Mo Xuanfei felt that his Ah Lang had the potential to be a fortune-teller. He had just come out of the gatehouse after his meal and was about to take a stroll around the screen wall when the brass ring on the door rang. Sure enough, someone had come to visit.
It was almost dusk and the curfew time was approaching. Those who dared to go out to visit at this time without worrying about being questioned by the patrolling officials must be rich or noble.
However, he did not know the identity of the visitor. Although the visitor came in an ox-cart that was not extravagant but vaguely noble, there was no official banner on the cart to prove the visitor's identity.
A black-clothed attendant next to the ox-cart handed over a greeting card. The style of the greeting card was simple and simple. There was no indication of the visitor's identity on it, only his name, "Pan Ziwen!"
Pan Junyi's father, Pan Ziwen, was the Minister Counsellor of the Ministry of Personnel.
The Minister Counsellor was one level lower than the Minister Counsellor, but Pan Ziwen was an official of the Ministry of Personnel. The Ministry of Personnel was the head of the six ministries, so he was not overly reserved. He did not need to write too much on the greeting card. He might not be familiar with the officials of other yamens, but it was impossible for the officials of other yamens not to know him.
Minister Counsellor Pan was welcomed into Yang Fan's study.
Yang Fan's study was not as full of the scent of books and ink as the study of most officials. He had seldom come here to read, much less to compose poems and embellishments, so that the greater part of his bookshelves were filled with the same things as those on the antique shelves: implements and playthings.
On his desk, there was even a bottle with a few blooming orchids stuck inside. The small flowers were emitting a delicate fragrance that filled the room.
There was a lamp on the table, two bright lamps.
These days, Yang Fan began to read by candlelight. Xiao Man was afraid that his eyes would be tired, so she made two lamps for him. The cover of the lamps was also pink and white gauze, with only a few plum blossoms on one side. It did not affect the light.
Now that the two lamps were on, the study room was as bright as day, so Yang Fan could see the uninvited guest clearly.
Pan Yuanwailang was dressed in an indigo blue robe with a round collar and narrow sleeves. There was a horizontal stripe at the bottom of the robe. He did not wear a scarf on his head, only a black scarf with two white silk straps tied tightly around it. The scarf hung lightly behind his head.
Minister Counsellor Pan looked to be less than fifty years old. His body was thin, his cheekbones were high, and his chin was sharp. From his cheeks to his chin, there were two knife-like lines. His skin glowed green under the light.
He had just lost his son, his most beloved youngest son, so his expression was somewhat haggard, and his slightly red eyes revealed a hint of sorrow.
Perhaps it was because he had developed a habit of bossing people around in the Ministry of Personnel for a long time, or perhaps it was the privilege of someone whose family had suffered misfortune, but he didn't exchange too many pleasantries with Yang Fan and quickly got to the point. "I'm here today as the victim's father. I hope that Doctor Yang can understand the feelings of a father. The white-haired person has to send off the black-haired person … "
Pan Yuanwailang's voice was slightly choked. He calmed himself down and gently wiped the corner of his eyes. He slowly raised his head and stared at Yang Fan, "The Imperial Envoy Station has an ulterior motive. They are using the so-called public opinion for their own selfish purposes. Yang Langzhong, do not be fooled by them. Yang Langzhong has also been to the Senate, so you should know the character and style of those cruel officials. If they are allowed to rise again, it will not be a good thing for you, me, or any other official. "
Yang Fan nodded in deep agreement. Pan Yuanwailang's face softened slightly. In a very gentle but clear voice, he said, "The Luoyang government has transferred this case to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court's judgment is fair. I do not wish for my innocent son to die in peace in the underworld. Because of the obstruction of the Imperial Envoy Station, the Supreme Court's judgment cannot be carried out for a long time. Now, the case has been transferred to the Ministry of Justice and to you, Yang Langzhong. As the victim's father, I sincerely ask Doctor Lang to uphold justice for me! As long as Yang Langzhong can judge impartially, you will obtain my friendship! "
Pan Yuanwailang had not brought any gifts. He had come empty-handed. This promise was his gift. People often said that it was easy to become an official if one had connections in the court. Then who did one rely on to become an official in the court? It was best to have someone in the Ministry of Appointments. This was a yamen that managed and tested hundreds of officials.
To obtain the friendship of an official from the Ministry of Appointments was a gift that could not be bought with money.
However, it was not only the Ministry of Appointments that officials did not want to offend. There was also the Imperial Envoy Station. If one was stared at by the Imperial Envoy Station, it would be like the Monkey King wearing a golden circlet on his head. And the Imperial Envoy Station was against Chang Zhiyuan's execution. It was not easy to side with Yang Fan!
Yang Fan's expression was very serious. His face was tense, as if this was not a study but a court of law. In a very serious voice, he said to Pan Yuanwailang, "Don't worry, Squire Pan. I will definitely judge impartially. I will let the dead rest in peace and comfort the living. I will definitely not bend to power and judge randomly."
At that time, a squire was colloquially referred to as a minister counsellor, just like how a prime minister was referred to as a husband. It was not what later generations referred to as a rich man.
Pan Yuanwailang's request for Yang Fan to "judge impartially" was to uphold justice for him. This justice was only for the Pan family. In his opinion, Yang Fan's promise was the most accurate response from Yang Fan. Thus, Pan Yuanwailang was very satisfied. With the proper business settled, the atmosphere eased up. The topic of conversation also changed from this matter to small talk.
Pan Yuanwai praised Yang Fan's study for its elegant layout and unique style. Yang Fan praised Pan Yuanwai for his good health and for looking at least ten years younger than his age. Pan Yuanwai asked if Yang Fan had any children, and Yang Fan casually asked if Pan Yuanwai had any children and if they were married.
