Chapter 859 948 Public Trial

“Click.

As the shaking accelerated, a bamboo stick jumped out of the stick tube and fell on the desk.

Zhang Juzheng put down the stick tube, reached out to pick up the bamboo stick, and looked at the stick carefully.

“Geng Geng Zhongping Su Qiong cried”

Zhang Juzheng frowned slightly when he saw the stick, and then continued to read.

“The heaven has already known your heart, why ask me to resolve your doubts, I hope you will change your mind and follow filial piety, so that you don’t worry about your family not being suitable”

He just quickly scanned the stick and looked at the emperor’s will behind it.

In the end, Zhang Juzheng’s eyes fell firmly on the last few words of the emperor’s will.

“.If you can correct your mistakes, everything will be suitable. ”

Zhang Juzheng was also familiar with miscellaneous books. After reading the fortune and the divine will, he actually knew the meaning of this fortune.

The interpretation of this fortune is: Good deeds will be rewarded. Evil deeds will be punished. It warns people to be aware of it early. What you are planning now is not good. The gods have already seen it. It is impossible to do it. Why ask. You can only repent of your past mistakes and try your best to be filial and respectful. You will have a peaceful family. It is up to you to choose. Don’t you understand?

To put it in vernacular, it means that when you have a thought, God already knows it. Since it is a bad intention, why ask God again? Buddha solves the doubts in one's heart. In fact, one's heart is quite clear about what is right and what is wrong.

As long as one corrects his mistakes and turns to good, and removes the bad thoughts in his heart, he hopes to start with filial piety and brotherhood. Filial piety to parents and friendship with siblings are the most basic ways of filial piety and brotherhood. As long as filial piety and brotherhood are achieved, there is no need to worry about the family being unhappy. Naturally, the family business will be safe and happy. There is a saying that a harmonious family will bring prosperity.

If the bad thoughts in the heart are not changed, bad luck will come at any time.

Zhang Juzheng silently said: "What you have planned is not good, why pray to God, you should decide on reason and reform yourself. But you can be filial and friendly, serve your parents and the king, and harmony will bring happiness and rejuvenation of the family. ”

This is his understanding of the fortune, which happened to appear in his mind, and he couldn't help but say it.

Looking sideways at the high Guandi statue, Zhang Juzheng finally made a decision in his heart.

After leaving the Guandi Temple, Zhang Juzheng returned to the mansion and wrote a note to Feng Bao, and sent someone to give it to Feng Bao.

Feng Bao was very helpless about Zhang Juzheng's explicit refusal to intervene in the case of Minister Wang, but he had no choice.

Zhang Juzheng needed him, and he actually needed Zhang Juzheng. The two of them complemented each other. If they were together, they would benefit, but if they were apart, they would lose.

However, Zhang Juzheng and Gao Gong really didn't get along, and he didn't want to end the case quickly.

The Jinyi Tiqi went to Xinzheng, and Zheng In order to make Gao Gong feel uncomfortable, he was still happy to see Gao Gong in trouble.

That night, Yang Bo and Ge Shouli came to Zhang's house at the same time because they failed to persuade Zhang Juzheng in the cabinet during the day, hoping to try again to persuade Zhang Juzheng to help Gao Gong clear his suspicion.

When they met in front of Zhang's house, they knew that their goals were actually the same after a brief greeting.

Although Ge Shouli was also very surprised why Yang Bo chose to help Gao Gong at this time, since everyone had the same goal, they were comrades, so they entered Zhang's house together.

In the flower hall of Zhang's house, Yang Bo still said to Zhang Juzheng tirelessly: "Gao Gong is the former prime minister, why do you have to do this with him?"

"Uncle, this matter can't continue. The rumors among the people are rampant, which has a great impact on the majesty of the court.

You should ask the palace to stop the investigation by the East Factory, but hand it over to the Ministry of Justice to find out the ins and outs of this case.

The Censorate will also fully cooperate with the Ministry of Justice to find out the case, so that it is the right thing to do. ”

Ge Shouli also said: "I have no prejudice against you or Mr. Gao, but this case involves His Majesty and the former Prime Minister, and it should be investigated by the Ministry of Justice, and it is definitely not for the East Factory to act recklessly. ”

Hearing the two people constantly pressing each other, Zhang Juzheng was surprisingly angry at this moment, staring at the two people with his eyes and said: "You two said that I have a prejudice against Mr. Gao?"

Yang Bo immediately said: "I dare not do so, but except you, no one can have a way to turn the tide, because you are the Prime Minister, and the palace means that only you can express your opinion. ”

Although the cabinet has Wei Guangde, Lu Diaoyang and other so-called second assistants and assistants, only the Prime Minister has such a right to refute the imperial edict.

Other cabinet ministers can oppose, but they cannot refute, and must get the support of the Prime Minister.

"It's not that I don't want to help, it's really that the East Factory now has the confession of Minister Wang, and is following the clues to find people in Gao's house to complete the final link.

