The prince is more stable

Chapter 530: Seconded for Interrogation
As the influence and public opinion generated by the case became increasingly serious, the emperor and his ministers in the Bianjing court became restless.

Zhao Xu was anxious, and Zhang Dun was also anxious.

Perhaps Zhang Dun did not necessarily stand on Zhao Xiaoqian's side psychologically, but he was even more unwilling to stand on the side of Liu Xianzhen and others. He knew what Liu Xianzhen and others had done, and as a prime minister, he had to be very careful about his reputation, so of course he could not favor Liu Xianzhen.

On the contrary, Zhang Dun intended to cut the Gordian knot and end the case by any means necessary to calm public opinion and get everything back on track. Otherwise, if the scandal became known to the world, it would not be a glorious thing for the emperor and the prime minister.

As Xing Shu had been frequently slapped in the face by Zhao Xiaoqian, psychologically speaking, he was even more unwilling to stand on Zhao Xiaoqian's side. To be precise, the hatred between Xing Shu and Zhao Xiaoqian was much greater than that between him and Liu Xianzhen and others.

However, when he saw Zhang Dun's attitude with his own eyes, Xing Shu vaguely understood something.

This time, no matter how reluctant he was, he would probably have to help Zhao Xiaoqian once, because Xing Shu could see that Zhang Dun wanted to help Zhao Xiaoqian.

What else could he do? He couldn't go against his own boss just because of a personal grudge, could he? Zhang Dun's attitude had already determined Xing Shu's attitude.

He was just very curious. Zhang Dun and Zhao Xiaoqian had never gotten along before, so why was he helping Zhao Xiaoqian this time?

The look of impatience in condemning Liu Xianzhen was truly rare, as if Zhang Xianggong had accepted bribes from the Chu Palace...

"Mr. Zhang, if you want to obtain confessions from Liu Xianzhen and the others, you must use extraordinary means. These means should not be made public. There are not many experts in the Three Judicial Departments who are good at using these means..."

Xing Shu paused, then lowered his voice and said, "I suggest that we borrow an expert from another government office to investigate the case."

Zhang Dun frowned: "Where will they be borrowed from?"

"I know a master called 'Liu Shan'. He is the eunuch chief of the Imperial City's Ice and Well Affairs Department and a subordinate of Hejian County Prince Zhao Xiaoqian. He is extremely skilled in torture. No prisoner falls into his hands without a confession. He will confess to any crime he asks him to..."

Zhang Dun's face suddenly darkened and he shouted angrily, "What nonsense! You're the Minister of Justice, how dare you say such a disregard for the law? What do you mean by 'confess to any crime I'm told'? We officials are governed by our unwavering integrity. Black is black, white is white. How can you force a confession out of someone and try to accuse them of something?"

Xing Shu was surprised by the calm and steady words. He quickly bowed and apologized, saying that he had spoken out of turn.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Dun paused, then slowly said, "However, the Imperial City Department is directly under the government. When the Three Law Departments are unable to cope, it is reasonable to borrow personnel from the Imperial City Department..."

"This case is deeply fraught with problems. The involvement of another government agency isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's called 'hearing both sides leads to a clearer understanding.' It can also silence the world's gossip. Don't accuse us, the three judicial departments, of closing our doors and deciding the case on our own, of being incomplete."

Having said that, Zhang Dun stopped talking and just glanced at Xing Shu lightly.

Xing Shu immediately understood and was filled with admiration.

How could he become the prime minister? Whether he speaks human words or lies, it's still you. It's obviously the same meaning, but when it comes out of his mouth, it sounds so correct and upright.

The art of language!

"I will immediately, in the name of the Three Law Departments, send an urgent letter to Wei Jie, the official in charge of the Imperial City Department, requesting the transfer of Liu Dan." Xing Shu then added sensibly, "Of course, everything will be done above board, without any pretext."

Zhang Dun's expression relaxed slightly, and he hummed inaudibly.

