Facing Yu Shiyue's questioning, Shi Pu was not in a hurry.
From the moment he heard about Ting Ju today, he knew that this matter could never go well.
It would be a joke if the Sanfa Division caused such a big battle and returned empty-handed.
Therefore, Shi Pu had long been prepared to give them an explanation.
After pondering for a moment, Shi Puchang sighed and said.
"I don't want to mention this matter again, but since Yu Siqing insists on asking for clarification, I will explain it clearly in front of many courtiers."
As he spoke, Shi Pu's expression became heavy, as if something he didn't want to remember emerged, and he said slowly.
"At that time, Wang Zhen sent someone to ask me to clear the way for him, but I didn't agree. Later, Wang Zhen sent someone to invite me to come over. In order not to offend Wang Zhen, I prepared a small gift. This is what Yu Siqing said Duan inkstones, money, silk and other items.”
"After arriving at the mansion, Wang Zhen personally came forward to make peace, but I did not dare to ignore the law and kept declining. We parted unhappy that day."
"Later, I heard that the memorial I was transferred to was stuck in the ceremonial supervisor by Wang Zhen. As a last resort, I took a pair of Cai Xiang's calligraphy and went to Wang Zhen's mansion to beg him for his favor."
When saying these words, Shi Pu clenched his fists, looking very embarrassed and angry.
Obviously, he felt very ashamed that he had succumbed to Wang Zhen's power.
"On that day, Wang Zhen did offer me a promotion as a temptation and asked me to do things for him, but I never agreed, let alone asked him for the position of minister."
"I ask myself, I have never violated my conscience and etiquette, let alone ignored the law and paid bribes to get an official position. I just went to Wang Zhen's house twice to protect myself."
"If the three judges use this to investigate the crime, I will have no complaints."
After saying that, Shi Pu took off his official hat, bowed to the ground, and said no more words.
After saying this, the eyes of the officials below became a little more complicated.
Obviously, the experience Shi Pu mentioned was very relevant to them.
Wang Zhencai died less than two or three months ago, but the scene of his overwhelming power is still vivid in our minds.
How many people in the court really have the courage to confront Wang Zhen like Mr. Wang, the former minister of the Ministry of Industry?
But it’s all about self-protection and trying to live as well as possible.
At that moment, two people stepped forward and said.
"Your Majesty, I believe that although Shangshu Shi once gave Wang Zhencai silk, there is no evidence that it was for bribery. This was a self-protection and he did not bend the law for personal gain. Even if he is wrong, it is excusable. Please forgive me."
"I second the proposal. At that time, Wang Zhen's power was overwhelming, and the ministers bowed their heads. He continued to slander the emperor, and was able to force the seven ministers to serve. It was extremely difficult for Shi Shangshu to be upright and impartial and not interfere with local government affairs. It should not be too harsh. "
Yu Shiyue, who was on the side, also felt a little troubled.
The most fearful thing is that this situation will occur.
Shi Pu did not deny that he had given gifts to Wang Zhen, but he was confused about his motives.
He knew without checking that Shi Pu's so-called land invasion case must have been handled strictly and in accordance with the procedures.
Although Shen Xuan was a disciple of Wang Zhen, he was already dead, so the local officials had no scruples when handling the case.
But in this way, it was confirmed from the side that Shi Pu "adhered to the principle" and had to submit to Wang Zhen in order to maintain local peace.
From a treacherous villain who took the initiative to pay bribes, he turned into a humiliating and burden-bearing person who had to flatter him for the sake of the overall situation.
As mentioned before, the three-law judicial system adjudicates cases not only based on the law, but also on the basis of people's will.
Shi Pu described himself as pitiful in order to make the courtiers sympathize with him.
Although the behavior of active bribery and forced gift giving are the same, the severity is different.
If he took the initiative to pay bribes in order to seek the position of Minister of the Ministry of Industry, then it means that Shi Pu has an unfair official position and should naturally be dismissed.
