Ming Dynasty 1566

Chapter 77

Zheng Michang and He Maocai followed Zhao Zhenji's eyes and saw Tan Lun sitting at the desk on the left, and he was wearing the robes of an inspector!

The eyes of the two people suddenly dimmed, and they stood there in a daze.

Tan Lun has already seen Zhao Zhenji's attitude. He wants to hide himself behind this case and let himself take the lead. Why is he still unclear? It is very likely to be lost!So he had to speak, and stabbed at Zheng Michang: "Of course there is no decree in the imperial decree that you should wear torture instruments. But if you want to know how the emperor thinks of you, I can read a few decrees to you Listen." At this point he stood up and recited solemnly: "Shangyu: 'I wear no more than eight sets of clothes for four seasons, change dry and wash wet, and push clothes (sound: yì) for the vassal kings, officials, officers and soldiers. With the salaries used to meet the needs of the military and the country, I always think about the difficulties of the country and the people's livelihood. It is expected that silkworms, cocoons, and swarms will be swallowed by the mouths of moths!... If those who swallow silk and strip cocoons do not have a trace Spit out a strand from your mouth, I want to tolerate it, the sky, the sky, can tolerate it!" Zheng Michang, didn't you ask the emperor if you want you to be put on trial? You heard the decree, for you giant beetles, the emperor If I want to forgive you, the sky will not tolerate you. Kneel down and stand trial!" At this point, he grabbed the gavel and slammed it down.

The hall's prestige immediately became louder.

Zheng Michang and He Maocai, who had been in the officialdom for a long time, knew that if they didn't kneel at this time, they would be knocked down by the torture rod immediately. They gritted their teeth and knelt down.

The more people who used to be in power and later involved in serious cases, the more they understand that at this time, they must move out of their backing to make the judge feel taboo in order to reduce the punishment.Zheng Michang had figured out a long time ago that the only way to withstand the collapse of the sky was to move out of the weaving bureau and out of the palace. He knelt down, but his expression remained the same: "If it falls into your hands, it will be nothing more than death. But my lords Don't forget, our cases are all caused by the Weaving Bureau, if Eunuch Yang doesn't come, and the Weaving Bureau doesn't come, I don't know what you want us to recruit? What else can we recruit?"

At this time, He Maocai gained confidence again, and said loudly: "Eunuch Yang should also come out to testify for us when the case is tried by the court. Zhao Zhongcheng, if you are partial, the court and the public will have their own opinions!"

Zhao Zhenji was still sitting there with a cold face at this moment, not answering.

At this time, Tan Lun was deeply dissatisfied with Zhao Zhenji's attitude, and he had to bear the burden, but he must not be allowed to stay out of the matter like this: "Zhongcheng, you are the chief judge, and the criminal is so stubborn, Zhongcheng should have an attitude. "

Hai Rui and Wang Yongji also looked straight at Zhao Zhenji.

Of course Zhao Zhenji understood the meaning of Tan Lun's words, but still did not answer directly, and looked at Jin Yiwei again: "Do you want to invite Eunuch Yang to come out and meet them?"

Jin Yiwei was even worse on the other end, looking at his nose, as if he didn't hear his question.

Zhao Zhenji was a little embarrassed, and glanced at the other Jin Yiwei.The three brocade guards also sat there upright like stone statues, their eyes watching their noses, their noses watching their hearts, motionless.

Tan Lun, Hai Rui, and Wang Yongji looked at each other, and then they all looked at Zhao Zhenji.

Zhao Zhenji was a little ashamed, and slapped the gavel: "Bring Yang Jinshui!"

The scribes and servants in the hall immediately shouted in unison: "Take Yang Jinshui!"

The ears of Zheng Michang and He Maocai buzzed at the same time, and their minds went blank for a moment. Amidst the buzzing in their ears, they vaguely heard footsteps coming from behind, as if several people walked in at the same time.The two of them slowly came to their senses, and the result that they least wanted to imagine and had never thought of appeared——Yang Jinshui also collapsed?

Four tall, short, fat and thin eunuchs carried Yang Jinshui in with a chair.At this time, Yang Jinshui had already asked several eunuchs to take a shower, comb their hair, and change their clothes. His hands were handcuffed to the armrests on both sides of the chair.

The footsteps stopped, followed by the sound of a chair being placed on the ground.Zheng Michang and He Maocai were still there in a daze, unwilling to look back.

