The reason why Hai Rui took the initiative to find Lin Tailai and have a private conversation was because he knew that Lin Tailai could not be summoned and interrogated in public.
But after talking to Lin Tailai, Hai Rui was really upset and even stayed up all night.
After so many years as an official, Hai Rui has encountered countless bad things and bad people. Compared with those people, Lin Tailai is far from bad.
From Hai Qingtian's own perspective, in fact, those bad people and things won't bother him, because he only needs to stick to his principles and face them with a clear conscience.
Only Lin Tailai made Hai Qingtian know what it means to block one's heart.
Hai Qingtian could see that Lin Tailai had a problem, but he couldn't touch Lin Tailai. He wanted to stick to his principles, but he couldn't, so he was heartbroken.
Moreover, it was not just Hai Qingtian who saw something wrong with Lin Tailai, but also the legendary person involved, Li Zongcheng, the prince of the Marquis of Linhuai.
Now the whole city of Nanjing is saying that it was Li Zongcheng who smashed Lin Tailai's boat, beat up Lin Tailai's men, and then sent officers and soldiers to Suzhou to capture Lin Tailai.
But of course Li Zongcheng knew in his heart that it was definitely not him who arrested Lin Tailai!
But everyone's efforts were destroyed, and Li Zongcheng panicked! Who could have imagined that the conflict with Lin Tailai would have such serious consequences!
Prince Li grew up in a noble family and knew a little about politics. Sometimes the truth is not important, as long as someone sacrifices for the overall situation!
Li Zongcheng didn't want to sacrifice, and he also knew that if he couldn't change public opinion now, it would be the end.
So he called together all the smart people he knew and asked for advice on how to reverse public opinion.
Everyone discussed it for half an hour, but they had no clue and the collective fell into silence.
At this time, a customer suddenly said: "Young Master, why don't you take up the weapon of law and defend your honor?"
Li Zongcheng: "."
When did the dignified prince of the marquis and the minister of defense of Nanjing need to rely on the law to protect his own rights and interests? Isn't that a stupid thing that ordinary people would do?
The doorman continued: "You can go to the Ministry of Justice and accuse Lin Tailai of provoking quarrels and fabricating facts!"
Li Zongcheng asked subconsciously: "Is this useful? Can we sue and win?"
Seeing that everyone present could not understand his thinking, the doorkeeper explained:
“First, it’s not that important whether you can sue or win, the key is to show an attitude!
Let others see that Xiaohou Ye dares to accuse Lin Tailai and dares to speak with the law!
This shows that the young marquis is not afraid of his shadow being tilted when he is upright, which is helpful for changing public opinion!
Second, the Ministry of Punishment was not friendly to Lin Tailai. Going to the Ministry of Punishment to sue Lin Tailai should be beneficial to the young marquis.
Third, forcing or inducing Lin Tailai to deny directing and acting in the execution hall would be a lie in front of the court.
In this way, if the evidence is found and the evidence is reversed, Lin Tailai can be directly convicted!"
Li Zongcheng couldn't help but fell into deep thought. Although it felt embarrassing to take up legal weapons, what this retainer said was not unreasonable.
The retainer advised: "Please think carefully, young Marquis, if you want to change public opinion, what other means can you use?"
Li Zongcheng finally made up his mind and gritted his teeth and said: "There seems to be no other way. It's better to lose face than to lose life. Although it's very cheap, I still did it!"
Another day later, Lin Tailai was in the West Garden of the Zhongshan Prince's Mansion to meet Zhao Zhigao, the imperial minister and director of the Imperial College.
Official Lin asked, "What's wrong with becoming a governor?"
In the eyes of Lin Daguan, Old Man Zhao is certainly the most suitable candidate for the next governor of Jiangnan.
The main reason is that this person does not have a strong personality, is willing to listen to advice, and has sufficient qualifications.
And the ability should be enough. After all, this is the first assistant who fought in the three major campaigns of Wanli in history. How can the ability be worse?
Old Bachelor Zhao was a little entangled in his heart, but he still retained the aloofness of a veteran Hanyuan Ci official.
Although the governor is an official directly under the imperial court and not a local official, he still works in the local area.
When the Ci Lin official moved to another place to work, wouldn't that mean he fell from heaven to earth?
Lin Daguan said sincerely: "The lowest grade of governor is the fourth grade. If an old bachelor becomes the governor, he can directly solve the treatment of the fourth grade!
After you have passed this qualification, I will help you calm down the turmoil in Jiangnan. It will not be difficult to become a third-grade minister in the next step!
I don’t need to say more about what it means for a person like you, who is a poet, to be promoted to the third rank of minister, right?"
For officials who were born as ministers of Hanyuan, as long as they can be promoted to the third rank of minister, it means that they can covet to join the cabinet.
It is not difficult to draw a pie, but the difficult thing is that the route is so clear.
It's hard to get an old bureaucrat to be fooled by the big pie, but if the road map is so clear, it's not human to be tempted.
