During the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty, there was a butcher named Cao Zheng in Weinan County, Xi'an Province. Cao Zheng is diligent and honest in business, after years of hard work, he has saved up a solid family foundation, purchased an independent yard, and married a young and beautiful Sun family.
Just after becoming a parent, Cao Zheng was full of freshness and pampered Sun. Since ancient times, most marriages have a shelf life and will eventually transition to a flat stage.
Cao Zheng is no exception, after a year of marriage, some of his problems have slowly been exposed. In order to make money outside, he had to pretend to be a grandson and greet everyone with a good face. Therefore, after returning home, he did not have a good temper, and he drank some small wine to relieve his fatigue, but he did not drink enough, the wine style was not correct, and every time he got drunk, he would scold Sun Shi, or beat her to the nose and face.
At that time, women had no identity, and although Sun Shi suffered a lot, he did not dare to say anything, only waiting for Cao Zheng to "show great mercy" and give her a break.
Although Cao Zheng would abuse his wife, how could he so easily give Sun Shi a break, after all, it cost money to marry his daughter-in-law.
Fortunately, Sun's mother's family also lived in the city, and she was beaten by Cao Zheng and would return to her mother's house to live for a while.
Every time Cao Zheng sobered up, he also knew that he was wrong, in fact, he still liked Sun's, but when he started the drunken madness, he couldn't control himself. Therefore, every day after Sun's return to his mother's house, Cao Zheng went to his mother-in-law's house to make amends and took his daughter-in-law home by the way.
Sun's father died early, leaving his mother, Ni, in the family. Ni Shi was afraid that his daughter would be suspended, which was not only related to her daughter's reputation, but also to the rice grain sent by her son-in-law every month. She was an old woman, and she had no son to support, and if she hadn't had a son-in-law, she would have starved to death long ago.
But Ni Shi was afraid that Cao Zheng would beat his daughter, so whenever Cao Zheng came to apologize, she would persuade her: "It is common for husband and wife to quarrel, and Cao Zheng personally comes to apologize, you still go back with him to live a good life." ”
Sun Shi had no choice but to return home with Cao Zheng. After Cao Zheng took his wife back, he would stop for a few days, but it would not be long before the old problems would be committed again.
One night, Cao Zheng played drunkard again, beat Sun Shi, not only twisted her mouth, but also shed a lot of blood, Sun Shi cried a lot, packed up his things all night, and returned to his mother's house. To their surprise, after seven or eight days, Cao Zheng did not come to the door to apologize.
Ni Shi was distraught, thinking that something had happened to Cao Zheng, so he asked Sun Shi to go back and have a look. Sun Shi was also puzzled, so he quietly sneaked back home, but he bumped into Cao Zheng bringing back a wildflower. No wonder I didn't pick myself up, it turned out to be a new person!
When Sun Shi saw the situation, instead of being annoyed, she was very excited, and she thought that Cao Zheng would take the opportunity to give her a break this time. Sun Shi returned to his mother's house and stayed for more than ten days, and Cao Zheng did not send Hugh Shu over. Sun Shi thought that Cao Zheng was too busy with Xinhuan and forgot about her, so she stayed at her mother's house with confidence.
The neighbor of Sun's mother's family is a Xiucai named Zhang Jidi. This man is talented, charming, and the family is also very rich. During the Ming Dynasty, once the examination was successful, the imperial court would give many preferential treatment, one of which could be exempted from paying taxes. Zhang Xiucai is also a flexible person, he is very good at exploiting loopholes, by helping others evade the field tax, made a lot of windfall money.
Zhang Xiucai was originally from a poor background, but since the examination of Xiucai, people have become arrogant and arrogant, and they are more crazy about the world, so the rich families in the city are reluctant to climb with him. And Zhang Xiucai's vision is also high, and he can't look up to ordinary girls, so until he is thirty years old, he has not married.
When Sun Shi was not yet married, Zhang Jidi never looked at her in the eyes. However, since Sun Shi got married, he was very feminine, and he was beaten to his mother's house by Cao Zheng several times, and he slowly had ideas about Sun Shi.
