novelSusiti Chapter 31 Wu Song's Court Appearance
Chapter 31 Wu Song's Court Appearance
During this time, Li Chong has become certain that he has traveled back in time to the Northern Song Dynasty in official history.
But he also knew in his heart that even in official history, people like Song Jiang and Wu Song should still exist.
While it is true that "Water Margin" is a novel, it also originated from folk tales and has real-life prototypes.
For example, the story of Song Jiang is derived from the book "The Remnants of the Xuanhe Era of the Great Song Dynasty" written by an anonymous author in the Yuan Dynasty. It records in detail the historical events from the late Northern Song Dynasty to the early Southern Song Dynasty, including the gathering of heroes by Song Jiang.
Song Jiang and thirty-six others gathered at Liangshan Marsh, which was eventually quelled by Zhang Shuye, laying the foundation for the story of "Water Margin".
Despite understanding the situation clearly, Li Chong still subconsciously thought that he would have to wait a few more days to hear news of Song Jiang and the others.
Although Yang Jian's land reclamation decree was greedy, the Chinese people have always been quite patient, so it should be able to withstand it for a while.
However, the sudden appearance of the familiar name Wu Song still caused Li Chong to lose his composure.
"I remember, shouldn't Wu Song be in Hangzhou?" Li Chong thought to himself. "I even saw Wu Song's tomb when I went to West Lake for tourism. How come he's in Shandong now? And actually committed murder?"
With these questions in mind, Li Chong eagerly opened the case file and began to carefully examine it.
Wu Song, a native of Yanggu County, killed his sister-in-law with his own hands and then brought her head to the yamen to surrender.
Because the previous magistrate died in office and Li Chong, who was to succeed him, had not yet arrived, Wu Song was imprisoned until today when Li Chong interrogated him.
Li Chong's expression was inscrutable: "Killing his sister-in-law again? This is starting to resemble the Water Margin more and more! But I've never heard of a wealthy family with the compound surname Ximen in the county."
After tapping on the case file, Li Chong asked, "Is this Wu Song a local from Yanggu? Or did he migrate from elsewhere?"
The magistrate was puzzled by this. Why was he asking about the background of the criminal instead of asking about the cause and effect of the case or how the case was decided?
But since Li Chong had spoken, he could only answer honestly.
He immediately nodded: "That's right. He and his brother are both from Yanggu. After their parents died, his brother raised him."
"Hmm." Li Chong nodded slowly.
"If it's just a coincidence of names, then this story is too much of a coincidence. Besides, I remember there's a Wu Song in Hangzhou who's recorded in historical documents. If they're the same person, how did this Wu Song, the murderer from Yunzhou, end up in Hangzhou?"
As you scroll down, the sense of déjà vu about Li Chong becomes stronger and stronger.
Why did Wu Song kill his sister-in-law?
Because his sister-in-law cheated on his brother and then poisoned him so she could elope with her lover.
As it turned out, Wu Song happened to see him feeding the poison.
Witnessing his elder brother being poisoned to death, Wu Song was enraged and immediately killed his sister-in-law before turning himself in.
"It's so similar, it's absolutely so similar!" Li Chong exclaimed repeatedly.
Upon seeing this, Tie Si was even more puzzled: "What do you mean, 'too similar'? What exactly is the magistrate talking about?"
Li Chong eagerly looked up: "Tell me, has the case of poisoning her husband been confirmed? Is the woman innocent?"
"After Wu Song surrendered himself to the authorities, the county magistrate sent men to search his house, where they found arsenic. Arsenic was also found in the porridge that Wu Song had overturned. When Wu Song killed her, the woman confessed to poisoning him in front of all the neighbors. It can be basically confirmed that the woman poisoned her husband."
Li Chong pressed on, "Has this wicked woman's lover been found?"
Tie Si shook his head: "No, because Wu Song killed someone in a fit of rage, we have nowhere to turn. We asked a few neighbors, but they all said they didn't know, so we can't investigate any further."
"Hmm~~~"
After a moment's hesitation, Li Chong looked up and said, "Immediately interrogate Wu Song. This county magistrate wants to see what kind of man this is."
"Isn't the county magistrate going to take a break?"
"No need." Li Chong stood up and straightened his official robes. "Have someone bring him here now, and I will question him thoroughly."
"Yes."
Tiesi turned and left.
Li Chong, dressed neatly, exclaimed with amusement, "Wu Song killing his sister-in-law, how interesting!"
"A life for a life. According to the Song Dynasty Criminal Code I've been reading these past few days, murder is punishable by death. If he really is the Wu Song who's recorded in history, then there's a way to save his life. No, I'll look through it again."
......
"mighty--"
As the constables shouted, a clattering sound came from outside the hall.
Soon, a tall and imposing man appeared in Li Chong's eyes.
Although he was wearing prison clothes and his hair was disheveled, the man's eyes were still bright and his back was ramrod straight.
Dragging his shackles, Wu Song was escorted into the main hall by the jailers.
"This humble servant greets Your Excellency."
A deep, resonant voice came from behind him; he didn't sound like a typical rough man.
Looking at the tall figure still kneeling on the ground, Li Chong nodded secretly. This is what you call a hero.
"Are you Wu Song?"
"That's me."
"Hmm." Li Chong waved his hand. "Judging from your appearance, you don't seem like a vicious person. Get up and answer me."
Wu Song glanced at Li Chong in surprise: "Thank you, sir."
After thanking him, he stood up from the ground.
Li Chong glanced through the case file as if to make it clear: "Looking at the case file, your murder is undeniable. However, you are the first person in this county to kill someone and then bring the head to surrender."
"That wicked woman harmed my brother, and of course I won't forgive her! But one must take responsibility for one's actions. I killed her, so I should naturally admit it. If I implicate others, how can I be called a man?"
Staring intently at Wu Song, Li Chong asked seriously, "But the age-old principle of 'a life for a life' applies. Is it worth sacrificing your prime years for a vicious woman?"
"My brother raised me, so it's only right and proper for me to avenge him. There's nothing to be ashamed of. I only regret that I never found out who the adulterer was and was unable to kill him myself. When I die, I will have no face to see my brother."
Li Chong thought to himself with admiration: "Truly a hero."
According to modern law, no matter the reason, even if it is revenge killing, such a heinous crime should at least result in a life sentence.
Sentencing someone to death would generally not be excessive.
But everyone has their own moral compass, and most people find it hard to feel any ill will towards a man like Wu Song.
Moreover, in order not to implicate others, he turned himself in after committing the murder, which shows his compassion and loyalty.
If he escapes, the county magistrate, in order to increase the case-solving rate, might really drag someone else into the crime to take the blame. Li Chong had seen many such cases in the past case files of Yanggu County.
Wu Song was clearly aware of this, which is why he turned himself in.
"According to the laws of our Great Song Dynasty: Anyone who commits murder shall be hanged; anyone who commits murder with a blade or intentionally shall be beheaded. Regardless of the motive, intentional homicide is a serious crime."
After a pause, Li Chong carefully examined Wu Song's expression: "Therefore, although there was a reason for your murder, the fact remains that you committed the murder, and the method was cruel and bloody, frightening the surrounding neighborhood. Even if this county wanted to let you go, it would be inappropriate for me to show favoritism."
"Wu Song, you'd better be mentally prepared."