bullyxtreme Chapter 32 Death penalty may be waived, but punishment is unavoidable.
Chapter 32 Death penalty may be waived, but punishment is unavoidable.
If it were an ordinary person hearing that they were to be sentenced to death, they would probably be so frightened that they could hardly stand.
But Wu Song truly deserves to be called a hero.
Upon hearing Li Chong's words, his face paled for a moment before he regained his composure.
"Wu Song knows that killing someone should be punished with one's life, but I have no regrets. Being able to avenge my brother with my own hands is better than letting that vicious woman live on in prison for a while longer. Sir, please pronounce the sentence. I have no complaints."
Cases like this, where the murderer confesses directly in court and there is ample witness testimony and physical evidence, do not require overly complicated procedures.
Seeing that Wu Song showed no fear, Li Chong was even more delighted.
How could such a fine man be allowed to easily pay with his life for a harlot?
Moreover, seeing Wu Song's physique, Li Chong already had an idea in mind.
For those who accomplish great things, the most important thing is people.
In just a few years, the Song Dynasty will be plunged into chaos. At this time, Wu Song appears before him. If Li Chong doesn't find a way to recruit him, he will be a disgrace to his time travel.
"Snapped!"
With a slam of his hand on the court table, Li Chong solemnly pronounced his verdict: "Wu Song has indeed committed murder. According to the laws of our dynasty, anyone who kills with a blade shall be sentenced to beheading. After this county reports to the prefectural government for verification, he will be executed in the autumn."
Wu Song, sitting below the hall, slowly closed his eyes, clenched his fists, still unwilling to accept defeat.
It wasn't out of fear of death, but rather because he had only found one of the murderers who killed his brother, and how could he be content with that?
"but!"
Li Chong, having finished pronouncing the verdict, suddenly changed his tone: "Considering that Wu Song acted to avenge his brother, and that his sister-in-law's murder is true, according to the law, his sentence should be reduced by one degree. Therefore, this county now sentences him to exile three thousand li, performing one year of hard labor in the local area. After completing his service, he will be registered as a resident and will never be allowed to return to his original place of residence!"
In just a few words, Li Chong commuted Wu Song's death sentence to exile.
This was not an intentional cover-up, but a normal judgment made after reviewing the law.
It was this discovery that made Li Chong understand why Wu Song, who was clearly a Shandong man, was ultimately recorded in historical records as living in the south.
"A life for a life" is indeed a provision of the "Song Dynasty Criminal Code - Law on Theft and Robbery".
Although the Northern Song court was weak in its external affairs, it was very tough on its internal affairs, emphasizing the centralization of judicial power in the hands of the government and prohibiting private revenge in order to maintain social order.
However, despite the tough stance, there are still exceptions.
The Song Dynasty Criminal Code, citing the Tang Dynasty Code, stipulates: "If the victim was originally guilty of a capital offense and killed someone in revenge, the punishment shall be reduced by one degree."
It was precisely by citing this passage that Li Chong commuted Wu Song's death sentence to exile.
Upon hearing Li Chong's verdict, Wu Song's eyes widened in shock: "What did you say, sir?"
Li Chong's face hardened: "You ignorant fool, is this the county court where you can daydream? What? You think your exile isn't far enough? How about I change your sentence to exile to Shamen Island?"
Wu Song froze, realizing he hadn't misheard; it wasn't a death sentence but exile.
He immediately understood that Li Chong had deliberately given him a lenient sentence.
"Bang!"
Wu Song immediately knelt down like a mountain collapsing and a jade pillar crumbling: "This humble servant kowtows to thank you, Your Excellency! Thank you, Your Excellency!"
Li Chong rose from his seat, flicking his sleeves: "You scoundrel, do you think this magistrate is engaging in favoritism and corruption? This magistrate's judgment is based on reason and evidence; why should I thank you? Guards, take this man back to the jail. After the prefectural government verifies the case, he will be exiled!"
"Court adjourned!"
With a shout of "Majesty!", today's court session has come to an end.
There was still time for Li Chong to hear a few more cases, but after what happened with Wu Song, he had no interest in hearing any other cases and directly ordered that the trial be called off for the day.
Since he had no direct superior in the county and no one checked his attendance, naturally no one said anything.
After the court session ended, the jailer escorted Wu Song back to his cell, saying as they walked, "Wu Er, you've been given a second chance at life this time. The magistrate is merciful and has spared you this time, at least your family line hasn't ended."
Out of admiration for Wu Song, the people in the prison did not deliberately humiliate him, even though they did not offer him any gifts.
Therefore, Wu Song did not suffer too much during his time in prison.
"Yes, yes." Wu Song nodded absentmindedly.
Even though he was resolute, he thought he was going to die, but he didn't. Between this near-death experience and his life, even he, a man of iron, was deeply moved.
Back in the back room, Li Chong still held the case file in his hand, his expression unreadable.
Wu Song's life has been saved, but how can we recruit him for our own use?
The bandit suppression campaign is imminent. If Wu Song could be used by Li Chong, his chances of victory would naturally increase. But that's the problem.
What should we do?
"Your Excellency, regarding today's case..." The clerk approached Li Chong and cautiously bowed, reminding him, "You made such a swift judgment and spared his life. What if the higher-ups blame you later?"
Li Chong waved his hand absentmindedly: "It's alright. This county judges all cases according to the laws of our Great Song Dynasty. What can others do to me? Let's end the questioning here today. You can go home early."
Tie Si was taken aback by this: "Huh?"
Li Chong stood up and walked towards the back office: "I mean, you can all go home now. This county magistrate also needs to think this over carefully."
With that, Li Chong walked back to the back office on his own, racking his brains for a way to deal with Wu Song.
"In the government office, death row inmates are definitely more important than other criminals. Now that Wu Song isn't sentenced to death, there are bound to be some loopholes in the supervision. Could we use this opportunity to do some private favors...?"
After reviewing the case file, Li Chong was certain that Wu Song had no chance of escaping directly, so he had no choice but to resort to unorthodox methods.
"Choi Sil! Choi Sil!"
Back in the back office, Li Chong shouted, "Where are they? Where did they go?"
If you're going to take the wrong path, you naturally need to know about what happens in government offices, especially in prisons.
Li Chong, as the county magistrate, couldn't go down to inquire himself. Even if he was unwilling, he had no choice but to go and find Cui Shi. But at this critical moment, Cui Shi had disappeared again.
"He's not here when I need him, but he keeps crowding around me when I don't!" Li Chong said, somewhat annoyed.
As I stepped into the room, a woman timidly came out to greet me.
"Sir."
Li Chong paused subconsciously, looked up, and said, "Oh, it's Siqi."
They were the two maids that Zhu Zhicheng had given him.
Siqi stepped forward and helped Li Chong remove his official robes: "Does Master have any orders? This servant can help."
It was the first time Li Chong had been served so intimately by a woman, and he felt a little uncomfortable.
But soon he realized that he was not playing himself, but another Li Chong.
Even though he came from a poor family before passing the imperial examination, his life after passing it was completely different.
He should not show embarrassment when faced with the service of servants.
This chess piece was a gift from someone else, so Li Chong must always remember to disguise himself.
His expression calmed down, and Li Chong let her help him: "I just asked him to do some personal business. You can't do it. Where is your companion? Call him over. I have a few words to tell you."
Upon hearing Li Chong's question, Siqi paused in her work before continuing to tidy Li Chong's official robes.
"As for her, sir, you should go in and take a look. This servant dares not say anything."
"Hmm?" Li Chong glanced at her. "Is there something else going on here?"