Chapter 017 The situation expands
The first major incident that occurred since Xu Hongji took office was to suppress the troubled scholars. Although he was young, he also knew the key to this. Before Zhang Wenda's seal arrived, he strictly ordered his soldiers not to beat the scholars and use shields to They tried to separate them as much as possible, but the Jinyiwei was miserable. Dozens of people were beaten and injured. The general flag in charge of the command at the gate was beaten to death. When the Jinyiwei felt annoyed and was about to fight back, Zhang Wenda's seal arrived, and then Qin Weimin made an emergency After arriving at the scene and discovering that the supervisor was injured and Jin Yiwei was dead, he felt dizzy and almost lost his footing. He yelled and left, and then announced that Zhang Liang's case would be retried on another day.
Unable to hide the matter, Zhang Wenda wrote a memorial and rushed it eight hundred miles to the capital, and arranged to wait for a reply from the capital before making a decision. However, Chen Cao was the one in trouble now, and it was no longer reliable to leave him at home. Zhang Wenda ordered that Chen Cao be taken into custody in Xingyuan and guarded personally.
In the backyard of Zhang Wenda's residence, Chen Cao was eating. Although he was imprisoned, he had not been convicted yet, and he still received the treatment he deserved. Zhang Wenda frowned at Chen Cao who was devouring his food, shook his head and said, "Do you know that things have gotten worse? The bigger the situation, if this doesn’t end, it’s hard to save your life, but my niece’s life will be hard to save..."
Chen Cao took a sip of hot tea and said with a smile: "Don't worry, adults. I, Chen Cao, have never done it before. The bigger the better, the better."
Zhang Wenda showed no expression and just stared at Chen Cao. Chen Cao continued: "In this way, the person behind it can suffer a serious crime. When the time comes, it will also be able to help others a lot."
"The key is to help yourself, you are not easy to deal with." After Zhang Wenda finished speaking, he stood up, looked at the sky and murmured: "If I had known this, Ke Cang should have dealt with you at that time... ."
Kecang is Li Maohui's cousin. Chen Cao didn't know it, so he couldn't understand Zhang Wenda's words. If you don't understand, then eat more...
Ten days later, an imperial envoy was announced to go south. The eunuch was sent to Zhang Wenda. The emperor's intention was to appoint Zhang Wenda as the imperial envoy, with full authority to handle Nanjing affairs. He would report back after the completion. The eunuch who was announced to be a ceremonial officer was left behind with the imperial edict. , prepare to listen.
Two days later, the Nanjing Ministry of Punishment issued an official document to prepare a public trial for the death of Zhang Liang on the Dragon Boat Festival. Zhang Wenda, the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs of the capital, would preside over the trial. Qiao Yunsheng, the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment of Nanjing, Xiong Mingyu, the Imperial Envoy of Nanjing Youqiandu, and the Young Master of Dali Temple in Nanjing Qing Cao was on the jury in Bian; Gao Hongtu, the censor of the Imperial Procuratorate of the capital, Gu Dazhang, a member of the criminal department of the capital, Chen Yiyuan, the magistrate of Yingtian, Xu Hongji, the Duke of Wei, Qin Weimin, the scholar of Nanjing, Luo Yangxing, the governor of Fusi Town, North Town of Jinyiwei, and Tongzhishou, the Jinyiwei Ninghou Zhang Yanzong, Nanzhen Fusi Town Governor Xu Xianchun and the eunuch who announced the decree were all present, and the lineup was huge.
After Chen Cao learned about this lineup, he sighed in his heart that he, a small member of a thousand households, had attracted so many people to watch. When he thought about Gu Dazhang, he couldn't help but laugh in his heart. Thinking that the truth would not be revealed in the future, Chen Cao would like to see it. Check whether Dazhang's expression at that time will be very rich, and whether he can make an emoticon to express it.
That night, Chen Cao met Zhao Xin for the last time. After carefully arranging the public trial tomorrow, he nodded with satisfaction and went to bed with the light on, and even had a good dream.
The fifth day of May, the Dragon Boat Festival, is a good time to settle cases, inquire about good luck, and take in concubines.
The public trial took place at the Yamen of the Yingtian Prefecture. All the officials were seated according to their rankings. The Yamen officials put in more than two hundred supervisors, scholars, and many powerful landowners in Nanjing.
The main reason why the people watching the case are diverse is Chen Cao. His name Nalan Rongruo has long been heard in Jinling. When they learned that he was involved in Zhang Liang's case, the men and women in Nanjing wanted to know what Chen Cao was doing this time. What the fuck is going to happen.
All the major gambling houses are talking about the odds, and many people are preparing to make a fortune in today's public trial.
