Chapter 116 Daring to Dethrone the Prime Minister
The courtroom was completely silent.
Du Min breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Governor Zheng.
Magistrate Sun smiled smugly.
Hidden behind the door, Meng Qing remained calm and relaxed, leaning against the door as she continued to eavesdrop.
Governor Zheng's face was tense. He remained silent for a long time, ignoring the gazes fixed on him, and asked, "Lu Zhan, do you have anything to say in your defense?"
Lu Zhan was sweating profusely, his mind blank. He looked at Governor Zheng for help, unable to utter a word.
Governor Zheng cursed under his breath as a fool.
The judicial officer stood up and stepped forward. He took a confession and walked up to Xue Rong, saying, "Sign and put your fingerprint on it. If you go back on your word, you will be convicted of contempt of court."
Eager to clear his name, Xue Rong quickly took the brush and signed the document.
"Your Excellency, is there anything else you wish to ask? Can't Lu Zhan be convicted yet?" Du Min asked. "If you still lack evidence, I will immediately send men to arrest Chen Yong, who kidnapped me, and the doctor who treated my injuries. By the way, we also have physical evidence. During my imprisonment, I took off my personal belongings and hid them in that room. This item is sufficient to prove that I was imprisoned in the garrison commander's mansion."
Governor Zheng gave him a deep look. He gave up on exonerating Lu Zhan, this fool, and asked, "Lu Zhan, do you plead guilty?"
Lu Zhan shook his head, still hoping someone could save him. He struggled to say, "I don't plead guilty. I didn't do it. My cousin Lu Di can vouch for me. He's been staying with me at the mansion these past few days."
"Summon Lu Di," Governor Zheng ordered.
"County Commandant Lin, take your men to the garrison headquarters in Nancheng Town again and arrest the garrison soldier Chen Yong, as well as a short doctor with a missing left ear," Du Min ordered. "Find the room where I'm being held, move the bed aside, and there's a silver plaque underneath; that's the evidence."
County Magistrate Lin clasped his hands in agreement, then waved his hand and led away five constables, running quickly out of the yamen, afraid that if he was even a step too late, he would be stopped by Prefect Zheng.
Magistrate Sun brought over a stool. "Sir, please sit down and rest. I think you can't stand up anymore."
Du Min sat down, leaned against Magistrate Sun, and closed his eyes to calm himself down.
"Your Honor, suspect Lu Di has been brought here." The warden escorted Lu Di into the courtroom.
"Lu Di, what does the matter of Magistrate Du being imprisoned in the garrison commander's mansion have to do with you? Have you been staying in the garrison commander's mansion all this time?" Governor Zheng asked.
As soon as Lu Di entered the courtroom, he sensed something was wrong. Xue Rong looked terrified and guilty, but he was also shrouded in the relief of escaping death. In contrast, Lu Zhan looked ashen and anxious.
Du Min opened his eyes and asked, "Lu Di, do you know that I am being imprisoned in the garrison commander's mansion?"
"I know." Lu Di knelt down. "After you broke down the door and fainted, I discovered that you had been imprisoned by Lu Zhan..."
"Shut up! What are you saying?" Lu Zhan snapped again, grabbing Lu Di's collar.
Wu Zhen will step in again and separate the two.
“I was worried that he might do something irreversible in a moment of madness, so I stayed by Lord Du’s side to watch over him. After he regained consciousness, I coaxed him to send you away. If it weren’t for me, Lord Du might still be imprisoned in the garrison commander’s mansion,” Lu Di said expressionlessly, his eyes lowered.
Lu Zhan stared intently at him, gritting his teeth and cursing, "Lu Di, you treacherous villain!"
“Cousin, I’ve been trying to persuade you for a long time, but you wouldn’t listen. You kidnapped Lord Du for your own selfish reasons, causing our clan to suffer as a result. Your crimes are unforgivable.” Lu Di turned to look at him. “You deserve to be punished by law for your wrongdoings. Stop struggling and confess your sins. Don’t worry about things at home. The clan will take care of your sister-in-law and nephew.”
