I never realized that old man Bai was still a cunning and cunning "honest official".
Meng Xinghe cast a look of contempt at him. "It seems that Mr. Bai is really skilled in doing this. Then I will listen to you and turn a blind eye. The case will be heard by Mr. Bai later. I Just sit aside and listen to the trial." Meng Xinghe was "very practical" and obeyed Master Bai's suggestion. He wanted to see how this old boy handled the case skillfully.
Although Mr. Bai is not a faint official, he also knows that once certain matters involve the emperor's relatives, it may be reported to the Holy One. At that time, the Holy One may come forward to calm him down. He is also thinking about the future. He nodded and said: "I Do our best. Try to satisfy your Lordship and the Holy One. The royal relatives in the court are all descendants of the founding veterans. Naturally, we dare not fight with them. We can only value peace and handle things well. No matter what," Mr. Bai taught carefully. In this way, a "conspiracy" was finalized between him and Meng Xinghe.
Meng Xinghe nodded as if he understood. It seemed that his ancestor Fuyin was very capable no matter what dynasty he was in.
While many people at the county government office were waiting, there was a burst of crying and begging for mercy in front of the county government office. Then they saw that Mr. Chai and Wang Guinian, who had been sent out by Meng Xinghe, were already escorting what Old Man Cai said. The bully arrives.
"Third brother, I brought it to you. This kid wanted to jump into the river and escape. Fortunately, Brother Guinian still has some skills. He was caught from the river."
He pushed forward hard and a dark-faced man, all wet, knelt on the ground.
"Sir, please forgive me. The matter of the old man of the Cai family has nothing to do with this villain." The man kept kowtowing and begging for mercy. Blood was already oozing from his forehead. When he knew that it was the high-ranking officials of the imperial court who sent people to arrest him, he immediately I was so anxious that I wanted to commit suicide by jumping into the river. Who knew I didn't succeed? Now I just want to die. I'm afraid it won't be that easy.
Meng Xinghe was just listening. Master Bai, who was in charge of the trial, patted the wooden door and said: "Who is here? Please tell me your name quickly."
"Chen Er." The black-faced man kowtowed and said, "Sir, please spare my life."
Master Bai said angrily: "Suspect Chen Er, you are so brave. You dare to use your name to make a fortune at the ferry. Now you have forced Miss Cai to death. Do you know your guilt?"
Master Bai had the intention of using Tang San as a scapegoat. From the beginning, he paved the way for the people of Chai Mansion. This benefited Meng Xinghe a lot.
Although Chen Er had a great connection with the murder of Miss Cai, he was not a direct murderer. Now in full view of the public, Chen Er also knew that if he did not refute, then everyone would really believe that he was the murderer.
"Your Majesty, you have learned from this." Chen Er kowtowed and said, "Although Chen Er is a scoundrel, he also knows that it is illegal to seek money and kill people. That day, I took Old Man Cai's daughter away and bought them to a firewood dealer in the county. Later, the daughter of the Cai family died unjustly in the Chai Mansion. This is indeed none of the villain's business."
Murder is a capital crime. Chen Er also knew that the death of the daughter of the Cai family had no direct relationship with him. Logically speaking, he was just an accomplice. Even if he was sentenced, at most he would be jailed, but he would not be guillotined.
Chen Er defended himself over and over again, and his voice was loud. Almost everyone in the county government heard his argument. Only then did everyone realize that Chen Er was just a businessman in the business of buying and selling, and was not the main culprit who killed the daughter of the Cai family. However, I heard that the main culprit is from Chai Mansion in the county. Everyone is speculating. The Chai family is very powerful. It is said that they are relatives of the emperor. There are also many rumors among the people about how the relatives of the emperor have special privileges. Even the death penalty can be imposed. Not to mention that a maid died in the house. I didn't know how to solve the case. Everyone became curious for a while.
Chen Er's rebuttal actually won him a lot of support. Mr. Bai did not dare to judge the case on his own and directly sent Chen Er to jail. He should wait for the Chai family to come to the county government first so that the case can be truly tried.
I was thinking about how to try this case. To avoid offending both sides, I really need to deal with it. I even need to make the case reasonable. As the first time to handle this case, Mr. Bai knows which way to go. I went to try the case, but I was still a very pale novice. I couldn't do it very well.
Just when Mr. Bai was feeling like an ant on a hot pot and it was not a simple matter to measure this matter, there was a loud noise outside the county government office again.
In the passage leading to the county government hall that everyone got out of the way, Luo Feng and Xue Rengui, who were walking in front, were already escorting a group of important figures from Chai Mansion.
A middle-aged man in his fifties with a wide body and a fat belly, who always had a smile on his face, took the lead. Followed by was a beautiful middle-aged woman wearing silk and satin with gold, silver and jade ornaments. And behind her was a ten-year-old man. A young man of six or seven years old, wearing white brocade and a purple-gold hairpin, with a rather arrogant expression. All three of them, without exception, were shackled with iron chains and taken to the county government office like pigs and dogs.
Mr. Chai, who had never suffered such humiliation before, was obviously a tolerant person. He did not act arrogantly when he arrived and put his prominent family status on the table to scare him. After all, he was just a royal relative. I'm a wealthy landlord. If I really get angry, I'm afraid I won't get much benefit.
