Amidst everyone's suspicion, this mysterious hearing finally came.
However, Zhang Fei was also very considerate of them and set the hearing specifically during the officials' holidays so that more officials could come to Xiangguo Temple to participate in the meeting.
At dawn, when the genius was slightly bright, I saw many officials arriving at Xiangguo Temple in carriages. They came so early not to grab a seat, but to burn a stick of incense and pray for blessings. After all, the world is not peaceful at present. ah!
"Two donors, please come this way."
"Good work!"
Meng Qiansheng and Zhao Wenzheng bowed to the old monk, and then followed the monk to a side room to rest for a while.
After the old monk exited, Zhao Wenzheng asked, "Is there any news from the procuratorate?"
Meng Qiansheng shook his head and said: "I have sent people to inquire again and again. These days in the Procuratorate, it is the same as usual. No one is even paying attention to this hearing. Sometimes, I don't know what I am worried about."
"It shouldn't be! This shouldn't be the case!"
Zhao Wenzheng said: "I think there must be something fishy here. This matter has become serious now, and it is no longer a trivial matter. If it is not handled well, it may cause greater chaos."
Meng Qiansheng said: "I know this too, but there is no need for us to panic. If chaos really occurs, it will be the procuratorate who will clean up the mess. Isn't this exactly what we expect?"
Zhao Wenzheng nodded, "That's true. Whether it's a hearing or a trial, it's the Procuratorate that takes over this hot potato."
Just then, there was a knock on the door, "Master."
After Zhao Wenzheng heard this, he said, "Come in."
An old servant opened the door, entered the house, and whispered something in Zhao Wenzheng's ear.
"I see."
Zhao Wenzheng nodded and waited for the old servant to retreat.
Meng Qiansheng hurriedly asked: "What's the matter?"
Zhao Wenzheng said: "Empress Dowager Cao and the officials are here."
"Yeah?"
Meng Qiansheng frowned and said, "The Queen Mother is here too."
Zhao Wenzheng said: "It seems that there must be a mystery in this hearing!"
In another wing.
"Cheng Dujian, if you want to do some morning exercise, just go for a walk in the garden behind. There is no need to walk around in this room."
Lu Huiqing looked at Cheng Fang pacing back and forth in front of him and couldn't help but smile.
Cheng Fang stopped and said, "Our family has made inquiries in the past few days. That Zhang San is not a good person. Even Bachelor Wang is a little unable to resist. What if?"
"Nothing unexpected."
Lu Huiqing said: "You just need to respond according to my teachings. This is not a court trial, and you are not a suspect. The purpose of this hearing is to understand the reasons. And what you do is to share the monarch's worries. You Don’t worry too much, on the contrary, if you are so nervous, something bad may happen.”
"Too."
Cheng Fang nodded, "Don't be nervous! We can't be nervous. We have never seen anything before, how can we be frightened by a young boy."
"Who says it's not? Let's sit down, have a cup of tea and take a rest."
"Why!"
Compared with Cheng Fang's restlessness, Cheng Yi was very relaxed. He was standing in the other courtyard, chatting freely with Sima Guang, Lu Gongzhu, Wen Yanbo and others. He was very relaxed and comfortable.
Han Qi and Fu Bi, who had just come in, saw this scene and Han Qi couldn't help but said: "Uncle Cheng Zheng doesn't seem to take this hearing seriously."
Fu Bi said: "A gentleman is magnanimous, what should he fear?"
Han Qi smiled and said: "But how many magnanimous gentlemen were speechless when asked by Zhang San in court."
Fu Bi sighed: "Actually, Jun did remind him, but he has a clear conscience, so he doesn't care."
Han Qi shook his head and smiled: "There will always be times when he suffers."
In the back hall of Xiangguo Temple, there were layers of defenses from the imperial army. A group of eminent monks sat cross-legged in front of the Buddha, chanting sutras and reciting the Buddha's name with Empress Dowager Cao.
Zhao Xu stood aside waiting in boredom.
After a while, it was finally over. Zhao Xu personally stepped forward and helped Empress Dowager Cao stand up.
"Ouch! I'm old! After sitting here for a while, my legs are numb."
Queen Mother Cao stood up with difficulty.
"The queen will worship the Buddha with all her heart, and the Buddha will definitely bless the queen with a long life."
