Chapter 152: Ironclad Evidence
Minister Yin turned his head slightly to the side. Su Qianqian was taking notes behind the screen over there, with the pen and ink moving quickly on the paper. She seemed not to care at all what was being said in the hall.
"Zhang Yong, who did you conspire with to frame Wuning Marquis, and what was your purpose? Do you know that Wuning Marquis has been loyal for generations, and that all of their ancestors died on the battlefield? Don't you know what the punishment will be for framing a loyal minister?
You might as well confess the truth. You have seen a lot of torture instruments used by the City Patrol. Do you want to try out the strict laws of the Ministry of Justice? ”
Minister Yin slammed the gavel, and the bailiffs in the hall all hit the ground with their sticks and threatened with threats.
"Sir, I have a duty to perform, so it is unavoidable that I may make mistakes occasionally. This man is a treacherous person, how can I trust his words?
It is clear that they are using the organization to trap lower-ranking officials and seek revenge! Although I have been reported by someone, I am still in office. How can you punish me, sir? ”
At this time, Zhang Yong calmed down and responded calmly.
[He relies on his skin, so let's peel off his skin first and defeat him one by one! 】Su Qianqian said in her heart.
Outside, Minister Yin has issued an order: "Official Zhang Yong, who raped a woman and caused her death, should be dismissed from office first and then convicted. Someone, send the dismissal document to the Ministry of Personnel for proof."
The lawyer next to him had already written the document, sealed it, and handed it to the yamen runner to send out. Zhang Yong now looked as pale as death.
"Sir, your humble servant..."
"Zhang Yong, the wicked man, extorted the people and took their lives when he was an official. If you don't confess all your past crimes, don't blame me for being ruthless."
A bailiff stepped forward and kicked Zhang Yong in the knee. Zhang Yong fell to his knees like the other three men.
"My Lord, I... I am innocent. The woman's suicide was an accident. My Lord, please don't listen to their one-sided story. I have no grudges against the Marquis of Wuning, so how could they frame a loyal and honest person?
Maybe they mistakenly thought Wang Dalang was a habitual bandit, but their brothers are not innocent either! It was only because his behavior was suspicious that we killed him to avoid accidentally killing anyone. There was absolutely no intention to silence him! ”
Zhang Yong naturally knew that confessing his guilt would not lead to any good consequences, so he made up his mind to deny it outright.
Zhang Linsheng's sister had been buried for a year, so it was impossible to obtain an autopsy. Even if Hu Jiuchen found a witness, he would not be sentenced to death for extorting some money. As for killing Wang Dalang, he insisted that he had identified the wrong person.
Sure enough, the bailiff brought a beggar called "Blind Dog". He first told what he had overheard outside the door, then recognized Zhang Yong's voice among several people and insisted that it was he who said it. Zhang Yong had no way to deny this and simply admitted it.
He denied all charges of causing death and conspiring to frame someone.
Minister Yin announced that the court would temporarily adjourn for a rest and took Su Qianqian to the back hall for tea.
"Mr. Su, now that things have come to this, is it time for the girl in the carriage to come out and meet you?"
Su Qianqian smiled and nodded: "How dare I disobey Lord Yin's order."
When the court session resumed, Zhang Yong still had a rogue attitude.
Torture cannot be used more than three times during a trial, so it should be reserved for important moments.
Just when Zhang Yong was secretly happy that he could get away with it, Minister Yin shouted, "Send the case to Xuan Niang!"
Zhang Yong's pupils suddenly shrank and he looked back in disbelief. Sure enough, it was Xuan Niang walking up to the court gracefully.
Xuan Niang knelt in the hall and said, “I, a commoner named Xuan Niang from Yunzhou, report Zhang Yong, the Chief of the City Patrol Division, for conspiring to defraud the Third Master of the Wuning Marquis’ Mansion and for faking my own death and imprisoning me in a separate courtyard.
I have a token left by Zhang Yong in my hand, and there are witnesses to Zhang Yong’s pursuit of me. Zhang Yong is in his villa in Luoxia Mountain, and the servants all recognize me. I hope the master will investigate it clearly! ”
Xuan Niang held a token above her head and the bailiff handed it to Zhang Yong.
