The next day, the government office issued a notice, and the prefect Han Tai sat in court to preside over the trial of the Bai family. Feng Congli, the co-prefect, and Sheng Hong, the prefect, served as co-trials.
The government officials put the people who were watching the excitement into the middle gate. This was the intention of the government officials. Every time the announcement was made, the people would be allowed to listen in to show fairness and clarity.
Common people crowded on the platform of the main hall, including those who also came to file a lawsuit, there were about a hundred people.
"Ascending to the Hall!"
With a powerful voice, the procession of the yamen in the hall began. The yamen servants stood in east and west positions, holding water and fire sticks with red tops and black bottoms, and poked them on the ground so that they made a loud sound.
The hundreds of people outside suddenly fell silent, full of fear of authority.
The prefect, Han Tai, wore official robes and walked out with eight-character steps. Tongzhi Feng Congli and Tongpan Sheng Hong followed Han Tai on the left and right, and behind them were their respective masters and a group of subordinate officials.
Han Tai sat under the plaque hanging above the mirror, and Feng Congli and Sheng Hong also took their seats.
The clerk sitting nearby called the roll call, and the plaintiff Gu Tingye, defendant Bai Zhuoyan, Bai Tingyu and his son were all brought to the hall and knelt down.
Han Tai slapped the gavel in his hand and shouted: "Whoever is kneeling in the hall, please tell me your name!"
Gu Tingye and the Bai family father and son each responded truthfully. Gu Tingye was the legitimate son of a marquis, Bai Zhuoyan was an upright local, and Bai Tingyu also had a reputation as a scholar. Han Tai ordered all three of them to stand up and reply.
Feng Congli adhered to the principle of using people's money to eliminate disasters, so he spoke first: "Gu Tingye, for the sake of some money and silk, you are complaining about your child and going against the rules. You should hit twenty big words first to set a warning for others!" p>
When Han Tai and Sheng Hong heard this, they both laughed secretly. Feng Congli's method was really not good enough.
With his status as the legitimate son of Marquis Gu Tingye, Feng Congli couldn't possibly hit him. What he said was just to bully Gu Tingye, who was young and ignorant, and threatened him first, hoping to cause chaos in him.
"My lord has misunderstood, I am not doing it for the Bai family property." Although Gu Tingye's tone was modest, his words were neither humble nor overbearing: "It is indeed against the principles of a young person to complain to an elder. However, I am trying to clear the name of my ancestors and redress their grievances. This is purely
What is the crime of filial piety?"
Feng Congli frowned and said: "Where is the injustice?"
Gu Tingye pointed at the father and son of the Bai family and said sternly: "When my grandfather was seriously ill, these two bribed the clan and isolated the inside and outside. Then news suddenly came out that my grandfather died suddenly due to illness. This matter is extremely suspicious."
, I beg you all for your understanding!"
Gu Tingye's words were loud and upright, making the people watching nod their heads.
Bai Zhuoyan and his son were stunned on the spot. They originally came with the idea of competing with Gu Tingye for the family property, and they were already prepared for a protracted war.
Unexpectedly, Gu Tingye just made a false move and directly accused the two of parricide without mentioning the family property in court!
Whether Mr. Bai's death has anything to do with the Bai family and his son, they themselves know best.
It can even be said that Mr. Bai was pissed to death by their father and son!
When Mr. Bai was on the sick bed, they forced Mr. Bai to write a will and appoint Bai Ting as his successor.
Mr. Bai naturally refuses to obey.
The Bai family father and son became angry and tried every means to torture and force Mr. Bai, at least causing Mr. Bai to die a few months early.
Therefore, when they suddenly heard that Gu Tingye accused them of murdering Mr. Bai, a moment of panic flashed across their faces uncontrollably.
When Gu Tingye spoke, he kept paying attention to the expressions of the Bai family and his son.
Seeing that both of them were pale, as if they had been stabbed in a painful spot, Gu Tingye's heart suddenly skipped a beat.
What happened today was actually Gu Tingye's test of the Bai family and his son after listening to Wei Chen's suggestion.
