Of course, Fang Dunru and Yan Zhengsheng were not fools. In this case, they actually had an agenda. They didn't know that it was quite difficult to convict the prince of obstructing hostility against the new law. Maybe it was difficult.
It will be counterproductive. But compared to the benefits it brings, this is exactly the great opportunity they need.
First, the current situation of the reform seems to be good, but in fact it is difficult to move after entering the critical period. The biggest obstacle to the implementation of the "Servant Law" is that the collection of service money has encountered unanimous resistance from officials and wealthy families. This
This is also the reason why the two of them were eager to find a breakthrough. In Hangzhou, Kang Zizhen was looking for a breakthrough with Liang Wang Guo Bing, but in fact, throughout the Zhou Dynasty, senior officials and branches of the royal family were also the targets of new law implementation officials who were eager to break through.
If the dam is broken at one point, it can have a decisive impact on the overall situation. As long as the dam breaks at one point, it can be broken down one by one, completing the final attack on the mercenary law.
Therefore, under the current circumstances, it is an excellent opportunity to raise the profile of Guo Bing's murder of Kang Zizhen and classify it as a crime against the new law. If he can be convicted, it will have the power of knocking on the mountain and shocking the tiger. Let's give it a wake-up call.
Those who stubbornly resisted and waited and watched knew in their hearts that even Prince Liang could not withstand the power of the reform, let alone them. In this sense, if the conviction is successful, this matter will be a decisive turning point in the new law and will push the implementation of the new law forward.
He took a big step forward. Although losing Kang Zizhen was a sad loss, if his death could bring such a result, it would be considered a well-deserved death.
Secondly, this move can test the emperor's bottom line. Although the turmoil in the court caused by the uproar about the new law at the beginning of the year has subsided, Wu Chunlai's "Ten Sins", which led the impeachment, is still in my ears. The impeachment report
The charges are now posted on the wall of the Ordinance Office. Yan Zhengsheng and Fang Dunru read it every day to remind themselves of the power of the anti-reform faction in the DPRK. But that is not what they are worried about. What they are worried about is actually
The emperor's final attitude on that matter.
On the surface, the emperor firmly defended the reformists in that matter, but he still issued an order and appointed Wu Chunlai as deputy prime minister. Anyone with a discerning eye can see that this is a balancing act. This may be the way of emperors to govern people.
, or perhaps it was the best choice the emperor could make under the circumstances. But in the eyes of Yan Zhengsheng and Fang Dunru, what they felt was a fluctuation in the emperor's heart. What if the emperor unswervingly implemented the new law?
If these people are allowed to slander the new law, how can they be promoted to slanderers to calm the situation? The emperor should be as resolute as himself. Reform is inherently either/or, right or wrong. There can be no both.
His statement is both right and wrong. Therefore, what the emperor thinks in his heart is very important.
This case can be used as a touchstone to explore the emperor's heart.
Third, the reform aimed at "riching the country and strengthening the army" is about to enter the second stage. Several new laws on military reforms are being drafted. There is no doubt that the second stage of reforms involving the Zhou army will face greater challenges.
Difficult, because the people involved will be some people with heavy military power and real power. The difficulty and shock caused by it can be imagined. If the case of King Liang can be dealt with decisively, show determination and powerful means, and show the majesty of the reformists,
It will undoubtedly be the best start for the second phase of the implementation of the new law.
No one as dignified as the prince of Zhou can stop the torrent of reform. Those who plan to resist the obstruction should pinch themselves to see if they can block the trend and dare to challenge the reformists and the emperor.
In a sense, the case of Guo Bing drowning and killing Kang Zizhen will become a touchstone and a weather vane, which will make those who are wavering firm in their beliefs and let those who are trying to resist and resist understand that the general trend is unstoppable, which will give fuel to the entire reform.
function.
Kang Zizhen's death is indeed a loss, but a blessing in disguise is a blessing in disguise. Bad things can also turn into good things under the control of thoughtful people.
However, although this case is of great significance, Fang Dunru is still more cautious when it comes to the specific facts of the case. The big hat is not just put on the head, it needs the support of evidence. Although it is a fact that Kang Zizhen was killed, it is hard to say
It is somewhat unjustifiable that Kang Zizhen was killed to obstruct the implementation of the new law. Some of the previous remarks made by Liang Wang Guo Bing can also be used as evidence, but after all, they are only one of the evidences. To convict, more and more detailed evidence is needed.
The task force needs to find out more evidence.
In addition to dispatching personnel to Hangzhou immediately to investigate, Fang Dunru naturally placed the breakthrough point on Lin Jue. Lin Jue was on the scene when the case occurred. Lin Jue was the prince's son-in-law, so he must know something unknown.
As long as Lin Jue speaks and testifies, it will be the most favorable evidence.
It was precisely based on this consideration that Fang Dunru went incognito to see Lin Jue that afternoon, hoping to persuade Lin Jue to stand on his side and testify against Prince Liang. I have to say that Fang Dunru is actually so stupid that he is cute sometimes.
, he himself did not recognize his relatives, and sometimes he thought that others were the same as him. He seemed to have forgotten his unfeeling towards Lin Jue. For an ordinary person, this idea would have been given up long ago, but he went anyway. He also acted like a smart person.