Of the three prisoners, two were kneeling, one was sitting, Zhao Zhenji was silent, Tan Lun was silent, Hai Rui and Wang Yongji were of course not allowed to say anything, the four Jinyi guards were still sitting there like stones, there was something inappropriate in the hall The silence that emerged.

"Ha, hahahaha..." Suddenly, Zheng Bichang burst out laughing.The awkward silence was broken by his burst of laughter!

Except for Yang Jinshui who was still staring blankly above, everyone in the hall was stunned by his sudden maniacal laughter, and all their eyes were on him.

After a burst of laughter, his breath settled, and Zheng Michang stared at Zhao Zhenji closely: "Excuse me, Zhao Zhongcheng, is Eunuch Yang going to trial with us?"

Zhao Zhenji's face was as cold as iron at this moment: "Send Yang Jinshui to the capital immediately!"

Several officers and soldiers escorting outside the hall roared in response: "Yes!"

The four eunuchs carried Yang Jinshui out who was still looking up.

Zheng Michang still stared at Zhao Zhenji: "Good! Good method! Our case started because of Shen Yishi, and Shen Yishi's case started because of the Weaving Bureau. Now that you have withdrawn the Weaving Bureau, the case will naturally fall on us It's gone." At this point, he turned his attention to Tan Lun, Hai Rui and Wang Yongji: "But have you ever thought about it, the governor's yamen, the chief minister's yamen and the inspector's yamen never produce silk. Mr. Zhao , My lords, but I don’t know what you will ask next, how to ask? So much silk and the money for selling silk are sent to the palace every month, so we will say whatever you ask, and we will confess whoever is involved!” Then he looked at He Maocai again: "Old He, no one will save us anymore, we have to save ourselves if not for ourselves or for our family! Do you understand what I said?"

He Maocai was originally a tough guy, but at this moment, Zheng Michang's rare toughness incited his blood to rush to his forehead, and he looked at Zheng Michang with eyes he had never seen before: "Old Zheng, my colleagues have been working together for a few years!" I've been fucking looking down on you all the time. Today, I don't give in to anyone, but you, and I'm convinced!" As he said that, he kowtowed to Zheng Michang in front of everyone, and the kowtow was loud.After kowtowing, he then turned around, looked up at Zhao Zhenji, at Tan Lun, Hai Rui and Wang Yongji, and shouted loudly: "Ask! Ask! As long as you dare to ask me, I will dare to fuck you!" explain!"

"I'll ask you right now!" Hai Rui jumped up, "On the third day of May this year, who ordered you to open the gates in the nine counties of Xin'an Jiang!"

He Maocai, who was roaring just now, suddenly froze again.Zhao Zhenji, Tan Lun, Wang Yongji and the four guards in Jinyi also became nervous at Hai Rui's sudden question.

He Maocai looked at Zheng Michang, Zheng Michang's eyes were still red at this time, obviously thinking about how to resist.

Hai Rui was extremely indignant: "Thousands of people died in the flood, and tens of thousands of people were left homeless! This is so outrageous, no matter whether it is you, He Maocai, Zheng Michang or anyone else, you will have to die! How dare you ask us if you dare to ask us?" I will tell you right now, the case of Shen Yishi’s embezzlement of ink and bribery, the case of Xin’an River’s embankment and flooding of fields, and the case of Inoue Shishiro’s release from the prison of the yamen, no matter which yamen or government officials are involved in these three cases Who, if others don't ask, I, Hai Rui, have to ask to the end!"

"Is it involved in the palace?" Zheng Michang asked forcefully.

Hai Rui: "The Shangyi Supervisor, the Scarf and Hat Bureau, and the Needlework Bureau have ordered a thorough investigation by the emperor! Who else in the palace is involved in these cases, you can tell now. Say!" He snapped at the big case again.

Zheng Michang was stifled by him, knowing that what he was doing was useless in front of this Hai Rui, so he avoided him, gritted his teeth and turned to look at Zhao Zhenji: "Zhao Zhongcheng, I don't care if anyone is involved. can say?"

Zhao Zhenji had no choice but to stop it, and also slapped the gavel: "The treacherous and the evil have never been stubborn!" He stood up abruptly.

Hai Rui was originally standing, but Tan Lun, Wang Yongji and the four Jin Yiwei all stood up at this moment.