Zhang Wenda's position is very high. On the main seat in the lobby, the three jurors are second in position. The audience members are of high status and sit on both sides. Chen Yiyuan, the prefect of Yingtian, sits next to the officials of the Sanfa Department. He asked questions on behalf of Zhang Wenda.
Although Zhang Wenda is the chief interrogator, he does not need to speak. He leaves everything to Chen Yiyuan and listens by himself. The main purpose is to close the case, so Chen Yiyuan will arrange it at the beginning.
Snapped...
Chen Yiyuan was shocked, and the yamen in the hall banged the water and fire sticks and shouted "mighty"...
"Today's public trial of Zhang Liang's case will be conducted by the presiding officer, Mr. Zhang, the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs of the capital." Chen Yiyuan stood up and gestured to Zhang Wenda. After seeing Zhang Wenda nod, he sat down again and continued: "The jury is Sirs of the Nanjing Sanfa Department, I now announce that I will ascend to the throne..."
After another period of "He Wu", Chen Yiyuan slapped the crowd again: "I advocate Chen's going to court with bitterness."
Zhang Chen and Zhang Hong entered the lobby together. They were taken in by Gu Dazhang when they were in Beijing. They were then protected by the Jinyi Guards and followed Zhang Wenda back to Nanjing. Of course, they had been staying with Zhang Wenda since they returned to Nanjing, so naturally they were still there. I didn’t know that Chen Cao had been to their house.
"You will tell me your name. If you have any grievances, please tell me in detail in front of all the adults in the court."
Zhang Hong has the status of a scholar. It can be seen that if officials do not kneel, Zhang and Chen have to kneel down. So they both saluted at the same time, and then Zhang Hong took the lead and said: "I have met you sirs. My student Zhang Hong was a scholar in the 44th year of Wanli. The deceased Zhang Liang is my biological brother, and this Zhang Chen is my brother’s widow. On March 19, my brother and Song Che had a conflict at Zuixianglou. Song Che injured my brother and left. He died on the same day. Huang Chengxian was sentenced by Yingtian Mansion for accepting bribes from Chen Cao, a member of Qianhu of the Jinyi Guards. The case was judged as a fight between the two parties, and Song Che was found guilty of negligent death. Song Che was exiled to Liaodong. Song Che was originally a sergeant. He went to Liaodong, but He went to guard the border in disguise, but my brother died in vain. Please make the decision for my brother."
"Master Qin, have you figured out the identities of Zhang Hong and Zhang Liang?" Xiong Mingyu asked.
Qin Weimin raised his hand and pointed at Zhang Hong: "Zhang Hong is indeed a scholar in Jiangning County in the 44th year of Wanli. The Zhang family comes from a scholarly family, and the three brothers are all famous. His elder brother Zhang Ken is a scholar in the 46th year of Wanli. He is also an alternative official to the county magistrate of Jiangning County."
"Zhang Hong, what is your main purpose in cooperating with the Zhang Chen family to go to Beijing to file a complaint?" Zhang Wenda asked coldly.
Zhang Hong stiffened his neck and said forcefully: "Sue Ying Tianfu Tong to sentence Huang Chengxian and Jin Yiwei Qianhu Chen Cao to give and receive privately, and to disregard human lives."
The spectators also have the right to speak. Censor Gao Hongtu nodded alone, looked thoughtfully at the juror Xiong Mingyu and said: "Master Xiong, according to my Ming law, how should people sue officials?"
Xiong Mingyu stared at Gao Hongtu, with some displeasure in his eyes, but he couldn't help but answer, and said in a calm voice: "According to law, people who complain to officials first have twenty feet."
Zhang Chen's obviously frightened expression made Zhang Wenda, who was sitting high up, laugh a little in his heart. Zhang Hong was a little panicked and spoke first: "My lords, the accuser is a student, and my younger brother and sister are just the victims, here to testify."
Gu Dazhang was watching the excitement. His son Gu Linsheng was among the Imperial Academy students who were hearing the trial. Zhang Hong's words had been prepared in advance so that he could deal with it calmly now.
Zhang Hong has a good reputation and can be exempted from punishment by suing an official. Gao Hongtu also has the confidence in his heart. Zhang Wenda's expression did not change. The hall was quiet for a long time. Zhang Wenda was heard saying: "I would like to remind you now that I, the Ming Dynasty Law, falsely accuse those who If you sit down, the other person who is an official will be punished by one level. Zhang Hong, if what you two said is true, you have merit and no fault. If it is a false accusation, the matter is serious now, but you are not the one to suffer. According to the law, the three clans will be connected."
