Chapter 60

Zhao Jin had some knowledge about executions, knowing that only the most heinous criminals would be beheaded at the third hour of the afternoon, and that capital punishments were generally carried out in autumn. Those who were sentenced to immediate execution were usually major criminals. Today, he wondered what evil deed this man had committed to receive such treatment.

Unlike usual, today Zhao Zhen didn't play with the monkey; he directly took the ghost head knife wrapped in red cloth to the execution ground, and Zhao Jin hurriedly followed.

The weather was still cold, and Zhao Zhen had already changed into a short red shirt underneath his cotton robe. Having performed many executions, he had no psychological barriers and maintained a calm demeanor. As they walked, he talked to Zhao Jin about today's criminal.

This man had no significant background but had committed a heinous crime, wiping out an entire family. The widow Lin had lost her husband early on, but her husband's family was considered wealthy in Xuzhou, leaving behind a substantial estate and three children under ten years old. At the time, people speculated that either Lin would remarry or her husband's family would divide the estate.

Unexpectedly, Lin managed the family business alone and raised her children. She had a keen business sense, and when the Jia River opened, she set up several shops in Yutou Town. Her family's fortune grew, making them one of the wealthiest families in the eastern part of Xuzhou City.

Last year, her eldest son's marriage was arranged, and they planned to get married this year. People inside and outside the city praised her for her loyalty and virtue, and the government was preparing to report to the imperial court to build a memorial archway in her honor.

However, at this critical moment, Lin's family was burglarized in the middle of the night. Her prosperous life had made many envious, and a ruffian from the same village climbed over the wall to steal. Somehow, he alarmed Lin.

Perhaps in a panic, the ruffian, driven by desperation, used an axe to kill Lin. Then, in a fit of rage, he also killed her eldest son and daughter who came to investigate. The common people had never seen such a bloody scene; the servants and helpers who came to help were frightened and two of them were killed. Finally, a few brave men caught and subdued the ruffian as he was about to escape over the wall, and he was handed over to the authorities.

Who would have thought that a family would be destroyed in one night? If not for the youngest son, who slept deeply, he might have also been killed. The youngest son was very weak, and it was said that he was not yet told what had happened. As for the business and estate, they were now managed by Lin's husband's family.

"The market is bad, and such heinous crimes are increasing. In the past three years, the number of beheadings has surpassed the previous five years," Zhao Zhen said.

There were many cases of robbery and murder, and even ten deaths were not considered significant. However, this case caused a great stir, and even people in Fengyang and Nanjing knew about it.

The Prefect of Xuzhou, who was already disgraced for his reappointment, was even more embarrassed by this incident. He did not care about the spring season being a time for growth and life, and directly sentenced the criminal to immediate execution. The imperial court quickly approved the sentence, and the execution was set for February.

Because major crimes were frequent in Xuzhou, the execution was chosen to take place at the clock tower one li east of Pengcheng Academy, which was the center of Xuzhou City. The purpose was to use the criminal's head to deter evil.

On the way, the father and son split up. Zhao Zhen went to the government office to prepare, while Zhao Jin went on his own.

There were many people waiting around the execution ground, from all walks of life, and everyone looked excited, as if it were a festive occasion.

After a short wait, the sound of a copper gong rang out, and the crowd suddenly became agitated. The sounds of bailiffs and helpers shouting to clear the way and people cursing could be heard.

The crowd parted to either side as the bailiffs escorted the prisoner's cart into the execution ground. Spectators threw objects at the cart, and even though the bailiffs stood far away, they were often hit and cursed.

The criminal in the wooden cage had disheveled hair and bloodied skin, his head hanging down, showing no signs of life.

The cart stopped, and the bailiffs opened the cage, dragging the shackled criminal to the execution platform—a temporary wooden stage.

The crowd surged forward, and the bailiffs, prepared for this, used their sticks and whips to drive them back, causing screams and cries. The crowd dispersed somewhat.

Due to the crowding, some people even fought for better positions, but Zhao Jin, with his superior strength, easily pushed to the front.

The bailiffs recognized Zhao Jin and, having recently visited his family to pay respects, did not stop him. Soon, Zhao Jin stood at the front.

"Didn't the Zhao family's boy almost faint last time he watched an execution? Why is he here again?"

"They say this boy now has great skills, and no young man in the city can match him."

"Executing criminals is a good business. Old Zhao naturally wants to pass it down. His son is old enough and should start learning."

"If he gets scared again..."

Zhao Jin ignored the comments. The official overseeing the execution had just entered, and his father was standing nearby, waiting. This was a good opportunity to look around.

The order had been restored, and the crowd was quiet, surrounded by the bailiffs. Zhao Jin noticed a few familiar faces, including Chen Sheng and Wang Zhaojing on one side, and Sun Dalei and Liu Yong on another. Others were not present.

They waved and smiled, always having a competitive spirit, treating the execution as a test of courage.

After scanning the crowd, Zhao Jin felt something was off. Besides his friends, there seemed to be other familiar faces, but he couldn't see anyone else he knew.

The official began to read the criminal's crimes and the sentence. Hearing about the Lin family's tragedy, the crowd became agitated again. Some people couldn't help but curse the criminal, and others threw objects at him, causing chaos.

The bailiffs turned to suppress the crowd, and Zhao Zhen, holding the ghost head knife, walked up to the platform. He looked at the crowd, meeting Zhao Jin's eyes and nodding slightly.

Zhao Jin felt that his father was checking if he had come. As the execution approached, the crowd became even more excited, and people pushed from behind. The bailiffs' shouts and curses were barely effective.

At this moment, the criminal, who had been kneeling with his head down, lifted his head and scanned the crowd.

The criminal's face was twisted, covered in blood, and he had clearly suffered in prison. Although it was Zhao Jin's first time watching an execution, he had heard many stories at home. Before execution, criminals often became mentally unstable, crying, laughing, struggling, cursing the heavens, or collapsing in fear, all due to their fear and desire to live.

But the criminal on the platform was different. He had a smile on his face, which, combined with his twisted features and blood, looked very strange. The smile was calm, almost cold.

A man who had broken into a widow's house, gone on a killing spree when discovered, and murdered the family should not have such an expression. According to Zhao Jin's judgment, he should be terrified or arrogantly laughing. This calmness was unexpected.

The spectators felt the same way. When they met his calm, cold gaze, they felt a chill and some instinctively stepped back.

The crowd fell silent, quieted by the criminal's twisted, bloodied face and his calm, cold gaze.

Not only the crowd but even the official overseeing the execution was momentarily stunned. He swallowed and quickly reacted, throwing the stick in his hand to the ground and shouting, "The time has come, execute!"

Hearing the word "execute," the criminal's body trembled, and he forced himself to lift his head, opening his mouth as if to say something. At that moment, a flash of the blade, and Zhao Zhen beheaded him in one stroke!

The head fell from the platform to the ground, and blood spurted from the severed neck.

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End of the chapter.