Chief Inspector of Criminal Cases in the Great Xia Dynasty
My name is Di Ying. I began as a low-ranking official, only to be wrongfully imprisoned at the start. Yet I remained unshaken, for I am versed in medicine, skilled in autopsy, adept in deduction, and an expert in analyzing traces. By chance, I met a wise mentor who judged cases by evidence and helped me save myself, rising through the ranks to the Supreme Court. I cleared old cases and rescued innocent children from fire, revived the dying with my three-needle technique, befriended worthy companions, and cared deeply for the people’s welfare. Whether faced with open schemes or hidden plots, I punished the wicked and eradicated traitors. There was the case of disfigurement and false accusation, the brutal murder over a stolen relic, the mysterious death by negligence, the deadly theft of a lover’s hairpin, and the desperate struggle against blackmail and rebellion—each case more perilous and unique than the last. Do you still remember that chubby Di? The famous "Di Three-Needles"! “Lord Di is truly a genius!” “Without him, there would be no one left to uphold justice in the court.” When the land is in peril and demons threaten the nation, I will use my wit to vanquish evil and my blood to bear witness in the halls of power.
Chief Inspector of Criminal Cases in the Great Xia Dynasty
The crisp air of autumn carried the scent of ripening fruit. Lord Yan, the Inspector of Henan Circuit, had come to Bianzhou to assess the conduct of local officials. Upon hearing of a particular case, he summoned the accused—Di Ying.
Nineteen-year-old Di Ying, shackled in chains and manacles, his hair disheveled and his prison garb filthy, was escorted by constables, step by step, into the main hall. His posture was upright and resolute; facing the constables’ threatening batons, the assembled officials of various ranks, and the presiding judge at the head of the hall, he remained unafraid.
His hands bound, he brought them together as best he could and performed a respectful salute, his voice clear and bright. “I am your humble subordinate, Di Ying, Assistant Judge of Bianzhou, here to pay my respects, my lord.”
Having finished his salute, he straightened and looked directly between the brows of the presiding official. Lord Yan let out a soft “hmm” in his heart, sat up straighter, and released the full weight of his authority, his brow furrowed and his gaze bearing down on Di Ying.
“You are a disgraced official; how dare you address yourself as a subordinate?” he demanded.
“Your words are mistaken, my lord,” Di Ying replied, calm in the face of such pressure and the harsh interrogation. He clasped his fists and said, “Judgment must be based on evidence; without proof, how can I be condemned as a criminal?”
Lord Yan leaned back in his chair, a trace of a smile flickering in his eyes. He, too, sensed something amiss with this case—hence
📚 Related Recommendations
View More >
