Tang Dynasty Prison Administration

064: The Lianhua Case in Qingzhou

Before long, a general brought the five men back to the county office, where Xu Ge separated and detained them.

Xu Ge returned and asked, "Master, which one should we interrogate first?"

Su Wen said, "No rush. Go to the kitchen and have them cook some dishes. Let's eat first, and interrogate them while we eat!"

Xu Ge responded and turned to go to the back hall. The general, however, looked bewildered and said, "Minister Su, now that I've brought the person here, why not interrogate him instead of eating first?"

Su Wen looked at the general with a smile and said, "May I ask who you are, General? Have you eaten yet? If not, come and have something with me!"

The general saluted and said, "This humble general is the squad leader, Du Yu!"

Du Yu had no idea what Su Wen was up to, but since Su Wen had invited him, he couldn't refuse. Of course, the most important thing was that these were soldiers he had captured. If they were taken to the county government without any charges, and word got out, how would he manage his soldiers in the future?

He had no choice but to agree to Su Wen's request. He couldn't just stay here and wait, so he had no choice but to comply.

Before long, the food was served, and Su Wen, Du Yu, and Xu Ge sat down in the main hall to eat. After a few bites, Su Wen asked, "Captain Du, are these men from the same squad?"

Du Yu responded, "Yes!"

Su Wen suddenly realized and said, "Alright, disciple, bring the squad leader here first, put a hood on him, and let the others see him!"

Xu Ge responded and turned to leave. A short while later, Xu Ge returned to the main hall with several constables. Without hesitation, Su Wen pointed to the constables and said, "You've all worked hard. It's almost dark; you haven't eaten yet, have you? Come and have something to eat, something to tide you over!"

After bowing, the constables came to the table and began to eat, which made the sergeant standing to the side very impatient. He watched others drink and eat meat while he stood aside waiting.

This left Du Yu somewhat bewildered. Su Wen wasn't even conducting a proper interrogation; he was just wasting time. After a few bites, Du Yu had completely lost his appetite and could only sit at the table and drink alone.

He didn't dare to say anything, after all, Su Wen's official position was there, how could he dare to have any objections!

Even if he had objections, he could only submit them to the imperial court; he had no way to resist, at least not here!

Su Wen poured himself a glass of wine and said, "When we solve cases in the future, I hope all of you brothers will do your best. This meal is just an appetizer. After we solve this case, I'll host a grand banquet at the best restaurant in Qingzhou and treat you all to a good meal!"

Upon hearing this, all the constables raised their wine cups and responded with smiles.

After a few rounds of drinks, Su Wen said softly, "Alright, Xu Ge, take him back. Bring the other person here so the others can see him. Put a hood over his head so he can't say anything inappropriate!"

Xu Ge responded.

After a while, Xu Ge escorted the sergeant back to the prison, and then brought another person to the main hall. He still ignored him and continued eating and drinking.

Seeing this, Du Yu couldn't help but whisper, "Lord Su, according to the laws of the Tang Dynasty, drinking alcohol is prohibited during work hours. What are we doing?"

Su Wen simply patted Du Yu's shoulder lightly and said softly, "It's like an interrogation!"

Du Yu looked helpless: "What kind of trial is this?"

Du Yu was cursing under his breath, but he didn't dare to say it out loud. The arrival of the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review had caused a huge uproar in the city, almost turning Qingzhou into a dead city. Now, another acting governor of Qingzhou who only knew how to eat and drink had arrived.

Could it be that there are truly no capable people in the Tang Dynasty court?

Su Wen noticed Du Yu's dissatisfaction and frustration, so he smiled and patted him on the shoulder again, saying, "Don't worry, Captain Du, you'll see in a bit!"

Du Yu remained silent.

After a moment, Su Wen said, "Take him back to the cell. Again, cover his face so he can't see you, and don't let others see him go back!"

After seeing Xu Ge leave with his men, Su Wen said softly, "Brothers, are you done eating?"

The constables announced in unison, "We're done eating!"

