Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World

In fact, given his political acumen, if he were to step in now, he could barely maintain the situation.

But since the plan has already failed, why take the initiative to get involved and end up in an embarrassing situation?

Of course, he didn't actually lose completely.

He's someone who'll retire sooner or later; this is just a temporary struggle for him.

Whether it's a complete defeat or not remains to be seen in the battle between the two kings!

A temporary win or loss is nothing.

At the same time, Han Zhang smiled with satisfaction.

The initial outcome of this political struggle has already been determined.

Neither he nor Liu Hang participated in the competition.

If he doesn't step down, Liu Hang can't step down either, otherwise it would be an admission of guilt!

The Chuigong Hall, which had been arguing heatedly and shouting reprimands just moments before, fell silent for a full thirty or forty breaths.

The officials were astonished, and even the emperor was watching closely!

After a long while, Zhao Zhen came to his senses and looked at the two men calmly: "Feng Yuan, Chen Ting, Jiang Qing insists that you two take back what you said. Will you take it back or not?"

By this time, seven-tenths of his anger had subsided.

The moment the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief jumped out, he already knew most of the news.

If Chen Ting's decision to step forward might be due to loyalty, then the decision of Feng Yuan, a second-rank official and Right Vice Censor-in-Chief, carries a completely different significance.

Since both of them tried to drag Jiang Zhao into the mess, it means that Jiang Zhao was the one who was attacked.

Just as Jiang Zhao said, he had been an official for "less than a month," so where would he have any enemies?

He's nothing more than a political enemy!

As for why Liu Hang didn't participate, it was simply to lose in a more dignified way.

He believed that Liu Hang would also have the awareness of a loser.

The next step was to determine whether the matter was related to the two kings.

"I will never take it back!"

"I will not take it back!"

"Your Majesty, what happened today is unprecedented not only in our Great Zhou Dynasty since the founding emperor, but also in all dynasties!"

This Jiang Zichuan is clearly a smooth talker and a treacherous villain disguised as a loyal subject. I hope Your Majesty will not be deceived by the people behind him.

"That Huang Jing must be arrested immediately, and this Jiang Zichuan must also be arrested immediately. Everyone connected to Huang Jing must be arrested, and everyone connected to Jiang Zichuan must also be arrested. Without exception, they must all be investigated!" Feng Yuan said sternly.

Judging from his words and deeds, without exception, he always put the emperor first, and was truly a loyal minister.

"If everyone is investigating, then who will be investigating?" Zhao Zhen asked.

"I am willing to investigate!" Feng Yuan said immediately.

Zhao Zhen remained noncommittal, then looked at Jiang Zhao: "What does Minister Jiang have to say?"

Jiang Zhao looked at the two men with a mocking expression and slowly said, "I believe that heroes should investigate heroes, and good men should investigate good men."

"Oh?" Zhao Zhen placed his hands on the imperial desk and nodded: "That's right, let heroes investigate heroes, let good men investigate good men."

"Didn't you say you were my accomplice? I will neither admit it nor deny it."

Zhao Zhen truly cherished the talent of this young man.

"In that case, you go, Li Qi goes, one to the Censorate, one to the Ministry of Justice, one to the Court of Judicial Review, and one to the Imperial Guard."

"Investigate thoroughly into Huang Jing's backers and accomplices!"

After speaking, Zhao Zhen waved his hand.

"Let's leave the court!"

"The court session is over—"

Chapter 45 Trial (4k)

Ministry of Punishment.

noon.

Three zhang of vermilion lacquer seemed to flutter in the air, and two rows of armored imperial guards stood solemnly with their guns at their sides.

The vermilion plaque, over ten feet tall, bears the four large characters "明正典刑" (meaning "Upright and just punishment"), inspiring a sense of solemnity and a feeling of utmost composure.

"Bring the prisoner in!" A stern shout echoed throughout the courtroom.

The sound of chains clanging could be heard.

A short while later, Huang Jing, panting heavily and covered in sweat, crawled into the Ministry of Justice's courtroom.

The iron chain was as thick as a wrist and was so heavy that prisoners had to crawl to get into the courtroom.

"Snapped!"

In the courtroom, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice slammed his gavel down and shouted, "Do you know your crime?"

Huang Jingwei lowered his head and breathed heavily, without answering.

The road from the imperial prison to the Ministry of Justice is too long!

"Humph!"

"Huang Jing, you have committed treason and disobedience. The Emperor takes this matter very seriously and has ordered several officials to thoroughly investigate this case. If the officials have any questions for you later, you must tell them the truth and not lie!"

After speaking, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice stood up and pointed to a purple-robed official on his left: "This is Minister of Justice Ouyang Xiu."

He then pointed to a purple-clad eunuch on his right: "This is Eunuch Li Qi, the Grand Master of Ceremonies."

The Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice looked at the second seat on the left and continued to introduce, "This is Lord Feng Yuan, the Right Censor-in-Chief."

"This is Lord Huang Sheng, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review."

"This is General Rong Xian, the Deputy Commander of the Palace Guard."

"This is Jiang Zhao, a compiler in the Hanlin Academy."

These judges were all handpicked by the emperor, and the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice introduced them one by one.

Ouyang Xiu, Minister of Justice, was a second-rank official.

