Lai Junchen hurried to Five Phoenixes Brothel and saw Wu Zetian.
Lai Junchen saw that Wu Zetian was calm and unruffled, as if she was completely unaware of the sudden arrest of the three Prime Ministers outside the Meridian Gate.
That kind of calmness and calmness made Lai Junchen feel a sense of submission and awe from the bottom of his heart. That's right, this high and mighty old lady was a female Emperor. There had never been a female Emperor in the history of Yan Huang. However, in Lai Junchen's eyes, he had never seen her as a woman.
He found it strange that some seemingly wise and intelligent officials did not approve of the Emperor just because she was a woman. Lai Junchen had never been troubled in this aspect. He did not think that there was anything wrong with a woman being the Emperor. Could it be that the sky would collapse?
He only knew that this woman was the most powerful person in the world. He, Lai Junchen, was originally a prisoner. Today, he could turn countless nobles and ministers into his prisoners. This power came from this incredible woman. Therefore, he deeply respected this woman.
Lai Junchen entered Five Phoenixes Brothel. Lifting his robe, he knelt on the ground and respectfully kowtowed once. In a clear voice, he said: "This subject Lai Junchen kowtows in salute to Your Majesty!"
The officials of the Tang dynasty did not need to kneel at every turn. Even in the most solemn and sacred hall, they had their own seats. The officials and the Emperor could sit and discuss politics. Only Lai Junchen would respectfully kneel in salute every time he saw the Emperor.
The first time he met this Empress, she was still the Empress Dowager, and he was a newly released prisoner. At that time, he was in awe and reverence, kneeling in salute. From then on, he became an Imperial Censor until today, when he became the Left Minister of the Imperial Censor. From then until now, whether it was the Empress Dowager or the current Emperor, he would always kneel in salute.
Usually, Wu Zetian didn't care much about this kind of solemn etiquette. Every time she saw him solemnly salute, she would laugh and say a few words to him. But this time, Wu Zetian didn't say anything.
Three Prime Ministers and several powerful civil and military officials had participated in the rebellion. If she had not luckily intercepted the secret letter that these people had sent to the Crown Prince's palace, it was very likely that a few days later, in the middle of the night, the ministers who had suddenly rebelled would have seized her country and imprisoned her in the Cold Palace. This still made her somewhat afraid.
At this moment, looking at Lai Junchen, who was so respectful that it was as if he had seen a god, Wu Zetian felt somewhat comforted in her heart. There were still loyal subjects after all.
Thus, Wu Zetian's tone softened, which was rare for her. "Minister Lai, there are court officials plotting a rebellion. Last night, they sent a letter to the Crown Prince's palace, agreeing that in three days, they would rebel and force Zhen to abdicate the throne, and support the Crown Prince to restore Li Tang's glory. We have already captured some people. We will hand them over to you! "
"This subject obeys Your Majesty!"
Lai Junchen, who was kneeling on the ground, immediately kowtowed heavily. His face was full of sincerity, but his heart was wild with joy. He liked to torture people, and he especially liked to torture those important officials who were originally in high positions and had hundreds of promises. He liked to see these powerful and influential people cry bitterly under his torture rack, screaming miserably, and begging for forgiveness without any dignity. When he thought of this, he felt his blood boil.
Wu Zetian said, "We want you to investigate clearly. Most importantly, if the rebellion is true, how many people are their accomplices?"
Wu Zetian leaned forward slightly and said in a serious tone, "This matter is of utmost importance! We do not want to live in fear every day. We do not want to have a rebel army break into our palace and force Zhen to abdicate while we are asleep! "
Lai Junchen kowtowed again and solemnly said, "This subject obeys Your Majesty. This subject will definitely uncover all the accomplices of the rebel party, so that Your Majesty can sleep in peace and our Great Zhou Dynasty will be as stable as Mount Tai!"
Wu Zetian said in a deep voice, "Better in vain than in leniency!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Wu Zetian waved her hand, and Lai Junchen kowtowed again. He stood up and retreated step by step with his back bowed. He only turned and left when he was out of the hall.
