Amid everyone's suspicion, this mysterious hearing finally took place.
However, Zhang Fei was very considerate of them and specially set the hearing period during the officials' holidays so that more officials could come to Xiangguo Temple to attend the meeting.
At dawn, when it was just getting light, many officials were seen arriving at Xiangguo Temple in horse-drawn carriages. They came so early not to grab seats, but to burn some incense and pray for blessings. After all, the world is not peaceful at the moment!
"Two donors, please come this way."
"Thank you for your help!"
Meng Gansheng and Zhao Wenzhen bowed to the old monk, then followed him to a side room to rest for a while.
After the old monk left, Zhao Wenzheng asked, "Is there any news from the procuratorate?"
Meng Gansheng shook his head and said, "I have sent people to inquire again and again. These days, the procuratorate has been the same as usual. No one is even paying attention to this hearing. Sometimes, I don't even know what I am anxious about."
"This shouldn't happen! This shouldn't happen!"
Zhao Wenzheng said: "I think there must be something fishy going on here. This matter has become no longer a small matter. If it is not handled properly, it may cause even greater chaos."
...
...
Meng Gansheng said: "I know this, but there is no need for us to panic. If chaos really occurs, it will be the procuratorate that will clean up the mess. Isn't this exactly what we expect?"
Zhao Wenzheng nodded. "That's true. Whether it's a hearing or a trial, the procuratorate has to take on this hot potato."
Just then, there was a knock on the door, "Master."
Zhao Wenzheng heard this and said, "Come in."
An old servant opened the door, entered the room, and whispered something in Zhao Wenzhen's ear.
"I see."
Zhao Wen Zheng nodded and waited for the old servant to leave.
Meng Gansheng asked hurriedly: "What's the matter?"
Zhao Wenzheng said: "Empress Dowager Cao and the emperor are here."
"Yeah?"
Meng Gansheng frowned, "The Queen Mother is here too."
Zhao Wenzheng said: "It seems that there must be something mysterious about this hearing!"
In another room.
"Cheng Dujian, if you want to do some morning exercises, go to the garden at the back. There's no need to walk around in this room."
Lu Huiqing couldn't help laughing as he looked at Cheng Fang pacing back and forth in front of him.
Cheng Fang stopped and said, "We have already inquired about it in the past few days. Zhang San is not a good person. Even Wang Xueshi can't stand it. What if..."
"Nothing will happen."
Lu Huiqing said: "You just need to respond according to my instructions. This is not a trial, and you are not a suspect. The purpose of this hearing is to find out the reasons. What you did was to relieve the monarch's worries. You don't need to worry too much. On the contrary, if you are so nervous, it may cause trouble."
"Too."
Cheng Fang nodded, "Don't be nervous! We can't be nervous. We have seen all kinds of situations, how can we be scared by a brat."
"Who said it wasn't? Sit down, have a cup of tea and take a rest."
"Why!"
Compared to Cheng Fang's restlessness, Cheng Yi was very relaxed. He was standing in the courtyard at this moment, chatting about academic matters with Sima Guang, Lu Gongzhuo, Wen Yanbo and others. He looked so relaxed and comfortable.
Han Qi and Fu Bi, who had just come in, saw this scene. Han Qi couldn't help but say, "Uncle Cheng Zheng doesn't seem to take this hearing seriously."
Fu Bi said: "A gentleman is frank and honest, what is there to fear?"
Han Qi laughed and said, "How many honest gentlemen were left speechless by Zhang San's questions in court."
Fu Bi sighed and said, "In fact, Junshi did remind him, but he had a clear conscience, so he didn't care."
Han Qi shook his head and smiled: "There will always be times when he suffers."
In the back hall of Xiangguo Temple, there were layers of imperial guards outside, and a group of monks were sitting cross-legged in front of the Buddha, chanting scriptures and reciting Buddhist scriptures with Empress Dowager Cao.
Zhao Xu stood aside waiting, feeling extremely bored.
After a long while, it was finally over. Zhao Xu personally stepped forward and helped Queen Mother Cao stand up.
"Ouch! I'm getting old! My legs go numb after sitting here for a while."
Empress Dowager Cao stood up with difficulty.
"The great lady is devout to the Buddha, the Buddha will surely bless her with a long and long life."
