Chapter 150 Seven days to collect evidence, ten days to kill people, Zhao Duan's heart-breaking words
How to explain?
Zhou Cheng's face is extremely ugly, but in the final analysis he is a veteran who has been in the officialdom for many years.
From the dialogue in the painting, although it can be seen that he is inducing, there is no proof.
In other words, every sentence he said during the conversation was fine if taken individually, and it was also reasonable to question Wang Shan's initial statement.
Instead, Wang Shan changed his rhetoric himself.
The so-called "art of speaking" refers to every tribal statement, but the meaning behind it is entirely up to the people below to guess.
Zhao Duan could accuse him of deliberately inducing hints.
But on the other hand, Zhou Cheng could also argue that his questions were just routine and reasonable questions.
At this moment, Zhou Cheng was extremely grateful that his caution had given him room to move.
Therefore, Zhou Cheng did not respond to Yuan Li's inquiry. He turned to look down at the hall with a straight face:
"If I remember correctly, there are rules in this dynasty. Priests of the Tianshi Mansion are strictly prohibited from intervening in any affairs of the court unless invited by the imperial court. Priest Jin Jian is a disciple of the Tianshi Mansion, so he should know this."
Zhao Duan was surprised.
Up to this point, Lao Deng was still trying to find trouble with him based on the source of the evidence.
Do you think the scroll hammer won't kill him?
Jin Jian was startled, as if he didn't expect that there was something of his own.
Glancing at the latter, he lied without blushing and said: "I didn't record this scroll. This priest just sent it here."
Nice job... Zhao Duan nodded in approval. Although this girl looks dull, she still has enough IQ.
"Zhou Cheng!"
In the jury box, Ma Yan slapped the case with his thick-knuckled palms, stood up suddenly, and said coldly: "Zhao Duan's evidence has been given, and now it's your turn.
I conspired with Wang Shan and directed this drama. Oh, you don’t have to admit it, but I will report today’s incident to Your Majesty truthfully! This matter is not over yet. "
Zhou Cheng said nothing, as if he was thinking about how to respond.
But by this time, the trial against Zhao Duan was obviously over.
The Minister of Punishment glanced at Yuan Li, stood up, and said:
"Since there is new evidence in this case, in accordance with the regulations, the relevant criminals are detained pending retrial."
Zhou Cheng did not stop him this time.
Everyone also knows that the so-called "retrial" will no longer exist.
Just waiting for Ma Yan to deliver the news to the palace to clarify the misunderstanding.
It is conceivable that the empress will issue an order to release Zhao Duan.
As for the accusation against Zhou Cheng, it was not that fast.
After all, he is one of the Nine Qings, the Minister of Gu Ming. At least for now, Zhou Cheng is still the chief judge.
The officials stood up one after another, and everyone outside the hall was also preparing to leave.
However, just when everyone thought that today's drama was over.
Outside the gate of Dali Temple, there was suddenly the sound of horse hooves thundering!
People turned around in surprise and looked around one after another. Zhao Duan and everyone in the hall also raised their heads.
I saw two sturdy military horses arriving at almost the same time. Two figures dismounted and broke into the crowd regardless of the obstruction of the subordinates guarding the door. Wrapped in the cold wind outside the capital, they barged into the crowd.
"Zhang Han? Haitang?"
At this moment, many people present recognized the two inspectors from Zhao Yamen.
"Why are they back? Didn't they just go out to handle the case a few days ago?" Some insiders were surprised.
Ma Yan also raised his eyebrows and suddenly looked at Zhao Duan with a hint of suspicion.
"Zhao Jisi!?"
As soon as the two warriors broke into the lobby, they didn't seem to understand the situation. Seeing that he was wearing prison clothes, they felt anxious.
Haitang's expression changed, and she didn't understand why such changes occurred after only a few days away from Beijing.
Zhang Han was calmer. Octavia noticed something was wrong in the atmosphere and said in a deep voice:
"Haitang and I have just returned to the city. We heard at the gate of the city that today's trial of the three divisions will be held, so we came here."
Zhao Duan didn't care about this. The first question he asked was:
"Is this trip going well?"
Haitang and Zhang Han understood and nodded at the same time.
Zhao Duan smiled.
There was a bit of emotion in the smile.
Although according to the distance calculation, the two of them should come back, but such a coincidence that they arrived at this courthouse seemed like God's will.
"Could it be that those innocent souls who died thirteen years ago are also silently helping?"
Zhao Duan couldn't help but daydream, thinking, since the stage has been set up and the east wind has arrived, it would be better to choose a different day than to hit the sun.
"I'm fine." Zhao Duan explained to the two of them first.
Then he turned around and looked directly at the god-like Minister of Dali Temple sitting above the tall "public case" with cold eyes:
"It's your turn to do something."
Then, without waiting for Zhou Cheng to react, Zhao Duan said loudly:
"My lords, please sit down for a moment. Today, the chiefs of the three law departments are here. I am bold and want to submit a petition."
"Complaint? Who do you want to sue?" Shangshu of the Ministry of Punishment frowned and said: "Let me tell you the official words first. If what you say is that you want to sue Zhou Tingwei for framing you..."
Zhao Duan shook his head:
"The person I am suing is indeed Zhou Cheng. But he is not framed against me. Thirteen years ago, Zhou Cheng collaborated with Wang Shan, the former governor of the imperial court, Wang Zhen, and others to persecute loyal people, bring trouble to the court, and frame and unjustly kill people. The case of Dali Temple Shaoqing Xue Lin and dozens of officials!”
Sound like thunder!
When he said these words, the onlookers who were about to leave the venue all stopped in shock, suspecting that they had heard wrongly. Any reversal?
"Xue Lin? Who is that?" Qian Kerou and others were confused.
