Sign a Lu Fengxian at the beginning

Chapter 286 Beating the Minister of Punishment

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

Zhou Chen sat on the dragon throne and looked at the news sent by the factory in his hand.

These messages are all about the progress of Ministry of Revenue officials in various places.

After Cao Zhengchun took over five wealthy families who no longer cooperated with the Ministry of Household Affairs as before, most of the wealthy families who no longer cooperated with the Ministry of Household Affairs as before became honest again.

The officials of the Ministry of Revenue also acted much faster.

However, Zhou Chen knew in his heart that these wealthy families who were about to make a move were only temporarily suppressed by the court's methods.

If you want these wealthy families to be completely honest, you have to deal with those who are in the world.

The only reason these wealthy families dare to make moves and are no longer as afraid of the court as before is because these worldly people gave them the confidence.

Zhou Chen looked a little relieved when he saw the news sent by Dongchang.

As long as the officials of the Ministry of Revenue can act smoothly and quickly, it will be fine. As for dealing with those who have joined the world, this cannot be done in a short time.

Just then.

The internal servant and factory guard came in and reported: "Your Majesty, Mr. Wang Yangming, the Secretary of the Ministry of Punishment, is asking for an audience outside the palace."

"oh!"

Zhou Chen raised his eyebrows slightly.

"Announce him to come in."

"According to the decree."

The internal servants and factory guards left the Yangxin Hall.

moment.

Wang Yangming, the Minister of Punishment, walked into the Yangxin Hall.

"Your Majesty, Wang Yangming, has met with you."

Wang Yangming walked into the Yangxin Hall and saluted Zhou Chen respectfully on the dragon throne.

"No gift!"

Zhou Chen put down the message in his hand, looked up at Wang Yangming, and asked, "Ai Qing came to see me in Yangxin Hall. What's the matter?"

Wang Yangming was born in the Langye Wang family and was an official from a wealthy family.

Zhou Chen didn't have any bad feelings towards officials from wealthy families.

As long as they can be used by the court and him, the emperor, that's fine.

Wang Yangming bowed and said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Ministry of Punishment has made a verdict in accordance with the law regarding the crime of the Yingchuan Chen family and thirteen other aristocratic families hiring assassins to assassinate court officials."

"This is the judgment of the Ministry of Punishment against all the thirteen aristocratic families including the Chen family in Yingchuan. Your Majesty, please preview it."

Wang Yangming took out a memorial from his sleeve and held it in his hand.

Upon seeing this, the inner chamber guard standing in the hall immediately stepped forward to take the memorial from Wang Yangming's hand and presented it to Zhou Chen.

Zhou Chen opened the memorial and read it.

In the memorial, in addition to the charges that thirteen aristocratic families hired assassins to assassinate court officials, Wang Yangming also listed some of the crimes of these thirteen aristocratic families that usually violated laws and disciplines.

Zhou Chen looked at it very seriously.

After all, this is a matter of life and death for thousands of people, and it is no small matter.

Although the Yingchuan Chen family and other thirteen aristocratic families were treasonous, they hired assassins to assassinate court officials, committing a capital crime.

But only the mastermind committed a capital crime. Not all members of thirteen aristocratic families may be guilty of a capital crime. This must be determined according to the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

As the emperor, Zhou Chen holds the power of life and death for tens of millions of people. With just a flick of the imperial pen, countless people's heads will fall to the ground.

Therefore, Zhou Chen is very cautious and serious about such convictions to avoid the possibility of injustice.

After Zhou Chen finished reading the contents of the memorial, he looked up at Wang Yangming and said, "Very good. Your Ministry of Punishment is in charge of the criminal law prisons of the Great Zhou Dynasty. It can be said to be the most important cornerstone of the Great Zhou Dynasty."

"As the saying goes, there is no rule without rules. The world is turbid and needs a whip to spur it on."

"Your Punishment Department is such a whip. I hope that in the future, your Punishment Department will do things like this, strive for excellence, and try to avoid unjust cases and miscarriage of justice."

Zhou Chen was very satisfied with Wang Yangming's memorial.

The evidence of the crime listed in the memorial is very clear, and the charges against him are also well-founded.

The Ministry of Punishment is in charge of criminal law and prisons all over the world. All major murder cases throughout the Great Zhou Dynasty were interrogated and convicted by the Ministry of Punishment.

If there is any slack or mistake in the Criminal Department, it may result in the unjust murder of several people, or even dozens or hundreds of people.

Although, any case must eventually need the emperor's approval and pass the emperor's test.

But as an emperor, Zhou Chen has many important state affairs every day. He cannot send someone else to verify every case of the Ministry of Punishment!

Therefore, this issue ultimately depends on the Ministry of Punishment.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"I must be strict with all the yamen of the Ministry of Punishment, carefully seek evidence, and carefully question the case to avoid wrong cases."