"I don't dare to hope for a long life without borders. I just hope that the Buddha can protect the officials and their families in peace and safety."
While talking, Zhao Xu helped Empress Dowager Cao to sit on a chair next to her, and then asked two maids to help Empress Dowager Cao squeeze her feet.
Queen Mother Cao, who had calmed down, suddenly asked: "Has this hearing started yet?"
Zhao Xu glanced at the sky and said, "The stipulation is Chen hour, it should be soon."
Empress Dowager Cao nodded and said with a smile: "This Zhang San is really capable of doing things, and he held another hearing. By the way, has Zhang San come? I would like to ask him what this hearing is all about." "
Zhao Xu turned his head and glanced at Lan Yuanzhen next to him.
Lan Yuanzhen immediately said: "Queen Mother, Zhang San always arrives last, only for others to wait for him."
Zhao Xu glared at him covertly.
Empress Dowager Cao didn't care, and said hehe: "Last time I was supervising the class at Guozi, I already learned the lesson."
After a while, someone finally came to report. Zhang Fei had arrived, and the hearing was about to begin.
Never late, but never early.
Since this was a hearing that was completely open to the public, it was arranged in the front yard. When Zhao Xu and Queen Mother Cao arrived in the front yard, the place was already bustling with people. Looking at the arrangement of the seats, it was indeed very similar to the court hearing. The big difference is that there is no Erbi seat.
There is a long table in the middle with five chairs. There are two pairs of tables and chairs on the left and right sides. Cheng Fang and Cheng Yi sit on the right and left respectively. There is an empty table on the side. It looks like a debate competition.
There were many armchairs around, but compared to the court hearing, they were very close this time. Wang Anshi and the reformists all sat on the right, and Sima Guang and the conservatives all sat on the left.
There is almost no centrist on this matter.
Zhao Xu and Empress Dowager Cao did not show up, but quietly sat in the lobby behind the main banquet. Seeing the clearly distinguished courtiers, Empress Dowager Cao felt worried in her heart.
After a while, Xu Zun, Zhang Fei, Wang Gong, and two record inspectors came to the main table.
Cheng Fang and Cheng Yi locked their eyes on the young man next to Xu Zun at the same time. He was younger than they thought. The key is that Zhang Fei always shaved his beard and his face was always fair. He looked thinner and darker. Cheng Fang is more like a eunuch.
The other officials were also looking at Zhang Fei's expression, hoping to see some mystery on his face, but these five people were all smiling and very relaxed. After nodding to them, they were busy with their own affairs. Really. It seemed like it was just routine.
No one stood up to return the greeting, and Zhang Fei did not dare to be arrogant here. After all, there were princes and prime ministers on both sides.
After sitting down, Wang Gong exchanged a few words with Xu Zun, then stood up and read out the rules of the hearing.
It is similar to a court hearing. No noise or noise is allowed, and the order of the hearing is not allowed to be disrupted. At the same time, the order of the main witness must be followed, and the witness must not speak without permission, nor leave the meeting without reason, otherwise it will be regarded as giving up the right to a hearing.
After hearing this rule, someone immediately asked: "In other words, you can not testify?"
Zhang Fei smiled and replied: "Of course it is possible, because the purpose of the hearing is to give each party the most fair treatment. If the parties do not cherish it, then we do not have to force them to stay and participate in this hearing."
The tone is very gentle, but everyone can hear the threat in it. The hearing is for you to prove your innocence. If you want to leave, then you can leave. When the results come out and the judicial process is entered, then you can Don't cry.
When the time comes, I won’t invite you over, but escort you here.
After reading out the rules, Xu Zun knocked the gavel, announcing that the hearing had officially begun, and then looked at Zhang Fei beside him.
His responsibility is to preside over and maintain order, and Zhang Fei is the one doing the work.
Zhang Fei first asked Cheng Yi on the left: "Cheng Yi, what position do you currently hold?"
This way of asking by name made Cheng Yi, who believed in etiquette, stunned for a moment. He immediately stood up and answered with his hands in his hands: "No, Cheng is currently serving as the deputy envoy of regiment training in Chanzhou."
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "Deputy Ambassador Cheng just needs to sit there and answer the questions truthfully. There is no need for too many ceremonial behaviors."
