The day before the results were released, it was still dark on the first day of March.
Tang Yin was sleeping hazily when someone picked him up. Two guards in golden uniforms took him to the court of Fusi in Beizhen like a chicken, but did not take him in.
But hearing the muffled sound of sticks hitting each other and the screams of "Ah! Ah!" coming from inside, Tang Yin knew that it was Xu Jing who was being beaten inside.
"hiss."
Tang Yin originally thought that it had been quite cold in the past few days and wanted someone to add some blankets or something, but he immediately stopped asking for it.
I was also upset in my heart.
It finally started.
"Xu, it seems that you are still stubborn. I have told you so clearly that you have given money to Cheng Min's government, and you can still carry it to your death? Don't say it, just ask in the name of it!
"
The person who tried the case in court was not someone from Jinyiwei, but directly Xiao Jing, the admiral of Dongchang.
Even though Xu Jing was lightly beaten, he was almost tortured to the point of being reduced to human form. He hurriedly said: "I'll do it. I gave the people in Cheng Min's government gold coins. Whatever else you say, I'll do it."
When Tang Yin outside heard this, his heart skipped a beat.
This is Xu Jing.
I promised you not to admit it. I've only received a few blows and haven't used any other torture instruments yet, so you're doing it right now? Are you trying to trick me? Do you know that?
Originally, there was no evidence for the topic, but you said that you would give money to Cheng Min's government. Doesn't this mean that you are telling the truth?
Xiao Jing said: "We are asking you to tell the truth, how can we call it 'you all told'? Could it be that our family has wronged you? It seems that you still don't understand, so if you beat me again..."
"Don't……"
Xu Jing wanted to cry but had no tears.
I have already said that I will confess whatever you ask me to confess, just to avoid suffering a little pain. Why can't I do this? I still have to tell the truth? But the question is... to what extent can I tell the truth to you?
satisfy?
"Give him pen and paper!"
Xiao Jing waved his hand to the Jin Yiwei who were looking around for the execution, and someone immediately placed paper, pen and a wooden plate in front of Xu Jing.
Xu Jing picked up the pen, but his hands were trembling and he couldn't write anything on the paper.
Not only because of the physical torture after being beaten, but also because he was mentally tortured by being imprisoned in Beizhen Fusi for the past few days, the once wealthy young master couldn't bear the pain for even one day. When Tang Yin peeked his head slightly and saw Xu.
After looking so miserable, I suddenly felt a little lucky.
Fortunately, I have suffered some hardships in the past few years and no longer have the pampered young master temper. Otherwise, I may not necessarily be better than Xu Jing.
"Eunuch Xiao, looking at him like this, I'm afraid he won't be able to write. Why don't you find someone to write it and have him sign it."
"No! The confession needs to be written in his own hand! This is His Majesty's order!"
When he heard the words "Your Majesty ordered", even Tang Yin outside the door couldn't help but close his eyes and his heart sank.
In the end, he pulled Xu Jing up first and found someone to support him.
After he calmed down, he tremblingly wrote out what he wanted to confess on paper and signed it.
…
…
"Put it down!"
After Xu Jing finished his work, he was dragged out directly. Tang Yin took a look at Xu Jing. At this time, Xu Jing's eyes were dull and he didn't pay attention to the thoughts of others, and Xu Jing's body was still slightly stained with blood.
After everyone left, the Jin Yiwei brought Tang Yin to the court again.
Tang Yin had an iron chain on his hand, and he was still a little arrogant. He asked: "As a member of the Ming Dynasty, why should I receive such inhuman treatment?"
In ordinary times, Juren has become a "human superior", and ordinary yamen would not dare to punish Juren.
But what is this place?
In Beizhen Fusi, even officials, not to mention officials, were punished without mercy. Tang Yin knew this, but he only said this to save his last dignity.
Xiao Jing couldn't help but smile when he saw Tang Yin's unruly look.
For an ordinary person, if you say something like this at this time, you would be making yourself unhappy. Jin Yiwei will soon let you know what true "inhuman treatment" means.
Xiao Jing was also thinking, for such an ignorant guy, he didn't know why Zhang Bingkuan wanted to protect him. It would make sense to say that he still had some basic respect for Mr. Zhang in his heart, but did this guy have it?
"Tang Guanren, you probably heard about the second half of our interrogation of Xu Jing. Were you involved in the matter of giving gifts to Cheng Minzheng?"
Xiao Jing asked in a calm tone.
Tang Yin tilted his head and said coldly: "I want to impose a crime on you!"
Xiao Jing nodded: "As for how involved you were in the question, have you heard from outside sources that you discussed the test questions with Cheng Minzheng and drafted the text, so that it became known to the outside world?"
"Who heard this? Let him confront you!" Tang Yin said as if he was speaking with a strong tone, but in fact, he had exposed his inner cowardice, and his voice was trembling after he said it.
"Yes, there is no evidence. Jinyiwei also sent people to conduct a thorough investigation and even inquired about the scholars who spread the most vicious rumors. But when it came to the evidence, no one could come up with it. But Xu Jing also said just now,
You met Cheng Minzheng by bribing people from the Cheng family, so you can't be wrong, right?"
Xiao Jing stood up, walked slowly to Tang Yin with Xu Jing's confession, and stretched out his hand: "Want to take a look?"
Tang Yin said: "No need."
The momentum is weak.
Because Tang Yin also learned from Xu Jing that he was able to meet Cheng Minzheng after giving money to people in the Cheng family.