Wu Zetian looked at Lai Junchen's departing figure and was lost in thought for a while. She said with shame, "There are always people who want to betray Zhen! Di Renjie, Ren Zhigu, and these people were only lowly officials back then. They were cultivated by Zhen. It was Zhen who raised them from lowly status to noble status. They were dressed in scarlet and held high positions. Who would have thought that they would want to seize Zhen's country just after they have grown their wings! "
Shanghai Wan'er cautiously said, "Everyone, the truth has not been ascertained yet. Let's wait for the Deputy Premier to interrogate them first!"
Wu Zetian shook her head and said bitterly, "How can it be false? All these years, the officials have rebelled again and again. When have we not obtained evidence from them? They don't like women becoming Emperors, no matter how well We treat them! Just like Di Renjie, Zhen respects him as a friend. We call him Elder of the Nation and show great respect … "
Wu Zetian suddenly choked with sobs.
Shanghai Wan'er bowed slightly, not knowing how to comfort this heartbroken empress.
At this time, Wu Youji walked into Five Phoenixes Brothel in a full military uniform. Although this Princess Taiping's son-in-law had been indulging in wine and women, his foundation was not bad. In front of Wu Zetian, he did not dare to show any signs of laziness or laziness. Thus, he looked very valiant.
Seeing Wu Zetian, Wu Youji immediately saluted with his arms crossed, reporting solemnly, "Your Majesty, Left Jade Seal Guard General Zhang Qianxun, Fengchen Guard General Di Guangyuan, and other traitors have been arrested. This subject, Wu Youji, is here to report on Your Majesty's decree!"
Wu Zetian happily said, "Bring them to the Censorate Hall immediately and hand them over to Left Deputy Premier Lai Junchen!"
Wu Youji replied, "Yes, Your Majesty!"
Hearing that the traitors' accomplices have been arrested, Wu Zetian's expression relaxed a lot. She extended her hand to Shanghai Wan'er, saying, "Wan'er, accompany Zhen back to Martial Achievement Hall!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Shanghai Wan'er quickly stepped forward and supported Wu Zetian's arm. She felt that the empress's arm was especially weak today.
Walking down from Five Phoenixes Brothel, Shanghai Wan'er saw Yang Fan dressed neatly with a sword strapped to his ribs. Yang Fan also saw her.
Their eyes met, and Shangguan Wan 'er shook her head imperceptibly in the face of Yang Fan's questioning look. She glanced at the Empress, and then gave Yang Fan a look. Yang Fan understood tacitly, and knew that this was not the time to ask, so he nodded and quietly retreated to the side.
… …
When Lai Junchen returned to the Censorate Hall, he heard that the officials arrested at the Meridian Gate had arrived. He excitedly ordered the court to begin. He could not wait any longer.
After Di Renjie, Pei Xingben, Ren Zhigu, and the others were arrested, they already knew their crimes. They were still trying to guess who framed them. Was it the cornered Wu Chengsi or Wu Sansi, the last hope to become the Crown Prince? When they were brought to the Censorate Hall, they immediately knew that the situation was not good.
The Censorate Hall was a prison that belonged to the Censorate Hall. Those who entered this door would not survive. Thus, the officials called it the 'Gate of the End', meaning that once one entered this door, it would be the end. Now that they were brought here, it seemed that they did not even have a chance to defend themselves in front of the Emperor.
Soon, they were brought to the main hall. Lai Junchen looked at them eagerly. It was as if he was a wanderer who had been away from his hometown for many years and saw his blood brothers. Or a pauper who had been single for eight lifetimes and suddenly married a beautiful wife. Seeing his eager and greedy eyes, the officials felt a chill in their hearts. They had fallen into the hands of this madman and lost their power!