Zhang Hong was startled. From the corner of his eye, he saw Zhang Chen glance at him secretly, obviously a little worried. Before leaving to complain, Zhang Youcai had worried about whether the matter would be successful. But now that he thought about it, Zhang Hong really wanted to He backed away, but seeing Gu Dazhang's expression in the auditorium, Zhang Hong strengthened his confidence and decided to fight to the end: "Everything the student said is true."
"Well..." Zhang Wenda's previous words were the last chance. Now that Zhang Hong has made his attitude clear, he naturally wants to get down to business: "Mr. Chen, please continue to ask."
After Chen Yiyuan handed over his hand, he took another shot and said: "Come, Huang Cheng will enter the hall first."
Huang Chengxian was arrested first. Even so, the Nanjing Ministry of Civil Affairs had no right to remove him from his official position and could only suspend him. Zhang Wendan was the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs of the world. He did not say anything. The Nanjing Ministry of Civil Affairs really did not dare to take matters into his own hands. thing.
Huang Cheng entered the hall still wearing official robes, but he only had a bun on his head. The black gauze hat that represented the official status had been removed. He was now wearing a sinful body and could not kneel after entering the hall, so he saluted everyone in the hall. : "I have seen you gentlemen, I am unjustly accused of being a low-ranking official..."
Chen Yiyuan was shocked and shouted angrily: "Huang Chengxian, I want to ask you, what is going on in Zhang Liang's case? Is it like Zhang Hong said, that you accepted bribes from others and gave Song Che a light sentence?"
Huang Chengxian still recalled the conversation between the other party and him before the incident, but when he thought that the matter had reached this point, the person who should be offended had already been offended. If he followed the steps planned by the other party, he would at most be dismissed from office for accepting bribes, and then wait for the matter to subside. Later, he was appointed to serve as an official in Jiangnan. He thought that the other party was also a big shot, and that he, the general judge, was just a small role at the mercy of others, so he had no choice but to accept his fate, so he argued: "Reporting to you sirs, I am also forced to have no choice. Song Che and Chen Cao have been good friends since childhood. After Song Che's case, Chen Cao went all over the place for Song Che. He even came to our Yamen to visit the prison because of Zhang Liang's involvement in the Imperial College, and then secretly used his identity as a Jin Yiwei to suppress him. Although Xiaguan was a civil servant, his rank was not as high as that of Chen Cao. Moreover, he was still a royal guard with a different status. Xiaguan was coerced and induced by him and had no choice but to agree to his conditions. Only then was Song Che sentenced to manslaughter. It’s a sin, please be aware of it, my lords, I’m really forced to have no choice...”
There was an uproar in the hearing group, and many people stared at Luo Yangxing, Xu Xianchun and Zhang Yanzong, who were born in Jinyiwei. However, each of these three people was better than the other, and their expressions did not change at all. They even looked back directly.
Zhang Wenda frowned, and then said: "The master will record it carefully, and then ask him to draw it." After saying that he couldn't help it, he asked: "In what way did Chen Cao threaten you? To be more careful, if you really If you are wronged, I will make the decision for you."
Huang Cheng first bowed his hands to Zhang Wenda and thanked him, and then said: "Chen Cao is in charge of punishing thousands of households and has great power. I have a few nephews who are not good at doing business along the coast. They are doing some illegal things. Chen Caoyan can make a fuss about it." I was asked to be dismissed from my position, and my subordinates were afraid for a while, so they..."
"Hmm..." Zhang Wenda stroked his beard and nodded, and then said, "Let him make a mark."
"What are the illegal things? Tell me carefully." Gao Hongtu couldn't help but ask.
Huang Chengxian hesitated and couldn't understand, but in front of so many people, he couldn't help but speak, so he looked at Zhang Wenda slowly and said: "It's... the sea... the sea..."
"Okay...you don't have to pay it back," Cao Yubian interrupted Huang Chengxian. He knew what Huang Chengxian was going to say. It was okay to talk in private, but now in front of many officials and intellectuals, the words could not be spoken. You can't speak frankly, otherwise you'll offend a lot of people.
Although Zhang Wenda only listened to one word, he guessed what Huang Chengxian was going to say, so he waved his hand: "Stop it, you have signed and stamped it. I didn't ask about other things, so you don't have to answer. "
Huang Cheng first breathed a sigh of relief, glanced at Gu Dazhang carefully, and then saluted Zhang Wenda with his fists clasped. He couldn't help but feel that the people behind him were too shrewd in what they did.
"Come here, bring Chen Cao to the court." Zhang Wenda personally ordered.
When the main character comes on stage, the atmosphere calms down instantly. If you listen carefully, you may be able to hear the breathing of others.