"I don't dare to hope for a long life, but I just hope that the Buddha can protect you and keep you safe and sound."
As he spoke, Zhao Xu helped Queen Mother Cao to sit on a chair nearby, and ordered two palace maids to massage her feet.
Empress Dowager Cao, who had recovered, suddenly asked, "Has the hearing started yet?"
Zhao Xu glanced at the sky and said, "It's scheduled to be Chenshi, it should be soon."
Queen Mother Cao nodded and said with a smile, "This Zhang San is really capable of making trouble. He has set up another hearing. By the way, has Zhang San come? I would like to ask him what this hearing is all about."
Zhao Xu turned his head and glanced at Lan Yuanzhen beside him.
Lan Yuanzhen immediately said, "Queen Mother, Zhang San is always the last one to arrive, and others have to wait for him."
Zhao Xu glared at him secretly.
Empress Dowager Cao didn't mind it, she chuckled and said, "I've experienced this the last time I listened to a class at the Imperial College."
After a while, someone finally came to report that Zhang Fei had arrived and the hearing was about to begin.
Never late, but never early either.
Since this was a completely open hearing to the public, it was arranged in the front yard. By the time Zhao Xu and Queen Mother Cao arrived at the front yard, it was already crowded with people. Looking at the arrangement of the seats, it was indeed very different from a court trial, as there were no private seats.
There was a long table in the middle with five chairs, and two sets of tables and chairs on each side. Cheng Fang and Cheng Yi sat on the right and left respectively. There was an empty seat on the side, making it look like a debate competition.
There were also many chairs with backrests placed around, but compared to the trial, this time they were very close. Wang Anshi and the reformists all sat on the right, while Sima Guang and the conservatives all sat on the left.
There is almost no middle ground on this matter.
Zhao Xu and Queen Mother Cao did not show up, but sat quietly in the hall behind the main seats. Seeing the clear divisions among the court officials, Queen Mother Cao was worried.
After a while, Xu Zun, Zhang Fei, Wang Gong, and two prosecutors who took notes came to the seat.
Cheng Fang and Cheng Yi both fixed their eyes on the young man next to Xu Zun. He was younger than they had imagined. The key point was that Zhang Fei always shaved, so his face was always white and clean. He looked more like a eunuch than the thin and dark Cheng Fang.
The other officials were also looking at Zhang Fei's expression, hoping to see some mystery from his face, but these five people were all smiling and looked very relaxed. After nodding to them, they went about their own business, as if they were just doing things as usual.
No one stood up to return the greeting, and Zhang Fei did not dare to be arrogant here, after all, there were princes and prime ministers on both sides.
After sitting down, Wang Gong exchanged a few words with Xu Zun, then stood up and read out the rules of the hearing.
It is similar to a court trial. No noise or disturbance is allowed. At the same time, you must obey the orders of the main witness. You are not allowed to speak without permission, and you cannot leave the hearing without reason. Otherwise, it will be regarded as giving up the right to a hearing.
After hearing this rule, someone immediately asked, "So, we don't have to testify?"
Zhang Fei smiled and replied, "Of course you can, because the purpose of the hearing is to give each party the most fair treatment. If the party does not value it, then we don't have to force them to stay and participate in this hearing."
The tone was very gentle, but everyone could hear the threat in it. The hearing is for you to prove your innocence. If you still want to leave, then go ahead. Once the results come out and the judicial process begins, then don't cry.
At that time, you won't be invited to come, but forced to come.
After reading the rules, Xu Zun knocked the gavel, announcing the official start of the hearing, and then looked at Zhang Fei beside him.
His responsibility is to preside over and maintain order, but it is Zhang Fei who does the work.
Zhang Fei first asked Cheng Yi on the left: "Cheng Yi, what position do you hold currently?"
This way of asking by name made Cheng Yi, who advocated etiquette, stunned for a moment. He immediately stood up and bowed and replied: "I am not talented. I am currently serving as the deputy commander of the militia in Chanzhou."
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Deputy Envoy Cheng just needs to sit there and answer the questions truthfully. There is no need for too much etiquette."
Cheng Yi asked back: "Why?"
It seems like asking, is there no etiquette here?
