For him, there was no doubt about this case. Even if it wasn’t a heinous crime, it was still murder—there was no way it could be ruled as excessive self-defense. This was all because of Edward Foster’s sympathy. If he insisted on getting entangled, everyone would have to go along with him, so it was better to give him a reason to give up.

Chapter Eight: Change of Circumstances

James Carter didn’t delay either. After all, this case was just too simple, and there was nothing worth preparing for.

He immediately announced to the public that the Criminal Division would hold a hearing on the case in three days.

William Bolton was notified at the first opportunity, and he was still somewhat worried about it.

The reason he had been so arrogant before was entirely because he had figured out Edward Foster.

Even in later generations, if the lawyer and the judge shared the same moral and value system, things would go twice as smoothly with half the effort—let alone in this feudal society.

Success or failure mostly depended on the judge’s verdict, not the lawyer’s argument.

Now, not only had the judge changed, but even the court handling the case had changed. For William Bolton, this was certainly very bad news.

This was definitely going to be a tough battle.

Fortunately, he was also informed that the trial would be held in open court, and it would be at the prefectural yamen, not at the Criminal Division’s office.

This was because many of the case documents were at the prefectural yamen, and John was also being held there, not at the Criminal Division. If the trial were to be held at the Criminal Division, it would be a huge hassle to transfer all the important documents, requiring many procedures.

This made William Bolton feel a bit more at ease.

In his view, the prefectural yamen was his home turf!

But the Wei brothers were now on pins and needles. Their words of gratitude before were just that—words of gratitude. They never expected William Bolton to agree so readily.

This...!

“Brother Zhang San, how can we help you?”

Thomas Walker asked nervously, “You... you’re not going to make us lie, are you?”

Henry Walker was even more frightened, not daring to make a sound, shrinking to the side and listening intently.

The brothers were completely bewildered this time. They were the victims, yet they were being asked to testify for the assailant. Was this some kind of dark humor?

It was simply absurd!

William Bolton smiled and reassured them, “Of course not. Giving false testimony is illegal. You just need to truthfully recount what happened that night. Say exactly what you said before, and when the time comes, just repeat it. Leave the rest to me. Don’t worry, I won’t harm you.”

Thomas Walker nodded woodenly.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

“Is Zhang Sanlang inside?”

Zhang Sanlang? William Bolton recognized the shopkeeper’s voice, but he was a bit puzzled, since he had always been called Zhang San.

“I’m here.”

William Bolton opened the door and saw the shopkeeper standing outside, so he asked, “Shopkeeper, is there something you need?”

The shopkeeper said, “Here’s the thing—someone just booked the left suite for you.”

This suite was actually a set of rooms.

William Bolton asked in surprise, “Do you know who booked it for me?”

The shopkeeper replied, “That person didn’t give a name. He just hoped Zhang Sanlang could rest well and be in good shape to clear John’s name tomorrow.”

“Huh?”

William Bolton stared at the shopkeeper in shock.

At that moment, a young attendant came forward, bowed, and said, “Excuse me, is this Zhang Sanlang’s residence?”

William Bolton quickly replied, “That’s me.”

The attendant immediately presented two sets of brand-new clothes with both hands and said, “My young master sent me to deliver these to Zhang Sanlang.”

William Bolton asked, “Who is your young master?”

The attendant replied, “My young master heard that Zhang Sanlang was going to stand up for John, so he sent these clothes as a token of support.”

Once again, William Bolton was dumbfounded.

He began to wonder in his heart—just who exactly was this John? How strange! There was no record in the history books of John having any powerful background.

The shopkeeper seemed to notice William Bolton’s doubts, glanced at the Wei brothers inside, then pulled William Bolton aside and whispered, “Sanlang, you may not know, but actually, a lot of people are standing up for John.”

William Bolton asked, “Really?”

The shopkeeper said, “Of course. John is a famous beauty in the county, while Henry Walker is a well-known ugly man. No one would want to marry Henry Walker. This was all caused by that Fang Datian stirring things up. Even fining him fifty mu of land is too little.”

William Bolton suddenly understood.

Looks!

It seems that, since ancient times, good looks have always been justice!

After this case broke out, many people were indignant, because John was a famous local beauty, while Henry Walker was a notorious ugly man, and an old bachelor at that.

It was like a flower stuck in a pile of manure.

Men’s hearts were with John.

Plus, the previous Fang Datian case made everyone even more sympathetic toward John.

It had to be said, this was a huge help for William Bolton.

Where the people’s hearts go, so does the truth.

“Ahem!”

William Bolton suddenly whispered to the shopkeeper, “Shopkeeper, if there are any more well-meaning people who want to support me and I happen to be out, just accept it on my behalf. We must promote this voice of justice.”

The shopkeeper was stunned for a moment, then nodded and smiled, “Of course! Of course!”