Zheng Laojiu's eyes flashed in retrospect: "That was more than ten years ago..."
Many elderly officials were touched and remembered this past incident.
In the high hall.
Yuan Li, who considered himself a "spectator" today, had a smile in his eyes and turned to look at Zhou Cheng.
But when the sixty-year-old man heard the word "Xue Lin", his crimson official robe subconsciously trembled, and his pupils suddenly narrowed.
Then the skin trembled and suddenly changed color:
"Thief, since you dare to slander me, here comes..."
"Master Zhou," the Minister of Punishment suddenly held his hand and said in a deep voice: "This is the court."
Then, after Pei Kaizhi's fall, this "imperialist" minister who no longer had any constraints on his actions looked at Zhao Duan and said calmly:
"Zhao Jisi, you should know that it is a serious crime to falsely accuse a third-grade official without proof. Are you sure you want to say more?"
"Thank you, Lord Shangshu, for reminding me," Zhao Duan just said thanks.
The Minister of Punishment sighed, knowing that after today, the court might be shaken again.
Without Zhou Cheng to stop him, Zhao Duan walked slowly, but slowly, and told a story: "As you all know, my imperial office has the responsibility of supervising all officials for misconduct. What a coincidence. , since the last conflict, Zhou Tingwei secretly checked me, and I also checked Master Zhou..."
Then, he began to tell how he asked two colleagues to help him. Starting from the lost files, he searched for Xue Lin's descendants and learned the truth about the past from Xue Xuan.
During the process, he concealed that he was assigned by the empress, and only said that he wanted to investigate
This is very reasonable. After all, the stereotype that Zhao Jun will retaliate, and anyone who offends him will be retaliated has already been deeply rooted in. People's hearts.
And when he repeated the truth from Xue Xuan's mouth, a commotion broke out outside the hall.
Wang Shan's originally pale complexion was almost transparent.
"What nonsense!"
Zhou Cheng angrily sneered: "The daughter of a mere criminal officer is naturally dissatisfied with the verdict, hates her own officer, fabricates lies and frames, and tries to overturn the late emperor's verdict. How ridiculous is it? If this can be considered as evidence of guilt, wouldn't it be a slippery slope for the world? Daji?"
You see, he is anxious... Zhao Duan chuckled: "Zhou Cheng, don't use 'the late emperor' to pressure me. The late emperor is naturally a wise man, but he was deceived by some treacherous ministers. As for what you want. Of course I have the evidence."
At this moment, although one of them was in the high hall and the other was in the lower hall.
But in terms of momentum, it was reversed.
Zhao Duan talked eloquently:
"After the three of us learned of the confession, we wanted to investigate, but many files were lost. In desperation, we had to go to the Metropolitan Procuratorate to find Mr. Yuan. Fortunately, Mr. Yuan generously helped and was willing to seek justice for the wronged souls of thirteen years ago.
In this way, we obtained many old documents scattered everywhere and the location of the person in charge. "
As soon as these words came out, everyone looked at the doctor in Tsing Yi in shock, who always looked like he was "watching the excitement".
Zhou Cheng turned his head blankly and stared at Yuan Li:
"It's you..."
"..." Yuan Li looked indifferent, glanced at Zhao Duan meaningfully, and smiled: "Since it is an old case handled by the Metropolitan Procuratorate in the past, it is my duty to do it easily."
Mr. Yuan is gone!
The crowd almost exploded. Zhao Duan’s story just now did not make people aware of its serious nature.
But Yuan Li's entrance virtually increased the weight of Zhao Duan's words.
Some people are even beginning to wonder, is this another big move by a big shot in the court?
Zhao Duan’s narration continues:
"Then, two of my colleagues stayed up all night and finally found the key evidence. In order to avoid alerting the enemy, they used the cover of going out to handle the case and went to collect the evidence."
At this time, Haitang and Zhang Han looked at each other, responded, and briefly described their process of finding witnesses.
Due to the long gap, the evidence collection process for the two of them had some twists and turns, but fortunately, those who can sit in the position of prosecutor are not ordinary people.
Despite obstacles, success was achieved.
"I have relevant files that were lost back then that are available for inspection."
Zhang Han took out a cloth parcel from his arms, thought about it, and handed it to Ma Yan.
Haitang also took out a few pieces of paper from his pocket and said:
"I have found a few witnesses. They are still behind and are being protected by my subordinates. They will not be able to enter Beijing until later. But they have all written their confessions and signed them."
Ma Yan Harvest Evidence
"As for this person, he was a key criminal in a case that year. I went to arrest him and bring him to justice that day, but I encountered Zhou Cheng and this person conspiring loudly. The relevant evidence, oh, your Lordships have just seen it."
Didn't you arrest him to protect yourself? How is it...
In the jury box, Qingpao Yushi Zhongcheng He was about to speak.
The next second, he suddenly realized that maybe, from then on, they had been fooled and misled by Zhao Thief, thus ignoring the knife that the other party secretly stabbed.
The plank road is built openly and the warehouse is secretly built.
There is no such allusion in this world, but Zhao Duan's methods coincide with it.
Seven days to collect evidence, ten days to kill.
The joint trial of the three divisions that Zhou Cheng prepared for Zhao Duan has now become his own public trial.
"All relevant physical evidence and witnesses are available for inspection by the Third Division."
Zhao Duan was wearing prison uniform and looked up at Zhou Cheng who was sitting slumped on the "presiding seat" high up in the distance. The corners of his mouth were raised and he spoke with heart-wrenching words:
"Zhou Cheng, can you plead guilty?!"
Zhou Cheng didn't say a word, his face pale.
A brief moment of silence.
Immediately, the whole court was boiling.
Thanks to Zhuge Xinyu for the 100 reading coin reward!
(End of this chapter)