"If you can really become a governor, even though it's a low price, you can still do it!" Zhao Zhigao gritted his teeth and said, "I'm already over sixty anyway, so I can't go home and take care of myself!"
I have no doubt whether Lin Daguan has this ability. This may be another advantage of Mr. Zhao, as the saying goes, "knowing people well and assigning them well".
Having just convinced Zhao Zhigao, Lin Tailai was preparing to take a rest when suddenly several more uninvited guests came.
A clerk from the Nanjing Ministry of Punishment trembled and said: "The Prince of Linhuai went to the Ministry of Punishment to sue Lin Tailai, a military officer. The trial will be held tomorrow. We have been ordered to come and summon him."
Lin Tailai asked in surprise: "Isn't it embarrassing that he actually went to court?"
The clerk of the Nanjing Ministry of Punishment took the initiative and said: "Lin Jieyuan doesn't have to go."
Lin Tailai replied: "Who said I won't go? I, Lin Tailai, have always respected the law, so of course I will respond to the lawsuit!"
The clerk from the Ministry of Punishment was surprised. Lin Tailai may have many advantages, but they never include obeying the law.
The Xi family members have been complaining to the Nanjing Ministry of Justice for so long, but they have never seen Lin Tailai take the initiative to go to the Ministry of Justice to surrender and respond to the lawsuit.
But no matter what Lin Tailai thought, it had nothing to do with him as a scribe. After conveying the message, he returned to the Ministry of Justice.
The next day, Lin Tailai went to the Criminal Department and was taken to the court in the West Road Courtyard.
Standing in front of the hall, Official Lin smiled. Sure enough, it was Wang Shizhen who came to interrogate the case.
According to the general layout, in the middle is the court of the official minister, the east road is the left minister's court, and the west road is the right minister's court.
This time, Official Lin was led to West Road, which meant that Wang Shizhen, the right minister of the Ministry of Punishment, was here to interrogate the case.
This was not because Wang Shizhen subjectively wanted to try this case, but because no one else in the Ministry of Punishment was willing to take over, and by default, all cases related to Lin Tailai were handed over to Wang Shizhen.
Who asked Wang Shizhen to accept the petition from the Xi family on behalf of the Ministry of Punishments and bring Lin Tailai into trouble for the Ministry of Punishments?
After entering the hall, Lin Tai took a look at the person sitting behind the publican. Sure enough, it was the old leader Wang who had been away for nearly a month!
After going to court, Lin Tailai ignored the plaintiff Li Zongcheng and happily talked to Wang Shizhen:
"I originally intended to visit the Duke of Yanzhou, but I was afraid that I might not have the chance to meet him, so I just took this opportunity to come."
Li Zongcheng was a little angry. Could it be that Lin Tailai responded not because he was sued but because he wanted to see Wang Shizhen?
How arrogant is this? How contemptuous of oneself is this?
But no matter what, as long as you, Lin Tailai, stand here today, he, Li Zongcheng, will win!
As the client said, the outcome of the lawsuit is not important, what is important is to express an attitude of not feeling guilty!
Wang Shizhen didn't want to see Lin Tailai again at all. While cursing her mother in her heart, she took a picture of the gavel and said: "When cases are heard in court, small talk is strictly prohibited!"
Then he said in a business-like manner: "Li, the Prince of Linhuai, is now suing Lin Tailai, a Suzhou military officer, for provoking quarrels and provoking trouble, fabricating facts, spreading rumors and causing trouble, and misleading the people!"
Li Zongcheng quickly said: "Before the interrogation, I have a question that I would like to ask the defendant to confirm!"
Then he said to Lin Tai: "Excuse me, did you direct and act in your arrest outside Maple Bridge that day?"
This was a question designed in advance to lure Lin Tai into perjury.
After Lin Tailai thought for a moment, he nodded and said, "Yes!"
Li Zongcheng said to Wang Shizhen without thinking: "Record it first, Lin Tailai denies it."
But only halfway through his words, Li Zongcheng suddenly realized that something was wrong!
He turned to look at Lin Tailai in astonishment, feeling extremely confused.
How dare you Lin Tailai admit it? This is different from the pre-planned scenario!
The presiding judge Wang Shizhen was also shocked and asked subconsciously: "Are you sure you want to say this? Everything you said in court will be recorded in the transcript!"
Lin Tailai said nonchalantly: "Of course I am sure, what does it matter?
Anyway, Mr. Sikou, you probably don’t dare to write my words directly into the verdict.”
Wang Shizhen's face darkened. At least for now, he really didn't dare to directly write "self-directed and self-acted" into the verdict.
If this were spread, others wouldn't believe it and would just think it was a sign of subjugation!
After being stunned for a while, Li Zongcheng finally came to his senses and became a little excited again. Lin Tailai actually admitted to the fake act!
He quickly shouted to Wang Shizhen: "Lin Tailai admitted that he directed and acted, and his crime is conclusive!