Wei Chen's idea is very simple. Since the Bai family father and son can murder Gu Tingye for the family property, they can also murder Mr. Bai for the family property.
Of course, this was just Wei Chen's guess and there was no real evidence, so he asked Gu Tingye to deceive the Bai family and his son in the courtroom when they were unprepared.
Now it seems that Wei Chen really guessed it right.
Gu Tingye thought of his grandfather's desolation and helplessness before his death, and felt filled with grief and anger. He immediately knelt down and complained to the three adults in the hall.
"My ancestor died unjustly, and his soul is restless under the Nine Springs. Even if this lawsuit lasts for ten or twenty years, and I spend millions of my family's wealth, I, Gu Tingye, will still defend my ancestor!"
A good fight for childbirth suddenly turned into parricide. The three officials in the hall were a little confused when they heard this.
However, they can sit in this position, and their eyesight is naturally good. Seeing the reactions of the Bai family and his son, they understand that there may be something fishy about Mr. Bai's death.
At this point, even Feng Congli, who had always supported the Bai family and his son, began to waver. If the Bai family and his son were really related to the death of Mr. Bai, then he would not be able to escape the involvement!
Feng Congli's expression changed again and again, but he finally made up his mind and turned to look at Han Tai and Sheng Hong: "My lords, this matter is a big one and it is difficult to make a decision at the moment. How about we retreat to the back hall to discuss it for the time being?
”
Seeing the pleading in Feng Congli's eyes, Han Tai and Sheng Hong looked at each other and already knew what was going on.
"Quit!"
In the back office, Han Tai and Sheng Hong each leaned on high-backed chairs and drank tea calmly.
When Feng Congli saw that they didn't speak a word, he finally lost his temper and said, "You two, according to my opinion, why don't you put the Bai family father and son in prison first, and open the coffin tomorrow for autopsy, and we will know the truth."
"Open the coffin and conduct an autopsy?" Han Tai said with a half-smile but not a smile: "It seems that Mr. Feng is sure that the Bai family and his son are haunted?"
Feng Congli took a deep breath, broke the jar and said: "Now that things have happened, there is nothing to hide. I have indeed accepted the benefits of the Bai family and his son, with a total of 3,500 taels of silver. Ruo Er
Sir, if you are interested, I can hand over this money with both hands now. I just ask you to help me cover it up."
"Master Feng is quite honest."
Of course Han Tai and Sheng Hong understood Feng Congli's thoughts. If it was just an ordinary fight for property, then Feng Congli would have accepted the money and might have spoken for the Bai family and his son. But now the Bai family and his son committed the crime of parricide, and the person who died was still a Yangzhou celebrity. Here
The stakes were too high, so Feng Congli had to act cautiously and put self-preservation first.
Han Tai looked at Feng Congli with a pained face, smiled and said: "Master Feng can keep these more than three thousand taels of silver for himself. Don't worry, Master Feng, I guarantee that no one will say anything outside." p>
Feng Congli raised his head in surprise. Three thousand five hundred taels is a huge sum of money, but Han Tai is not tempted?
Han Tai seemed to understand the doubt in Feng Congli's eyes, and said with deep meaning: "I heard that the second wife of the Bai family is under the influence of Mr. Bai, and although the wealth is not as big as that of the big house, it is no less than one hundred thousand...
”
Feng Congli suddenly realized and smiled with understanding. Han Tai was eyeing the property of the second wife of the Bai family. No wonder he didn't care about his little money!
With the methods of veteran officials like them, as long as they delay the trial of the case and give the Bai family some time to deal with it, they can bankrupt the Bai family and the second wife in a year or two at most.
"What do Shanda people think?"
Feng Congli suddenly remembered something and turned to look at Sheng Hong, who had remained silent. Han Tai's eyes turned and stopped at Sheng Hong.
Sheng Hong smiled slightly, cupped his hands and said, "I will be transferred to Beijing next year, so all matters in Yangzhou will be left to the discretion of these two adults."
Han Tai and Feng Congli looked at each other, smiled, and nodded together.