze, it turned out to be the bearded thief "Pan" who was shackled, laughing so hard that his whole body trembled

Before he finished speaking, a sudden burst of hearty laughter erupted from the corner of the hall

In order to avoid the testimony being too inaccurate, he only dared to fabricate that the black man had punched the stationmaster, which was then stopped by the crowd

Indeed, how could I possibly use my right hand

"Huyang Pavilion Chief, I do not know you from before, and we have no grievances or enmities, so why would I falsely accuse you? With my own strength, how could I dare to strike a pavilion chief in front of the crowd at Huyang Pavilion?" The black servant could not hold back and began to question him.