Please Shao Si Kou to avenge me, I believe the law will give me justice!"
But Wang Shizhen took Lin Tailai seriously as if he was bitten by a snake once, he would be afraid of the well rope for ten years.
Although he felt that Lin Tailai was acting strangely, he would not take action easily and just looked at Lin Tailai quietly.
Lin Tailai said disdainfully: "That's nonsense! I'm just a good and law-abiding citizen. What crime can I have to admit to?"
Then he said to Wang Shizhen: "First of all, I did not commit any illegal crime in this matter.
Even if I really find a few people to pretend to arrest me, from a legal point of view, it is not a crime!"
Wang Shizhen had too many romantic affairs, and was relatively new to the criminal business, so she couldn't figure out Lin Tailai's logic for a while.
Lin Tailai had to explain in simple terms: For example, it's like acting. Is it illegal to act on stage?
Acting is not illegal as long as it does not directly harm the interests of others.
For another example, if Li Zongcheng found a few people to pretend to arrest him one day, it would not be illegal."
Li Zongcheng retorted angrily: "But your acting has already caused serious consequences and caused a disturbance among the people!"
I took up the legal weapon myself, how could it be someone else’s!
Lin Tailai didn't even look at Li Zongcheng, but said to Wang Shizhen:
“As for why the people reacted so strongly, that’s not something I can decide!
I can control myself, but can I control what the people think?"
Wang Shizhen couldn't say anything, but she felt that what Lin Tai said seemed to make sense!
Li Zongcheng said angrily: "Sophistry is all sophistry! If you didn't deliberately mislead, how could others think it was me?"
Lin Tailai replied: "I, Lin Tailai, have never named anyone publicly or sued anyone, not even a false accusation!
As for what other people think, it has nothing to do with me!
Prince Li, you might as well reflect on yourself more and look for reasons from yourself, why do others think you are the mastermind behind this?"
Li Zongcheng was speechless. He was already so embarrassed that he took up legal weapons. Why couldn't he kill Lin Tailai?
Wang Shizhen, who was sitting behind the public case, was silent for a moment, feeling that after Lin Tailai's malicious confession, the case could no longer be tried.
And there is no way to judge like this, even if what Lin Tai said is true, there is no way to judge like this!
The ignorant people outside will only think that Lin Jieyuan was beaten into a trick, and then they are willing to admit that he has committed fraud!
This is why Hai Rui is unwilling to interrogate Lin Tailai.
Lin Tailai is a very considerate person, especially the presiding judge.
Seeing that Wang Shizhen was in a dangerous situation, Lin Tailai took the initiative and said: "Young Sikou, you don't want to have your reputation ruined by writing a wrong judgment, right?"
Wang Shizhen said warily: "What do you mean?"
Official Lin played riddles and said, "As a Suzhou native, you don't want to be stabbed in the back when you return to your hometown, right?"
Wang Shizhen's hometown of Taicang Prefecture also belongs to Suzhou Prefecture. Now that Lin Tailai's reputation is so great, the people of Taicang Prefecture are also actively supporting Lin Tailai with tax resistance.
If I accept the petition from the Xi family, and today's trial of Lin Tailai is maliciously spread, my family won't be able to scold me to death? How can I have the face to go back to my hometown?
After thinking of this, Wang Shizhen felt that she was threatened, became furious, and shouted at the table: "Lin Tailai, you are so bold!"
Lin Tailai sighed: "Young Sikou didn't even understand the profound meaning of my desperate hint.
I think you, Shao Sikou, are really not suitable for being an official, so you might as well become the leader of the literary world."
Then Lin Tailai shouted at Li Zongcheng: "There are rumors in the market that you sent people to arrest me, Lin Tailai! Isn't that right?"
Li Zongcheng said without thinking: "This is absolutely not the case!"
Lin Tailai continued to ask aggressively: "Then how do you prove that you didn't do this?"
Li Zongcheng said angrily: "Who do you think you are, worthy of being questioned in court?"
Before he finished speaking, Wang Shizhen suddenly heard another public case and said:
"Plaintiff, listen up, do you have any evidence? How can you prove that it was not you who sent people to arrest Lin Tailai?"
Wang Shizhen is definitely a smart person, but her mind is not on her job.
When he heard Lin Tailai's questioning of Li Zongcheng just now, he suddenly realized the essence of the trial.
It's just that Wang Shizhen was a little lazy and almost copied and repeated Lin Tailai's questions.
Li Zongcheng: "."
Why should I have to prove that I haven't done something I haven't done? Is there any justice in this court?
All legal weapons are bullshit in front of politics!
Lin Tailai clearly admitted that he directed and acted, but you all turned a blind eye!
It will only allow yourself to prove that you have never sent anyone to do something that does not exist at all. What proof can you use?
Wang Shizhen began to write the verdict: Plaintiff Li could not prove that he had not sent anyone to arrest defendant Lin.
