Chapter 180 The thief shouts to catch the thief
Ma Chongde committed suicide, and before his death he said that the matter had nothing to do with Jiang Qingzhi.
From a legal perspective, this matter really has nothing to do with Jiang Qingzhi.
But according to the thousands of years of tradition in the Central Plains, legal principles are nothing more than human feelings.
"Ma Chongde and others reported Chang Wei Bo for smuggling grassland. This was a personal vendetta. Chang Wei Bo forced Ma Chongde into a desperate situation and he committed suicide in exchange for the safety of his family..."
"Although Chang Wei Bo did not do anything, he is still responsible for Ma Chongde's death."
"This is quite bad!"
Several imperial censors talked about the whole thing one after another.
"Write a memorial!"
"Let's find a place first."
At this time, Xiao Zhuo said, "When did Chang Wei Bo say he wanted to kill Ma Chongde? As for Ma Chongde committing suicide, it was because he was guilty. If you put the blame on Chang Wei Bo, what will everyone fight about in the future? If you fight in the court today and someone commits suicide tomorrow, who will be responsible for that?"
Yes!
If this precedent is set, what if someone follows suit?
If I can't beat you, I'll commit suicide.
Let us all perish together!
Everyone looked at each other.
Although this possibility is unlikely, what if it happens?
An imperial censor sneered, "We are only responsible for reporting the rumors, as for what happens next, what does it have to do with us?"
This is the duty of the censor. As for whether someone commits suicide in the future, it’s none of my business!
Cui Yuan smiled to Zhao Wenhua and said, "Chen An is a man that can be used."
"Shit!"
Someone cursed: "How can we reuse a fool who only cares about the present?"
The censor angrily said, "Who? Stand up."
Zhu Xizhong came out.
The old dandy's eyes flashed with ferocity, "Why, do you want to argue with this duke?"
The censor stiffened his neck and said, "It is my duty as a censor to report on matters heard. What does the Duke mean by this?"
Can you, Zhu Xizhong, change the duties of the Censor?
There is a trap in this statement!
Jiang Qingzhi, who thought the other party was a young man, asked, "Who is this person?"
"Chen An." Xiao Zhuo stood beside the boss and said softly, "It is said that he is a member of the Yan Party, but some people say that he had some relationship with the Eastern Palace in the past. Lord, the matter is very complicated."
Jiang Qingzhi also smiled, "Could he be a two-faced person?"
"Eastern Palace! Lord!" Xiao Zhuo was a traditional official after all, and was worried that Jiang Qingzhi and the prince would become enemies.
"Donggong, that kid..." Jiang Qingzhi shook his head, and Xiao Zhuo found that his eyes were full of pity.
Zhu Xizhong grabbed Chen An by the collar and said, "You want to set a trap for me? Damn it!"
"Duke Cheng, it's over!" Someone said, "This is the Imperial Censor, not your guard."
——Don’t treat the court as your home!
Zhu Xizhong looked around, "Who's farting?"
Cui Yuan said in a sinister tone, "Ma Chongde, a great Earl of the Ming Dynasty, was forced to commit suicide, and the censor was threatened when he heard about it. I want to ask, this time it was the Earl who was forced to death, will it be the Marquis next time?"
This is bewitching!
Jiang Qingzhi relied on your Majesty's trust and forced an earl to death. My fellow nobles, don't you feel that if one loses the other, the other's teeth will be in trouble?
The nobles and relatives present looked at Jiang Qingzhi silently, and then whispered to each other.
Jiang Qingzhi came out and said, "Did I ever force Ma Chongde to commit suicide? This is the first point. Secondly, when Ma Chongde slandered me for smuggling in the grasslands and colluding with Altan Khan last time, who was behind it? Isn't that person afraid of nightmares at night?"
Cui Yuan laughed, "Yes! If Ma Chongde's soul is still alive, he should follow this person day and night."
Everyone felt a gust of cold wind blowing, and their backs felt cold.
This is outside the Western Garden. Today, Emperor Jiajing will summon his ministers to discuss state affairs.
This is also a rare gathering between the emperor and his ministers.
The guards were watching the show.
A man in official uniform limped slowly among the crowd.
"I have followed Your Majesty in practicing Taoism for many years, and I know that there are gods above our heads. If you do something wrong, you will be afraid of ghosts knocking on your door. I, Cui Yuan, have a clear conscience, but some people do all kinds of bad things..."
Cui Yuan glanced at Jiang Qingzhi.
Suddenly, someone shouted angrily, "Cui Yuan, return my grandfather's life!"
Then the limping official rushed over, the dagger in his hand gleaming in the morning light.
This time, Cui Yuan's face turned pale, "Save me!"
