hsntnovel Chapter 2188: The Trial Begins
Chapter 2188: The Trial Begins
Pei Ziyu looked at Wang Xuance. His words were very clear. Since Prince Ji had accepted the money, shouldn't he be responsible for suppressing the matter?
You can't take the money and not do the job, right?
Wang Xuance did not answer, but took a sip of tea.
"Good tea. This tea is first-class even in Chang'an City. Ordinary people can't afford it."
Wang Xuance avoided the question and left Pei Ziyu and the others confused.
"Master Wang, if you have anything to say, just say it." The two men were a little anxious.
Putting down the teacup, Wang Xuance smiled:
“Pei Changshi, General Li, I am not talking about His Royal Highness Prince Ji, but a minister in the court.
Your Highness Prince Ji can suppress this matter, but someone in the court will definitely seize on it, and then it will not be something Your Highness Prince Ji can control."
Pei Ziyu and the other man frowned. There was something else behind his words. Was he afraid that they would leak the news?
"Chapter Wang, I don't think these officials would leak the news, right? Unless someone else reports it to the court."
"No matter what the reason is, if the court finds out, not only will they continue to stand trial, but you two will probably be implicated as well."
Wang Xuance's expression suddenly turned serious.
The two of them also began to ponder, and after a long time they asked:
"Then according to Mr. Wang's opinion..."
"Haha, in my opinion, give an explanation to the court." Wang Xuance smiled coldly.
Pei Ziyu and the other man were a little chilled by their laughter.
Tentatively asked:
"Then how can we give an explanation to the court?"
“It’s very simple, just punish a few people and say they are the masterminds.
It can not only protect you all, but also give an explanation to the court. His Royal Highness Prince Ji said this is called sacrificing pawns to save the king. "
"this....."
When the two heard what Wang Xuance said, they were a little surprised. Didn’t they agree to keep everything?
Why do we have to punish a few more people?
They do understand the principle of sacrificing pawns to save the king. Having worked in the officialdom for so many years, they have encountered many such things.
But generally speaking, doing this will not give you a good reputation in the future. Even your colleagues will not be too close to you and will be on guard against you at all times.
As if he had seen through the two people's estimates, Wang Xuance reminded:
“You two, we cannot afford to be soft-hearted at this time. If you are not afraid of being implicated in the future, then Wang doesn’t mind.
His Royal Highness Prince Ji would care even less.
In the Tang Dynasty, apart from Your Majesty, no one can punish His Royal Highness Prince Ji, and I am only acting in accordance with His Royal Highness Prince Ji's wishes.
I believe that I will not be blamed.
As for the two of you...haha, you two should think about it carefully."
After Wang Xuance finished speaking, he started drinking tea again and said no more.
At this time, the two were struggling in their hearts, one side was reputation, the other side was future.
The two of them hesitated for a while before saying:
"Thank you for the reminder, Mr. Wang. I wonder how many people should be punished and how they should be punished?"
"There must be at least a dozen people, and the show must be done in full. As for how to punish them... Wang thinks everything should be done according to the law.
However, I can guarantee that their property will not be confiscated and they will not be exiled.
Otherwise, they would probably be exiled for the crimes they committed."
"So heavy." The two were shocked again when they heard it. It was obvious that they were going to kill people to silence them.
According to the law, these people should be sentenced to death.
"Master Wang, can we have fewer people? Would a dozen be too many?"
Pei Ziyu hesitated for a moment and asked. As soon as he said this, he immediately showed his attitude and proved that he agreed with Wang Xuance's intention.
When General Li saw that Pei Ziyu actually joined, he had no choice but to agree.
"Pei Changshi, if it's too much, then we can review it again.
What Wang meant was that those officials who have killed people should be punished.
The others are just greedy for money, so as long as they pay double the fine, we will let them off the hook. What do you two think?"
These were all the excuses he had thought of a long time ago.
After hearing this, the two men felt mixed feelings of sadness and joy. They were happy that they could even keep their official positions, but they were sad that some people were about to die without even knowing it.
"You two, Wang knows what you are worried about, so I will take care of this matter for you. It has nothing to do with you two."
"Okay, let's do as Wang Changshi said."
Wang Xuance's last words completely opened the last moral shackles of the two people. They were naturally happy that Wang Xuance was willing to take it on.
"Well, we will begin to try the case tomorrow. How many people will be involved will depend on their luck."
Seeing that the two agreed, Wang Xuance made a final summary.
On the second day, Wang Xuance brought Pei Ziyu and the other man to the lobby of the Governor's Mansion and began to interrogate each person.
"Who is in the hall? Tell me your name."
Wang Xuance, the presiding judge, slammed the gavel heavily.
"The guilty minister Cui Zhipan pays homage to the Chief Secretary Wang."
Wang Xuance did not expect that the first person to be tried would be Cui Zhipan, who was already dead in the eyes of King Ji.
"Cui Zhipan, do you admit your guilt?" Wang Xuance looked at Cui Zhipan.
"I know my crime, and I beg you to show me mercy, Mr. Wang."
Cui Zhipan immediately became servile.
"Since you plead guilty, sign the pledge."
In fact, there is nothing to review. These people have already written their confessions, and all the physical evidence is there, they wrote them themselves.
"After investigation, Cui Zhipan was found to have bullied innocent people, taken human lives lightly, and enriched himself. He is sentenced to immediate execution."
“Ah~~~?
Mr. Wang, please spare my life. Didn’t we agree to save my life?
Wang Changshi.....Wang Changshi....”
Cui Zhipan's voice became increasingly distant. Not long after, the guards returned with soldiers from the palace. Cui Zhipan had already been dragged outside to the street and beheaded.
The strategy of "Zhan Li Jue" is to kill immediately.
Pei Ziyu and the other two were stunned. They had never thought that Wang Xuance would try a case in this way. He had just said a few words, and then the man was killed.
Are all the people from Prince Ji’s Mansion so cruel?
"Someone bring Cui Zhiheng."
After a while, Wang Xuance moved on to the next person, and Cui Zhiheng was soon brought up.
"Your humble servant greets Mr. Wang."
"Well, do you admit your guilt?"
"The official is guilty."
"Sign and seal, confiscate the stolen money, and impose double the fine. Do you have any objection?"
"I accept the punishment."
"Take him back to the prison."
Same routine, same rhetoric, but two different results in the end.
Next, Wang Xuance brought out the wealthy prisoners one by one for interrogation, and after having them confess their crimes and sign their names, he took them back to their cells.
It is also to allow them to go back and report the situation.
Soon the day was over. More than a dozen people were tried, and two people, including Cui Zhipan, were beheaded and their property was confiscated.
The rest of the people had their stolen money confiscated and were fined double the amount.
After issuing the decree, Wang Xuance did not stop but ordered people to load all the treasures onto trucks and transport them back to the Ji Wangfu office.
Pei Ziyu and the other two were a little jealous:
"Brother Pei, this is a huge fortune."
(I find that nowadays novels are all about systems, or time travel, and the traditional asceticism is rare.
Maybe it's because I'm old, I like traditional novels without any system cheats.
For example, traditional science fiction, mecha interstellar, fantasy, etc.
If it doesn’t work, I’ll write another one for myself and read it myself)