Zhao Zhenji: "Zheng Michang was interrogated by two envoys from Tan Lun Tan and Beizhen Fusi, and He Maocai was interrogated by Haizhi County, Wangzhi County and Beizhen Fusi. Let me put it up front, if these two people dare to frame the court or even slander the Holy Majesty in order to avoid guilt, Article [-], Paragraph [-] of the "Law of the Great Ming Dynasty" is here, and you all know what to do!" After finishing speaking, he slapped the gavel again, Then he took a deep look at Tan Lun and walked in.

Tan Lun: "Put the prisoner in custody pending trial!"

Four guards rushed in immediately, picked up Zheng Michang and He Maocai, and dragged them out.

Tan Lun looked at Hai Rui, Wang Yongji and the four Jinyi guards: "Everyone go to the interrogation room and wait a while. I will discuss with Zhao Zhongcheng and then interrogate the criminals." After speaking, he also walked to the back hall.

"That Hai Rui is a barbarian. Tan Zili, why are you so ignorant?" Zhao Zhenji stepped into the door of the signing room and took off the official hat. Before Tan Lun could follow, the clerk on duty hurried in to pick up the official hat.

"Get out!" Zhao Zhenji shouted in a low voice.

The scribe was so frightened that he hurriedly retreated.

Tan Lun followed in: "I don't know what Zhong Cheng means by that."

Zhao Zhenji: "I really don't know what it means, so I'll teach you." Said and sat down.

Tan Lun felt unhappy and had to sit down.

Zhao Zhenji: "Tan Zili, whose disciple are you?"

Tan Lun was taken aback for a moment: "Zhongcheng has something to say."

Zhao Zhenji: "Then I'll just say it straight. You Tan Lun is a disciple of King Yu, and I, Zhao Zhenji, is a disciple of Elder Xu Ge, and Elder Xu Ge is a master of King Yu. This time, the emperor recommended you and me to King Yu." Two seventh-rank officials have been sent to try this case, what is the holy will?"

Tan Lun heard the deep meaning in his words, and replied solemnly: "Of course it is to eliminate traitors!"

"What else?" Zhao Zhenji asked immediately.

Tan Lun thought about it, but couldn't find the answer for a moment, and only looked at Zhao Zhenji.

Zhao Zhenji: "The other thing is to see if the people on Prince Yu's side are reliable or not."

Tan Lun became a little alert: "Please continue."

Zhao Zhenji: "The treacherous party has controlled the government for more than 20 years, disturbed the government, framed the loyal and corrupt, and corrupted ink. Why has it not fallen? It is because they have involved the emperor in big and small matters. If they move them, it will definitely hurt the holy name. Just now you recited in the lobby The imperial decree can be verbatim, why can't the emperor's difficulties be seen from the decree? Why did the emperor say that the old man does not wear more than eight sets of regular clothes for four seasons, but at the same time, he wants to escort Yang Jinshui to Beijing, and also pursues the Shangyi Supervisor and the scarf The hat bureau? This tells us that matters in the palace will be tried by the palace. It also believes in us, and the old man will not be involved if the case is handed over to us. Because we are members of King Yu, the son will not speak ill of his father. "

It was so profound, but he explained it so plainly. Tan Lun couldn't help but looked deeply at this great Confucian of the Taizhou School, with admiration in his eyes.

Zhao Zhenji: "You still feel resentful when I let you take charge! If you don't let you take charge, the emperor will allow you to join the army and be promoted to the third rank to be the inspector of Zhejiang? Worry about me taking off the burden. I am the chief judge and the judge. Governor, can I take off this burden? Take ten thousand steps back, even if I want to take off this burden, you Tan Lun can take it!"

After several questions in succession, Tan Lun, who was hailed as a national scholar by Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng, was stunned.

Zhao Zhenji vented the anger in her heart, finally eased her tone, stood up and walked slowly back and forth in front of Tan Lun: "Why don't you think about it. Zheng Michang and He Maocai are so focused on dragging the matter to the palace and the emperor." Well, that Hai Rui didn't know the seriousness, the four Jin Yiwei were sitting there, and the two of us were involved. If the matter got worse, there would be no way out. Can't you understand this?"

Tan Lun: "You don't tell me the truth, I'm not the roundworm in your stomach, how do you understand it?"