Cheng Yi asked: "Why?"
It seems to be asking, are there no etiquette here?
Zhang Fei said: "Because I think abiding by the rules of the hearing is the greatest respect for each other and everyone present. I wonder what Deputy Cheng thinks?"
Cheng Yi pondered for a while, then nodded with a smile: "Prosecutor Zhang's words are reasonable. I hope Prosecutor Zhang will forgive me for any offense I've made."
Zhang Fei stretched out his hand and said, "Deputy Envoy Cheng, please take a seat."
"Feel sorry."
Cheng Yi bowed his hands again and sat down.
Lu Gongzhu whispered: "It seems that in this situation, no one is his opponent Zhang San."
Sima Guang said worriedly: "This is nothing. I hope Uncle Zheng won't give the wrong answer later."
He repeatedly warned Cheng Yi, but Cheng Yi didn't take it seriously at all.
Zhang Fei asked again: "Deputy Ambassador Cheng, someone has accused you recently. In mid-November last year, you encouraged the Yellow River sailors to flee and allowed the fleeing sailors to not only delay the imperial fortifications, but also to be suspected of committing rebellion. What's your explanation for this?"
Cheng Yi sat upright and replied in a neither humble nor arrogant manner: "I did open the city gate to accommodate the fleeing sailors, but I only decided to do this to avoid a mutiny by the sailors."
Zhang Fei asked: "Can you explain it in detail?"
Cheng Yi said: "I remember that an official came to report that the Yellow River sailors who were dredging the Sangu River were unable to bear the heavy workload and fled en masse, and were heading to Chanzhou."
Zhang Fei said: "Why are they going to Chanzhou?"
Cheng Yi said: "Because they are sailors stationed in Chanzhou."
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "What happened then?"
Cheng Yi replied: "At that time, the Chanzhou government held an emergency meeting to discuss how to deal with it. I think the sailors risked their lives to escape, and if they were turned away, an incident would inevitably occur. It would be better to open the door and let them in, so as to appease them. If the court blames them, , I will take all responsibility."
Zhang Fei asked: "Did you know the specific circumstances of the sailors' retreat at that time?"
Cheng Yi nodded and said: "It's clear. It was because it was freezing cold and there was a lack of food and clothing on the river. The sailors couldn't bear it, so they chose to escape."
Zhang Fei asked: "How did you learn about it?"
Cheng Yi said: "It's what the sailors said."
Zhang Fei asked: "Before you opened the city gate, did you send someone to investigate?"
Cheng Yi shook his head and said: "Not at that time."
Zhang Fei asked again: "Then when did you send someone to investigate?"
Cheng Yi hesitated a little and said, "I didn't send anyone to investigate, but I asked the sailors carefully. Judging from their situation, it doesn't look like they were lying."
Zhang Fei nodded and asked: "Just now you said that at that meeting, you were the one who decided to open the city gate to accommodate the sailors and said you would take all responsibility. I wonder what the attitude of other officials was?"
Cheng Yi said: "Other officials are unwilling to open the city gate because they are afraid that they will offend Cheng Dujian."
Zhang Fei asked: "Why are they afraid of offending Cheng Dujian? According to my information, Cheng Dujian is only in charge of the Minister of River Defense, not their superior."
Cheng Yi said: "Although Cheng Dujian is only responsible for river defense, he is an envoy sent by His Majesty and a close minister of His Majesty. Moreover, Cheng Dujian often ignores state and county laws and officials, so that Hebei officials are very afraid of him."
"I see."
Zhang Fei nodded and asked: "As for the Yellow River sailors, I heard that you had negotiations with Cheng Dujian before this. I wonder if that's the case?"
Cheng Yi nodded and said: "About early September, Governor Cheng asked to mobilize sailors to build the Sangu River, but I refused. Because of our law, sailors must take on important defense tasks and are not allowed to leave their posts without permission."
Zhang Fei said: "What happens next?"
Cheng Yi said: "Then Cheng Dujian wrote to His Majesty, and later His Majesty ordered the allocation of 800 sailors to him."
Zhang Fei said: "Did Inspector Cheng retaliate against you for this?"
Cheng Yi shook his head, "That's not true!"
