Chapter 224 Don't cry without seeing the coffin! Cai You's acquaintance
The Song Mansion used to be extremely lively, but the Han Mansion has been deserted in recent days. The servants who stood at the door showing off their power have now gone back to the mansion. The extremely luxurious Wutou Gate is tightly closed, and there is no trace of the majesty of the past when it was wide open on all sides.
There is a post every twenty steps outside Wutou Gate. Soldiers dressed in powerful uniforms and holding steel swords are eyeing every pedestrian coming and going.
When the people who used to be ingratiating walked by here, they all turned their heads and walked away quickly, for fear of getting into any more trouble.
Cai You sat in the carriage, looking at the vermilion aconite gate that had begun to collect dust, and sighed.
The driver of the car noticed that the soldiers' eyes had noticed this, and hurriedly waved his long whip: "Drive!"
The horse was in pain and pulled the carriage away from the street, heading north...
It was extremely lively outside the imperial city gate today. Many carriages were parked far outside the gate, and Cai You was one of them.
"Uncle Gao."
Cai You got off the carriage and walked quickly to the other side.
"Coming."
Gao Xun was dressed in a scarlet robe and a black gauze hat. With a forced smile on his face, he led Cai You towards the interior of the imperial city.
The Yushitai is located in the southeast corner of the imperial city, and there are particularly many officials on this road today.
But when most ministers saw Gao Xun, they subconsciously took two steps away. Only occasionally when they met a few loyal members of Cai's party would they come up to say hello.
But their smiles were also very forced.
"According to the news from the Duke's Mansion, today's situation may not be good."
Gao Xun and Cai You walked very close and lowered their voices and warned: "Let us prepare in advance over there."
Cai You was silent for a moment and did not reply. Instead, he asked, "Can't my father come out yet?"
Gao Xun helplessly shook his head: "The case has no results. They said they still couldn't rule out the suspicion, and they still refused to release him."
But when the case comes to an end and everything is settled, it's too late.
It's just that the situation is stronger than the people now. It is impossible for the two of them to shake the decision of the emperor, Zhongshu Sheng, and Yushitai, even if they are combined with many other Cai Party officials.
They can only accept this result.
Cai You took a deep breath: "Can you save your life? Will your family and clan members be implicated?"
Gao Xun didn't reply. After a while, he said in a deep voice, "I don't know."
Cai You's eyes darkened. Although Gao Xun said it euphemistically, Cai You could understand what he meant.
I don’t know, I just can’t promise anything, I can’t even guarantee the most basic things, I can’t be sure where things will go.
"Eldest Young Master..."
Gao Xun noticed something strange about him and looked at him worriedly: "This time only Yushitai is trying the case alone, and the Ministry of Punishment is not involved, so we..."
"I'm fine."
Cai You took a deep breath and secretly clenched his fists.
"But don't worry, eldest son."
Gao Xun hurriedly consoled him: "So what if Yushitai and the others kill them all?"
"As long as the case is finished and Mr. Cai comes out of the Gongyuan, we may not be able to change their verdict..."
Cai You clenched his fists and shook his head, changing the final decision of the Yushitai?
How difficult is it?
Or it's simply impossible.
The judgment of the Yushitai must be sent to the emperor. After the emperor's approval, the decision will be drafted by the Zhongshu Province, reviewed by the Menxia Province, and then implemented.
But even if Cai Jing comes out, what can he do?
Can he change the emperor's mind? Can he change Zhongshu Sheng's mind? Or can he use his strength from Menxia Sheng?
These three people all competed with Cai Dang for the deputy examiner of the joint examination at the end of the year. How can they not add insult to injury now?
Cai You's eyes gradually became firmer. What would happen if Cai Jing came out?
This matter must be changed before the results come out.
But that's easy to say, but hard for Cai You to do...
Seeing that he stopped talking, Gao Xun also fell into silence. He led the way, and the two of them continued towards the Yushitai.
Although only the Yushitai was hearing the case today, other officials were not prohibited from watching. When Cai You and Gao Xun arrived here, the hall was almost full of people.
"Master Gao..."
The officials gathered outside the main hall greeted him one after another and made way for him.
"Uncle Gao, you go in first, I'll be fine outside."
Cai You forced a smile on his face and said goodbye to Gao Xun.
Although there are no clear regulations, according to the unspoken rules of officials, if there are too many people, the seats in the main hall will be arranged according to the size of the official positions.
Cai You has no official status and even entered the imperial city with Gao Xun. How could he go in and join in the fun now? Haven't you seen so many officials waiting outside?