Zhao Wenhua, who was beside him, ran away in panic and accidentally tripped Cui Yuan.
The assassin's attack missed, so he got up and pounced on Cui Yuan.
"Someone is coming! Someone is coming!"
At this time, a guard rushed over. Seeing this, the assassin threw the dagger in his hand without hesitation, hitting Cui Yuan in the thigh.
As Cui Yuan screamed, the assassin was knocked down by the guards.
He was pinned down, and tried to raise his head and shouted, "I am Ma Long, my grandfather is Ma Chongde, you bastard Cui Yuan, it was you who instructed me to report Chang Wei Bo for smuggling on the grassland.
My grandfather asked you for help yesterday, but you refused to see him. My grandfather was so desperate that he committed suicide. You bastard, I will kill you even if I have to go to hell!"
Everyone slowly looked at Cui Yuan who was helped up by his own guards.
It turns out that this person is the thief crying "stop thief"!
This thought was on everyone's mind, but no one wanted to offend Cui Yuan.
Therefore, the scene was eerily quiet.
"Master, isn't this the thief crying thief?"
A young man shouted at the top of his voice: "Hey! I'm talking to you! You, the censor, didn't you want to impeach him? Now someone has provided evidence, if you don't impeach me, you're my bastard."
Sun Chonglou's voice broke the silence.
Censor Chen An, however, stepped back.
It's time to quit now, but who is Sun Chonglou?
"Do you think no one can see you if you hide?" Sun Chonglou laughed, "When I was a kid, I played hide-and-seek with my playmates. He turned his back to the outside and remained silent even after being discovered. He thought that if he didn't show his face, no one would see him. How old are you?"
——Are you still a child?
Chen An couldn't hide anymore.
He saw several imperial censors staring at him, their eyes flashing with excitement as if they had discovered a treasure.
The censors have KPIs every year, and failure to achieve them is considered lazy governance.
That is, how many people must be impeached every year, there is a quantitative indicator.
If it really cannot be accomplished, impeaching one's own people is not a problem.
Chen An walked out and took a deep breath, "Prince Consort Cui, I will report this matter to you upon hearing the news."
But Sun Chonglou scolded: "You were righteous and stern to my young master before, but now you are respectful to Cui Yuan. Are you Cui Yuan's man? That's not right."
Sun Chonglou pointed at Chen An and asked, "Are you Cui Yuan's dog?"
Chen An's face couldn't hold back any more.
The same is true for Cui Yuan.
"Jiang Qingzhi, keep an eye on your people!" Cui Yuan was stabbed in the thigh and tears came out of his eyes due to the pain.
Jiang Qingzhi glanced at Ma Long, who was wearing an official uniform. Ma Long was pressed to the ground, but he clasped his hands together and bowed to Jiang Qingzhi.
There was pleading in his eyes.
This was to assassinate Cui Yuanlai to avenge his grandfather and to express his stance to Jiang Qingzhi.
Decisive, bold and careful.
If Ma Chongde had not been driven to report Jiang Qingzhi, Ma Long's future would have been limitless.
Pity!
"Watch your dog!" Jiang Qingzhi sneered. Then someone shouted, "Open the door."
"Qingzhi, let's go." Zhu Xizhong was in front.
Sun Chonglou escorted his young master to the gate and turned around just in time to see Chen An walking over.
"Bitch slave!"
Chen An sneered.
It was no big deal for an official to ridicule a slave.
But he chose the wrong person.
Sun Chonglou slapped him without hesitation. Pah!
Chen An was stunned, then covered his face, "Someone, arrest this guy!"
If a servant beats an official, he is guilty regardless of whether he is justified or not.
Sun Chonglou was furious and was about to draw his sword when Dou Jialan said, "The young master said that you are not allowed to kill anyone without orders."
What the hell!
Chen An, who thought Sun Chonglou drew his sword to scare him, was so frightened that he pissed his pants and ran away.
"Help!"
……
Emperor Jiajing retired to the Western Garden, and ordinary officials had to rely on luck to see him.
When the emperor and his ministers met, the ministers all looked at Emperor Jiajing a few more times.
Someone came out to impeach, "Your Majesty, the servant of Lord Changwei beat the censor Chen An and even drew a knife against him."
"What? Servants beating officials?"
This matter has aroused public anger!
Without anyone starting the movement, the crowd became excited.
……
"Your Highness."
The prince was reading when Qin Li came to the door.
"Please wait a moment, sir." The prince stood up and saluted.
He walked out, "What's going on?"
Qin Li whispered in his ear: "Your Highness, do you still remember the Imperial Censor Chen An?"
"Didn't this person want to take refuge in the Eastern Palace?" The prince remembered this person.