Zhang Fei asked again: "After you opened the city gate to admit the sailors, did Cheng Dujian take revenge on you? Or did he impeach you?"
Cheng Yi shook his head and said, "No."
Zhang Fei asked: "Have you met during this period?"
Cheng Yi nodded: "I've met him once."
Zhang Fei asked: "What's his attitude?"
Cheng Yi said: "Very friendly."
"Then I'm more curious."
Zhang Fei said: "Deputy Commander Cheng, you just said that Cheng Dujian ignored state and county officials and laws because of his power, but when it came to deploying the navy, Cheng Dujian seemed to have done well. After you refused, he did not threaten you." , or force the deployment of sailors arbitrarily and unreasonably, but choose to write to His Majesty, begging the court to send troops to him, and at the same time, he did not retaliate against you afterwards.
After accepting the sailors, Cheng Dujian also did not retaliate, and his attitude towards you was very friendly. Or does it mean that Deputy Ambassador Cheng has a strong backing that makes Governor Cheng afraid? "
Cheng Yi shook his head and said: "I have nothing to fear him."
Zhang Fei asked: "Then why did Deputy Ambassador Cheng say before that Cheng Dujian ignored state and county officials and laws because of his power?"
"this."
Cheng Yi's expression froze and he couldn't help but look at Zhang Fei blankly.
Over there, Cheng Fang straightened his back and thought to himself, yes! Why does our family ignore state officials and laws? Our family has always abided by the law!
He had never thought of this himself, but when he looked back, he felt that he had really fulfilled his duty.
Zhao Xu in the hall couldn't help but smile.
This question was obviously very beneficial to him.
"Don't listen to advice!"
Sima Guang patted his thigh anxiously.
This hearing is very important to them, because they hope to use it to demand a stop to the damingfu river fortifications. It would be great if they could sue Cheng Fang to the imperial court.
Han Qi chuckled and said, "Why are you afraid? As a result, I couldn't resist it."
Fu Bi also shook his head.
It can only be said that Cheng Yi has not experienced the cruelty of a court trial.
Cheng Yi believes in Confucian honesty, but court trials are much more explicit than Confucian honesty.
Cheng Yi came back to his senses and replied: "I am not talking nonsense. There is evidence to prove that Cheng Dujian arbitrarily recruited laborers and destroyed the people's farmland."
Zhang Fei asked: "I think what you said is the same as Cheng Dujian's desire to recruit sailors in September. He had no right to do so, but he requested it."
Cheng Yi nodded.
Zhang Fei said: "After being stopped by you, Cheng Dujian sought a government order to mobilize sailors to build the river channel."
Cheng Yi nodded.
Zhang Fei said: "I would like to ask Deputy Cheng, if you did not stop Cheng Dujian in September, but allowed him to mobilize the sailors, do you think it was your fault or his fault?"
Cheng Yi stroked his beard and said, "I don't know if he was at fault, but I must have been guilty of dereliction of duty."
Zhang Fei said: "Assuming that Cheng Dujian really forced labor and destroyed fertile farmland, what I want to know is why no officials like Deputy Commissioner Cheng used the law and system to stop Cheng Dujian?"
Cheng Yi began to sweat a little on his forehead, "As I said before, it's out of fear and fear of Cheng Dujian's revenge."
Zhang Fei asked: "According to Deputy Ambassador Cheng, in the minds of Hebei officials, this official uniform is more important than their own responsibilities. They do not perform their duties for the sake of possible revenge. At the same time, they blame others. Ignore the state officials and laws. Is it possible that in front of Cheng Dujian, there is no state officials and laws at all? "
Cheng Yi was completely silent.
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "The reason why Deputy Cheng didn't answer was because he thought that answering like this seemed to be belittling others and highlighting himself. After all, only Deputy Cheng decisively rejected Cheng Dujian's unreasonable remarks in accordance with the law." Request, therefore, this is not what a gentleman does.”
Cheng Yi's face turned red.
That's what happened. Why didn't other officials stop Cheng Fang's unreasonable request like him? It was too bad for him to say so.
"Admittedly, I am not a gentleman."
Zhang Fei smiled softly.
Cheng Yi's face turned redder.
Zhang Fei opened a page of copywriting and asked Cheng Fang: "Cheng Dujian."
"exist!"
