Having heard Hu Jing's explanation, Zhou Bingyi's mind eased. If the intention behind the trial was not to impose unjustly harsh sentences but rather to conduct legitimate legal proceedings, that was much easier to handle. To have managed to reduce a case inciting civil unrest to a common lawsuit was already quite an achievement. Given the current dynasty's practice of using silver to reduce sentences—provided the crime involved neither politics nor serious offenses—allowing Liang Qiyuan to spend more silver wasn't necessarily bad. It would be good for him to face some financial hardship, to better understand himself and for his family to live a safe and peaceful life.
Consequently, the trial concerning Liang Qiyuan was reopened, and his confession was the first piece of evidence examined.