Wang Yangming said solemnly.

Wang Mingyang understood what Zhou Chen meant.

However, Wang Yangming, as the Minister of Punishment, knew that it was impossible to completely avoid unjust cases and wrongful convictions.

It can only be avoided as much as possible.

Zhou Chen also knew this in his heart.

Zhou Chen reviewed the memorial with the imperial pen, stamped it with a seal, and handed it to Wang Yangming, the Minister of Punishment.

In this way, the next fate of all the thirteen wealthy families including the Yingchuan Chen family was decided.

After Zhou Chen returned the reviewed memorial to Wang Yangming, he casually said, "Aiqing is a member of the Wang family of Langxie. She should also know the person who joined the world, right?"

Wang Yangming put away the memorial and was stunned for a moment: "I have heard a little bit about it."

Wang Yangming said cautiously.

"Then what do you think of what happened to the Yingchuan Chen family this time?"

Zhou Chen glanced at Wang Yangming and asked.

Wang Yangming hesitated for a moment and then said, "I only hear about those people who have joined the world, and I don't understand other situations."

"Therefore, I don't dare to speak nonsense."

Wang Yangming knew what Zhou Chen was asking.

The only reason why the Yingchuan Chen family dared to hire killers to assassinate court officials was because there were people who were worldly behind them.

However, Wang Yangming had only heard about those people who joined the world, and did not know more about those people who joined the world.

He would not hesitate to say why those worldly people would behave this way.

"I heard that those people who have joined the world also visited Prince Langxie's family."

"Ai Qing seemed to be very concerned about the casualties of the imperial guards in the palace before?"

Zhou Chen looked at Wang Yangming with calm eyes.

When Wang Yangming heard this, his expression changed immediately.

"Your Majesty, your Majesty..."

Wang Yangming fell to his knees on the ground, his face turning pale.

Wang Yangming never expected that the emperor would find out about the casualties of the Imperial Guards in the palace that he had secretly inquired about before.

It is taboo to inquire into the affairs of the palace.

Even if Wang Yangming is the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment, if he is really investigated, he will have to walk around in pain.

Wang Yangming stood trembling and bowed his head to the ground, unable to say a word.

Wang Yangming is afraid, terrified.

He was afraid that Emperor Zhou Chen, because of this incident, would suspect that the Langxie family, like the Yingchuan Chen family, were plotting against the imperial court.

If that happens, not only will Wang Yangming, the Minister of Punishment, be left with nothing to eat, but the Langxie Wang family will also suffer.

Zhou Chen looked at Wang Yangming who was bowing his head on the ground and said slowly, "Ai Qing, can you tell me what the purpose of those worldly people visiting Wang Langxie's family is?"

"Why is Aiqing concerned about the casualties of the Imperial Guards in the palace?"

Zhou Chen's voice was very calm.

But hearing this in Wang Yangming's ears made Wang Yangming feel cold all over, and his face became even paler.

"Your Majesty, I don't know the purpose of those worldly people visiting the royal family."

"It's just that the clan sent me a message before, asking if the people from the royal family who have joined the world have arrived."

"Then I inquired about the casualties of the Imperial Army."

"Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Wang Yangming bowed his head to the ground, not daring to hide anything, and told all this.

Wang Yangming knew that if he dared to conceal and deny it at this time, then he, the Minister of Punishment, would really be in trouble.

Only by confessing can you have a chance of survival.

The most important thing is that this matter is not a treasonous thing, and if you explain it, it will not cause any consequences.

After hearing this, Zhou Chen's eyes flickered.

The Langxie Wang family asked if the worldly people of the royal family had arrived. Needless to say, it was definitely the worldly people who visited the Wang family who asked the Wang family to inquire.

But, why would those worldly people inquire about the traces of those worldly people in the royal family?

Zhou Chen frowned slightly as he thought.

For a moment, the hall fell into silence.

Wang Yangming bowed his head to the ground and did not dare to move.

There were already beads of sweat on his forehead.

Wang Yangming didn't know whether the emperor Zhou Chen believed his answer.

He didn't know whether he would be able to become desolate in the future.

The only thing he could do was wait in agony.

After a while.

Zhou Chen looked at Wang Yangming who was bowing his head on the ground and said calmly, "Aiqing is my Minister of Punishment and also the Minister of Punishment of the imperial court. I hope Aiqing can remember that Aiqing is an official of the imperial court first, and then a member of the royal family of Langxie."

people."

"This order cannot be reversed."

"I hope Aiqing can remember this and don't let me down."

Zhou Chen said slowly.

When Wang Yangming heard this, he immediately bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, don't worry, I will remember your Majesty's instructions and never forget them."

Wang Yangming felt relieved.

It seems that he, the Minister of Punishment, has been saved.

Your Majesty has no intention of touching him, the Minister of Punishment.

