Chapter 584 Empty words
Du Ming and Feng Guan had not arrived yet, so Zhang Luan called Tan Ji and Zhu Ji to come over and prepare to hold a closed-door meeting before the trial.

“Commander Zhu, I’m sure you know that the reason why we asked Li Zisheng to come here to question us is because the East Factory got a letter written by Liang Fang to Li Zisheng. It’s not clear whether Li Zisheng has read the letter…”

Zhang Luan made a summary first.

Zhu Ji quickly argued: “Minister Zhang, the letter is a small matter, the main thing is his evil deeds…”

Zhang Luan raised his hand to interrupt Zhu Ji and asked, “Commander Zhu, for other accusations, we need witnesses and physical evidence. Do you have any now? Or are we just waiting for Li Zisheng to confess? I need to find out how far the evidence collection has progressed in this case so that I can start the inquiry.”

“This……”

Zhu Ji thought, if you want to side with Li Zisheng, how could you make it so organized?
You even asked me how far the case has progressed?
How can one answer this?

Seeing Zhu Ji didn’t answer, Zhang Luan looked at Tan Ji and asked, “Eunuch Tan, is my request too much? As far as I know, don’t you need sufficient evidence to arrest someone? I don’t know much about the rules, and I’m afraid I’ll offend Commander Zhu. Please give me some advice.”

Qin Ji shook his head and said, “Isn’t this too abrupt? Commander Zhu, since the case was handed over to the Jinyiwei by the East Factory, there should be some evidence before arresting the person, right? In addition to the letter, if there is any other evidence, please inform Minister Zhang, after all, he is the one appointed by the emperor to preside over this case.”

Zhu Ji was helpless and could only shake his head and said, “No, nothing.”

“What? No?”

Zhang Luan was dumbfounded and asked, “You mean, apart from that letter, there is no definite evidence of Li Zisheng’s illegal activities, right? There should be physical evidence, right? How many witnesses have you invited? For example, the person who was responsible for delivering the letter to Liang Fang? There must be an explanation for where the letter came from. It couldn’t have been blown by the wind, right? Everything must have a source. We should be able to find out who got it from, right?”

Zhu Ji continued to shake his head: “Not sure.”

“what!?”

Zhang Luan was a little confused now, and looked at his son for help.

It seemed to be saying, my son, the words you designed for your father were ruined by Zhu Ji’s cold and ignorant attitude, so you’d better come up with something quickly.

Qin Ji was also full of doubts and asked, “Does that mean that the East Factory didn’t hand over the evidence in time? Or did it not hand it over from the beginning?”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Ji couldn’t help but look at Tan Ji.

It seems like he is questioning, you are from the Silijian, seniority is the basis of rank in the Silijian, and you are also Qin Chang’s junior, so who are you helping? We can’t turn our elbows outward.

Seeing Zhu Ji continue to pretend and not answer, Zhang Luan couldn’t help but shake his head and sighed, “That’s a big problem… Apart from a letter written by Liang Fang, there is no other evidence. Do we really expect Li Zisheng to speak for himself? Even if he does, it’s hard to tell whether it’s true or not. This matter… what should we do?”

Zhu Ji stiffened his neck and argued: “Just that one letter is enough.”

“Is it enough to convict Li Zisheng?”

Zhang Luan shook his head and said, “It’s ridiculous to be so harmonious! The letter was written by Liang Fang, not Li Zisheng, and Liang Fang only entrusted Li Zisheng to do something.

“In the end, didn’t this thing get done? In the past year, Li Zisheng has repeatedly defended the current emperor, who was then the crown prince of the Eastern Palace. We have all witnessed this… Eunuch Tan, what do you think?”

“Haha, well…”

Tan Ji could only respond with a wry smile.

You must not seek recognition from me. You said that Li Zisheng helped the prince, but you have to produce evidence.

Just like you said – empty words!
Seeing that Qin Ji didn’t respond, Zhang Luan turned to Zhu Ji and said, “Commander Zhu, you just mentioned that the letter was unimportant and that other things were important. Then you said that the letter was enough… You mean to investigate Li Zisheng’s other crimes based on this letter, right?”

The muscles on Zhu Ji’s face were tense. He had no idea how to answer this question.

