"Officials like you have the Emperor's great favor and enjoy the people's blood and sweat. Instead of thinking of serving the court, you actually take bribes, bend the law, and wantonly amass wealth. All kinds of shameful conduct are shameful. Do you know your crimes now?"
Wang Hongyi's face was full of righteousness and his words were stern. Those who didn't know his background would have a good impression of him after hearing these sonorous and forceful words. If this kind of person wasn't an honest and upright official, then who was?
Zhang Xi, Su Weiwei, and Cui Yuanzong all blushed at his question and couldn't help but lower their heads.
Ever since the Eastern Palace's surrender case, the Emperor didn't believe cases of rebellion so easily. It was too difficult to forcefully turn a case of embezzlement into a case of rebellion. Wang Hongyi didn't have Lai Junchen's methods and scheming. Just thinking about this matter gave him a headache.
Before he could think of a proper reason, this case had to be dragged on and couldn't be easily closed. Thinking of this, Wang Hongyi coughed and said, "Zhang Xi, you've been in charge of the selection of heavenly officials for many years. When did you start accepting bribes? Which officials were promoted because they promised you benefits? Hurry up and confess!"
Zhang Xi raised his head in alarm and said, "The criminal official has already confessed!"
Wang Hongyi laughed coldly and said, "There are only a dozen or so people on the list of names you confessed. Could it be that you've only accepted benefits from these few people these past few years?"
Zhang Xi stammered, "Some … some are just favors, gifts from friends. Even if they didn't give gifts, they should still be promoted … "
Wang Hongyi slammed the gavel and shouted, "Whether they should be promoted or not, there will be a public opinion. You only need to tell us who you've received benefits from since you became the selection of heavenly officials, so that you won't have to suffer physical pain. Humph! Since you're bribing, you've already lost the word 'virtue'. You still want to say that you should be promoted? What a huge joke! "
Wang Hongyi's voice had just faded when more than twenty officials suddenly rushed up from the hall. More than twenty people rushed up to the main hall, and the hall immediately became chaotic. The bailiffs standing in the hall were greatly startled. The supervisor immediately went up to them and shouted, "Who are you? How dare you trespass into the hall!"
Those people did not pay any attention to them and rushed into the hall. They split into two groups and stood in front of the bailiffs of the Senate. The two bannermen, with one hand on their sabers, proudly rushed to the front and pushed the startled supervisor to one side. They turned around and stood still. In a loud voice they said, "Invite the doctor to the hall!"
Seeing this, Wang Hongyi couldn't help but slowly stand up. His face was full of surprise. Su Wei and the other two couldn't help but feel a trace of hope in their hearts, "From the looks of it, could it be that the situation has changed?"
More than twenty officials crowded into the hall. In the middle of the hall was a man, dressed in a ceremonial official's robe. It was none other than the Head of the Ministry of Justice, Yang Fan. As soon as Wang Hongyi saw Yang Fan, his countenance changed abruptly. He angrily said, "Yang Fan, this is the Censorate, not your Ministry of Justice's yamen. Why are you barging into my main hall?"
Wang Hongyi asked in a righteous and confident manner, but an ominous premonition had already caused his hands and feet to turn cold. Yang Fan was not crazy. Of course he would not bring people to barge into the main hall of the Censorate. If he dared to come, he must have something to rely on. Wang Hongyi had a guilty conscience. In that instant, he made all kinds of conjectures. The more he thought about it, the more afraid he became.
Yang Fan stood in front of the hall and looked at the three Prime Ministers who were looking at him with hope on their faces. He sighed inwardly, "In order to completely destroy the Censorate, Prime Minister Li has already abandoned you. You all have stains on your bodies. It is difficult for me to do it alone. I really can't save you. "
Yang Fan glanced at them and no longer looked at them. He raised his left hand and Feng Xihui, who was standing behind him, immediately handed him the imperial edict with both hands. Yang Fan slowly unfolded the edict and said in a clear voice, "The imperial edict is here. Wang Hongyi, receive the edict!"