Xiao Jing saw Tang Yin like this and sighed: "Xu Jing's confession did not involve the examination questions. There is still no evidence for the questions. However, Xu Jing's sin of seeking advancement is unavoidable. Because of his
It’s your actions that have brought so many bad consequences. And you... haha."
Tang Yinzheng held his breath and concentrated, waiting to hear Xiao Jing's evaluation of himself so that he could know his next fate.
But when Xiao Jing reached the most critical point, he stopped again.
Xiao Jing said: "The results will be released tomorrow. It seems that you won't be able to go out yet. However, our family can tell you in advance that you won and you will be ranked thirteenth among the tributes."
"ah?"
Tang Yin was shocked.
The rankings haven't been released yet, and it's unclear what the future will look like, but now I actually know that I won the tribute?
"Don't be too happy too early. You have won the Gongshi exam. Whether you still have a chance to participate in the palace examination or whether you will be deprived of your honor depends on whether you can exonerate yourself. You are lucky and have noble people to help you, or
Is it really a blessing in disguise that you have to escape from the prison?"
Xiao Jing said something again that Tang Yin couldn't understand.
Tang Yin was full of questions, but he didn't even dare to say anything.
I am afraid that if I say something wrong, not only will I not be a tribute, I will not have the chance to participate in the palace examination, and I will continue to be tortured.
"Our family is going to see Cheng Minzheng. I won't say much to you. Someone comes and sends him back. He is taking good care of him. This is a future Jinshi of the Ming Dynasty. With the help of noble people, his career will be bright..."
…
…
Xiao Jing personally took people to Cheng Min's government.
He stayed inside for nearly two hours before he came out and rushed to the palace to see Zhu Youtang.
Inside the Qianqing Palace.
Xiao Jing presented the two "confessions" of Xu Jing and Cheng Minzheng to Zhu Youtang.
Zhu Youtang took it over and looked at it carefully, and Dai Yi, who was next to him, also leaned over and took a few glances.
"Your Majesty, according to Mr. Zhang's reminder, Xu Jing bribed Xu Jing to meet Cheng Minzheng, and then brought Xu Jing's confession to Cheng Minzheng. Cheng Minzheng initially denied it, but then brought his servants there and beat him in public. After a few times, along with the people in his house, Cheng Minzheng learned about the consistent behavior of the people in his house..."
Xiao Jing narrated the process, "Then Cheng Minzheng admitted that he had neglected to investigate and wrote a memorial to apologize."
"snort!"
Zhu Youtang snorted: "Isn't he not investigating? He doesn't know what's good or bad! As a Hanlin scholar, he doesn't want to avoid suspicion by provoking scholars, but he also sets a threshold for the scholars who pay homage, so as to give gifts to those who have a lot of money. But you can see that if you don’t send it, you will not see it. He brings the blame on himself! Fortunately, I listened to Bingkuan’s suggestion earlier and mentioned it to him many times. It seems that I mistakenly believed in him!"
Originally, the emperor was quite attracted to Cheng Minzheng.
But the emperor is getting more and more angry now.
Flies don't bite perfect eggs. Cheng Minzheng's mere act of accepting bribes from his servants is enough to get you kicked out of the court!
"Early tomorrow morning, we will escort Xu Jing and Cheng Minzheng to the Meridian Gate, and we will discuss the matter after Tingji!" Zhu Youtang said.
Dai Yidao: "Your Majesty, the exam results will be released tomorrow. Do you want to wait until after the results are released?"
Zhu Youtang said coldly: "I just want to make everything clear before releasing the results. I have made a preliminary plan to let Cheng Minzheng become an official and Xu Jing be returned to the local government as an official. I will inform the Minister of Rites, Xu Shangshu, and the Ministry of Punishments, Bai Shangshu, to let them know. Say hello to Mr. Liu Ge again."
Xiao Jing asked for instructions again: "Your Majesty, where is Tang Yin?"
"Tang Yin..." Zhu Youtang thought for a while, shook his head and said, "He didn't participate much in this matter. He just followed Xu Jing to see Cheng Minzheng. Since there was no big mistake, he didn't ask any questions!"
"yes."
Xiao Jing responded while thinking.
This Tang Yin was so lucky that Zhang Bingkuan helped him.
Not to mention being someone's junior fellow apprentice, even being someone's disciple and supporting him for the rest of his life is not an exaggeration.
…
…
The second day of March.
Listing day.
Early in the morning, Li Dongyang, who had not appeared in front of others for a long time, followed Liu Jian and Xie Qian at the Meridian Gate. Many people came to say hello.
Li Dongyang looked unhappy.
A recent experience inside the curtain left him physically and mentally exhausted.
I have to grade papers, re-examine, analyze and investigate cases. I have to work hard for several days. When I come back, I feel like my body is peeling off a layer of skin.
Bai Ang and Xu Qiong walked towards the three cabinet members. Bai Ang said: "Your Majesty has passed down a decree, saying that today Cheng Minzheng and Xu Jing are to be killed. I don't know why Tang Yin is not among them. ?”
Li Dongyang waved his hand.
It means there are some things that cannot be said yet.
The results of the joint examination have already been released, but since the results have not yet been announced, there may still be variables. Li Dongyang is cautious and cannot announce them in advance.
Besides, Li Dongyang didn’t understand why Xu Jing and Tang Yin were on the same team, but they only punished Xu Jing and not Tang Yin? Is it because Tang Yin won the tribute and Xu Jing didn’t?
"The Holy Spirit has arrived!"
People here are still gathering and discussing privately, while eunuchs on the other side have announced in advance that the emperor will arrive.
Everyone could only go back to their seats and wait for the court meeting to begin.
