296 Interrogating the Suspect
The boatman confirmed, "No, I was so terrified at the time that I didn't linger. I ran straight to the County Government Office to report it."
Qiao Muchen nodded and looked at County Magistrate Han. "Sir, please come over here."
Magistrate Han immediately followed him.
Qiao Muchen pointed to the riverbed. "Sir, this area is secluded, and people rarely visit, so there are few footprints. After the boatman reported the crime, the yamen clerks quickly secured the scene, so it hasn't been disturbed."
"However, as you can see, there are many chaotic footprints around the corpse. It seems more than just the boatman has been near the body."
At this moment, Zhao Zhitong continued, "Among these footprints, one set matches the boatman's in size. Indeed, as he said, he left quickly after seeing the corpse."
"However, another pair of footprints lingered near the corpse for quite some time. They are uneven in depth—the person has a limp."
Advisor Wang hurried closer to look and then exclaimed excitedly, as if discovering something new, "Ah, Sir, Sir, it's true! There really is a pair of footprints that are shallower on one side!"
Hearing this, Magistrate Han nodded and immediately summoned a yamen clerk. "Men, bring everyone in the county town with a leg ailment to the County Government Office."
Qiao Muchen added, "Sir, specifically, those with an ailment in their left leg."
After receiving their orders, the yamen clerks hurried off to carry them out.
By now, Zhao Zhitong had put on gloves. Taking the autopsy tools from a yamen clerk, she entered the crime scene.
Seeing this, Advisor Wang quickly took out his notebook, preparing to record the findings.
Zhao Zhitong stated, "The victim was male, approximately eight feet tall, and aged between thirty and thirty-five. There was a scrape on his forehead, and the skin all over his body was wrinkled."
"No foam or debris was found in his mouth or nose, and his abdomen showed no swelling. Preliminarily, the cause of death was not drowning; he had been thrown into the river after death."
Everyone present listened and watched intently, no one daring to interrupt Zhao Zhitong.
Zhao Zhitong continued, "The victim had multiple fresh wounds on his chest, arms, and back, all of which were knife wounds. The fatal wound was located on his chest."
Zhao Zhitong picked up the victim's hand and, after examining it, said, "The victim used a knife for many years; he was a martial arts practitioner."
At this conclusion, Advisor Wang immediately voiced his doubt, "Huh? Why would you say that?"
Zhao Zhitong explained, "Look at the victim's right palm. The calluses on the 'tiger's mouth' and palm were thick, and there were also old calluses on his thumb. These were all caused by holding a knife for many years."
"Moreover, the muscles and bones in this person's arms were characteristic of someone who had practiced with a knife regularly. The victim also had many old injuries. Therefore, it could be concluded that he was a martial artist."
As Zhao Zhitong analyzed, Advisor Wang and County Magistrate Han leaned in to look at the deceased's hand, then at their own.
They exclaimed in amazement, "Ah, they really are different."
Zhao Zhitong smiled. "You, Sir, and Advisor Wang are scholars and often hold brushes when writing. Therefore, you have calluses on your right hands where your fingers and palms grip the brush."
"However, since brush handles are usually made of smooth bamboo, they don't typically lead to thick calluses."
"Yes, yes, that's absolutely true!" Advisor Wang was now thoroughly impressed. "Divine Doctor Zhao, how do you know so much at such a young age?"
Zhao Zhitong naturally didn't dare say that she had been exhuming corpses from Mass Grave Hill since she was seven, studying them with books. They would surely think her a monster.
So, she explained that she frequently encountered all sorts of patients, paid attention to their hands, and had read many books, which was how she learned these things.
Advisor Wang and County Magistrate Han, of course, had no doubts and believed Zhao Zhitong's explanation.
「」
After completing the examination of the corpse, Zhao Zhitong removed her gloves and stood up.
Meanwhile, the yamen clerks had already brought everyone in the county town with a left leg ailment to the County Government Office.
Once a subordinate reported their arrival, the group prepared to return to the County Government Office.
"Men, first take the deceased to the Charitable Cemetery."
After giving the order, County Magistrate Han said, "Young Master Qiao, Miss Zhao, I must trouble you to accompany me to the County Government Office."
Both nodded. "Lord Han, you're too kind. It's our duty."
With that, they headed towards the County Government Office with Magistrate Han.
At this time, Song Renying, who had witnessed everything from the crowd, had eyes gleaming with admiration.
If the earlier watermelon theft case merely showed the two children's cleverness, then this autopsy and crime scene investigation truly revealed their capabilities. One is incredibly observant, able to notice the tiniest clues. The other is bold and decisive, with impressive autopsy skills. Though her methods were a bit unorthodox and lacked a coroner's polish, it seems she learned it all herself. What talent! Song Renying was increasingly satisfied, but then he sighed deeply. What a pity she was born a girl. If she were a boy, she would undoubtedly perform exceptionally well in the imperial examinations!
Seeing the two walk away, Song Renying said to his subordinate beside him, "Let's go to the County Government Office."
"Sir, aren't we going to the government office first?" Li Yi asked in confusion.
Song Renying shook his head. "Let's go to the County Government Office first. This case isn't simple; I suspect it might be connected to the case we came here to investigate."
With that, the two of them headed towards the County Government Office, one after the other.
「Anyang County, County Government Office.」
The yamen clerks had summoned everyone in the county town with a left leg ailment, regardless of age or gender. They now stood in rows in the main hall, each trembling with frightened expressions. Most common people dreaded appearing in court.
As soon as Zhao Zhitong and the others entered the hall, someone, overcome with fear, dropped to their knees, crying out that they were innocent.
County Magistrate Han slammed his gavel. "Silence! We'll find out if you're innocent or not after the interrogation!"
When it came to interrogating suspects, Zhao Yue was an expert. Ever since he began assisting at the County Government Office, Magistrate Han had rarely needed to resort to harsh punishments to extract confessions.
"My Lord, Young Master Zhao is here!"
Following the announcement, Zhao Yue, dressed in white robes and leisurely waving a folding fan, sauntered in with a carefree air.
"Junior Zhao Yue greets Magistrate Han."
Zhao Yue clasped his fist in salute, then tilted his head slightly to look at Zhao Zhitong and Qiao Muchen nearby, playfully wrinkling his nose at them.
His meaning was clear: he was complaining that Zhao Zhitong and Qiao Muchen weren't being good friends, only calling him now that a case had emerged.
Qiao Muchen helplessly shrugged and rolled his eyes at him.
At this moment, County Magistrate Han waved his hand, signaling Zhao Yue to dispense with further formalities, and then briefly explained the case.
After listening, Zhao Yue nodded in understanding. His gaze fell upon the dozen or so people. He scanned them from left to right, then from right to left.
Under Zhao Yue's sharp gaze, the individuals stood as silent as cicadas in winter, thoroughly terrified.
Zhao Yue, however, seemed unfazed and continued to stroll leisurely back and forth before them.
The more leisurely he appeared, the more nervous they became.