amaotonovel Chapter 1145 Professionals Do Professional Things
Chapter 1145 Professionals Do Professional Things
Shen Zheng understood Huai Gongwang's thoughts all too well.
As long as he is not convicted of "murdering an official of the imperial court," he will be able to barely escape with his life.
It is said that it is better to live a miserable life than to die a good death. For people like Huai Gongwang, as long as they are alive, there is hope.
It sounds inspiring, but people like him don't deserve to live.
In the past few days, Shen Zheng had been pondering repeatedly why Huai Gongwang insisted on opposing her and the government.
After reviewing the situation with Yu Zhengqing several times, she was shocked to realize a possibility—Huai Gongwang had someone behind him.
If it weren't for someone behind the scenes instructing him, why would Huai Gongwang be willing to risk exposure to target Wang Huai'an and prevent her from taking office?
Shen Zheng couldn't guess who was behind it all, nor did she want to.
Instead of wasting time on political maneuvering, they should focus on improving people's lives and making their lives better.
So Shen Zheng decided to... cut the Gordian knot.
Did Huai Gongwang refuse to plead guilty?
It doesn't matter.
There are many ways to make him confess.
It is said that professionals should do professional things. In Shen Zheng's mind, Luo Bizhi is the "most professional person in handling cases".
Having made up her mind, Shen Zheng smiled slightly and asked Huai Gongwang one last time, "Huai Gongwang, are you sure Wang Huai'an's case has nothing to do with you?"
Huai Gongwang was truly terrified by Shen Zheng's deception.
Even a question that only requires an answer of "yes" or "no" made his heart skip a beat.
But can he answer "I'm not sure"?
Obviously not.
"I am certain that I did not instruct Wu Shun to murder Wang Huai'an. I urge Lord Shen to investigate thoroughly. Wu Shun is still the mastermind behind the case."
"Huai Gongwang, you son of a bitch!" Wu Shun roared, his cheeks puffed out, his hair standing on end in fury. "You dare do it but not admit it? I'll haunt you even as a ghost! You just wait... mmm—"
Constable Sun forced Wu Shun's roar back down his throat.
Whether from anger or grievance, Wu Shun's tears welled up instantly, and he shook his head at Shen Zheng, sobbing.
Then, he watched as Shen Zheng took a green-headed stick from the divination tube and raised her hand slightly.
"pat-"
The signature landed on his knees.
He was instantly overwhelmed with grief and didn't even have the strength to lift his eyes.
It was clearly agreed that Huai Gongwang would be convicted, so how did everything change once they entered the courtroom...?
Indeed, women's words are the least trustworthy.
"I threw the wrong one." The next moment, Shen Zheng's slightly apologetic voice came into my ears, "Lord Huai, this fortune stick is also for you."
What a stroke of good luck!
Wu Shun suddenly looked up at Shen Zheng, his eyes shining.
Who says you can't trust a woman's words!
A woman like Lady Shen is the most trustworthy!
Huai Gongwang's eyes were filled with undisguised astonishment: "Lord Shen, I said 'I'm certain,' I'm certain that Wang Huai'an's plot to murder has nothing to do with me."
If everything is "confirmed," why are we still throwing out the lots?
Shen Zheng leaned back slightly, her eyelids drooping. "It's not up to you."
Huai Gongwang asked himself honestly, in his twenty-odd years in the court, he had never seen such a scoundrel as Shen Zheng.
His heart ached with anger, and he retorted, "Is Lord Shen going to convict me without evidence?"
“No.” Shen Zheng looked at the green slip on the ground and slowly shook her head: “The murder of an official of the court is a major case. Although I am the assistant minister of the Six Ministries, I am still the prefect of Liuyang. Since you and Wu Shun have different versions of events, then go and talk to Lord Luo.”
Huai Gongwang was taken aback. "Lord Luo?"
How could he not know that there was an official in Liuyang Prefecture with the surname "Luo"?
“It is indeed Lord Luo.” Shen Zheng kindly explained, “Lord Luo Bizhi, Minister of Justice.”
Huai Gongwang's pupils dilated violently.
