When such a shocking case occurred in the Ministry of Personnel, Chen Shangshu could not escape the blame, so he came to the Qing Palace in disgrace to plead guilty.
Sheng Hongjun's face seemed to be shrouded in a layer of frost, and the words he spat out were as sharp as a blade: "I trusted Chen Shangshu and handed over the most important officials among the six departments into Chen Aiqing's hands. Is this how Chen Aiqing repaid me?"
Chen Shangshu's mouth was full of bitterness, and he could not even say a word of defense. He kowtowed and apologized: "I have neglected my duty and the supervision was unclear. Please forgive me!"
As a minister, there was no way to defend himself against the scandal of selling an official position and conferring an official position. He had no choice but to step forward and bear the wrath of the emperor first.
Sheng Hong said coldly: "The official department is the head of the six departments, and the administration of officials is the foundation of the court. No one knows the truth better than Chen Shangshu. How can a man in the clan have such courage? This matter must be investigated strictly
Finally, find out everyone involved in the case."
"Chen Shangshu is already old and it is not appropriate to worry too much. For the time being, he should report his illness and go home to rest!"
This means that he is not even going to give him the chance to redeem his merits.
Chen Shangshu's heart felt cold, and he trembled with gratitude and resigned. When he walked outside the palace, Chen Shangshu felt that the sun was dazzling, making him dizzy and his legs felt weak.
Chen Zhan, who had been waiting outside the hall, stepped forward to hold his father's arm.
The father and son had been at odds with each other politically for many years. They had quarreled and turned against each other several times over the matter of establishing the heir apparent. Chen Zhan received countless beatings.
Over the past two years, Aluo's position as Crown Prince has gradually stabilized, and the relationship between father and son has eased slightly. However, there is always a estrangement between the two.
When such a scandal broke out among the officials, the emperor was furious, and it would definitely affect Chen Shangshu. After all, he was his biological father. Chen Zhan knew that his biological father had been summoned to the Yiqing Palace, so he came to wait silently.
Sure enough, Chen Shangshu came out with a pale face and dull eyes.
"Father," Chen Zhan couldn't bear it and whispered, "I will take you back home."
Chen Shangshu looked gloomy. He didn't even have the strength to speak, let alone push his son away, so he just nodded.
Chen Zhan sighed secretly in his heart.
Almost all the important ministers of the third rank and above in the imperial court were veterans of the three dynasties. It was true that they were seasoned officials, but their loyalty to the emperor was questionable.
As the Emperor's closest confidant, he knew exactly what the Emperor was going to do next.
Sheng Hong, who has been sitting on the throne for more than ten years, has planned to gradually replace the important ministers in the court and conduct a real overhaul of the court.
The poor scholar who filed the complaint was a Jinshi from the same discipline as Brother You. If he hadn't followed Brother You's path, how could he have gone to heaven to hear the complaint and brought the complaint to the front of the emperor?
This time, Chen Shangshu encountered a hard nail. It was inevitable that he would suffer a bloody head. It was a blessing to be able to serve safely.
…
Sheng Hongyu was still angry, so he announced the arrival of the Minister of Justice and ordered the Ministry of Justice to investigate the case in the shortest possible time.
The Minister of Punishment didn't even dare to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead, and kept saying yes.
Ah Luo, who had been silent until now, finally spoke: "Father, I have been in the Ministry of Civil Affairs for more than a year. I am familiar with the personnel and it is convenient for investigation. I sincerely ask my father to hand over this case to my son."
Sir, within a month, I will investigate the whole case clearly and present it to my father."
Shangshu of the Ministry of Justice: "..."
The Minister of the Ministry of Justice, who was half bald, couldn't help but glance at A Luo, whose belly was slightly swollen.
Her Royal Highness, the Crown Princess, is pregnant and has not taken good care of her fetus, yet she wants to intervene in the case of the Ministry of Civil Affairs? This is not an easy job! Don't get tired of it.
Although the Minister of Punishment did not say anything, the reminder contained in that glance was obvious.
Sheng Hong also hesitated a little and looked at A Luo: "Can you bear it?"
A Luo's face was calm and cold: "As the prince, I should take care of my father's worries and contribute to the stability of the Qi court. If my father is worried, he will make Qian Shangshu the chief and my son the deputy."
Ah Luo asked for a tassel like this. In front of the Minister of Punishment, Sheng Hong couldn't say more and opened his mouth to agree.
…
The next day, Chen Shangshu submitted a notice announcing his illness.
Qian Shangshu of the Ministry of Punishment officially took over the case and wrote a handwritten letter. The left and right ministers went to the Ministry of Personnel in person and invited all the officials involved in the case to "drink tea" at the Ministry of Punishment.
The punishment is not that of a doctor. Officials of the imperial court can interrogate, but cannot execute people privately. Furthermore, this case has a wide range of implications and has a great impact. Almost everyone in the court, big and small, is watching the case. The Ministry of Punishment is under great pressure.
At this time, we can see the advantage of the Crown Princess being in charge of the Criminal Department.
With the Crown Princess personally supervising the case, no matter how capable the officials involved were, they would not dare to play tricks under the eyes of the Crown Princess. Those who secretly inquired about information, secretly wanted to use money to smoothen the relationship, and even found someone who
The prince or a certain minister in the pavilion who helped to intercede all stopped.
Without many constraints, the investigation will be much smoother.
While "drinking tea and chatting", A Luo was dressed in the crown prince's dress and sat next to Qian Shangshu with a cold expression. She would not open her mouth, but would ask questions, which was particularly sharp.
Since the execution could not be carried out, A Luo ordered people to interrogate him repeatedly. The interrogated officials were not allowed to eat, drink, or sleep. A question was asked three or five times, which was a small amount, and he was asked again without hesitation.
A word that differs from the previous statement is considered a lie.
After a few days, the officials who were invited to "drink tea" at the Ministry of Justice were all exhausted physically and mentally from the questioning. Their minds were not firm, and they began to confess.
As the first person to be accused, Zong Langzhong also received extra "preferential treatment".
Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess personally interrogated.
Zong Langzhong was adamant at first and refused to admit it. A Luo sneered and placed the confessions of the other officials in front of Zong Lang Zhong one by one: "The witnesses are conclusive. Whether you admit it or not, you will not escape death."
"I am asking you personally now to give you the last chance. Tell me honestly where the huge amount of money you earned from selling your official position has gone. Tell the truth and let you die a more pleasant death. Otherwise, it will be the death penalty of Ling Chi."
There was no color on Zong Langzhong's face, and his whole body was trembling.
The same is true for death, beheading takes just a moment. But Ling Chi suffered so much that it took three days to die.
A Luo then said calmly: "You can save the lives of your family members by revealing everything. Otherwise, it will be a disaster of annihilation and confiscation of the family. Whether you want to die alone or take the whole clan with you, it is your choice."
"
"I only give you a stick of incense to think about it."
His long and strong hands took the hourglass on the side. The hourglass was turned upside down and placed lightly on the table.
The sand falls drop by drop.
Zong Langzhong's face turned from pale to deathly pale, and he finally opened his mouth to confess.
The female officer next to A Luo wrote down everything with a flying pen.
A Luo stared at Zong Lang coldly, the anger in his eyes gathering like clouds, and the haze revealed the anger of the approaching storm.
Brother You, who was waiting in the Criminal Department, prayed silently in his heart.
Sister Ah Luo, don’t be so angry that you hurt yourself! Don’t forget that there is still our child in your belly!