Cheng Fang subconsciously straightened his back, and immediately realized that he seemed to have a higher official position than him. He smiled calmly and said, "Excuse me, Prosecutor Zhang."
At first glance, Zhang Fei is one of our own!
Zhang Fei asked: "According to that secret document, Governor Cheng once threatened to impeach Deputy Ambassador Cheng in front of everyone. I wonder if it is true?"
Cheng Fang hesitated for a moment and said: "Our family has said something similar, but it was only out of anger. However, our family did not really impeach Deputy Ambassador Cheng, nor did we do anything bad to him, and we also respect him very much. .”
Zhang Fei nodded and asked: "According to the information we have learned, the sailors were indeed short of food and clothing at that time. Can you explain why this happened?"
Cheng Fang said: "I'm afraid Deputy Commander Cheng will bear half of the responsibility."
Zhang Fei asked: "How do you say this?"
Cheng Fang said: "Our family plans to recruit sailors to build the river channel in September. If Deputy Cheng agrees, it will not be delayed until the freezing weather in November. At least there will be no shortage of clothes, and we can dare to Complete the mission before the cold winter."
Wang Anshi frowned when he heard this and asked Lu Huiqing, "Is this what you told me?"
Lu Huiqing was about to cry but said without tears: "How did I know that Zhang San would be speechless when he asked Cheng Yi? This Cheng Dujian is really stubborn and can't change his mind."
We just mentioned the issue of responsibility. You still blame Cheng Yi for not giving you soldiers, but you don't.
Zhang Fei asked: "So Cheng Dujian thinks he has the right to call on sailors?"
"Well."
Cheng Fang opened his mouth, and after a while, he suppressed a sentence, "This matter is urgent. Our family is anxious about the river construction, so we went to ask. After Deputy Cheng refused, our family also wrote to His Majesty." , requesting His Majesty’s order.”
Zhang Fei nodded and asked, "Did the Sangu River encounter flooding at that time?"
Cheng Fang shook his head.
Zhang Fei said: "Then where does this urgent matter come from? Since you plan to recruit sailors in September, why not ask in July?"
".?"
Cheng Fang blinked.
Zhang Fei asked again: "Excuse me, Inspector Cheng, do you have a very detailed plan for building the river channel?"
"Yes."
Cheng Fang nodded and said, "His Majesty and all the counselors and political advisors had seen it at that time."
Zhang Fei immediately handed a copy of the document to the prosecutor beside him, "Can you see if it's this one?"
Cheng Fang took it and took a look, "Yes, yes, this is it."
Zhang Fei asked: "But in this copy, it only explains why it is necessary to dig the east flow and gradually block the north flow, but it does not explain when, how many people will be called, which section of the river will be repaired, and how long will it take?"
Cheng Fang said sarcastically: "That's not so detailed."
Zhang Fei asked: "In other words, how many people to deploy and which river to build are all based on your personal ideas?"
Cheng Fang immediately said: "That's not true. Our family has been sleeping in the open air almost every day these years. We go to various places every day to inspect the water conditions before making decisions. We are not doing this randomly."
Zhang Fei said: "In other words, you have the power to decide everything?"
Cheng Fang said: "Our family does not have this power. We have written to the court about dredging the Sangu River."
Zhang Fei asked: "Does it state how many laborers were recruited, how much fertile land was recruited, and how long it took?"
Cheng Fang shook his head and said: "That's not specified, but I have the right to recruit labor and fertile land."
Zhang Fei asked: "But at the same time, you don't have a detailed plan. Aren't you the one who has the final say?"
It turns out they are not friendly forces.
Cheng Fang also gradually fell into silence.
Empress Dowager Cao was a little surprised by this question and asked Zhao Xu: "The official family really doesn't have a detailed plan?"
Zhao Xu shook his head awkwardly.
Empress Dowager Cao asked again: "Why not agree on it in advance?"
Zhao Xu said sarcastically: "I have never been so detailed."
Empress Dowager Cao said: "But I think what Zhang San said is very reasonable. If there is a flood, it is natural to follow the authority urgently, but to divert the flow eastward, this should be planned."
Zhao Xu nodded dully, wondering in his heart, yes! Why not start construction with a plan?
Wang Anshi and Sima Guang were also wondering about this issue.
