Chapter 1035
Who will be tried in court?
Chapter 1035 Who will be tried in court?
Jiangnan Jinling City,
The Imperial City Office was already crowded. Although it was early in the morning, the Inspector General Jing and the Provincial Governor Zhuang both issued decrees at the same time and jointly tried the case of the destruction of dikes and flooding of fields in Jiangnan in the main hall of the Imperial City Office.
After last night's interrogation, Jinling Tongpan Ma Guangcheng has confessed, but the quotations recorded in the files are somewhat shocking. Su Chong and Lan Jili are under great pressure and dare not ask any more questions. However, the commander of the Imperial City Du Division advises that if the case is not clear, it would be better to hold a trial in court and let all the officials of Jinling witness it together. In this way, even if something is found out, it will not be their responsibility. With these words, today's arrangement was made, especially Lord Jing and Lord Zhuang, who both agreed. As for why they agreed, others do not know.
early in the morning,
The Imperial City Office, which originally seemed a bit cold and deserted, now has a lot of fireworks.
Many officials got off the carriages with a little uneasiness, and then did not rush into the yamen. Instead, they gathered outside the yamen gate and wandered around, each of them seemed to have something on their mind. If the case was tried in the government office, they would not be afraid, but if they went to the Imperial City Office, they seemed a little hesitant. Therefore, many officials verbally agreed to form groups of three or two, and agreed to gather together and go in together early tomorrow morning.
"Brother Wang, Brother Wang, please walk slowly, walk slowly. Do you know how the officials in the government office are doing?"
A yamen official hesitated a little, looked around to see if anyone was paying attention to this side, and then continued in a low voice;
"My Lords, why don't you try the case in the prefectural government office, but instead set up a court in the Imperial City Office? Do you have any explanation?"
After this question, the two people accompanying him slowed down their pace, and the chief clerk in the inspector's office also came over.
"Yes, Brother Wang, you are the most informed. Is there any change?"
The man at the front, who was called Wang Xiong, was wearing a green official robe. He must be a sixth-rank official. He was suddenly stopped by several people and asked with some suspicion;
"Why, do you guys really not know, or are you pretending not to know? Especially you, Brother Li, you work in the Inspector General's Office, what happened last night, don't you know?"
Wang Zhushi was somewhat reluctant to deny it. It was said that in a government office, the people who were best informed were those in charge. No matter how big or small the matter was, it would first pass through the eyes of the head of the government office before being reported. Therefore, if there was any disturbance in the government office, they would know about it in advance.
"Oh, brother Wang, please forgive me. I have been busy at home these days and have neglected a lot of government affairs. I only heard that people from various government offices were notified to come here, but I didn't ask about other things in detail. I know it is about Ma Tongpan, but I don't know the rest."
Li, the head of the household, was ashamed. A few days ago, he took a woman as his concubine. As newlyweds, he had no time to ask about other things. The other two knew about what was going on in Brother Li's house, but they didn't want to tell them. When Wang, the head of the household, realized what was going on, he was also embarrassed. He had forgotten about this.
"Um, ahem, Brother Li, let's put aside the family matters for now. You still have to be careful about the matters in the government office. Don't be careless. I came here today and heard that the interrogation of Ma Tongpan last night seemed to have made a confession."
"Ah, how could this happen?"
The three of them cried out in surprise. Judge Ma confessed. This, no way. If he confessed, what would happen? The three of them looked a little scared. It seemed that they were in trouble this time.
These people were not just talking in one place. All the officials who could see gathered together and discussed in low voices. Xu Changwen, the magistrate of Chunyang, and Xu Dong, the magistrate of Yongning, stood side by side at the gate of the yamen, looking at the various expressions of the people in the courtyard. They couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
"Brother Xu, look, nowadays, everyone wants to distance themselves from the officials in the government, fearing that they will be implicated. If they had known this would happen, why did they do it in the first place?"
Xu Changwen had a cold expression on his face. Someone had also passed on to him the news about the interrogation last night and what happened in the yamen. It seemed that the person was also a spy from the Marquis' Mansion. Unfortunately, only the court, the cabinet and the emperor could decide who Ma Guangcheng was targeting. Now that things had come to this point, there was no way back.
