Flourishing of the Ming Dynasty Novel - Chapter 181

Chapter 181 Madman County Magistrate
The ninth year of the Ming Orthodoxy, the ninth day of the tenth month, the ninth day of the tenth month.

It was a golden autumn, but for many people, it was also a troublesome autumn.

That’s right. Recently, using these four words to describe the capital’s official circles was extremely appropriate. Too many unforeseen things happened one after another, making the officials who had always been accustomed to everything in an orderly manner feel a little caught off guard. The only source of all this was the young county magistrate called Lu Zhen.

At first, he had set down thirty decrees in the government. Everyone only thought that he was a new official, and they didn’t take him too seriously. Unexpectedly, this official newbie completely ignored certain rules and forcefully enforced the law, and even severely punished the families of some officials.

Alright, this is all for the sake of the security of Beijing. Everyone can bear it anyway. However, he didn’t expect that in just a few days, he would start to intensify. For some reason, he offended someone and caused someone to assassinate him, causing everyone to panic and causing many people to eat and hang up.

Before everyone could react, this small county magistrate had actually done something that dumbfounded everyone-he had actually brought people to break into the mansion of the Earl that was sealed by the Imperial Court, and had even let him dig out a large case that killed dozens of people. Not to mention that, this extremely audacious fellow actually ran to knock on the drum again, and then stabbed the case in front of Emperor.

This was truly a miracle that hadn’t appeared in decades! Everyone in the bureaucracy knew that the most important thing to do was to be cautious. However, he was good enough to cause trouble everywhere. He was a god of plague. Anyone who touched him would be in great luck. No, perhaps it would be more appropriate to call him a madman. Only those who had lost their minds would do so recklessly.

Of course, these comments were only made by officials, but among the people, Lu Zhen was completely different-unselfish, upright, and responsible. These were the opinions of the people of the capital towards him. Therefore, when Lu Zhen appeared outside the yamen of the Ministry of Justice today to participate in this rare trials of the three divisions in decades, he was immediately praised by many people gathered outside the yamen.

Of course, this movement caused the expressions of the officials who arrived at the same time to darken even more. Moreover, it was a major event like the Ministry of Justice’s yamen, one of the six divisions of the Imperial Court, and the three divisions’ joint trial. How could it be so noisy and foolish? There were actually hundreds of people gathered outside the yamen to watch?

The trials of these three divisions were extraordinary. Compared to ordinary trials, their specifications were far too high. This is because this trial, be it the presiding judge, the person being questioned, or the case being pursued, must be extraordinary.

The chief examiner must be a high-ranking official from each of the three yamen of the Ministry of Justice, the Dali Temple, and the Ducha Court. Although it was impossible for him to be the chief official of the yamen, his rank could not be lower. As far as the Ministry of Justice was concerned, he had to be an assistant minister or a doctor. The other two yamens had to send out corresponding officials as well.

Naturally, the status of the prisoners who were being interrogated couldn’t be lower. Ordinary people, no matter how serious their crimes were, wouldn’t be able to work for these high-ranking officials to spare time to interrogate him together. This time, Guang Ning Bo Liu Xun was considered a qualified interrogated criminal.

Apart from these people, even those who were watching the trial had extraordinary identities. Normally, however, in all important cases, the Son of Heaven would send people he trusted to supervise the scene for the sake of hearing. Most likely, they were from the Royal Guards or the Eastern Factory. However, this time, the specifications were even higher and there were even more people. Two ministers from the Six Ministries-Minister of Officials Hu and Minister of Military Affairs Xu Xi-had arrived. Moreover, even the British Duke Zhang Fu, who had not shown much prominence lately, had appeared. With this line-up alone, one could see how important the Son of Heaven valued this case.

From the presiding judge to the prisoner, to the high-ranking officials in the court, the ones with the lowest status inside and outside the hall of the Ministry of Justice were Lu Zhen, a small county magistrate in the capital.

However, Lu Zhen did not show the slightest bit of nervousness. He only lowered his eyes and stood below like an old monk, completely ignoring the cold, mocking, and hostile gazes around him.

Seeing this, a smile appeared on the side of his beard. “This child’s temperament is indeed very human. No wonder he dared to cause such a big trouble.”

On the other hand, the three people who were the chief examiners-Duan Chong, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice, Yushi Linmi, the capital of the Imperial Court, and Zeng Guangxiao, the young minister of the Dali Temple-looked a little nervous. Speaking of which, although they had been rolling in the capital’s official circles for many years, this was the first time they had tried such a serious case.

After exchanging glances and raising their spirits, Duan Chong, the owner of the place and the assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice, picked up the shocking wood and slapped it heavily. He shouted for someone to ascend the hall and bring the criminals along.

Along with the prolonged and mighty cries of the soldiers on both sides, this three-division trial had finally begun.