"That's fine."
Gao Xun sighed: "You wait here, I...Brother Deng and I will do our best."
After saying that, he turned around and walked into the main hall, leaving only the other low-level officials present looking at Cai You curiously.
If it were normal, Cai You would definitely take this opportunity to get acquainted with these people and build relationships.
But now he is very depressed and has no intention of doing any of this. He just anxiously looks at the situation in the hall through the fence...
At this moment, a large number of officials had gathered in the hall, and there were more than ten of them in scarlet robes. They were all sitting on the left and right, waiting silently.
Yan Lide didn't know what kind of mentality he had, so he put down his work in the Ministry of Industry and came here. Su Ling'a was sitting next to him, and the two of them seemed to be discussing something in a low voice.
On the other side, Lu Yin, the right minister of the Ministry of War, was also sitting opposite, with a complicated look on his face, and he would glance at Yan Lide from time to time.
For a moment, no one spoke in the lobby, and the atmosphere was a little strange.
But this situation did not last long. A burst of footsteps came from the back of the hall. Soon Wei Zheng, who was dressed in a scarlet robe and looked majestic, led a group of censors to the main stage and sat down.
Accompanying them was Li Yuan, a tall man with shaggy beard and hair. He slowly walked to a chair beside the main stage and sat down on a chair.
Bang~
The loud gavel was photographed, and many distracted officials were agitated.
"Shengtang! Bring someone to commit the crime!"
Wei Zheng went straight to the point without any hesitation.
The officials who were watching outside the hall cheered to get out of the way, allowing the government officials to escort the two "criminals" into the hall. At the same time, they also looked at the two ministers with regret.
No, he should be called "former minister".
Cai You mingled among the crowd and looked at his father-in-law and uncle with a complicated expression.
If he hadn't observed carefully, Cai You would have thought he had recognized the wrong person.
The previous demeanor and authority have disappeared. He is wearing a relatively clean linen prison uniform draped over his body, and his hair is disheveled.
The only good news is that the two of them are relatively clean overall, they don't look like they have been tortured, and they still maintain the most basic dignity of court officials.
Now walking among the officials, the two of them tried their best to straighten their bodies and hold their heads high, as if they wanted to find their own pride.
Cai You's eyes flashed with sadness, but he did not call out to them.
Song Qiaonian and Han Mulu didn't notice Cai You in the crowd, or rather they noticed him, but pretended not to notice him, and walked forward with their heads held high in the eyes of the officials.
"Sir, Song Qiaonian is a criminal, and Han Mulu has been brought to him."
After the officers leaned over and finished speaking, they immediately left, leaving only the two prisoners in prison uniforms.
The officials who filled the hall looked at the two of them with unscrupulous eyes, just like looking at two pieces of meat on a chopping board.
Song Qiaonian and Han Mulu's faces turned red. Once upon a time, they were also among the ministers above.
Now he has become a prisoner, and can only be looked down upon by his former "same kind".
This kind of humiliation is definitely uncomfortable, but now is not the time for them to get into trouble.
Bang~
The loud gavel sounded again, and Wei Zheng looked at the two of them expressionlessly.
"Song Qiaonian and Han Mulu, are you two guilty?"
"What's the crime?"
Song Qiaonian stared upward angrily. After answering, he asked Wei Zheng: "Xiaguan thinks that his actions are worthy of the court and the people, and he has a clear conscience. I dare to ask Mr. Wei why he treated Xianguan as a prisoner and escorted him from the Gongyuan.
To the Yushitai?"
Han Mulu also raised his head, his face full of unyielding: "The actions of Mr. Wei and Mr. Guogong are too inappropriate. I have a clear conscience and have never done anything disqualified..."
The two of them have been together in the court for so long, so they naturally understand deeply what "lenity will be given to those who confess, and they will go to jail".
Frankly admit that there is definitely no "lenient treatment", because there is no basis for setting the charges and it all depends on the wishes of the people above.
Originally, the nine tribes were punished, but now only you are allowed to die. That is lenient, but who can accept such a result?
But if you refuse to admit it, you may escape disaster.
Everyone can figure out how to choose.
The officials who were watching looked at this scene curiously, with different expressions on their faces, but most of them were expecting.
Previously, His Majesty the Emperor said that he had obtained evidence of internal and external interoperability, but what evidence was it?
But Wei Zheng ignored their desperate struggles and just said coldly: "When the matter comes to a close, and there is evidence found from the official residence, you two should stop making excuses."