Half an hour later, Liu Dan, dressed in a crimson official robe, walked lightly into the inner hall of the Dali Temple with the eunuch's characteristic small steps.

Liu Shan greets everyone he meets, always smiling, like a compassionate Maitreya Buddha, with a respectful smile on his face when he meets everyone.

However, this smiling face made officials such as Xing Shu feel cold in their hearts, and even Zhang Dun frowned. Although this guy's smile was so warm and bright, Zhang Dun felt a strong discomfort from the bottom of his heart.

It felt like being wrapped around by a python, with its scarlet tongue constantly licking my entire body. The feeling was so creepy.

Liu Dan's name was well-known in the imperial court. The Imperial City's Ice Well Department was notorious, and most of the credit went to Liu Dan.

For the criminal officials who fell into his hands, let alone wishing for good fortune, even if they could leave their bodies intact, it would be considered as the blessing of their ancestors' connections in the afterlife.

Entering the inner hall, Liu Dan saluted Zhang Dun and the heads of the three judicial departments respectively, still with that fawning look on his face.

Zhang Dun, acting like a prime minister, remained silent. Xing Shu filled in as the mouthpiece, pointing to Liu Xianzhen, Chen Huan, Qiao Rongzhi, and the others kneeling in the hall. He sighed and said, "It's a shame that Governor Liu has gone all the way here in person. The suspect is so stubborn and refuses to speak. The case can't be settled, and the emperor is getting anxious..."

After a pause, Xing Shu added more emphatically, "The Prince of Hejian is still imprisoned in the Dali Temple. If these suspects do not confess, His Highness will likely have to endure several more days of imprisonment."

Xing Shu deliberately mentioned Zhao Xiaoqian, and Liu Dan's expression indeed became a little serious. A fierce look flashed in his eyes, and then he smiled even more brightly.

"Leave it to me, haha, I'll take care of everything. Lord Zhang and the superiors, please give me some time, um, about half an hour... Ah, I spoke out of turn, let's be conservative and say an hour."

"In one hour, I will take care of them confessing their crimes. However, I am still a little confused about what they need to explain. I would like to ask Lord Zhang and the other superiors for guidance."

Zhang Dun still didn't say anything, and Xing Shu had handed over a stack of confessions at the right time. These were the confessions written by Han Wei and others before they were beheaded.

The higher-ups explained clearly how they were instructed by powerful people like Liu Xianzhen to seize land and harm farmers.

What Liu Dan has to do now is to confirm the confessions of Han Wei and others, and make Liu Xianzhen and others confess everything in the confessions.

Liu Dan took the confession, glanced at it lightly, and immediately smiled: "I understand. You all sit in the hall. I will give you an explanation in an hour. You won't be disappointed." After that, Liu Dan turned around and looked at Liu Xianzhen and others with a smile on his face. He kept looking at them, as if he was studying which organ to start with.

The vicious and sinister look made Liu Xianzhen and others' hair stand on end and filled with extreme fear.

Liu Dan's name was well-known in the court, and Liu Xianzhen and others had naturally heard of it.

During the court hearing today, I didn't expect Zhang Dun to be so unethical as to loan Liu Shan here.

If we were to be manipulated by this hermaphrodite, how would everyone survive?

"Mr. Zhang, how dare you torture scholars and officials? I don't admit it! Even if I confess under torture, I will not admit it!" Liu Xianzhen roared like a madman.

Zhang Dun ignored him and just slowly closed his eyes to rest.

The other three judicial officials ignored him and stared at the documents on the table in a daze, as if immersed in a wonderful and exquisite article.

However, Liu Dan smiled at Liu Xianzhen and bowed politely, just like the etiquette between martial arts masters before a fight.

"Is Liu Xian, the Vice Minister of State Affairs, really? Your servant, Liu Shan, has the honor of serving as the Chief Eunuch of the Imperial City's Ice and Well Affairs Department. From now on, I will challenge you to a duel."

"Come here, please invite the superiors into the prison so that I can have a private chat with them."