If it was normal, the trial should be carried out step by step. First, the prisoner should be brought up for questioning. Then, if he did not plead guilty, he should produce evidence and ask for a witness to confront him. But this time, out of consideration for the prisoner’s identity, Duan Chong did not mention the offender first. Instead, he shouted, “Where is Daxing County Magistrate Lu Zhen?” He actually found him first!

Although he was a little surprised, Lu Zhen calmly walked in from outside the hall, “Xiaguan Lu Zhen greets all of you!” As he spoke, he bowed and bowed.

Duan Chong snorted and asked, “Lu Zhen, what exactly is going on in this case? You should give it to this official without concealing anything!”

Although he could feel the hostility from the other party, Lu Zhen repeated what he had told Emperor in the palace as he had requested. Because of his previous experience and the fact that he was fearless, he spoke in more detail and vivid this time, not even stumbling.

However, Duan Chong’s expression darkened when he heard this. Because his words carried suspicion and distrust towards the Ministry of Justice’s yamen. ‘”Lu Zhen, do you know that what you said has the intention of slandering the Ministry of Justice? What evidence do you have to say that the Ministry of Justice will protect the prisoners in this case?” He said coldly. “You actually went to beat the drum directly?” He said coldly, “Lu Zhen, do you know that what you said has the intention of slandering the Ministry of Justice?”

“Xiaguan doesn’t dare to say that he has any doubts about the Ministry of Justice. However, Xiaguan’s words are light, but this case is truly too shocking. In order to plan for everything, I have to be on guard.” Lu Zhen’s response was neither overbearing nor humble, “Besides, the case of Feng Changchun’s murder was indeed settled by the Ministry of Justice. I really don’t dare to say that if I report the case, I will definitely be dealt with fairly.”

“You … you are truly a lowly person to speak like this. My Ministry of Justice is an important place of the Law Department, how can you slander me like this!” Duan Chong was instantly annoyed. He slapped the table and reprimanded, “Do you have any circumstantial evidence when you keep saying everything?”

“Of course there is.” Lu Zhen replied without hesitation. He then took out an official document from his sleeve, “This is the file of the case of Feng Changchun earlier. The attitude of the Ministry of Justice towards this case is recorded on it. If you don’t believe me, you can take it out and take a look!”

He had actually made preparations, which made Duan Chong feel a bit troublesome. This guy isn’t here to testify, why is he even prepared?

Taking advantage of his astonishment, Lu Zhen said, “But since Sir has asked, then Xiaguan also has a few words to say.” Originally, as long as the case of Feng Changchun was investigated carefully, it would definitely be able to find Uncle Guang Ning’s body. Why did the Ministry of Justice close the case so hastily in the end? I hope that Your Excellency can also investigate what was hidden in the case and give His Majesty, the deceased, and the people of the world an explanation! ”

The counterattack was so fierce that Duan Chong was immediately stunned and unable to respond. His entire face was swollen red, like a shrimp that was about to be cooked.

Before Lu Zhen could finish his sentence, since he was standing here, he did not intend to show any mercy to these fellows and continued, “There is also the Shun Tian Manor.” If the Ministry of Justice was merely protecting criminals, the Shun Tian Manor’s actions would be even worse. They might even secretly kill the witness in the Feng Changchun case in order to prevent the case from being investigated. “This matter is also recorded in the Shun Tian Manor, so you can investigate it!”

Everyone was dumbfounded by these words. This fellow is really generous. He actually directly reported his immediate superior to the yamen. He has seen such a fierce person before, but he has never seen such a fierce person before!

Hu Ying looked at all of this with a faint smile on his face. This Lu Zhen was indeed a man of his words and deeds. He said that once the case was investigated to the end, it would not be discounted. Now that he had exposed the matter in front of so many people, it was impossible for some people to turn a big matter into a small one.

Seeing that Duan Chong was completely powerless to resist Lu Zhen’s combined punch, the other two presiding judges could only say, “County magistrate Lu, how exactly should this case be tried? Since His Majesty has designated us as the presiding judge, we will naturally uphold justice, and do not need you to interfere!” We will definitely investigate these doubts that you mentioned, and we will definitely not let the guilty escape. You should retreat to the side. Don’t mess with the rules. ”

Seeing that Lu Zhen’s aura was so fierce, it would be even more difficult for him to speak, so he could only take a step back and persuade him to leave.

Lu Zhen also knew that his identity wasn’t enough, so he didn’t bother anymore. He just bowed and retreated. However, this display had caused everyone to firmly remember this courageous fellow. It was not an exaggeration to say that he was a madman county magistrate.

Afterwards, Imperial Scholar Lin Mi also shouted in shock, “Bring someone to offend Liu Xun!” That would put the case back on track.

There were no shackles to mop the floor, and even no one to escort him. Uncle Guang Ning and Liu Xun walked into the hall alone. However, he no longer wore a Qilin uniform that symbolized his status, and his appearance looked much older than two days ago …