Murder is a single crime, not two separate crimes.

Robbery and murder, however, are different; robbery and murder are two distinct crimes.

William Bolton spoke calmly and unhurriedly: “Magistrate, you are mistaken. In the laws of our dynasty, there is a statute: for those who attempt to enter the imperial palace but do not cross the threshold, the punishment is eighty strokes—this is the crime of conspiracy. Furthermore, if two people conspire and one commits the crime, both are equally guilty; even if one only plotted and did not act, he is still punished the same—this too is the crime of conspiracy. From this, it is clear that conspiracy can certainly be treated as a crime.”

There are countless such examples. You can shout about killing someone, but try shouting about rebellion—whether or not you act, that’s a dead end.

Robert Clark was stunned.

Previously, this kid could barely speak clearly; how did he become so eloquent after getting out of prison?

After pondering for a moment, Edward Foster suddenly laughed and scolded, “You rascal, how dare you spout nonsense in this court! But since it’s your first offense, I won’t pursue it further. As for the compensation you requested, I will not grant it. Let me say it again: I am simply acting according to the law and have not wronged you. Now step down.”

“Your humble servant takes his leave.”

William Bolton immediately bowed and left the main hall.

So decisive!

So unrestrained!

Robert Clark found it a bit unbelievable. Suddenly, he realized—so I’m the outsider here! He quickly said to Edward Foster, “Magistrate, this explanation is absolutely unacceptable!”

William Bolton had given them two choices: either compensate, or absolve John of the crime of murder.

Of course, they could choose neither, or simply give William Bolton a beating.

But Edward Foster emphasized that he would not compensate William Bolton, and at the same time let him go so readily. Clearly, he intended to use this to absolve John of the crime of murder.

Edward Foster smiled and said, “Since someone has raised a doubt, we must fight for the accused. Let’s see if the Court of Justice can find a reasonable explanation that convinces people.”

Although this explanation sounds hard to accept, William Bolton’s reasoning was clear and based on the law; logically, it was correct, not just empty talk. Since the law contains such a clause, if you want to refute it, you must provide a reasonable and authoritative explanation.

As he spoke, Edward Foster looked outside the door and said with a smile, “This kid is quite courageous.”

His words were full of appreciation.

However, what he didn’t know was that it wasn’t really William Bolton’s courage at play, but rather that Edward Foster himself was so famous in history.

And the reason for his fame was all because of the case of John.

This case not only involved the renowned Wang Anshi Reforms, but also contained a struggle between two schools of legal thought. In later generations’ legal studies, it held immense research value.

William Bolton had studied it and knew the case very well.

If it had been any other official, even Bao Zheng, William Bolton wouldn’t have dared to be so reckless.

This was practically turning black into white, deceiving the public.

It was precisely because William Bolton knew that, in history, Edward Foster had used the argument of “exempting the crime for which she was accused” to help John escape the death penalty. But it was also this defense that caused the case to escalate, eventually involving Emperor Shenzong of Song, Wang Anshi, Sima Guang, and others, turning it into a famous case for the ages, with a span of over ten or twenty years.

It’s just that right now, Edward Foster hadn’t realized this yet; William Bolton was simply giving him a “pillow” he would one day own.

William Bolton was, of course, fearless, because the appeal he raised was exactly what Edward Foster was thinking at this moment—the two were of one mind. How could Edward Foster blame him? He’d be grateful if anything.

……

“Zhang San! Zhang San!”

Just after leaving the yamen, William Bolton, who hadn’t gone far, suddenly heard someone calling him from behind. He turned to see a servant dressed as a houseboy running toward him.

The houseboy caught up to William Bolton, took the bundle off his shoulder, and handed it to him, explaining, “My master knows you’ve just been released from prison and have no money, so he sent me to lend you some funds and clothes. Once you find your family, you can return them.”

William Bolton was momentarily stunned, then smiled, not even asking who the master was. He took the bundle, feeling its weight—he almost didn’t hold it steady—and said, “Please thank your master for me. One day, Zhang San will surely repay him generously.”

The houseboy nodded and turned to leave.

Looking at the bundle in his hand, William Bolton smiled and muttered to himself, “It seems the historical records were spot on—this Edward Foster truly enforces the law like a mountain, but has a heart as soft as water!”

At this, he paused slightly, frowned, and said, “But if John’s death sentence is really reduced by exempting her from the crime for which she was accused, it’s hard to convince people, and even harder to repay this life-saving favor. I must rescue her myself.”

Chapter Three: The Search

It’s really quite laughable—William Bolton had been in this world for more than three months, yet everything here was still very unfamiliar to him.

Because he had only been here half a day before being caught by the constables, and then he’d been in prison ever since, never seeing the light of day.

Having just been released, he had no leisure to appreciate the local customs, but the prosperity of commerce here did surprise him a bit. Taverns and teahouses were everywhere, and the goods lining both sides of the street were dazzling to the eye.