The Pan Zhang corruption case occurred when he was conquering Beihai Kingdom more than half a year ago.
It's a coincidence that it happened to coincide with the suspected leak of military information.
Mi Fang found out the source of the latter, and it was from a housekeeper in the house of Chen Deng, the captain of the Sinong School. After capturing this man, although he was interrogated and found out that he was indeed a spy from Jizhou who was secretly stationed in Xiapi, there was no real evidence.
The evidence could prove the connection with Chen Deng. In the end, Wang Zheng only ordered the Benming Division to keep an eye on Chen Deng secretly and took no other action.
There is no way, the Chen family in Xiapi is the real top family in Xuzhou, and its influence is too great to be tampered with easily. Moreover, in the process of seizing Tan County, Chen Deng was a meritorious minister, and even his uncle Chen Yu was also conquering Xiapi.
Later, he helped appease the people and made great efforts. If the Chen family were to be moved at this time, how would the world view it? Of course, the most important thing is that Xuzhou, which has been troubled in recent years, really cannot afford to deal with it.
One by one, Wang Zheng became suspicious of Chen Deng and even the Chen family. After thinking about it again and again, he finally suppressed it for the time being.
On the other hand, Dongcheng Pan Zhang’s corruption is actually also very complicated.
Why did Wang Zheng discover that Pan Zhang was corrupt in Dongcheng?
This is because Pan Zhang took the initiative to send a military report at that time, saying that Zhang Huan, the county lieutenant of Dongcheng County, contacted the old troops and the gentry in the city to set fire at night in an attempt to rebel and cause rebellion.
It was precisely this piece of information that made Wang Zheng suspicious.
Because he remembered that when the Heavenly Army attacked Dongcheng County, it was this county captain named Zhang Huan who took the initiative to open the city gate?
Guo Jia was also present at the time and commented, "Since Zhang Huan has surrendered, recruited his old troops, presented Dongcheng, and was left alone, why would he dare to cause chaos again? If we say that he had no choice but to surrender in the first place, it was
If you pretend to surrender, then this is not the right time."
Wang Zheng actually didn't care about the real cause of Zhang Huan's death, but Pan Zhang dared to lie about the military situation in an attempt to deceive himself, but he definitely couldn't turn a deaf ear!
Now that he was suspicious, he asked Mi Fang to arrange for people to go and find out the truth. Naturally, the result came out long ago. It turned out that this ring was from a wealthy family in Dongcheng. He had been doing business for generations and his family had quite a lot of money. Pan Zhang was envious of it.
Later, he asked for bribes several times, but Zhang Huan did not give him any face.
Since Zhang Huan took the initiative to surrender, he naturally knew Wang Zheng and the Tianjun beforehand. If Wu Sheng and Xu Fang, Wang Zheng's direct line generals, might not have to ask, Zhang Huan would take the initiative to offer money and silk as a sign of goodwill.
But who do you think you are, Pan Zhang?
He is just a Yanzhou native who joined halfway, and his official position is only half a rank higher than mine. We are all demoted generals, and none of them are direct descendants. How can anyone be better than the other?
Still want to ask me for money? Just have your mother’s dream!
Not only that, Zhang Huan even told his subordinates in private that he would have to report this matter to Wang Zheng when he saw him in the future. How could Dongcheng, such a powerful place, let a greedy and despicable person like Pan Zhang sit in charge?
It was the last one that made Pan Zhang furious after learning about it, and he immediately wanted to kill him!
After finding out the truth, Wang Zheng was silent for a while, filled with emotion. After all, the system is not omnipotent. Although the so-called locking of loyalty is strong, it cannot be flawless and eliminate human nature.
For example, in the case of Pan Zhang, he was selfish and even tried to deceive himself and dared to deceive himself. Is this considered loyalty?
According to Wang Zheng’s understanding, of course it doesn’t count!
But Pan Zhang did it, even under the suppression of the system. Why?
Wang Zheng thought about it for a long time, and he could only understand that maybe Pan Zhang thought in his heart that this was just a trivial matter?
Did he really feel that killing Zhang Huan would not harm Wang Zheng's interests, and lying about it and hiding it wouldn't be considered a form of disloyalty, right?
It's a pity that this matter is not just "what he thinks".
Wang Zheng has to think so!
However, he soon received a request for help from the Yuzhou Yellow Turbans. Wang Zheng decided to lead his army to Yuzhou to stop Cao Cao from going south. Later, the situation in Yangzhou suddenly changed and wars were frequent. Naturally, it was not easy to change generals in a gateway town like Dongcheng. Wang Zheng
For a while, Pan Zhang was not touched immediately.
Now that the external enemies are gone, it is naturally time to solve the internal problems.
Faced with the Pan Zhang case brought up by Wang Zheng, the room was silent for a long time.
The reason is simple.
Because everyone present joined Wang Zheng's service actually later than Pan Zhang.
This is critical.
With emerging forces like the Heavenly Army and a decisive leader like Wang Zheng, the fate of all his subjects is actually in his hands.
If you have control over your destiny, then your wealth, career, and even life and death will naturally be within your grasp.
