Chapter 146 Public opinion fermentation
Chapter 146 Public opinion fermentation
in the afternoon.
The news that Zhao Duan had been arrested spread like wildfire and spread to all major government offices.
It attracted the attention of countless people, and compared to the officials at all levels who were cautious in their words and actions and treaded on thin ice, the scholars and students who had close ties with the court talked freely.
"Is this true? Isn't Zhao Duan a popular figure? Why was he suddenly imprisoned?"
"Humph, who made him offend Zhou Tingwei? If not, how could there be an impeachment at the morning court today?"
"But isn't he the Saint's favorite lover? The Saint has shown partiality to him many times in the past, why is he so...?"
"Oh, favored? His Majesty doesn't care about his affair with the royal concubine being exposed? How is that possible? This is retribution."
"That's right. This villain is notorious and arrogant. As the saying goes, those who do too much evil will eventually perish. Now he is finally going to perish. Congratulations, the Great Yu Dynasty has one less treacherous minister and traitor!"
"You are still too young... Once you gain power, you will lose your mind..."
Some people gloat over others' misfortune, some applaud, and some make comments in a fatherly way...
People accepted this result very quickly because it was in line with common sense.
Since ancient times, which emperor would tolerate his concubine cheating on him?
Anyone found will be killed without mercy.
Xu Zhenguan was a female emperor and was no exception.
Even though it is said that Zhao Duan has some skills that can be used.
But if a minister is labeled as a "betrayer", the empress will show no mercy to him, no matter how useful he is.
Zhou Cheng's attack was not only intended to alienate the "feelings" between the two parties.
On a deeper level, it made the empress realize that Zhao Duan had deceived and betrayed her.
"Brother Lu, this time the Zhao guy is completely finished."
In the duty room of the Dali Temple, an official sighed.
Lu Zhi, who had been arrested and released by Zhao Duan and had been held in the position of "judge" for many years due to his personality, shook his head and said:
"There's something wrong with this case. The plaintiff was obviously being manipulated by someone, and the Supreme Court Justice's handling of the case is not in compliance with the regulations..."
"Hush!" The colleague next to him was startled and urged:
"You have such a big mouth. Don't hurt anyone. Besides, haven't you always been attacking and hating Zhao Duan? Isn't it a good thing if he falls?"
Lu Zhi shook his head and said with his neck stiff:
"Let's put it one way or another. Zhao Duan has a bad character. As a minister, although I am of low rank, I should speak out and bring him to justice.
But in this case... the existing evidence is not enough to judge. How can we punish him with a muddled case just because we are hostile to him? I am ashamed of such behavior..."
Colleagues shook their heads and avoided the question:
You deserve to never be promoted... Can't you see that this is the Lord Chief Justice's revenge?
……
……
Zhao family.
The sun was setting in the west. Today was a nice day. Eugene Hua and her daughter were sitting in the bedroom embroidering sachets.
In the end, she agreed to her daughter's suggestion, and the mother and daughter each embroidered a sachet for Zhao Duan.
As a gift for the Qiqiao Festival.
Eugene Hua sat at the table.
At this moment, she lowered her head, tied a knot with her fingers deftly, bit off the excess silk thread with her silver teeth, and looked at the majestic and solemn sachet embroidered with a blue cloud pattern, and nodded with satisfaction.
Then he looked at his daughter: "How about yours?"
The girl, who was slender, elegant, and vaguely resembled her mother when she was a girl, also took the last stitch:
"All right."
Zhao Pan picked up the brightly colored sachet and handed it to her mother, somewhat dissatisfied:
"Mom, some of the stitches aren't very good."
Eugene Hua smiled:
"It's okay. I'll fix it for you later. I don't think your elder brother will mind. It's your thoughtful gesture after all."
Zhao Pan said "hmm" softly, with a hint of anticipation.
After spending such a long time together, the mother and daughter finally confirmed that Zhao Duan had indeed changed for the better.
Eugene Hua was even more relieved that her daughter was gradually accepting her stepson again. The darkest time for the Zhao family had passed, and everything was getting better.
These days, she has a smile on her face every day.
At this moment, the old housekeeper outside suddenly ran in hurriedly, shouting:
"Madam! Miss!"
The mother and daughter looked at each other, put down the sachet, and walked out the door:
"What's all the fuss about?"
The old housekeeper cried:
"Oh no! Dalang has been thrown into prison and is said to be dying!"
boom……
Eugene Hua felt like she was struck by lightning. Her mind went blank, the world was spinning around her, her legs went weak, and she fell to the ground.
Zhao Pan was stunned on the spot, with the words "going to jail" and "not being able to survive" echoing in his mind, as if he had lost his soul.
……
……
The Censorate, the rear hall lobby.
As the sun was about to set, Yuan Li welcomed a group of uninvited guests.
"Ma Yan? What are you doing..."
Yuan Li walked out of the hall with his hands behind his back, looking at the group of people in brocade robes rushing in outside.
Most of them are members of Lihuatang headed by Qian Kerou and other four.
The leader had a tall, gaunt face and a cold, violent temperament. It was the eunuch Ma Yan.
"Mr. Yuan, I am sorry for coming here without an invitation." Ma Yan bowed. Although his expression remained the same, people who knew him well could keenly detect that his expression was mixed with anxiety and worry.
This is very rare in Ma Yan.