"Your Majesty, Chen Cao, have met you all..." Chen Cao first saluted the presiding judges and the jury officials, and then saluted Xu Hongji in the auditorium: "I have met the Duke..."
Xu Hongji nodded. He didn't believe that Chen Cao would do this from the beginning. There was also the case of Song Che. Although he did not contribute, Xu Hongji still took care of a lot on the way to Liaodong.
Only then did Chen Cao realize that when he met Luo Sigong before, the young Jin Yiwei who greeted him was also sitting in the auditorium, and the flying fish suit he was wearing was exactly the same as Xu Xianchun. Chen Cao was not stupid, he knew he was from the Zhenfu Division, so he greeted him respectfully. After bowing to him, he turned around and saluted Xu Xianchun and Zhang Yanzong.
After all the etiquette had been exhausted, Chen Cao stood on the spot and raised his hands towards Zhang Wenda: "I have met Mr. Zhang. I am a subordinate, Chen Cao. Please make the decision for me."
"Oh..." Zhang Wenda looked at Chen Cao interestingly: "You want me to make the decision again, tell me?"
Chen Cao put down his hands, looked at Zhang Hong beside him and said: "It is my duty to be an official. Since I took up the position of Jinyiwei, I have never done anything harmful to the law. Who would I have thought that I would be framed by such unruly people and even go to the capital to file an imperial complaint?" As a result, the matter is getting bigger and bigger, and the case that was originally settled has been brought up again. Not only is it a waste of people and money, but the key is that it has aroused His Majesty's anger. Even if these unscrupulous people die a hundred times, they will not be able to calm down the hidden dangers caused by this incident. .”
"You are slanderous," Zhang Hong shouted: "Chen Cao, you took advantage of your position and had a private relationship with Huang Chengxian. Not only did you kill my brother, but you are still here to confuse the public with your lies. Do you really think that the Zhang family is easy to bully?" ?”
Snapped...
Chen Yiyuan patted the gavel and interrupted Zhang Hong: "How can you make loud noises in the court? I'm sorry that you are a family member of the victim, so I won't pursue it for the time being." Then he looked at Chen Cao and said: "Chen Cao, I am the official I ask you, and you have to answer honestly, have you ever bribed Huang Chengxian?"
Chen Cao has the wisdom in his hands this time. What he has to do is to make this matter bigger, otherwise he will be sorry. Zhang Wenda wanted to protect him, but Chen Yiyuan's words made him a little unhappy. Chen Cao turned around and looked at the station. Huang Chengxian, who was on the side, laughed secretly in his heart. Did I bribe you, you idiot? You don't know what to do?
Heaving a sigh of relief, Chen Cao cupped his hands and said, "My lords, it depends on how big the matter is and how much bribes you have to pay."
"Presumptuous..." Cao Yubian slapped the desk: "You can say whatever you want. Do you think you are not qualified to judge you because you are the Third Judge of the Imperial Guard?"
After all, Chen Cao was not a contemporary. Seeing Cao Yubian so excited, he immediately suspected whether this guy was in the same group as Gu Dazhang and others, so he raised his chest and raised his head and said, "Master Cao, are you asking me like this? Isn't it a bit too much? Already?"
"What do you mean?" Cao Yubian looked at Chen Cao angrily.
Chen Cao sneered, then raised his hand towards Zhang Wenda, and said loudly: "Report to Mr. Zhang, the lower officials did bribe, including Mr. Chen Yiyuan, the magistrate of Yingtian, Mr. Cao Yubian, the Shaoqing of Dali Temple in Nanjing, Mr. Cao of the capital, Gu Dazhang, a member of the Criminal Department, Master Gu, and Huang Chengxian."
Bang...
Before Cao Yubian got angry, Chen Yiyuan immediately jumped up to eight feet high. He left his position and rushed up to chase Chen Cao. The old guy had good foot strength and kicked Chen Cao first. Chen Cao was not a good person. , just turned sideways slightly and dodged, and Zhang Hong, who was right next to Chen Cao, was kicked by Chen Yiyuan. Not only did he fall down, but the assailant, Mr. Chen, also fell to the ground. Chen Cao seemed to hear his bones breaking. sound.
The lobby was in chaos because of Chen Yiyuan's appearance. The instigator, Chen Cao, stood aside to watch the joke and did not step forward to help Chen Yiyuan. He didn't know whether Chen Yiyuan was a corrupt official, but he knew that someone had to get involved in this matter. .
"Chen Cao, you are such a slanderer. When did I accept a bribe from you? You must explain it clearly to me in front of all the princes in the court." Chen Yiyuan ignored his pain and was helped back to the house. He shouted from his position.
