diskusbooks Chapter 166 Unjust Case
Chapter 166 Unjust Case
Faced with this sudden hope, Luo Ming felt mixed emotions, but he resolutely chose to believe it, because he understood that he had no other way out except to give it a try.
Hunger, severe cold, and even threats to his life could not shake his determination to avenge his family.
When Butler Li Le saw Luo Ming's decision, his tense nerves finally relaxed and he quickly handed over a letter of agreement.
Luo Ming took a quick look and saw clear black words on the white paper, recording that he had fully authorized Sheng Qi Charity Organization to help him catch the murderer, punish evil and promote good, and there was nothing else.
This agreement seemed unusually simple. It did not mention any compensation or the obligations he needed to assume, which made Luo Ming suspicious.
Seeing this, Li Le quickly explained: "Mr. Luo, don't worry. This agreement is just a testimony of your trust in Shengqi Charity. It has no other use. We will not ask for anything in return from you."
After hearing this, Luo Ming frowned slightly, revealing a hint of confusion as if he understood but not quite.
Butler Li Le secretly glanced at Sheng Junwei, and seeing that she had no further instructions, he urged Luo Ming to go home first, promising to inform him immediately if there was any progress.
Although Luo Ming had his doubts in his heart, he still nodded in agreement reluctantly.
After he left, Li Le could not help but ask whether he should give Luo Ming some money for emergencies, but Sheng Junwei shook her head calmly. She firmly believed that Luo Ming had extraordinary abilities, and once the case was solved, he would have a new life.
It was the sixth day of October, the autumn breeze was refreshing, and after a few days of tranquility, Sheng Junwei finally stepped into the gate of the Ministry of Justice.
Last time, she single-handedly brought to justice a serial killer who had been at large for ten years. As a result, the Ministry of Justice and its staff began to take a new look at this lady who had come out of nowhere. The atmosphere in officialdom also became less snobbish and cunning because of her arrival.
Lower-level officials did not dare to be negligent in the slightest, and high-ranking officials such as the Shangshu and Shilang knew that the emperor particularly valued this female doctor from the prime minister's mansion. No matter what they thought in private, they always gave her enough respect and courtesy on the surface.
Her seat, like a carefully carved stage, quietly waits for its protagonist in the morning light.
The desktop is spotless, as if it were a blank canvas reserved for the upcoming battle of wits.
Opposite him, the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Justice had already taken his seat. On his desk, the Shenglu stood as steady as a rock atop a pile of thick criminal law suggestions sent from the Dali Temple and various places. Each document carried a heavy responsibility and expectation.
In front of Sheng Junwei, the case files that she had accumulated over the years with all her efforts were spread out. Each volume recorded unsolved mysteries and the warmth and coldness of the world.
Sheng Junwei sighed in her heart. Compared with her original duties, this job was like asking a craftsman who was good at weaving brocade to wield a sword or spear. It was incompatible with her original duties.
Although the Ministry of Justice is an important institution for the enforcement of national laws, hearing cases has always been the responsibility of the Dali Temple.
It was only because the position of the head of the Dali Temple was temporarily vacant that she temporarily filled the gap.
She thought to herself with self-mockery, is this what people often say, "I am in Cao's camp, but my heart is with Han"?
Just as her thoughts were in turmoil, the official opposite her walked in. He was about thirty years old, and the moment his eyes met Sheng Junwei, a hint of surprise and embarrassment flashed across his face.
According to common sense, one should always show some welcome to newly appointed colleagues, but Sheng Junwei's identity makes this etiquette subtle: she is a woman and has a family.
It seemed inappropriate to hold a banquet to entertain a group of rough men; if he didn't hold it, he was worried that he would neglect her, a newcomer.
How to find a balance between these delicate boundaries became a heavy burden on Yuanwailang's mind.
In the end, Yuanwailang chose the safest way and extended a polite greeting to Sheng Junwei.
The latter responded with an elegant nod, and immediately immersed herself in the ocean of files again, as if all the noise from the outside world had nothing to do with her.
While she was concentrating on her research, the outside world had already been in an uproar about Sheng Qiushan's suspected corruption, like the dark clouds before a summer thunderstorm, depressing and heavy.
Under pressure from public opinion, the imperial court sent someone to investigate.
In the past few days, the Sheng family has been walking on thin ice, and the spittle of public opinion has almost drowned their heads. They dare not even step out of the door easily, let alone take care of Sheng Junwei.
After several days of intense investigation, the truth gradually surfaced - it turned out that a manager of the Sheng Mansion many years ago had secretly abused his power for personal gain, and this person had passed away due to illness two years ago.
Using the title of Minister Sheng, he amassed a fortune, and his illegal gains over the past decade amounted to as much as one million taels of silver! The emperor was furious, but he could do nothing about the deceased, so he could only confiscate his illegal gains.
The Sheng family was thus cleared of charges, and the emperor also unexpectedly gained one million taels of silver. It seemed that everyone was happy.
Sadly, all the punishment ultimately fell on the steward who had long since turned to dust.
When Sheng Junwei's fingers turned over the files of Linzhang County, the faint voices of the officers outside the door drifted into her ears.
The corners of her mouth twitched slightly, but she made no sound.
Although Sheng Qiushan has been demoted, there is still a Concubine Sheng in the palace. Not only did she give birth to a prince, she is now pregnant. How easy will it be to shake her position in the short term?
But good and evil will eventually be rewarded, and even if she stands idly by, retribution will come to her.
Putting these troubles aside for the time being, she focused her attention on the unsolved case in Linzhang County.
The Dasheng Empire is vast, and although there are many unsolved cases in various places, not every place is a place where crime occurs frequently.
Linzhang, close to Shengjing, has files that are neat and orderly, almost impeccable. Both unsolved mysteries and closed cases are handled in an orderly manner.
Sheng Junwei requested all the records of Linzhang for the past six years and reviewed them carefully page by page.
Soon, she gently closed the book in her hand, her eyes filled with regret and anger.
Every unjust case seemed to drip blood, and the bright red color stung her eyes, making her unable to bear to look at it anymore.
What a terrible corrupt official! During his six-year term, the Linzhang County Magistrate reported 128 cases, including 50 thefts, more than 30 injury disputes, the rest were other types, and eight terrifying homicides.
Among these eight murders, six were false and wrongful convictions!
The birth dates of these six "murderers" all reveal that they died unjustly. They were not destined to die, but died innocently.
As for Luo Ming’s injustice, it is not included in this list! Luo Ming’s tragic experience can still be hidden, not to mention how much injustice those innocent people who are not well-known have suffered.
Although not every case involves life and death, living under injustice is sometimes more tormenting than death.
Sheng Junwei recorded these unjust cases one by one, put aside the Linzhang file, then took out a stack of unsolved case materials and pulled out the one at the bottom.
Back in the 28th year of Qingyuan, an extremely strange incident occurred in Caonan Village, Wantang County.
Incredibly, rumors of water ghosts suddenly began to spread under the old suspension bridge at the entrance of the village.