"Master Bao, the victims in this case are all people from my family."
"After careful consideration, I decided not to pursue the case any further so as not to cause trouble to the court."
Thinking of the consequences of his son being detained, He Jianzhang still endured his anger and softened.
As the saying goes, if the people don't take action, the officials won't investigate. If ordinary officials hear that the perpetrators will no longer pursue the case, they will probably stay silent.
After all, it is better to do less than to do more. Being caught between two ministers is a thankless task.
But Bao Zheng is not an ordinary official. After hearing these words, his face showed some displeasure:
"Master He, the so-called human life is at stake, how can we just end it with just one sentence?"
"As Prime Minister, how can you treat human life as child's play? How can you deserve the trust of His Majesty and the imperial court?"
"Master He, please be careful what you say, otherwise Bao will definitely impeach you!"
When He Jianzhang heard this, his face suddenly darkened.
He had heard about Bao Zheng's reputation before, but he didn't expect him to be so stubborn. He was even lectured for nothing, and even threatened with impeachment.
This is too special to not take yourself as the Prime Minister seriously!
If he hadn't known that Bao Zheng had almost killed Cao Bin, He Jianzhang might have suspected that the two of them were colluding with each other and deliberately plotting against him.
Cao Bin had already anticipated Bao Zheng's reaction, and couldn't help but laugh when he saw it:
"Prime Minister He, now it's not a question of whether you pursue General Lin Yang or not."
"It's a matter of ordering the young master to molest the officials' family members and ordering his subordinates to attack the general of the Forbidden Army."
As he spoke, he said with a hint of joking in his tone:
"Therefore, I am very suspicious that you and your son have a conspiracy against the imperial guards..."
Hearing this, He Jianzhang couldn't help but take a breath of cold air.
With such a big hat, this guy Cao Bin wants to kill himself!
If this matter is really defined as a conspiracy against the Forbidden Army, not to mention that the ministers will desperately try to impeach him, I am afraid that even the Queen Mother will have a grudge.
When the time comes, let alone retaining the position of prime minister, I am afraid that I will not be able to save my official status or even my life.
So he quickly defended:
"Hou Zhongjing, don't talk nonsense. My son is a bit dissolute in daily life, and it is inevitable that he will make some mistakes."
"This is just a misunderstanding. My son happened to offend General Lin's family. How can it be said to be a conspiracy?"
Cao Bin said "tsk tsk" twice and said jokingly:
"Teasing the family members and attacking the generals of the Forbidden Army are just a bit wanton in the eyes of Prime Minister He."
"This shows how overbearing you He family father and son are on weekdays...in the dark!"
With that said, he said to Bao Zheng:
"Master Bao, I suggest sending someone to Prime Minister He's hometown to investigate and collect evidence, so as to give the people a clear sky..."
Hearing this, He Jianzhang was so angry that he almost vomited blood.
He never thought that Cao Bin would take advantage of the loopholes in his words to make such a move.
Whether or not I defend my co-authorship, you can give me a hat, one after another. Are you a hat seller?
Besides, don’t you know what kind of person you are? Do you have the nerve to report our father and son?
Bao Zheng ignored his thoughts and said seriously:
"Please rest assured, Marquis Zhongjing, Bao will send Jiang Guard and others to verify in person."
When He Jianzhang heard this, he felt extremely depressed. Unexpectedly, he gave in and not only failed to let Bao Zheng let go, but also caused more trouble.
These two are so inhumane!
At this point, the only thing we can do is to have the Queen Mother forcefully stop it as soon as possible. The longer we delay, the more dangerous we will be.
My son is not a tough-boned hero. If he can't withstand the pressure and commits other crimes, his father and son may be finished immediately.
Thinking of this, He Jianzhang said coldly:
"Since Marquis Zhongjing and Master Bao are so unkind, He has no choice but to ask the Queen Mother for a ruling."
As he spoke, he nodded to He Zhaoxiong and said:
"My son, don't worry. The Queen Mother and Grand Master will make the decision for you. Let me see which one is bold enough to convict you!"
After saying that, he flicked his sleeves, turned around and left.
Cao Bin saw him hurriedly entering the palace and didn't pay attention. He just smiled and said:
"Since Prime Minister He is unwilling to cooperate, Master Bao does not need to go to the palace to request an order. He Zhaoxiong can be interrogated first."
"Don't worry, Mr. Bao, I will fully cooperate with you!"
Bao Zheng didn't know whether to be happy or speechless. He knew that Cao Bin was using him, but he didn't want to refuse.
No matter what Cao Bin's purpose was, his behavior was always to uphold the laws of the Song Dynasty...
