Chapter 111: Let Me Make You Submit
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The constables weren’t familiar with the identity of the legendary Yu Zhi Yi, so when they saw You Bing Yue pinning a man to the floor in the room, they instinctively assumed she was the one they had been summoned by. With a respectful bow, they greeted her: “Greetings, Official Yu.”
Yu Zhi Yi: “…”
You Bing Yue paused for a moment before throwing a disdainful glance at Yu Zhi Yi.
After expelling the evil spirits troubling the Empress Dowager that day, Yu Zhi Yi had claimed she needed additional time off to recover from her “exhaustion.” As a result, she hadn’t reported to the Ministry of Justice since. It was only natural that no one there recognized her.
Wu Shan, squeezing through the gathered constables, rushed to Yu Zhi Yi’s side and addressed her: “Master.”
The constables, realizing their mistake, couldn’t hide their embarrassment. At the same time, they couldn’t help muttering inwardly. Was it their fault they’d assumed wrongly?
After all, wasn’t calling the constables here meant to arrest a thief? And now, with someone pinned on the ground, it only made sense to think the one holding them down was their summoner. On top of that, Yu Zhi Yi looked no different from an ordinary housewife, while You Bing Yue exuded a heroic and capable aura. Their mistake was understandable.
A middle-aged constable stepped forward and saluted Yu Zhi Yi. “Official Yu, what would you have us do here?”
In that split second, Yu Zhi Yi hatched a plan. Calmly, she said, “Take this heinous serial murderer to the Ministry of Justice.”
Her words caused a stir among the crowd.
The man on the ground lifted his head abruptly, a menacing glint flashing in his eyes before he quickly masked it with a pitiful and terrified expression. “I’m innocent! This is unjust!”
Old Man Zhang, standing nearby, was equally stunned. “Young lady—no, my lord—is there some kind of misunderstanding here?” He struggled to believe that Steward Ma could harbor murderous intentions against him. What could he possibly gain from it?
The onlookers began murmuring amongst themselves:
“Women in office, really? She’s accusing someone like him of being a serial killer? He’s so scrawny—how could he even hurt anyone?”
The constables hesitated to act. They had been unhappy with this newly appointed Fifth-Rank Official since her arrival. If she were a renowned figure of proven competence, that would be different. But instead, she was infamous for being a pampered housewife. And now, her first order was to arrest a supposed murderer with no apparent evidence? They weren’t fools.
“The man looks like he couldn’t hurt a fly,” they thought. “What’s she expecting us to do?”
In the Great Sheng Empire, laws had grown increasingly comprehensive over the last century. Although not perfect, they generally ensured the protection of individual rights. Arresting someone without solid evidence was risky. If the suspect turned out to be innocent, the person who ordered the arrest could face serious repercussions—unless they held significant power, like Yu Zhi Yi. But as low-ranking constables, they’d end up as scapegoats.
Naturally, none of them wanted to make the first move.
Seeing their hesitation, Yu Zhi Yi’s expression darkened. “Are you refusing to follow orders? Do you intend to defy me?”
The middle-aged constable cleared his throat and clasped his hands respectfully. “Official Yu, our laws are well-established. Arrests require an official warrant. While there are exceptions for immediate action, those orders must come from a formally instated Fifth-Rank official or higher, or there must be clear evidence of a crime committed.”
“Right now, neither condition seems to be met.”
Yu Zhi Yi’s eyes turned icy. This was precisely why she had planned to catch the suspect in the act. Since she had yet to report to the Ministry of Justice, her authority was technically unrecognized, even if her rank as a Fifth-Rank Official had been personally granted by the Emperor. Without evidence, she couldn’t command these people effectively—even though their defiance was entirely baseless.
“Apprehend him, and you’ll be credited with a third-class merit. Are you certain you want to pass up this opportunity?”
The constables exchanged uneasy glances. Clearly, they deferred to the middle-aged constable, and since he hadn’t given the signal, none of the younger ones moved.
Yu Zhi Yi pressed on: “Even though I haven’t officially reported to the Ministry, I am still a Fifth-Rank Official, formally appointed by His Majesty. This meets your second condition.”
“Once I report for duty, I will certainly bring this matter to the attention of the Minister. Is the Ministry of Justice now allowing its constables to override its rules and defy the Emperor’s will?”
The constables panicked. “Official Yu…”
Ignoring them, Yu Zhi Yi turned to Du Zi Heng. “Bind him and take him to the Ministry. I’ll submit a memorial requesting your commendation.”
Du Zi Heng hesitated. “There’s no need for a memorial…”
As he moved to restrain the man, You Bing Yue suddenly struck out, blocking him. Du Zi Heng was baffled. “Bing Yue, what are you doing?”
You Bing Yue retorted coldly, “Do you just blindly follow whatever she says? Has she bewitched you?”
“This man might not look trustworthy, but accusing him of being a murderer requires evidence.”
“Arresting someone without proof undermines the rule of law. If the Great Sheng Empire’s laws operate this way, who will trust them to deliver justice in the future?”
“I also have to wonder if the law is being used as a tool for someone’s personal gain.”
The pinned man—Ma Bo Cai—was stunned. While he didn’t understand why this woman was speaking on his behalf, he seized the opportunity and shouted: “She’s absolutely right! I didn’t kill anyone. If you arrest me now, it’s nothing but coercion and forced confession!”
“Once, there was Dou E’s unjust trial, marked by snow in June. If I, Ma Bo Cai, am wronged today, there will surely be thunder in September!”
Yu Zhi Yi flipped her palm, revealing three copper coins. Her voice was calm but steely: “Thunder in September isn’t unusual.”
“A wretched soul like you has no right to compare yourself to Dou E.”
“If you refuse to comply, then let me make you submit.”