As the ancients said, if you don't hit the south wall, you won't look back.
But in fact, many times, you know it is a wall, but you still have to hit it, either to kill yourself or to break the wall.
For example, Emperor Yang of Sui Dynasty, didn't he know that if he continued like this, there might be problems in this country?
He must also know, but for the emperor, imperial power is above all else.
If he terminates halfway, it means that his original choice was wrong.
A truly smart emperor will not speak rashly. He usually lets his ministers do the talking. When he is held accountable, he will have a scapegoat.
Zhao Xu is also facing this problem now. The Dongliu Project was promoted by him and Wang Anshi, but the result was as Sima Guang expected. It consumed too much manpower and material resources, but still no results were seen. This is a very big project. .
Zhao Xu was different from Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty. He loved money very much, but he was also very frugal. He wanted to save money for the war, but he was reluctant to spend so much money, but he couldn't quit because Wang Anshi would definitely not agree and spent so much money. With so much money, but he said no in the middle, it only means that he and Wang Anshi's original decision was wrong, and Sima Guang was right.
Wang Anshi will definitely take the blame, but the emperor's authority will also be questioned. Even if Zhao Xu doesn't want to, he will have to completely fall to Sima Guang. More importantly, Zhao Xu still needs Wang Anshi very much.
Neither the left nor the right can do anything, and they can only fight in the middle to break out of the siege. Therefore, Zhao Xu can only rely on Zhang Fei in this matter.
But since you want to use the public prosecutor's law to go downhill, you must put the matter on the table, because the public prosecutor's law cannot hide it.
Cheng Fang also had to be investigated by the public prosecutor and the law.
This involves imperial power and legal power.
The procuratorate took the initiative to investigate Cheng Fang and convict him. This was within the legal power. However, if the emperor asked the procuratorate to investigate Cheng Fang, the result might be the same, but this was under the imperial power.
Zhang Fei's plan made Zhao Xu very satisfied. According to this plan, all the decision-making power was in his hands, and he could also jump out of the sinkhole of the Dongliu Plan.
This is actually an important reason why Zhao Xu reused Zhang Fei, which was to use the strength of a third party to balance the reformists and conservatives. Without Zhang Fei, he would have to choose one of the two.
Imperial City.
"Xu Jian!"
"This is Meng Zhiyuan, Xie Shilang, polite and courteous."
Xu Zun slightly arched his hands.
Meng Qiansheng and Xie Yun also bowed their hands in return.
"Xu Jian, regarding Cheng Yi's case, there has been a turmoil in the city. Why is it that your procuratorate has not taken any action?" Meng Qiansheng asked.
Xie Jun hurriedly added: "We are not urging the procuratorate, but this matter is getting worse and needs to be resolved as soon as possible!"
Xu Zun sighed: "To tell you the truth, I am impatient. After learning the secret document, we immediately sent people to investigate, but this will take time, and our procuratorate is all about evidence. Just relying on that secret document We can't prosecute the case, we can only wait for the investigation results to come out before making a decision. I don't know who the villain is, but I don't know who spread the news, and our procuratorate is also in a state of confusion now."
Meng Qiansheng's eyes flashed with a hint of guilt, and he thought to himself, is he really pointing something out? But he pretended to be concerned and said: "We all know this, but I think you, the procuratorate, should hurry up, for fear that it will not be able to end it by then."
Xu Zun nodded and said, "Thank you both for your concern. I have sent additional troops to investigate."
Alum Tower.
"Now that the fourth child has gone to Xihe, and Fan Da is not here, we have to leave the matter of the charity foundation to Yuan Yu."
Zhang Fei said as he and Fan Yong walked upstairs.
Fan Yong sighed: "I originally planned to hand over the Bailun Building to Zheng'er and take care of myself for the rest of my life. Little did I know that this would happen more than before."
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "Who told you not to have more children? Look at Lao Chen, he has already sent three of them out, and there are still two sons on standby at home."
Fan Yong said sadly: "You told me I didn't want to, but when I was busy with business in my early years, I ignored it. When I got older, I couldn't do what I wanted."
