flstandardbreds Chapter 104 Arrest
Chapter 104 Arrest
Han Chengjia sneered and tightened his grip on Liu Danian. Liu Danian's struggles became increasingly powerless, the last glimmer of light in his eyes gradually faded, he lowered his arrogant head, sighed, and closed his eyes as if resigned to his fate.
Liu Shan shook his head slightly, picked up the document on the desk, and read softly: "In early April, Liu Xinian sent someone to deliver a message that Ji Chang was not allowed to become the candidate magistrate of Jinhua County, otherwise he would make Ji Chang wish he were dead. However, the candidate magistrate is appointed by the imperial court, how can it be changed at will? Moreover, Ji Chang is a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) and is determined to serve the country. How can he back down because of the threat?"
In mid-May, Liu Xinian sent another messenger with a message, not only verbally threatening Ji Chang but also physically assaulting him. The Liu family's methods became increasingly ruthless, attempting to force Ji Chang to give up. However, Ji Chang vowed to expose the Liu family's crimes...
"In late May, Liu Xinian learned that Ji Chang was secretly collecting evidence of the Liu family's crimes, and sent someone to deliver one hundred taels of silver... In early June, Liu Xinian sent someone again to deliver two hundred taels of silver, threatening Ji Chang that if he did not stop, he would..."
One by one, with Liu Shan's voice, the evil deeds of the Liu family were revealed.
Liu Danian's eyes trembled slightly as he tried his best to argue: "These are all Li Jichang's side of the story. How can they be used as evidence? My Liu family has been clean for generations. How can we allow him to frame us at will! Lord Liu, you are discerning and will surely be able to distinguish right from wrong."
Liu Shan's cold gaze swept over Liu Danian, and he said in a deep voice, "The truth will be judged by public opinion. The evidence presented by Li Jichang is conclusive; how can you use your sophistry? The Liu family's crimes are obvious; how can they be obscured by your words?"
After speaking, Liu Shan slammed a stack of documents heavily on the table, his words resounding and leaving no room for argument.
With Liu Shan's consent, Han Chengjia picked up the document and continued reading, exposing more of the Liu family's evil deeds: seizing farmland, setting up a private court, and oppressing the villagers. The evidence was irrefutable.
Liu Danian's face turned pale, his legs went weak, and he knelt on the ground, powerless to refute.
The constables watched coldly, secretly sighing in their hearts that the Liu family's power was gone.
At this moment, Ye Ping'an quietly entered the hall, bowed, and said, "Sir, the support sent by the Cangzhou government has arrived in the county and is ready to be deployed at any time."
Liu Shan nodded slightly, looked at the constables, and ordered in a deep voice: "I know you are afraid of the Liu family's long-standing tyranny, but today you must cooperate with the government to capture all the members of the Liu family. There must be no mistakes."
The constables responded in unison, drew their swords, and their momentum was overwhelming.
Liu Shan ordered again: "Put Liu Danian in jail. At the same time, immediately seal off the Liu residence and conduct a thorough search to ensure that all remaining members of the Liu family are wiped out."
Liu Danian's face was ashen as he was dragged out of the hall by the yamen runners, his former prestige completely gone.
The prefectural and county governments cooperated swiftly, plunging the Liu family mansion into chaos, leaving the remaining members of the Liu family nowhere to hide.
At the same time, Liu Shan asked, "Han Chengjia, how did you discover the evidence of the Liu family's crimes?"
A smug glint flashed across Han Chengjia's face. "Sir, it's fortunate that I went to the Li family. If it were anyone else, they definitely wouldn't have found any evidence."
It turned out that Li Jichang had hidden the evidence in a secret compartment in the roof. Ordinary people would not only fail to notice it, but they also could not even get onto the roof, let alone discover the secret compartment.
Han Chengjia searched carefully, knocking on each spot, and finally found the strange noise on the roof.
This hidden compartment was cleverly designed and contained a large number of documents that detailed the misdeeds of the Liu family over the years. It was key evidence for convicting the Liu family.
