The layout of Tingjing is different from other places. It is a large square table facing east. There are pens and ink on the table, so you can sketch at any time.
Then an umbrella cover will be put up on the north side of the venue, and there will be a three-foot platform under the umbrella. When the eunuch and the eunuch, the ceremonial officer, come with the edict, they will place the order on the three-foot platform for worship.
Strictly speaking, Tingjing is a group public trial. There is no such thing as a presiding judge, but there is a Bingbi who plays the role of moderator.
Under normal circumstances, the person holding the pen is an official from the Ministry of Personnel, who is the head of the external dynasty.
Huo Tao, the minister of the Ministry of Personnel, was in a very unhappy mood. He expanded his control over the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel and even Wang Hong, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, avoided him. He never expected that his political opponents would still hide this trick.
It was not that he had never thought about asking Emperor Jiajing to revoke Tingjing, but in the end he still did not dare.
The emperor's character is so suspicious and suspicious. If he applies to revoke Tingji himself, he will definitely be suspected of being disloyal or having evil intentions.
The six ministers and ministers who attended Tingjiu, as well as Wang Tingxiang, the censor of the left capital of the Imperial Procuratorate, and Mao Bowen, the censor of the left deputy capital, gradually came.
Guo Xun, Marquis of Wuding, who was keen on participating in politics, came as the representative of Gonghou Bo, and the factory guard representative was a naughty Qianhu named Lu.
Everyone chatted in twos and threes, intentionally or unintentionally, they all stayed away from the only table. They were all well-connected, and only Bingbi would stand behind the table and preside over the court.
But in Huo Tao's eyes, it seemed as if everyone was laughing at him.
Then Dai Yong, the eunuch and eunuch in charge of etiquette, came out with the imperial edict, placed it on the three-foot platform, saluted, and then called to the ministers, "Let's begin."
A doctor from the Criminal Department, two chiefs, and several jailers took the prisoner Feng En into the right gate of Chang'an and came to Tingjing's place.
Huo Tao looked behind the staff of the Ministry of Justice in confusion. Was he dazzled? Why did he see the most annoying fly in the world?
Wang Tingxiang, the censor of Zuodu, explained: "Feng En had some words that were not convenient for him to say, so he applied to the judicial department and asked Qin Dewei to defend him. I am willing to vouch for this."
Huo Tao said angrily: "Is this in line with the rules?"
Xia Yan, the Minister of Rites, also came out and explained: "Qin Dewei and Feng En have the meaning of guest and host. It is Feng En who was born in the palace. When he heard that Feng En was in trouble, he was willing to go to Qin to rescue him.
This is a righteous act, and it does not affect the case, so why should the court refuse it? Don’t you have any intention of showing justice?"
Dai Yong, the eunuch and eunuch with the highest status, who was equivalent to a bachelor, stood beside the three-foot platform and said impatiently: "Stop being so long and let's start quickly!"
This case has nothing to do with him, and he is not interested in it, but he still wants to act as a mascot and stand here with him.
The spring breeze of March blew through Chang'an Street. The ministers attending the court ceremony faced the east and stood on both sides of the table, feeling the willow breeze that was not cold on their faces.
After a while, no one took the initiative to stand behind the desk, and the situation became slightly awkward.
Dai Yong frowned and said, "What's going on? Is there no one with a pen? Where are the people from the official department?"
Several officials moved out of the way nimbly, revealing Huo Tao, the actual talker of the official department, standing in the crowd.
Dai Yong asked again: "Master Huo, why don't you go up?"
Huo Tao felt that he could still struggle a little, and said to Dai Yong: "I remembered something. Before I came to Beijing to resume my job, Feng En recommended me to Shangshu, so I should avoid suspicion."
After everyone heard this, they felt that this reason seemed to make sense. Could it be that they couldn't see it as Huo Tao's joke today?
"Hahahaha!" A hearty laugh came from the other side of the venue.
