Zhu Biao looked at Zheng Xiong's miserable state and felt a little embarrassed. It was all his fault.
I couldn't bear it, so I stood up and defended Zheng Xiong.
"Father, I have something to say."
Lao Zhu looked at Zhu Biao speechlessly, "No one is asking you for your troubles, just don't speak, and no one will bother you."
With your mouth like this, others can't ignore you even if they want to, and you still have something to say.
Under the gaze of everyone, Lao Zhu could only signal Zhu Biao to speak.
"What's the matter?"
"The alcohol that Erchen and the champion drank was provided by Erchen, and the wine was also provided by Erchen. If it is said that he is guilty, Erchen is even more guilty."
"But alcohol has remarkable effects. The champion Hou Zhengxiong has killed countless people with alcohol. If he just drank a glass of alcohol and committed the crime of decapitation, such a penalty is really unfair."
"I hope my father will take back his life and give justice to the champion."
Needless to say, what Zhu Biao said was true, and everyone onlookers could not help but nod when they heard the words.
Zheng Xiong was speechless. Your reflex arc is really too long. Half of your life is gone. What's the point of having something to say now?
However, Zhu Biao's protection made the isolated Zheng Xiong feel warm in his heart.
Anyway, he was fined, so it didn't matter anymore. Zhu Biao would need help later, so Zheng Xiong simply took care of everything.
"Your Majesty, it was Wei Chen who brought up the matter of drinking. When His Highness saw Wei Chen return to the capital, he couldn't refuse, so he brought some wine to drink with Wei Chen. It was all Wei Chen's fault and had nothing to do with His Highness."
"So it turns out that His Highness, the Crown Prince, and his ministers are looking down upon him. He is quite kind. He has his own rules and regulations in his conduct, and he is strict with himself. How could he violate the prohibition for no reason? It turns out that you are the one who is obstructing it."
"Your Majesty, the champion should be punished for instigating the prince to violate the prohibition on drinking."
"I think so. The prince is at most a subordinate, and his crime can be avoided. The champion is the principal offender and should be severely punished."
The gap between people is so big. Zheng Xiong has trouble and no one can help him.
As a result, when Zhu Biao came, these people were like a bunch of licking dogs. They praised Zheng Xiong and put all the blame on Zheng Xiong.
Zheng Xiong was also dumbfounded. I just took the blame and left a good impression on Zhu Biao and Lao Zhu.
It's fine anyway, it doesn't matter.
The expressions of anger among the people now indicate that even if they were dead before, it was not enough, and they had to go on beating the corpse.
Zhu Biao was even more embarrassed. No one could help him, and he ended up trapping Zheng Xiong again.
From the moment Zheng Xiong was charged with the crime, the facts no longer mattered. What mattered was who people believed.
There is no doubt that it must be Zhu Biao. From an investment perspective, Zhu Biao has more investment value.
Looking at the scene where saliva was flying everywhere, Zhu Biao knew that this was not the case and wanted to explain something to Zheng Xiong.
Lao Zhu spoke in advance, without giving Zhu Biao a chance to speak.
"Say less and shut up."
The town still had to look at Lao Zhu, who ended the market-like scene with one sentence, and then slowly spoke.
"As the crown prince, the prince should strictly abide by the law. People's livelihood is difficult, and the prince should set an example."
"Now we have taken away a supply from the Prince's Mansion as a punishment. Do you think so?"
It seems that the punishment has been given and the punishment given is in place. There is no supply and there is no capital for arrogance.
But everyone present knew that Lao Zhu could barely maintain his dignity with just three melons and two dates. The current Prince's Mansion did not need Lao Zhu's subsidies at all.
There is nothing wrong with this approach at first sight, and there is nothing wrong with it if you think about it carefully.
Since the prince was fine and everyone's attitude was in place, they didn't say much.
"I second the proposal."
"Since Zheng Xiong has been sentenced to death and has a gold medal to spare him from death, since he has made merit in making alcohol, he will not be held accountable. Do you have any objections?"
"Your Majesty's kindness is so great that I have no objections."
They didn't care about Zheng Xiong's life or death. Since Zhu Biao was fine and had no intention of putting Zheng Xiong to death, they didn't add insult to injury again.
Although the development of things was a little off, the result was okay, Lao Zhu continued.
"In that case, I will tell you one last thing."
"Zheng Xiong, on your way back to Beijing, you led the returning army to detour to Caoxian County."
"As far as I know, it was because a group of people in Cao County collected the property brought by your eldest brother. Is this happening?"
"This is indeed true, and I am aware of my guilt."
Anyway, with just one sentence and an obedient confession, Zheng Xiong was completely at peace.
Lao Zhu wants you to die, no matter how hard you struggle, it’s useless. If he doesn’t want you to die, there’s no need to struggle, Lao Zhu will always find a way to save your life.
From Lao Zhu's previous actions, Zheng Xiong had already sensed Lao Zhu's attitude towards him.
He is a handy tool, but he has absolutely no intention of putting himself to death.
"Public weapons were used privately, and public weapons were used to avenge private enemies. There were no serious consequences at all. They just took back what belonged to them. However, without reporting it, they openly made fun of the laws."
"Wenzhong, as the left governor of the Metropolitan Governor's Mansion, what crime should Zheng Xiong be punished in the Metropolitan Governor's Mansion for operating like this?"
Lao Zhu's words completely silenced the military generals.
To be honest, Zheng Xiong has a lot of bad deeds, and he did a lot of things in Yanmen with very low standards, so it can definitely be used to criticize him.
But Lao Zhu just brought up such a thing, which was obviously a warning to the military system.
Such a matter can be big or small. Depending on the nature, the method of handling it will naturally be different.
According to Lao Zhu, there were no serious consequences.
Just by mentioning such a thing, one can vaguely guess that Lao Zhu has some thoughts about the army.
Today's punishment also determines the standards for future penalties.
What does it mean to have laws to follow? Zheng Xiong's treatment will inevitably become the basis for future punishments.
This example can be used as a reference for all future penalties.
The laws of later generations are still like this, they always find a standard answer from the same case, and then make judgments based on the actual situation.
The first penalty is often the standard answer.
Therefore, it is not good news for the military generals. The first thing to think about before doing anything in the future is the consequences of Zheng Xiong.
If you do this, can you bear it?
As the leading figure of the generals, Li Wenzhong also had some headaches when faced with the problems thrown by Lao Zhu.
A boss who doesn't know how to protect his own interests and takes advantage of others is not a good boss.
But Lao Zhu is right in front of him, and Lao Zhu's appeal is also a key factor that he needs to consider.
Li Wenzhong, who looked troubled, thought for a long time before speaking.
"I believe that since the Champion's trip failed to cause serious consequences, the punishment can be reduced."
"According to the system of the Metropolitan Governor's Office, you should be demoted three levels to see the consequences. However, the champion has not held the position of military commander. It is a bit difficult for me to make a punishment here."
"Demoted to three levels? It doesn't matter if you don't hold a military position. You still have the title of Marquis."
"In this case, Zheng Xiong listened to the order and took away the title of Champion Marquis from now on to serve as a warning to others."
"You should take this as a warning and don't do whatever you want with the power in your hands."
(End of chapter)
