“Filing a complaint?”

The two guards looked somewhat surprised, but seeing that it was another blood-written letter, they dared not be negligent. One of them told William Bolton to wait here for a moment, while the other immediately turned and entered through the main gate.

After a short while, a middle-aged man with a handlebar mustache came out.

This man was named David Harris, a guest official in the yamen, specifically responsible for reviewing and delivering petitions.

“Who is filing the complaint?”

“It’s me.”

William Bolton answered immediately.

David Harris took a closer look and felt this person looked somewhat familiar, but for the moment couldn’t recall where he had seen him before. Curious, he took the petition and first checked the signature. Suddenly realizing, he looked up at William Bolton and said, “It’s you?”

William Bolton nodded and smiled, “It’s me.”

David Harris’s brows furrowed. He looked at the petition again, and after a moment, his face showed shock. He immediately ordered the guards at the gate to detain William Bolton, while he hurriedly ran inside.

The guards at the gate, though they had already seized William Bolton, were also very curious. They had worked at the yamen for many years, but this was the first time they had seen such a situation.

Someone comes to file a complaint, so why detain him?

Could it be another earth-shattering case?

One of the guards finally couldn’t hold back his curiosity and asked William Bolton, “Brother, who are you accusing, and for what reason?”

William Bolton replied, “The person I am accusing is named Edward Foster.”

Edward Foster?

That sounds familiar!

Suddenly, one of the guards realized and, both shocked and angry, pointed at William Bolton and said, “You brazen scoundrel, how dare you accuse our prefect!”

It turned out that this Edward Foster was none other than the prefect of Dengzhou.

Chapter Two: The Mad Prisoner Michael Bolton (Part Two)

Because the ancient system was not so well-developed, the government offices were actually highly personalized. The image of the yamen, as well as the working style and efficiency of its staff, mostly depended on the head official.

From the series of events just now, it could basically be determined that the master of this yamen was definitely a diligent and strict official.

Otherwise, with William Bolton’s appearance and attitude, he probably wouldn’t have even had a chance to take out his petition before being driven away—let alone the fact that the guards immediately fetched David Harris to receive the petition.

It should be known that the government offices of the time did not serve the people, but served the emperor. Their main role toward the common people was rule and control—a completely different concept.

And indeed, the prefect of Dengzhou, Edward Foster, was always known for being just and strict, honest and upright, and extremely diligent. He had previously served at the Dali Temple as a capital official, and was only assigned to Dengzhou as prefect the year before last.

Because the Tang dynasty had been destabilized by regional military governors, the Northern Song paid great attention to local governance.

Titles like prefect and county magistrate all meant “temporary administrator.” After a year, they would have to return to the capital for reassignment. This arrangement prevented the formation of entrenched local power networks, thereby strengthening central authority in a roundabout way.

Having just approved the release document for Michael Bolton, Edward Foster did not give himself a break. At this moment, he was sitting at his desk, carefully reviewing the testimony in John’s case.

Standing beside him, the registrar Robert Clark wore a face full of worry.

Judging by the case, it was a very simple murder. From the time John committed the crime to her confession, less than a day had passed, so the county constable of Penglai quickly closed the case.

But now, it had dragged on for several months.

It turned out that because the case involved a human life and was judged as a crime of “heinous rebellion”—one of the Ten Abominations, specifically referring to murdering a close relative, and murdering one’s husband naturally counted.

According to the law, the sentence should be beheading. Penglai County did not have the final authority to judge, because under Song law, such cases had to be reviewed by the Dali Temple, the Ministry of Justice, and the Court of Judicial Review before a final verdict could be given.

The Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice, upon reviewing the case, found no doubts and directly approved it.

But when the verdict reached Edward Foster, he believed the judgment was unjust.

Because a year earlier, John’s mother had died, meaning John was still in mourning. According to Song law, one could not marry during the mourning period.

Edward Foster used this as grounds to appeal to the Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice.

The first time, the Dali Temple ignored him and upheld the original verdict.

Although the law existed, in practice, folk customs prevailed. Among the people, during mourning, one simply did not hold a wedding ceremony, but engagement and betrothal gifts were still allowed.

According to the law, as long as the man had given the betrothal gifts, the two were considered husband and wife.

Edward Foster appealed again, this time criticizing both the Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice, saying that as officials, they should follow the law, not unwritten folk customs. The law clearly stated this, and as law enforcers, they should not knowingly break the law.

This time, the Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice finally dropped the charge of “heinous rebellion” and convicted John of “murder with injury,” sentencing her to death by strangulation according to the law.

However, Edward Foster had only approved the release document for William Bolton, but had not yet passed the Dali Temple’s final verdict. Clearly, he still had doubts.

The registrar Robert Clark, who had always followed him, felt that Edward Foster was being a bit excessive, and advised, “Now that the Dali Temple has already compromised, why not let it go, Prefect?”