Empress: Your Majesty, please respect yourself, I don't want to be promoted

Lu Chen put his hands behind his back and walked into the government office where he was also a spokesman for the Ministry of Science and Technology.

When the censor inside saw Lu Chen coming, he hesitated for a moment, then stood up and stepped forward, taking the initiative to say hello to Lu Chen.

Lu Chen responded calmly, and then asked bluntly: "Is Mr. Fang, the censor of Zuodu, here?"

Seeing that Lu Chen was business-minded and didn't want to talk to them, the censors couldn't help but secretly heaved a sigh of relief.

To be honest, they didn't really want to deal with Lu Chen.

Although His Majesty's favor for Lu Chen is very obvious, as long as this guy has a little bit of official acumen, a little bit of ambition, and a little more tact in dealing with things, he will definitely become a famous figure in the Yongchu Dynasty.

But this guy is so straight.

And this guy is obviously a stubborn person. Not to mention dealing with things in a tactful way, he almost only accepts the rigid logic in doing things and doesn't know how to adapt at all.

No matter how favored this kind of person is, it will be difficult for him to bring any benefit to others.

Not to mention whether there are any benefits to currying favor with such people, the risks are definitely huge.

Maybe if you approach eagerly, they will sue you for forming a clique for personal gain.

Therefore, if you don't want to deal with this kind of person, the best way to deal with him is to keep a respectful distance and maintain the most basic etiquette.

No matter how favored he is, it has nothing to do with other people.

What's more, with such a person's temperament, it's not certain how long he will be favored.

As the saying goes, good advice is hard on the ears. As an emperor, no matter how generous the empress is, she cannot always tolerate a direct minister.

Therefore, it stands to reason that this kind of person will not be able to stay around for long.

Just wait for him to destroy himself.

At this time, a censor said softly to Lu Chen: "Master Fang is handling official business inside. Do you dare to ask Master Lu what important matter you have for him? I would like to go and report it to you."

Hearing that he called himself a lower official, Lu Chen couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

So, you censors with the lowest rank are all seventh-rank officials. What the hell does it mean for me, a seventh-rank official, to call himself a lower official?

Is there any need to be so humble?

You are censors who are famous for not fearing power!

Shaking his head, Lu Chen stopped thinking and said calmly: "I would like to ask Zuodu Yushi about the situation of Xia Yan's case. Could you please go and report it."

Naturally, he came to the Metropolitan Procuratorate because of Xia Yan's affairs.

Of course, he was not afraid that Fang Ping, one of the chief officials of the Three Law Departments, would not be dedicated to the case, but that he was too dedicated.

There was nothing he could do about it. The two times he had tried to die before, he was either stabbed in the back by Holy King Cangming or the Empress. He was obviously going to be dismissed from office, but he almost didn't get promoted to the key department of the Ministry of Personnel as a promising five-year-old. Pinlangguan.

This official luck is so invincible that I have to guard against it.

Although the evidence in this case is conclusive and there is basically no possibility of overturning the case, the same was true for the previous two times. It seemed that there was no chance of another incident, but the result was reversed twice at the last moment. Not only did he lose all his previous efforts, but he was also focused on the empress. care.

Even if he is willing, he can rise to the top immediately and rise step by step.

Two consecutive failures made him realize that reality in this world is often more magical than fiction, and nothing is impossible.

So he had to contain any signs of something going wrong.

Fortunately, when I went to Dali Temple and the Ministry of Punishment before, Zhao Bingliang, the minister of Dali Temple, and Qian Yiqian, the minister of the Ministry of Punishment, both said conclusively that there was really no doubt in this case, and their attitude towards him was obviously subtle.

It seemed that he didn't like him.

When talking to them, Lu Chen looked angry on the surface, but actually he was happy in his heart.

Therefore, there should be no problem with the Ministry of Punishment and Dali Temple.

The only one left is the Metropolitan Procuratorate.

Although the final verdict of the three-division trial is decided by the emperor, the three-law division still plays a big role. If they unanimously decide that Xia Yan's crime cannot be punished and must be punished according to the canon, the empress will not interfere too much as long as she wants to show her face. case verdict.

As long as Fang Ping, the censor of Zuodu, behaves like his two good teammates and doesn't do unnecessary things, Lu Chen feels that nothing will go wrong in this plan.

"Oh, I see."

The censor nodded, and then responded: "In that case, Mr. Lu, please stay here for a while, and I will go and ask Mr. Fang for instructions first."

After saying that, he bowed and saluted Lu Chen, then turned and walked towards the inner hall of the government office.

The Metropolitan Procuratorate is not like the Sixth Class Gallery, and the chief official is only a seventh-rank official in name.

In fact, the Metropolitan Procuratorate is in charge of supervision, impeachment and recommendations. It is the highest supervisory organ of the empire, with the same status as the six ministries. Its chief officer, Zuodu Yushi, is a high-ranking official of the second rank. His real high position and power are completely unavailable in the matter. Comparing it with it is naturally not something you can see casually.

If it weren't for Lu Chen's special status, I'm afraid he wouldn't even be able to get in through the gate of the Metropolitan Procuratorate.

Soon, the censor came back.

"Master Lu, Master Fang, please come over."

"Well, thank you."

Lu Chen thanked him, and the censor said you're welcome, then stepped forward to lead the way, taking Lu Chen to Fang Ping's public apartment.

Fang Ping had already put down his desk at this time, and when he saw Lu Chen coming, he stood up directly.

"Lucy, you're here."

Lu Chen cupped his hands towards him, was a little polite, and then asked straight to the point: "Master Fang, tomorrow is the day of the three-division interrogation. I wonder if there is any new progress on your side? Or have you discovered anything? Doubtful?"

