Chapter 274: The Ghost-Exorcist Talisman
Wu Wencai was brought to the hall, he knelt down and kowtowed calmly, then stood up. His eyes swept over everyone in the hall and fell on Su Qianqian's face, calm and expressionless.
"Wu Wencai, the truth behind Fang Youan's murder has been revealed. The head of the Wanwu Shengcai Club is now in jail, and the money that the Wanwu Shengcai Club defrauded is also being recovered.
But the reason why Fang Youan killed people was to buy an official position for his son. How did you deceive Fang Youan and claim that you could buy the official position? ”
Now that Lord Zhuang has found the entry point, it depends on how Wu Wencai responds.
Wu Wencai retracted his gaze from Su Qianqian's face and said, "My Lord, I did not cheat. I was able to get an official position through patronage, and the price was clear and fair."
As soon as Wu Wencai said this, there was an uproar in the hall.
"Wu Wencai, don't talk nonsense! Although the court officials are given patronage, they are awarded based on their fathers' and grandfathers' merits. How can it be bought and sold? Do you know what crime is involved in buying and selling official positions?"
Lu Jun shouted angrily, suppressing the noisy discussions, and everyone looked at Wu Wencai.
"I have studied hard for ten years and have also studied criminal law. How could I not know that this is a capital crime? But I am not afraid of death now!
There are still clear streams in this bright world to exorcise ghosts and cleanse the mountains and rivers of filth. Although I have been an accomplice of the evildoer, it is not too late to turn back now. I can use this broken body as a talisman to drive away ghosts. What does it matter even if I turn into ashes? ”
Wu Wencai waved his sleeves and called out, truly disregarding life and death, which instead added to his heroic spirit.
"Wu Wencai, with whom did you collude to buy and sell official positions? Tell us in detail." Lord Zhuang stared at Wu Wencai and asked in a deep voice.
You could hear a pin drop in the lobby.
"I have a fellow countryman named Feng Zhigao, who is a close follower of Lu Jing, the doctor of the Ministry of Personnel.
After Xiaomin came to Xijing and met him, he talked about the difficulty of becoming an official through the imperial examination. Feng Zhigao said that it was not difficult to get an official position as long as someone recommended him. Later, when he learned that Xiaomin was doing some brokerage business, he reminded Xiaomin that he could also make huge profits by trading with the official position. ”
There was a sound of gasps from the audience.
The personal attendant of Lu Jing, the Langzhong of the Ministry of Personnel, this hint is self-evident. If there were no four words "Langzhong of the Ministry of Personnel" in front, and only the two words "personnel attendant", no one would dare to say such a thing.
"Wu Wencai, do you know what you are saying?" Lu Jun's face was filled with anger that could no longer be suppressed, and his fingers gripping the armrests of the chair turned white.
"Lord Lu, it is not appropriate to stop a witness from testifying in court... I suddenly remembered that since Doctor Lu Jing was mentioned, I am afraid Lord Lu will have to step aside."
Lord Zhuang spoke in a gentle voice, but the meaning of his words was unmistakable: Shut up and get out of here.
Lu Jun's face turned pale and blue, and he had to stand up to maintain his composure. He glared at Wu Wencai fiercely, then walked away in anger.
"Wu Wencai, continue your confession." Lord Zhuang gestured.
The Dali Temple's Secretary and two other officials sitting below looked at each other and wiped their sweat with their handkerchiefs. This case required the joint signatures of the five officials of the Dali Temple. They wondered if the signatures of the remaining four officials would count if the Dali Temple's Secretary recused himself from the case?
And even if it counted, how could the three of them dare to sign to convict Lu Jing? Even if his neck wasn't cracked, he would probably have worn out his official robe.
"Come here, arrest Feng Zhigao, and ask Doctor Lu Jing to come to the court to testify!" Lord Zhuang issued a warrant, and the bailiff came over reluctantly to take it, looking at Lord Zhuang in embarrassment.
