At this time, in the case trial hall of Dali Temple, the officers were lined up on both sides. Qin Huaiyuan, the young minister of Dali Temple, Yan Pengfei, the minister of punishment, and Liu Quan'an, the inspector's censor, were sitting side by side on the main seat in the center. 【Read full text】
At this time, Lu Shunde and other officials from the Ministry of Work and Household Affairs involved in the case were standing under the lobby with changing expressions, waiting for the interrogation by the presiding officers.
After the three presiding judges appeared, they first gave in to each other, and finally Yan Pengfei, the highest-ranking minister of the Ministry of Justice, sat in the center position to show that Yan Pengfei was the main judge of the case.
Yan Pengfei's nickname in the Criminal Department is "Judging cases like a god and living hell." The person's name may be wrong, but the nickname will never be wrong. Yan Pengfei's prestige in the Criminal Department and his style of trial cases can be seen from this.
It is said that in today's world, there is no case that Yan Pengfei cannot solve, and Yan Pengfei's case-solving style is also very direct - "If the case is taken, the case will be closed; if not, the case will be punished until the case is taken!"
Moreover, Yan Pengfei is the most "just" person. During the trial, no matter whether the prisoners are officials or civilians, no matter whether the prisoners are rich or noble, they will use punishment when it is time to use it, and they will never be lenient! ——As for the rule that "the punishment is not good for scholar-bureaucrats"? Yan Pengfei never cares!
People often say that the most suitable yamen for Yan Pengfei is not the Criminal Department, but the Jin Yiwei!
As a result, Yan Pengfei was naturally controversial. The censor often accused him of being a cruel official. However, Yan Pengfei relied on Huang Yourong's protection, so these impeachments would always come to nothing!
People's names, trees' shadows, Lu Shunde and others usually didn't think much of it when they were officials in the same court as Yan Pengfei, but now they have become prisoners of the rank, and Yan Pengfei has become the chief judge. Under the change of status, Suddenly, I felt that Yan Pengfei, who usually looked "just like that", was actually so majestic and gloomy at this time. Thinking of Yan Pengfei's usual reputation, many people were panicked. His body actually started to tremble!
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"My lords." After the meeting was opened, Yan Pengfei said slowly and expressionlessly: "You should have heard about it. I have come to court this morning. His Majesty ordered Qin Shaoqing, Liu Yushi and myself to hear your case together, and Your Majesty did not give much time, and requested that the case must be concluded before the palace examination. Naturally, His Majesty's will cannot be violated, so I hope that all of you will cooperate, otherwise..."
Having said this, Yan Pengfei smiled coldly and added: "...don't blame me for not caring about the friendship between colleagues in the past!"
As Yan Pengfei finished speaking, all the officials from the Ministry of Work and Household Affairs in the hall. Many people's bodies trembled!
In the main position, since Yan Pengfei played the white face, Liu Quanan played the red face with tacit understanding.
I saw Liu Quanan's expression was gentle and he said warmly: "My lords, Mr. Yan has always had this kind of temper. He will not recognize anyone in court, but he does things impartially and is not deliberately targeting you. But, Now that the evidence in your case is conclusive, with witnesses and physical evidence, even if you refuse to admit it, it will not change any outcome in the end. It will only make you suffer a sentence in prison for nothing. At that time, Yan Shilang's temper Come up, I'm afraid I can't persuade you, so if you, my lords, can confess and pledge as soon as possible, it will be good for everyone, think about it, is this true?"
On the other side, Qin Huaiyuan, the young minister of Dali Temple, raised his hand and saw an official from Dali Temple standing in line, holding a stack of papers. And distributed it to Lu Shunde and others.
Lu Shunde and others took a look at it and couldn't help but turn pale. They saw that everything written on it was conclusive evidence of the Huaihe River Flood case. One condition after another, they could not refute it.
At the same time, Qin Huaiyuan also said: "Everyone, what Yan Shilang and Liu Yushi said are reasonable. When the matter has reached this point, it is useless no matter how much you deny it. Under the conclusive evidence of guilt, no one can save you. . So let’s accept it. The three of us can report to His Majesty, and you can all relax. Perhaps His Majesty sees that you have a good attitude and may reduce the crime as appropriate."