…………

Dali Temple Prison.

The smell in the cell was still unpleasant, and a foul stench was everywhere.

The cell where Zhao Xiaoqian lived had been cleaned several times, but he still felt uncomfortable. Liang Zhui, the Dali Temple Secretary, served him diligently all day, but Zhao Xiaoqian did not even smile at him. Instead, he looked unhappy and kept cursing.

Liang Zhui didn't dare to argue with him. Although he was a prisoner, he knew better that he couldn't be a prisoner for the rest of his life. Letting him stay in the Dali Temple prison for a few days was already a great respect.

This morning, Liang Zhui had heard the news that the emperor was willing to let the prince go as soon as possible and the case should be concluded as soon as possible.

Because starting today, the public opinion in the entire Bianjing City is about to drown the emperor and his ministers in the court. If the case is not closed, it will probably be even more difficult to end.

It is said that at this moment, the Prime Minister Zhang Dun was in the inner hall of the Dali Temple, interrogating Liu Xianzhen and others together with the three judicial officials.

If Liu Xianzhen and others pleaded guilty, the case of Zhao Xiaoqian's arbitrary killing of a criminal official would be revived, and the nature of the case would be changed from arbitrary killing of an official to a procedural error, thus reducing a major matter to a minor one.

With such great favor from the emperor, how could Liang Zhui dare to show disrespect to this special prisoner?
The prison had been replaced with brand new bedding, and there was also a low table and a futon inside. These were all brand new items sent from the Chu Palace. They had all been scented, but the fragrance mixed with the stench of the prison, making the smell even worse.

Zhao Xiaoqian sat cross-legged on the futon, slowly wiping his greasy mouth and saying slowly, "Today's braised drunken duck at Juxianlou was a little lacking in flavor. It was mainly because it was delivered late. Although it was still hot, it lacked some of the aroma of the wok. It was really disappointing!"

Liang Zhui's expression froze for a moment, but he still said attentively, "Your Highness, please forgive me. The messengers below have brought it here as quickly as possible without any delay. It's really... Juxian Tower is on West Street, so it's a bit far away."

Zhao Xiaoqian waved his hand. "It's pointless to ignore your explanation. If it tastes bad, it tastes bad. I don't care what your reason is. Tonight I want to eat the red lotus deer jerky from Zuixianlou next to Daxiangguo Temple. Please arrange for the chef from Zuixianlou to come over and prepare it right in front of me."

Liang Zhui was stunned. He invited the chef to the Dali Temple prison to cook for the prisoners in front of him...Brother, what are you thinking? How can you live like this?

During all these years that I have been the Dali Temple Secretary, I never dared to dream of such luxury!

Zhao Xiaoqian glanced out of the corner of his eye and asked, "Is there a problem?"

Liang Zhui came back to his senses and said hurriedly, "No problem, I will make all the arrangements for Your Highness. You can just wait to eat the freshly cooked red lotus deer jerky."

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded with satisfaction. Oh, that's right. I was sent to jail for getting rid of a bad guy for the people. I suffered such a great injustice. Can't I enjoy myself now?

After dinner, I chatted with Liang Zhui, which seemed to help digest the food. Just as we were enjoying the conversation, we heard a noisy sound of footsteps outside the prison door.

The footsteps were accompanied by a few angry roars, and Zhao Xiaoqian felt that the voices sounded strangely familiar.

Not long after, a shrill scream like a pig being slaughtered suddenly came from the other end of the prison.

Zhao Xiaoqian was stunned, then frowned and looked at Liang Zhui with dissatisfaction.

"Did I set any rules when I came in?"

Liang Zhui said apologetically: "Uh..."

"Didn't I tell you that I like quiet and don't want to hear any noise? I have no right to interfere with you interrogating prisoners in the Dali Temple. Can we go to another place?"

Liang Zhui immediately said, "I will go and inquire about the situation and report to Your Highness shortly."

(End of this chapter)