Hearing this, Fang Ping hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and sighed softly.

"I'm sorry, Lu, I may disappoint you here."

Hearing this, Lu Chen felt relieved.

it disappointed me?

That would be great!

What I want most right now is this kind of disappointment!

With this thought in his mind, his expression suddenly sank.

"Master Fang, please speak frankly. No matter what the outcome is, I will accept it calmly."

Seeing how open-minded Lu Chen was, Fang Ping couldn't help but look at Lu Chen with a hint of appreciation.

For this unparalleled warrior who stood up to face the powerful Empress Dowager Zhao and the legendary Holy King Cangming for the sake of loyalty in his heart when everyone else abandoned the empress, no matter how favored the empress was, it didn't matter to him. Disgust.

Such a loyal person should have the trust of the king.

It is unacceptable not to be taken seriously.

What's more, in his eyes, after Lu Chen gained power, not only did he not act arrogantly and rely on the empress's favor to act recklessly, but he abided by his ministerial integrity and upheld his original intention.

Such an excellent and pure minister was naturally highly appreciated by him, who was famous for his outspokenness, courage to admonish, and courage to take charge of affairs during the late emperor's period.

Of course, it was precisely because of his impartiality and integrity that the first thing Empress Dowager Zhao did when she came to power was to drive courtiers like him out of the court. It was not until the empress took charge of the court some time ago that she personally issued an edict to banish him. He was summoned back and the official was restored to his original position.

So he didn't feel sorry for the Empress. After all, he was not in Luojing when the Empress declined, and even if he had the intention, he would be powerless.

Therefore, when facing Lu Chen, he didn't put on any airs. He changed from his usual seriousness and became extremely approachable.

"I have been looking through the files of this case these days. I have carefully checked all the victim's testimonies, Xia Yan's interrogation records, physical evidence, account books, etc. to see if there is anything wrong in them. Or errors or omissions.”

Fang Ping gently stroked his long beard and said rather helplessly:

"But it is a pity that when Xia Yan was the magistrate of Yongchuan County, he took advantage of his power to plunder the local wealthy families, accepted all the bribes from wealthy businessmen, and used the money obtained from corruption and bribery to bribe the Demon Queen's gang members to consolidate his power in Yongchuan. Bit, all the accounts here are extremely clear, and the amounts are completely consistent with the victim’s confession, so..."

At this point, he shook his head again.

"The evidence in this case is conclusive and there is no doubt. My opinion is to uphold the original verdict."

Although he admired Lu Chen very much, appreciation was appreciation, and it was impossible for him to violate his principles.

"I'm sorry, Lu. If you insist on saving Xia Yan, I really can't help you. Besides, please forgive me for talking too much..."

Fang Ping looked at Lu Chen and said slowly: "As the saying goes, people are separated from each other by their belly. You know people but don't know their hearts. You are still young, Lu Geishi. You view things too one-sided and too kind. You don't understand the sinister nature of people's hearts and you easily trust others. In my opinion, Xia Yanyi must be a heinous scum who deserves to die. It is unnecessary and unworthy of you, Lu Geishi, to go to such great lengths to save him. You even risked your official status and future as a guarantee for such a person. .”

"So, Lu, please listen to my advice. If you know your mistakes, you can correct them, and there is no greater good. What you should do now is not to dwell on Xia Yan's case, but to quickly enter the palace and admit your mistakes to His Majesty..."

Upon hearing this, Lu Chen immediately understood what Fang Ping meant.

He was trying to persuade himself to make amends quickly and admit his mistake to the empress so that he could keep his official status and future.

It was obvious that Fang Ping was indeed thinking about him.

Otherwise, with his dignified official position as the censor of Zuodu, there is no need to talk nonsense with him. He can just stand on the sidelines like the Minister of Dali Temple and the Minister of Punishment, watching him make a joke, and others will not say anything about him.

But he could only accept this intention with his heart.

After all, his original purpose was to take off his official skin!

So, before Fang Ping finished speaking, Lu Chen said firmly: "Master Fang, thank you for your kindness, but I still think that Xia Yan is not the kind of scum who takes bribes and bullies good people, but a A truly good official!"

After saying that, he stood up.

"Moreover, if the official really made a mistake and wasted his efforts and wasted the precious manpower and material resources of the court, the official should bear the consequences. If the matter comes to shove, he will try his best to shirk responsibility. How is this different from a villain? I am dignified. Husband, how can you be so irresponsible?"

Hearing these sonorous and powerful words, Fang Ping couldn't help but trembled.

He looked at Lu Chen's tall figure in disbelief, then gave a wry smile and said, "Why is this so troublesome for Lu?"

Lu Chen shook his head and said calmly: "Those who live between heaven and earth and have no beginning and end are not gentlemen!"

"This matter started because of being demoted to an official position, and it will naturally end with being demoted to an official position."

After saying that, he raised his hand and cupped it towards Fang Ping.

"Master Fang, I have been harassing you a lot this time. If I have the opportunity to come again in the future, I would like to thank you. Your Excellency is busy with business, so I will take my leave now."

Fang Ping opened his mouth, but stopped talking.

Finally, he sighed and waved his hand towards Lu Chen.

Lu Chen turned around and left without a trace of hesitation.

Seeing Lu Chen's leaving figure, Fang Ping's eyes moved slightly.

After a while, he suddenly told the clerk on the side: "Go and get the files related to this case. I want to read them a few times."

Chapter 43 Old Thief!

After confirming the attitude of the three judicial divisions towards the case, Lu Chen looked very serious on the surface, but he was extremely excited in his heart, looking forward to tomorrow's joint trial of the three divisions.