Seeing that the three presiding officers were coercing, tempting, or reasoning, and seeing that all the evidence in their hands was conclusive and irrefutable, Lu Shunde and others looked at each other for a few times, and their expressions became more and more changing. indefinite.
They also knew that at this point, they could no longer deny it.
And with the evidence of the crime conclusive, even Zhao Junchen couldn't save them.
However, although they were willing to confess, they were a little timid and lucky. As their expressions changed, everyone still hesitated and did not speak.
Seeing this, Yan Pengfei snorted coldly and said: "Since you are still thinking of luck, then I can only offend you! All the government servants obey the orders and serve with sticks. My lords are usually delicate and expensive, so I'm afraid I can't bear it. There are too many, let each of them fight ten first! I think after this big stick falls, they will be able to see the situation clearly and be more awake!"
After hearing Yan Pengfei's order, all the government officials came out to respond.
The expressions of Lu Shunde and others changed even more!
Although "stick punishment" was not an extremely harsh punishment, its popularity in the Ming Dynasty and the deep psychological shadow it left on Ming Dynasty officials were by no means comparable to other punishments.
During the Zhengde period, the great eunuch Liu Jin used a rod to kill twenty-three ministers outside the Meridian Gate!
Emperor Jiaqing used canes on 124 people at the same time, resulting in 16 deaths and more than 70 people being disabled. All the officials in the Ming Dynasty changed their minds after hearing about "cane punishment"!
Although the staff used in Dali Temple is only made of large wattle sticks, with the ends cut off, it is three feet and five inches long, the diameter of the big head is two-thirds, and the diameter of the small head is two-thirds. It is not made of chestnut wood like the court staff. It is used to strike people. One end is cut into the shape of a mallet and is covered with an iron sheet. There are also hooks on the iron sheet. Once the stick is struck, and the executioner pulls it along, the sharp hooks will tear off a large piece of the victim's flesh.
But even so, it is far from what Lu Shunde and others can bear easily.
Now, hearing that Yan Pengfei was going to use "stick punishment" on them, Lu Shunde and others naturally looked panicked and were shocked! And they shouted and questioned one after another!
"You are just a servant, why should you use a cane on us?!"
"We are also officials of the imperial court, and we cannot be punished as high as a doctor!"
"Succumbing to such a defeat! Do you think all the officials in the court will turn a blind eye?"
After hearing the questioning and backlash from Lu Shunde and others, Yan Pengfei still had a cold face and said indifferently: "What you are talking about, every day the imperial censor makes a statement to impeach me, but you see that I care Have you passed? Besides, at this point, as long as the case can be concluded within the time limit, who cares whether you corrupt officials have been punished? "
As Yan Pengfei spoke. The officials from Dali Temple had already come to Lu Shunde and others with sticks in hand, and were about to drag out the sticks to serve them!
Thinking of the horror of the subsequent cane punishment, how could Lu Shunde and others, who had always been pampered and pampered, endure the fear in their hearts?
I don’t know who to start with, but Lu Shunde and others no longer dare to take chances or hesitate. They all shouted: "No, don't use torture! We will do it."
"The floods in the Huaihe River were caused by us misappropriating the silver used to repair the dams. It was us! Don't use torture!"
"We're recruiting! We're recruiting!"
The person who knows the villain best is always another villain.
As Jiang Qian said, people like Lu Shunde have always lived a good life, and they are most afraid of life. When the time comes to try the case, let alone torture, as long as they put out the instruments of torture and scare them, these people's mouths will I don’t dare to be so strict anymore!
Now that I see it, it is indeed the case!
But I saw officials from the Ministry of Industry and Household Affairs finally confessed. Yan Pengfei couldn't help but smile proudly, but his eyes became more sinister.
Now, with Lu Shunde and others confessing, this trial is basically over.
But as the presiding judge in this case. Yan Pengfei's goal is not just to get Lu Shunde and others to confess!
Taking this opportunity to involve Zhao Junchen is Yan Pengfei's ultimate goal!
