"Aunt! Aunt, you must uphold justice for your nephew! "
Wu Yizong relied on the fact that he was the Emperor's nephew and barged in without sending anyone to report. As soon as he entered the main hall, he saw Yang Fan who was' offering a humble apology '. He was stunned for a moment before he was enraged: "Motherf * cker, you barged into my camp and embarrassed me like this, and you dare to complain?"
Wu Yizong was enraged and his buttocks no longer hurt and his legs were no longer wobbly. He broke free from the support of the two fat eunuchs and rushed forward to kick Yang Fan. When Wu Zetian saw this scene, she immediately flew into a rage. Her nephew was half dead when he first came in, but now he's as lively as a dragon and a tiger? Was he acting pitiful just now? He even dared to beat up an official in front of me, how domineering is he?
Wu Zetian was already prejudiced by Yang Fan's continuous hints and hints. Wu Yizong was so angry that he forgot his strategy. Wu Zetian's heart immediately tilted towards Yang Fan: "Enough! A street brawl! How dare you be so presumptuous in front of me! "
Wu Zetian stood up and roared with her dragon head crutch. Wu Yizong said with grievance: "Aunt, you don't know …"
Wu Zetian said: "I know everything!"
She leaned on her dragon-head crutch, every time she stepped on the golden bricks, there was a 'keng' sound. After walking seven, eight steps, she suddenly turned around and glared at Wu Yizong, saying, "Let Zhen ask you, a fight between soldiers is a small matter, you are the grand Prince of Hanoi, a great general, why did you rely on your power to capture a thousand cavalry officers and men, first punish them with heavy punishment, and then hang them high on a pole, exposing them to the scorching sun, almost causing them to die?"
Wu Yizong hurriedly said: "Aunt, your nephew did not rely on his power to commit a crime. Your nephew's men did not capture a thousand cavalry soldiers because they were arrogant and out of line. That day, our Golden Insignia Guards received a report that a group of bandits had gathered to rob a shop. The patrolling officers and soldiers quickly rushed to the rescue, but the soldiers of the Thousand Horsemen Guards obstructed them. It was clear that they were secretly cooperating with the bandits, covering for them. They were accomplices of the bandits. Our Jin Wu Guards are responsible for the security of the capital, so it is only right for us to detain and interrogate them. "
Wu Zetian was still unaware of such a matter. She thought that the escalation of the fight was entirely due to the constant friction between the two sides. Hearing this, she could not help but look at Yang Fan and said, "There's actually such a thing? Yang Fan, what do you say? "
Yang Fan said calmly, "I have never heard General Wu mention this before."
Wu Yizong was enraged: "You dare to deceive the Emperor? If one of you escaped, I don't believe that they wouldn't tell you about it! "
Yang Fan smiled and said, "Yes, they did say that to me. They said that on that day, they accompanied Brigade Commander Gao Chu to the wedding banquet. Your Majesty can investigate this matter. Gao Chu will be getting married in the next few days, but due to military duties, he could not attend. Thus, they took advantage of the free time on that day to set up a few tables. "
Wu Zetian did not need to ask. Once she investigated this matter, she would know that Yang Fan would not dare to lie about this matter. She said in a deep voice, "Continue!"
"Yes!"
Yang Fan said, "When they reached the long street, they suddenly encountered the patrolling officers of the Jin Wu Guards. They purposely collided with each other and both sides started fighting. In the past, both sides only used their fists and legs; no one dared to use weapons. But this time, it was very strange. The moment they started fighting, the Jin Wu Guards all drew their weapons at the same time and started fighting. My Thousand Horsemen were caught unprepared and many of them were injured … "
Wu Yizong said, "Bullsh * t! You … "
"You shut up!"
Wu Zetian hit the ground with her dragon-headed walking stick and shouted, "We are questioning you, you are becoming more and more unruly!"
Wu Yizong swallowed his saliva and angrily shut his mouth.
Yang Fan continued, "Just at this time, a few thieves carrying sharp blades suddenly jumped out from a small shop by the side of the road. At the same time, a large group of Jin Wu Guards suddenly appeared and blocked both ends of the long street. They then arrested my subordinates and those thieves together and accused my subordinates of covering up the criminals and are accomplices."
Speaking up to this point, Yang Fan paused for a while before continuing, "However, when I was earnestly negotiating with Grand General Wu, I did not hear Grand General Wu mention a single word about this matter. He kept saying that I only need to kowtow with every step and kneel to the Commander's tent of Jin Wu Guards to beg for forgiveness!"
There was no one present who did not understand what Yang Fan was trying to say. It was not difficult to verify this matter. If Wu Yizong had handled this matter carefully and those thieves were real, they might have intentionally bribed the criminals and fallen into their hands long ago to trick others.
How long has the Thousand Horsemen been established? The soldiers were also drawn from the various guards so it was impossible for them to form a relationship with the local bandits and thieves in such a short period of time. Instead, this convenient condition belonged to the Jin Wu Guards. The Thousand Cavalry Battalion was guarding the palace, how could they help the thieves?
Wu Zetian was silent for a while before turning to Wu Yizong and asked, "What do you have to say?"
Wu Yizong replied, "Those thieves are indeed criminals and have been handed over to the Luoyang government. If Aunt does not believe me, you can investigate and you will know. Since those people are criminals, the Thousand Cavalry Battalion cannot absolve themselves from the blame! "
Wu Zetian looked at Yang Fan again. Yang Fan said, "When I was handling criminal cases in the Autumn Magistrate's office, there was a system of protecting the innocent in the judgment. Anyone who beats someone will be punished within a time limit. Beating someone with hands and feet, whether or not the person is injured, is limited to ten days. Beating someone with other objects is limited to twenty days. Using a blade to hurt someone is not limited to size. Using fire or water to hurt someone is limited to thirty days. Breaking a bone or breaking a bone, regardless of whether it is the hands or feet or other objects, is limited to fifty days. Those who die within the time limit will be punished according to the crime of murder. His Majesty will definitely understand this principle. "
Yang Fan's words meant that there was such a rule in the Imperial Court called the system of protecting the innocent. For example, if two people were to fight, it is not based on the other party's injuries. There is also a period of observation because there is the problem of the worsening of injuries.
