Instructor Fang was rendered speechless by Zhang Chun's words. The Vice Headmaster of the Hundred Rivers Academy could no longer sit by and watch. He said, "I believe that the students of our academy would not do such a thing. Your Majesty, please investigate thoroughly and clear the name of our academy."
After a short period of silence, the Empress's voice came from behind the curtain. "Since Vice Headmaster Chen has said so, the case will be investigated by the Luoyang Government."
Vice Headmaster Chen raised his head and said, "Your Majesty, the Luoyang Government is suspected of framing the Academy. The case should not be handled by the Luoyang Government."
The Empress thought for a while and said, "Then let the Ministry of Justice investigate."
The Minister of Justice stepped out and bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty."
This was all Li Mu and Zhang Chun could do. Although they had set a trap for Instructor Fang, they could find out whether he had really made a scene in the Luoyang Government and snatched Instructor Fang away with a little investigation.
It was already the best result that the Ministry of Justice could do a retrial.
Li Mu had never thought of bringing down the Academy, and it was impossible for him to do so. Overall, the Academy's existence had more advantages than disadvantages. Firstly, he wanted to seek justice for Xiao Qi, and secondly, he wanted to vent the Empress's anger.
Although the Academy was a place to educate people and cultivate talents for the country, it should not be above the law.
They should not be on the altar in the human world.
Jiang Zhe's case was originally a small case that would not affect the Academy.
However, Instructor Fang had taken Jiang Zhe away from the Luoyang Government in public, which had caused a public outcry. It added a stain to the holy and glorious image of the Academy.
The young female official stepped out and said, "The court is dismissed."
There was an etiquette for the withdrawal of the court. The officials respectfully sent the Empress off. The ones closest to the door, the ones with the lowest rank, had to take two steps back and wait for the officials in front to leave first. Li Mu and Zhang Chun stood at the door. Countless eyes swept over them.
After everyone had left, the two of them slowly walked out of the hall.
Li Mu felt a little regretful. It was not easy to enter the palace, but he did not see the Empress's face. There would be no chance next time.
In the Imperial Garden behind the Ziwei Palace.
The young female official said, "This Magistrate of Luoyang is quite brave. I can't stand the arrogance of those from the Academy in the imperial court …"
Mr. Mei also said, "Luoyang's Zhang Chun is neither servile nor overbearing. He's a useful person. We should reward him more as an incentive."
The young female official frowned and said, "But the speed of his promotion is already very fast. It has never happened in recent years. It is impossible to promote him again."
The Empress thought for a moment, then said, "Give him a chest of pears."
Mr. Mei nodded and said, "That's good. There's a box of pears left."
The Empress was silent for a moment. Then, she asked, "There is only one box of Tribute Pears left?"
Mr. Mei said, "In Jiangyin County, there are only a few mother trees. They were carefully cultivated by the local government. Every year, there are no more than ten boxes of Tribute Pears. After they are sent to the palace, they have to give some to the West Palace. There aren't many left …"
The Empress thought for a moment, then said, "Then give me half a box, no, give me three …"
Luoyang Government.
Zhang Chun looked at the three boxes of Tribute Pears sent from the palace. He bowed excitedly and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Mr. Mei said, "I hope that Mr. Zhang will continue to do his job diligently and honestly. Don't let Your Majesty down."
Zhang Chun said solemnly, "I will remember."
After sending off Mr. Mei, Zhang Chun picked up a Tribute Pear and took a bite. He said proudly, "This pear is so sweet!"
After leaving the palace, Li Mu went straight to the Great Music Bar. The Ministry of Justice would definitely ask Xiao Qi and the others to investigate the case. He needed to tell them in advance so that they would not panic.
When Little Seven heard this, she was clearly worried. She was only a lowly musician and had never experienced such a situation.
Li Mu looked at her and comforted her, "Don't worry. I will go to the Ministry of Justice with you. You are the victim. They should be the ones worried."
When Little Seven heard this, she finally relaxed.
At the same time, in the Ministry of Justice.
Vice President Chen said to the minister of the Ministry of Justice, "This matter concerns the reputation of the Academy. I will leave it to you."
The minister of the Ministry of Justice hesitated for a moment and looked up at him. He said, "The behavior of the Academy's students has nothing to do with the Academy. If it is handled impartially, the Academy will not be implicated. If the Ministry of Justice is biased, it will be disadvantageous to the Academy. Vice President Chen, you must think carefully."
Vice President Chen frowned. He had just declared that Jiang Zhe was innocent in the court. If the Ministry of Justice overturned it, wouldn't he become a joke?
At this moment, the minister of the Ministry of Justice, Zhou Zhong, said, "The Ministry of Justice has the power to decide the case. The girl was not harmed. As long as Jiang Zhe insists that he was rude after drinking and repents, he will be exempted from punishment …"
Vice President Chen thought for a moment and said, "I still don't believe that the Academy's students would do such a bad thing."
The minister of the Ministry of Justice understood what he meant. He meant that the Ministry of Justice would help the Academy regardless of whether Jiang Zhe was guilty or not.
He already knew the inside story of this case. With the Ministry of Justice's ability, it would not be difficult to get Jiang Zhe off the hook within the scope of the law. He was from the Baichuan Academy, so he could not refuse.
He nodded and said, "Since Vice President Chen has decided, then let's do it."
After that, he looked at the minister of the Ministry of Justice and said, "I'll leave this case to you, Minister Zhou."
Zhou Zhong nodded and said, "Don't worry."
…
Jiang Zhe's case had already caused a certain degree of discussion within a small circle in the past three days.
In the morning court, the Luoyang ordered Zhang Chun to sue the Academy's instructors. The news that the Empress ordered the Ministry of Justice to reinvestigate the case also gradually spread after the morning court.
