Transmigrated into a minor official in a county government, with children at home waiting for rice t

"Ah Qiang said, since the land deed is in his mother-in-law's hands, why don't we..."

Her voice trailed off, as if something was stuck in her throat.

Zhang Sanlang continued for her: "Why not get the land deed, sell the land, and take the money with you?"

Wang Meizhu didn't say anything, and tears started falling again.

Zhang Sanlang glanced at her: "How exactly did your mother-in-law, Madam Feng, die? What were the circumstances?"

Wang Meizhu lowered her head, her voice strained out through clenched teeth: "That day, I went to the nunnery again. A-Qiang was waiting outside the back gate. I was talking to my mother-in-law in the backyard when she suddenly asked about A-Qiang, saying that I and him..."

Wang Meizhu's face flushed red. "I said no, but my mother-in-law didn't believe me. She scolded me for being shameless and said I was disgracing the Zhang family. She threatened to report me to the authorities. I knelt down and begged her, saying that A-Qiang was just helping me come up with a plan to sell the land, and that there was nothing else."

"My mother-in-law's face turned ashen. She said she would hand me over to the county magistrate for punishment, and that my eldest son would divorce me... Waaah... What will happen to Bao-ge if I'm kicked out of the Zhang family?"

Zhang Sanlang felt nauseous upon hearing this and coldly pressed, "And then?"

"Then my mother-in-law got up to go to the toilet, but unexpectedly, Ah-Qiang climbed over the wall of the nunnery and... I just..." She couldn't continue, covering her face with both hands, her shoulders shaking violently.

Zhang Sanlang waited a while before speaking softly, "You mean A-Qiang killed Feng? How did he do it?"

Wang Meizhu lowered her hand, her face streaked with tears: "Aqiang took a cloth strip that hadn't dried in the yard and, from behind his mother-in-law... covered her mouth and nose. She struggled for a while, then stopped moving."

"Ah Qiang carried the body away, saying he'd find a place far away to throw it away. But just as he reached the outside of the nunnery, his mother-in-law lost control of her bladder, and the stench was unbearable. So... he just threw it into the cesspool nearby."

"Ah-Qiang told the woman that the porters usually only cleaned the cellar once a month or two, which was enough for us to sell the land and run away. But we never expected that we would be discovered in just two days..."

As she said this, she raised her tearful eyes and said, "I'm innocent! His third uncle..."

Seeing Zhang Sanlang's face darken, Granny Wang quickly slapped him, making Wang Shi swallow her words.

Zhang Sanlang turned to Xu Zheng: "You've written it all down?"

Xu Zheng nodded.

"Make her sign and put her fingerprint on it."

Xu Zheng stood up, took the confession, and walked up to Wang Meizhu.

Wang Meizhu took the pen, her hand still trembling. She traced the paper twice with the pen tip before finally putting it down. Her signature was crooked and her fingerprint pressed down, leaving a deep red stain.

Zhang Sanlang stood up and nodded to Granny Wang: "Take her away. Keep her in solitary confinement and forbid her from contacting anyone."

Granny Wang responded and stepped forward to pull Wang Meizhu out.

Zhang Sanlang handed the confession to Fang Zhong'an, glanced at the blank confession in his hand, and smiled. "Officer Fang, you have Wang Meizhu's confession. Now you can interrogate Liu Daqiang."

Fang Zhong'an gave a thumbs up and hurriedly went to inquire about Fang.

In less than half an hour, Fang Zhong'an returned, truly excited. "Zhang Clerk, that kid confessed too. Zhang Dalang's wife wasn't lying; the clerk didn't lift a finger, and he told the whole story himself."

Zhang Sanlang took the confession and read it through, then nodded to Fang Zhong'an with satisfaction. "Officer Fang, we really owe you a lot this time. If the two had escaped beyond the county border, it would have been much harder to catch them."

Fang Zhong'an chuckled and hurriedly cupped his hands in greeting: "Zhang Yashi is too kind to me. It's all just my duty."

He spoke modestly, but his back was straighter than usual, and a glint of light shone in his small eyes.

Zhang Sanlang then instructed him and Xu Zheng to organize the case files, gathering and stacking together all the documents, including Wang Meizhu and Liu Daqiang's confessions, yesterday's autopsy report, the identification record of the body at Yongning Nunnery, and the dowry land register of Feng Shi, in order.

Zhang Sanlang sat behind his desk, picked up a pen, and spread out a new sheet of paper.

Four words were written on the paper: "Case Files Presented".

He writes slowly, taking his time to think after each line.

After finishing writing, he read it through from beginning to end to make sure nothing was missing before putting down his pen, straightening his cuffs, and pushing open the door to go out.

The lamps in the second hall had just been lit.

Li Hang sat behind his desk, a book open in front of him. Zhao Xie sat in a chair beside him, holding a teacup and blowing on the tea foam. Hearing footsteps, both of them looked up simultaneously.

Zhang Sanlang stood at the door and cupped his hands in greeting: "Your Excellency, the case of the Feng family has been investigated and resolved."

He handed over the case file with both hands.

Li Hang seemed surprised that the case was solved before the prefectural magistrate even arrived.

Only one day!

He and Zhao Xie exchanged a glance, both somewhat moved.

Li Hang took the case file, unfolded it, read a few lines, his brow furrowed, and then continued reading.