As soon as these words came out, both of them were startled.
Evidence found from official residences?
Song Qiaonian subconsciously turned his head to Han Mulu, who was standing aside, because he knew that there was nothing in his official residence.
He entered Gongyuan just before the exam started, so there was no need to contact the outside world.
Han Mulu's body trembled, and his face was a little confused, puzzled, and unbelievable, but hidden deeper was a hint of guilt.
"Servant Han, why don't you explain it first?"
Wei Zheng opened the lid of the wooden box on the desk and looked at Han Mulu coldly: "My lords, you are here to listen. Your time is precious, so don't delay any more."
A trace of cold sweat broke out on Han Mulu's forehead, but he still frowned and said, "Sir, I don't know about this!"
Wei Zheng shook his head and took out half a piece of cake from the wooden box and a note sandwiched in the cake: "Since Minister Han is unwilling to say it, let me tell you for you."
"This thing was found from your official residence on the day the Gongyuan was sealed off."
The ministers looked upward curiously.
Han Mulu opened his mouth wide: "Master Wei, I don't know about this..."
Wei Zheng ignored him and continued to mind his own business: "This thing says 'It has been finished for a long time, but the wind has not subsided yet, so be careful.'"
"The Yushitai interrogated the servant in the Han Mansion who brought you food. This article was written by Han Cheng, the chief steward of the Han Mansion."
"And Han Cheng also explained the exchange of letters between him and you since you entered the Gongyuan, as well as the process of you and another mastermind working together to solve the test question..."
Having said this, Wei Zheng paused and looked at Han Mulu coldly: "Han Mulu, do you want me to continue talking? Or should you explain yourself clearly?"
Han Mulu's face turned pale, he opened his mouth but said nothing.
He didn't respond, but Song Qiaonian's vision went dark and he looked at Han Mulu in disbelief.
And what about the collusion with another mastermind that leaked the story?
Are you a pig?
Who is the other mastermind leaked? Is it Mr. Cai, or...
Thinking of this, Song Qiaonian's face completely froze.
Cai Jing did not appear in court, but he did, which explains everything.
Sure enough, Wei Zheng turned to look at Song Qiaonian again.
"Song Qiaonian and Han Mulu's housekeeper have made everything clear. The Yushitai has also interrogated the Song family."
Song Qiaonian's face turned pale. He didn't know until now that his hometown had also been raided.
Wei Zheng ignored his ugly expression and continued loudly: "Your housekeeper told you that on February 9th, you brought the test questions back to your house and gave them to Liu Fu, the second son of Liu Qingde, a fellow magistrate of Hengshan, and three other people.
To help them pass the examination.”
"In addition, after you got the test questions, you also violated the rules of the court and brought the test questions to the duty room of the Rites Yamen. During this period, you also met with the head of the Fine Food Department!"
"I wonder if what I said is correct?"
"I……"
Song Qiaonian forced himself to cheer up, clenched his fists and said, "Master Wei! This is nonsense! I don't know these things at all!"
"This is just a trick! It's all slander!"
"The official requested that the three judicial divisions jointly hear the case..."
Snap!
Wei Zheng was furious: "You dare to offend an official. You really won't shed tears until you see the coffin!"
"Since you don't want to admit it, then bring witnesses! Today we will unravel your private affairs and make you confess to them all!"
The government officials who were guarding outside the hall quickly ran away to bring witnesses.
The officials sitting in the hall looked at Song Chaonian and Han Mulu with pity.
When things got to this point, everyone almost understood that Han Mulu lost his life due to carelessness, and Song Qiaonian was dragged down by him.
With such irrefutable evidence, the next struggle between these two people is that of a trapped beast...
There was a rush of footsteps approaching from far away, and the government officials had already arrived outside the hall with several "witnesses" who were not in good mental and physical condition.
Cai You watched this scene from a distance outside the crowd, gritting his teeth.
At this moment, someone suddenly tapped him on the shoulder.
Cai You turned around suddenly, but was startled by the person coming.
"Who are you……"
"Don't talk, I'll do it."
Cai You didn't know this man at all, but looking at the Yulin Guard armor on his body, he gritted his teeth and followed him.
The man dressed as Yu Linwei seemed to be familiar with the layout of the imperial city. He led him to turn left and right, and soon came to a hidden room.
Looking at the familiar figure in the room, Cai You hesitated and said: "Are you...Brother Lu?"
Lu Bu also turned his head when he heard this, with a smile on his rough face: "Yes, it's me."