"I'll explain to you now." Zhao Zhenji sat down on the chair beside him, and lowered his voice, "First, if you are strict, you can't involve the emperor, if you involve the emperor, you can't be strict, and you may even bring trouble to King Yu and the others. Don't think about your safety and my safety, but think about the mainstays of Prince Yu and Mr. Xu Ge, and you must never have a single word involving the emperor."

Tan Lun fully agreed with his opinion: "What about the second one?"

Zhao Zhenji didn't answer directly, but looked deeper: "Zili, what do you think of Hu Ruzhen?"

Tan Lun was taken aback for a second, and replied, "He's still a minister who seeks the country."

Zhao Zhenji: "Even if you overthrow Yan, you can't knock down a boatload of people. We have to protect people like Hu Ruzhen. There are also some people who are attached to the Yan Party in name, but they are actually people who are valued by the emperor. Guaranteed. If they are not protected, it will elevate the strict party.”

Tan Lun: "Nature should be preserved."

Zhao Zhenji: "Then don't ask a word about the destruction of embankments and flooding fields in May this year. That matter was reported to the emperor by Hu Butang, and his intention was not to disturb the government. If this matter is like that Hai Rui's thorough investigation like this will implicate Hu Butang and the emperor. This is the second rule."

Tan Lun was a witness to the whole incident, and Hu Zongxian also agreed with Hu Zongxian's handling at that time.Hearing what Zhao Zhenji said, he nodded sincerely.

"The third article involves myself." Zhao Zhenji stood up again, "After reading the imperial edict, I never thought that the emperor would let me take over the weaving bureau's errand? The treasury is empty. The anti-Japanese pirates in the South all point to the 50 bolts of silk sold to the West this year. For military affairs, I must buy the raw silk of Sangnong at half price. The poor people, I will bear the blame, you can no longer hold me back. "

It is not injustice for a person on a boat to give such a heart-to-heart confession, let alone the country of the schemer.Of course, Tan Lun had to accept his thoughts: "You are right, no matter how difficult it is, let's all help each other."

Zhao Zhenji's face stretched, and he put a hand on Tan Lun's shoulder: "Zheng Michang and He Maocai are not enough. What you should do is to persuade that Hai Rui first, and explain the truth to him clearly. He and you If you have a deep friendship, I should listen to you."

After Tan Lun finished speaking, Hai Rui sat upright on the chair, his eyes were slightly closed, but there was no expression on his face.

Seeing Hai Rui's expression, Tan Lun knew that he was thinking, so he sat there patiently and waited quietly.

Wang Yongji was the one who was not calm. He understood what Tan Lun said was indeed of great importance, but he was worried that Hai Rui might not accept it.So he couldn't sit still anymore, stood up gently, picked up the pot on the table, first refilled Tan Lun's teacup, then went to refill Hai Rui's teacup, and then refilled his own cup. After drinking water, he put down the teapot and picked up the cup to drink slowly, but his eyes were always on Hai Rui.

There is a limit to waiting after all.Seeing that Hai Rui was always sitting upright with eyes closed and not saying a word, Tan Lun stood up and said, "Don't think about it. I, Tan Lun, have traveled all over the court and the public, and the most successful thing I have done is recommending you, Hai Gangfeng, to Lord Yu and the others. And Wang Runlian. Especially Brother Gangfeng, you have done a great service to the country by examining the confessions of Zheng Michang and He Maocai and obtained the emperor's will. Save the people from the fire and water, and the Qing Dynasty is on the sidelines. This is the last battle. Listen to Zhao Zhongcheng, let's work together!"

Hai Rui finally opened his eyes.

Wang stopped taking the cup he brought to his mouth, and stared at Hai Rui steadfastly.

Hai Rui: "I can't say yes to you now, nor can I say I don't agree to you. Mr. Tan, the Shangyu sent us to try the case. If the case is settled before the trial, why should we come to the trial? The imperial court will just make a decree." .”

This is an irrefutable reason. Tan Lun was impassioned just now, and he was suddenly embarrassed.

Wang Yongji had no choice but to speak: "Master Tan is talking about seeking the country, Brother Gangfeng is talking about how to act in the right way. Since they are all for the court and the people, let's try the case properly."

Tan Lun thought for a while, then looked at Hai Rui: "I still say what I just said. You are all recommended by me. I am recommending talents for the country, but also for my friends. Brother Gangfeng, don't make things difficult for me. .”

"Let's try the case first." Hai Rui also stood up, "As long as it is truly for the community and the people, I know what to do."

(End of this chapter)