In the lobby of the Ministry of Justice, the atmosphere was a bit depressing. There were three chairs behind the large sugarcane chair. Sitting on the chairs were three ministers, looking at each other with gloomy expressions.
An interrogation against Lu Duoxun had just ended, and it was still fruitless, which made the three of them a little disappointed. Trials by three chambers were not uncommon in the Han Dynasty, but interrogating a prime minister like Lu Duoxun was really rare.
For the first time in ten years, there is no precedent to follow, which makes previous experience less applicable, and the sense of proportion is indeed somewhat difficult to grasp.
Sitting in the middle is Xin Zhongfu, then the Secretary of the Ministry of Punishment. This man is experienced in public affairs, has always been responsible, and dares to do his job. However, with the added task of "trialing Lu", he cannot help but feel the pressure.
In addition, Xin Zhongfu can barely be regarded as a member of Zhao Pu's party. Zhao Pu played a role in his promotion to the position of Minister of the Ministry of Justice. Of course, Xin Zhongfu cannot be regarded as a core member of the "Xiang Party", but he only has such a passion.
Now, when you reach the position of chief minister, you are not easily influenced by others.
Sitting to the right of Xin Zhongfu is a gray-haired veteran, the second most powerful person in the Imperial Procuratorate, Qian Wenmin, the Right Imperial Censor. This veteran is considered to be more upright, but due to his age, he is no longer able to be reused.
In recent years, the Metropolitan Procuratorate has been almost invisible. In fact, after Liu Xigu’s death, the Metropolitan Procuratorate was almost the sole voice of Lu Duoxun. It was precisely because of Qian Wenmin’s old age that Lu Duoxun did not deliberately target him.
.
This time, as a representative of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, Qian Wenmin's situation was somewhat embarrassing when he participated in the interrogation of the chief officer of the Metropolitan Procuratorate. On the other hand, Lu Duoxun had problems. As the second-ranking figure in the Metropolitan Procuratorate,
, Qian Wenmin did nothing, and in terms of responsibilities, he also lost some points.
Therefore, during the entire interrogation process, Qian Wenmin hardly spoke. He remained a silent bystander and never spoke easily.
As for the one on the left of Xin Zhongfu, he is also an old man with a rough appearance and a thick beard. He is Murong Chengde, the minister of Dali Temple. Murong Chengde is the eldest son of Murong Yanchao, Duke of Luan State. He was transferred to the minister of Dali Temple not long ago, and the affairs in the government are still in progress.
If I don't straighten things out, I will be even less willing to interrupt if I encounter such a big problem.
Of course, it was also because Murong Chengde was unwilling to easily participate in Lu Duoxun's case, which was a puddle of muddy water. If Emperor Liu hadn't issued an edict, there was no way to evade it, and Murong Chengde might not even be willing to come to the joint trial.
Therefore, although it was a joint trial of three departments, the actual leadership was entirely with the Ministry of Justice, and this leadership was really nothing to be happy about for Xin Zhongfu.
"Lu Duoxun still refuses to plead guilty. What do you two think?" Xin Zhongfu looked at Qian Wenmin and then at Murong Chengde and asked.
Qian Wenmin seemed to be in a state of wandering, and suddenly "woke up". Facing Xin Zhongfu's gaze, his old voice said in a long tone: "What did Xin Shangshu say? I didn't hear clearly!"
After looking at Qian Wenmin, if he hadn't been in contact with him for the past few days, he might have thought that he was too old to be deaf. Seeing his appearance, he knew that he wouldn't be able to say anything real from this old man's mouth, so he turned to Murong again.
Chengde.
Murong Chengde also had a don't look at me expression, but after pondering for a while, he pretended to be impatient and said: "No matter how many questions you ask, Lu Duoxun just won't answer, just won't admit it, what can you do? This Lu Duoxun
, I’m afraid the three of us can’t interrogate him. However, if you can use torture, I’m not afraid that he won’t do it!”
This is almost nonsense. To torture Lu Duoxun? There is basically no need to consider it. Obviously, these two people around him cannot be counted on. For a moment, Xin Zhongfu had a headache.
Not long after Murong Chengde finished speaking, a calm voice came from outside the hall: "Of course you can't use torture, otherwise wouldn't it be just torture?"
Although they didn't see anyone, just by hearing his voice, they knew who it was, Prince Liu Yang. Soon, Liu Yang's figure appeared in front of the three of them, walking quickly into the hall with firm steps.
When the three of them saw this, they hurriedly stood up to salute and led Liu Yang to his seat. Liu Yang was not polite and sat down in the hall. As for the three ministers, they stood respectfully in the hall.