On this day, the Sun family ran out of grain, and Cao Zheng had not sent money and rice for a long time. Seeing that they were about to be unable to eat, Ni Asked her daughter to borrow some coarse grains from Zhang Xiucai's house next door.
Sun Shi had no choice but to go to the Zhang family to borrow some corn. That day, Zhang and Di were at home. Sun Shi saw the handsome and dashing Zhang Xiucai, originally a little embarrassed, just in the stomach came a grunting sound, making her more ashamed of herself, cheekily with Zhang and the first Dao to understand the intention.
Zhang Jidi said very warmly: "Sister Sun, there is no shortage of food in our family, you can take these rice to eat first, you don't have to return it." If you don't have enough, come back and get it. Saying, he took out a few pounds of pork and handed it to Sun Shi: "My family has more meat, and I can't eat it, tomorrow at this time, you will come to me again to get it." My family can't eat it, either wait for the meat to spoil and throw it away, or give it to the dog at home, instead of being so wasteful, it is better to give it to you. ”
In those days, meat was a good thing, and it was too wasteful to lose! Sun Shi also felt that it was a pity to lose it, so every day at noon, she would go to the back door of the Zhang family and ask Zhang Jidi for some meat.
After a few times, the two were also familiar. Once, Zhang Jidi took the opportunity to drag Sun Shi to his room. Sun Shi has also been in love with Zhang Jidi for a long time, and naturally will not refuse. Since then, the two will be together as soon as they have free time.
Cao Zheng had not yet sent Hugh Shu, and Sun Shi did not dare to deal with Zhang and Di blatantly. In his heart, Sun Shi was looking forward to getting the Hugh Book quickly so that he could marry Zhang Xiucai again.
But Zhang Jidi did not think so, he would certainly not marry a second-hand goods, his purpose was to play. Therefore, when the two were together, they did not say anything about marriage.
One night, Zhang jidi sneaked into Sun's room. As a result, it was too loud and was heard by Ni Shi. Ni Shi knew that Zhang Jidi would definitely not marry his own daughter, this guy was a ticket player. Ni Shi could see clearly that Cao Zheng was a good match, but her daughter couldn't understand it, so she pretended to shout at the next room: "Daughter, what was the sound just now?" Is there a thief in the house? ”
Sun Shi was afraid that the matter would be exposed, and quickly sent Zhang Xiucai away. Zhang Jidi did not want others to know, and skillfully slipped back to his home.
Ni Shi was in the dark, watching Zhang Jidi crawl away from his own yard, and then walked to his daughter's room: "Daughter, be careful to make the Ten Thousand Years Ship, you are still a member of the Cao family, don't do stupid things!" If you are caught, your reputation will be ruined. ”
"Mom, I remember." Sun Shi was able to distinguish between the important and the heavy, so he gritted his teeth and went to sleep, and Ni Shi also went back to his room, but he did not expect that this conversation was the final parting of the mother and daughter.
The next morning, Ni made breakfast, and when she saw that her daughter was not awake, she went to wake up her daughter. As a result, Sun's room was already covered, and a smell of blood came over his face.
Ni Shi was shocked, and rushed to the bed to take a closer look, but it was his daughter who had been killed.
Ni's cries soon attracted the attention of the neighbors, everyone passed by, Zhang Jidi also mixed in the crowd, he was very sorry in his heart, but he did not dare to say anything more, just hurried home, shut himself in his study.
At this time, Zhang Jidi unexpectedly found that the folding fan on the table was missing. However, he didn't think much about it, thinking that he had lost it.
As soon as Sun died, a kind neighbor went to the county court to report the case.
After the autopsy, he reported to Zhou Xianling: "Your Honor, the deceased was stabbed five times in the right chest, the murderer is very sophisticated, and each knife is a key point." ”
"Nothing in the house has ever been passive, and the murderer is obviously not trying to make money." The catcher also made such a judgment based on his own experience.
