When presiding over a case, Mr. Cheng consistently insisted on having both witness testimony and material evidence, ensuring the proceedings were open and transparent while strictly prohibiting any private dealings.
Thanks to his fairness and integrity, the people trusted his character, and thus Mr. Cheng held great prestige in Qingshui County.
Today, as he held court, Mr. Cheng sat high beneath a black-lacquered plaque that read, "The World Belongs to the People." To his left and right, rows of bailiffs stood at attention.
In front of the two rows of bailiffs, the plaintiff, Madam Li, and two servants from the Zheng Family knelt on the left. On the right knelt the three men from the Chen household: the father, his son, and his son-in-law.
If one held the title of Scholar, they did not need to kneel before an official. However, Zhao Jing and De'an were merely student candidates, still two steps away from achieving that rank.
