Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 509: Reasonable (asking for monthly ticket)

"Mr. Zhang, the first case has been tried. Which prisoner do you want to interrogate next?" Zhu Ji asked.

Zhang Luan looked at the thick stack of case files and frowned slightly: "Are there many people detained here?"

"Yes."

Zhu Ji nodded and said, "There are indeed quite a few, but most of them are just small fish and shrimps. How about...you first decide on the most popular case involving Liang Fang and Peng Hua?"

Zhang Luan said dissatisfiedly: "Hey, how can you get to the point right away? I'll be thankful that I can sort out the case of Xiaoyu Xiaoxia today... Oh, by the way, who is this person?"

After saying that, he pointed to the file on the surface.

Zhu Ji came forward to take a look and said quickly, "It's Zhang Shanji, the former Imperial Secretary. He was imprisoned just a few days ago."

"Zhang Shanji... Oh, I remember now. He was yelling at me at the court a few days ago, but now he's been imprisoned?"

Zhang Luan asked in surprise, "How come he is involved in the case? Giving gifts to Liang Fang? No way... He denounced me as a traitor before."

Zhu Ji shook his head and said, "Zhang Shanji was not involved in the Liang Fang case, but the Deng Changen case."

Zhang Luan was a little surprised and asked, "Deng Changen? Where is he?"

"He has been sentenced to death, and died in prison a few days ago." Zhu Ji said, "Originally, he was to be executed along with Ji Xiao, Zhao Yuzhi and others, but he couldn't bear the punishment and died suddenly..."

"what!?"

Zhang Luan was stunned. After a while, he stammered, "He...he's dead now?"

Zhu Ji thought Zhang Luan had doubts about Deng Chang'en's death, so he replied cautiously, "Are you going to personally inquire about the case? The body was placed in the morgue in the dungeon, mainly because we were afraid that these alchemists who were skilled in alchemy and evil magic would fake their death... We should be prepared for the worst, so we took special precautions."

When Zhang Luan heard that they would have to perform an autopsy during the trial, he quickly waved his hands and said, "No, no, I don't have the guts to look at a dead body... and after a few days, I'm afraid the body will stink..."

These words made Zhu Ji sigh inwardly.

You are really honest. You dare to say anything in public.

Are you afraid of seeing dead people?

But you dare to kill people?

Why are you acting like a coward when you are in such a high position?
"It turns out that the so-called upright minister who criticized me in the court is also a corrupt and clique-forming villain. How could Zhang Shanji have the nerve to criticize me? Alas, what kind of people are there in this court?"

The more Zhang Luan thought about it, the angrier he became. Finally, he couldn't help but slam the table in front of him. With a "bang", he woke up his eldest son Zhang Heling who was dozing off.

Zhu Ji smiled apologetically and said, "In that case, you must carefully examine this man's case. Do you want me to transfer the more detailed case files, such as the interrogation and signing process, to you for your review?"

Zhang Luan looked at the file and asked, "Aren't they all here?"

"it's not true."

Zhu Ji patiently explained, "The details of the suspect's crime are too complicated, and there are so many people involved. It is impossible to send them all to you... All the files together would take up several boxes. How can I read them all at once? So I will present the final result, the basis for the verdict, the confessions of the people involved, and the witnesses and physical evidence to you."

Zhang Luan nodded thoughtfully: "You mean... Zhang Shanji's case has also been decided, right? What did the three judicial departments decide?"

Zhu Ji was a little dumbfounded, and even more curious... How come you don’t know anything?
Even so, you are here to solve the case under the emperor's order?
You are very irresponsible in your role as an imperial envoy!
Don't you do your homework in advance and get a general idea of ​​what's going on?
Although he thought so in his heart, Zhu Ji smiled flatteringly on the surface and replied respectfully: "The preliminary decision is to exile him to Liaodong."

"It's too cheap for him!"

At this moment, Zhang Heling's voice was heard beside him.

Zhu Ji subconsciously thought that it was Zhang Luan who said this, because in his impression, Zhang Luan was such a straightforward person. He was about to agree with him, but suddenly realized...

Damn it, who is interrupting here?

I almost got into trouble!

Zhang Luan stared at his eldest son, who was wiping his sleepy eyes and still very angry, and frowned and asked, "What do you have to do with this?"

Zhang Heling said, "Dad, was I wrong? How angry did you act before? You can see how much this guy has offended you... Humph, this guy has been against you, and you can't stand him. Now he's finally in your hands. Can you make him feel good? Just sentence him to death and be done with it." After these words came out, the person who was most shocked was Li Hua, who had been sitting next to him in silence.