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Next, the offending officials from the Ministry of Industry and Household Affairs no longer dared to take any chances and confessed to their respective crimes. The trial of the case is progressing smoothly.
However, after constant questioning and confirmation, Yan Pengfei and Liu Quanan frowned slightly!
After interrogation, the two of them were Huang Yourong's disciples, but they were depressed to discover the case of the Huaihe River flood. Just like the intelligence they had collected before, it turned out that it was just some middle-level officials from the Ministry of Industry and Household Affairs who acted privately and had nothing to do with Zhao Junchen!
In other words, it is impossible to implicate Zhao Junchen in this case!
If this is the case. In the end, Zhao Junchen could only be punished with the indifferent charges of "neglect of duty" and "improper employment".
At that time, it was just a citation from the Ministry of Personnel, a few half-truthful reprimands from Emperor Deqing, and a fine of one and a half years.
However, Yan Pengfei and Liu Quanan are not disappointed. For a corrupt official like Zhao Junchen who is famous all over the world, even if this case has nothing to do with him, there are always other cases that can implicate him!
Lu Shunde and others, as the middle-level officials of the Ministry of Household Affairs and as the middle-level officials of the Ministry of Household Affairs, have always run errands for Zhao Junchen. Many of Zhao Junchen's dirty things cannot be avoided at all!
Now that Lu Shunde and others have become prisoners, those things involving Zhao Junchen can be found out if they want to!
Therefore, what Yan Pengfei and Liu Quanan have to do now is to continue to dig out some cases related to Zhao Junchen!
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So, after Lu Shunde and others made a grimace and confessed, although the case was closed, Yan Pengfei did not announce his withdrawal.
"Originally, after you plead guilty, this case will be considered over." Yan Pengfei looked at Lu Shunde and others in the hall, and said slowly: "However, as the presiding judge of this case, I am also the Minister of Criminal Affairs. , To eat the emperor's salary means to be loyal to the emperor! But you can't just take it lightly! Since you people dare to commit such a big case, it is difficult for me to believe that this is your first offense and you have not committed any other crimes. As the saying goes, the duty of punishing evil has been exhausted, so I might as well continue to investigate further, so as to relieve His Majesty's worries!"
Hearing what Yan Pengfei said, the inspector and censor Liu Quan'an on the side also smiled and nodded in agreement.
On the other side, the expression of Qin Huaiyuan, the young minister of Dali Temple, changed, and he had obviously figured out what Yan Pengfei and Liu Quanan were thinking. However, seeing that Yan Pengfei and Liu Quanan looked completely unquestionable, Qin Huaiyuan hesitated for a moment, and finally did not object or dissuade him, but he never spoke again during the subsequent trial. The deputy seems to have nothing to do with him.
As for Lu Shunde and others in the audience, their expressions changed after hearing Yan Pengfei's words!
They knew very well that the "Huaihe River Flood Case" was a conclusive evidence and they could not deny it. If they continued to hold on, they would only suffer physical pain, not to mention that they had Zhao Junchen secretly taking care of them. Even if they are convicted, these people will only be punished by being demoted and exiled!
Therefore, during the trial process, he faced the interrogation of three presiding officers. They only hesitated briefly and then confessed under the threat of "sticking".
However, if they are involved in other cases, their crimes will only get bigger and bigger. By then, even Zhao Junchen will be implicated, let alone taking care of them secretly!
As a result, Lu Shunde and others naturally rebounded!
Lu Shunde was the first to come forward and accused: "As the chief judge and a high official of the court, how can you break your promise? You just said clearly that as long as I wait for the prisoner to plead guilty, this case is considered over. Why? Now we are going back on our word? What's more, this Huaihe River flood case is indeed our first offense. Apart from this, we have no other crimes. It's useless for you to ask! At the worst, it's better for us to suffer a physical punishment than to suffer you. Unjustly accused!”
Following Lu Shunde's accusation, the officials from the Ministry of Work and Household Affairs around him also responded.
Yan Pengfei sneered and said: "As a high official of the imperial court, how can I not keep my word? The Huaihe River flood case is indeed over now, but I am asking about other cases now!"