Wang Hongyi was even more frightened. He quickly left the official desk and cupped his hands and bowed. The three guilty Prime Ministers retreated to the side because they were not the ones to receive the edict.
Yang Fan read the imperial edict in a loud voice, "My men: Today there are people complaining of injustice, accusing the Censorate, Wang Hongyi, of falsely using antiques as a pretext and wantonly accepting bribes. Disregarding the law of the country and using it for his own use, order the Ministry of Justice to arrest and investigate … "Below, the Assistant Minister of the Hall of Governmental Affairs and the Renayer of the Hall of Governmental Affairs signed their seals. This was an official document from the court. Originally, the Ministry of Justice did not have the authority to directly investigate the Censorate's guilty officials. But with the Emperor's imperial edict, he could confidently interfere in this case.
After Yang Fan finished reading the edict, he waved his hand and four strong men rushed forward. They took off his official hat and robe, and with a 'hua lang' sound, the iron chain was wrapped around Wang Hongyi's neck. Wang Hongyi's legs went soft and he almost fell to the ground.
The officials of the Ministry of Justice looked left and right, each of them arrogantly. When had the Ministry of Justice ever been so awe-inspiring? Moreover, they came to the Censorate to show off. Yang Fan was as awe-inspiring as Zhou Xing, but he was not as strict as Zhou Xing. He had already won the hearts of the officials of the Ministry of Justice.
"Take him away!"
At Yang Fan's order, Yuan Han led a group of officials from the Ministry of Justice and dragged Wang Hongyi out of the main hall. The bailiffs of the Censorate on both sides saw that Yang Fan was carrying out an imperial edict to take people away. Their faces were blank and they did not dare to step forward to stop him.
When Su Weiwei and the other two saw that Yang Fan was about to turn around and leave, they could not help but feel anxious. Although Cui Yuanzong was Yang Fan's former superior, they had always been scheming against each other and there was no friendship between them. Moreover, he was a prisoner today, how could he have the face to see his former subordinates. Because of Di Renjie, Su Weiwei could be considered to be familiar with Yang Fan. He threw away his old face and hurriedly stepped forward. He cupped his hands and said, "Yang Langzhong, this old man's case …"
When Yang Fan saw him salute him, he quickly stepped aside and returned the salute. He said, "This lowly official does not deserve Prime Minister Su's salute. This lowly official is here today to bring Wang Hongyi to justice. This lowly official has no right to ask about Prime Minister Su's case. "
When Su Weiwei heard this, he could not help but feel a sense of loss.
Yang Fan saw that Su Weiwei was no more than fifty years old, his hair was already mostly white, his hair bun was loose, and his face was haggard. Yang Fan could not bear to see him like this. He suddenly remembered something that Wan 'er told him yesterday when he met Wan' er. He said, "The Sage's eyes shine brightly and illuminate the world. If Prime Minister Su did not do anything wrong, he would definitely not wrongly accuse you. If you have done something wrong, you should sincerely repent. The Sage is the reincarnation of Maitreya. He has great compassion and perhaps he will let you off the hook. "
When Yang Fan said this, he cupped his hands and turned around to leave.
Cui Yuanzong and Zhang Xi also heard these words. But these words did not hurt or itch, they were just ordinary words of comfort. When the two heard it, they only became more depressed and did not take it to heart. Only Su Weiwei, when Yang Fan was halfway through his words, his eyes met with his and he faintly gave him a look. Su Weiwei saw this and his heart suddenly moved.
Looking at the back of Yang Fan's departing figure, Su Weiwei repeatedly mulled over Yang Fan's words and gradually felt something. If Yang Fan only said a few words of comfort, he would not have any other thoughts. This was very common words of comfort, just like when there was a funeral in the family, people would say, "Restrain your grief and accept the vicissitudes of life."