Looking at them, Liu Yang said in a gentle tone: "The three of you have worked hard these days, and you have free time today, so I came here to express my condolences!"
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness!" The three of them showed expressions of honor.
"How's the trial going?" Liu Yang asked.
They looked at each other, and it was obvious that this was the real purpose of Liu Yang's visit. It was Xin Zhongfu who spoke, and replied with some embarrassment: "Lu Duoxun denied all the crimes he investigated, and he was wronged to death. No,
I am willing to confess! Therefore, the interrogation has come to a standstill for the time being!"
In response to this, Liu Yang didn't have much reaction on his face. He pondered for a moment and said, "Show me the interrogation record!"
"Yes!" Xin Zhongfu immediately gestured to the Registrar on the side. The Registrar, who could come into contact with His Highness the Crown Prince on weekdays, immediately presented it diligently.
Liu Yang looked through it carefully for a while, raised his eyes and said, "Is the evidence listed above sufficient?"
Xin Zhongfu replied: "Most of the matters are still under investigation and evidence collection. However, there is evidence regarding the formation of cliques for personal gain, illegality and chaos. Yesterday, a large number of letters between Lu Duoxun and his party members were seized from Lu Mansion.
These include some secret instructions, and even some important official documents from the court, as well as some hidden information he has collected over the years and records of political successes and failures...
The contents are also being verified, and the ministers and others are also interrogating him. Lu Duoxun remains stubborn and refuses to plead guilty, insisting that it was a frame-up. The ministers and others are really helpless."
After hearing this description, Liu Yang finally frowned, with a hint of displeasure, but he didn't know whether the displeasure was directed at Lu Dosun or the interrogators.
Seeing this, Murong Chengde rarely took the initiative to ask: "Your Highness, I think that Lu Duoxun probably knows very well how serious his crime is, so he will never take the initiative to plead guilty. I am forced by the law, and I also
Don’t push too hard, the matter is deadlocked right here..."
The court's legal system is probably only applied to these bureaucrats, and they will be so strictly followed...
Glancing at Murong Chengde, Liu Yang probably understood what these people's concerns were, and it was understandable, so he did not directly blame them.
Seeing that the prince was silent, Xin Zhongfu asked carefully: "May I ask, Your Highness, if there is any holy message conveyed here?"
"The Holy Will has been clearly stated in the Chongyuan Hall!" Liu Yang's tone became serious: "Do you think the three of you need to specifically ask His Majesty for advice on how to interrogate and convict?"
"Don't dare!" the three people said quickly.
In fact, if Liu Yang hadn't said so, Xin Zhongfu would have really had this idea. Nothing could have made people more confident and unburdened to go about their errands than Emperor Liu's clear attitude and will.
After sighing, Liu Yang pondered for a while, and then whispered to Xin Zhongfu: "Xin Shangshu, is there any provision in the "Xingtong" that stipulates that a prison sentence requires the criminal's personal confession before the sentence can be finalized?"
Xin Zhongfu was a little embarrassed. He somewhat understood what the prince meant, so he handed over his hand and said: "It will be more comprehensive if there is a confession, and if there is a stubborn disobedient, as long as the evidence is sufficient and conclusive, the punishment can still be imposed according to the law!"
"Since Xin Shangshu understands, why can't the interrogation continue?" Liu Yang looked at Xin Zhongfu and asked.
With that said, Liu Yang put down the interrogation record in his hand and directly gave instructions: "First, give the evidence that is sufficient and complete! Otherwise, if His Majesty asks, can you explain to His Majesty what you are going to do with me today?"
"Yes! I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Your Highness!" Xin Zhongfu responded seriously.
"You guys should be busy, I'm back to the palace!" Liu Yang didn't mean to stay long and walked straight out, waving his hand and saying: "No need to see me off!"
After Liu Yang left, Xin Zhongfu and the others couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief. In fact, they didn't know what Liu Yang said, but some scruples were inevitable.
Now, with the instructions from the prince, I can feel more at ease, and at least my burden has been reduced by half. Xin Zhongfu quickly regained his dignity and ordered to the chief clerk beside him: "Go, take out all the files of Lu Duoxun, and then put them in
All the officials in the Yamen gathered together to screen, verify, and make a conclusion on every matter and every item!"
"After all, this matter cannot be delayed like this. Since Lu Duoxun can't move to trial, we can start from the evidence!" Xin Zhongfu said to Qian Wenmin and Murong Chengde standing beside him.
Although the attitude of the two men changed after the prince's instructions, they responded and said yes, but they still looked like Xin Shangshu was the main one, which made Xin Zhongfu curse secretly in his heart.