Chapter 153: Recommend Talents
I say it again, it’s not that I didn’t hear clearly, but I just want to confirm again.
Zhao Duan was familiar with this. He remembered that he was in this pavilion last time, and the person sitting in his position at that time was Yuan Li.
He was only qualified to stand aside and serve them tea and water.
But this time, it is me who is sitting here.
"As you command..." He took his time and repeated the exact words.
This time, the empress confirmed it.
She pursed her lips, and because of the emperor's instinct to hide his emotions, he subconsciously restrained all external emotions.
But the surprises in my heart cannot be faked.
"The eunuch who just returned to the palace never mentioned this matter."
She calmed down, fished out the missing chess piece from the chess box again, and held it in her palm.
It seems to gain some sense of control.
Zhao Duan said:
"Because the father-in-law left early. In fact, if it weren't for a coincidence, the evidence I was waiting for would have arrived, and I wouldn't be able to do it today."
Xu Zhenguan said: "I want to know the cause and effect."
Zhao Duan had already prepared the draft, not to mention he had already spoken it out in court.
He immediately narrated it, starting from the descendants of the Xue family at the beginning, until he unexpectedly faced Zhou Cheng who was investigating him reversely due to the person "Wang Shan", and then simply followed the trend and completed this set of combos in one fell swoop. Kill Zhou Cheng off his horse.
The story was very long, and the empress listened very attentively.
When she was listening to the story, her crystal ears would tilt forward slightly, her eyes unblinking.
Occasionally interrupt suddenly to ask for details.
In fact, the two of them even played chess alternately without any delay.
"That's probably what happened,"
After a long time, Zhao Duan finished his story:
"My two colleagues worked very hard on this matter, and Mr. Yuan contributed a lot. Without them, I would never be able to do this with just one minister."
He didn't even forget to ask for credit together. It was all muscle instinct developed from writing manuscripts in his previous life.
It's actually like this... It's actually possible to be like this... It's actually possible to be like this...
Xu Zhenguan's heart was filled with thousands of thoughts.
There was both surprise at Zhao Duan's methods and anger at Zhou Cheng's crimes back then.
At first, when she gave the order to Zhao Duan, she said she was looking for evidence of crime.
But he never expected that such a big old case would be involved.
Not only did he not expect that Zhao Duan would start from this angle, build a plank road, and trick Zhou Cheng into this situation.
After all, who would have thought that his initiative to go to jail was still a "game within a game"?
Not to mention Zhou Cheng, even though she knew the situation in advance, she thought that the "Su Hongyu" case was already a trap set by Zhao Duan in order to complete the task.
This trap was already very good and enough to satisfy her.
But until now, when everything was revealed, she realized that she thought Zhao Duan was on the third floor, but he was actually on the fifth floor...
Su Hongyu's case was just a feint to cover up the real killing move...
All I can say is that Zhou Cheng did not lose unjustly!
In addition, she never thought that the "Nine Ministers" who were responsible for judicial justice and the ministers of the late emperor Tuogu would dare to commit such a major case of bullying!
If Xu Zhenguan started to deal with Zhou Cheng, it was entirely out of political needs, and he still felt a little guilty for this minister who cared about his fate.
So now, after learning what Zhou Cheng had committed back then, there was only anger.
"What a brave bitch! What a hideaway!"
Xu Zhenguan could not hide her anger, her face was covered with frost. She stood up as if she were in the Golden Palace:
"Such a traitor has managed to survive until now, leaving Xue Lin and other officials unjust for ten years after their death!"
When the people in the nearby palace saw this, they shivered in fear. They didn't know why the emperor was angry.
"Your Majesty, please calm down," Zhao Duan stood up and advised: "The late Emperor was deceived by Wang Zhen in the past, which is why this wrongful conviction occurred. Your Majesty, you have only ascended the throne not long ago, and you have not noticed the true face of a person like Zhou Cheng. It is not surprising. ”
His words were still too euphemistic. In fact, the old emperor was simply stupid and mediocre.