"Brother Changwen, there is a way of saints, and how many people can stick to it? As an official, you must do something, otherwise, this job is meaningless. I am old and I don't have the ambition to make progress anymore, but if you really want to do something and dare to do something, I will accompany you on this journey."
Xu Dong's eyes were firm. If he could say it and do it, it was not certain whether he could stick to it.
"Brother Xu, rest assured. I am originally from a poor family. I passed the imperial examination and gained fame thanks to the favor of the Marquis. If I had done nothing, I would have been better off taking off this official uniform. I will investigate this case no matter what."
Xu Changwen put his hands behind his back and returned to the main hall of the yamen with a determined look in his eyes. There are some things that no one else in the world would do, but he, Xu Changwen, can do them alone!
Just as they were muttering, outside the courtyard, the carriages of Lord Jing and Lord Zhuang had already arrived. As the two lords got off the carriages, many officials quickened their pace and entered the main hall of the government office first, waiting for the lords to take their seats. Only then did the hall become quiet. Many officials looked at each other with their eyes and noses, and said nothing.
I don’t know how long I waited,
Lan Jili, the Chief Censor of Jiangnan, and Su Chong, the Supervisory Envoy, entered the main hall with tired faces and sat behind the desk. After the two looked at each other, Lord Lan spoke first.
"After last night's interrogation, Ma Guangcheng, the deputy judge of the Jinling prefectural government, admitted that the destruction of the Xinbei dike was his order. The details are too complicated, so they will not be announced here. Only the prefect Jia Yucun and the deputy prefect Hu Wenxuan have not been interrogated, so today we come here to interrogate them first."
This was also what he and Lord Su had discussed. If Ma Guangcheng's accusations were made public, then all officials in Jiangnan would be in danger, which would be troublesome.
Therefore, these words gave face to many people and also gave the two of them time to investigate the case. If there was no truth, it would be fine. If it was true, this case would not be as simple as a hot handle.
After saying this, Lan Jili looked at the officials in the hall, especially Lord Jing and Lord Zhuang. They were holding tea bowls and drinking tea in small sips without looking at them. The two lords did not speak, and the other officials pretended to be deaf and dumb, looking as if they were in a trance.
"Well, since there is no objection, let's start with the prefect Jia Yucun."
"Wait, Lord Lan, I have something to say."
The words have not yet fallen,
A loud shout shook everyone in the hall. Many officials were surprised, wondering who had the guts to speak out like that. They looked in the direction of the voice and found that it was someone sitting at the back. Although he was a stranger, everyone knew him. Wasn't he the Chunyang County Magistrate? He was really bold and presumptuous.
"Oh, it's County Magistrate Xu. What does County Magistrate Xu have to say?"
Lan Jili's face darkened. He didn't like this man. If it weren't for him, Jiangnan would still be relatively stable. A small county magistrate didn't even know how to be an official.
"Of course there is something to say,"
Xu Changwen did not show any fear. He answered loudly, stood up, and saluted the adults in the front row.
"Well, I wonder what Magistrate Xu has to say. You should know that more than half of the people from various government offices in Jiangnan are here today. Magistrate Xu, please think it over before you speak." Whether it was a warning or a reminder, Lan Jili had a blank expression on his face, as if he was talking about official business. Su Chong, who was sitting there indifferently, was thinking about how to report to the cabinet in Beijing if the confession of the case was finalized today. As for the memorial to his mentor, it was already on the way. He hoped that he would be in time.
"I would like to thank Lord Lan for his advice, but I still want to say that since I filed the lawsuit first, I should first try the first instance judge Ma Guangcheng. If the case is decided, I will apply to jointly try the case and restore justice to Jiangnan. If Ma Guangcheng does not plead guilty, but instead brings the prefects to trial, isn't this deliberately helping to cover up the matter?"
Xu Changwen cupped his hands without being polite. If he hadn't been wearing an official robe and was still in the government office, he would have pointed at his nose and scolded him.
"Okay. Okay. I wonder where you got the power from, County Magistrate Xu, to dare to control how Lord Su and I try cases. Although you have never been a Jinshi or entered the Imperial Academy, you should know this rule."