Zhang Fei said sympathetically: "Sorry! I can't help you with this kind of thing."
"I don't want your help either."
Fan Yong glared at Zhang Fei angrily, did he take advantage of this? Suddenly he seemed to remember something and said: "That's right! In the past few years, we have donated no less than 5,000 pieces of weapons every year, but what we got in return was just a short stick and a pair of ropes. Many people were dissatisfied with this. "
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "This is just to find a reason to give money. You have been doing business for so long, don't you even know this truth?"
Fan Yong whispered: "That was before, but now we have many reasons to send money to the imperial court. This time we are donating to the imperial court to build colleges and hospitals. There is no need to send money to the Ordnance Supervision, and the officials of the Ordnance Supervision cannot give it. What are we?"
Zhang Fei said: "I'll go take a look then."
How did Lao Fan know that Zhang Fei was instructing the Ordnance Supervisor to develop firearms? It had only been a few years, but it was impossible to get the results.
Even if there are results, they cannot be used by the Royal Police!
"Yo! Zhang Sanlang."
Suddenly hearing someone shouting, Zhang Fei turned his head and saw Lu Jiawen just walking out of an elegant seat.
"It's President Lu, what a coincidence!"
Fan Yong gave his hand in a very sensible manner, excused himself from company, and then walked along the corridor outside to the charity foundation.
"Sanlang is still in the mood to come here to drink?" Lu Jia asked with a smile.
Zhang Fei shook his head and said: "With two pregnant women at home, how can I still be in the mood to come here to drink? The charity foundation has recently agreed to donate to the imperial construction college and hospital, but Ma Laosi also went to Xihe, so I stopped by to take a look. .”
Lu Jiawen was surprised and said: "There is a lot of fuss about the sailor case, but you are still in the mood to take care of this matter."
Zhang Fei chuckled and said: "It's just a lot of fun outside. Our procuratorate is looking at the evidence. It's still in the investigation stage. Before the investigation results come out, we have nothing to do."
Lu Jiawen glanced around and whispered: "But the court has already fought fiercely for this. This is no small matter."
Zhang Fei said: "For us, the police, the procuratorate, and the law, this is not a big deal. We just have to follow the rules. It's their business to argue."
As he said that, he looked at Lu Jia with a smile and asked, "President Lu, you have been the president of the court for so many years, but you still haven't understood the most subtle aspects of the public prosecutor's law."
Lu Jia asked: "I would like to hear from you."
Zhang Fei said: "The rules are above and the people below. The emphasis is on relaxation. I am here today to have fun, so what? I have a day off today. The public prosecutor and the law only need to follow the rules. I'm not happy that you changed the rules!"
Lu Jiawen frowned and began to think.
Zhang Fei knew that this person was ambitious and pushy, but this might have a negative impact on the imperial court, so he said: "This is actually the foundation of our public security law. The more you want to show up, the more you will lose face." Everything is lost, but the more low-key you are and the more relaxed you are, the more you can shine. The highest level of our public prosecutors and law officials is to do things with ease. This is also the most different thing between us and those exaggerated censors, because we are professionals .”
Lu Jiawen looked at Zhang Fei, a flash of shame flashed in his eyes, and he cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Sanlang, for your advice."
"Don't dare!"
Zhang Fei smiled modestly: "I'm just talking casually. If there's nothing else, I'll get busy first."
"Oh. Please."
After all, Lu Jiawen came from the Lu family and was worthy of being a prime minister. Zhang Fei reminded him that it was his business to listen or not.
The palace.
Wang Anshi and Lu Huiqing quickly came to the study, and after closing the door, Wang Anshi said: "Cheng Yi has friends all over the government and the public, and he is highly respected by scholars in Luoyang. If you impeach him, it will only arouse more people to oppose the New Deal. "
Lu Huiqing said: "But this can also get more people to support us. The other party is not moral first, so they only focus on Cheng Fang's deployment of sailors and conscription of labor, but do not mention Cheng Fang's achievements. This is unfair.
