hsntnovel Chapter 1678: Litigation
Chapter 1678: Litigation
"You three nobles have a point. If that is the case, then let's do as you say.
An imperial decree was issued, appointing Zhangsun Pushe and Ma Zhongshu as the chief judges, responsible for investigating the matter.
The Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple assisted.
I hope that the crimes that Censor Wang has impeached Prince Ji Xizhou for will be investigated as soon as possible, and that no one will bend the law for personal gain.
I will always pay attention to it.”
After listening to the advice of the three prime ministers, Li Shimin nodded and appointed Changsun Wuji and Ma Zhou as the chief judges.
This shows Li Shimin's fairness in this matter.
"I obey your order." Changsun Wuji and Ma Zhou hurriedly bowed and accepted the order.
"From now on, Prince Ji is not allowed to leave the city except to go to the Ministry of Justice to cooperate in the trial of a case." Li Shimin said again.
This was because they were afraid that Li Shen would flee out of fear of punishment, which made all the officials admire him even more.
"Yes, I'll obey your command." Li Shen agreed reluctantly.
But Li Shimin glared at him, then glanced around and asked:
"Okay, this is the decision. Do you have any other opinions?"
"Your Majesty is wise~~" All the officials followed suit with flattery.
Then Li Shimin waved his hand to Wang De, who immediately stepped forward and chanted loudly:
"Retreat from the court~~~~~"
"Congratulations to Your Majesty!"
Li Shimin stood up and followed Li Chengqian.
"Your Highness Prince Ji, please go to the Ministry of Justice. Your Highness Prince Ji has heard the emperor's order.
I need to understand the specific situation first."
All officials began to leave the court. Just as Li Shen was about to leave, he was stopped by Changsun Wuji, with Ma Zhou following him.
"Oh, no problem. I thought it would be tomorrow. Since you are going to hear him today, then let him hear it."
Li Shen said indifferently.
"Old Ten, you are too bold. You are so rich, how dare you do such a thing?"
At this time, Li Taizhou came over, looking heartbroken.
"No, Fourth Brother, how do you know it was me who did it? Isn't it too early to draw a conclusion?
This inevitably makes me guess that among the people who framed me, there are four of you as well."
Li Shen immediately fought back. This fat man seemed harmless, but scholars have many tricks in their minds, so who knows whether he is true or not.
"Alas, Tenth Brother, how can you look at me like this? I am doing this for your own good. Don't worry, I will definitely plead for you when the time comes."
Li Tai sighed.
"Humph, merchants have always been unkind because of their wealth, Li Shen, you are too greedy.
Those who do evil will eventually perish, and this is your retribution."
Li Zhi on the side snorted, then passed by Li Shen.
"Hey? Explain clearly what you mean by doing many unjust things. How have I been unjust?
I am better than you anyway. Hey? I am talking to you, stop. "
Li Shen looked at Li Zhi walking away and wanted to chase him to argue, but was stopped by Li Tai.
"Old Ten, don't blame Zhinu, he speaks frankly, don't mind it.
But you really have to think of a way. If all else fails, I'll go and ask Aye to show some leniency to you."
"Thank you for your kindness, Fourth Brother. I don't need it. If I am upright, I am not afraid of my shadow being crooked; if I have crooked feet, I am not afraid of my shoes being straight.
If you haven't done something, you haven't done it." Li Shen cupped his hands.
"Well, okay, take care of yourself." Li Tai sighed again, patted Li Shen on the shoulder and left.
Li Shen pouted and looked at Li Tai who was leaving, with a look of disdain on his face, but suddenly he felt something was wrong:
"Hey, that's not right. What do you mean he speaks his mind?"
"Your Highness Prince Ji, let's go. We should investigate thoroughly as soon as possible so that we can report to His Majesty as soon as possible."
Ma Zhou interrupted.
"Okay, let's go." Li Shen nodded.
Also traveling with them were several officials from aristocratic families, including Censor Wang, Censor Cui, Lu Chengqing, and Zheng Jingsi.