Therefore, Wang Zheng's attitude is the most critical.
What determines his attitude?
Compared with virtue, foolishness, loyalty and treachery, "closeness" actually carries a greater weight.
Not only was Pan Zhang a senior official, but more importantly, everyone knew that he had a good relationship with Wu Sheng, Wang Zheng's best friend.
Guo Jia was silent under the threat of death. Not to mention Huang Zhong, he had had several conflicts with Wu Sheng in the joint army before. Although he was not afraid of Wu Sheng, he would not take the initiative to provoke Wu Sheng again.
.
As for Wei Yan, who has only been involved for a shorter period of time, he does not dare to easily get involved in such a sensitive whirlpool.
In the end, Mi Heng, who was still stunned, stood up first.
"Pan Wengui was originally just a commoner, but the lord did not despise him. He consulted the general and entrusted the family with important responsibilities. It was a great blessing. However, this man did not want to serve the emperor with all his loyalty and show concern for state affairs. Instead, he was greedy for money, corrupt, and killed Pao Ze.
You should be punished according to the law!"
"Um."
Wang Zheng nodded calmly and asked: "In Zhengping's opinion, what should be the law and how to punish him?"
"To govern troubled times, we should use heavy rules!"
Mi Heng said impassionedly: "Back then, the Qin Dynasty was brutal and cruel to the people, but it lost its deer. Only then did Gao Di rise up and rule the world by slaying the white snake, and inherited it with generosity. This was called 'lenience to help the fierce', but how could the Western Qin Dynasty be able to do so before?"
To annex the six countries and end the confederation of heroes that lasted for nearly seven hundred years? But it is to govern the country with laws and implement punishments. This is 'bringing violence to mercy'."
Mi Heng looked around at everyone and asked solemnly: "Since the Yellow Turban Uprising, the world has been in chaos again. But did the chaos in the world begin with the Yellow Turbans?"
Everyone shook their heads repeatedly. Not to mention that all the people present, both civil and military, were knowledgeable people. Naturally, they knew that the Yellow Turban Uprising was actually a result, not a cause. They really believed that the Yellow Turbans caused the chaos in the Han Dynasty. Who dared to face Wang Zheng's
How about talking about it face to face?
"The great chaos in the world probably started with the two emperors Huan and Ling." Guo Jia said in a deep voice: "Emperor Huan imprisoned good people and worshiped eunuchs. When Emperor Huan died, Emperor Ling came to the throne. General Dou Wu and Taifu Chen Fan assisted each other.
At that time, the eunuchs Cao Jie and others took power, and Dou Wu and Chen Fan plotted to kill him. However, the secret was not kept secret, and he was harmed instead. From then on, Zhongjuan became more and more unruly, and corruption became common in the court, so the people were in dire straits."
"What Fengxiao said is true!" Mi Heng nodded solemnly, "The chaos in the world is due to changes in the court, and changes in the court are due to corruption. Today, we are in another troubled world. If we don't follow the rules, there will be no way.
Punish him!"
At this point, Mi Heng bowed to Wang Zheng and said: "It's just corruption, which should be punished severely and severely. What's more, Pan Zhang also committed several serious crimes such as killing his colleagues in vain, lying about the military situation, deceiving the lord, etc. How can he show it if he is not punished severely?"
I have millions of soldiers and civilians in Xuzhou?”
You've also learned to be cunning.
Wang Zheng sighed secretly. Mi Heng had been talking for a long time but still didn't say what he wanted to hear most, "How to be serious and how to be strict?"
"Forehead"
Mi Heng also hesitated at this time. If he had been back then, he would have spoken out his inner thoughts clearly and concisely. However, after these two years of experience in officialdom, Mi Heng has finally undergone some changes.
He has become more mature.
Maturity means that the mind becomes complicated, and even someone like you will start to weigh the pros and cons.
He may still be the most daring person under Wang Zheng to speak, but after all, he is not as good as the Mi Heng he once was.
Seeing Mi Heng become silent, a look of disappointment flashed across Wang Zheng's eyes. Just as he was thinking about how to induce him, a sonorous, powerful, even decisive voice suddenly appeared from the left side!
"In my opinion, Pan Zhang should be killed!"
As soon as this statement came out, everyone was shocked. Following the words, they were even more surprised.
It turned out that the person who said this was Guo Jia.
Wang Zheng was also stunned. When he thought about it, a smart person like Guo Jia would never do such an offending thing. The key was that Guo Jia was a rare person among Xuzhou civil servants who had a friendly relationship with Wu Sheng. Why?
Would you express such a firm stance at this time?
"Fengxiao, what did you say?"
"In my opinion, Pan Zhang should be killed!"
Guo Jia said one word at a time: "Now the cool breeze is coming, the white dew is falling, the cicadas are chirping, and the eagle is a sacrificial bird. It is the time to kill! According to my wishes, not only should I behead, but I must also kill!"
Wang Zheng stared at Guo Jia for a while, then a smile suddenly escaped from the corner of his mouth.
He already figured it out.
What a good Guo Jia, you can see his own thoughts through clues.