After returning to Kaifeng Mansion with Bao Zheng, Cao Bin personally recorded a testimony, signed the autograph, and then left home.
As a minister of government, even if he is really guilty, he will not be restricted.
Although it was Cao Bin who ordered the killing, Lin Chong and Yang Zhi were deeply moved when they saw that he directly took the responsibility for the killing on themselves in his testimony.
Seeing this, Lin Chong's wife no longer worried and was very active in cooperating with Bao Zheng in trying the case...
At dusk, while Cao Bin and his family were happily eating, the Funing Palace in the palace was filled with tranquility.
As Cao Bin expected, Wang Yanling was pleasantly surprised when he received the news of He Zhaoxiong's arrest.
He quickly rushed to the palace and started arguing with He Jianxiong, and even rejected Queen Mother Pan's plan to issue an order to save people.
He is the head of the Political Affairs Hall. As long as he has great righteousness and sufficient reasons, he can completely reject Empress Dowager Pan's imperial edict through the Political Affairs Hall, leaving her completely powerless.
Although Queen Mother Pan gave a direct order, he completely ignored it.
Therefore, until Wang Yanling left with satisfaction, Queen Mother Pan's pretty face was still full of anger.
At this time, only Pan's father and daughter and He Jianzhang were left in the Funing Palace.
He Jiazhang was already a little numb. He really couldn't understand that just like Wang Yanling, Bao Zheng dared to ignore Queen Mother Pan's imperial edict.
Isn't he afraid of the Queen Mother's revenge afterwards?
He Jianzhang bowed and took a peek at the cold-looking Queen Mother Pan on the dragon throne, and said carefully:
"Your Majesty, the dog really cannot be put on trial, otherwise the minister will be caught by them."
"Only if you come forward in person can..."
Before he could finish speaking, Pan Renmei, who was sitting on the side, became angry and shouted:
"He Jianzhang, don't talk nonsense. Who is your son? He deserves to be rescued by the empress herself?"
"If Bao Zheng still refuses to submit, wouldn't it be compromising the majesty of the empress?"
He Jiazhang bent even lower and said hurriedly:
"Master, please forgive me. Master, please forgive me. I am afraid that I will let down my queen's hard work."
Queen Mother Pan slammed the jade Ruyi in her hand on the table and said angrily:
"He Jianzhang, I have repeatedly told you to keep a low profile and be cautious, why do you want to provoke Cao Bin?"
When He Jianzhang saw this, he immediately fell to his knees with a "pop" and cried:
"Queen Mother, this is a misunderstanding. My son didn't even know that those two people were Cao Bin's old subordinates."
"Besides, Cao Bin is so unscrupulous and unyielding in his vengeance. He clearly doesn't take the imperial concubine seriously and expects the empress to make the decision for me."
Seeing that Queen Mother Pan didn't want to come forward, he had to use a provocative method, otherwise it would be difficult for not only He Zhaoxiong but also himself to escape.
Queen Mother Pan gave him a disgusted look and shouted coldly:
"Shut up, I know better than you who Cao Bin is. If you and your son hadn't provoked him, how would he have dealt with you?"
If Cao Bin is hostile to He Jiazhang, as long as he joins forces with Wang Yanling to oppose him, he will not be able to enter the center, so why waste energy on dealing with him afterwards?
Moreover, she recruited He Jianzhang into the political hall, firstly to expand her power and subdue Wang Yanling, and secondly to use the general trend to subdue Cao Bin instead of turning him into an enemy.
If he offends him, he will lose the help of Cao Bin, whom he wants to rely on, and it will also cause quite troublesome consequences.
Therefore, her beatings on Cao Bin were carefully considered and she also thought of compensation methods.
The key is to fight without breaking, to conceal but not to show off, to be civil and military in a moderate manner, and to simmer slowly.
Now He Jianzhang and his son have offended Cao Bin unplanned. If coupled with the previous dispute over wedding "rituals", wouldn't it arouse his vigilance and disgust, making him mistakenly think that he is going to attack him?
This made Queen Mother Pan very angry.
If she gave up He Jiazhang, she could conquer Cao Bin, and she would rather use the heads of He Jiazhang and his son as compensation... But this was unlikely.
Therefore, Yibaohe Jianzhang must be preserved. After all, it took a lot of effort to promote him, and he cannot give up the advantages he has gained.
But she didn't want to offend Cao Bin. After thinking for a long time, Queen Pan said with cold eyes:
"Your son, you can handle it yourself."
"If you want to keep your position as prime minister, find a way to shut him up!"
Seeing the murderous intent in Queen Mother Pan's almond-shaped eyes, He Jianzhang immediately understood her thoughts. His hands and feet felt cold and his heart ached...