"Why, don't you know how to arrest someone or invite witnesses to court?" Lord Zhuang said in a cold and stern voice.
"Yes, sir!" The bailiff did not dare to delay any longer and ran out quickly.
[Lord Zhuang is really good at pretending. If he hadn't known about Feng Zhigao that day, he would have had people guard him for 12 hours, fearing that he would escape. But he still has to be the scapegoat. How could his master bear to let him get away? 】
"Wu Wencai, tell us all the official positions and people you traded with Feng Zhigao."
"Fu Jiashan, a wealthy merchant from Mianfeng, spent 50,000 taels to have his son appointed as the magistrate of Yuzhu County, and I made a profit of 2,000 taels from it. Zhou Shunkai, a merchant from Zhuyang, spent 40,000 taels to send his son to Fengyao as the chief clerk, and I made a profit of 1,500 taels from it..."
Wu Wencai spoke every word clearly, shocking everyone in the hall. More than a dozen people tried to buy and sell official positions through him alone, and Fang Youan's son failed to make the purchase, but still paid a deposit of 2,000 taels.
"Except for the money used to pay for my mother's medical treatment, all the money was kept in a separate place in my home, and every penny was recorded clearly."
Wu Wencai added a final sentence, with a sad look on his face: "As an unfilial son, I can no longer ask for medicine for my mother. Please don't tell my mother what I did, and let her think that I died in a foreign land."
Lord Zhuang ordered people to search.
Soon Feng Zhigao and Lu Jing were brought in. Lu Jing was supported by a servant and looked very calm. Feng Zhigao's face had already turned pale. Having followed Lu Jing for so long, he naturally knew what would happen to him if something went wrong.
Lu Jing bowed calmly and said, "I caught a cold and became seriously ill. I heard that I had to testify in court, so I tried my best to come here. I can only sit down and listen to Master Zhuang's orders."
He motioned to the servant to help him sit down on an empty chair next to him, as if he really came just to be a witness.
Several officials nearby continued to wipe their sweat...
Lord Zhuang did not say much and continued to interrogate Feng Zhigao.
"Feng Zhigao, do you know Wu Wencai?"
"Your Excellency, I recognize you."
"Do you know why I summoned you to the Dali Temple today?"
"Your Excellency, I don't know."
"Feng Zhigao, Wu Wencai confessed that he conspired with you to buy and sell official positions. Is this true?"
"My Lord, this is absolutely not the case! Wu Wencai, how dare you make such a blunder? Aren't you afraid of the law?"
Feng Zhigao pointed at Wu Wencai with a ferocious look on his face and spoke threateningly.
"Feng Zhigao, Wu Wencai's confession of the time and place of your transaction, as well as the money he earned from it, are all recorded in the book. What else do you have to say? The Dali Temple court cannot be despised, so why don't you tell the truth!"
Lord Zhuang asked sternly, staring at Feng Zhigao.
"Your Excellency, I dare not lie. Wu Wencai and I are from the same hometown. It is natural that we are close when we meet in different places. Sometimes we drink together in our spare time. How can I be so capable as to engage in the business of buying and selling official positions? I am really wronged!"
Feng Zhigao refused to admit his guilt and kept saying every word was injustice.
Su Qianqian looked up at Lu Jing, who was also looking at her. A murderous intent flashed in his narrow eyes, but disappeared in an instant.
"Feng Zhigao, if you check what Wu Wencai said with the Ministry of Personnel, you will find loopholes. It is clear who handled the case. If you tell the truth, you may be given a lighter sentence. If you refuse to change your mind, don't blame the law for being ruthless."
Lord Zhuang was afraid of the gavel and reminded Feng Zhigao coldly.
"Sir, I..." Feng Zhigao couldn't help but glance at Lu Jing out of the corner of his eye.
"You useless slave, you have done something illegal, why don't you confess it? Don't forget that your parents, wife and children at home all depend on you for their livelihood. You know what to do!"
Lu Jing suddenly opened his mouth and scolded coldly.
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