The day before the results were released, it was still dark on the first day of March.
Tang Yin was sleeping hazily when he was picked up by someone. Two guards in golden uniforms took him to the court of Beizhen Fusi like a chicken, but did not take him in.
But hearing the muffled sound of sticks hitting each other and the screams of "Ah! Ah!" coming from inside, Tang Yin knew that it was Xu Jing who was being beaten inside.
"hiss."
Tang Yin originally thought that it had been quite cold in the past few days and wanted someone to add some blankets or something, but he had no such request at the moment.
I was also upset in my heart.
It finally started.
"Xu, it seems that you are still stubborn. I told you everything so clearly. You gave money to Cheng Min's government, but you can still carry it to your death? Don't say it anymore, just asking! "
The person who tried the case in court was not someone from Jinyiwei, but directly Xiao Jing, the admiral of Dongchang.
Even though Xu Jing was lightly beaten, he was almost tortured to the point of being reduced to human form. He hurriedly said: "I'll do it. I gave the people in Cheng Min's government gold coins. You can tell me anything else. I'll do it."
When Tang Yin outside heard this, his heart skipped a beat.
This is Xu Jing.
I promised you not to admit it. I've only received a few blows and haven't used other torture instruments yet. Are you going to do it now? Do you know that you are cheating?
Originally, there was no evidence for the topic, but you said that you would give Cheng Min's government people gold. Doesn't this mean that you are telling the truth?
Xiao Jing said: "We are asking you to tell the truth, so why do we call it 'you tell me'? Could it be that our family has wronged you? It seems that you still don't understand. If you beat me again..."
"Don't……"
Xu Jing wanted to cry but had no tears.
I have already said that I will confess whatever you ask me to confess, just to avoid suffering any physical pain. Why can't I do this? Do you still have to tell the truth? But the question is...how far can this truth be told to satisfy you?
"Give him pen and paper!"
Xiao Jing waved to Jin Yiwei who was looking around for the execution, and someone immediately placed paper, pen and a wooden plate in front of Xu Jing.
Xu Jing picked up the pen, but his hands were trembling and he couldn't write anything on the paper.
Not only because of the physical torture after being beaten, but also because of the mental torture caused by being imprisoned in Beizhen Fusi for the past few days, the once wealthy young master couldn't bear the suffering for even one day. When Tang Yin peeked his head slightly and saw Xu. After seeing that miserable look, I suddenly felt a little lucky again.
Fortunately, I have suffered some hardships in the past few years and no longer have the pampered young master temper. Otherwise, I may not necessarily be better than Xu Jing.
"Eunuch Xiao, looking at him like this, I'm afraid he won't be able to write. Why not find someone to write it and have him sign it."
"No! The confession must be written in his own hand! This is His Majesty's order!"
When he heard the words "Your Majesty ordered", even Tang Yin outside the door couldn't help but close his eyes and his heart sank.
In the end, he pulled Xu Jing up first and found someone to support him.
After he calmed down, he tremblingly wrote down what he wanted to confess on paper and signed it.
…
…
"Put it down!"
After Xu Jing finished his work, he was dragged out directly. Tang Yin glanced at Xu Jing. At this time, Xu Jing's eyes were dull and he didn't pay attention to the thoughts of others, and Xu Jing's body was still slightly stained with blood.
After everyone left, the Jin Yiwei brought Tang Yin to court again.
Tang Yin had an iron chain on his hand, and he was still a little arrogant. He asked: "As a member of the Ming Dynasty, why should I receive such inhuman treatment?"
In ordinary times, Juren has become a "superior person", and ordinary yamen would not dare to punish Juren.
But what is this place?
In Beizhen Fusi, even officials, not to mention officials, were punished without mercy. Tang Yin knew this, but he only said this to save his last dignity.
Xiao Jing couldn't help but smile when he saw Tang Yin's unruly look.
For an ordinary person, if you say something like this at this time, you would be making yourself unhappy. Jin Yiwei will soon let you know what true "inhuman treatment" means.
Xiao Jing was also thinking, for such an ignorant guy, he didn't know why Zhang Bingkuan wanted to protect him. It would make sense to say that he still had some respect for Mr. Zhang in his heart, but did this guy have it?
"Tang Guanren, you probably heard about the second half of our interrogation of Xu Jing. Were you involved in the matter of giving gifts to Cheng Minzheng?"
Xiao Jing asked in a calm tone.
Tang Yin tilted his head and said coldly: "I want to punish you!"
Xiao Jing nodded: "As for how involved you were in the question, is there any rumor from outside that you discussed the test questions with Cheng Minzheng and drafted the text, so that it became known to the outside world?"
"Who heard it? Let him confront him!" Tang Yin said it as if his tone was strong, but in fact it revealed his inner cowardice, and his voice trembled after he said it.
"Yes, there is no evidence. Jinyiwei also sent people to conduct a thorough investigation, and even inquired about the scholars who spread the most vicious rumors. But when it came to the evidence, no one could come up with it. But Xu Jing also said just now, You met Cheng Minzheng by bribing people from the Cheng family, so you can't be wrong, right?"
Xiao Jing stood up, walked slowly to Tang Yin with Xu Jing's confession, and stretched out his hand: "Want to see it?"
Tang Yin said: "No need."
The momentum is weak.
Because Tang Yin also learned from Xu Jing that he was able to meet Cheng Minzheng only after giving money to people in the Cheng family.