Therefore, if one uses fists and feet to hurt someone, then from the day of the incident, one must be observed for ten days. If the person dies within ten days, then you will be charged with murder and not injuring someone. Of course, the person who dies within ten days must be related to the fight. At the very least, you will not be able to find any other cause of death. You cannot say that if one was punched today and run over by a car tomorrow, it will be the responsibility of the perpetrator.
Wu Zetian did not understand Yang Fan's intention but she was very clear about this law. The Law of Tang has been revised many times and the law is an important power of the state. It must be reported to the Emperor for discussion and approval. Wu Zetian nodded and said, "I am naturally clear about this!"
She briefly explained the meaning of the system of protecting the innocent and asked Yang Fan, "Why did you mention this matter? If the captured soldiers are killed or injured, will the Jinwu Guards be held responsible?"
Yang Fan said, "In front of His Majesty, everything will naturally be decided by His Majesty. What this subject means is that the Imperial Court has such a law. It is clear that everything must be done according to the order and cause of the matter. If today, someone is falsely accused of murder, and this subject investigates the matter, punishes the real murderer, and clears the name of an innocent person, and this innocent person kills another person ten years later. Is this subject going to hold this subject accountable for judging him innocent ten years ago?
The conflict between the Thousand Horsemen Camp and the Jin Wu Guards this time, whether there was an antecedent cause or not, if it was just a conflict, then Great General Wu's arbitrary decision, arbitrarily using the law, disregarding human life, was a serious crime. As for those thieves, whether they are real thieves or fake thieves, it depends on whether the Thousand Cavalry Camp knew about it and if they are really covering for it.
If the Thousand Cavalry Camp has nothing to do with these thieves, then even if the thieves are guilty and the Thousand Cavalry Camp did not know about it. In that case, Great General Wu's actions are also unreasonable and also guilty. Therefore, now we only need to investigate whether the Thousand Cavalry Camp and those thieves know each other and if there is any collusion, then the truth will be revealed! "
Yang Fan did not want to tangle with Wu Yizong on the details and went straight to the crux of the matter. He said to Wu Zetian, "This subject begs Your Majesty to have the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Court, and the Censorate to investigate and find out the truth. If my Thousand Cavalry Camp is really colluding with the thieves, this subject is incompetent and does not know the right person. I am willing to be punished for both crimes! "
Wu Yizong heard this and thought to himself, "The Ministry of Justice is your home and many people in the Censorate rose to their positions because of you. They owe you a favor. Moreover, they have always considered themselves to be clean and are very dissatisfied with my Wu family. As for the Supreme Court, they are not your people but they are also not my people. If we think about it carefully, I am afraid they will be more biased towards you. What three departments joint investigation, aren't you just finding people to take sides? "
After hearing Yang Fan's words, Wu Zetian thought for a while and said, "All of you go out, I want some peace and quiet!"
Yang Fan and Wu Yizong looked at each other and said respectfully, "This subject obeys Your Majesty!"
It had been fine if he had just stood there without moving, but now he wanted to leave. After talking for a long time, his anger had mostly dissipated. Only then did Wu Yizong feel the pain again. He had two fat eunuchs help him out. Seeing this, Wu Zetian felt that Wu Yizong was putting on an act, which made her hate him even more.
Yang Fan and Wu Yizong retreated to the outside of the hall and stood side by side. They looked at each other and really hated each other.
Wu Yizong laughed coldly and said sarcastically, "Offer a humble apology? Only you can think of that. Leading troops to attack my Jin Wu camp, no matter how you look at it, you have committed a capital crime. Yang Fan, this day next year will be the anniversary of your death. At that time, I will burn some joss paper for you so that you won't be too down and out in the netherworld! "
Yang Fan smiled and nodded, saying, "This Yang has a son and a daughter, I do not need Your Highness to sacrifice for me."
"You …"
Wu Yizong was enraged, but after being reprimanded by his aunt a few times, he didn't dare to make a move. He could only laugh coldly and say, "You have a sharp tongue. So what if I let you have your way?"
Yang Fan said, "Your Highness has the demeanor of a gentleman, it seems that this Yang is stingy. Thank you, thank you!"
As the two of them bickered, inside the palace, Wu Zetian was full of misgivings and it was hard for her to make a decision. This matter itself is not difficult to determine. Yang Fan mobilized his troops and attacked the Jin Wu Guards camp. Whether he was in the right or not, he must be guilty. Right now, all she had to do was investigate whether Wu Yizong was also guilty.
What truly troubled her was the external influence of this case. It would affect the entire situation, making it difficult to judge …
The northern part of the city was adjacent to the Imperial Palace, so there were very few commoners walking about. When the soldiers entered the Imperial Palace and kowtowed to the Gate of the Black Tortoise, there was not a single commoner in this area. But even though the commoners of Luoyang could not see it, the news of so many soldiers kowtowing to the Imperial Palace quickly spread throughout the palace. The Prince of Xiang, Li Dan, and the former Prince of Luling, the current Crown Prince, Li Xian, who were in the middle of moving to the Eastern Palace, also heard the news.
Li Xian immediately fell into a dilemma. Given the enormous kindness that Yang Fan had shown his family, now that he knew, could he still pretend to be deaf and mute? This favor … should he ask for it or not?
… …
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