Zhang Fei said, "Because I think that abiding by the rules of the hearing is the greatest respect for each other and everyone present. What does Deputy Envoy Cheng think?"
Cheng Yi hesitated for a moment, then nodded with a smile: "Prosecutor Zhang's words make sense. I hope you will forgive me if I have offended you."
Zhang Fei extended his hand and gestured, "Deputy Envoy Cheng, please take a seat."
"Feel sorry."
Cheng Yi bowed again and sat down.
Lu Gong said in a low voice: "It seems that in this situation, no one can be a match for Zhang San."
Sima Guang said worriedly: "This is nothing, I hope Uncle Zheng doesn't give the wrong answer later."
He repeatedly warned Cheng Yi, but Cheng Yi did not take it seriously at all.
Zhang Fei asked again, "Deputy Envoy Cheng, someone has recently sued you. In mid-November last year, you instigated the Yellow River sailors to flee and allowed them to flee. This not only delayed the court's construction, but also constituted rebellion. What is your explanation for this?"
Cheng Yi sat upright and answered in a neither humble nor arrogant manner: "I did open the city gates to accommodate the fleeing sailors, but I decided to do so only to avoid a mutiny among the sailors."
Zhang Fei asked: "Can you explain it in detail?"
Cheng Yi said: "I remember that an official came to report that the Yellow River sailors who were dredging the Sangu River were unable to bear the heavy workload and had fled en masse, and were heading towards Chanzhou."
Zhang Fei asked, "Why are they going to Chanzhou?"
Cheng Yi said: "Because they are sailors stationed in Chanzhou."
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "Then what happened?"
Cheng Yi replied: "At that time, the Chanzhou government held an emergency meeting to discuss how to deal with it. I think that if the sailors risked their lives to escape and were not allowed in, it would inevitably cause an incident. It is better to open the gate and let them in, and appease them. If the court blames me, I will bear all the responsibility."
Zhang Fei asked: "Did you know the details of the sailors' escape at that time?"
Cheng Yi nodded and said, "I understand. It was because it was freezing cold and there was a lack of food and clothing on the river. The sailors could not bear it, so they chose to flee."
Zhang Fei asked: "How did you know this?"
Cheng Yi said: "That's what the sailors said."
Zhang Fei asked, "Before you opened the city gate, did you send anyone to investigate?"
Cheng Yi shook his head and said, "Not at that time."
Zhang Fei asked again: "When did you send someone to investigate?"
Cheng Yi hesitated for a moment and said, "I didn't send anyone to investigate, but I have carefully questioned the sailors. Judging from their situation, it doesn't seem like they are lying."
Zhang Fei nodded and asked, "Just now you said that at that meeting, it was you who decided to open the city gates to accommodate those sailors and said that you would take all the responsibility. I wonder what the attitudes of other officials were?"
Cheng Yi said: "The other officials are reluctant to open the city gates because they are afraid of offending Cheng Dujian."
Zhang Fei asked: "Why are they afraid of offending Cheng Dujian? According to my information, Cheng Dujian is only in charge of the river defense minister, not their superior."
Cheng Yi said: "Although Cheng Dujian is only in charge of river defense, he is an envoy sent by Your Majesty and a close minister to Your Majesty. Moreover, Cheng Dujian often ignores state and county laws and officials, so that the officials in Hebei are very afraid of him."
"I see."
Zhang Fei nodded and asked, "Regarding the Yellow River sailors, I heard that you had negotiated with Cheng Dujian before this. Is that true?"
Cheng Yi nodded and said, "Around the beginning of September, Cheng Dujian requested to call on sailors to repair the Sangu River, but I refused because according to the laws of my dynasty, sailors must be responsible for defense and cannot leave their posts without permission."
Zhang Fei asked: "What happens next?"
Cheng Yi said: "After that, Cheng Dujian wrote to His Majesty, and later His Majesty ordered 800 sailors to be allocated to him."
Zhang Fei asked, "Did Supervisor Cheng take revenge on you for this?"
Cheng Yi shook his head, "Not really!"
Zhang Fei asked again: "After you opened the city gates to accommodate the sailors, did Cheng Dujian retaliate against you? Or did he impeach you?"
Cheng Yi shook his head and said, "No."
Zhang Fei asked: "Have you met each other during this period?"