Lai Junchen sat behind the trial platform and saw the officials being brought to the main hall. He smiled proudly and ordered, "Guards! Verify their identities! "
Magistrate Wang Deshou brought along two officials with him and asked for the names of each person. He then turned around and reported, "Reporting to the Middle Minister, six people have been brought here and verified!" Assistant Minister Ji, Assistant Minister of Land Affairs, Di Renjie, Assistant Minister of Land Affairs, Ren Zhigu, Pei Xingben, Minister of Agriculture, Pei Xuanli, Left Minister Lu Xian, and Middle Minister Wei Yuanzhong.
Lai Junchen slammed the gavel on the table and shouted, "Come! Strip them of their clothes and make them kneel in front of the court for trial! "
"Wait!"
The Middle Minister of the Imperial Censor, Wei Yuanzhong, could not bear it any longer and shouted, "Lai Junchen, according to the rules of our court, the officials cannot be stripped of their clothes before the verdict is decided. You dare to break the rules of our court!"
Lai Junchen was the Left Minister of the Imperial Censor, while Wei Yuanzhong was the Right Minister of the Imperial Censor. One of them was responsible for supervising the officials in the capital, while the other was responsible for supervising the officials in the various prefectures and counties. They were of the same rank and were colleagues. However, the two usually did not have much contact and did not see eye to eye with each other.
Hearing Wei Yuanzhong's words, Lai Junchen laughed and said disdainfully, "Do I need you to teach me these rules? However, when this official investigates a case, there has never been a case that cannot be decided! May I ask, in this court, who dares to not plead guilty? "
Lai Junchen stared coldly at Wei Yuanzhong and waved his hand. Immediately, a large group of yamen runners carried dozens of strangely shaped and bloodstained torture devices into the main hall.
Lai Junchen slowly stood up from his seat and shouted sternly, "By imperial edict, I am here to investigate the treason case. The evidence of your crimes is conclusive and irrefutable. Confess obediently and you will be spared physical pain. Otherwise, this official would like to see which of your flesh and blood can withstand the torture of this official's instruments of torture! "
Wei Yuanzhong's temperament was old and ginger. He could not tolerate such threats. His beard and hair flew up in anger and he shouted loudly, "This old man is innocent and not guilty of confessing! Lai Junchen, you scoundrel, are you trying to force a confession out of me? "
Lai Junchen laughed sinisterly, "Whether guilty or not will only be known after the trial. Guards …"
"Wait!"
Di Renjie suddenly took a step forward and stopped Lai Junchen from giving the order. He slowly turned around and stared meaningfully at the other six people who were escorted into the main hall. He then turned back to Lai Junchen and said, "The Great Zhou Revolution brought about a new era. The old officials of the Tang Dynasty were willing to be executed.
Lai Junchen blinked and said in shock, "Di Renjie, you … confess?"
Di Renjie nodded and said in a deep voice, "That's right! I confess! "
Wei Yuanzhong, Lu Xian, and the others all looked at Di Renjie in shock. Ren Zhigu and Pei Xingben thought for a moment and vaguely understood Di Renjie's intentions.
"Uh … good! Good! A wise man submits to circumstances. Grandmaster Di is truly a hero of his generation! "
Lai Junchen laughed awkwardly and turned to Ren Zhigu. He asked with a smile, "Ren Zhigu, do you confess?"
Ren Zhigu hesitated and also said, "I confess!"
Lai Junchen was overjoyed. The officials of the imperial court feared him for his ferocious reputation. As soon as he flashed his tools of torture, they would obediently confess without waiting for torture. But this was the first time he had seen even the Prime Minister so frightened that he obediently allowed himself to be manipulated without waiting for torture. Lai Junchen excitedly turned to Pei Xingben and asked, "Pei Gong, what do you say?"
Pei Xingben looked deeply at Di Renjie and cupped his hands. "The Great Zhou Revolution brought about a new era. The old officials of the Tang Dynasty were willing to be executed."