On the 25th day of the sixth month of the fifth year of the Taiping Xingguo era, the Criminal Division of Juancheng County respectfully submits the following report on the conclusion of the trial of the case involving the female corpse found in the latrine of Yongning Nunnery:

I. The Deceased

Feng Peilin, aged 53, was the legal wife of Zhang Shiqing, a resident of the county, and the stepmother of Zhang Shouren and Zhang Shouzhi. On May 19th, she entered Yongning Nunnery to practice Buddhism while still keeping her hair. She disappeared on June 22nd, and her body was found in a cesspool outside the nunnery on the 24th.

II. Autopsy

Coroner Lu Qiucheng's examination report: The body was dressed in a grayish-brown fine cloth shirt, with no external injuries and clean finger gaps. The body was bloated, indicating drowning or being disposed of after death. The time of death was approximately around June 22nd, and a follow-up examination is required for confirmation.

III. Confession

Wang Meizhu, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Feng family, testified that because the Feng family wanted to donate 200 mu of dowry land to a nunnery, leaving only 100 mu for Zhang Shouren, she harbored resentment and conspired with Liu Daqiang to seize the land.

On June 22nd, Ms. Feng suspected that her husband, Liu Daqiang, was having an affair in the backyard and threatened to report him to the authorities. Liu Daqiang climbed over the wall and sneaked in, smothering Ms. Feng to death with a damp cloth that hadn't been dried while drying, and dumped her body in a latrine. Wang Meizhu acted as lookout outside and later conspired with Liu to dispose of the body.

Liu Daqiang confessed that Wang Meizhu's account was true. The two had agreed to sell their land and flee, but because the body was discovered beforehand, they hastily escaped to a shack in the fields of Wangjiazhuang, where they were captured by archers. The confessions of the two offenders were consistent, and there was no evidence of torture or coercion.

IV. Testimony and physical evidence

The coroner's report, along with a diagram of the body, was presented. A cloth strip found inside the nunnery matched the suspect's confession. Testimony from the nun and the temple's incense-offering women confirmed that Ms. Feng had argued with Wang Meizhu after 3 PM on June 22nd, and subsequently disappeared.

V. Conclusion of the Trial

The female offender, Wang Meizhu, conspired to murder her mother-in-law, Feng, and confessed without reservation. The perpetrator, Liu Daqiang, suffocated Feng and confessed without reservation. The facts of their joint murder are clear.

According to the Criminal Code's "Theft and Robbery Law," Liu Daqiang premeditated and committed the crime, punishable by death. Wang Meizhu conspired to murder her relatives and elders, and is also subject to death for the same offense. The two criminals are currently being held separately in the county prison, pending approval from the prefectural government.

The above document is presented for your consideration.

June 25th, the fifth year of the Taiping Xingguo era

Respectfully submitted by Zhang Shouli, Clerk of the Household Department, in accordance with the order of the County Magistrate to transfer the Criminal Affairs Department.

The room was quiet for a moment, with only the soft sound of pages turning.

Zhao Xie put down his teacup, his gaze shifting back and forth between Li Hang and the case file.

After reviewing the general report and checking the other documents, Li Hang gently closed the case file and placed it on the corner of the desk.

He looked at Zhang Sanlang, his gaze filled with admiration and a hint of scrutiny: "From the discovery of the body to the conclusion of the trial and signing, it took no more than a day. Shouli, you handled this case with extreme efficiency, which has surprised even the county."

Zhang Sanlang stood before the desk with his hands hanging down: "This humble official dares not claim credit. It is all thanks to the efforts of Fang Tiesi and Xu Tiesi. Each of them has their own strengths. Fang Tiesi is well-informed, and Xu Tiesi is well-versed in the laws. The two of them worked together seamlessly, which is why this case was solved so quickly."

Li Hang gave Zhang Sanlang a meaningful look and slowly nodded: "Fang Zhong'an was indeed very capable this time. However, Xu Zheng impressed me even more. But he has only been in the official register for a short time, and according to usual practice, he still needs to be tested for several years."

"However, the Criminal Investigation Department is in dire need of personnel, and since Shouli has expressed his intention to recommend someone, I have made an exception and approved it. Let him temporarily take over and gain more experience. I will personally oversee his performance evaluation in the future."

He paused, his gaze returning to the case file: "The autopsy report, the body identification record, the witness testimonies, the arrest details, the murderer's confession—everything is complete. Shouli, you're becoming more and more experienced in handling matters."

"You've been working tirelessly on this case for days; even your iron bones deserve a rest. You don't need to report for duty these next two days; just stay home and rest well. Let Zheng Qian keep an eye on the household affairs for you."

Zhang Sanlang responded, nodded to Zhao Xie, and then turned and left the second hall.

Fang Zhong'an peeked halfway out from behind a pillar: "Zhang Yashi, what did the magistrate say?"

Zhang Sanlang glanced at him: "The magistrate said the case was handled well."

Fang Zhong'an grinned, his mouth stretching to his ears: "That's good! That's good! I knew it! This time it's definitely going to be right. Zhang, the clerk, about the reward money..."

Zhang Sanlang waved his hand: "Look, you're in such a hurry again. Tomorrow, Magistrate Wang will come to the county office, and after the county magistrate presides over the case and makes his judgment, you'll definitely get your share of the punishment once the prefectural government issues its approval."