Lan Jili was also a little angry at this moment. If he didn't suppress the arrogance of such an unruly person, he might not be able to try the case. When he got angry, the officials present had surprise, curiosity, and even some jealousy in their eyes.
Beside Lord Zhuang, the grain official Zuo Sangui looked at Magistrate Xu standing not far away, also somewhat stunned, muttering to himself;
"It's already this late, Ma Guangcheng can't run away, why bother?"
But Xu Changwen showed no fear at all and laughed.
"What a joke, Lord Lan! Can it be that someone who has passed the imperial examination and entered the Hanlin Academy can't even understand the most basic things about trying a case? You are the chief judge, you are the Imperial Censor, and the Zhongcheng cannot investigate the case recklessly. As an official of Jinling, it is natural for me to advise you to handle the case. I am also the party involved in the case. Is Ma Tongpan guilty of the case?"
"Xu Zhixian, whether someone is guilty or not is not decided by you or me. It is decided by the court, the cabinet, and the emperor. You and I are just officials in the same court. As the Jiangnan Jiandu Censor, I know better than you how to judge a case.
Have you ever thought about this? After the flood in Jiangnan, people like you stood on the shore and watched the boats capsize in order to gain a reputation for being honest, County Magistrate Xu, don't you feel that you are too loyal but actually treacherous?"
Lan Jili shouted angrily. After he finished speaking, he slammed his hand heavily on the desk, making a loud "bang" sound, which also echoed in the hall.
"I have been the magistrate of Chunyang County in Jiangnan for more than a month. I have been busy with disaster relief and have come to the government office again and again just to ask for more food and silver. I don't know how you would judge whether I am loyal or treacherous. The flood in Jiangnan has caused the wrath of heaven and the resentment of the people. It is heartbreaking and unforgettable.
Just now, Your Excellency said that I am trying to gain a reputation for being honest. Am I trying to gain fame and fortune by using the suffering of the people in the flood? If so, I would like to ask, what did the people who destroyed the dikes and flooded the fields do for? Was it for money, official positions, or to please the superiors? "
The repeated inquiries were heard.
Almost all the officials in the room were scolded. Many officials turned pale, and those who still had a conscience also looked unhappy. Although some things were done covertly by officials in Jiangnan, there is no wall that is impenetrable.
now,
Not only Lord Lan, but even Su Chong had some inexplicable looks in their eyes. This County Magistrate Xu, to borrow the words of the saints, was neither an ordinary person nor a weirdo. Instead, he was the servant in the words of the saints. Unfortunately, in the officialdom today, servants were savages. The arrival of such a savage from Jiangnan was a huge variable. The seemingly reasonable way of being an official would not work for him.
"Well, since County Magistrate Xu is so insistent, I will tell you that Ma Guangcheng, the deputy judge of the Jinling prefectural yamen, has already confessed his guilt. He was the one who ordered the yamen's fast-track officers to dig up the Xinbei dike, which was witnessed by the Yangzhou prefectural army captain. The files and confessions are all there, but there are still many unclear points in the case. It is not convenient to re-examine it today. We should try the remaining two people and complete the files. How do you do that?"
After these words were spoken, the officials in the hall burst into an uproar. The originally quiet room was immediately filled with discussions. Many officials in charge were horrified. Judge Ma was really bold and reckless. He did such a heinous thing. Wasn't he afraid of having his family confiscated and his property exterminated?
Even Lord Jing and Lord Zhuang's eyes showed a hint of scrutiny. Perhaps, this County Magistrate Xu was also a sharp knife. If used well, the knife could kill people quickly, but if used poorly, it would hurt himself.
"Anjing, County Magistrate Xu, what do you think?"
As Lord Lan slammed the Jingmutang in his hand heavily on the documents, the hall became much quieter.
"If that's the argument, I agree, but I also want to hear the case together. Since Ma Tong was found guilty, it means the case has been determined. I want to merge the cases and investigate them together."
Lan Jili was not angry when hearing the arrogant words, but he didn't know that Su Chong had already made up his mind. Since he wanted to get involved in this mess, why not do it if someone could share the burden?
