Five years as county magistrate, hundreds of millions of kilograms of grain shocked Li Shimin Chapter 68 The Trial of Fang Yuan in the Three Censors’ Court
Chapter 68 The Trial of Fang Yuan in the Three Censors’ Court
Fang Yuan looked at Lin Yangbo.
When he saw the other person looking at him and smiling proudly, he understood immediately.
No wonder he was so unscrupulous. It turned out that he hired the censor, and it must have been him who burned the meeting minutes of the Archives Office of the Governor's Office.
"Fang Zhouzun, the supervisory censor is very difficult to deal with, so be careful."
Du Miaoyan didn't know when she came to Fang Yuan's side and reminded him.
As far as she knows, the censors are all nerds with old-fashioned personalities. They don't give face to anyone, and they will impeach the emperor if he makes mistakes.
Now he appeared in Liaozhou without any warning, and he appeared in Sanjia Village by chance. It is estimated that someone deliberately invited Fang Yuan, the Integrity Inspector, and he came with bad intentions.
"Thank you."
Fang Yuan nodded slightly.
Thanks to Du Miaoyan for the kind reminder.
At this time, the people of Sanjia Village made way.
Three lean middle-aged men walked out supported by nine officers and soldiers.
They all had straight faces, serious and cold expressions, as if they were not to be approached by strangers.
"Lord Governor, won't you welcome me?"
Lin Yangbo chuckled.
The grievances I felt just now completely disappeared.
Because, when the people he invited came, Fang Yuan was in doom.
Fang Yuan took a deep breath, calmed down, and walked towards the three supervisory censors.
The supervisory censor should have been invited by Lin Yangbo, but even if he was, he would have to greet him in person.
"My official, Fang Yuan, the governor of Liaozhou, together with Lin Yangbo, the magistrate of Liaoshan County, respectfully welcome the three censors."
Fang Yuan walked up to the three people and crossed his arms as a salute.
Lin Yangbo, Zheng Jiu and other state officials followed behind to welcome them.
When the villagers of Sanjia Village saw the governor and county magistrate saluting, they quickly followed suit.
"The lower official Wei Ting (Li Shuang, Tang Lin) pays homage to Fang Jishi, the magistrate of Lin County!"
The three of them also responded respectfully.
Although they inspected prefectures and counties on behalf of the emperor, their official positions were not as high as those of Fang Yuan and others.
Fang Yuan and others saluted them because they represent the emperor's orders, but they are the ones who really need to salute Fang Yuan and others.
"Three imperial censors inspecting Liaozhou?"
Fang Yuan asked politely.
Every autumn, the imperial court would send a supervisory censor to inspect the various states and counties.
However, the Tang Dynasty had a vast territory, and it was impossible to inspect all states and counties every time. They were all selected by drawing lots.
The drawing of lots was conducted in secret, and the prefectures and counties inspected were also kept secret.
But according to the information provided by people above Fang Yuan, Liaozhou is not included in the areas where the Censor will inspect the integrity this fall.
Fang Yuan wants to confirm whether the three people are Lin Yangbo's accomplices?
In order to prepare a good attack method, so as not to offend three people accidentally.
If not, try your best not to offend, so as to save the other party from impeaching you in the emperor's ears every day.
"I have received a report that Governor Fang abused his power, occupied private houses, took bribes, and enslaved the people to resume farming without a bottom line. Will Governor Fang admit it?"
Wei Ting looked Fang Yuan up and down and said in a deep voice.
He also noticed that among so many people at the scene, two civilians were injured.
According to the report, Fang Yuan was enslaving the people to resume farming without a bottom line, so he changed his route to Liaozhou to monitor Fang Yuan.
"I don't admit it."
"Does the censor have any evidence?"
Fang Yuan shook his head and said calmly.
"There is evidence and it is on the way."
"This is not the place for confrontation, let's move to court."
Wei Ting nodded and said calmly.
There were too many people at the scene, as many as five to six thousand.
It's very quiet now, there is no impact, but it's not suitable for discussion.
"Then move to the Governor's Mansion."
Fang Yuan had no objection and said calmly.
"I heard that you recruited 300 state officials and 300 security guards to run rampant in Liaozhou City."
"I don't dare to go, so just go to Liaoshan County Government Office."
Tang Lin interrupted, his tone harsh.
Among the three of them, he is the youngest and Wei Ting is the oldest.
"Yes."
Fang Yuan frowned slightly and said in a deep voice.
"Who is the village chief?"
"Take the two of them to the Liaoshan County Government Office with me, and don't follow the others."
Wei Ting spoke again.