Cheng Yi nodded: "I have met him once."
Zhang Fei asked: "What is his attitude?"
Cheng Yi said: "Very friendly."
“Then I’m more curious.”
Zhang Fei said: "Deputy Envoy Cheng, you just said that Cheng Dujian ignored the officials and laws of the prefectures and counties by taking advantage of his power, but Cheng Dujian did nothing wrong in calling up the sailors. After you refused, he did not threaten you or force you to call up the sailors unreasonably. Instead, he chose to write to His Majesty, begging the court to call up the troops for him, and he did not retaliate against you afterwards.
After the incident of harboring the sailors, Cheng Dujian also did not retaliate and was very friendly to you. Or is it that Deputy Envoy Cheng has strong backing, which makes Cheng Dujian afraid? "
Cheng Yi shook his head and said, "There is nothing about me that he should be afraid of."
Zhang Fei asked, "Then why did Deputy Envoy Cheng say before that Cheng Dujian ignored the officials and laws of the prefectures and counties by taking advantage of his power?"
"this."
Cheng Yi's expression froze and he could not help but stare at Zhang Fei blankly.
Cheng Fang stood up straight, thinking, "Yes! We don't ignore the state officials and laws. We have always obeyed the law!"
He himself had not thought of this, but when he thought about it again, he felt that he had really done his duty.
Zhao Xu in the hall couldn't help but smile when he saw this.
This question was obviously very beneficial to him.
"Don't listen to advice!"
Sima Guang slapped his thigh anxiously.
This hearing is very important to them because they hope to use it to demand a halt to the river works in Daming Prefecture. It would be even better if they could sue Cheng Fang in the imperial court.
Han Qi chuckled and said, "Why should I be afraid? In the end, I couldn't resist it right away."
Fu Bi also shook his head.
It can only be said that Cheng Yi has not yet experienced the cruelty of a trial.
Cheng Yi believed in Confucian honesty, but the trial was much more blatant than Confucian honesty.
Cheng Yi came to his senses and replied, "I am not talking nonsense. I have evidence to prove that Cheng Dujian arbitrarily conscripted people for labor and destroyed the people's good farmland."
Zhang Fei asked, "I think what you said is the same as what Cheng Dujian wanted to recruit sailors in September. He had no right to do so, but he asked for it anyway."
Cheng Yi nodded.
Zhang Fei said: "After being stopped by you, Cheng Dujian sought an order to call on sailors to build the river."
Cheng Yi nodded.
Zhang Fei asked, "May I ask Deputy Envoy Cheng, if you did not stop Chief Supervisor Cheng in September and allowed him to mobilize the sailors, do you think it was your fault or his?"
Cheng Yi stroked his beard and said, "I don't know whether he was wrong or not, but I am sure he was guilty of dereliction of duty."
Zhang Fei said, "Assuming that Cheng Dujian really did impose forced labor and destroy fertile farmland, I want to know why no official, like Deputy Envoy Cheng, used the law and system to stop Cheng Dujian?"
Cheng Yi's forehead began to sweat. "I have said this before. It is because I am afraid of the revenge of Cheng Dujian."
Zhang Fei asked: "According to what Deputy Envoy Cheng said, in the minds of Hebei officials, this official uniform is more important than their own responsibilities. They don't perform their duties for the sake of possible retaliation. At the same time, they blame others for ignoring the state officials and laws. Is it possible that in front of Cheng Dujian, there are no state officials and laws at all?"
Cheng Yi was completely silent.
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "The reason why Deputy Envoy Cheng did not answer is because he thought that answering in this way would be like belittling others and highlighting himself. After all, only Deputy Envoy Cheng followed the law and decisively rejected the unreasonable request of Cheng Dujian, so this is not what a gentleman does."
Cheng Yi blushed.
That's the situation. Why didn't other officials do the same as him and stop Cheng Fang's unreasonable demands? What he said was very bad.
"Admittedly, I am not a gentleman."
Zhang Fei smiled gently.
Cheng Yi's face turned even redder.
Zhang Fei turned over a page of documents and asked Cheng Fang, "Superintendent Cheng."
"exist!"
Cheng Fang subconsciously straightened his back, then realized that he seemed to have a higher official position than him, and smiled calmly, "Excuse me, Prosecutor Zhang."
