As soon as he said this, all the ministers were shocked.
Although there had been vague rumors in the Ministry of Punishment recently, Jin Lian said it so firmly at this moment, which still caused an uproar among many ministers in the palace.
You must know that now in the imperial court, Jin Lian said this sentence as the Minister of Punishment. As soon as he said this, it can be regarded as completely confirming Chen Ying's crime.
All of a sudden, there was a lot of discussion in the court, and the ministers were whispering among themselves. Many people immediately looked at Chen Xun at the front. However, what is surprising is that this old man has still remained silent until now.
He looked as still as a mountain, as if what Jin Lian said had nothing to do with him.
Not only that, many other officials in the six departments of the imperial court, various monasteries, and even the academy of science and education who had various relationships with Chen Xun also remained silent.
As a result, some ministers in the palace immediately reacted. In this situation, they either had given up struggling, or... were prepared and confident!
If nothing else, the latter is more likely. You must know that although Chen Xun has been very low-key in recent years, if we talk about the power of connections in the court, among all the important ministers, he can be regarded as one of the best.
of.
After more than ten years of hard work in the Hanlin Academy, it is not so easy to be shaken. Although Gao Gu was defeated at the beginning, his final outcome was just that he was excluded from the political center, and he was still preserved.
Chen Xun's strength in the court was not as good as at the peak of his heyday, so it would be too much to say that such a case made Chen Xun give up his resistance.
If that's the case, then...
There was a lot of discussion in the palace, and Jin Lian also stopped talking. At the same time, the etiquette officer who maintained order shouted loudly.
"quiet!"
After a while, the palace reluctantly returned to silence.
Then, Jin Lian spoke again and said.
"In this case, Wang Xuan once accused Chen Xun, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, of accepting bribes and interfering in the selection of officials under the guise of his son. The Ministry of Punishments, in compliance with His Majesty's order, investigated the case. After verification, it was determined that there was no solid evidence for this matter. Chen Shangshu reported to
When the imperial court recommended him, Chen Ying had not accepted any bribes."
"According to the results of the interrogation of Liao Ting and Chen Ying, the prefect of Ji'an, their confessions stated that the matter was planned by the two in private and Chen Shangshu did not know about it. However, Chen Ying's crime was true. Therefore, Chen Shangshu still had trouble raising his son.
Yan’s loss.”
At this point, Jin Lian had finished saying that Wang Xuan was irrelevant. The Ministry of Punishment naturally decided to convict and punish Chen Xun and Chen Ying directly. However, the determination of the guilt of Chen Xun and Chen Ying was beyond the scope of his authority. Therefore, Jin Lian only stated
The case does not make any suggestions for the final handling of the case, but is left to the emperor for the final decision.
However, the case facts presented by the Ministry of Punishment are actually very revealing. At least the current evidence cannot prove that Chen Xun was involved. No wonder Chen Shangshu can keep his composure.
Of course, the case investigation by the Criminal Department does not represent the final result. When the case is revealed in court, the test for Chen Xun will only be the beginning, not the end.
This case has been making a lot of noise for a while. Chen Xun and his disciples are thinking about how to escape the blame. However, the overt and covert forces in the court are operating on all sides and want to get a piece of the pie.
Woolen cloth?
You must know that in the court, where there is strength, there will be weakness. The greater the power of Chen Xun, the higher the right to speak. In contrast, the smaller the power of other ministers, the weaker the power to speak. Nowadays, there are
Given such a good opportunity to attack Chen Xun, no matter whether they have grudges or grudges against him, or those who usually live in harmony, I am afraid they will not just sit idly by.
The battle in the court is just like this...
Of course, the person who made the first move must have had a problem with Chen Xun. As expected, after Jin Lian finished speaking, Li Ke and Zhou Jian immediately stepped out and stepped forward to speak.
"Your Majesty, I think there are still some doubts about this case. Chen Xun, the Minister of Industry, is definitely not just a lax teacher."
"Ji'an is Chen Xun's hometown. Liao Ting was able to sit in the position of prefect of Ji'an because of his deep relationship with the Chen family. Chen Ying was just a mere scholar. How could Liao Ting be willing to work with Chen Xun if he didn't do it for Chen Xun's sake?
Did he make friends?"
"What's more, no matter whether Liao Ting was recommended before or after Chen Ying accepted bribes, it cannot be proved that Chen Shangshu did not show favoritism. Since ancient times, those who sold their official positions to win titles have first made money and then became officials, but there is also a saying that they first served as officials and then made money. At that time, Chen Shangshu
You are a cabinet minister. Could it be said that he promoted Liao Ting? How dare the latter not be grateful and offer money obediently?"
"What's more, bribery is not just about borrowing money. Liao Ting has protected Chen Ying in many illegal things, and it can also be used as a friendship to make Chen Shangshu recommend him for personal gain. I beg your Majesty to be clear and not to be deceived by this person!"
The relationship between the DPRK and China is very complicated, but the one who has the worst relationship with Chen Xun is Zhou Gui.
The two initially had a grudge because when Zhou Jian was serving as the supervisory censor in Jiangxi, he reported Chen Xun's youngest son Chen Rong for illegal activities. The Chen family moved out of Chen Xun's house at that time, but Zhou Jian ignored it at all and remained the same.
They acted impartially and strictly, and the two also had a grudge against each other.
Soon after this incident, Zhou Jian was transferred back to the capital to serve as a minister. It seemed that he was promoted, but in fact, he was trapped in the capital and was not allowed to be transferred for several years.
In this case, Wang Xuan is the most conspicuous, but don't forget that the person acting at the same time as Wang Xuan is Zhou Jian!
Because of this, Zhou Jian was the most dissatisfied with the result of the Ministry of Punishment, and was the first to stand up and question it.
As Zhou Jian came out, several censors among the officials also raised questions one after another. They all felt that Chen Xun could not have known what Chen Ying had done.
Faced with this situation, Chen Xun still stood there without any argument, or in other words, at this stage, it was not yet time for him to come forward in person.
Although this case involves him, but to argue with these ordinary censors in person... I am afraid that only a certain heaven official has this hobby.
There was no need for Chen Xun to come forward. As the opposition became more and more intense, Ye Sheng took the lead in the matter and said:
"Your Majesty, I believe that everything should be based on evidence. Chen Shangshu is an important minister of the imperial court and the pillar of the country. How can he be convicted by presumption?"
"The Ministry of Punishment must have made such a conclusion after conducting extensive investigations. Now, these gentlemen in the palace have made impeachment statements and questioned the results of the case by the Ministry of Punishment without investigation and based on their feelings. It is unreasonable."
"Your Majesty has long made it clear that the official's comments should be reported secretly. If he is to be impeached in court, there must be evidence. Now, these gentlemen have no evidence, but they are conclusively accusing an important official of the court.
, not only is it illegal, but it is also suspected of resisting the decree!"
Ye Sheng cannot be regarded as a student of Chen Xun, but he is a very promising junior among Qingliu. It is a bit surprising that he takes the lead this time.
And it was obvious that Ye Sheng was smart this time, and used the emperor's will as a banner from the very beginning, which immediately silenced several officials who were about to make a move.
Suddenly, many people in the palace began to hesitate. Seeing this situation, the first few important ministers looked at each other, and then Wang Ao, the Minister of War, stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, I think what Mr. Ye said is inappropriate. Your Majesty's decree was originally intended to stop the trend of false accusations, not to ban officials from talking about matters. This case now is a court matter reported to the Ministry of Punishment, and it is not without reason."
"Since it is a court matter, then ministers in the court can naturally raise questions. This does not mean that it is against His Majesty's will, but that it is unreasonable and unclear. I believe that Chen Shangshu is also willing to let the ministers express their doubts.
Investigate everything and clarify Chen Shangshu's innocence."
As soon as these words came out, Chen Xun on the side immediately raised his head and his eyes fell on Wang Ao, with a bit of ambiguity.
Seeing this situation, Zhu Qiyu looked at Chen Xun and asked.
"Chen Shangshu, what do you think?"
Chen Xun withdrew his gaze, moved forward, cupped his hands and said.
"Your Majesty, I did make a mistake in educating my children laxly, which led to such a disaster. However, I did not know what Chen Ying did. This matter was personally investigated by Jin Shangshu of the Ministry of Justice and supervised by Shu Liang, the eunuch of Dongchang.
, If the ministers in the palace have any questions, they can raise them, I am willing to prove my innocence."
This result is expected. Wang Ao has already said this. If Chen Xun denies it again, he will definitely be regarded as a guilty conscience.
However, from these words, it can also be heard that Chen Xun is actually dissatisfied. Otherwise, he would not specifically emphasize that this matter was personally investigated by Jin Lian and supervised by Dongchang.
The reason is simply to tell everyone that neither of these two people can be influenced by him, so there is no problem with the results of the investigation.
Of course, no matter how dissatisfied he was, Chen Xun did not object openly after all. Therefore, Zhu Qiyu pondered for a moment and then said.
"In this case, you might as well express all the questions in your mind. If there is a misunderstanding, you might as well clear Chen Shangshu's name."
With these words, the minds of all the ministers below suddenly lifted up.
Immediately afterwards, Liu Cheng, the doctor of the Ministry of Finance, spoke up and said.
"Your Majesty, I think what Mr. Zhou said is reasonable. How can Chen Ying alone make Liao Ting, the prefect, obey him? There must be someone behind this."
Since it is a rebuttal, then there is no reason for either side to speak. Again, there is no need for Chen Xun to personally come forward for this kind of matter.
Just as Liu Cheng finished speaking, Lu Qin, the chief minister of Honglu Temple, immediately stood up and said.
"This statement is wrong. Not to mention that Liao Ting is only on good terms with Chen Ying and is not submissive to him. Just what Mr. Liu just said is still speculation, isn't it?"
"The memorial just issued by the Ministry of Punishment has made it very clear. Liao Ting has long admitted that he wanted to cling to Chen Shangshu, so he deliberately made friends with Chen Ying. Chen Ying was greedy for money and used his father's name to defraud money.
From beginning to end, this matter has nothing to do with Chen Shangshu."
"Master Liu is so eager to criticize the important ministers of the court. Can I also say that there must be someone behind you who wants to take this opportunity to bring down Chen Shangshu so that the person who instigated Master Liu can take over?"
Ah this...
There are many junior scholars who have just passed the exam at the beginning of the year and are still watching the politics. They stand in the last row and look at each other. Are these words really allowed to be said?
Of course it is possible. Many ministers in the court have never been weak in the art of talking.
This Master Lu is one of Chen Xun's disciples. He was a royal censor before. He is notoriously difficult to deal with and dares to speak. With just a few words, he can treat the other person in his own way and directly attack him.
Left speechless.
However, this was not over yet. After Lu Qin finished speaking, Liang Heng, the censor of Henan Province who was also a disciple of Chen Xun, also stood up and said.
"Your Majesty, I think what Mr. Zhou just said is unreasonable even if it is regarded as speculation."
"Wang Xuan accused Chen Shangshu of recommending Liao Ting as the prefect of Ji'an for personal gain. Chen Shangshu has already explained this matter. Even if the time of recommendation is not mentioned, it is earlier than the time when Liao Ting bribed Chen Ying. The position alone is not consistent.
"
"There are still documents in the palace that can be checked. When Chen Shangshu recommended Liao Ting, it was not for him to be transferred to the magistrate. Nanjing Gao Shangshu can also testify that Chen Shangshu has always admired Liao Ting very much, so the recommendation was not without reason."
"In addition, according to common sense, even if Chen Shangshu acted favoritism, as he was a cabinet minister at the time, if he wanted to follow the trend, there must be many people rushing to send money. Why should he be like Mr. Zhou?
As you said, why are you playing with Liao Ting by promoting him first and giving him money later?"
As soon as these words came out, there was a low discussion in the palace.
It has to be said that compared to Lu Qin's aggressiveness, Liang Heng's words were calmer and more reasonable.
At that time, the war was over, all waste was waiting for improvement, and people were needed everywhere in the court. Chen Xun was in the cabinet, so there must be many people who wanted to follow his path. Moreover, Chen Xun was still in charge of the Hanlin Academy at the time, and he had no shortage of capable people.
Competent talents.
In other words, even if it was a bribe, it was because Liao Tingshang was rushing to pay the bribe. Chen Xun could accept his money because he looked up to him. How could there be anything like promotion first and then showing off?
After saying these words, many ministers gradually began to believe in Chen Xun's innocence from their original doubts.
Seeing this situation, another descendant of Chen Xun from the same hometown, Qian Shu, the censor of Shaanxi Province, came out, but he spoke directly to Zhou Jian.
"Sir Zhou, I heard that when you were the censor of Jiangxi Province, you found out that Chen Shangshu's youngest son had invaded farmland in Taihe County. Is this true?"
Zhou Jian didn't expect that he would suddenly come at him, and he still brought up this matter at this time. You know, it was already a certainty that Chen Ying committed the crime this time. Now, Chen Xun's other son, Chen Rong, was mentioned.
Wouldn't it further ruin Chen Xun's reputation?
Is it possible that Qian Shu also wants to overthrow Chen Xun?
Although he was confused in his heart, the matter was indeed true. Zhou Jian hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said.
"That's true..."
Afterwards, Qian Shu continued to ask.
"So, what's the result?"
Zhou Jian was even more puzzled by this question and frowned.
"Of course it will be dealt with impartially!"
So Qian Shu nodded and continued to ask.
"Okay, may I ask what rank Mr. Zhou was at that time and what rank Chen Shangshu was at that time?"
At this point, Zhou Jian's expression finally changed, as if he had vaguely realized something...
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This chapter has been completed!