"How did you get my token, you bitch?" Zhang Yong's eyes were red with anger.
"You gave it to me when you were in love with me to broaden my horizons. You gave it to me to play with. Has Lord Zhang forgotten it?"
Xuanniang explained in a soft voice.
Zhang Yong had no way to defend himself. How could he possibly give the token to Xuan Niang!
"Zhang Yong, why don't you confess? Who instructed you to frame the Marquis of Wuning Mansion?" Minister Yin raised his token and asked with a raised eyebrow.
Zhang Yong gritted his teeth and insisted: "Zhang Yong is innocent, this woman is not a decent woman, her testimony is not credible!"
Minister Yin threw a warrant into the hall and said, "We have all the evidence and witnesses, and the City Patrol Office also has the case file. You dare to quibble? I'll give you twenty lashes of the cane. Let's see if you confess!"
The bailiffs carried Zhang Yong to the side and pushed him down, then hit him with the stick without any mercy.
Although the Chief of the City Patrol Department is a sixth-rank official, he is in charge of the patrol order inside and outside the capital and has a wide jurisdiction. It is a lucrative position. He has been living a life of luxury for so many years. How could he withstand such torture?
At first he gritted his teeth and endured, but later he screamed without caring about his dignity. After being beaten with twenty boards, his buttocks and thighs were covered in blood, and he was half dead.
"Zhang Yong, do you confess or not?" Minister Yin asked Zhang Yong who was dragged back to the hall.
Zhang Yong had been thinking countless times at this time. Even if he did not confess, the evidence of his guilt was irrefutable. If he wanted to survive, the people behind him had to take action personally.
But if he doesn't get through this and confesses easily, he will not end up well.
"Confess... I confess. It's Madam Shaohua from Xie Fangyuan. She has an old grudge against the Marquis of Wuning Mansion... She tried to bribe me several times with money. I was blinded by money... I thought it was just to ruin the reputation of the Marquis of Wuning Mansion, and it wouldn't be a big deal... So I accepted the money and did the job."
Zhang Yong spoke breathlessly and incoherently, but the logic of the matter was very clear: Madam Shaohua bribed him for revenge just to ruin his reputation.
[Finally I said it out.] 】
Su Qianqian thought to herself that the good show was about to begin. Let's see how Madam Shaohua would deal with it. Will she reveal the trick behind the scenes, or will it be cut off?
[Zhang Yong would naturally grasp at straws to reduce his guilt, but he only dared to grasp at straws and was afraid to touch the rope that tied the straws. 】The system commented.
Minister Yin narrowed his eyes slightly and slammed the gavel:
"Official Zhang Yong was dismissed from his post and imprisoned. He was convicted of extortion, rape, and abduction of women. He also committed crimes in public by abusing his position. There is irrefutable evidence. He will be convicted after a retrial.
The bailiffs immediately arrested Madam Shaohua and Yan Liu, who were also involved in the case. This was another case, which would be investigated and tried on a later day. Xuan Niang, the accomplice, could serve as a witness because she had made a good report, so she was temporarily imprisoned for further punishment and the court was adjourned. ”
Seeing Zhang Yong's expression, Minister Yin knew that even if a trial was held, no conclusion would be reached. Moreover, Madam Shaohua had many friends, so it was impossible to convict him easily without finding solid evidence.
If a loophole was found and reported to the emperor, not only would he be impeached, but it would also be detrimental to the reputation of the Wuning Marquisate, and it might also be used as an excuse to reduce Zhang Yong's guilt.
After Su Qianqian finished her task, she returned home with Su Xing. Before leaving, she asked her lawyer if the Ministry of Justice might be able to find the old files.
The lawyer said that it was possible to investigate, but it was too vast and difficult, and it required the personal approval of Minister Yin. Su Qianqian nodded and said that this matter needed further consideration.
It was almost noon when she returned to the Marquis' Mansion. She could see someone waiting for her in Tinglan Courtyard, and he was already a little impatient.
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