"This person was planning to impeach Jiang Qingzhi earlier."
The prince slowly looked at Qin Li, with anger in his eyes.
"He betrayed me!"
……
Emperor Jiajing looked coldly at the ministers' commotion until Yan Song coughed dryly and the noise died down.
"Why don't you make trouble?"
Emperor Jiajing asked, "Speak!"
No one said a word.
Emperor Jiajing sneered and said, "I knew yesterday that Ma Chongde committed suicide. Who does he belong to?"
Emperor Jiajing glanced at Yan Song, who subconsciously lowered his head and bent over.
It's like an old dog that sees its master getting angry, so it turns over and exposes its belly to show its loyalty.
His gaze turned to Lu Bing.
Lu Bing lowered his eyes. At this moment, Emperor Jiajing was furious. Once he identified who it was, he would be struck by lightning in an instant.
His eyes swept over Cui Yuan, who was injured but insisted on being there.
Cui Yuan shuddered. He was old and should enjoy his retirement.
But many people are like this, the older they get, the crazier they get, and the more stubborn they get. They do things that are stupid in the eyes of outsiders again and again...
You don't understand why they are so stupid.
Ultimately, it's just the fear of death.
Cui Yuan felt a little regretful and thought that he should use the excuse of treatment to avoid the wrath of Emperor Jiajing.
The gaze was gone.
Cui Yuan felt relieved.
"Lu Bing!"
The emperor's voice was majestic, as if he were a god.
Lu Bing came out of the class, "Your Majesty."
"Ma Chongde is a fallen nobleman. I heard that in the early years, Ma couldn't even afford the annual gifts, and became a joke among the nobles. How did he make his fortune?"
Emperor Jiajing spoke in a calm tone.
Lu Bing's heart skipped a beat.
It was thanks to his methods that Ma Chongde was able to open up the channel for selling beef in the capital.
Later, when Ma Chongde became rich, he never forgot Lu Bing, and the first batch of annual gifts were always sent to the Lu family.
But Lu Bing swore that he just opened a loophole, and it was Ma Chongde who was good at maneuvering and built a network of relationships on his own.
Especially Cui Yuan... Lu Bing glanced at Cui Yuan. Old Cui looked relieved for escaping death and was actually smiling.
This smile was seen by Lu Bing as gloating.
It is better to let my friend die than to let me die. This principle also applies within the Yan Party.
Lu Bing knelt down and said, "In the past... I once knew Ma Chongde, but we never interacted again."
As for gift-giving, Lu Bing was in charge of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and many people gave him gifts every year.
Even though some people never meet Lu Bing in their entire lives, they still send him expensive gifts every year.
What's the saying... I don't know who gave a gift, but I know exactly who didn't.
"idiot!"
Emperor Jiajing looked at his brother coldly and said, "Give him ten strokes of the cane."
Several guards came in. Lu Bing did not dare to resist and was dragged out by them.
But he kept staring at Cui Yuan.
But Cui Yuan was still feeling lucky that he had escaped.
Zhu Xizhong glanced at Jiang Qingzhi and found that his younger brother seemed to be in a trance at the moment.
Unlike them, Jiang Qingzhi was more concerned about the pace at which Emperor Jiajing handled the matter.
Jiang Qingzhi felt that it didn't matter who Ma Chongde belonged to.
What’s important is that Emperor Jiajing let Cui Yuan off lightly, but instead punished his grandfather’s brother Lu Bing.
Why is this?
It shouldn’t be!
"I know about Sun Chonglou." Emperor Jiajing glanced at Jiang Qingzhi and said, "This man is a loyal servant. Why did he take action?"
An imperial censor could not help but speak, and the prince sent someone to ask for a meeting outside the palace.
"Your Highness said that Chen An is a double-faced person and has long been disliked by Your Highness. Your Highness deeply regrets having ever associated with this person."
——Chen An originally wanted to join the prince, but then switched to someone else.
This traitor, father, please kill him to vent your anger!
The prince has his own group of people, and as long as they don’t cross the line, the father and son can live in peace.
The censor shrank his neck and secretly thanked God that he did not speak for Chen An.
However, Jiang Qingzhi discovered something was wrong from the perspective of Emperor Jiajing changing the topic.
The Taoist seems to be planning something.
Moreover, he, Jiang Qingzhi, was also included in the plan.
The Taoist priest turned his eyes away, unwilling to stay on Chen An with disgust.
Everyone knew that Chen An was finished.
Emperor Jiajing looked at Jiang Qingzhi with some amusement in mind.
"Xuanfu reported that the military pay was 30,000 strings of cash less, causing the army to be in an uproar."
coming!
Jiang Qingzhi knew that the Taoist had taken action.
(End of this chapter)
