Chapter 901 - 903 - Where Do You Have Physical Evidence_1
Magistrate Bai nodded, "Good, summon the witness."
Bai Ruozhu and her second brother exchanged glances, then stepped forward and said, "We can testify that the fourth-place finisher in the painting competition was Liu Dong of Jinhua Academy, not Jin Guangqi of Chang’an Academy."
Upon hearing these words, Zhang Xiuquan shot a cold light from his eyes, "You are all from Beiyu Academy, wishing to squeeze us out, so naturally, you would spread such rumors. The results of the competition are on record, clearly showing Jin Guangqi as the fourth!"
Jin Guangqi also hurriedly added, "I have certain insights into painting and indeed won the fourth place that day. Just ask the judges and referees from the day of the competition and they will know."
After hearing this, Magistrate Bai directed the officer to fetch the judges and referees of the painting competition to the County Government Office for questioning.
At this moment, a witness walked in. Bai Ruozhu turned her head to look and to her surprise, she saw several acquaintances, but what shocked her the most was the presence of Tang Feng.
Perhaps because of Tang Feng’s outstanding reputation, he seemed unapproachable. She had never expected that he would be willing to come forward as a witness. With this thought, she suddenly turned to look at her second brother and, seeing a faint smile on his face, understood that he was the one who had brought these people.
Her second brother and Tang Feng seemed to be each other’s well-matched rivals and friends.
Additionally, Lin Xufei was also there. His presence indicated the stance of the Huainan King. He did not meddle in affairs, but Lin Xufei’s testimony could only represent the intentions of the Huainan King’s Residence, whether it was the king’s own will or his, it had already revealed their stance.
Moreover, there were two aristocratic youths who had not watched the competition, a student from Jinhua Academy, a student from Tianfu Academy, and a young servant from the organizing committee, all testifying that the actual fourth-place finisher was Liu Dong, not Jin Guangqi.
"Magistrate, I was the fifth-place finisher in the painting competition that day. I would not forget the people who ranked before me, would I?" The student from Tianfu Academy, named Liu Mo, spoke up despite the sinister glares from Liu Xiuquan and Elder Deng.
Tang Feng also made a respectful gesture to the esteemed members in the court and said elegantly, "I, too, have a good memory like Bai Ruozhu, and I clearly remember that the fourth-place finisher in the painting competition that day was not him." After he spoke, he nodded slightly to Bai Ruozhu, an expression of admiration in his eyes.
Bai Ruozhu genuinely admired the talented Tang Feng and was about to return the nod when someone beside her moved slightly forward, blocking her.
Bai Ruozhu found herself staring at the back of Jiang Yichun’s head and couldn’t help but snicker internally, imagining what Jiang Yichun’s expression and demeanor might be like facing Tang Feng.
After all the witnesses had spoken, Magistrate Bai turned to Jin Guangqi and said, "With so many witnesses testifying, what else do you have to say?"
By this time, Jin Guangqi was already scared, his words stumbling, "They, they must have been bribed by Beiyu Academy to give false testimony."
Bai Ruozhu snorted coldly, "One witness might be dismissed, but with so many coming forward to testify, do you really think your deceptions could silence public opinion?"
"You all say Liu Dong is the fourth. Why not ask him himself?" Jin Guangqi cried out anxiously.
Liu Dong was even more cowardly than Jin Guangqi. Someone had previously approached him with threats and bribes, which led him to agree to go along with the farce. Now, he could only muster, "I did not finish fourth; it must be everyone else’s memory that is mistaken."
Magistrate Bai slammed the Courtroom Wooden block sharply and said sternly, "Could so many people have misremembered?"
Jiang Yichun spoke up, "It’s not just the affair between Jin Guangqi and Liu Dong. The archives of the competition have gone missing. The records for each match have disappeared. Therefore, I also suspect that Chang’an Academy tampered with the results from sixth to tenth place. Though each position only changes by one point, when added up, the overall ranking could have been altered."
Deng Lin slammed his hand on the table and exclaimed, "What are you implying? Are you accusing the organizing committee of cheating?"
Deng Lin arrived at the Public Hall and, just like Mr. Qiu, took a seat on the side to observe. Initially, Bai Ruozhu intended for Jiang Yichun to sit aside, but he insisted on staying by Ruozhu’s side. However, Deng Lin arrived late and assumed Jiang Yichun was merely a witness.
"You know very well whether there was any cheating. Once all the evidence is gathered, I will see what you can possibly say!" Jiang Yichun glared over, and although Deng Lin wanted to argue, he felt a chill run through his body, as though he was about to be beheaded in terror. He grew even more concerned, fearing that today’s proceedings might not end well.
Mr. Qiu looked at Tang Feng and the others and sighed softly, "Gentlemen, please, calm yourselves and let Bai Ruozhu preside over the case."
Just then, an officer from the outside came to report that the judges and referees from the day of the competition had all been found, along with the young men who had assisted on the scene.
Deng Lin breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing them. With their testimony, he naturally could turn the tables. These individuals were compromised by him and would not dare to speak out of turn, he thought.
Very quickly, however, Deng Lin’s face turned deathly pale.
"Bai Ruozhu, I am here to confess the truth," the referee in charge of the arena began, "I clearly remember that Liu Dong was the fourth place winner on the day of the competition. When the list was announced yesterday, I did not pay much attention but was later scolded by Old Deng."
Deng Lin’s beard trembled with rage. "Sha Ziping, what benefits did they give you that you would disregard your reputation to fabricate testimony for them?"
Sha Ziping hurriedly replied, "I haven’t fabricated any testimony. I just wanted to tell the truth and no longer wanted to be threatened by you."
Bai Ruozhu struck the Courtroom Wooden Block sharply and said sternly, "There shall be no clamor in the hall. Except for the witnesses questioned by this official, everyone else must refrain from speaking out of turn."
"You..." Deng Lin, with rage pointing at the county magistrate, could not well say anything more.
"You mentioned Deng Lin spoke to you and trained you. What exactly did he say?" Bai Ruozhu inquired.
Sha Ziping responded, "Old Deng reminded me that I had borrowed silver from him to treat my mother’s illness. He also said that if I didn’t see things clearly, not only would there be no money for my mother’s treatment, but I could also forget about making a living in Xuanlang City any longer."
Ruozhu quietly tugged at Jiang Yichun’s sleeve. Was it because he had promised to treat Sha’s mother that Sha came forward to testify? Jiang Yichun nodded slightly, confirming her guess.
"Ever since I was young, my mother taught me to be honest. If my mother knew I had given false testimony to treat her illness, she would never forgive me," Sha Ziping added.
"I also don’t dare to give false testimony. Liu Dong was indeed the fourth-place contestant that day. I remember clearly. I’m just a nobody who does odd jobs, but I know that giving false testimony will lead to prison time, and I dare not," the arena’s attendant also said anxiously.
Deng Lin’s face turned terribly difficult to look at upon hearing this.
However, listening to this, Zhang Xiuquan commented, "In judging a case, you need both witness testimony and physical evidence to reach a conclusion. If they say Deng Lin threatened them to give false testimony, is it not possible that Wen Xize has bribed them?"
The Dean glared at Zhang Xiuquan, "You really are a thief crying ’stop thief’."
"If I find the physical evidence, what will you do then?" Jiang Yichun spoke with a cold voice. "The archive book contains all the records from the competition. What if the archive book is found?"
Deng Lin’s gaze flickered, but he quickly regained his composure. Hmm, the ledger had already been burned by him; he’d like to see where they would find any evidence!