The catcher took out a folding fan and handed it to Zhou Xianling, saying, "Your Honor, this was found from the bed of the deceased, and it should have been left by the murderer." ”
Ni Shi hurriedly said, "This folding fan is not my daughter's." ”
Zhou Xianling carefully looked at the folding fan in his hand, the folding fan is very ordinary, but there is a hand-painted landscape map on the folding fan, and the falling money is Zhang and the first. When Zhou Xianling saw this, he subconsciously called out this name, and Old Lady Ni's face showed a frightened color, and he quickly added, "Lord, Zhang Jidi is next door to me!" ”
"So, Zhang Jidi is the murderer?" The catcher couldn't wait to take him down.
Zhou Xianling asked unhurriedly to The Servant, "Can you calculate the date of death of the deceased?" ”
"It's supposed to be the middle of the night."
Zhou Xianling asked Ni Shi and the people nearby if they had heard any strange sounds. Everyone said no, but Ni Shi had already determined that Zhang Xiucai was the murderer, she pulled Zhou Xianling aside, informed Zhang Xiucai and Sun Shi in detail about the relationship, and said to Zhou Xianling: "Big Lord, last night Zhang Xiucai sneaked into my girlfriend's boudoir at night, I pretended to arrest them, and Zhang Xiu fled into the wilderness. He must have killed my daughter for revenge. ”
Human and physical evidence have pointed to Zhang Xiucai, and Zhang and Di are very suspicious.
Zhou Xianling immediately ordered that Zhang Xiucai be escorted to the county court and promoted to the court to try the case.
"But Zhang Jidi is under the hall, why don't you kneel when you see this official?"
"I am Zhang Jidi, but I am Xiucai, why should I kneel before you?" Zhang Jidi said dismissively.
Zhou Xianling had already heard about Zhang Jidi's arrogance, and when they met, they found that the rumors were not false. According to the regulations of the Ming Dynasty, Xiu cai saw the official and did not need to kneel, but the attitude of this zhang and the first was indeed crazy enough.
Zhou Xianling didn't bother with him either, and took out a folding fan and said to Zhang Xiucai: "Is this fan yours?" ”
"Yes, but I haven't killed anyone..." Zhang Jidi had heard before that when Sun Shi was killed, the servants found a folding fan, but they didn't expect that this folding fan was actually his!
"Then you tell me, why is this folding fan on Sun's bed?"
Zhang jidi is not easy to explain.
Zhou Xianling also asked Zhang Jidi if he had a relationship with Sun Shi and whether he had entered Sun s room last night, and Zhang JiDi was afraid of being implicated, but also for his own reputation, so he denied it in court.
Zhou Xianling snorted coldly: "You are Xiucai is not fake, but Xiucai has broken the law, and this official can also manage it." Not to mention whether you killed the Sun family, just because you don't tell the truth, you are flouting the court. Come on people, call me! ”
"Dog officer, do you dare to hit me?" Wait for the day when I am admitted to the top of the school, see if I don't kill you! ”
It's crazy. More than a dozen sticks smashed on Zhang Jidi's body, and he just wouldn't move. Zhang Xiucai knew in his heart that he could not admit anything, and the adultery with Sun Shi alone was enough to make him lose his reputation.
Zhou Xian ling saw that this weak scholar was already half dead, and he was also afraid of causing a human life, so he ordered him to be locked up.
Zhang Xiucai's father felt that his son would not kill people, so he spent money to find a relationship, hoping to save him. Whoever knows that Zhou Zhi County has always been selfless with an iron face, it is not easy for anyone to intercede.
During this period, Zhou Xianling specially investigated Zhang Xiucai's situation and was even more angry when he learned that he helped the small landlord evade taxes. Although he did not approve of Zhang Jidi, he still wanted to solve the case as soon as possible.
On this day, when Zhou Xianling was reviewing the file, he suddenly found a detail, and he had said that Sun's right chest had been stabbed. Under normal circumstances, most people use their right hands to hold things, and if they kill people with their right hands, the knife stabs the opponent's left chest. It can be inferred that the murderer of the Sun clan should have used his left hand. Despite the investigation, Zhang jidi usually wrote with his right hand.