When he was in power, he relied on eunuchs, and his power was diluted by the cabinet headed by Li Yanfu, who allowed the eight princes to become bigger.
After his death, his two sons went to pieces and killed each other... Even if the daughter ascended the throne, she would still be left with a mess...
Absolutely amazing.
"No need to say more, Qing Zhao," the empress shook her head, suppressed her anger, and said with murderous intent:
"You did a good job this time. Since Zhou Cheng has been captured, Duke Yuan must have rushed to the palace by now.
If Xue Lin's case is revealed, the implications will not be small... Humph, in my opinion, what works first and what works below works, I'm afraid Dali Temple is rotten from top to bottom, and they should be arrested and investigated! "
Zhao Duan thought for a while and suddenly said:
"I think it's not that there are no good officials in Dali Temple. For example, there is a judge named Lu Zhi, who seems to be pretty good."
Xu Zhen looked at him and said unexpectedly: "That little official who once submitted a memorial to impeach you? I remember that last time you arrested fifty-eight people, he was the only one who didn't bribe you."
The implication: Isn’t this your enemy?
Hey, do you pay so much attention to me? I know all the details... Zhao Duan smiled and said:
"Don't avoid relatives when promoting talents. Since he is an upright and upright official, he should not be involved."
"Even if I have a grudge against you?"
"Oh, I still have some tolerance for others."
Xu Zhenguan didn't say a word, and the expression she looked at him with her beautiful eyes became more and more different, as if she was looking at him with admiration again: "I know. You stay in the palace first, and wait until I finish handling these things, and then... call You speak."
As he said this, Xu thought of the scene when Zhao Duan was left in the palace last time and the two of them were at Tangquan Palace for the Silver Needle Initiation.
When the empress turned back, a flash of blush seemed to flash across her fair cheeks.
…
…
Just as Zhao Duan entered the palace, he was full of expectations, waiting for the empress to summon him again.
Regarding the results of the joint trial of the three departments, ripples spread throughout the capital. Zhao family.
"Madam, Miss, we can't enter the Dali Temple Yamen at all. Not to mention entering, as long as we get close, we will be driven away. Didn't the female officer surnamed Qian say that after the interrogation is over, she will come home to deliver a message."
In the inner courtyard, the old housekeeper tried his best to stop the mistress who wanted to go out.
Nearby, other servants of the Zhao family gathered here, looking sad and the atmosphere depressing.
Over the past few days, Eugene Hua became much more haggard.
His eyes were bloodshot, which was a sign of insomnia all day long.
Next to her, Zhao Pan, who was supporting her, seemed to have lost some weight in his sharp jaw.
The girl also had a gloomy face, and there was deep worry in her autumn-like eyes. At this time, she also advised: "Mom, the steward is right. If there is any progress, eldest brother's subordinates will definitely come to report the news."
Eugene Flower's bloodless lips murmured: "But my mother is really worried. What if something happens to your eldest brother..."
There were tears in the beautiful woman's eyes, and her expression was sad.
A few days ago, after learning that Zhao Duan was arrested, Eugene Hua mustered up the courage to go to Zhaoya Lihuatang.
But they only learned that Zhao Duan would not be tortured in prison.
As for whether it can come out and what the result will be, no one knows.
As rumors spread, the public opinion trend became increasingly unfavorable. Eugene spent the whole day crying at home, Zhao Pan was also depressed, and the entire Zhao family was panicked.
"Mom, no, he was fine last time, and he will definitely turn his luck into good luck this time."
What Zhao Pan was talking about was during the Zhuang Xiaocheng case. The girl took out the sachets sewn by her mother and daughter from her arms, and forced a smile: "It must be okay. All the gifts we gave him have been returned." without……"
At this time, the sound of horse hooves was heard outside the door of the house, and the family hurriedly raised their heads. Eugene Hua could not wait, so she took her daughter and trotted towards the door.