There is dirt and evidence, how can I object? I really can't do anything. "

Zhang Juzheng still chose to delay. Although he did not intend to help Feng Bao, he would not help Gao Gong either, and let them fight.

It was just that he wanted to watch the show, but Yang Bo and Ge Shouli wanted to entangle him.

As for the rumors from the outside world, Zhang Juzheng certainly knew about them, but he did not think there was anything wrong with it.

After the case was closed, the rumors died out.

This time, because of Zhang Juzheng's insistence, Yang Bo and Ge Shouli still returned in vain.

However, the two kept looking for Zhang Juzheng. After the news came out, the outside world had more or less speculated about Zhang Juzheng's attitude towards the case.

In the lobby of the East Factory, a majestic portrait of Yue Fei was hung in the middle of the main room, and an official hat chair was placed under the portrait. Feng Bao was sitting on it at this time.

"Are you sure those two people are from Gao's house?"

"Mr. Factory, it has been confirmed. I found three groups of spies to see."

"Where do they live?"

"An inn outside Chongwenmen, the location is also very remote, just right for arresting people. "

"Send a good hand to do it, I just want the confession."

"Yes."

"By the way, do you know why they came to the capital?"

"After investigation, after they arrived in the capital, they successively sent letters to Yang Bo, the Minister of Personnel, Ge Shouli, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, and Lu Diaoyang, the assistant minister of the cabinet. The content of the letter has not been found yet, but."

"But what?"

"Mr. Yang and Mr. Ge went to the cabinet to find Mr. Prime Minister early this morning, and went to Zhang's house together in the evening."

The people who were talking were Feng Bao and Xu Jue, and the person they wanted to catch was naturally the servant sent by Gao Gong to deliver the letter.

Soon after they entered the city, they were discovered by the secret agents of the Jinyiwei, and then informed the East Factory, and then the East Factory began to investigate their whereabouts.

At this time, Feng Bao thought of the note sent by Zhang Juzheng that he had seen before, and his heart was furious.

He knew that Zhang Juzheng's attitude must have been lobbied by Yang Bo and Ge Shouli.

"Yang Bo, Ge Shouli, very good."

Feng Bao just said this grimly, and then waved to Xu Jue, "Go, do a good job."

In the second half of the night, the Chongwen Gate of the inner city of the capital was quietly opened, and a team of soldiers entered the inner city from the outer city and went directly to the Northern Pacification Office.

There was a curfew in the capital at night, but for the local residents, the factory guards had a lot of connections.

Although the city gates should never be opened without the emperor's order after the night curfew, there were also factory guards in the city gate army, so it was really not too easy to provide convenience.

The factory guards relied on this pervasive network to monitor the big and small things inside and outside the capital.

The next afternoon, Xu Jue's confession was finally delivered to Feng Bao. He was overjoyed and praised him immediately, and then hurried to Ciqing Palace.

"My queen, the Gao family members who colluded with Minister Wang have been caught, and they confessed to the matter after interrogation."

As he said, Feng Bao handed over the confession he had just received.

"From now on, it is certain that Gao Gong hired someone to assassinate His Majesty. Please issue an order to bring Gao Gong back to the capital to be punished. His relatives should also be imprisoned.

The factory guards can do this without any mistakes.

If Your Majesty is worried, I can go there myself and there will be no mistakes."

Empress Dowager Chen took the confession handed over by Feng Bao and read it. She handed it to Empress Dowager Li beside her without saying a word.

If it is said that from the beginning, Empress Dowager Chen and Empress Dowager Li hated Gao Gong because of Feng Bao's confession, then after so many days, they have heard more or less rumors outside and have become less determined.

In addition, they have actually realized that the political impact of ordering the Jinyiwei to arrest Gao Gong is too great, and they have to think twice before acting.

"Sister, look at this matter."

After reading the confession, Empress Dowager Li found that it was exactly the same as the confession of Minister Wang that she had seen before, so she couldn't help but believe it a little.

"With all the evidence, we can conclude the case, but..."

Empress Dowager Chen thought of the rumors from the outside world, and also remembered the joint trial of the three courts proposed by Wei Guangde and Zhang Juzheng.

However, it is true that in the Ming Dynasty, cases involving the emperor seemed to have never been handled by the outer court, and they were all handled by the factory guards according to the imperial order.

Now Feng Bao has submitted the evidence collected by the factory guards, and it seems that there is solid evidence that Gao Gong participated in the assassination.

Feng Bao also said before that the factory guards could handle this matter, and there was no need to involve the outer court.

After all, it was written in the confession that Feng Bao brought that Gao Gong was angry with the emperor and the two palaces because he was dismissed from office, and then hired someone to assassinate.

If this matter is handed over to the outer court for trial, it will have a negative impact on them to some extent.

She does not object to the factory guards handling the case, but she is also worried that after the imperial order is issued, it will be stopped by the cabinet.