When people saw that Jiang Zhe was brought to the Ministry of Justice, a large number of people began to gather at the entrance of the Ministry of Justice to watch.
Zhu Cong and Wei Peng, who had been drinking in the Fragrance House, were able to enter the Ministry of Justice because of Yang Xiu. They watched from afar in the direction of the court.
Yang Xiu said with a serious expression, "The minister rarely judges cases in person …"
Zhu Cong asked, "How will Jiang Zhe be sentenced? Rape is a serious crime. I'm afraid the rest of his life is over …"
Wei Peng said, "Not necessarily."
Zhu Cong knew that Wei Peng had been painstakingly studying the laws of the Great Zhou these days. He turned to look at him and asked, "What do you mean?"
Wei Peng said, "In the laws of the Great Zhou, raping a woman is a serious crime. Usually, the offender will be sentenced to three to ten years in prison. If the case is serious, the offender can be executed. Even if he doesn't succeed in his crime, he will still be sentenced to three years in prison for attempted rape …"
Zhu Cong asked, "That means Jiang Zhe will spend at least three years in prison?"
Wei Peng shook his head and said, "This is a case of attempted rape. If he gives up in the process of rape and stops the crime voluntarily, he can be exempted from punishment if he doesn't cause any harm to the woman."
He looked in the direction of the court and said slowly, "The key to this case is whether Jiang Zhe stopped the violence voluntarily or was stopped by someone else. This will determine whether he will be acquitted or be sentenced to three years in prison …"
Zhu Cong was puzzled. "What's the difference if he failed to rape her anyway?"
"I know that …" Yang Xiu finally had a chance to interrupt. He said, "If he stops the crime voluntarily, he will also be sentenced to a heavy sentence. The perpetrator will have no way out. This law seems to give the perpetrator a chance, but it is actually a protection for the victim …"
Wei Peng nodded and said, "Although this is the original intention of the law, it will also give many people a chance to take advantage of this loophole …"
In the court of the Ministry of Justice.
Jiang Zhe knelt on the ground and said, "Sir, please understand. I was impulsive after drinking and was rude to this lady. Later, I remembered the teacher's teachings and suddenly came to my senses. I didn't continue to violate this lady …"
Yinyin said angrily, "You only stopped when we rushed to the room …"
Jiang Zhe said, "At that time, I wanted to apologize to this lady. You misunderstood …"
"You are clearly quibbling!"
"That is the truth …"
Jiang Zhe looked up at the assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice and clasped his hands. "Sir, please understand."
Both sides had their own version of the story. Jiang Zhe said that he stopped the violence voluntarily, but the musician of the Great Music Bar said that he was stopped by others. Although the results of these two cases were the same, the meaning was completely different.
The Ministry of Justice's punishment for this case was based on the process of the case.
The assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice said lightly, "I will use the Soul Manipulation on Jiang Zhe. The truth will be revealed soon."
He looked at Jiang Zhe and said, "Raise your head."
Jiang Zhe raised his head and looked into the eyes of the assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice.
The assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice's eyes became deep pools. He asked, "Jiang Zhe, let me ask you. When you wanted to violate this lady, did you repent on your own, or was it because someone stopped you …"
Jiang Zhe's eyes were dull. He murmured, "I repented on my own and realized that I had made a mistake. I wanted to explain to this lady, but perhaps I was too anxious and was misunderstood by her …"
Li Mu's expression was ugly. Xiao Qi and the others could not be lying. Either Jiang Zhe had a way to avoid the Soul Manipulation, or the assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice deliberately let him go.
Regardless of which possibility it was, it was not something that ordinary people could see through.
Jiang Zhe's actions before he was stopped were attributed to him being too anxious to explain. Even if a Transcendent expert could reenact the scene, they could not convict him.
It was obvious that he had made sufficient preparations before going to court.
Even if the Ministry of Justice's punishment was presented to the Empress, it would not be a problem.
The assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice looked at everyone and said, "The truth is out. Although Jiang Zhe was in the wrong, he did not deserve to be punished. Seeing that you were able to repent in time, I acquit you. However, you have disturbed this lady, so you must apologize to her and compensate her with ten taels of silver. Do you have any objections?"
Jiang Zhe immediately said, "Thank you, sir, for proving my innocence!"
He stood up and bowed to Xiao Qi. He said, "I was rude after drinking and offended you. I apologize to the lady …"
The assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice slammed the gavel and said, "The case has been investigated. The court is dismissed!"
Jiang Zhe left ten taels of silver and looked at Li Mu and the others. He smiled and strode out of the Ministry of Justice.
Li Mu sent Xiao Qi and the others out of the Ministry of Justice. He looked back and walked back.
He looked at a figure standing in the courtyard and said slowly, "Sir Zhou, you should know better than anyone whether Jiang Zhe is guilty or not, right?"
Zhou Zhong looked at him and asked, "Is this important?"
Li Mu said in a low voice, "If right or wrong, justice and justice are not important, what else is important in this world?"
Zhou Zhong looked into his eyes and said after a long time, "You are really like a friend that I haven't seen for many years …"
Li Mu said coldly, "You don't deserve such a friend."
Zhou Zhong was not angry. Instead, he smiled and said, "Young man, when you first came to Luoyang, you thought that you were the embodiment of justice and did not care about anyone. They fought with the rich and powerful, corrupt officials, and the Academy … There were many people like you in the past, but now you are the only one. Do you know why?"
He said to himself, "Some people are dead, some are still alive. If the living want to live a better life, they have to become the people they used to hate the most. You will also have such a day …"
Li Mu said, "You can wait and see."
Zhou Zhong said, "I will wait and see."
Li Mu turned around and left in big strides. Zhou Zhong looked at his back and a mysterious smile appeared on his face.
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