Moreover, Cheng Yi opened the city gate without authorization to admit the sailors without consulting Cheng Fang. If everyone follows his example, how can the new policy be implemented?
The students thought that just because Cheng Yi was quite famous in Shilin, if he could be suppressed, no one on earth would dare to refuse to implement the new law. "
Although his ideas and Wang Anshi's ideas were exactly the same, their styles were still slightly different. Lu Huiqing believed that only through struggle could we strengthen our strength and implement the New Deal.
Wang Anshi still cares about the New Deal, but he does not deny Lu Huiqing's idea, saying: "But what if it cannot be suppressed?"
Lu Huiqing said: "But the officials will definitely be on our side, and their efforts are in vain."
Wang Anshi said: "But the fact is that many people want to use this matter to attack the public security organs."
Lu Huiqing seemed to have thought of something and said: "It is said that Zhang San has been busy donating to the cause of charity in Baifan Tower recently. It seems that he really doesn't intend to participate in it."
Wang Anshi nodded and said, "Didn't I tell you that he will stay out of the matter this time?"
Lu Huiqing said: "But many people will definitely try their best to get the procuratorate involved. The purpose of their whistleblower complaint is to target the public prosecutor's office."
Wang Anshi raised his head and looked at him, "What do you mean by this?"
Lu Huiqing said: "If the procuratorate is involved, there are only two choices, either to convict Cheng Yi or to convict Cheng Fang.
Needless to say, the former, but if the procuratorate chooses the latter, it will definitely make more people support us, because for those people, as long as they can overturn the imperial court's judgment, it is equivalent to suppressing the public prosecutor's law, plus the official With the support of everyone, we are also confident of victory. "
Not all of them are from his side. They have to make a choice if they want to involve the police, prosecutors, and law.
Wang Anshi frowned slightly, "So you are planning to use this matter to defeat the public security bureaucracy?"
Lu Huiqing said: "They want to use this matter to attack Cheng Fang in order to bring down their mentor. The students are just following the trend. In the end, we can't stop them from dealing with the Public Security Bureau, and if we support the Public Security Bureau, we will lose many people." support, and at the same time, Bachelor Sima and others will not give us help."
Wang Anshi was silent.
In fact, when things got to this point, they had no choice. In ancient times, regulating the Yellow River was always the country's top priority. If they admitted that this policy failed, someone would have to take responsibility, and Wang Anshi might be annihilated.
This is the most terrifying thing about party strife.
Once started, it is difficult to stop. Neither Wang Anshi nor Sima Guang can control the overall situation.
Many people on the conservative side want to use this incident to knock down Wang Anshi.
The reformists want to use this to suppress the public security organs.
No more reasoning.
Because neither side can afford to lose!
Fortunately, this secret complaint was filed with the Procuratorate, and for the time being, the results of the Procuratorate's investigation will be the main thing.
If the procuratorate fails to produce results, it will be inconvenient for everyone to follow the procedures and go to the emperor.
Although everyone already knows the whole process, their sources are not official channels.
Therefore, many officials are putting pressure on the procuratorate. We all know what is going on. It is really unreasonable that your procuratorate has not found out yet.
finally!
News finally came from Qi Ji, and the process was just as Zhao Xu said.
After "careful" deliberation, the Procuratorate officially announced that the secret complaint was alarmist and would not be accepted due to a lack of evidence.
This immediately exploded, and both parties were dissatisfied with the result.
Deng Wan, Pei Wen and other censors immediately accused Sima Guang of instructing the procuratorate to protect Cheng Yi.
Liu Shu and other conservatives also accused the procuratorate of only investigating Cheng Yi, but not Cheng Fang, or why the sailors deserted service.
You are the procuratorate, not Erbi. Behind you is the state. You want to safeguard national interests. How can you say that the other party is prosecuting Cheng Yi, so you will not investigate Cheng Fang.
At the same time, the scholar-bureaucrats also launched a public opinion offensive among the people, making public what Cheng Fang had done in Hebei, and accusing the procuratorate of shielding the eunuchs.
