Thomas Walker curled his lips and said, “Actually, back in our grandfathers’ generation, their family was about the same as ours. It’s just that over the years, their family has been marrying off daughters everywhere, exchanging for quite a bit of farmland from other farmers, and then gradually buying up more land.”

So they’re repeat offenders. William Bolton nodded, and after pondering for a while, he suddenly said, “Fifty mu of land.”

Thomas Walker was stunned and asked, “What fifty mu of land?”

William Bolton said, “Compensate you with fifty mu of land. What do you think?”

Thomas Walker was dumbfounded.

“F…fifty mu?”

“Mm.”

William Bolton nodded and said, “If you think that’s too little, I can help you fight for even more compensation, but there’s no guarantee you’ll get more than this.”

Thomas Walker shook his head repeatedly and said, “That’s plenty, plenty. You… you really can help us get compensated with fifty mu of land?”

Fifty mu of land—for ordinary farmers like them, that was unimaginable. That could feed several more mouths!

William Bolton nodded.

Suddenly, a very soft voice came from behind, “What about a wife?”

William Bolton turned around and saw Henry Walker shrink his head back. He immediately burst out laughing, “With fifty mu of land, you’re still worried about not finding a wife?”

……

In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed. During this time, William Bolton had kept in touch with the The Walker Brothers and was secretly investigating some people related to the case.

At the same time, he was also working hard to recover his health. In fact, his physical condition before was simply not enough to support him through a full court case. It was already a blessing he hadn’t fallen seriously ill.

That day, at dusk, David Harris arrived at the yamen gate, stretched his arms, and asked the two yamen runners on either side, “Has anyone come to file a complaint today?”

The two yamen runners shook their heads.

David Harris let out a sigh of relief. Another day passed without incident. He then reminded them, “These are troubled times—you all need to stay alert!”

Before he finished speaking, someone called out, “Samuel Harris, Samuel Harris.”

David Harris found the voice familiar. He looked over and, upon seeing who it was, exclaimed, “Michael Bolton?”

It was William Bolton.

William Bolton hurried to the door, panting, and said, “Samuel Harris, you haven’t closed the yamen yet, have you?”

David Harris asked in confusion, “What are you doing here again?”

William Bolton chuckled, “What else would I be doing here? Of course, I’m here to file a complaint.”

As he spoke, he handed over the complaint document.

David Harris glanced at the document in William Bolton’s hand, the corner of his mouth twitching nonstop. If looks could kill, William Bolton would have been reduced to ashes by now.

Chapter Five: The Man with the Pen Behind His Ear

What kind of monster have we unleashed!

David Harris had worked in the government for over twenty years. Usually, when criminals were released from prison, they stayed as far away from the yamen as possible—truly, the farther the better—filled with fear inside. But this guy came by every two or three days, more frequently than he went to the market!

“Filing a complaint? Again?”

Finally unable to hold back, David Harris roared fiercely at William Bolton, “Do you think this yamen is your family’s business? Coming here to file complaints all day long—are you tired of living or what?”

William Bolton lowered his sleeve to shield himself from spittle and replied calmly, “Please forgive me, Samuel Harris. It’s not that I want to trouble you, but this is the only place where the common people can seek justice. I… I really have nowhere else to go. I can’t possibly go to the capital to petition the emperor, can I?”

“You…!”

David Harris glared at William Bolton, eyes wide, “Are you threatening me?”

Petitioning to a higher authority was the one thing the yamen could not tolerate!

Let alone petitioning the emperor.

“No, no, no!”

William Bolton shook his head repeatedly, “I’m just saying, I wouldn’t dare!”

David Harris panted heavily. After a while, he suddenly snatched the complaint document, glared, and shouted, “Why are you still standing here? Do you expect us to hold court today?”

“Ah? Oh, oh, oh!”

William Bolton cupped his hands and said, “I’ll take my leave, I’ll take my leave.”

Seeing that it was getting late, and since he was here to file a proper complaint, there was no way the trial would be held today, so he left.

David Harris really didn’t want to deal with Michael Bolton, but he knew his superior’s temperament. If he tried to hide this, he’d definitely lose his job. So, bracing himself, he went to the back hall, “Reporting to the prefect, that Michael Bolton came to file a complaint again just now.”

Robert Clark heard “Michael Bolton” and immediately became furious, grumbling, “We really shouldn’t have let that guy out in the first place.”

He had firmly opposed using the exemption of guilt to reduce John’s death sentence, believing it could even affect Edward Foster’s career. But Edward Foster had insisted and already overturned the Dali Temple’s verdict on that basis.

The culprit was Michael Bolton!

Edward Foster glanced at Robert Clark, but didn’t blame him. He then asked David Harris, “Who is he complaining about this time?”

David Harris said, “This time he’s acting on behalf of the The Walker Brothers, accusing Charles Bennett of injuring someone.”

Edward Foster was surprised, “Injuring someone? When did Charles Bennett injure someone?”

David Harris said, “It’s still about the John murder case.”