But with the deep meaning in Yang Fan's eyes, Su Weiwei did not think that these words were so simple. He still did not understand the reason, but he had already decided to try according to Yang Fan's words. Perhaps his hope was in this look, this sentence …
When Yang Fan led his people out of the court, the outside was already surrounded by people from the Censorate. When they saw that Wang Hongyi was locked up, there was an immediate uproar. Immediately, people surrounded them and questioned them loudly. Feng Xihui and Yuan Han did not hesitate and shouted, "Arrest him by imperial edict." After some hustle and bustle, those people heard that they were indeed here by imperial edict and did not dare to stop them. They only looked at them with eyes of hatred.
Yang Fan stood at the back and let them do as they pleased. His eyes swept across the crowd intentionally and unintentionally. He did not believe that the person in charge of the Censorate would not show up. The Ministry of Justice had the imperial edict in their hands. If they wanted to arrest someone, no one could stop them. Even if Lai Junchen was still here, he would not be able to stop them.
But coming out to ask about the situation, to appease Wang Hongyi, and even to leave behind a few harsh words to make up for the situation, was the duty of a magistrate. If not, the morale of the Censorate would definitely be affected.
As expected, they came.
When Yang Fan saw Wei Suizhong and Hou Sizhi rushing over, he smiled to himself. However, he was somewhat surprised that he did not see the current Vice Minister of the Censorate, Wan Guojun. Although this person did not have the charisma of a leader, he was much more scheming than Lai Junchen. He knew that at times like this, he had to come out and calm people down.
However, it did not matter if Wan Guojun did not come. The person he wanted to beat down was Hou Sizhi. It would be the same if he told him directly.
When Wei Suizhong and Hou Sizhi arrived, the people from the Censorate immediately moved to the side, opening a path for them.
When Wang Hongyi saw Hou Sizhi, he immediately said with agitation, "Brother Hou, where is Vice Minister Wan? You must help me!"
Hou Sizhi comforted him, "Hongyi, do not panic. Vice Minister Wan has not returned from the Supreme Court. When he returns, us brothers will definitely discuss a plan to save you. We, the Censorate, are not pushovers. We will definitely seek justice for you. "
Yang Fan grinned and said, "Ahem! This official has been ordered by the Emperor to investigate this case. If Censorate Wang is wrongly accused, this official will naturally give him justice. If he is really guilty, this is a case that His Majesty is concerned about. I am afraid no one can save him. "
Wei Suizhong's face was full of hostility as he sneered disdainfully, "Yang Langzhong, you are really impressive! My Censorate has always been bringing people in, but this is the first time someone has been brought out from the Censorate. "
Yang Fan smiled, "Censorate Wei, why are you making such a fuss? The Censorate is not a dragon's pool or a tiger's den. If someone breaks the law here, they will not be able to escape punishment. As the saying goes, if there is one, there will be two. This time you only took one, next time you may take two. You just have to get used to it. "
Wei Suizhong's nose almost became crooked from anger as he shouted, "Surnamed Yang, don't be too arrogant! Do you think that the Censorate is easy to bully? Today you took away a censorate, so in the future, you will be compensated a thousand times over! "
Yang Fan's expression turned cold as he said, "Censorate Wei, there are hundreds of officials in the imperial court and thousands of officials in the world. These loyal officials cannot be caught. On the other hand, do you think I'm done with just Wang Hongyi? If you don't want others to know, then don't do it. You should plan for yourself first! Come, let's return to the Ministry of Justice! "
With a wave of his hand, Yang Fan pushed aside the crowd and escorted Wang Hongyi out of the Censorate. Hou Sizhi, who was at the side, heard his words and couldn't help but be startled. "It seems like they have been watching the Censorate for a long time. I'm afraid that they have something on us, otherwise they wouldn't be so unyielding."
Looking at Yang Fan's back, Hou Sizhi suddenly remembered that she had something on him. She couldn't help but think, "No, just in case, I have to prepare!"
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