Fetching Yang Dama, Beating the Petition Drum, Crying Injustice.
Jinbao: "Which two characters?"
Yan Tongshu enunciated clearly: "Serves you right."
After a while, Zhenzhu returned from gathering information.
Zhenzhu leaned on her knees, panting heavily: "Young master, I’ve found out. That Zhao Lao Er had been drinking before the incident and was boasting to others, saying his father would soon get Yang Dama’s gravy recipe, and then he could immediately repay the money. Yes, besides Zhao Gengtian, Zhao Lao Er is also sick. Zhao Lao Er values his life more than Zhao Gengtian and went to a doctor in the city to get medicine."
Yan Tongshu: "The prescription?"
Zhenzhu: "Here."
Zhenzhu handed over the prescription. Yan Tongshu looked at it and asked, "Is this the most recent one?"
Zhenzhu: "The last one is the most recent; the earlier ones are from before."
Hearing this, Yan Tongshu smiled: "That’s it. Everything fits."
Yan Tongshu stood up: "Zhenzhu, Jinbao, pack up. We’re going to fetch Yang Dama, beat the Petition Drum, and cry injustice."
Zhenzhu and Jinbao: "Yes!"
The three of them took a carriage to the medical clinic, picked up Yang Dama, and immediately rushed without stopping to Kaifeng Prefecture.
After getting off the carriage, Jinbao went to park it, while Yan Tongshu and Zhenzhu helped Yang Dama to beat the Petition Drum.
The yamen runner guarding the prefectural gate saw Yang Dama and immediately tried to shoo her away with his water-fire staff: "Ah, I’ve told you, auntie, your son’s case is witnessed by many, with ironclad evidence. Unless you have solid proof, even if you make a scene here until you die, it’s useless."
Yang Dama was still unwell and couldn’t stand steadily. Yan Tongshu quickly supported her and said, "Brother, we have evidence."
"Evidence?"
The yamen runner stopped his shooing motion, looking at the three of them suspiciously: "You really have evidence?"
Yan Tongshu nodded.
The yamen runner sized up Yan Tongshu—his hair tied up neatly, dressed in fine clothes, with sharp eyes—unlike an ordinary commoner.
He stepped aside: "Since you have evidence, go ahead and beat the drum."
The person involved must beat the Petition Drum. Yan Tongshu and Zhenzhu helped Yang Dama forward. Yang Dama picked up the nearby drumstick—
Thump!
Thump! Thump! Thump!
One mournful beat after another, like a sudden downpour or a fierce cry bursting from the chest.
The drumbeats struck hard in everyone’s hearts, piercing through the heavy gates of Kaifeng Prefecture, shaking dust from the eaves to fall in flurries.
Finally, the gates of Kaifeng Prefecture opened.
Two rows of black-clad yamen runners stood neatly on either side of the gate. They raised their water-fire staffs and struck them forcefully on the ground, producing dull thuds, and shouted in unison: "Awe—Inspiring—"
Majestic and imposing, a solemn atmosphere prevailed.
The squad leader stepped forward, his gaze sharp, his voice deep: "Who beats the drum to cry injustice?"
How had Yang Dama ever witnessed such courtroom authority?
Her legs immediately gave way, and she knelt down: "This humble woman, Yang Tao Hua, cries injustice for my son Zhao Sheng."
The squad leader asked: "Do you have new evidence?"
Yang Dama: "Yes."
The squad leader nodded but didn’t ask what the evidence was. Trying cases was the business of the officials; he was only responsible for asking.
The squad leader said: "Follow me inside."
Yan Tongshu and Zhenzhu helped Yang Dama up and walked into the courtroom.
Kaifeng Prefecture had one Prefectural Governor, one Acting Administrator of Kaifeng Prefecture, two Sub-prefectural Judges, three Record Officers, and some other administrative personnel, totaling several hundred people from top to bottom.
The Prefectural Governor was typically held by the crown prince. In the absence of a crown prince, the Acting Administrator of Kaifeng Prefecture served as the highest authority, wielding the substantive power of a second-rank Prefectural Governor despite holding a third-rank official position. Among the common people, the Acting Administrator of Kaifeng Prefecture was generally referred to as the Acting Prefect of Kaifeng Prefecture or simply the Prefectural Governor of Kaifeng.
