Hearing Yang Lian's answer, Zhu Youxiao immediately laughed. After staring at Yang Lian for a long time, he knew that the trap he had dug today was effective.

No matter what Yang Lian thought in his heart, it was enough for him to say such words, because what he said was different from what Gao Panlong said.

Gao Panlong's statement obviously caters to many people's thoughts, but Yang Lian's statement is exactly the opposite of Gao Panlong's, which is what Zhu Youxiao wants.

Gao Panlong must have been dissatisfied with Yang Lian's words. "You are just a member of the Donglin Party, why are you pretending to be so powerful?"

You say he should be severely punished, but what am I talking about? You are a loyal and upright person, but what about me? A despicable villain? If Gao Panlong is a loyal and upright person, then what about Yang Lian?

This is power politics, very simple power politics.

In his previous life, Zhu Youxiao had seen Emperor Jiajing, who was a master at manipulating power throughout his life.

Although Emperor Jiajing eventually destroyed the Ming Dynasty, he did achieve one thing: as a vassal king with no foundation, he finally grasped the imperial power completely in his hands.

Looking at Yang Lian, Zhu Youxiao nodded gently, then said, "Mr. Yang Aiqing is indeed deeply influenced by Mr. Gu Xiancheng. Good, very good."

"Your Majesty, thank you for your compliment. I have only fulfilled my duty as a subject." Yang Lian bowed humbly. This was what a subject should say.

Zhu Youxiao nodded, then said, "Then, according to your opinion, should this case be handed over to the East Factory for further investigation, or should it be tried by the Three Courts?"

The so-called Three Departments are actually the Ministry of Justice, the Dali Temple and the Censorate.

In fact, the emperor would only transfer the investigation of a case if the East Factory could not find any clues; or when the East Factory had completed the investigation and only sentencing and conviction remained, it would be handed over to the Three Departments. Sometimes the emperor would directly order the crime to be brought to justice.

Yang Lian was also overwhelmed when he heard this. If the East Factory continued the interrogation, it would not be in line with the ideas of the civil officials. In Wei Zhongxian's hands, the situation would be difficult to control.

However, if we change it to a joint trial by the three courts, and if nothing can be found out, I am afraid I will not be able to explain it to His Majesty.

After a long pause, Yang Lian gritted his teeth and said, "I think we should hand it over to the Three Courts for trial. Wei Zhongxian is a powerful eunuch, and these people have previously impeached him. I'm worried that Wei Zhongxian will take this opportunity to frame and accuse others. Since the case has been confirmed, it would be a good idea to have it handled by the Three Courts. This would help to quell the controversy, so I think we should hand it over to the Three Courts for trial."

Zhu Youxiao looked at Yang Lian, nodded slightly, and then said, "That's fine. Then I'll leave this case to you, my dear minister, to try. The Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple will cooperate."

Yang Lian was stunned. He had not expected His Majesty to hand this case over to him. However, after a moment of hesitation, Yang Lian quickly bowed and said, "I obey your order!"

Watching Yang Lian leave, Zhu Youxiao gently tapped the armrest of his wheelchair, then turned to Chen Hong and instructed, "Go to the East Factory and tell Wei Zhongxian not to interrogate the case yet. Treat the wounds of those people and don't let anyone die in the East Factory prison. Tell him that the case has been handed over to Yang Lian and let him go to the trial. Remember, it's a trial. Just come back and tell me."

Chen Hong quickly said, "Yes, Your Majesty!"

After saying that, Chen Hong quickly turned around and walked out. His steps were very fast. If he walked slower, he felt his heart would jump out.

As the only person who saw everything, Chen Hong's heart was beating very fast at this moment. In his opinion, something might happen this time.

Yang Lian walked out of the palace with a slightly heavy heart, as he knew that this time he might be in trouble.

After returning to the Censorate, Yang Lian sat in his seat and thought for a long time. Finally, he stood up and walked towards the room of Zou Yuanbiao, the Left Censor-in-Chief.

Yang Lian still trusted and admired his boss, and he planned to ask Zou Yuanbiao what he thought.

Zou Yuanbiao was also one of the leaders of the Donglin Party. Together with Zhao Nanxing and Gu Xiancheng, he was known as the "Three Lords". He was Yang Lian's idol and superior.

Seeing Yang Lian walk in, Zou Yuanbiao said with a smile: "Are you here? I was just looking for you."

After hearing Zou Yuanbiao's words, Yang Lian was stunned, but he still hurriedly asked: "Sir, is there anything wrong?"

"Have you entered the palace?" Zou Yuanbiao looked at Yang Lian and asked.

Yang Lian nodded: "Yes, His Majesty summoned you."

"Have you ever met Gao Panlong?" Zou Yuanbiao's face was very serious.

"I did." Yang Lian nodded again, "But he didn't say anything. His Majesty summoned Lord Gao first, and when I came out, he had already left."

Nodding, Zou Yuanbiao leaned back, his expression becoming more serious: "But did you mention the cases of those people?"

Yang Lian nodded again: "How did you know this, sir?"

"Can the news in the palace be kept secret?" Zou Yuanbiao was a little angry when he said this, but he could only say this to the point. He privately speculated that if someone in the palace heard and impeached him, Zou Yuanbiao would have to go home.

Of course, this was only the case when facing Yang Lian, and Zou Yuanbiao had no scruples. Staring at Yang Lian intently, Zou Yuanbiao asked again, "Has Your Majesty said what to do?"

"Your Majesty asked me for my opinion. I said that the case should be severely punished and should be tried by the three courts. Your Majesty has handed the case over to our three courts for trial, and I will be the chief judge." Yang Lian had already realized that something was wrong, so he spoke much more carefully.

After hearing Yang Lian's words, Zou Yuanbiao fell silent. After a while, he sighed and said, "I'm afraid things are going to be troublesome."

"Why do you say that, sir?" Yang Lian looked at Zou Yuanbiao and asked hesitantly.

You have to know that Yang Lian knew Zou Yuanbiao's character. If this adult could say such words, then the matter must be very serious.

"Your Majesty summoned Gao Panlong to inquire about this matter. Gao Panlong replied to Your Majesty that this matter should be resolved and should not be made into a big deal. Li Ruzhen is a famous general in Liaodong. The Li family has accumulated great prestige in Liaodong. If Li Ruzhen is dealt with, Liaodong will be unstable. Now is a turbulent time in Liaodong. We should not create more troubles and should focus on safety." Zou Yuanbiao said as he raised his head and looked at Yang Lian.

Yang Lian's face darkened again. He looked up at Zou Yuanbiao and asked, "What do you think, sir?"

Zou Yuanbiao's heart sank. He knew what Yang Lian meant by asking this question. He wanted to know which side he stood on, whether he supported Gao Panlong or him.

Zou Yuanbiao looked at Yang Lian and did not answer his question directly. Instead, he asked again, "Is it true?"

Nodding his head heavily, Yang Lian said frankly, "Indeed, all of these are personal confessions. They may have been tortured, but they were not forced into confessions. They colluded with Liu Ruzhen, with Liu Guojin acting as the middleman. They received three thousand taels of silver for the memorial impeaching Xiong Tingbi."

ps: 2020, everything is a new beginning!

New Year,

May your days be gentle and peaceful, and may all your hopes come true.

May you and I be sincere and brave, and may those we love be happy.

I hope book lovers will support me, give more rewards and votes!

2020, come on everyone!!!