The scene is a witness to Fang Yuan’s enslavement of the people. You can’t miss it.
Naturally, he was pointing at Arei and Gouzi. Both of them were injured and were the most direct witnesses.
"I, I am."
The village chief walked out with his hands raised.
Arei and Gouzi followed him.
"Thank you for your hard work."
Wei Ting nodded and said softly.
The stern face also showed a little gentleness.
"Three censors, please come here!"
Lin Yangbo walked out at the right time and led the way for Wei Ting and others.
Tang Lin nodded and was the first to follow, followed by others.
Not long after, everyone went to the Liaoshan County Government Office, and Du Miaoyan and Wang Yushi also followed.
In fact, many villagers from Sanjia Village also followed, and someone who exposed Fang Yuan on the way was about to be tried by the Supervisory Censor, attracting another group of people.
At this time, the Liaoshan County Government Office could be said to be packed with people, all crowded outside the door.
"Prefect Fang, I and others will try you on behalf of the court. I hope you don't feel aggrieved."
Wei Ting sat at the trial table.
Later on both sides were Li Shuang and Tang Lin, also sitting.
Fang Yuan, on the other hand, stood where he should have been as a prisoner, facing the three censors.
As for the others, except for the person who recorded the meeting, they were all standing outside the patio.
"I am innocent for the time being, and my rank is above everyone else, so I should not stand."
"Zheng Jiu, bring the stool."
Fang Yuan said calmly.
After finishing speaking, Zheng Jiu squeezed in from outside the Yamen.
He looked around the whole place and walked straight to the main register.
"Get up."
Zheng Jiulin spoke coldly.
Seeing that the chief clerk was still stunned, he directly picked him up, moved the stool away, and placed it behind Fang Yuan.
"You...you..."
The chief clerk pointed at Zheng Jiu, his face red with anger.
But seeing Fang Yuan's sullen face and his own county magistrate being silent, he didn't dare to continue talking.
Wei Ting and the other three looked at it, frowning, but didn't say much on the matter.
"Let's get started."
Fang Yuan sat down and said calmly.
"Let's first try the crime of enslaving the people and returning to farming without a bottom line."
"The witness Lin Yangbo."
Wei Ting said loudly.
Outside the patio, Lin Yangbo slowly stepped forward.
Fang Yuan looked indifferent, not surprised by this witness.
"I, the magistrate of Liaoshan County, Lin Yangbo, everything I said in the official hall is true."
"On the sixth day of September in the second year of Zhenguan, Governor Fang summoned the Governor Shi and the magistrates of the three counties to discuss the resumption of farming."
"At the meeting, Governor Fang asked the magistrates of our three counties to resume farming at all costs, even if it means enslaving the people."
"The magistrates of our three counties refused at first, but Governor Fang forced us to suspend our duties again. We can only obey the order obediently. The magistrates of the other two counties can testify about this matter."
Lin Yangbo saluted Wei Ting and others and said slowly.
As soon as the words fell, the people at the Yamen Gate were in an uproar.
Some people in Sanjia Village were talking a lot and blaming Fang Yuan.
"Is what Governor Fang and Magistrate Lin said true?"
Wei Ting looked at Fang Yuan and said in a deep voice.
"Not true."
Fang Yuan shook his head and said calmly.
"Then submit the meeting minutes."
Wei Ting frowned slightly and said in a deep voice.
What Lin Yangbo said may be false.
What Fang Yuan said may be false.
But the meeting minutes can prove who is true and who is false.
"Someone broke into the governor's office last night, injured three state officials, and burned the meeting minutes."
Fang Yuan said in a deep voice.
Sure enough, they all came prepared.
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone at the scene was in an uproar again.
Lin Yangbo sneered and glanced at Fang Yuan from the corner of his eyes.
Du Miaoyan began to worry about Fang Yuan and clenched her hands unconsciously.
Wang Yushi on the side noticed and held Du Miaoyan's fist.
"What a coincidence?"
Wei Ting frowned even deeper.
"What a coincidence that the meeting minutes were burned?"
"Does Governor Fang think I will believe you later?"
Tang Lin interrupted and shouted.
"It's such a coincidence."
"Believe it or not is a matter for three people."
Fang Yuan said in a deep voice.
"Then let's call the witnesses: the head of Sanjia Village, villager A Lei, and villager Gouzi."
Wei Ting pondered for a moment, took a deep look at Fang Yuan, and then called the witness.
If the meeting minutes were burned, it would be impossible to determine whether what Lin Yangbo had verified was true or false. In this case, a third party's testimony would be needed.