Then, it is necessary to issue an imperial order, and it may even cause a shock in the court.

For Empress Dowager Chen now, maintaining the stability of the court is the top priority.

She had no idea about the imperial power. She only wanted to raise Emperor Wanli Zhu Yijun. When he took power, the late emperor's trust in her would be fulfilled, and she could go to see the late emperor with peace of mind.

When she was struggling, she heard Empress Dowager Li asked, "Is it because of the cabinet's previous memorial?"

Empress Dowager Li had some means, which were used in the harem before, but her political sensitivity was also very high.

Although she was not interested in the government, she had the same idea as Empress Dowager Chen, that is, to ensure that the imperial power was smoothly handed over to her son Zhu Yijun was her most concerned thing, and everything else could be put aside.

"Should we ask the cabinet to come and discuss it face to face?"

Empress Dowager Li suggested.

"Then let Zhang Juzheng and Wei Guangde come, and Lu Diaoyang stay in the cabinet to handle official business."

Empress Dowager Chen decided after a little hesitation.

Feng Bao, who was below, was very anxious when he heard this, and hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, this matter concerns the emperor and the queen, and should be carried out by the factory guards according to the ancestral rules.

If the three courts are tried together, it will inevitably spread, and it is possible that something will happen, making the royal family a laughing stock.

This is also the reason why the factory guards were responsible for investigating all matters involving the royal family in the previous dynasty, and they would never reveal anything to the outside world."

"This matter is different. The person involved in the case is the former prime minister, and all officials in the world are watching. If it is not handled well, it will cause turmoil in the court."

Empress Dowager Chen has made a decision. In terms of face and court stability, she finally chose stability.

"After the case is closed, who dares to gossip about it? Are you factory guards just decorations?"

Empress Dowager Li also spoke.

Faced with such a scene, Feng Bao dared not say anything more.

Soon, a little eunuch ran out of Ciqing Palace and rushed directly to the cabinet to convey the order.

When Zhang Juzheng and Wei Guangde hurried to Ciqing Palace, they also saw the confessions of Gao Gong's family members sent by Feng Bao from Empress Dowager Chen.

Zhang Juzheng was a little happy when he saw the confessions.

No matter whether these confessions are true or false, since the East Factory has perfected the evidence, now there are witnesses and evidence, Gao Gong will be skinned alive even if he doesn't die.

He did not participate in Feng Bao's conspiracy, and he had to handle the case fairly and impartially to restore his prestige that had been lost in recent days.

With all the evidence, what are you worried about?

Although he still didn't believe Gao Gong would do this, Feng Bao handed him a knife, so he could do whatever he wanted.

Wei Guangde just frowned slightly after reading the confessions.

In fact, he expected these actions of Feng Bao. If Feng Bao didn't understand at the beginning, someone should have taught him after so many days.

As long as Gao Gong's case is a public trial, the truth of the evidence is actually not important.

Gao Gong is just a man who seeks small profits and is jealous of talents. It's better to teach him a lesson.

"Both of you are the ministers appointed by the late emperor. This matter involves Gao Gong. What do you think should be done?"

Empress Dowager Chen directly stated the purpose of calling them here.

If they say that the factory guards should handle it directly, then do as they wish.

As for the previous suggestion of holding a joint trial, let him do it.

"This matter is of great importance. There are both witnesses and evidence. I think we can hold a joint trial and confirm that the evidence is correct. Then we can issue an order to question him."

As the chief minister, Zhang Juzheng directly expressed his attitude.

As long as the case is heard by the Ministry of Justice, no one in the court will question the evidence. Gao Gong's crime will be determined. The rest is the work that the factory guards are familiar with, and the court will naturally not care about it.

After all, it is a case of assassinating the king, so Gao Gong does not need to be heard again, and he can be convicted directly.

In fact, in Zhang Juzheng's view, with these confessions and evidence, he can also shut up Yang Bo and others. He never thought that the people in the hands of the East Factory would dare to change their confessions and regret.

However, if such a view is applied to a normal person, he will naturally not make such a mistake, but if it is a brainless and reckless man, it may not be the case.

As for Wei Guangde, he did not want to say much, and immediately expressed his second opinion after Zhang Juzheng finished speaking.

"In this case, according to what Zhang Ge Lao said, this matter will be tried together, and once it is confirmed, the cabinet will immediately draft an order to arrest and interrogate the person."

Empress Dowager Chen was also satisfied. Only the people involved in the case in the capital will be tried. Once the trial is confirmed, Gao Gong will be convicted directly, and the face of the royal family will not be lost too much.

After all, Gao Gong is not an ordinary person. If he is really sent to the hall for public trial, the face of the court and the royal family will not look good.

Even the late emperor in the netherworld is afraid that he will bear the joke of not knowing people well.

The reputation of Emperor Longqing has been very bad among the people after two selections.

"Feng Bao, you are responsible for cooperating in this matter and must do it well."

Empress Dowager Chen finally ordered.