"Back off!"

Zhou Chen waved his hand and said nothing more.

Regarding Wang Yangming, Zhou Chen had no intention of touching Wang Yangming, he just wanted to give Wang Yangming a good beating.

With the existence of Dongchang, nothing can be hidden from the emperor Zhou Chen.

Wang Yangming believed that he secretly inquired about the casualties of the Imperial Guards in the palace without anyone knowing, but little did he know that this could not be hidden from Dongchang's eyes and ears.

Not only Wang Yangming, but also all the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty, basically their every move could not be hidden from the emperor Zhou Chen.

Take Wang Yangming, the Minister of Punishment, for example. What he said and did in daily life are recorded in Dongchang.

Even some of the corrupt and illegal things that Wang Yangming had done before, Zhou Chen was well aware of.

However, Zhou Chen understood that when the water is clear, there will be no fish.

As an emperor, you cannot take the distinction between black and white too seriously.

As long as Wang Yangming can be used by the court and useful to the emperor, Zhou Chen will not touch him easily.

Just like He Zhongtang in Qingshi, everyone knows that he is a corrupt official, and he is also a huge corrupt official.

Doesn’t the emperor sitting on the dragon throne know?

The answer is obvious.

However, the emperor did not punish the evil and promote the good, and captured the corrupt man in a black and white manner.

What's the reason?

It was because the extremely corrupt He Zhongtang was useful to the emperor.

The emperor not only needs upright and loyal ministers, but also treacherous ministers who are flattering.

The art of the emperor is exactly like this.

"I excuse myself."

Wang Yangming stood up and exited the Yangxin Hall.

It wasn't until he walked out of Yangxin Hall that Wang Yangming breathed a sigh of relief.

Just now in the Yangxin Hall, Wang Mingyang's heart was in his throat, fearing that he would be accused by the emperor.

Fortunately, the emperor only gave him a beating.

After Wang Yangming took a long breath, he frowned and left the palace with a thoughtful look on his face.

…

Dongchang.

Imperial prison.

Zhou Wudao and the others sat blankly in the prison.

Zhou Wudao and the others, as members of the royal family, are rare geniuses and strong men who will break the barrier between heaven and man in the future, and they are full of arrogance.

Even in Tianshan, you can basically walk sideways.

But they never expected that they would actually stumble into this worldly world and become prisoners, locked up in this deep prison.

I have to say that this is definitely a big shame for Zhou Wudao and the four of them.

"Zhou Wudao, what are you waiting for? Use your trump card quickly to notify the clan and ask them to send people to kill this bitch who dares to disobey the master's family."

"Do you want us all to die here?"

Zhou Qian looked at Zhou Wudao and said ferociously.

Compared to Zhou Wudao and the other three, Zhou Qian had a stronger hatred for the emperor Zhou Chen.

He was a talented person, but his strength was actually abolished and he became a useless person. This was even more difficult for him to accept than killing Zhou Qian.

Zhou Wudao glanced at Zhou Qian indifferently: "You know that once you do this, our Zhou family will be out of the game."

"Can you afford this consequence?"

Zhou Wudao said coldly.

He also wanted to immediately notify people from the clan and kill this secular outsider to vent his inner anger.

But he couldn't do it until the last moment.

Otherwise, they will be out.

When the time comes, the clan will be blamed, and they cannot afford the consequences.

As soon as Zhou Wudao finished speaking, a sarcastic voice sounded from a cell on the opposite side.

“Tsk, tsk, I really didn’t expect that!”

"Zhou Wudao, Zhou Qian, you were actually arrested by your own foreign branch. You became prisoners of the foreign branch. It's really eye-opening."

"It's a bit embarrassing that you can't even suppress the people from your own branch."

"However, this worldly emperor is very courageous. He even dares to touch the worldly members of your master's family. I do admire him a little."

In a cell on the opposite side, a sinister voice said.

This yin and yang man is none other than the masked man behind Cao Zhengchun who took down the killer building in Shu.

"Hmph, no matter how embarrassing we are, at least we are not being tortured now, unlike you, who are almost tortured to death!"

"I heard that there are 108 kinds of torture in Dongchang. I wonder what it feels like?"

Zhou Wudao glanced coldly at the person in the cell on the opposite side.

They are all worldly people and come from the same place, Tianshan.

So, they all know each other well.

"Humph, I believe you will know how it feels like this Dongchang torture. It won't take long."

"Zhou Wudao, you can't be so naive as to think that they don't dare to torture you!"

"Since they dare to arrest you, they are not afraid to torture you."

"It's just that it's not your turn yet."

"When the time comes, I hope you won't be unable to survive their first round of appetizers. Otherwise, you will be sorry for the Zhou family's reputation."

The other party also snorted coldly and mocked Zhou Wudao in return.

(End of chapter)