All the five surnames and seven families except the Li family were present.
The Ministry of Justice also has a lobby, and many serious criminals are tried in the Ministry of Justice.
Zhangsun Wuji and Ma Zhou sat in the main seats as the chief judges, with the Minister of Justice Zhang Xingcheng and the Minister of the Dali Temple Sun Fujia sitting next to them.
"This time, I..."
Just as Changsun Wuji opened his mouth, another person appeared at the door.
"Greetings to Duke Zhao, Secretary Ma. Your Majesty has asked me to come and listen. I will tell your Majesty when I return. I wonder if Duke Zhao is comfortable with this."
This person was Wang De, with a wrinkled face and a smile on his face.
"So it's Steward Wang. Since it's His Majesty's idea, then of course it's convenient. Someone bring Steward Wang a chair."
After hearing this, Changsun Wuji also said it with a smile, but his eyelids twitched twice without noticing.
"Haha, thank you, Duke Zhao. I will just stand by and listen to the wine. There is no need to be so troublesome."
Wang De chuckled and stood aside.
Chang Sun Wuji did not continue to be humble and continued:
"Your Majesty has ordered me and Secretary Ma to preside over this case. Censor Wang, since you are impeaching His Royal Highness Prince Ji,
Then let’s start with you.”
The prime minister at the side immediately prepared paper and pen to take notes.
“Yes, I have witnesses and physical evidence, and I am waiting outside the palace.
Please ask Duke Zhao to send someone to come and confront him in court."
Censor Wang didn't say anything more, it seemed that they came prepared.
"Okay, someone go and summon the witnesses and evidence."
Changsun Wuji nodded. Trying a case is not a battle of words. It ultimately depends on testimony.
After a while, several people were brought in.
Judging from their clothes, they look like ordinary people and businessmen.
Several people came to the lobby and were very timid. After all, they had never seen such a big scene in their lives.
In the lobby of the Ministry of Justice, the highest-ranking official they had ever seen was probably the county magistrate or the tribal leader.
"I greet all the nobles."
None of them knew anyone, but those who were here were high-ranking officials, so they bowed deeply to everyone.
“No need to be polite. I am the Zuo Pushe, and this is Ma Zhongshu, the Zhongshu Ling of the Zhongshu Province, who is in charge of presiding over this case.
You don't have to be afraid, that's all I say." Changsun Wuji looked amiable.
"Yes, I will tell you everything I know and will not hide anything."
Several people saluted hurriedly, especially the ordinary people, who were trembling even more.
"I want to ask you, where are you from?" Changsun Wuji asked the first question.
"Replying to Zuo Pushe, I am a commoner from Xizhou Prefecture."
"I am a merchant from Guannei Road, specializing in traveling to the Western Regions."
Several people became more and more powerful, which made Changsun Wuji very satisfied.
"Okay, then I'll ask you, you are a citizen of Xizhou, and Censor Wang said that Prince Ji's Mansion colluded with tribal leaders in Xizhou, persecuted the people, exploited the employees of the workshop, and took human lives lightly.
Do you know about this?" Changsun Wuji asked the people of Xizhou.
Upon hearing this, some people showed obvious hesitation in their eyes.
Prince Ji, the bullies and playboys in Chang'an City are in Chang'an now. What if Prince Ji takes revenge on them?
He didn't even know how he died.
"Don't worry, don't be afraid. His Majesty already knows about this matter. As long as you answer truthfully, I will ensure that you are safe.
But if there is a lie... then don't blame me for being rude."
(Let me say that the actual situation is to let the chief officials of the three provinces to review the case.
Li Chengqian's rebellion, Li You's rebellion, Zhang Liang's accusation of treason, Fang Yiai and Gao Yang's rebellion were all tried and investigated by Zhangsun Wuji.
Of course, Fang Xuanling and others also participated. The emperor did not directly participate in the investigation and trial.)