Top Ten Public Case Novels

Author: Lü Zhimin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1996-02-01
Features: One of the stories in this book, "Investigating a Case," portrays the extraordinary observational skills and judgment of a young county magistrate through the accidental discovery of a case. It is an ordinary funeral procession, which generally wouldn't attract much attention, let alone speculation about whether the deceased was unjustly killed. Since the county magistrate encountered the event by chance and no one was lodging a complaint, a strong wind suddenly blew, lifting the curtain behind the coffin and also revealing the mourning attire of the woman inside. The county magistrate immediately noticed the red sleeves hidden beneath her mourning clothes and quickly identified the issue. Although the scene is highly dramatic, according to the customs of ancient funerals, those in deep mourning were not allowed to wear bright clothing. The key question was, who was sitting in that carriage? If she were the deceased's wife, there must be something suspicious. Therefore, the county magistrate did not act rashly but immediately ordered the officers to investigate. Upon confirming that she was indeed the deceased's wife, he then issued the command to halt the coffin and await further examination.