He saw Qian Kerou dismounting from his horse, with a smile on his round face. Without waiting for the mother and daughter to ask, she announced the good news:
"Mr. Zhao has been cleared of all charges. He was framed and now he is acquitted!"
Eugene Hua's beautiful eyes widened: "Seriously?"
Zhao Pan's breath tightened, and the girl's whole body became brighter.
Qian Kerou said with a smile: "Of course, not only that, your Excellency also backhandedly sued the Minister of Dali Temple who framed him. Now everyone is talking about it outside."
The servants of the Zhao family looked at each other, clearing away the gloom.
…
…
In Dongcheng, there is an alley with a big willow tree.
The private school only lasted for half a day today, and the children dispersed at noon.
"Miss, the car is ready. Let's leave the city now."
Uncle Fu locked the door and said to Xue Xuan who was sitting in the courtyard.
Today she did not wear a female scholar's robe, but changed into a white skirt. In the bamboo baskets at her feet were prepared incense candles and paper money.
The down-and-out young lady, who was full of bookishness, weak and thin-skinned, hugged a wine jar and returned to reality from her distraction.
After saying "Yes", he and Uncle Fu went out and got into the donkey cart, heading out of the city.
Today is Xue Lin’s memorial day.
It was also the memorial day for the orthodox year's innocent souls who went to the execution ground of Qiuzhan thirteen years ago.
"Miss, I heard this morning that today seems to be the day that Zhao Duan will be tried."
Uncle Fu suddenly said while driving the donkey cart.
Xue Xuan was dressed in filial piety, holding a wine jar and sitting on a cart.
——A carriage with a carriage is an expensive thing, so she can only borrow a donkey-pulled cart from a neighbor to get out of the city and go to the tomb in the suburbs.
She was really nervous for a long time after Zhao Duan came to the door that day, but within two days, she learned that Zhao Duan was in prison.
The person presiding over the trial seems to be the same Zhou Cheng who framed and unjustly killed his father.
Until now, Xue Xuan still didn't understand why Zhao Duan came to ask those things.
But I vaguely felt that there was some secret connection with his imprisonment.
Maybe it's those dirty court struggles... Xue Xuan thought.
Perhaps it was because they were all jointly interrogated by the three divisions and presided over by Zhou Cheng... She felt a little sympathy for Zhao Duan who was like a devil and threatened her with the life of her child.
Of course, it was just a trace. Xue Xuan only had disgust and fear for Zhao Duan, a notorious traitor and bully.
"It's said outside that Zhao Duan will not survive. If this happens, he won't trouble the young lady again." Uncle Fu waved his whip and gently whipped the little donkey.
Xue Xuan held the wine jar and whispered:
"Uncle Fu, do you think his so-called crime of raping and killing a woman is true or false?"
Uncle Fu said in surprise: "Miss, you don't think it's true? But it's been said outside that it has a nose and eyes."
Xue Xuan shook his head and said: "I don't know either. With that person's bad reputation, it shouldn't be unusual for him to do something like this, but... the chief judge is Zhou Cheng, so I can't tell."
Uncle Fu was silent, knowing that she was thinking of the unjust case back then, and sighed softly.
This was a topic he had tried his best to avoid mentioning over the years, after all, it had happened so many years ago.
A few days ago, Zhao Duan came to ask, and there was still a glimmer of hope in his heart, thinking that maybe this old injustice case would be rectified one day.
But now...that Zhao Jisi can't protect himself, so that's all...
"Drive!" Uncle Fu waved his whip.
Suddenly, a group of official officials were seen swarming in the distance on the street. The two leaders looked very familiar.
The other party went straight to the donkey cart and forced the master and servant to stop. Then, under the nervous and frightened eyes of Xue Xuan and Fu Bo.
Haitang stepped forward, passed Zhang Han, and said to them with a smile: "We meet again, well, Zhao Jisi asked me to pay you a favor for him."
(End of chapter)