The classic combination of eunuchs and laborers immediately aroused public outrage.
Especially those young scholars also criticized the procuratorate. You claimed to be fair and impartial, but when you encountered eunuchs, you backed down.
They all wished they could just tell the emperor's name directly.
You are the emperor's minions.
However, in the face of the turbulent public opinion, the Procuratorate also acted very strongly. It directly published an article to publicize the process of the matter and explain the reasons. At present, there is not enough evidence to file a lawsuit against Cheng Yi. As for Cheng Fang's case, Because he had the power to mobilize people to build rivers, and there was no corruption or bribery.
Our procuratorate is all about evidence. It is not like some government agencies that can prosecute cases based on rumors.
But it's useless. People all think that you have wasted people and money to such an extent and yet you still haven't broken the law. Do you know the law?
Court of trial.
"I told you beforehand that their purpose is to deal with the Public Procuratorate and the Procuratorate. It is very correct for the Procuratorate to retreat. Why do you want to hold on to the Procuratorate?"
Sima Guang asked Liu Shu and others angrily.
Those public opinions outside are instigated by conservatives.
Liu Shudao: "It's not that we are holding on to the Public Security Bureau, but we need the Public Security Bureau to return Cheng Yi and give justice to the people of Hebei. If this matter is handed over to the Censor's Office, then we will most likely not win, because the official Everyone will definitely support Cheng Fang.
And isn’t the reason why we support judicial reform just to solve these problems? How can the public prosecutor and the law be kept away? So what is the purpose of our support for judicial reform? "
His words immediately stunned Sima Guang.
That seems to be the case!
Sima Guang did not allow the procuratorate to intervene, but actually he wanted to protect the procuratorate, because this would violate the imperial power.
But from the perspective of conservatives, the public prosecutor and the law are used to protect us, not to create a treasure for us to protect.
Find out the target!
Now the conservatives feel that the situation is not good for them, because the reformists have many people supporting them, especially many powerful people, and they all conclude that the emperor wants to protect Cheng Fang and also wants to support Wang Anshi.
Because it is impossible for them to admit their mistake.
So in the confrontation at Yushitai, their chances of winning are obviously not as high as their opponents, and they need the public prosecutor.
It’s not that they think the public prosecutors and law will be biased towards them.
unnecessary!
As long as the public prosecutor and the procuratorate handle the matter fairly, it will be beneficial to them. They all think that they have a clear conscience and that the other party is guilty.
In the process of this party struggle, the nature of the whole matter is changing. The two factions have gone from being hostile to pointing their fingers at the public prosecutor and the law.
They all believed that the procuratorate was shielding the other party.
But the Procuratorate is also very strong. We act based on principles and will not be affected by public opinion. You can say whatever you like.
On the contrary, this matter is becoming simpler, because everyone is impeaching the prosecutor's office.
Neither is controversial.
At this time, the emperor had to stand up.
So Zhao Xu held a key meeting, attended only by the prime minister and Xu Zun.
Xu Zun still explained in the same way, "Reporting to your Majesty, Cheng Yi serves as the deputy envoy of Tanzhou regiment training, and he has the power to appease those soldiers.
Cheng Fang had the emperor's mandate, and there is currently no evidence to prove that there was corruption or bribery. It was just that the government was insufficiently prepared and failed to provide reasonable food and clothing.
This made the soldiers unable to bear it and fled to the city, but after some rest, they returned to the river to continue building the river.
After a review, the prosecutor's office determined that this was not enough to initiate prosecution. "
Zhao Pian also stood up and said: "Your Majesty, our imperial court also knows about this matter. The accusation against Cheng Yi is purely false. Even if the procuratorate files a lawsuit, our imperial court will not accept it."
Wang Anshi said: "Ms. Zhao, are you implying that the accusation against Cheng Fang is conclusive?"
Zhao Bian said: "That secret document was only against Cheng Yi, not against Cheng Fang."