"What evidence do you have? You say we have committed other crimes? We are not convinced by such nonsense!" This time, it was a foreign minister from the Ministry of Industry who protested.
As the Minister of Justice, Yan Pengfei has rich experience in handling cases. He naturally knows where to start at this time!
Yan Pengfei's face was expressionless. He just took out the confessions of Lu Shunde and others, looked at them twice, and said slowly: "Evidence? During the trial, the carrots were always pulled up and connected to the mud, and the matter has reached this point. Do you really think I am the official? Can’t find the certificate?”
At this point, Yan Pengfei's smile became even colder, he waved the confession in his hand and continued: "According to your confession, in the Huaihe River flood case last year, a total of 87,000 taels of silver were embezzled from the imperial court. That is to say , each person only received three to five thousand taels of silver. However, according to my guess, your family wealth is probably not just as simple as three to five thousand taels more, right?"
On the other side, Liu Quanan also said with a smile: "Now, as the presiding judge of this case, and since you have pleaded guilty, I have the right to search your property and recover the stolen money, so As long as we are willing, we will be able to find out exactly how much your family property is. At that time, the large amount of money from unknown sources in your home will be the evidence for the three of us to continue investigating the case! However, after all, the three of us and you are the same. Colleagues, but I can’t bear to disturb your families when you are in trouble!”
After hearing what Yan Pengfei and Liu Quanan said, the expressions of Lu Shunde and others couldn't help but change again.
Liu Quanan continued: "However, if you can confess your other crimes, then we will not need to mobilize a large number of people to search your property. At that time, we will only have to find out the amount of corruption and let you go." Just send a message home and hand over the stolen money. It will also save your family members a lot of trouble. Otherwise, if the government officials who go to search the house are rough and rough, who knows what will happen? What else are you thinking at this time? You have to be tough, but you have to think about your family first."
Yan Pengfei suddenly smiled maliciously, and towards a doctor from the Ministry of Finance, with an expression that seemed caring but actually sinister, he said sinisterly: "Yes, especially Mr. Zhang, the doctor from the Ministry of Finance, I heard that you have three children in a row. After having a daughter, you now have a little son who is still in his infancy. If during the house raid, your family is in a panic and throws your little son down, then you will be dead!"
Originally, Qin Huaiyuan, the young minister of Dali Temple, had made up his mind not to speak anymore, but when he heard Yan Pengfei's obvious threat, he couldn't help but cough lightly and whispered: "Shilang Yan, I am the master appointed by your Majesty. Judge, please be careful in your words and deeds."
Yan Pengfei was very polite to Qin Huaiyuan. He smiled and said, "I just said it casually. Qin Shaoqing doesn't need to take it to heart."
Although Yan Pengfei said that he just said it casually, Lu Shunde and others did not dare to believe it.
Now that things have happened, they have been forced into a corner by Yan Pengfei and Liu Quan'an, but they no longer have the capital to deny it!
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The sharp blade hangs on the neck, but you don't know when it will fall. The sharp blade at this time is often the most threatening and scary.
If the sharp blade really falls, as the saying goes, "die early and have peace of mind early", you don't have to worry so much.
After people lose everything, they will only "break the jar and break it", but if they haven't lost everything yet, they will try every means to preserve it.
Now, Yan Pengfei and Liu Quanan are taking advantage of people's psychology to force Lu Shunde and others to confess!
——I can torture you, I can also search your property, I can even use some tricks to harm your family while searching your house!
I can use these methods at any time, but I don't plan to use them yet. Everything depends on your choice!
Under such methods, Lu Shunde and others, either to protect their families or to avoid physical pain, were no longer able to resist. Under the questioning of Yan Pengfei and Liu Quanan, they concealed their original plans. Most of the other crimes he committed were also confessed!
Among them, many crimes were finally implicated in Zhao Junchen under Yan Pengfei’s prompts and hints!
In this way, Yan Pengfei and Liu Quanan's ultimate goal was finally achieved!
At least, that's what it seems!
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ps: Well, the first update today! A big chapter of 5,000 words. There’s another big five thousand word chapter before midnight!