He was wondering, what was going on?
Is it possible that the Ming Dynasty’s judicial system was so corrupt?
Isn't he just a father-in-law of the emperor? He's not even a Jinshi, but he openly tried the case and even called for killing... Even his son had to jump out to interfere?

If anyone offends him...will there be any good outcome?
Zhang Luan scolded, "You little bastard, just shut up if you don't know the reason! You can scold me, but it won't hinder your father from solving the case! Zhang Shanji didn't do anything against the will of heaven and earth. At most, he fooled the emperor and the ministers in the court, ruined the reputation of the censors, and... made your father look down on him... That's all!

"If we really talk about his crimes, this man is far from being worthy of death... A sentence of exile is a bit too heavy. It would be better to dismiss him from his post and let him return home to reform."

Zhu Ji exclaimed “Oh shit” in his heart.

This father-in-law Zhang may seem a bit unreliable, but judging from the attitude he displays, he is truly a kind and righteous man!

He is able to distinguish between gratitude and grudges clearly, and not bring personal grudges into official affairs. He can distinguish between public and private affairs so clearly. No wonder he can come here to preside over the case.

If it were an ordinary person, upon hearing that his former political enemy had been convicted and sentenced to exile by the judge, it would be good of him not to add insult to injury. How could he possibly forgive him?

"Commander Zhu, is there anything wrong with the way I solve the case?"

Zhang Luan asked again in a questioning tone.

Zhu Ji cupped his hands and said, "No problem, you have the final say... But just like the last case, this matter still needs to be referred to His Majesty for a decision!"

"Yes, it is your Majesty who makes the decision after all. I am just giving my opinion!"

Zhang Luan nodded and said, "However, since your majesty ascended the throne, you have ruled the court with leniency and benevolence. Unless those who disrupt the court order must be put to death, they will be spared if possible, and pardoned if possible, and try to make big things small and small things nothing."

Zhu Ji smiled and said, "Thanks to your broad mind, your majesty's benevolent policy can be carried out."

Zhang Luan waved his hand and said, "Commander Zhu, you don't need to say these flattering words. You should have seen how much knowledge I have. I can't say I'm very good at doing things, but there is one thing... I am a person who is really soft-hearted and soft-handed. Sometimes I am even too soft-hearted.

"Of course, this is not a good thing, but it just happens to be in line with your majesty's philosophy of governing the country with leniency. Perhaps this is why your majesty wants me to solve the case!"

"Yep."

Zhu Ji already regarded Zhang Luan as his immediate superior.

And the boss just needs to coax him.

Whatever you say, as long as I keep in step with you at all times, that's all, isn't it?
Don't even mention that you are calling a horse a deer. Even if you say you are a horse, I still have to flatter you.

"I've disappeared from Zhang Shanji's life, so I dismissed him from his post and sent him back to his hometown..."

Zhang Luan pushed the file in front of him aside and ordered, "Let's move on to the next case!"

Zhu Ji then pointed to a thick pile of files beside him and said, "These are all officials involved in the Liang Fang case. Many of them are currently being held in the imperial prison. Should we release them all?"

"All released? That's not the case."

Zhang Luan tried to dissuade him, "As for someone like Li Jianzheng, I have had dealings with him before and know his character. I can safely vouch for him.

"As for the others...most of them were officials in the past, and many of them only worked in the Buddhist and Taoist Registries. I have never seen them. I have no idea what they have done, whether they have bullied men or women, so why are you in such a hurry to release them?"

When Li Hua heard this, he was moved.

It turns out that having met someone before is such an important thing!
Not only was his death sentence spared, but it might even be a blessing in disguise as he found a great backer!

What a pity! If I had stood firmly with you at the beginning, I would not only not have to bear the responsibility, but I could even continue to be the director of the Imperial Observatory.

Why did I feel that Ni Yue, a civil official, was so trustworthy and I followed him with all my strength? But I ended up pitting myself in the blink of an eye!
Zhang Luan said: "In this way, each person's situation is different, but those who were previously sentenced to death will be exempted from death. Then we will see whether the case is exile, dismissal from office, or imprisonment. Finally, if it is a prison sentence, then caning will be imposed. If it was originally sentenced to caning, then... confiscation of property will be the end of the matter.

"Commander Zhu, my arrangement may be a bit vague. You can decide the details. Just hand me all the lists in the next two days."

…………

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(End of this chapter)