Unexpectedly, this brought up Squire Pan's sad memory. Squire Pan could not help but tear up. Yang Fan could not help but say a few words of "restrain your grief and accept the inevitable" to comfort him. The two of them chatted for a while before Pan Yuanwai stood up and said his goodbyes. Yang Fan was very respectful, even though Pan Yuanwai repeatedly asked him to stop, he still opened the door wide and saw Pan Yuanwai out of the mansion.
That night, no one else came to visit.
Since Pan Ziwen was here, there was no need for Wu Chengsi to come. Pan Ziwen had already subtly revealed that he was on Wu Chengsi's side. Given Wu Chengsi's influence and status, Yang Fan did not have the right to ask him to pay him a personal visit.
Wu Chengsi had appeared at White Horse Temple because Xue Huaiyi was there. Bystanders did not have the right to ask for someone from this great buddha's side. Wu Chengsi had been to White Horse Temple, and that was enough. As long as Yang Fan was not stupid, he would have to consider the consequences of offending King Wei.
No one else came to visit that night. However, when Yang Fan was about to go to the Ministry of Justice the next morning, he 'coincidentally' bumped into Wu Sansi. King Liang enthusiastically invited him into his carriage. The carriage moved slowly, and the two of them chatted for almost an hour. Only then did Yang Fan emerge and head straight for the Ministry of Justice.
There was naturally no need for Wu Sansi to give him any gifts. Wu Sansi had given him gifts on his wedding day precisely because he wanted to show respect to the wise and virtuous. If he were to present a gift now, it would inevitably damage his reputation. Moreover, he had always treated Yang Fan as one of his own. It was already enough that he was willing to personally give him some instructions and say that he was paying close attention to this matter. There was no need for him to give him any gifts.
Yang Fan felt a little gloomy. He had not planned everything perfectly. He had thought that if someone came to ask him for help, there would definitely be someone who would send him generous gifts. He hadn't expected that even though these people clearly had something to ask of him, they would only order him around, as if it was only natural for them to do so. It was as if they were already giving him enormous face by asking him to do things for them.
"It's all because I'm still a lowly official!"
Yang Fan sighed with regret.
When he arrived at the yamen, he continued to interrogate the three generations of the Chang clan, questioning them repeatedly with great patience. By the time the yamen was dismissed that night, the file he had compiled had already clearly expressed his stance. Even the scribe who had been taking notes, Qin Mingda, could see it clearly. "The plague doctor is leaning towards the Chang clan!"
This leaning was naturally referring to Chang Zhiyuan's murder of Pan Junyi.
As for whether the old woman from Old Chang's clan who had killed her daughter-in-law was dead or alive, no one cared anymore. Everyone already knew of Yang Fan's stance on that case. Since Chen Dong's verdict was to reduce Granny Chang's crime by one rank, and Yang Fan was firmly against it, then he would definitely insist on sentencing Granny Chang to death.
However, now that things had developed to this point, this case was no longer important to the bigger picture. The most important thing right now was the case of Pan Junyi's murder, which involved the dispute between King Wei and King Liang. If this case could not be resolved satisfactorily, even if he overturned Chen Dong's verdict, he would not be able to establish himself in the Ministry of Justice.
Now, it seemed that his verdict was likely to go against the Supreme Court's. In other words, he would overturn the Supreme Court's decision and follow the 'will of the people'. He would reduce Chang Zhiyuan's crime by one rank according to the advice of the Imperial Messenger Station, and change his sentence to exile. In this way, he would definitely offend the Supreme Court, and then King Wei. Would the Imperial Messenger Station, led by Wan Guojun, become his ally because of this?
Putting aside the fact that he had previously been persecuted by the Imperial Messenger Station, given the Imperial Messenger Station's current notorious reputation, if he dared to show any inclination to form an alliance with the Imperial Messenger Station, the civil and military officials who were worried that he would become a second Zhou Xing would immediately gang up on him. They would beat him down to the ground, and then trample on him ten thousand times, so that he would never be able to rise again.
Qin Mingda quickly reported the latest situation to Chen Dong. Chen Dong and Qin Mingda carefully studied the situation for a long time, but they still could not figure out what Yang Fan was planning. He decided to wait and see. In his opinion, this problem was simply unsolvable. If either of the two major powers offended one of them, it would be difficult for him, the newly appointed Director of the Ministry of Justice, to clean up the mess.
Chen Dong stood under the osmanthus tree in the courtyard, watching as the flower buds gradually sprouted. He felt that all of this was the will of the heavens. When Yang Fan decided to use this case as a breakthrough to launch an attack on him, he did not expect that the case would take such a huge turn and change. If this was not the will of the heavens, then what was it?
Director Chen plucked an osmanthus flower in his hand and stood under the tree, as leisurely as a Buddha plucking flowers.
His assistant, Luo Ling, and his trusted aide, Qin Mingda, stood on his left and right, smiling like the venerable Kasyapa who had comprehended in his heart.
That night, still no one came to give gifts to Yang Fan. Even Yuan Han, who had just been promoted by Yang Fan to be the monitor, did not come. When Yang Fan undressed and went to sleep, he complained to his own wife, Lady Xiao Man, "The people in this yamen are indeed all demons that have turned into spirits. They won't release the eagle until they see the rabbit!"
Lady Xiao Man gave a flirtatious yawn and said, "Go to sleep!"
Yang Fan made a sound of agreement and readily took off all his clothes and went to bed. He then asked his female Bodhisattva with a face full of saliva, "Wife, has it been five days since the last time?"
Lady Xiao Man's answer was very zen, "Sleep!"
…
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