Lu Zhan was exhausted, and he hung his head without saying a word.
Du Min opened his eyes and watched with great interest; it was quite a show.
Governor Zheng picked up the gavel and slammed it down, asking again, "Prisoner Lu Zhan, do you plead guilty?"
“…Confess.” Lu Zhan stopped struggling and spoke with difficulty.
"The prisoner Lu Zhan has committed the crime of kidnapping a prisoner and shall be exiled three thousand li away, and shall never be allowed to hold office again." Prefect Zheng pulled out a warrant and threw it out. "He shall be held in the county jail for now, and after the Ministry of Justice reviews his case, if there are no objections, he shall be exiled in the autumn."
The warden escorted Lu Zhan away from the courtroom.
"The prisoner Xue Rong has repeatedly confessed and shown contempt for the court, so he shall be flogged sixty times; he was undoubtedly an accomplice in the case of the prisoner rescue of Lord Du, but because he was acting on orders from his superior, he is pardoned and sentenced to five years of penal servitude instead of exile." Governor Zheng then threw down another decree.
The bailiffs immediately took the man away to be executed.
"Suspect Lu Di, having known about the crime but failing to report it, is also an accomplice. However, due to the legal provision of protecting relatives from wrongdoing, he will not be prosecuted and is released on the spot." Governor Zheng looked at Du Min, "Does Lord Du have any concerns?"
“No,” Du Min replied.
Lu Di let out a sigh of relief. He stood up, bowed deeply to Du Minchang, and then left the courtroom, walking out of the yamen in his prison uniform.
Du Min helped Magistrate Sun to his feet. "Your Excellency, please forgive me for not being able to stay any longer. I am feeling dizzy and can't hold on any longer. I need to go back to my room and lie down first."
Governor Zheng stood up and said, "Leave the case of the accomplices to Magistrate Sun. I will help you back to your office to rest."
Du Min anticipated that he had something to say, so he beckoned a yamen runner to help him up and said, "Sir, please go first."
Behind a door, Meng Qing left quickly.
"Mother—" Wangzhou ran over, holding a wooden shovel, "Has the villain who kidnapped my third uncle confessed?"
"He confessed." Meng Qing put her index finger to her lips, reminding him not to ask any more questions. She then led him to Du Li's side. "When did you get back?"
"Half an incense stick's time." Du Li looked towards the door, where a man in a purple official robe walked in.
Governor Zheng stopped and looked at Meng Qing. "Why are you running? Is there something you're ashamed to show your face?"
Meng Qing lowered her head and replied respectfully, "This humble woman is worried that eavesdropping on the trial will displease you."
Du Min quickened his pace and walked in, picking a fight: "Lord Zheng, if I may be so bold as to ask, why did you try to help Lu Zhan get away with his crime? Anyone with eyes can see that Xue Rong's initial confession was to take the blame for Lu Zhan, yet you believed him."
Governor Zheng turned around and asked, "Du Min, how many more people do you want to offend?"
Du Min lowered his eyes and stopped talking, knowing that his assessment was still in Governor Zheng's hands.
But Prefect Zheng wouldn't give up. He waved for the bailiffs to leave and asked bluntly, "What good will it do you to offend the Lu family of Fanyang? Can't you see my good intentions? The Lu family of Fanyang has already shown their sincerity by asking Lu Zhan to resign and never return to officialdom. Are you still not satisfied? Do you have to convict him? What good will you get besides venting your anger?"
"I won't gain anything from this, and what good will it do to offend someone? But I remember that I only have my current power and position because of Minister Zheng's promotion, and I must serve him. Your Excellency, is Minister Zheng aware of this case?" Du Min's mind raced. "May I ask, Your Excellency, how close are you to Minister Zheng of the Ministry of Rites?"
“He is a generation younger than me, and is the son of my cousin,” Governor Zheng replied.
