Chapter 590 Another Match!
Shen Lanxi looked comforted and said, "With your words, I can rest assured, and the people of the world can also rest assured."
Liu Mingxin: "Your Majesty, now that you have been cleared of suspicion, I would like to ask the Prime Minister in front of everyone whether Wu is buried in the ancestral tombs of my Liu family?"
This question made Wu Yanzhi feel a little embarrassed. If he wasn't buried in the Liu family's ancestral graveyard, how could he possibly defile the Wu family's ancestral graveyard?
Even if a married daughter is divorced, she cannot return to her parents' home.
His daughter is already dead, yet the Liu family still wants to humiliate him by divorcing him; they simply don't respect him as the father of the current prime minister.
“Lord Liu, although my daughter’s death was an accident, it happened in the Liu family. If the Wu family pursues this matter, you will not have an easy time either.”
He could successfully prosecute for negligence.
Shen Lanxi intervened to smooth things over.
"You two can discuss your family matters later. I have another important matter here that requires your joint decision."
What decision is being made? What does it have to do with them?
Upon hearing that there was a stake involved, the two of them disregarded the details and immediately focused their attention on Shen Lanxi.
"There has never been a draw in a duel. I'm sure you two gentlemen are aware of Mr. Ruohua's talent and reputation."
Liu and Wu nodded.
"The entire capital is watching this matter closely. All of you must ensure that this matter is resolved."
Wang Shen's face turned ugly. He thought that a draw would resolve the matter, but he didn't expect His Majesty to keep pressing the issue.
"Then let's have another match!" Liu Mingxin glanced at Wei Jie and immediately blurted out.
Wu Yanzhi's expression was somewhat grim. Wang Shen was one of his men, and he had already replaced many of his own. If Wang Shen were to be replaced as well, he would have even fewer connections left.
"Prime Minister, what do you think?"
Wu Yanzhi was certainly not foolish enough to stand up and oppose at this time.
"I have an idea. Since we are all experts at solving cases, why don't we have a case-solving competition?"
Mr. Ruohua is just a teacher; he can read from the book, but when it comes to actually solving cases, he's completely clueless.
Wang Shen has been navigating the officialdom for many years; even a stone would have been thoroughly seasoned by now.
Shen Lanxi did not draw a conclusion, but instead asked, "What do you all think?"
"I believe it is feasible!"
"I also think it's feasible!"
"So it is with me!"
"Your Majesty, I agree!"
Shen Lanxi: "Alright, let's solve the case."
Wei Jie: "Your Majesty, I have a case here."
Shen Lanxi glanced at him and specifically reminded him, "If it's an unsolved case, there's no need to waste time."
Wei Jie: "It's a case that's almost ready to be solved, but it's hard to deliver a verdict."
"Why is it that a judgment is not made?"
Wei Jie recounted the story truthfully: "A murder occurred at a farm outside the capital, caused by a bowl of medicine. The son was ill, and the daughter-in-law invited the village doctor to treat him. There was a very precious ingredient in the medicine, and while the daughter-in-law was talking to the doctor, the mother-in-law secretly added some to the medicine, causing the son's injuries to gradually worsen until he died!"
"After her son died, the old woman sued the doctor, claiming he had prescribed the wrong medicine. The doctor had the prescription and could prove his innocence."
"After that, the old woman sued her daughter-in-law, accusing her of not taking good care of her husband."
"It has now been determined that the old woman secretly added the medicine. What should be the punishment?"
Mr. Ruohua had already made up his mind.
"Your Majesty, I humbly request that this be written down on paper."
Shen Lanxi: "Granted!"
“Minister Wang, to be fair, you should also write it down on paper.”
Wang Shen forced a smile and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."
The case stemmed from the old woman's good intentions gone wrong, resulting in the death of her own son. She didn't intend to harm him; she was simply greedy for expensive medicinal herbs, thinking that adding more herbs would speed up his recovery.
Human ethics are human ethics, and the law is the law. So how should crimes be judged?
Everyone is curious about how these two will be sentenced.
According to the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty, no matter the reason, this old woman could not escape death.
However, it is morally wrong to ask a mother to pay for her son's life.
While the officials were pondering, Mr. Ruohua had already written it and presented it.
Wang Shen could only wipe his sweat while speeding up.
He quickly presented the verdict.
The Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Justice each held a copy and read it aloud.
"The old woman first committed theft, then caused death, and then made two false accusations. According to the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty, thieves are punished by having their hands cut off, and those who directly or indirectly cause death are punished by beheading or exile depending on the severity of the crime. Those who make false accusations are punished by having their tongues pulled out or by fifty to one hundred strokes of the cane, depending on the severity of the crime."
When the officials heard him say this, their eyes widened in astonishment.
A schoolteacher was actually an expert in the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
Only then did the officials realize that the introductory book for the women's academy was the Great Zhou Law.
When did Bailu Academy start using the Great Zhou Law?
Mr. Ruohua continued, “The old woman indirectly caused the death of another person. Regardless of whether it was her son or not, she is suspected of murder. My judgment is beheading or exile.”
The Dali Temple had just stopped when the Ministry of Justice began reading Wang Shen's verdict.
“The law is no different from human feelings. The old woman was also desperate to save her son. She filed lawsuits against the doctor and her son one after another, simply because she was heartbroken and lost her mind after losing her son.”
"I suggest a lighter punishment, replacing it with corvée labor."
With the two verdicts placed side by side, Shen Lanxi asked, "Have you all reached a decision regarding the verdicts against the two individuals?"
Wei Jie: "Mr. Ruohua listed all the crimes committed by the old woman in a clear and organized manner, with detailed charges. Moreover, the judgment was not wrong."
Wang Shen's face turned pale. He had a bad feeling as early as when he read Mr. Nian Ruohua's verdict at the Dali Temple.
Compared to that verdict, his writing was too general and too sentimental.
Actually, this is for the best, as it will leave a reputation for kindness and compassion in His Majesty's heart.
Now it depends on how His Majesty views this case.
Ministry of Justice: "Your Majesty, I also support Mr. Ruohua's verdict. Although the law is not without human sentiment, if it is not dealt with seriously, others will regard the laws of our Great Zhou as nothing."
Shen Lanxi nodded.
"You two ministers are right. Lord Wu, Lord Liu, what do you think?"
Liu Mingxin: "I agree with the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review. Mr. Ruohua's judgment can serve as a model to let the people of Ningxia know that they should not arbitrarily change the medicine prescribed by doctors, that it is not true that the more expensive the medicine, the better, and that they should not arbitrarily accuse others without evidence."
Shen Lanxi: "What Liu Qing said is absolutely right. I will leave this matter to you."
Liu Mingxin: "Your subject receives the imperial decree."
Wu Yanzhi glanced at Wang Shen, his expression turning somewhat unpleasant.
"According to the bet, if Mr. Hua wins, he will take over the position of Vice Minister of Works."
Wang Shen's face was deathly pale.
Although His Majesty didn't say anything about it, everyone heard the bet.
His Majesty wants him to speak up first!
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