Sima Guang stood up and said: "Why are the government so under-prepared? Isn't it because Cheng Fang has worked hard in the Hebei area, wasting people and money, so that the government in Hebei has run out of resources, and it is difficult to build more rivers. I said at the beginning that we should not rush to dredge the east stream. For a while.”
Wang Anshi said: "You are not in a hurry? How can you say it? Hebei is flooded every year, and how many innocent people suffer. Is it possible that the imperial court is just watching the people live in dire straits?"
Sima Guang said: "Of course I don't want to see it, but what you do is adding insult to injury! Sacrificing people's livelihood to build river channels is simply putting the cart before the horse."
Wang Anshi said: "If we don't build rivers, if we encounter floods, you will use the excuse to say that it is the unkindness of the officials. Gods are also you, and ghosts are also you. It is really unreasonable."
"you!"
Sima Guang couldn't help but glance at Zhao Xu secretly.
Zhao Xu's face was indeed a little embarrassed. This is the truth. Everyone knows this. In fact, building dams can prevent floods, but why is it that I am unkind when floods occur?
Whether you cultivate or not, it's all up to me.
How unreasonable!
Sima Guang did not dare to continue the fight, because natural disasters were an important reason for them to restrain the emperor. Logically speaking, as a minister, you must not question this reason, as this would weaken the power of the minister.
But Wang Anshi doesn't believe in this at all. He advocates Legalism, and "there is no need to fear changes in nature" is his famous saying!
Zhao Xu suddenly said: "Since the public prosecutor and the law believe that the current evidence is not enough to start a trial, we should not force it. Let the case be handed over to Yushitai for trial."
Sima Guang was suddenly shocked and his back was already soaked.
In this context, Zhao Xu appointed Yushitai to interrogate, which was obviously not good for them.
Wen Yanbo realized that the situation was somewhat dangerous, and immediately stood up and said: "Your Majesty, I think that the government, China and the people are now very skeptical about the public prosecutor's law. If it is handed over to the Yushitai for trial, it will be extremely detrimental to the construction of the public prosecutor's law."
Sima Guang nodded repeatedly and said, "That's exactly it."
Xu Zun said cautiously: "But if our procuratorate prosecutes without evidence, it will be questioned even more."
Wen Yanbo asked with a deep eyebrow: "Prosecutor Xu, so many people are questioning, whether they are officials or ordinary people, it can only mean that you are not doing well enough. If you are perfect, how can you be so good?" Many people question you?"
This ginger is still spicy!
Xu Zun struggled for a while and said: "If everyone doubts that our procuratorate has selfish motives, then our procuratorate can hold a hearing to decide whether to prosecute this."
"Hearings?"
Everyone was stunned.
what is that?
Zhao Xu's heart was like a mirror, and he was not surprised at all. But when he suddenly realized that he should be surprised, he said thoughtfully: "Hearing? This sounds familiar."
Xu Zun replied: "Reporting to your Majesty, this is a system created by Prosecutor Zhang when he was the president of the Grand Court in Hezhong Prefecture."
Zhao Xu nodded repeatedly and said, "I remembered it, I remembered it."
Fu Bi suddenly asked: "Aren't hearings used to explain legal precedents?"
Xu Zun explained: "At that time, prosecutor Zhang was the president of the Hezhong Prefecture, and those hearings were all held through the imperial court, so they were mainly to explain the relevant judgments.
But in fact, the procuratorate can also hold hearings on its own, which are generally used for more controversial cases. The procuratorate will listen to the suggestions of all parties at the hearing, and all parties will list relevant evidence, and use a fair and impartial method to Discuss how to resolve this dispute. "
Fu Bi asked: "What is the difference between a hearing and a court trial?"
Xu Zun replied: "According to what Prosecutor Zhang said, hearings are mostly used to listen to the opinions of interested parties before government agencies issue administrative orders. This is an administrative procedure.
The court hearing is a judicial process conducted before the royal court's decision.
Take this case as an example. The purpose of the hearing is to discuss whether the procuratorate should prosecute the case, while the trial is about whether the relevant persons are guilty. "
Fu Bi was surprised when he heard this. Is it really that detailed?
