“Michael Bolton, do you know why I have summoned you here today?”

　　Edward Foster asked expressionlessly.

　　William Bolton hesitated for a moment, glanced at Edward Foster, and shook his head, saying, “This humble commoner does not know.”

　　Edward Foster snorted, “Have you forgotten that you still owe me money?”

　　Debt collecting? Wow... you’re really stingy! William Bolton was no longer as high-spirited as before and said awkwardly, “Yes, this humble commoner still owes the prefect two strings of coins, but... but I have no money at the moment. I hope the prefect can grant me a few more days.”

　　“No money.”

　　Edward Foster scrutinized William Bolton for a moment and said, “You helped the Wei brothers win fifty mu of land. Didn’t you ask for any reward?”

　　William Bolton blinked: “Wha... what? You can get a reward for doing a good deed?”

　　Beside him, Robert Clark was fuming and said, “You rascal, still pretending to be clueless! That calculation you just did really impressed me. I’ve tried cases for years and never seen such detailed accounts. Are you telling me you didn’t ask for a reward?”

　　William Bolton said, “This humble commoner only wanted to seek fair compensation for the Wei brothers and did not ask them for a single coin as reward.”

　　Edward Foster asked, “Really?”

　　William Bolton replied, “How would I dare deceive the prefect? Nor would I dare to default on my debt. If I had money, how could I not repay it?”

　　After scrutinizing him for a while, Edward Foster nodded and said, “Very well! Then I’ll give you a few more days.”

　　“Thank you, prefect.”

　　William Bolton cupped his hands in salute, then suddenly said, “As it happens, I have a petition to present to the prefect.”

　　At these words, Robert Clark, Liu Hai, and the others were dumbfounded.

　　Is your family in the business of selling petitions or what?

　　Only Edward Foster was not surprised, but he frowned and pretended to be displeased, saying, “You just never stop filing complaints, do you!”

　　William Bolton explained, “It’s not a new case, but about the John murder case.”

　　Edward Foster let out an “Oh”: “Is it again about extenuating circumstances?”

　　William Bolton quickly shook his head, “No, it’s just that, based on the Fang Datian injury case, I believe there is enough reason to re-examine John’s motive, and whether she truly intended harm. If she had no intent to harm, then there was no intent to murder.”

　　Edward Foster was secretly pleased.

　　Robert Clark also understood and immediately retorted, “Even if John was forced, her crime of murder is indisputable.”

　　William Bolton immediately said, “But I believe John actually had no intent to murder. She went to harm Henry Walker out of good intentions, just used the wrong method. Also, there is a new witness in this case.”

　　“A new witness?” Robert Clark asked, “What witness?”

　　There were so few people involved in this case—how could there be a new witness?

　　William Bolton answered, “It’s the victim of this case, Henry Walker.”

　　“Henry Walker?” Robert Clark was shocked, “You mean Henry Walker will testify for John?”

　　“Yes.”

　　Robert Clark and Edward Foster exchanged glances.

　　If Henry Walker was going to testify for John, then he was definitely a new witness.

　　But this was a bit absurd!

　　William Bolton said, “Since Henry Walker will provide new testimony, I believe John should at most be convicted of excessive self-defense.”

　　“Excessive self-defense?”

　　Robert Clark thought this Michael Bolton was crazy. The previously mentioned extenuating circumstances at least had some legal basis, even if he was exploiting loopholes, but he figured the Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice would never agree.

　　Now he was arguing for excessive self-defense.

　　How was that possible?

　　Self-defense by going to someone else’s house to kill them?

　　That was just nonsense.

　　Facing Robert Clark’s confusion, William Bolton remained serious and said, “Yes, John is absolutely innocent. She is also one of the victims. The authorities should give her justice.”

　　Edward Foster was secretly delighted, but said, “Present your petition first.”

　　“Yes.”

　　Robert Clark could guess what Edward Foster was thinking. He even suspected the two had colluded beforehand, but he didn’t approve of Edward Foster getting entangled in this case. However, if Henry Walker became a new witness, there would be enough grounds for a retrial. Suddenly, he had an idea and said, “Wait! Prefect, this is a retrial. If you want to accept this case, you should recuse yourself and have another official hear it.”

　　Edward Foster frowned at this.

　　In the Song Dynasty, there were clear regulations for retrials, called “fan yi bie kan.”

　　Simply put, if a criminal wanted to overturn a confession or was dissatisfied with a verdict, and the case was serious, then another official had to be assigned to hear it.

　　This case involved a human life, so it was certainly serious.

　　Although Edward Foster was also dissatisfied with the Dali Temple’s verdict, that was an internal dispute within the judicial department. But if William Bolton appealed, it would definitely be a “fan yi bie kan.”

　　Actually, Robert Clark said this to protect Edward Foster, because Edward Foster was just a capital official temporarily posted in Dengzhou, and before long, he would have to return to the capital. There was no need to risk his future for this case.

　　“Have someone else hear the case?”

　　William Bolton was shocked.

　　In ancient trials, the key was the person, not the law. The reason he was so bold was entirely because Edward Foster indulged him.

　　If someone else took over, he’d probably get a beating before the trial even started.

　　Always filing complaints—definitely a troublemaker.