He used some tricks to seduce Lin Jue, using his past friendship and the feelings of Master Fang Huanqiu as trump cards. Of course, he didn't get the result he wanted, and Lin Jue decisively rejected him. This made him extremely angry and disappointed.
.
Since being soft was not enough, Fang Dunru decided to be tough. He wanted Lin Jue to understand that he must cooperate with him. Otherwise, he would have no way out. He had to pry Lin Jue's mouth open, because this was the most difficult situation at present.
Direct and effective method.
Lin Jue's figure finally appeared in front of the central hall of the Yushitai. Several officials who had been waiting anxiously finally breathed a sigh of relief and sat up straight, showing their majesty as interrogators.
Fang Dunru silently looked at Lin Jue who walked down the hall. He found that Lin Jue was not wearing an official uniform or official hat, only a green shirt, just like the one he saw in the back hill of Songshan Academy. Suddenly
Fang Dunru felt a trace of emotion. Things have changed, and time has passed by. People are still the same people, but their hearts are no longer the same. Sometimes things in this world are really unclear and unclear.
"Your Majesty, Lin Jue, has met you all." Lin Jue stood in the hall and bowed.
Several officials handed over their hands one after another. Although their expressions were stern, Lin Jue was an official after all, so he couldn't be rude. Fang Dunru, however, didn't even bow his head and looked at Lin Jue with a frown.
"Student Lin Jue pays homage to Mr. Lin Jue." Lin Jue thought alone and gave Fang Dunru a deep bow.
"Sir Lin, I am Censor Zhongcheng, the judge of the Criminal Court, and the director of the Ordinance Department Fang Dunru. You can call me Sir. I am not the gentleman you say, and I don't have a student like you. I understand.
Huh?" Fang Dunru said slowly.
Lin Jue smiled awkwardly and said: "I understand, I understand. I have met Mr. Fang."
Fang Dunru nodded and said: "Very good. Does Mr. Lin know where this place is?"
Lin Jue smiled and said: "Of course I know, this is the lobby of Yushitai."
"Well, you're right in the lobby of Yushitai. This is a place dedicated to interrogating criminal officials. Then you should also understand why I called you here today." Fang Dunru said.
Lin Jue nodded and said: "I know a little bit about this. Is it about the case of Prince Liang's manslaughter of Magistrate Kang? Do you want me to state what I heard?"
Fang Dunru shouted coldly: "Mr. Lin, I correct you for a slip of the tongue. It is about the case of Liang Wang Guo Bing deliberately drowning Kang Zizhen, the prefect of Hangzhou. It is not a manslaughter."
Lin Jue smiled and said, "Has your Excellency verified that the murder was intentional? Has Prince Liang confessed?"
Fang Dunru said: "That's not true."
Lin Jue said: "Then how can it be said that it was a deliberate drowning? As far as I know, Prince Liang claimed that it was manslaughter. There is no evidence to prove it, how can it be said that he was a deliberate murder?"
"Lin Jue! Let me remind you that I have asked you to inquire today, not to make excuses. You must pay attention to your identity. There are officials here, including Pei Shaoqing of Dali Temple, and Guo Shilang of the Ministry of Punishment. This
This is the lobby where the three halls gather together, not a stage for you to bicker and behave. Put away your cleverness, otherwise, I will make you understand the majesty of this hall." Fang Dunru shouted coldly.
"Mighty!" More than a dozen yamen servants suddenly shouted "Mighty" and struck the ground with their killing sticks, making a roaring sound, which startled Lin Jue.
Lin Jueben was a sensible person. He didn't want to be beaten with a stick, so he hurriedly raised his hands and said: "Okay, okay, I won't talk any more. Sirs, just ask whatever you want. I will tell you everything I know."
All."
"Hmph! That's pretty much it." Fang Dunru snorted coldly and curled his lips in satisfaction. He and Lin Jue just couldn't talk nonsense. It would be much better to be direct. A stick is more effective than a mouth.
"I would like to ask you, were you present when Prince Liang drowned Kang Zizhen in Hangzhou that day?" Fang Dunru asked in a deep voice.
The two masters in the corner began to write down this inquiry with their pens flying and writing like a dragon and a snake.
"Here!" Lin Jue said simply.
"Is it true that Prince Liang drowned Kang Zizhen?"
"No." One word popped out of Lin Jue's mouth.
"What are you doing? Why don't you reply?" Fang Dunru scolded angrily.
Lin Jue spread his hands and said: "My lord is really difficult to serve. It's not good if I say too much, and it's not good if I say too little. What do you want me to do? In this way, lord, let me say a few words at a time, okay?"
? It’s better for you, the lower-ranking officer, to do as you are told. Otherwise, your Excellency, you will have to scare me by teaching others to shout “powerful”.”
"You!" Fang Dunru pointed at Lin Jue and shouted angrily.
"Pfft." Someone laughed. Fang Dunru looked angrily and saw the Minister of Punishment, Guo Shilang, coughing and covering his mouth with a cloth.
"You need to answer my questions clearly. If you continue to mess around, I won't be polite." Fang Dunru shouted angrily.
Lin Jue frowned and said: "Master Fang, I dare to ask. Has the official committed a crime now? Are you here for questioning or for questioning? Why do you think Mr. Fang is treating me as a criminal?