Every administrative decision made by the Procuratorate must be discussed at a meeting.
Wang Anshi and Sima Guang were also confused.
Can this still be done?
However, Wen Yanbo responded quickly and said immediately: "I agree that the procuratorate will hold a hearing to decide whether to prosecute."
They have no choice now.
Sima Guang also reacted and expressed his support.
Wang Anshi is still not sure what this hearing means, but he has no reason to object. After all, everyone is questioning the Procuratorate now. It is reasonable for the Procuratorate to prove its innocence!
He chose silence.
Zhao Xu secretly smiled and thought to himself, I don't know whether it was Zhang San who was too cunning or you guys who were too stupid, but Zhang San's plan was completely correct. He said: "Procurator-General Xu has thought more carefully, so let's make this decision for the time being. After the hearing is over, if the procuratorate still decides not to prosecute, it will be handed over to the Yushitai for trial."
"I obey."
After Zhao Xu left, Wang Anshi and Sima Guang hurriedly walked out at the same time. But after taking a step, they stopped again and looked at each other. Wang Anshi smiled contemptuously and left first.
After he left, Sima Guang turned around and immediately grabbed Xu Zun, "Zhongtu, what's going on with this hearing?"
Fu Bi and Wen Yanbo also stood aside and listened.
Xu Zun sighed: "This is my son-in-law's way of protecting the public prosecutor's office. You must have heard of the rumors outside. They are all here for the Procuratorate. In order to protect the system of the Procuratorate from being destroyed, my son-in-law We believe that we can hold hearings and cross-examine in public in order to defend the system of public prosecutors and law.”
Wen Yanbo asked: "What will be the result?"
Xu Zundao: “It depends on what kind of evidence the relevant parties will provide, and then the procuratorate will decide whether to prosecute based on the specific circumstances.
In other words, it is up to you to decide whether to sue. "
Wen Yanbo asked again: "Is it possible not to prosecute?"
Xu Zun nodded.
Fu Bi suddenly said: "If during the hearing, the procuratorate still stated that it would not prosecute and could still convince the public, then what reason would the Yushitai have to come to trial?"
Wen Yanbo and Sima Guang's eyes lit up at the same time.
If the procuratorate can convince the public at the hearing, it will only prove that there is really no evidence to prosecute, and if the Yushitai takes up the case again, it will only mean that the Yushitai wants to frame the case.
Yushitai is stupid, stepping on shit specifically.
Xu Zun shook his head and said, "I don't know much about this."
But Fu Bi knew in his heart that in this case, it would mean that the procuratorate was still in control of the overall situation.
I said we can't prosecute, so this case can't be tried.
I also sincerely admire Zhang Fei for really knowing how to find a way.
Wang Anshi, who took the first step over there, naturally ran to find Zhang Fei, and this hearing also caught him off guard.
"You kid still said you didn't take retreat as a way to advance?"
Seeing Zhang Fei, Wang Anshi asked.
Zhang Fei was confused, "What?"
Wang Anshi chuckled and said: "Hearing."
Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment, and then sighed: "I am still forced to this step."
Wang Anshi said in surprise: "Have you been forced to this point?"
Zhang Fei said: "Wang Xueshi Mingjian, I have tried my best to stay out of the matter, but no matter how hard I imagined, you would point the finger at our public prosecutors and the judiciary. I only set up this hearing to protect myself. Otherwise, I might be implicated." .”
Wang Anshi thought about it and felt that there was nothing wrong with it. Now both the reformists and conservatives were chasing after the procuratorate. This was surprising. He asked again: "Will the hearing be detrimental to Cheng Fang?"
Zhang Fei said: "I don't know. It depends on your evidence, because at the hearing, I will not target anyone because I have no prosecution target. I will just ask the parties for their suggestions and what evidence they can present, and then Then based on all the recommendations and evidence, we will decide whether to prosecute, who to prosecute, or not to prosecute."
(End of chapter)