Lai Junchen laughed and said, "Good! It's good that you all confess! Since the three Prime Ministers have confessed, then I will not go too far! Ahem, have their confessions been recorded? "
The scribe who had been scribbling at the table hurriedly wrote down the last few words and looked up at Lai Junchen. "Yes! Your humble servant has noted it down. "
Lai Junchen said, "Good! Have them sign it. Take them back to the prison and interrogate them later! "
The officials signed and were taken to the prison. Imperial Censor Hou Sizhi was Lai Junchen's confidant. Seeing the officials being taken away, he asked in confusion, "Deputy Prime Minister! It's rare for them to confess so readily. Why don't we strike while the iron is hot and interrogate their accomplices instead of ending it so hastily? "
Lai Junchen smiled darkly and said, "Idiot! Do you think that old fox Di Renjie is so easy to deal with? He is willing to confess because he knows that my methods of torture are powerful and doesn't want to suffer for no reason. Moreover, he probably hopes that I will see him confess and relax my supervision so that he can find an opportunity to save himself. I will not give him this opportunity! It is enough with this handwritten first trial record. "
Hou Sizhi said, "There is more to Di Renjie's confession than meets the eye. He said something like 'The Great Zhou Revolution, the reform of the world, the old Tang officials are willing to be executed'. This is clearly saying that the Great Zhou Revolution was established and the Tang officials were wiped out, implying that Di Renjie was wronged for no reason. Then, he said something like rebellion was true. With His Majesty's shrewdness, won't he be suspicious?"
Lai Junchen laughed and patted his shoulder. "Not bad, Old Hou. You are very shrewd! This old fox is probably planning this. Hmph, how can I let him do as he wishes! Erase this sentence from the confession and leave only the sentence 'the reverse is the truth'! "
Hou Sizhi said, "This, the reverse is the truth? How did they rebel and how did they plan to force the Emperor to abdicate? When and where the plan was made? Who participated in it? If we don't explain these things clearly and get a detailed confession, I'm afraid we won't be able to explain it to His Majesty! "
Lai Junchen said, "Di Renjie, Ren Zhigu, and Pei Xingben are all Prime Ministers. Their positions of power are too high, so we can't easily use heavy punishment. If we don't use heavy punishment, based on their experience in the bureaucracy for most of their lives, I'm afraid we won't be able to make them submit easily. If we push them too hard and they retract their statements, I won't even be able to say that I'm telling the truth. Let's first put these difficult bones aside and start with Wei Zhigu, Pei Xuanli, and Lu Xian. "
Hou Sizhi said happily, "You are wise. I understand!"
Lai Junchen said with a smile, "You will be in charge of interrogating that old fellow Wei Yuanzhong!"
Hou Sizhi said, "Yes!"
Lai Junchen then said to Magistrate Wang Deshou, "Keep a close eye on those three old fellows, especially Di Renjie. Back then, he was the chief official of the Supreme Court. Now, his old subordinates have spread out and are spread all over the various prisons. There might be some of his old subordinates in the Imperial Censorate. Keep a close eye on them and don't let him use them to spread the news and collude with outsiders to retract their confessions! "
Wang Deshou hurriedly said, "Yes!"
Lai Junchen instructed and waved his hand to dismiss them, leaving only his trusted guard Suizhong behind. He said, "Suizhong, go and interrogate Lu Xian. If he doesn't confess, use torture on him. Make sure to pry open his mouth and confess their accomplices. At the same time, ask him to help me bring two people in. "
Wei Suizhong hurriedly pricked up his ears. Lai Junchen said, "These two people, one is Secretary Junior Supervisor Li Xun. My residence is a little small, and on the right is River Yi, so there's no way to expand it. His residence is right next to mine and doesn't look bad."
Wei Suizhong smiled knowingly and asked, "What about the other one?"
Lai Junchen lightly licked his lips and slowly said, "Do you remember that Yang Fan I asked you to investigate?"
A cold light flashed in Wei Suizhong's eyes. He bowed and said, "I understand. Within three days, these two people must be brought to the Censorate Courtyard and handed over to the Vice Minister to be dealt with!"
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