As human life was of paramount importance, murder cases typically bypassed the Record Officer and were handled directly by the Sub-prefectural Judge.
When Yan Tongshu and the two others entered the courtroom, Li Fu Lin, the Sub-prefectural Judge responsible for presiding over the case, had already changed into his official robes and was seated solemnly in the main hall.
Zhenzhu and Yang Dama knelt and bowed before Judge Li. Yan Tongshu, having earned scholarly honors, was not required to kneel and only needed to offer a respectful bow.
Yang Dama, unaccustomed to such official authority, shrank into herself, trembling uncontrollably.
Yan Tongshu stepped forward, his voice clear and resonant: "Your Honor, Yang Dama fell ill yesterday. She is unwell, and her throat is severely hoarse. I request permission to act on her behalf and present her defense."
Judge Li's gaze was as precise as a ruler, slowly sweeping over Yan Tongshu.
The man standing before the court was tall and slender, with a face as fair as polished jade. He wore a plain headpiece and a dark blue brocade robe embroidered with subtle silver patterns, his posture as upright as a pine tree.
Despite standing in the solemn and imposing courtroom, his demeanor remained composed and unflustered. His eyes were clear and bright, neither subservient nor arrogant.
In contrast, Yang Tao Hua's hands were rough, her face as pale as paper, her appearance gaunt and haggard, her clothing worn and tattered.
The two were clearly not of the same social standing.
Judge Li asked Yan Tongshu, "Who are you?"
This was Kaifeng Prefecture, and today's proceedings involved a legal case unrelated to the imperial court. Unwilling to reveal his official status, Yan Tongshu replied, "I am Yan Tongshu, a student who has studied for several years. Yang Dama, fearing her lack of literacy might hinder her ability to explain the matter clearly, requested my assistance to present her appeal."
Judge Li nodded. "Have you found new evidence?"
Yan Tongshu replied, "Indeed."
Judge Li nodded again and instructed the bailiff Xu Qiu to bring Zhao Sheng forward.
Yan Tongshu took a deep breath.
This was her first time in a courtroom since crossing over, and she was attempting to overturn a murder case that had already been decided. It was impossible not to feel nervous.
Yan Tongshu slowly exhaled a long breath and addressed Judge Li: "Your Honor, before presenting the appeal, I request permission to recount the sequence of events in the case."
This was a standard procedure in legal proceedings, and Judge Li naturally granted permission.
Yan Tongshu stated: "Six days ago, at approximately 9:45 in the morning, Zhao Gengtian suddenly emerged from his home, cursing and shouting along the way, drawing a crowd of onlookers. He then rushed into the Yang residence, closed the door, and remained alone inside with Zhao Sheng, demanding the gravy recipe for the Yang Family Soup Cake Stall. Those outside heard the two engaged in a heated argument but were unaware of the situation inside, peering in to see what was happening.
Shortly after, Zhao Sheng rushed out of the house, shouting that Zhao Gengtian had collapsed, hit his head on a cabinet, and stopped breathing. The crowd reported the incident to the authorities. The government dispatched bailiffs and a coroner to investigate, confirming that Zhao Gengtian died on the spot. They conducted an examination and recorded the scene.
After the coroner performed the autopsy, multiple bruises were found on Zhao Gengtian's body, and there was blood at the back of his head, suspected to be the fatal injury. However, Zhao Sheng claimed he did not assault Zhao Gengtian and thus pleaded innocence."
Yan Tongshu looked at Zhao Sheng. "Zhao Sheng, do you have any objections to what I have said?"
Zhao Sheng shook his head.
Yan Tongshu turned to Judge Li, cupping his hands respectfully. "Your Honor, I request permission to review the prefecture's investigation record of the crime scene."
Judge Li nodded to the clerk, who then presented the investigation record.
Since the scene had already been examined, Yan Tongshu briefly reviewed it before holding up the sketch diagram of the crime scene. "Your Honor, please take a look. After the incident at the Yang household, the authorities immediately sealed off the scene. Therefore, this sketch accurately depicts the actual conditions verified at the Yang residence that day.
The Yang household has an earthen floor. No matter how diligently such a floor is swept, footprints will inevitably remain. This sketch marks the footprints found at the scene."
All official records were made in multiple copies.
Yan Tongshu held one copy, and Sub-prefectural Judge Li also had one.
As soon as Yan Tongshu raised a point of suspicion, Judge Li would simultaneously refer to the sketch in his own hands.