Su Wen said, "Alright, then we'll begin the trial. Give me some serious effort later!"

The constables shouted in unison, "Yes!"

After a while, Su Wen sat down at the desk, and Xu Ge brought another person over.

The moment he was brought over, Su Wen slammed his fist on the table and shouted, "You audacious thief, confess the truth right now!"

The man glanced at the seven or eight bailiffs standing there, then at Su Wen in the hall and Xu Ge standing beside him, and snorted coldly, his face full of disdain: "Sir, I don't know what crime I've committed, or where to confess?"

Su Wen frowned and angrily rebuked, "Insolence! This is a courtroom. Why would we arrest you if you're innocent? That man has already confessed and identified the squad leader as the ringleader, with you as his assistant, and that he raped and murdered four women. Is that true?"

Upon hearing this, the man's expression changed slightly, but he still gritted his teeth and said, "Shangguan, we have never done such a thing. There's no need to deceive me!"

Su Wen slammed his gavel and roared, "The evidence is conclusive, and the witnesses are all here. How can you refuse to confess? I bet you won't confess without torture! Guards, beat him!"

Upon hearing this, the man struggled violently and shouted, "Nonsense! We never did that! Are you trying to force a confession from us, sir?"

Upon hearing this, Su Wen smiled slightly and said, "Alright, what's your name?"

Upon hearing this, the man replied, "My name is Sun Si!"

"Good, Sun Si, you've passed the test!" Su Wen's tone suddenly changed as he looked at Xu Ge and said, "Take him back!"

After saying that, Xu Ge turned and took Sun Si away. After Xu Ge brought back another person, Su Wen looked at Xu Ge and said, "Xu Ge, Sun Si behaved very well just now. Go and release him. Also, give him a reward of three hundred coins!"

Xu Ge responded and turned to leave.

Du Yu was completely dazed at this moment, standing to the side.

After Xu Ge left, Su Wen slammed his gavel and asked, "Who are you?"

Sensing something was amiss, the man said, "My name is Chen Gou!"

Upon hearing this, Su Wen immediately beckoned and said, "Chen Gou, Sun Si just said that you five, under the guise of patrolling Qingzhou City, raped and murdered four women. Is that true? Sun Si didn't say who the mastermind was. What about you? Are you willing to tell us who the mastermind is?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Gou looked around, and surprisingly withstood the pressure, deliberately raising his voice to say, "Shangguan, we're innocent! We didn't rape or murder the woman! This is a frame-up!"

Upon hearing this, Su Wen smiled slightly, picked up a piece of paper covered in writing from the table, and showed it to Chen Gou, saying, "The confession is right here. You still dare to argue? I think you won't confess without torture. Men, beat him until he confesses!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Gou swallowed hard, his legs went weak, and he knelt on the ground.

Seeing Chen Gou's change in expression, Su Wen immediately waved his hand and said, "Chen Gou, Sun Si didn't reveal who the mastermind was just now. Although I promised to release him, we'll still have to execute him after the case is solved!"

At this point, Su Wen paused, looked at Chen Gou, and said, "If you tell the whole story in detail and identify the mastermind, then I can promise you leniency. You should know that the rape and murder of four people is punishable by dismemberment, beheading, or hanging. But I can promise to spare you the death penalty and sentence you to three years of imprisonment and three years of exile!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Gou looked at Su Wen. After hesitating for a moment, he finally asked, "Who is Shangguan?"

Su Wendao said, "I am the acting governor of Qingzhou, and the vice minister of the Ministry of Justice's Criminal Justice Department, equivalent to the vice minister of the Court of Judicial Review. I have the power to supervise all cases within the territory of the Tang Dynasty, and can try and judge cases independently without reporting to the Court of Judicial Review. Do you understand?"

Upon hearing Su Wen's words, Chen Gou took a deep breath, lowered his head, and said, "I hope you will keep your word. I confess, I confess everything!"

Upon hearing this, Su Wen smiled slightly and glanced at Du Yu. Du Yu, who had been feeling dissatisfied and frustrated, suddenly realized what was happening!