Although this analogy is quite inappropriate, is the Minister of Justice some kind of junk collector? Does Shen Zheng think she can just send people there whenever she wants, or order them to conduct trials?
Throughout the court and among the people, who doesn't know Luo Bizhi, the Minister of Justice?
If he falls into Luo Bizhi's hands, he might not even be able to keep a whole corpse!
Greatly alarmed, Huai Gongwang opened his mouth several times, but could not utter a single word.
What can he do?
Can they stop Shen Zheng, or confess on the spot?
Along with the buzzing in my ears came sticky palms, weak legs, and a heart pounding like thunder.
Wu Shun was overjoyed and, with a devout expression, picked up the green-headed slip of paper from his knees and presented it to Huai Gongwang with both hands.
"Lord Huai, you must keep this document with you, lest Minister Luo not recognize you after you arrive in the capital."
What a great example of kicking someone when they're down.
Huai Gongwang didn't even have the strength to push away the hands in front of him.
In his eyes, the top of the divination slip, which was originally dark green, had a strange red tinge showing through it.
The people were abuzz with discussion: "Lord Shen handed Huai Gongwang over to the Ministry of Justice for trial? Will the officials in the Ministry of Justice let him off the hook?"
"Let him go? Are you kidding me! Don't you know Minister of Justice Luo? Rumor has it... his heart is as hard as stone, and not a single case of injustice has been found under his jurisdiction! If Huai Gongwang falls into his hands, he's finished..."
"so smart?"
"Of course! But if we're talking about who's more capable, our Lord Shen is the real deal. He just sent him to the Ministry of Justice without hesitation, and even the officials there had to take his orders!"
The people's admiration for Shen Zheng reached a new level.
With Lord Shen, such a powerful figure, presiding over the government office, their lives will surely become more and more comfortable.
What? A corrupt official?
If anyone dares to embezzle, Lord Shen is willing to pack them up and send them to the Ministry of Justice!
"Lord Shen is mighty!"
Someone uttered a toast first, and instantly, thunderous praises erupted from the crowd.
Cui Jinyin joined in the commotion, shouting, "Louder! Louder everyone! The loudest one gets ten taels of silver from me!"
The people were both surprised and delighted.
What an idiot!
He's just a rich idiot!
"Lord Shen is a paragon of justice!"
"Lord Shen loves his people like his own children!"
"Lord Shen is our patron official!"
"Lord Shen..."
Flattery poured into the courtroom like a tidal wave. Shen Zheng raised his hand to quell it, then announced loudly, "Although the case of Wang Huai'an's victimization has been handed over to the Ministry of Justice for review, the case of Huai Gongwang's bribery has both witnesses and physical evidence. This official will make a preliminary judgment on this case in accordance with the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty. The judgment is as follows—"
The people immediately fell silent.
Unexpectedly, Lord Shen judged the two cases separately.
After careful consideration, they felt that this was the right thing to do, so as to prevent any unforeseen circumstances from happening to Huai Gongwang on his way to the capital!
Shen Zheng picked up the case file and answered it point by point: "Huai Gongwang, the supervisor of Liuyang Prefectural School, colluded with bribe-givers by abusing his power in the prefectural examinations. He accepted bribes of a huge amount and instructed Huai Zhizhen, Lao Quan, Wang Yueqian, and others to assist in corruption and fabricate achievements. Considering that the case of the murder of Wang Huai'an has not yet been finalized, he is temporarily sentenced to: thirty strokes of the cane, removal from office, permanent ban from employment, deprivation of his academic qualifications, confiscation of all embezzled funds and goods, and being escorted back to the capital to be transferred to the Ministry of Justice. The sentences will be combined after the murder case is concluded!"
"Good!" The people cheered thunderously.
Shen Zheng shifted her gaze slightly, looking at Huai Zhizhen, who was trembling like a leaf.
"Huai Gongwang's son, Huai Zhizhen, participated in Huai Gongwang's bribery and is a principal accomplice. He is tentatively sentenced to thirty strokes of the cane and three years of imprisonment. All the embezzled funds will be confiscated, and he will be stripped of his Juren degree. He will be escorted back to the capital with Huai Gongwang and transferred to the Ministry of Justice. After the murder case is concluded, the sentences will be combined!"