Everyone looked over and heard Qin Dewei say to Feng En: "Master Feng, after hearing Minister Huo's advice, I suddenly thought of a clever plan to ensure that you are not guilty!"
Feng En couldn't keep up with Qin Dewei's sudden appearance, so he just subconsciously said: "What's the clever idea?"
Qin Dewei first bowed his hands to the ministers as a courtesy, and then replied to Feng En:
"You have recommended all the Gong Gongs. Then according to Huo Shilang's opinion, wouldn't they all have to shun you? No one will interrogate you, and no one will convict you!"
Everyone couldn't help but laugh, some suppressed their laughter, and some laughed out loud without giving Huo Tao face.
However, Qin Dewei said seriously: "In judicial terms, if the person being impeached avoids it, it is to prevent malicious retaliation. The law is meant to punish evil deeds.
But as long as the recommended person is selfless in his heart and does not condone evil deeds, what can he feel guilty about?
If Mr. Huo feels that he must recuse himself, can it be considered that Mr. Huo believes that he cannot act impartially, so he asks himself to recuse himself?
The most important thing in the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel is fairness. Since Mr. Huo dares to openly admit that he is unfair, how can he preside over the government in the Ministry of Personnel? It is better to resign. "
Some of the big guys were thoughtful, some nodded slightly, and some were enlightened.
I learned something. Qin Sheng's logic seems to appear out of thin air and is self-explanatory. It has the essence of "unfounded".
Huo Tao didn't want to pay attention to Qin Dewei. He considered himself a person who knew the key points and the overall situation, and it was not worth being distracted by a little guy like Qin Dewei.
But Huo Tao continued to struggle, and said to everyone: "I just think that I have just returned to the court not long ago, and I am not familiar with many things, so I may not be suitable for presiding over Ting Tao.
Besides, there are many ministries here. In the final analysis, I am only a third-grade minister, so how can I be ranked above several main ministers?"
After hearing these words, everyone laughed together, and someone said: "It's better for you officials to come, I'll just listen to it later."
You're a fool to stand behind the desk in the middle and act as a court judge for you, Huo Tao.
"Hahahaha!" A hearty laugh came from the other side of the venue.
Everyone quickly turned around and said what they were thinking. The person over there was talking much more interestingly than Huo Tao.
Qin Dewei said to Feng En: "After hearing Minister Huo's high opinion, I suddenly thought of something. Mr. Feng, have you heard about what happened yesterday?"
Feng En almost didn't catch the words again. He has been locked in the sky prison. How much new news can he hear?
Relying on instinct, he still subconsciously replied: "What happened to Tingtui?"
Qin Dewei cupped his hands towards Huo Tao to show respect for the big shot, and then responded to Feng En with confusion:
"I heard that Mr. Huo presided over yesterday's court promotion as an official of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Why did Mr. Huo do his part in the court promotion, but suddenly became humble when he came to court?"
Qin Dewei succeeded in making everyone laugh again. Did you, Qin Dewei, come to help with the lawsuit, or did you come to squeeze out Huo Shilang?
What I thought was a boring official business suddenly became full of joy.
No matter whether others laughed or not, Qin Dewei did not smile and said to Huo Tao seriously: "If Mr. Huo really doesn't want to do this, he might as well resign.
For the sake of this case, the former Chief Minister Kou, the Second-Rank Minister, said that he would not let it go. In contrast, is Mr. Huo just a person who is unwilling to leave?"
Xia Yan suddenly looked at Huo Tao expectantly. Is it possible that Huo Tao would really be forced to resign by Qin Dewei?
Huo Shilang said nothing, walked behind the desk with a sullen face, and stared at Qin Dewei with cold eyes.
Do you really think he doesn’t dare to be Ting Bingbi? Then no one will have an easy time!
Qin Dewei asked inexplicably: "Mr. Huo, what are you doing watching Wan Sheng? The prisoner to be tried is Mr. Feng next to him, not me. Don't get the wrong person."