Liu Shan nodded approvingly: "Your contribution is indispensable."
The rest was simple. Liu Shan directed everyone to properly seal up the evidence and interrogate the remaining members of the Liu family one by one. The case gradually became clear, and more evidence of Liu Xinian's crimes was uncovered.
Under Liu Xinian's instigation, the Liu family oppressed the people and committed numerous crimes. Not only that, Liu Xinian also secretly hired assassins to kill people on several occasions. The cruelty of his methods was chilling.
To Liu Shan's delight, the interrogation not only uncovered Liu Xinian's crimes but also unexpectedly revealed Liu Xinian's hiding place.
Despite being told it was a hiding place, Liu Xinian was not actually hiding. Ever since the Empress Dowager pardoned him, he had been living openly in a neighboring county, remotely controlling the Liu family to handle the matter of Li Jichang's appointment as a candidate for county magistrate.
Having obtained Liu Xinian's address and conclusive evidence of his crimes, Liu Shan immediately ordered: "Arrest Liu Xinian immediately, interrogate him thoroughly, and make sure to uncover all his crimes."
The county constable received the order and quickly mobilized his men, heading straight for Liu Xinian's residence in the neighboring county.
However, to Liu Shan's great surprise, after interrogating almost all the remaining members of the Liu family, no one knew anything about the old blacksmith shop.
This was completely unexpected by Liu Shan. A large part of the reason he went to such lengths to investigate the Liu family was to uncover the truth about the former blacksmith shop.
Unexpectedly, they miscalculated. The remnants of the Liu family knew nothing about the blacksmith shop, as if they had never heard of it.
Through repeated interrogation, Liu Shan discovered that the remnants of the Liu family were not pretending, but genuinely unaware of the situation.
This made him realize that the clues to the blacksmith shop might not be in the Liu family, but hidden in a deeper shadow.
Liu Shan was somewhat discouraged. He thought he had touched the edge of the truth, but it was still just a blur.
However, the only thing that comforted him was that through this operation, the Liu family, this malignant tumor, was finally eradicated, and the people of Jinhua County could finally live a peaceful life.
Li Jichang was orphaned and unmarried. Liu Shan felt pity for him and decided to personally bury him so that he could rest in peace as soon as possible.
After the burial, since Li Jichang died at home, the Li family's land became ownerless.
Liu Shan then ordered people to inventory and register the Li family's property and hand it over to the government, so that it could be dealt with later when Li Jichang's relatives were found.
Several days later, Liu Xinian was arrested and brought to justice.
Liu Shan personally interrogated Liu Xinian, but Liu remained silent throughout, his expression arrogant.
Enraged, Liu Shan slammed his gavel down and shouted, "Liu Xinian, your crimes are obvious and the evidence is irrefutable. Confess now!"
Liu Xinian sneered, his gaze sinister, but he remained silent.
Liu Shan slammed his gavel and said in a deep voice, "The criminal Liu Xinian is stubborn and unrepentant, refusing to respond to questioning. I believe that faced with irrefutable evidence, Liu Xinian knows the enormity of his crimes and has confessed to all his offenses. I hereby order him to be immediately imprisoned in the death row under strict guard. After the case is reported to the imperial court, he will be executed according to the law as a warning to others. The remaining members of the Liu family..."
"Wait!" Liu Xinian suddenly interrupted, "I have never heard of the term 'tacit consent,' Lord Liu, please do not abuse your power."
Liu Shan smiled. He was afraid you wouldn't speak. Once you opened your mouth, he would have a chance to pry it open and make you confess more crimes.
"Liu Xinian, faced with irrefutable evidence, do you plead guilty?"
Liu Xinian: "Lord Liu, I do not plead guilty. I am innocent and have been wronged. Please investigate thoroughly and clear my name."
"How dare you!" Liu Shan roared, "Faced with irrefutable evidence, you dare to make such a sophistry!"