"Everyone, you are here for Zhao Duan, right?" Yuan Li invited Ma Yan into the hall and took a seat.
Ma Yan put his hands on his knees and sat upright:
"I know that it was His Majesty's order to arrest him. As the chief officer, I should avoid suspicion, but I couldn't help but let those guys from Lihuatang come to my door to ask for help, so I had to come."
"Hmm, is that so?" Yuan Li looked calm and didn't point it out.
King Ma has always been strict in his rule, so how could he be forced by a group of lower-class Jinyi?
It was just an excuse he came up with to come here.
Yuan Li said calmly:
"Since you know this is the will of the emperor, you should understand that I will not open any convenient door just because you are here."
Ma Yan smiled bitterly:
"I dare not embarrass Lord Yuan, and I dare not ask for his favoritism. I only ask that Lord Yuan be fair and impartial, and not give the Dali Temple any convenience."
Yuan Li understood what he meant and said calmly:
"You can rest assured about this. Zhao Jisi will only be detained in the Taiwan prison and will not be punished in any way."
Ma Yan nodded and thanked him, "I feel relieved with what Mr. Yuan said."
Yuan Li asked curiously, "I've always heard that you're cold and selfless, so why are you running around for that kid today?"
At the morning court session, Ma Yan spoke for Zhao Duan, which can be interpreted as protecting his subordinates, which is a normal thing to do.
But taking the risk of being disliked by His Majesty, coming here at this critical juncture has gone beyond the scope of superior and subordinate.
Ma Yan was silent for a moment, then said:
"Mr. Yuan knows that I am a servant. Although this kid has repeatedly broken the rules and caused me trouble, in the final analysis... he has also called me Senior Brother."
Yuan Li smiled faintly and served tea to the guest.
Qian Kerou and the others in Lihua Hall reluctantly left after learning that Zhao Duan would not be tortured.
Their power is too small. They can bully small officials, but facing such a big event, this is all they can do.
……
Taiwan prison.
Yuan Li, wearing a blue robe with a double-breasted collar, with a handsome face and eyes full of vicissitudes, walked in the dark dungeon.
There were no jailers following him.
When he walked outside a solitary cell and looked inside with the help of the firelight, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.
Inside the cell, Zhao Duan was seen wearing prison uniform and sitting on the floor, reading a book with the aid of the torchlight, absorbed in it.
Not only did he not show the slightest sign of fear or worry, but he actually looked contented.
"You are still reading in the cage. I think you are more like a scholar than a military officer," Yuan Li exclaimed.
"Mr. Yuan!"
Zhao Duan then looked up, smiled and stood up to salute:
"There are so many things going on outside, so many things to worry about, but it's better to be able to calm down and study here."
Yuan Li glanced at the title:
"The book of laws? I'm a prisoner, and I'm reading this book. Do you think you can break the imprisonment with it?"
I said I was researching. Do you believe how many years Zhou Cheng could be sentenced to? Zhao Duan shook his head and said:
“I just happened to read this.”
This sentence is true.
Recently, he has been catching up on the rules and regulations of the Dayu dynasty's governance, studying the dynasty's political rules, economy, military affairs and other miscellaneous matters, including legal items.
And compare it with the various dynasties on Earth in the previous life in my mind, with the intention of speeding up my understanding of the Dayu Dynasty.
But I unexpectedly discovered that there are many areas for improvement.
Of course Yuan Li didn't know that this genuine warrior who was born as a soldier in the imperial guards had strategies for ruling a dynasty in another world for five thousand years hidden in his mind.
Ignoring this topic, I stared at him and said:
"Just now, Ma Yan came to me and said that the troublemakers under your command came to ask for my help and asked him to ask me to ensure that you will not be punished in the Taiwan Prison.
It's obvious that they are worried about you. The outside world is now spreading rumors that you have fallen out of favor and can no longer survive. Many people want you dead."
Zhao Duan remained silent. This was something he had expected.
Yuan Li paused for a moment, then suddenly said:
"But seeing that you are still in the mood to study, I know that they might be disappointed."
Zhao Duan lowered his eyes:
"Mr. Yuan thinks highly of me. I am just pretending to be calm."
"Really?" Yuan Li smiled:
"I told you the other day that once Zhou Cheng takes action, it will be a fatal blow. I believe you have learned this lesson now. You still have a chance. If you choose to ask me for help, I can help you resolve all the crises at the moment. The price remains the same. Once it is accomplished, I, the Censorate, will take most of the credit."
Zhao Duan said respectfully:
"Please forgive me for still refusing."
Yuan Li's smile deepened:
"So, in this situation, you still choose to play this game by yourself? You know, once the three courts convene for the trial in two days, Zhou Cheng will have prepared all the evidence, and even I can't save you."
Zhao Duan raised his head and smiled:
"But Lord Yuan also believes that I can overthrow Zhou Cheng, right? Otherwise, he wouldn't have given me another chance to choose now that I've fallen out of favor and become a prisoner."
Yuan Li smiled, turned around and left, leaving behind a sentence:
"I'm looking forward to seeing how you turn the tables. By the way, the people from the Dali Temple are here to interrogate you."
When he walked, it was as if he was walking on the clouds.
Russian qing.
Zhao Duan, who was sitting upright in the cage, heard messy footsteps approaching.
Then, in the firelight, He Zheng's bruised, proud and complacent face appeared:
"Zhao Duan, how does it feel to be a prisoner?"
(End of this chapter)