Li Qi, a eunuch, was the head of the palace officials.

Feng Yuan, Right Vice Censor-in-Chief, is a second-rank official.

Huang Sheng, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, is a third-rank official.

Rong Xian, the deputy commander of the Palace Guard, is the younger brother of Consort Rong.

Jiang Zhao, a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, was a newly appointed top scholar, holding the rank of sixth grade.

Huang Jing looked at each of them, finally gazing at Jiang Zhao for a long time, his heart sinking.

He was unaware of what was happening in the temple.

However, Jiang Zhao took the congratulatory letter from him and presented it to the emperor.

Logically speaking, Jiang Zhao should be punished!

If all else fails, at least he should be demoted, right?

No matter what, it's not his place to preside over the case, is it?

How did Jiang Zhao become one of the judges?

Huang Jing struggled to look away, only one thought in his mind:

Could it be that Lord Liu has been defeated?

How can it be? !

In fact, from the moment he submitted his congratulatory memorial, he was already prepared to be questioned and interrogated.

If someone submits a memorial containing disobedient words, the emperor will surely be furious and will question and punish them.

However, none of this matters.

The law does not apply to officials and scholars. At most, the judges can only subject them to appropriate mental torture. No one would dare to do anything physically, as there are Liu Xiangong's men watching them from the outside!

Since the body is not tormented, then both demotion and dismissal are acceptable outcomes.

Once this matter is over, merchants will naturally offer him money, property, and business, and both of his sons will pass the imperial examinations and become Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), ensuring a life of wealth and prosperity.

Advising against the establishment of an heir aligns with the expectations of the common people and might even earn one a reputation for "loyal and upright advice."

In a few years, when His Highness the Prince of Yan ascends the throne, he will have rendered meritorious service in supporting the emperor. Even if his official career is not guaranteed, he should at least be able to obtain a fourth-rank official position.

It's just a temporary, patient investment; there's no loss at all!

As a result, it's possible that Prime Minister Liu might actually lose?

Huang Jing panicked and quickly asked, "Jiang Xiuzhuan is only a sixth-rank official. Why is he allowed to be ranked alongside you gentlemen and judge cases together?"

As he spoke, Huang Jing looked at the group, his heart filled with both anticipation and fear.

"River"

Right Vice Censor-in-Chief Feng Yuan was about to speak when Jiang Zhao interrupted him, glancing at him indifferently: "When did it become a prisoner's turn to be questioned?"

"As for why someone of the mere sixth rank like Jiang is here to judge this case, it is naturally because the deeds of the people behind you have been exposed. The Emperor is good at distinguishing between loyalty and treachery, so he specially sent me to judge this case."

Huang Jing's mind was in turmoil, and he could no longer fake his facial expressions. Jiang Zhao saw through his thoughts at a glance.

Lost?

Huang Jing's heart sank. He glanced at Feng Yuan, the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief, but received no response. A chill ran through him.

"Next, we will proceed with the trial. You must confess the truth!"

Jiang Zhao glanced at Huang Jing indifferently, his attitude extremely firm.

Fortunately, he was skilled enough to successfully defend himself; otherwise, this guy could have killed him.

Since he had the opportunity to try the case, his decision not to resort to private punishment was simply because he was abiding by the rules of officialdom and was kind-hearted!

At the same time, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice looked at the group of people.

In this trial, he was just a tool; how the trial should proceed was up to these few people.

Or rather, Jiang Zhao and Feng Yuan were in charge.

The remaining officials, such as Ouyang Xiu, Minister of Justice, and Huang Sheng, Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review, were both professional judges, but they certainly wouldn't actively get involved in the political struggle between the Han and Liu factions.

Li Qi, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, was the emperor's eyes and ears, mainly to ensure that there was no foul play in the trial process.

Rong Xian, the deputy commander of the Palace Guard, was a military officer who presided over cases. In reality, his role was similar: to ensure that there were no shady dealings during the trials and to simply go through the motions.

Only Jiang Zhao, a compiler of the Hanlin Academy, and Feng Yuan, the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief, were the main figures in this political struggle at court.

"You used the guise of a congratulatory message to conceal your malicious intentions. The message you wrote was a treasonous statement, like a mad dog barking at the sun. From the highest officials to the cabinet, the six ministries, the ninth rank, and even all the civil and military officials, everyone was filled with righteous indignation and found it extremely difficult to understand."

"Let me ask you, who instructed you to submit those disobedient words, or were you simply driven mad by greed to gain fame?" Jiang Zhao asked.

The moment you leave, it's a multiple-choice question.

Huang Jing's expression changed slightly.

To say that you were acting under someone's orders is absolutely unacceptable.

If one were to seek fame directly, one would be utterly disgraced.

"Speak!" Jiang Zhao said coldly.

Huang Jing swallowed hard: "I am wholeheartedly devoted to the people, how could I be acting under someone's orders?"

He shook his head repeatedly: "The Emperor has no son, and this is not something that will happen overnight. If the monarch has no son, the country and the state will be in turmoil."

"Shut up!" Jiang Zhao interrupted him directly, not giving him a chance to talk nonsense.

The authorities wanted Huang Jing to confess.

"If he was not acting under someone's orders, then he was using this as an excuse to gain fame."