"Is it a decision to kill?"
Wang Zheng stood up and walked to the window. He was silent for a moment with everyone behind his back, and suddenly said calmly: "Otherwise, otherwise."
Guo Jia was startled when he heard this, "My lord, is it too heavy?"
Mi Heng stood by and immediately said: "It's not serious, it's not serious, but I think it's too light." He had always disliked Pan Zhang, and even thought that the other party was a completely treacherous and rebellious minister. An early death would be in the interests of the king's government.
More powerful happy events in Xuzhou.
Huang Zhong frowned slightly. Corruption was common in the army during the troubled times. He had been used to such things when he was in Jingzhou and did not think it was a big problem.
Of course, killing colleagues and lying about military intelligence are indeed serious crimes, but they are not punishable by death, right? The key point is that Huang Zhong and Pan Zhang are also acquaintances. Although they have no personal relationship, Huang Zhong has discovered that this person is a talented person who can contribute to the great cause of the king's government.
He helped me, so I killed him like this.
It's a bit of a pity.
Just as he was about to speak, Wei Yan secretly pulled his sleeves, and he mumbled a few times before finally swallowing the words back.
Seeing that Wang Zheng was still silent and could no longer see Wang Zheng's expression, Guo Jia began to feel a little unsure. Did I guess the master's thoughts wrongly?
Thinking of this, he immediately changed his subject: "Pan Zhang should be punished for his crime, but my lord is kind-hearted and cares about his old feelings, so it is not unreasonable. If you don't want to kill him, how about this? I will write a letter tomorrow and announce it to all parties.
It is suggested that Pan Zhang commits three crimes and should be executed."
"My lord can give instructions and say that in memory of Pan Zhang's past merits, he can consider commuting his sentence. If this is the case, Pan Zhang will definitely burst into tears and change his mind."
Since Pan Zhang was offended to death by opening his mouth, Guo Jia simply thought that the evil man would be punished to the end, and then let Wang Zheng be a good person. This is "favor comes from above", which can be regarded as the emperor's kindness to his subordinates since ancient times, which shows that
The secret of generosity.
"I have heard a saying before"
Wang Zheng turned around and looked around, a pair of tiger eyes radiating with authority: "If you eat the emperor's salary, you should bear the emperor's worries and be loyal to the emperor."
"Zheng Fangcai also said that I do not think Pan Zhang is despicable. He consulted on the affairs of the general and entrusted him with important responsibilities. This can be regarded as treating him favorably. But what did he do?"
"Being corrupt, perverting the law, and engaging in malpractice for personal gain. The general trusted him and granted him authority and public weapons, but he pursued his own selfish desires and pursued his own interests. This is disloyal! It is not only disloyal to the general, but also to our two states and nine counties.
, the disloyalty of millions of soldiers and civilians!”
"Zhang Huan is not only his subordinate officer, but also his robe. What is a robe in the army? They are brothers who live and die together. Each other can give their backs to each other. As a result, for a few possessions, Pan Zhang
You actually murder your own brothers and sisters in our army? This is unjust!"
"Such an unfaithful, dishonest and despicable person should just be executed?"
Wang Zheng smiled, but there was no hint of smile in his laughter: "Hey, it's too easy for him!"
Seeing that Wang Zheng finally revealed his true thoughts, everyone did not feel relaxed at all. On the contrary, because of the awe-inspiring power of his true anger, they were all shocked and inexplicable. It was obviously none of their own affairs, but they felt a chill running down their spines.
Huang Zhong boldly asked: "But what does the lord mean?"
"It's not just Pan Zhang."
Wang Zheng said solemnly: "Zhang Huan's death, all the officers related to Dongcheng's corruption, were found to be true. No matter who they were, they were all taken to the square, beheaded, reported to Xuzhou, and their body was hung for public display for three months!"
"Remembering Pan Zhang's meritorious service, I will only kill one of him, and the rest will be the accomplices of the Yi clan!"
Hearing this, everyone gasped.
"Lord."
Even Mi Heng, who hated Pan Zhang the most, couldn't help but plead: "Although Pan Zhang deserves to be killed, he is still considered a meritorious person after all, so why not leave his body intact?"
Guo Jia also agreed quite a bit. After all, Wang Zheng was still in the midst of a battle at this time. It would be fine if the overall situation was determined.
Even if Pan Zhang committed several crimes in a row, he was still a military general, and a military general with meritorious service. Not only was Pan Zhang killed, but his body was also separated.
It seems a little too much.
If word spreads and people in the world think that Wang Zheng is mean, ungrateful, and ruthless, will other people who are interested be deterred from doing so and affect the great cause?
When he was about to remonstrate, Wang Zheng waved his hand directly and said in a tone that could not be criticized: "Pan Zhang has meritorious service, so he did this lawless, unjust and unjust thing. I have never ordered him to be punished."
"But precisely because he is a hero, if he shows mercy this time, how will he be dealt with if others follow suit in the future?"
"As the saying goes, to serve as a warning to others, you must do this to serve as a warning to those who come after you!"
"I have made up my mind. You don't need to say anything. This matter is settled."