If we admit it, doesn’t that mean we are telling Zhang Luan explicitly that we just want to take advantage of the opportunity to escalate the situation and bring ruin to Lizi Province?
It would be fine if an ordinary civil servant came to try the case, but now everyone knows that you, Zhang Luan, are siding with Li Zisheng, so how can you tell the truth?
Qin Ji saw Zhu Ji’s embarrassment, and with a turn of his eyes, he kindly reminded Zhang Luan: “Minister Zhang, don’t keep asking me and Commander Zhu. You are the person designated by His Majesty to handle the case. Shouldn’t you decide how far this case should be investigated?”

“Oh, I’m just afraid of gossip. Gossip can melt gold, and constant criticism can destroy a person. I’ve clearly followed all the rules, but in the end, people are blaming me. I feel so wronged!”

At this point, Zhang Luan shook his head, looked outside the hall, and asked, “It’s almost noon. Why haven’t the two officials who came to try the case arrived yet? Should we ask someone to urge them?”

Zhu Ji explained, “In reply to Minister Zhang, the court meeting in the palace has just ended, and the civil and military officials are leaving the palace. I estimate that even if the two adults hurry, it will take some time for them to arrive. Please be patient and see if there is anything you need. You can give me instructions first, and I will have someone prepare it right away.”

Zhang Luan smiled and said indifferently: “We are here to ask questions. As long as Li Zisheng is here, that’s enough.”

Zhu Ji had a different view: “But… when you ask someone to question you, the decision is on their side. If they know that confessing will bring disaster upon themselves, they will most likely not tell the truth… Shouldn’t they be prepared?”

“Whether it’s the truth or not, I’ll know after I hear it. Don’t prepare torture instruments so early. Who are you trying to threaten? That stuff looks creepy!”

Zhang Luan didn’t seem to be in a hurry at all, and continued: “We can’t think that people are so bad. After all, we haven’t met the person yet, so don’t jump to conclusions so early. If by then, we all think that he is telling the truth, then everything will be fine, right?”

Qin Ji smiled and said, “Minister Zhang, look, you are asking again… whatever you say, I am here to learn from you just like you, the Second Young Master.”

When Zhu Ji heard this, he felt bad.

Tan Ji completely stood on Zhang Luan’s side. It seemed that this eunuch Tan had grasped the direction of the wind early on and knew that Li Zisheng should not be tortured to death.

Although this is different from the instructions I received before, I have to adapt to the situation now. I must not get myself into trouble because of the investigation of Li Zisheng.

……

……

Du Ming and Feng Guan did not arrive at the same time, but they arrived one after the other.

The two of them came in official sedan chairs without any prior arrangement.

After hearing the news, Zhang Luan and Qin Ji went out to greet him.

After all, in terms of official position, Du Ming, the Minister of Justice, has the highest official rank, while Zhang Luan is nominally only a vice minister, and is not even an official in charge of judicial adjudication. The assignment Zhang Luan is assigned today is not in line with his professional duties.

“Minister Du, today we are here to question and clarify the situation… We are ministers in the same palace, and I hope we won’t make our relationship too awkward.”

Zhang Luan said with a smile.

Du Ming quickly bowed and said, “Master Zhang, if you have anything to say, just ask. After all, the imperial decree has been issued and you are the one presiding over the trial. We are just here to listen.”

Zhang Luan explained: “It’s not an interrogation, it’s an interrogation.”

“it’s the same.”

Feng Guan said from the side.

Zhang Luan seemed to be very concerned about these details. He frowned slightly and shook his head, saying, “Different words represent different situations. If it is a trial, Li Zisheng is a criminal, but the problem is that we can’t say he is guilty now. His Majesty didn’t say that he must be convicted. We should still act according to the rules.” “Haha, really?”

Du Ming smiled and agreed, “Then I’ll listen to you. After all, we are reasonable people.”

Zhang Luan continued to focus on the details and argued: “It’s not about listening to anyone or talking about reason, but everything must be done in accordance with the law.”

Du Ming’s expression looked somewhat unnatural.

Feng Guan nodded in agreement: “What Mr. Zhang said makes sense. Everything should be based on the law.”

Zhang Luan said, “Then we have to clarify which law Li Zi Province has violated, or is suspected of violating, so that we can question him after we find the right direction.”

