Due to time constraints, the matter of the military shoes was not investigated in court, but was sealed as evidence and examined by the judge.
This is understandable. After all, it is already late. Even if the military shoes have the craftsman's mark, it will take a long time to find out. If they are worn alternately, the shoes can be worn for about three years, so at least the military shoe records of the recent three years must be checked. The distribution of military shoes made by the same craftsman and the same batch to the troops is even more complicated. In ancient times, there was no electronic information like today, so it would be time-consuming and laborious to find them.
However, everyone present was not blind, and they could recognize military shoes.
That's enough.
They had heard about the murder case in Shuntian Prefecture Prison. Eight prisoners were murdered in the prison. This had not happened in the Ming Dynasty for many years, so the news caused a sensation as soon as it was spread.
Thinking about these military shoes at this moment, everyone had an idea in their minds, and their intriguing eyes fell on Zhao Daying from time to time.
now.
Outside the court, the setting sun was already blood-red.
"This case is of great importance and needs further consideration. We will not make a judgment today. We will report it to the relevant authorities after the court deliberates. Zhu Ping'an and Zhao Daying, you two will stay at home for the next few days and are not allowed to go out."
The presiding judge Wang Xueyi slammed the gavel, and the twists and turns of the petition to the Ministry of Justice finally came to an end.
well
I didn't expect that today's petition would end like this. How should I explain to the Minister of State and to Lord Yan? I made a promise at the beginning... If I can't deliver, then I can forget about promotion. What a good opportunity, ah...
Wang Xueyi couldn't help but sigh in his heart. When he looked at Zhao Daying, he couldn't help but shake his head secretly, feeling disappointed and even a little angry. If this guy hadn't left so many handles on Zhu Ping'an, things wouldn't have come to this point today, causing him to be unable to report to the Shangshu and Lord Yan.
When Wang Xueyi looked at Zhu Ping'an again, he felt even more unhappy.
This kid is the culprit!
You are such an ignorant boy. Others are rushing to curry favor with Lord Yan, but this boy dares to touch his tiger whiskers. A man who knows the current situation is a hero. This Zhu is fighting for his own feelings and ignores the overall situation. He seems to be proud for a while, but in fact he is causing endless harm. What's the use of having good knowledge and being smart? If you don't understand the ways of the world, you are stupid!
You kid is doomed to fail!
Wang Xueyi looked at Zhu Ping'an and thought hatefully in his heart.
However, when Wang Xueyi was about to look away, he suddenly discovered that the boy had a look of dissatisfaction and disdain on his face, and he did not avoid him at all, as if he was going to stand up and raise objections in the next second.
"Hmm? Zhu Zihou, do you have any objections to our arrangement?" Wang Xueyi took the initiative, staring coldly at Zhu Ping'an, who had a strange look on his face in the court, and asked in a deep voice.
"My lord, I dare not." Zhu Ping'an looked straight at Wang Xueyi and replied lightly.
"Don't dare? That means you have it?" Wang Xueyi looked at Zhu Ping'an dimly and said meaningfully.
"Your Excellency has a keen eye. I dare not object, but I have an immature suggestion." Zhu Ping'an replied calmly.
"I have just said that the petition case is of great importance and must be carefully examined. After we have discussed it together, we will report it to the authorities for a decision. Do you have any suggestions? Or are you dissatisfied with my ordering you to stay at home?" Wang Xueyi asked coldly.
"I fully agree with your two decisions." Zhu Ping'an shook his head and smiled.
"Then you..." Wang Xueyi's eyes fell on Zhu Ping'an, like a tiger's, intimidating without being angry.
"I have an immature suggestion, and I hope the court will make a fair judgment."
Facing Wang Xueyi's fierce gaze, Zhu Ping'an was like a newborn calf. He showed no fear or shrinking at all. He just looked straight at Wang Xueyi and bowed in response.
"What suggestions do you have?" Wang Xueyi looked at Zhu Ping'an dimly.
"Sir, it is fine to announce the verdict on a later date, but this head cannot wait. The head is covered with raw stone powder, which has a corrosive effect when it comes into contact with water, which is not good for the preservation of the head. In addition, the weather is hot today, and the head will rot in a few days. Today in the court, I, the coroner, and all the lords have completed the inspection and cross-examination. Whether it is the head of the Tatar or the head of our Ming people, the court should come to a conclusion."
Zhu Ping'an did not avoid Wang Xueyi's gaze and spoke word by word.
No matter when the results of this petition are announced, as long as a certainty is reached on these heads today, the goal will be achieved.
This batch of heads is the key to this petition.
As long as it is confirmed that the head is a citizen of the Ming Dynasty, the case will be settled. Zhao Daying will be charged with killing an innocent person and taking credit for his crime. It is just a matter of time and the severity of the punishment.
Things would change if things were delayed. Today, Zhao Daying was able to exchange heads with his uncle, so who knows, he might have other shady tricks in the future.
If the head is not identified today, it is possible that Zhao Daying will apply for a re-examination of the head at another day.
It is hard to say whether the heads will still be from this batch by then.
Moreover, even if these heads were tampered with, the identification results would be uncertain. Judging from the actions of Zhao Daying and others, as well as the obvious favoritism in the court, this kind of thing is entirely possible.
That is why Zhu Ping'an insisted on asking the court to identify the head.
"The matter of the head will also be decided after discussion..."
Wang Xueyi looked disheartened by Zhu Ping'an's coercion. His dissatisfaction reached its peak and he spoke in a deep voice, suppressing his anger.
As expected...
Zhu Pingan was deeply dissatisfied when he heard this. He could not wait any longer, so he stepped forward, looked at Wang Xueyi with burning eyes, and bowed respectfully, "Excuse me, sir, have you finished the inspection and cross-examination of the head just now?"
How dare you, you thief!
Wang Xueyi's heart was filled with anger. He stared at Zhu Ping'an coldly for a few seconds before nodding impatiently.
"The beard-growing styles of the six heads in the first batch and the eight heads in the second batch are completely different from the beard-growing habits of the barbarians Tatars recorded in the Yongle Encyclopedia. Do you agree with this, Your Excellency?"
"The third batch of heads were examined. They were soaked in water and there were obvious traces of hair nets. Do you agree with this, sir?"
Zhu Ping'an met Wang Xueyi's gaze and asked word by word, step by step.
... ...
Wang Xueyi's pupils twitched, and he nodded after a long time.
... ...
The evidence was overwhelming and in full view of everyone. Finally, under Zhu Ping'an's relentless pressure, the identity of the head was finally confirmed.
The next step is to sign and seal.
When signing and sealing, Zhu Ping'an carefully checked the petition record and immediately pointed out any errors or omissions in the records. After the clerks supplemented and revised them, Zhu Ping'an pressed his fingerprints on the supplemented and revised places one by one and signed his name on each record to prevent the record from being tampered with later.
You should not have the intention to harm others, but you must be on guard against others.