"Chen Cao, don't bite randomly and falsely accuse the imperial officials, and there are so many people. It won't be enough for you to die ten times." Cao Yubian also scolded loudly, but he felt a little guilty in his heart.
Zhang Wenda knew that Chen Cao did it on purpose, but he did not dare to defend himself in this situation, so he said coldly: "Chen Cao, you must know that biting an official of the imperial court is a serious crime."
In the midst of the uproar, Chen Cao clasped his fists and said: "Master Zhang, Master Huang has previously admitted that he accepted my bribe and signed it. If the official wants to defend himself, it will inevitably be a struggle before death. It is better to admit it happily." If you do, you won’t suffer any consequences.”
The words seemed to make sense, and they were well-founded and irrefutable. Everyone was speechless for a moment and even said nothing. Chen Yiyuan was so angry that he was shaking all over. He pointed his sword at Chen Cao and said: "You thing, you are still a scholar. The teachings of the saints." Where have they all gone?”
Chen Cao was from a military household, but as we all know he was the famous 'Nalan Rongruo' in Jinling, and he also went to 'university', so of course he was also a descendant of a saint.
Chen Cao apologetically held up his hands and said, "Master Chen, please don't be angry. You just picked up half of it and ran away. I had to get out of your way."
Phew...
Some people in the auditorium couldn't help laughing, but then they became serious again, and heard Chen Cao continue: "You don't believe me when I deny bribing, and you don't believe me when I admit bribing. You are all officials of the imperial court. If this is the case, How can we convince the world after judging a case?"
Cao Yubian replied: "Huang Chengxian is an official of the imperial court."
But after saying it, I realized that what I said was a joke, because everyone was looking at me.
Chen Cao sneered, and then said: "Why, Huang Chengxian is an official. I, Chen Cao, come from Jinyiwei, so should I be bullied by you? The Jinyiwei are His Majesty's own soldiers, when will it be your turn to point fingers? Is it okay for me to be from Jinyiwei? Isn’t it possible to bully?”
Luo Yangxing, who was in the auditorium, immediately asked loudly: "Master Xu, have I, the Jin Yiwei, done nothing in the Zhenfu Division in Nanjing?"
Xu Xianchun cupped his fists towards Luo Yangxing and said, "Lord Luo is kidding me. I, the Jin Yiwei, are the emperor's personal soldiers. Everything I do is for the emperor. Everything I say represents the emperor. It is absolutely nothing like what Chen Qianhu said."
The two of them sang and sang together in the lobby, which was quite interesting. Cao Yubian looked embarrassed, and even the corners of Chen Yiyuan's eyes were trembling. Obviously, Cao Yubian's words offended Jin Yiwei, but Zhang Wenda admired Chen Cao's way of framing the blame. The young man in front of him is indeed not an easy person to get along with.
Zhang Wenda also wanted to see how Chen Cao would respond next, so he said: "Okay, Chen Cao, don't mess around here. According to your wishes, don't you admit that you bribed Huang Chengxian?"
Chen Cao raised his hand towards Zhang Wenda: "The lower official is a royal guard, and his words and deeds are worthy of this official uniform. I, Chen Cao, am not willing to do such vulgar activities as bribery."
"Hmph..." Cao Yubian snorted coldly, and then said: "If you are willing, you can do it. Who knows how this matter will develop, and who can prove it?"
Chen Cao turned around and looked at Cao Yubian with some evil intentions, making the old guy feel numb, and then said: "If we interpret it according to Master Cao's so-called willingness or not, then I would like to ask Mr. Cao, I don’t know if Mr. Cao knows that the concubine you took in at the end of last year was having an affair with your third son."
"You bastard..." Cao Yubian slammed the desk and stood up. However, thinking that Chen Yiyuan had suffered from Chen Cao, he did not move at that moment. He just cursed angrily: "What are you talking about?"
Chen Cao waved his hands and pretended to be innocent: "Master Cao, please don't be angry. It is the duty of my Jin Yiwei. At the end of the year, my subordinate Tiqi heard that your concubine said that she was willing to stay with Mr. Cao. If it is according to Master Cao's wishes, then I know it, so I asked Lord Cao what he thought."
Some people in the auditorium suppressed their blushes, and the common people and scholars outside the hall also whispered to each other. Cao Yubian blushed. The Jin Yiwei's inquiring about officials' information is an open matter in the court, and they only report according to the size of the matter. Chen Cao didn't like to talk about the matter. If Cao Yubian hadn't obviously favored Huang Chengxian, Chen Cao wouldn't have pursued him.