Feng Guan said: “As far as I know, Li Zisheng colluded with the eunuchs, which is a violation of the law.

Zhang Luan glanced at Tan Ji standing beside him and asked, “Is it not even allowed for official business?”

“This one……”

Feng Guan then realized that there was a eunuch present, and he was working in the Imperial Household Department. He had been with the emperor since he was a child, so he had to be restrained in what he said.

Zhang Luan didn’t care and waved his hand: “Go on.”

Feng Guan continued, “Besides, he interfered in the internal affairs of the royal family, which is disloyalty. What I am saying is, assuming that Liang Fang did have private communications and exchanges with him, and talked about the replacement of the crown prince.”

Zhang Luan retorted again: “Does this have to be said this way? It seems that whether to change the crown prince or not is not something that a minister can decide. You know what I am talking about, right?”

“Thank you for reminding.”

Du Ming quickly bowed and thanked him.

Although Feng Guan could tell something was wrong, he only frowned slightly. Perhaps he also felt that today’s trial was different from any previous one.

First of all, the chief judge Zhang Luan was biased towards the criminal and would argue with himself and Du Ming over every word.

Secondly, this case really cannot be publicized. After all, it concerns the legitimacy of the current emperor’s throne. If the late emperor had always wanted to change the crown prince and wanted to push Prince Xing to the throne, but he suddenly fell seriously ill and died, so he was unable to implement it, how would the emperor feel?

If they are not careful, they will be implicated!
……

……

“Please bring the people up.”

Zhang Luan said loudly, “We will sit around the round table, regardless of status. Li Zisheng is here, so let him sit down too. What do you think?”

Du Ming nodded and said, “Everything will be arranged by Master Zhang.”

“Well.”

Zhang Luan turned around and looked at Zhu Ji, and ordered, “Commander Zhu, please have someone bring another chair.”

Zhu Ji felt disgusted after hearing this.

It’s fine if you let Li Zisheng sit down, but you also want him to sit on the same level as you?

If it really becomes an interrogation, then what are we doing here in court?
Where is the majesty of this Jinyiwei court?
It’s really unparalleled to be so biased.

Whatever.

Zhu Ji knew that he had no right to speak here and could only obey orders to add a chair.

Not long after.

Li Zisheng came in with Mou Bin.

After a night in jail, Li Zisheng was surprisingly in very good spirits. He looked radiant, as if he was sleeping in his bedroom at home.

“Minister Li, long time no see.”

When Zhang Luan saw someone coming in, he stood up and greeted them.

When he stood up, Du Ming and Feng Guan had to stand up as well, and even Qin Ji had to stand up and watch from the side.

Li Zisheng quickly saluted: “I salute you gentlemen. I am a guilty subject and I dare not accept your kindness… I might as well kneel down for you.”

“Don’t.”

Zhang Luan stepped forward and held him, smiling and saying, “Minister Li, you are still the Minister of Rites of the Ming Dynasty. In terms of position, you are higher than me. How can a superior kneel before a subordinate?”

When Zhu Ji, who was standing next to him, heard this, he thought, what, do I have to kneel down to you all?
Li Zisheng looked ashamed and said, “Since Lord Zhang said so, I will listen to you.”

Zhang Luan pointed to the seat and said, “Sit down.”

Li Zisheng said in embarrassment: “I dare not sit with you… Today I am a guilty subject. If I don’t need to kneel down to answer, I can just stand.”

“Sit down if you’re told to.”

Zhang Luan frowned and said angrily, “How can you ask me questions if I don’t sit down? As the Minister of Rites, will you hold it against us for not knowing etiquette today?”

“what!?”

Li Zisheng never expected that Zhang Luan would be so persistent.

Qin Ji smiled and said, “Minister Li, since Minister Zhang asked you to sit down, please sit down. It will be easier for us to talk. I hope you don’t have anything to hide.”

“Yes, yes, yes. I will tell you everything I know and will not hide a single word. This is to repay your majesty for your kindness.”

When Li Zisheng said this, he was still looking at Zhang Luan.

It seems to be saying, Laizhan, you understand and know me.

I am not repaying Your Majesty, but you.

(End of this chapter)