But if he "spends money to avoid disaster" in order to "stick to his principles", it can only be said to be a loss of personal ethics, not to mention bending the law to avoid favoritism.
Even if he makes a mistake, the most he can do is a fine and a ban, which will not touch his foundation.
Yu Shiyue said with a calm expression.
"What Shi Shangshu said was just one-sided words. You said you gave gifts to Wang Zhen just so that he would not embarrass you because you did not do things for him."
"But the fact is that your petition to be transferred to the Minister of Dali Temple in Nanjing was still rejected, and in April, you were promoted to Minister of the Ministry of Industry."
"How should we explain this matter?"
In this regard, Shi Pu remained calm and spoke.
"I have no explanation for this matter."
"The selection of officials is determined by the official department. Officials of third rank and above must be approved by the Holy Emperor."
"When it comes to the important ministers of the seven ministers, the decision must be made by the Holy One himself. I was promoted to minister because of the grace of the Supreme Emperor. The reason for this is the arbitrary decision of the Supreme Emperor Qiangang. He has his own considerations and cannot be known by the ministers."
"Or, does Yu Siqing have evidence to prove that Wang Zhen deceived the Supreme Emperor and awarded this official position to me?"
Yu Shiyue's expression froze, but he was cursing in his heart.
This old bastard really does whatever it takes to keep his official position.
Everyone in the court knew that the Supreme Emperor was almost obedient to Wang Zhen's advice. Basically, the Supreme Emperor had no objections to the people Wang Zhen recommended.
But can this be said? can not say!
After all, the position of Qingqing is the face of civil servants. If such positions are dominated by eunuchs, the court cannot afford to lose that person.
What's more, speaking requires evidence.
This is why this old bastard is so confident.
I want to prove that he, the Minister of Industry, got it through bribery.
Or, it can be proven that he once actively sought an official position from Wang Zhen.
This was originally the easiest way to succeed, but it was blocked by a case he used to crack down on land invasion.
Otherwise, it is necessary to prove that Wang Zhen did speak for him in front of the Supreme Emperor and directly contributed to his promotion.
But the problem is, Wang Zhen is not a fool.
This kind of thing must have happened in the palace, secretly recommending it to the Supreme Emperor.
Yu Shiyue is a minister of the foreign court, where can he go to find evidence?
Of the two people who knew the inside story, one was killed in the Civil War, and the other is still in the grassland and doesn’t know what happened to him.
This old cunning guy was indeed prepared!
Seeing that things had come to this, Yu Shiyue sighed.
In the final analysis, it was too long ago and without direct evidence, it is difficult to do anything about Shi Pu.
However, if he dared to invite Ting Ju today, he was certainly sure that he could get it done.
As for his confidence, of course...
"Your Majesty, the facts of the case are now basically clear. Shi Shangshu also admitted that he had sent gifts to Wang Zhen, but the reason was still controversial. Whether it constituted bribery to seek an official position is still controversial. In that case, I ask your Majesty to allow you to summon the remaining witnesses to the palace. "
"allow!"
So Yu Shiyue turned around and said loudly.
"Call the remaining witnesses into the palace."
The door of Wenhua Hall was slowly pushed open, unlike the desolate green-robed official who was escorted by the garrison before.
The person who appeared at the gate of the palace this time was wearing a red flying fish robe with teeth and claws, followed by two junior high school students in neat and elegant brocade clothes.
The two primary schools came to the hall with a middle-aged man wearing coarse linen clothes and prostrated themselves on the ground.
"I, Commander Lu Zhong of the Jinyi Guards, come to see Your Majesty."
Yu Shiyue glanced at Shi Pu aside and saw that his face was ashen, and a smile could not help but appear on his eyebrows.
This Lord Shangshu is not really so naive as to think so.
He, a mere minister of Dali Temple, dared to attack Qiqing in such a big way in the morning, right?