Xiao Jing saw Tang Yin like this and sighed: "Xu Jing's confession did not involve the examination questions. There is still no evidence for the questions. However, Xu Jing's sin of seeking advancement is unavoidable. Because of his It's your actions that have brought so many bad consequences. And you... haha."
Tang Yinzheng held his breath and concentrated, waiting to hear Xiao Jing's evaluation of himself so that he could know his next fate.
But when Xiao Jing reached the most critical point, he stopped again.
Xiao Jing said: "The results will be released tomorrow. It seems you won't be able to go out yet. However, our family can tell you in advance that you won and you will be ranked thirteenth among the tributes."
"ah?"
Tang Yin was shocked.
The rankings haven't been released yet, and it's unclear what the fate of the future will be. Now I actually know that I have been selected as a tribute?
"Don't be too happy too early. You have won the Gongshi exam. Whether you still have a chance to participate in the palace examination or whether you will be deprived of your honor depends on whether you can exonerate yourself. You are lucky and have the help of noble people, or Is it really a blessing in disguise that you have to escape from the prison?"
Xiao Jing said something again that Tang Yin couldn't understand.
Tang Yin was full of questions, but he didn't even dare to say anything.
I am afraid that if I say something wrong, not only will I not be a tribute, I will not have the chance to participate in the palace examination, and I will continue to be tortured.
"Our family is going to see Cheng Minzheng. I won't say much to you. Someone comes and sends him back. He is taking good care of him. This will be a Jinshi of the Ming Dynasty in the future. With the help of noble people, or his career will be bright..."
…
…
Xiao Jing personally took people to Cheng Min's government.
After staying inside for nearly two hours, he came out and rushed to the palace to see Zhu Youtang.
In the Qianqing Palace.
Xiao Jing presented two "confessions" from Xu Jing and Cheng Minzheng to Zhu Youtang.
Zhu Youtang took it over and looked at it carefully, and Dai Yi next to him also leaned over and took a few glances.
"Your Majesty, according to Mr. Zhang's reminder, Xu Jing bribed Xu Jing to meet Cheng Minzheng, and then brought Xu Jing's confession to Cheng Minzheng. Cheng Minzheng initially denied it, but then brought his servants there and beat him in public. After a few times, along with the people in his house, Cheng Minzheng learned about the consistent behavior of the people in his house..."
Xiao Jing narrated the process, "Then Cheng Minzheng admitted that he had neglected to investigate and wrote a memorandum of apology."
"snort!"
Zhu Youtang snorted: "Isn't he not investigating? He doesn't know what's good or evil! As a Hanlin scholar, he doesn't want to avoid suspicion by provoking scholars, but he also sets a threshold for the scholars who pay homage to give gifts to those who have a lot of money. But you can see that if you don’t send it, you will not see it. He brings the blame on himself! Fortunately, I listened to Bingkuan’s suggestion earlier and mentioned it to him many times. It seems that I mistakenly believed in him!"
Originally, the emperor was quite attracted to Cheng Minzheng.
But the emperor is getting more and more angry now.
Flies don't bite seamless eggs. Cheng Minzheng's mere act of accepting bribes from his servants is enough to get you kicked out of the court!
"Early tomorrow morning, we will escort Xu Jing and Cheng Minzheng to the Meridian Gate, and we will discuss the matter after Tingji!" Zhu Youtang said.
Dai Yi said: "Your Majesty, the exam results will be released tomorrow. Should everything wait until the results are released?"
Zhu Youtang said coldly: "I just want to make everything clear before releasing the results. I have made a preliminary plan to let Cheng Minzheng become an official and Xu Jing be returned to the local government as an official. I will inform Xu Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites and Bai Shangshu of the Punishment Department so that they can figure it out. Say hello to Mr. Liu Ge again."
Xiao Jing asked for instructions again: "Your Majesty, where is Tang Yin?"
"Tang Yin..." Zhu Youtang thought for a while, shook his head and said, "He didn't participate much in this matter. He just followed Xu Jing to see Cheng Minzheng. Since there was no big mistake, he didn't ask any questions!"
"yes."
Xiao Jing responded while thinking.
This Tang Yin was so lucky that Zhang Bingkuan helped him.
Not to mention being someone's junior fellow apprentice, even being someone's disciple and supporting him for the rest of his life is not an exaggeration.
…
…
The second day of March.
Listing day.
Early in the morning, Li Dongyang, who had not appeared in front of others for a long time, followed Liu Jian and Xie Qian at the Meridian Gate. Many people went over to say hello.
Li Dongyang looked unhappy.
A recent experience inside the curtain left him physically and mentally exhausted.
I have to grade papers, re-examine, analyze and investigate cases. I have to work hard for several days. When I come back, I feel like my body can shed a layer of skin.
Bai Ang and Xu Qiong walked towards the three cabinet members. Bai Ang said: "Your Majesty has passed down a decree, saying that today Cheng Minzheng and Xu Jing are to be executed. I don't know why Tang Yin is not among them." ?”
Li Dongyang waved his hand.
It means there are some things that cannot be said yet.
The results of the joint examination have already been released, but since the results have not yet been announced, there may still be variables. Li Dongyang is too cautious to announce it in advance.
Besides, Li Dongyang didn't understand why Xu Jing and Tang Yin were on the same team, but he only punished Xu Jing and not Tang Yin? Just because Tang Yin won the tribute and Xu Jing didn't?
"The Holy Spirit has arrived!"
People here are still gathering and discussing privately, but eunuchs on the other side have announced in advance that the emperor will arrive.
Everyone could only go back to their seats and wait for the court meeting to begin.
(End of chapter)