Zhou Xianling immediately sent someone to re-examine the body, and made a new discovery: the murderer not only used a knife, but he also used his left hand, which was very powerful. The most crucial thing is that the murderer is fierce, and every knife has stabbed the key point, that is, there must be a connection between him and the dead, and it should be an acquaintance who commits the crime.
Zhou Xianling conducted a detailed investigation of Sun's social relations, and it turned out that her husband Cao was also very suspicious.
Early one morning, Zhou Xianling led a group of catchers to Cao Zheng's butcher shop. Cao Zheng was stunned at first, then he regained his composure and bowed to Zhou Xianling, "Lord, are you here for anything?" ”
"Cao Zheng, your wife Sun Shi has been dead for more than ten days, don't you know?" Zhou Xianling asked coldly.
Cao Zheng lowered his head and said calmly, "Lord, if you hadn't told me, I really wouldn't have known." I get up early every day and work in the dark, and who has the kung fu to take care of her. Speaking of this, Cao Zheng's face did not have the slightest sadness.
"That's the way it is." Zhou Xianling pretended to sigh, "The person is no longer there, the murderer has confessed, since you don't want to take care of it, it's your private affair, I have nothing to say, you cut me two pounds of meat!" ”
Cao Zheng brandished a kitchen knife, cut a large piece of meat, and handed it to Zhou Xianling, "Lord Zhou is our Qingtian Grand Master of Weinan Province, and this piece of meat is the little man's filial piety to adults." ”
Who knows, Zhou Xianling did not go to pick up, but commanded several arresters: "Come, arrest the murderer." ”
"My lord, how can you say that I am a murderer?" My wife was killed, and I was the victim! After Cao Zheng was captured, his heart was full of unwillingness.
Zhou Xianling sneered, "First, when you learned that Sun Shi was killed, you didn't show any sorrow, nor did you ask her how she died, that is, you already knew the cause of her death; second, you were stabbed five times in her right chest, and when you chopped the meat, you used your left hand!" ”
"Oops, didn't the murderer leave behind a folding fan?" I'm a rough guy, but I've never used it. Cao Zheng argued.
Zhou Xianling laughed: "You just said that you didn't know that Sun Shi was killed, how could there be a folding fan left at the scene of the crime?" Such a simple planting of stolen goods, do you think this official can't see it? You must have stolen Zhang Xiucai's folding fan and deliberately put it there. ”
Cao Zheng was taken to the county court and beaten by eighty large plates before telling the truth.
It turned out that Cao Zheng had sent Sun back to his mother-in-law's house more than a month ago, and he was looking for flowers and asking for willow outside. However, after ten days or so, he still missed Sun Shi very much and was ready to go to his mother-in-law to apologize and bring Sun Shi home.
Unexpectedly, that is, that day, he actually saw Sun Shi go to Zhang Jidi's mansion. After more than an hour, Ma Shi sneaked away. After a period of secret observation, he confirmed that Sun Shi had put a hat on himself.
In order to take revenge, Cao Zheng first stole Zhang Jidi's folding fan, and then took advantage of the darkness to kill Sun Shi and put the folding fan on Sun's bed. He thought he was foolproof, but he did not expect that his left-handedness had become the key to solving the case.
Zhou Xianling said to Cao Zheng: "Although you have suffered betrayal, you are forgivable, but you do not understand the law." According to the provisions of the Great Ming Law, any wife who commits adultery with another person is innocent as long as he can catch the adulterer on the spot, even if he kills the adulterer and the adulterer on the spot. And you chose to retaliate afterwards, which is stupid. ”
In the end, Zhou Xian Ling Binggong judged the case, and although Cao Zheng was guilty of homicide, he was excusable and sentenced to exile in Yunnan. And Zhang Jidi committed adultery with a married woman, and the staff was eighty.
At the same time, Zhou Xianling truthfully reported Zhang Xiucai's case and his act of shielding others to evade taxes. The imperial court issued a decree to remove Zhang and Di's meritorious names, confiscate family property, and send Ningguta to charge the army.