However, the young master of the Chai family, who does not know the world, has not learned half of the worldly wisdom from his father. Today, he was forcibly arrested and taken to the county government office in Datang. Not only did he lose his prestige in the county school of Dongcang County, but he was also arrested in front of the entire county. The faces of various characters were undoubtedly a slap in the face of his Chai family. He had been indolent and idle since he was a child. He just stepped into the lobby of the county government. He immediately screamed and said: "Master Bai, I advise you to be more knowledgeable. Even our Chai family will be offended. Be careful that you can’t eat it and carry it around.”
The young master of the Chai family threatened in a domineering manner. His father immediately yelled at him: "Shut up, you useless prodigal. If I had known that you would defeat the family of the Chai family, I should have killed you in a basin in the first place. Otherwise, I would have killed you." Make a contribution to the world."
Mr. Chai pursed his lips: "Mom...look at dad. He was treated like this and was arrested by the county government. He can still swallow his anger like this? Is he still a man? The face of my Chai family has been completely embarrassed by him. Tomorrow I will Just go to Chang'an to find your uncle."
Mrs. Chai sighed. She only has such a son. She has followed his temperament since she was a child. It is just her master's thoughts. As a wife, of course she knows. She only hopes that no matter what the cost, her son will be fine. .
Now all the criminals related to this case are present. Mr. Bai is not afraid of Mr. Chai’s threatening words. But Mr. Chai is the brother-in-law of Mr. Yang Shidao, the official secretary of the imperial court. Although he does not have a hereditary official title, he still Don't dare to neglect.
"Here comes someone. Let's untie Mr. Chai and Mrs. Chai first."
The Yamen servants listened to the instructions and immediately released the two men. As for Mr. Chai, Mr. Bai did not give instructions. They did not dare to make decisions without authorization.
Official Chai rubbed his sleeves and stood there with a cold snort. The county government invited them here in this way. To say that he was not angry would be sheer nonsense. But now it was his son who had done something unjust. If you want to save him, you have to speak obediently. Then take out the sign indicating that you are a relative of the royal family. Maybe there will be a turn for the better.
Don't be too forceful in doing things. Only by doing things gradually can you achieve the most satisfactory results.
"Sir Bai, I don't know what you mean by sending people to my house to arrest people. I have always been honest in my work. In Dongcang County, I abide by the law and admit that I have done nothing illegal. Now I am being tortured by the Yamen. Come on, how can I lose my face? Three generations of my ancestors have been officials in the court. Now this innocent family has been humiliated by Sir. If Mr. Bai doesn't tell me a reason, then I will definitely go to Chang'an to complain to the emperor in person. "I will not take care of my son's affairs for the time being. Mr. Chai is very good at finding excuses. He gave Mr. Bai a small threat.
Mr. Bai did not dare to challenge Mr. Chai. He had good reason and said: "Someone just came to the county office to file a lawsuit against Ling Lang for persecuting Cai Laoguan's daughter. Such a life-threatening case, I dare not delay. So. The method is to invite the senior official Chai here and also invite the senior official Haihan."
After briefly explaining the matter, Mr. Bai still respected Mr. Chai. If it had been anyone else, he would have been punished. The previous case of Sai Jinhua was a case in point. At least, he was approved by the emperor. No official would dare to neglect his relatives and relatives.
It seemed that this was the first time that Mr. Chai heard that his son had persecuted women. He said "Oh" and was very surprised. "I think you have misunderstood."
"Misunderstanding." Mr. Bai narrowed his eyes. Could it be that Mr. Chai still wants to bring his son back to life? "What do you mean by Mr. Chai's words? Now the old man of the Cai family is in the hall. What is the matter? You should be aware of it." Confrontation."
Official Chai saw Old Cai sitting on the left of Master Bai and asked, "You are that maid's old father."
"Exactly." Old Man Cai was filled with hatred when he saw his daughter-killing enemy.
"Your daughter was really killed in my house." Chai Daguan said in a rather tough tone.
Old man Cai stood up from his seat with a roar. He pointed at Chai Daguan's nose and said, "It wasn't your little beast from the Chai family who killed him. Who else could have been killed? Give me back my daughter. Give me back my daughter." Old Man Cai rushed towards Mr. Chai. Fortunately, he was held back by the government officials. Otherwise, a violent fight would have occurred.
Official Chai didn't seem to take it seriously. He said, "Old man Cai, you keep saying that your daughter died unjustly in my house. What evidence do you have?"
"Evidence." Mr. Cai is a rough man. Of course he doesn't understand what evidence is. He only knows that his beloved daughter is now dead in the Chai family. He didn't even get the body. Moreover, he heard that she couldn't stand being defiled by the Chai family master. He died in humiliation by throwing himself into a well. All he knew was revenge. He didn't even think about finding evidence. He only thought about having an upright official who could make the decision for him and be able to restore his daughter's innocence. Even if he died, it would be in vain.
"You don't have to show off with me. I know I am no match for you, Mr. Chai. But my daughter died unjustly in your house. This is something that everyone can see. Mr. Qingtian is here today. The old man will take my daughter's place. Redress your injustice. Let your son live with you." When it came to the excitement, Cai Laoguan actually knelt down in front of Meng Xinghe with a snap: "Please make the decision, sir."
Official Chai cast his eyes on Meng Xinghe and guessed Meng Xinghe's identity. He said, "This must be Master Meng Xinghe, the Minister of Household Affairs who was sent by the imperial court to patrol the south of the Yangtze River. Chai Jinyan, a civilian, pays homage to you."
Chai Daguan really knelt down.
"You don't have to be polite, Mr. Chai. Please get up." Meng Xinghe said calmly, sighing in his heart that this Mr. Chai is not a simple man. It seems that he is not an easy master to deal with.