It’s obvious at first glance that Zhang Fei is one of us!
Zhang Fei asked, "According to the secret report, Chief Supervisor Cheng threatened to impeach Deputy Envoy Cheng in front of everyone. Is that true?"
Cheng Fang hesitated for a moment, then said, "I did say something similar, but I was just angry at the time. I didn't really impeach Deputy Envoy Cheng, nor did I do anything bad to him. I even respected him very much."
Zhang Fei nodded and asked, "According to the information we have received, the sailors were indeed short of food and clothing at the time. Can you explain why this happened?"
Cheng Fang said: "I'm afraid that Deputy Minister Cheng bears half of the responsibility."
Zhang Fei asked: "What do you mean?"
Cheng Fang said, "We are planning to recruit sailors to build the river in September. If Deputy Envoy Cheng agrees, then we won't have to wait until the freezing cold weather of November. At least we won't be short of clothes, and we can complete the mission before the cold winter."
Wang Anshi frowned when he heard this and asked Lu Huiqing, "Is that what you said?"
Lu Huiqing was about to cry but had no tears: "How could I know that Zhang San would be able to make Cheng Yi speechless? This Cheng Dujian is really stubborn and won't change his mind."
We just mentioned the issue of responsibility. You are blaming Cheng Yi for not giving you soldiers. That's not right.
Zhang Fei asked, "So, Supervisor Cheng believes he has the right to call in sailors?"
"Well."
Cheng Fang opened his mouth, and after a while, he managed to utter, "This matter is urgent. We are anxious about the river works, so we went to ask. After Deputy Envoy Cheng refused, we also wrote to His Majesty, asking for His Majesty's order."
Zhang Fei nodded and asked, "Did the Sangu River encounter flooding at that time?"
Cheng Fang shook his head.
Zhang Fei asked, "Then how can you say that you have to take the initiative? Since you plan to recruit sailors in September, why don't you ask in July?"
".?"
Cheng Fang blinked.
Zhang Fei asked again: "Excuse me, Chief Supervisor Cheng, do you have a very detailed plan for building the river?"
"Yes, there are."
Cheng Fang nodded and said, "Your Majesty and all the ministers had seen it at that time."
Zhang Fei immediately handed a document to the prosecutor beside him, "Take a look, is this the one?"
Cheng Fang took it and looked at it, "Yes, yes, this is it."
Zhang Fei asked: "But in this document, it only explains why we need to dig the East Stream and gradually block the North Stream, but it does not explain when, how many people will be mobilized, which section of the river will be repaired, and how long it will take?"
Cheng Fang said awkwardly: "Well, that's not so detailed."
Zhang Fei asked, "In other words, how many people to mobilize and which river to repair is entirely up to your personal ideas?"
Cheng Fang immediately said, "That's not true. Our family has been living outdoors for almost every day these years, and we go to various places to inspect the water conditions every day before making decisions. We don't do it rashly."
Zhang Fei asked: "In other words, you have the power to decide everything?"
Cheng Fang said: "We don't have that power. We have also submitted a petition to the imperial court regarding dredging the Sangu River."
Zhang Fei asked: "Does it specify how many laborers will be conscripted, how much good farmland will be conscripted, and how long it will take?"
Cheng Fang shook his head and said, "That's not specifically stated, but I have the right to conscript labor and good farmland."
Zhang Fei asked: "But at the same time, you don't have a detailed plan, so doesn't that mean you have the final say?"
It turns out they are not friendly forces.
Cheng Fang also gradually fell into silence.
Queen Mother Cao was a little surprised by this question, and asked Zhao Xu: "Your Majesty, is there really no detailed plan?"
Zhao Xu shook his head awkwardly.
Empress Dowager Cao asked again: "Why didn't you discuss it in advance?"
Zhao Xu said embarrassedly: "I have never done it this detailed before."
Queen Mother Cao said, "But I think what Zhang San said makes a lot of sense. If there is a flood, it is natural to make emergency decisions, but changing the course to the east should be a planned decision."
Zhao Xu nodded dully, wondering in his heart, yes! Why not plan before starting the construction?
Wang Anshi and Sima Guang were also puzzled by this question.
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