"You two are close, both from the Zheng family of Xingyang, so there shouldn't be any hostile relationship between you. I won't hide anything to avoid making you resentful. I was thinking that if Minister Du were to be promoted again, he would become Prime Minister, but if the current Prime Ministers don't vacate their positions, he could only watch helplessly until his hair turned white." Du Min straightened his back and explained reasonably, "My lord, your helping Lu Zhan escape punishment might be due to the friendship between the Zheng and Lu families, both being aristocratic clans. You might fear that the Emperor would use this opportunity to target aristocratic families, worrying that if one falls, the other will be vulnerable. But I wanted to hand Minister Du a knife; having a family friend become Prime Minister is ultimately not as secure as taking that position yourself. What do you say?"
Governor Zheng remained silent, staring intently at Du Min with a thoughtful expression.
Meng Qing secretly applauded Du Min. He was impressive; he had managed to bring the Zheng family of Xingyang to his side in one fell swoop.
"Is Minister Zheng unaware of this?" Du Min asked again. "After I was rescued and imprisoned, the pontoon bridge was broken, and the two counties were cut off from each other, so we were unable to send messages to Chang'an."
“I will inform him by carrier pigeon later.” Governor Zheng switched sides. “I will explain the matter of the broken pontoon bridge to the Emperor in my memorial and absolve you of responsibility.”
Du Min smiled and said, "Thank you, sir."
"Go back to your room and rest," Governor Zheng said kindly.
Du Min leaned weakly against Du Li as he escorted her back to the house.
Governor Zheng turned to look at Meng Qing and asked, "How many free schools have been opened?"
“Two schools. One is on the north bank of the Heyang Bridge, but it's temporarily closed due to the flood. All the students have moved to the free school at the foot of Beiman Mountain. That free school is unaffected by the flood and is currently being looked after by my parents and brothers,” Meng Qing replied. “Sir, you know me?”
“I’ve heard about it.” Governor Zheng nodded. “Make preparations. Once the news of Lu Zhan’s rescue of Lord Du spreads, go to Luoyang and open a few more free schools.”
"Yes," Meng Qing replied, as she had already planned to do so.
Footsteps approached, and it was Magistrate Sun. He saw Prefect Zheng and said, "Your Honor, the prisoners Chen Yong and Xu Mao have been taken into custody. I have come to return Lord Du's 'no trouble' plaque."
Meng Qing went over to take the things and said, "Lord Sun, it's almost noon. Please arrange a meal for the governor and General Wu to stay for lunch. Lord Du is unwell and cannot join us, so please take good care of the two gentlemen on his behalf."
County Magistrate Sun glanced at Prefect Zheng and saw that he did not object but instead looked pleased. He was greatly surprised. How could the Lu family's backer have sided with Lord Du again?
"I'll make the arrangements right away," Magistrate Sun said, and quickly left.
"Which room is Lord Du's study?" Governor Zheng asked.
Meng Qing took him there, and after they came out, she instructed the servants to bring in hot tea.
"Third brother, how are you feeling?" Meng Qing walked into the main house. "Should we call the doctor to come and take another look?"
Du Min didn't dare to move. He closed his eyes and said, "Never mind, my second brother has gone to get my medicine. I'll drink it and take a nap later. Second sister-in-law, please take good care of Governor Zheng for me."
“Okay.” Meng Qing looked at Wang Zhou, who was lying next to Du Min, and said, “Don’t disturb your third uncle.”
"I know," Wang Zhou nodded. "I'll take care of my third uncle."
Meng Qing went out and happened to run into Governor Zheng coming out of his study. He took out a copper whistle and blew it. After a short while, a pigeon flew over and landed on his shoulder.
Governor Zheng stuffed the letter into the mailbox, raised his arm, and the pigeon flew away.
He left after having lunch.
After that, Governor Zheng never came to Heqing County again, but he sent someone to deliver tonics to Du Min once.
*
Two months later, the results of the retrial of Lu Zhan's case of kidnapping Magistrate Du arrived, changing the exile from three thousand li to five thousand li.
At the same time, Prime Minister Lu submitted his resignation to retire, citing his failure to manage his family properly and his inability to govern the country. The emperor read it but did not try to persuade him to stay; he approved it directly.
Du Min's fame soared overnight.
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Author's note: See you tomorrow night at 8 PM.
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