"Okay, since County Magistrate Xu has this in mind, let's try the two cases together. In this way, the two County Magistrates Xu will serve as deputy judges. How about that?"
With Lord Su's interjection, Lan Jili paused, and instantly understood what Lord Su meant. It seemed that this was not impossible.
"Okay, County Magistrate Xu, what do you think?"
"Good, I will take your order."
"Okay, bring Magistrate Jia and Magistrate Hu Tong to the court together,"
With Lord Lan's words, there were no more strange sounds in the hall.
Just wait like this,
The imperial guards escorted the two gentlemen from the imperial prison into the inner hall. Perhaps it was because of the bright light outside, but Jia Yucun, the prefect of Jinling, and Hu Wenxuan, the co-prefect, moved slowly, one step at a time, until they reached the door. They looked at the many officials in the hall, trembling with fear and treading on thin ice, which was a little funny.
"Brother Hu, look, all the officials present here are afraid, yet they are also hoping for the best, fearing that we will find fault with them. Now, maybe we are the chief judges."
"Haha, that's what Brother Jia said. Now that things have come to this, we should make the best of it. I've been a dog for most of my life, it's time to take a rest."
Hu Wenxuan changed his cowardly look and shook his arms and shoulders. Although the chains on his body were gone, his body was stiff after sitting all night. Age was not the key to success.
"Yes, it's time to take a break. Let's go in together. This day, perhaps we should have expected it. Let's go in together."
Just like that, the two of them threw their sleeves, raised their heads, and walked in with such a haughty manner. Seeing this, everyone in the room had different expressions.
at this time,
In the hall, two chairs were placed in the middle of the room. Jia Yucun and Hu Wenxuan sat down without hesitation, without paying any attention to the red tape and rules. It was as if they had been replaced by someone else, who was even more excessive than County Magistrate Xu.
This move,
The officials in the hall were also moved. Are these two gentlemen confident or pretending to be calm? After the two men sat down, Lan Jili did not say anything else and asked:
"Jia Yucun, the prefect of Jinling, has served as prefect for three consecutive years in Yuanfeng. He is now the second prefect of the year, and can be considered an old prefect. Do you have anything to say?"
Hearing this, Jia Yucun leaned forward, sat up straight, raised his head, looked at Lord Lan and Lord Su sitting in the main seat, and the many officials in the hall, and suddenly felt amused.
"My Lord Lan, I don't understand what you are saying. If you have anything to say, you have to ask me. I have been working diligently in my post, maintaining various affairs of the Jinling government. Now that the flood in Jinling City is over, I have done my part in disaster relief without any slackness. I have also contacted people at all levels to collect money. I think everyone present has witnessed it. If you accuse me of corruption, you need evidence. For this disaster relief, let alone corruption, I have filled in a lot of my salary. Whether it is true or not, we will know once we investigate. Or, how about you investigate all the people present?"
When the cold voice rang out, Jia Yucun didn't feel anything. Instead, many officials lowered their heads quickly, not daring to look into the hall. Magistrate Jia didn't take the silver, but many officials stretched out their hands when doing things.
Lan Jili did not respond to him and asked directly,
"Okay, since you mentioned the flood, the Xinbei dike was dug up because of the orders of the magistrate Ma Guangcheng. These people were the fast-track runners of the prefectural yamen. As the prefectural yamen, do you know the inside story?"
This is what Lan Jili wanted to ask. Ma Guangcheng made random accusations, but he did not let them go. Since welcoming Eunuch Yang and Lord Jing, these two were the most enthusiastic in receiving guests.
"Ahahaha, oh, Lord Lan, Lord Lan, I am the prefect, but there are two other officials in the government office, they are officials of the same rank, how can I control what they do? Who did Ma Tongpan, oh, Ma Guangcheng do, who was he in contact with? I think it is recorded in your files. If that's the case, why bother to say anything else? I answer that I know nothing at all."
His tone was not less powerful at all, and Tongzhi Hu Wenxuan was excited after hearing it. It was really Brother Jia, so amazing!
"Humph, you are just making sweet words. The reason why the Xinbei dike was flooded was because you mobilized the people to plant mulberry trees, so Ma Guangcheng's sword was used in an unconventional way!"
(End of this chapter)