Yan Tongshu pointed to the more chaotic section of the diagram and said, "These footprints are rather distinctive, bearing the unique tread patterns of official boots. They were likely left by the coroner when examining whether Zhao Gengtian was dead.
The other footprints clearly show a pattern of circling around the central table. Zhao Gengtian’s feet were one size larger than Zhao Sheng’s, while Yang Dama’s feet were the smallest. Apart from two footprints in the corner, the rest were mostly covered by the footprints of Zhao Gengtian and Zhao Sheng."
Judge Li asked, "What does this indicate?"
Yan Tongshu replied, "Zhao Sheng claimed that Zhao Gengtian beat him, and he dared not fight back, only dodging around the table. These footprints corroborate his statement. Furthermore, Your Honor, please examine these footprints closely.
If the two had indeed engaged in a physical altercation, the footprints on the ground would undoubtedly be chaotic. However, aside from Zhao Sheng’s footprints leading from Zhao Gengtian’s body to outside the house, there are no traces of the two men grappling or fighting."
Judge Li studied the sketch carefully. Indeed, although the footprints were somewhat blurred, they followed a clear pattern.
Judge Li remarked, "What you say makes sense, but it is not sufficient to overturn the conclusion."
Yan Tongshu responded, "Your Honor, there is further corroboration."
Judge Li asked, "What corroboration?"
Yan Tongshu explained, "Their clothing, Your Honor. Please look at the sketch. Although Zhao Gengtian’s clothes appear somewhat disheveled, there are no signs of tearing or grabbing. Similarly, the clothes Zhao Sheng was wearing when he was arrested show no such traces either. If the two had fought, Zhao Sheng’s clothing would bear marks of pulling or rolling on the ground."
Judge Li commented, "That seems rather far-fetched."
Yan Tongshu acknowledged, "Yes, Your Honor is right. The doubts I have raised can only serve as circumstantial evidence that the two may not have engaged in serious physical conflict. However, they do not explain the bruises on Zhao Gengtian’s body. Therefore, I boldly request that Your Honor bring Zhao Gengtian’s body to the courtroom. I ask to conduct an on-site autopsy."
Judge Li granted, "Approved."
A short while later, Xu Qiu and others carried Zhao Gengtian’s body into the hall.
Zhao Gengtian had been dead for six days. Even with the best preservation efforts, the body had begun to decompose, emitting a foul odor.
Zhenzhu instinctively covered her nose and hid behind Yang Dama.
Whimpering softly.
She was afraid.
She dared not look, dared not smell.
Whimpering again, it was so terrifying.
Yan Tongshu walked over to Zhao Gengtian’s body and lifted the white cloth. "Your Honor, please observe Zhao Gengtian’s clothing. Six days ago, summer had already begun, and the weather was turning warm. Many people had switched to lighter, cooler clothing. Yet, Zhao Gengtian’s clothes were thicker than what he typically wore before summer, covering his body completely."
Judge Li frowned, stood up, and walked down. "Do you have evidence for this?"
Yan Tongshu replied, "I have inquired with nearby villagers. Your Honor may also dispatch officers to verify this."
Sub-prefectural Judge Li dispatched two constables to investigate.
Yan Tongshu rolled up Zhao Gengtian's sleeve, revealing a bruise the size of two fingers on his arm. "Your Honor, please observe. The innermost part of this bruise is deep black, surrounded by a bluish-red hue, and it appears isolated."
Yan Tongshu then unfastened Zhao Gengtian's clothing at the chest. "Your Honor, the bruise here is the same."
Sub-prefectural Judge Li, not having a background as a coroner, did not understand the significance and asked, "What does this indicate?"
Yan Tongshu replied, "Generally speaking, bruises from ordinary bumps are usually small and isolated. In brawls, due to grabbing and pulling, once a weak point is found, blows are repeatedly aimed at the same area. Therefore, bruises resulting from fatal beatings are often widespread, covering large areas, and may merge into patches that extend over significant portions of the body, such as the entire back, buttocks, or thighs. They would not appear isolated and scattered like this."
Sub-prefectural Judge Li asked, "Are you saying Zhao Gengtian merely suffered from bumps?"
Yan Tongshu responded, "Not exactly. What I mean is, these bruises were not caused by beatings or accidental bumps."
Author's Note: