Chapter 721: Its hard to distinguish between friend and foe
It was really not easy for Zhao Xu to be the emperor. He tried hard to hide some private money and was even threatened.
Before, they spent three years using private salt to make a fortune. They were happy for a long time, but they had to spit it all out. But fortunately, it was used on the northwest battlefield. This was the main reason why Zhao Xu could accept it, otherwise
If so, he would really think about it, not just for face, not even asking for money!
But as far as the current situation is concerned, time is more important than money.
Time is quite tight now, because not only do we have to go to Jiangnan to investigate, but we also have to send a letter to Ma Tianhao immediately, asking them to quickly revise some accounts.
Of course, accounts of this scale are not difficult for a lawyer, as long as Zhao Xu is willing to do so.
In the outer court, the reformists headed by Deng Wan were relatively powerful. They insisted on transferring the case to the Public Security Bureau for trial. They even publicly stated in public that only the Public Security Bureau and the Procuratorate could be convincing.
This really aroused the attention of many people, who did not understand what was going on. They also believed that there must be something fishy in this because the imperial court suddenly avoided the public prosecutor's office.
Conspiracy theories are always the majority.
Of course, this also succeeded in irritating the Taiwanese admonishment officials. They used this case to directly target the entire reformist faction, and directly designated Xue Xiang as the number one suspect. They stopped pretending and expanded the case.
So for the reformists, there is no room for failure in Xue Xiang, not because he is so important, but because he is now at the center of the vortex. If he cannot be saved, a series of cascading effects will occur, and everything will be lost.
Both sides have already prepared for a decisive battle.
In an instant, the entire imperial city was filled with the smell of gunpowder smoke.
But this also bought Zhao Xu, Zhang Fei and others enough time, because if it were to expand, the case would become complicated.
At noon, when the office was released, the officials came out of their offices one after another and headed outside the imperial city.
"I have to say that Deng Wenyu's plan is really wonderful!"
Meng Qiansheng laughed and said: "The more we support the Public Security Bureau now, the more reasons we will have to suppress the Public Security Law in the future. After all, even they themselves do not support the Public Security Law. In the future, such cases will never be handed over to the Public Security Law for trial."
Pei Wen nodded and said: "If we can further sever the relationship between the tax department and the public prosecutors, the public prosecutors will have no choice but to catch thieves in the future."
Meng Qiansheng asked: "What do you think?"
Pei Wendao: "Since Duke Wen believes that officials have committed crimes, they should be brought to the Yushitai for trial. Then the officials who evade taxes should naturally do the same. I think the Yushitai is also happy to see this situation, because it will inevitably expand the authority of the Yushitai."
.”
Meng Qiansheng nodded: "Although the censor's platform is also abominable, at least we can still talk to the censor, unlike the public prosecutor, where we can only sit down and resign ourselves to fate."
...
Before the introduction of the Public Procuratorate and Procuratorate, the Censorship Office was definitely the most hated official office among officials. They were basically all-pervasive. But now, the Public Security Procuratorate and Procuratorate Office have succeeded in overthrowing the Censorship Office and become the most hated official office for officials.
But in fact, officials all know in their hearts that the public prosecutor's office is far more fair than the censor's office. The censor can report the situation and has made many injustices, while the public prosecutor's office emphasizes evidence more.
But why do officials hate the Public Security Bureau so much?
The reason is that Yushitai can create unjust cases, they can slander good people, but they can also let bad people go. Moreover, they belong to the same system and have many common interests, such as the minister's money. No matter how officials use the minister's money, most of them will Even the censor wouldn't care about it. After all, everyone cares about the money. Only a hard-faced censor like Zhao Pin would care about such a thing.
But it's of no use.
A single tree cannot support itself.
But it's different when you go to the Public Security Bureau. If you misappropriate government money without authorization, the Public Security Bureau will sue you so much that you don't even know your mother.
Also, the Yushitai has always existed. It is a traditional old force, and the public security, procuratorate, and law are new forces. When they come to power, they will inevitably squeeze the old forces. Not only the Yushitai, but also many many government agencies will be oppressed. For example, the magistrates, The county magistrate, they are now a pure administrative agency.
The last time judicial power was consolidated, the court also took back the judicial power of many official offices.
This is why the reformists are very supportive of Deng Wan's plan. Even if Wen Yanbo sternly refutes it, they still insist on it.
Its purpose is to seriously undermine the public security system.
As long as the Yushitai does not transfer the case to the Public Security Bureau, no cases involving officials in the future will be handed over to the Public Security Bureau.
If you conservatives don't agree with it yourself, why should you let other officials agree with it?
This will indeed have a great impact on the public security organs.
Sima Guang was very clear about this, but as far as this case was concerned, he actually did not agree with letting the public prosecutor and the procuratorate try it, because he knew that if Zhang Fei tried it, Zhang Fei would definitely protect Wang Anshi, so he would not kill him in pain. But he also hopes to bring down Xue Xiang, because he doesn't agree with Xue Xiang at all, let alone what Xue Xiang has done.
After all, Wang Anshi has no moral problems in his eyes. If you tell him that Wang Anshi is corrupt, he will never believe it. And his memorials accusing Wang Anshi almost always have the same view, that Wang Anshi is eager for quick success and appoints villains.
Translated, Wang Anshi is a good man, with almost no shortcomings except for being sloppy, but he is surrounded by traitors, such as Lu Huiqing and Xue Xiang.
However, he also does not want to see the public security organs suffer heavy losses as a result.
Today, he came to the procuratorate and had a chat with Zhang Fei to see how he could avoid damage to the public prosecutor's office. "Now many ministers in the DPRK and China have requested that this case be transferred to your procuratorate for investigation. Do you know about this?" "
"Know."
Zhang Fei nodded and said: "But please don't be fooled, Bachelor Sima. They are deliberately sowing discord. If the case is handed over to the Public Security Bureau, they will immediately use the Yushitai to attack the Public Security Bureau, and things will only get better." It’s getting more and more complicated.”
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Sima Guang immediately said: "So you also think that it should not be handed over to the Public Security Bureau?"
Zhang Fei nodded and said: "I don't think that I will definitely suggest that my father-in-law refuses, and either hand it over to the public prosecutor's office from the beginning, or it has been tried by the Yushitai, and now it is handed over. Doesn't this imply that there is a problem with the Yushitai?
, which instead makes the public prosecutors and prosecutors the target of public criticism.”
Sima Guang nodded and said: "You and Wen Gong have the same idea. But their trouble is also very detrimental to the public prosecutor and the law."
Zhang Fei said: "Actually, it would be good to leave this kind of policy-related cases to the Yushitai for trial. If we let the public prosecutors and courts try them, there won't be much room for maneuver. Sometimes it makes us quite embarrassed. Regarding Cheng Dujian,
The case is like that.
It can only be resolved by holding a hearing, and cannot be sued to the imperial court, because the imperial court depends on evidence and law.
Let’s talk about this case again. We have not done anything illegal, so we, the Public Security Bureau, will not be able to bring him in. If we punish those corrupt officials, then there will be a debate at the top, and Yushitai does not have this aspect at all.
If you have troubles, Yushitai can hold your boss accountable.
Our main function of the Public Security Bureau is to supervise those officials and just stick to the lowest level. It is best for the higher-ups to handle matters above themselves."
This really speaks to Sima Guang's heart. He also thinks so. In this case, the public prosecutor and the law can only try the criminal behavior. Whether Xue Xiang faces punishment has to be decided by the emperor and the prime minister. It is an administrative penalty.
The Yushitai can directly convict Xue Xiang, because the Yushitai is not a purely judicial trial, but more of a mixture of administration and justice. They can hold the prime minister accountable.
"Well... you're right, it's good to make two points."
Sima Guang nodded slightly.
Not to mention, Zhang Fei is really worried that Yushitai will compromise because of this, and in that case, things will become more complicated.
However, this is impossible.
No matter which aspect you look at now, Yushitai always has the advantage.
Wen Yanbo is not a kind person. He will not take action if he is not sure. Moreover, they seem to be slowly betting on the case and expanding the case step by step.
He asked Yushitai to continue to ask the emperor to audit the accounts.
On the other hand, evidence that is unfavorable to the New Deal continues to be revealed, and one is released in the past two or three days. Even the people who had doubts before are faced with the constant negative news, and the conservatives are bringing up the old issues again.
, taking into account what Qingmiaofa did on Jingdong East Road, and also blaming Cheng Fang on Wang An's stone, public opinion began to shift towards the conservatives.
This kind of slow cooking over low heat is also very fatal.
Wang Anshi was the first to lose his composure. If you continue like this, the government and the public will be flooded with news that is unfavorable to the New Deal. How will the New Deal be implemented next?
The public opinion created by conservatives has a feeling that the building is about to collapse.
And they can only attack the public prosecutor's law.
The key point is that Wang Anshi cannot understand why Zhao Xu has not made a decision?
Is Zhao Xu going to abandon the New Deal?
This is impossible!
Royal Palace.
"Your Majesty, this is my resignation."
In anger, Wang Anshi directly handed in his resignation to Zhao Xu.
He had no choice but to explain everything to Zhao Xu. It was just an isolated phenomenon. Compared with the financial growth, it was nothing. You couldn't blame the heroes just because of a few common people!
But Zhao Xu could not decide whether to live or die, which made him really angry.
If you don't believe me, I won't do it.
A flash of displeasure flashed in Zhao Xu's eyes, but he said in shock: "Sir, what are you doing?"
Wang Anshi said expressionlessly: "Since Your Majesty doesn't trust me, I don't want to stay in the court anymore."
"Sir, please do not misunderstand me."
Zhao Xu hurriedly said: "It's not that I don't believe you, sir, but...it's that I also have difficulties!"
Wang Anshi kept silent.
Zhao Xu looked embarrassed and said, "It's true that they seem to know that I have taken in some extra money."
Wang Anshi didn't know that the other party asked to investigate the internal treasury. He had guessed this, but he couldn't say it. If he wanted to say it, the emperor couldn't think that he was threatening him. Now that Zhao Xu finally admitted, he immediately said: "
They secretly threatened His Majesty, which is a capital offense, so why should Your Majesty be polite to them."
Zhao Xu sighed: "I have thought about this, but...but I am worried that once I severely punish those officials who stir up trouble, some people will be unconvinced and file lawsuits from the procuratorate."
Wang Anshi immediately snorted: "Nowadays, many ministers are confused about their intention to avoid the public prosecutor's office, but they are unwilling to hand over the case to the public prosecutor's office to prove their innocence. Then they want to get help from the prosecutor's office."
The prosecution is really fanciful, and the Procuratorate is not run by their family, so Your Majesty does not need to worry at all, just let the Procuratorate dismiss their prosecution."
Zhao Xu said: "Sir, could it be that you have forgotten the system of the procuratorate? As long as they provide enough evidence, the procuratorate will definitely prosecute."
Before Wang Anshi could speak, he immediately continued: "For this reason, I specially summoned Zhang San into the palace and asked him about relevant countermeasures."
Zhang San?
Wang Anshi was stunned for a moment, and then asked: "What did Zhang San say?"
Zhao Xu said: "Zhang San believes that the current situation is very unfavorable to you, but the public opinion in the DPRK and China is in your favor."
This sounds like Zhang Fei's words, which makes people seem to understand but not understand. Wang Anshi said: "I am stupid, I don't know what your majesty means by these words?"
Zhao Xu said: "If what those witnesses said is true, the officials involved should naturally be punished. However, the public opinion in the DPRK has focused on the gentleman and the shipping envoy. If the Yushitai decides that the shipping envoy is guilty, then the gentleman will take this opportunity to be punished."
If the procuratorate prosecutes, there is a possibility of winning the case."
Wang Anshi really never thought about going to the procuratorate to prosecute. After thinking for a while, he said: "Is it just possible to win the case?"
Zhao Xu said: "Based on the interrogation by the Yushitai, Zhang San suspects that there must be someone behind the scenes of these more than a hundred people, and these people may have interests in the New Deal. As long as this is confirmed, there will be a chance to turn the tables."
Wang Anshi immediately said: "There is no doubt that there must be someone behind them. Otherwise, how could those ordinary people arrive in Xuzhou silently?"
Zhao Xu nodded and said: "I think so too, so I have sent people to Jiangnan to investigate the matter. I just want to confirm it before discussing it with my husband, so I have been delaying it."
"So that's what happened."
Only then did Wang Anshi understand. He hesitated for a while and said, "About Xianyu?"
Zhao Xu said: "I have fulfilled their wish and let the Yushitai judge. It is you, sir, who want to sue them. It has nothing to do with me. If they threaten me with this matter again, I will not make it easy for them."
Having said this, he looked at Wang Anshi and said, "I just don't know what Mr. Wang's advice is."
Wang Anshi hesitated a little and said: "I...I think we should wait until the results of the investigation are revealed."
Zhao Xu nodded.
...
After coming out of the palace, Wang Anshi went straight to the Zhang family.
"Scholar Wang is here."
"Um?"
Wang Anshi looked sideways at Zhang Fei, "It seems you have thought that I would come."
Zhang Fei said sarcastically: "Since the matter has been going on for so long and it's not over yet, I guess Academician Wang will come to see me."
Wang Anshi frowned and asked: "You have an idea, why don't you tell me?"
How could you accept my idea if you are such a dick? Zhang Fei replied: "I didn't have an idea, but the officials came to me to ask about how to deal with it, so I came up with such a way, but the officials didn't decide at the time.
, and I was afraid that Academician Wang had a better solution, so as not to miss Academician Wang’s plan, so I didn’t say anything.”
Wang Anshi was very embarrassed when he said this. He didn't have any big plans. He just liked to use his power to suppress others. Those who refused would be kicked out of the court. This was the method of Legalism. But now the emperor's handle was in the opponent's hands.
Making the matter even more difficult, he asked: "How sure are you about this?"
After Zhang Fei pretended to think about it, he said: "I was not sure at the time, but now I am more and more sure."
Wang Anshi asked again: "Where do you start talking about this?"
Zhang Fei said: "If the Yushitai is just discussing the matter, convicting the officials involved and helping the people get justice, then I will be helpless. But if they want to bring in more officials, including the shipping envoy, there will be prosecutions."
To put it simply, the bigger they make trouble, the greater our confidence will be, because there must be grievances here, and as long as we grasp a little bit, it is possible to make a complete comeback."
Wang Anshi nodded and asked again: "But in the final analysis, this is just your last resort."
Zhang Fei knew that he was testing, but he also acted very calmly, "Although it cannot be said to be the best policy, it cannot be said to be the next best policy, because it can distinguish the personal behavior of officials from the central government's decision-making. In the end,
If an official breaks the law, it does not necessarily mean that the policy is not good enough.
Also, they had previously suppressed Xueshi Wang and the Shipping Envoy more severely. This reversal could reverse the impression of the New Deal in the eyes of the people.
For the New Deal, there are still certain benefits.”
Wang Anshi lowered his eyebrows and thought for a while. Suddenly, he looked sideways at Zhang Fei and asked, "Will Mr. Sima allow you to do this?"
Zhang Fei said: "Our procuratorate only looks at evidence."
Wang Anshi said again: "But if you do this, you are making an enemy of Mr. Sima!"
Zhang Fei spread his hands and said: "I can't help it. We act according to the rules. It's not me who asked Academician Wang to sue Yushitai."
Wang Anshi said: "Didn't you take revenge on them and kick the procuratorate out?"
Zhang Fei chuckled: "Xueshi Wang's words are serious, am I such a petty person?"
"Everyone knows that you will retaliate for your anger. Wang Hong is the magistrate of Kaifeng County, but he just slapped Erbi in your shop, and now he is opening up wasteland in Qiongzhou."
"....!"
The evidence is overwhelming, and Zhang Fei doesn't know how to argue.
Wang Anshi smiled again and said: "If you win this lawsuit, it will be enough to prove that the Yushitai cannot be above the public prosecutor and the law."
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "What Wang Xueshi said is wrong. The officials are asking me for advice. I can only use my strengths and intervene from the procuratorate. If I win, the public prosecutor and the procuratorate will naturally benefit. It is not my fault."
Seek profit and come up with this plan."
"Yeah?"
"real."
Zhang Fei nodded.
Wang Anshi smiled and said, "I understand almost everything, so I'll leave first."
"Scholar Wang, walk slowly."
"Why don't you ask me if I have made a decision?"
"I really don't force this matter, because it will offend many people."
As soon as Wang Anshi left, Xu Zhiqian, who was hiding behind and eavesdropping, came out. She has now finished confinement.
"It seems that Academician Wang has seen through your thoughts?"
Xu Zhiqian said slightly worried.
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "I deliberately let him see through it. Only in this way will he strengthen his determination to come to the procuratorate to prosecute."
"ah?"
"If I am helping out of good intentions, or to deal with the officials, can he believe that I will do my best? Only by letting him know that I also have huge interests to gain, will he believe that I will do my best?
Ways to win."
After saying that, Zhang Fei smiled coldly: "Those bastards, just based on this, they want to kick me out. They are really fantastic."
In fact, he felt the crisis from the beginning of the case, but he had no way to intervene before because he could not show a strong ambition. At that time, he wanted to take a step back and have a brighter future.
Now that he is given such an opportunity, of course he will seize this point and educate those people severely. If he wants to ignore the public prosecution and law, you may still be living in a dream.
...
Although Wang Anshi did not give a specific answer, he actually had no choice. The only thing he could rely on was imperial power. This was also why he always emphasized Legalism.
And at the beginning of the case, when he knew that the conservatives were planning to let the Yushitai hear the case, he actually intended to exclude the public prosecutor and the judiciary.
Because in his opinion, as long as he can win this game, the court will still return to the path of Legalism.
But he never expected that the emperor would not give him unreserved support out of consideration for his reputation, which forced him to return to the path of legality.
The struggle has reached this level, and if he loses, it will be completely over.
However, he now also thinks that once the Yushitai decides the case, it will actually be extremely detrimental to the public prosecutor, especially for Zhang Fei. The reformists and the public prosecutor and the law have a common enemy.
In the end, Wang Anshi accepted Zhang Fei's plan. At the same time, they delayed it long enough, and a message came back from Jiangnan.
After getting Wang Anshi's consent, Zhao Xu acquiesced to Zeng Gongliang, and Chen Shengzhi passed Wen Yanbo's final judgment.
In fact, Zeng Gongliang and Chen Shengzhi could no longer support him. The pressure on them was too great. The main reason was that the current evidence was indeed very unfavorable to Xue Xiang, and they had no reason to stop him.
You can't even ignore your own career for Wang Anshi. The two of them are not Wang Anshi's horse boys.
Wen Yanbo immediately gave the verdict and listed the shipping envoy Xue Xiang as the first offender.
As soon as this verdict came out, the conservatives were immediately excited. They did not expect that victory would come so quickly, and they would also show their ferocious faces. Not only did they immediately send people to capture Xue Xiang, but they also prepared to weave a larger net and
More reformists were brought in, and the reformists were defeated in one fell swoop.
On the other hand, the reformists felt as if the building was collapsing, and they were all confused.
It's over!
For the Yushitai's verdict to come out, this must have the emperor's tacit approval, which means that the emperor was prepared to abandon the New Deal.
this...!
However, no one knew that Xue Xiang had actually returned to the capital quietly, because Wang Anshi had sent a letter to summon him back before, preparing to recommend him as the third envoy.
At this moment, Xue Xiangzheng is in the Procuratorate.
When Wang Gong, Qi Ji and others learned that it was Xue Xiang who came to complain, they were all stunned. Logically speaking, Xue Xiang is a fugitive!
You are throwing yourself into a trap.
However, it seems that you have chosen the wrong website. You should surrender to the Yushitai, not our Procuratorate.
Xu Zun also met Xue Xiang in person.
"Xue Fayun, you are now guilty."
"I know, but this is all someone's intention to frame me and frame me." Xue Xiang said angrily.
Xu Zun asked: "Do you have any evidence?"
"It's worth it."
Xue Xiang immediately handed a piece of information to Xu Zun, "Here is only part of the evidence to prove that I am innocent. There is another hidden story in this case. This is also the purpose of my coming to the procuratorate today. I want to sue Yushitai Luo Zhi for being unjustly imprisoned and framed."
I put the blame on me and I hope the procuratorate can clear my name."
Sue Yushitai?
Can you still play like this?
Everyone present looked at each other, including Zhang Fei. Of course, both Zhang Fei and Xu Zun acted.