northernbook Chapter 123: Become the Minister of Justice (4)
Chapter 123: Become the Minister of Justice (4)
After Xie Lang left the palace, the emperor's decree appointing Xie Lang as the Minister of Justice was quickly spread.
It instantly caused an uproar inside and outside the government.
When many important officials of the court heard the news, they immediately put down their work and rushed to the palace.
There was even a court official who was in a hurry to go to the toilet. When he heard the news, he jumped up without even putting on his clothes. Because he was in such a hurry, he unfortunately fell into the pit and was covered with excrement.
The Minister of Justice Wang Xiang was so frightened at this time that he was at a loss and sat uncomfortably in his office in the Ministry of Justice.
"Minister Wang, don't worry. His Majesty must have been deceived by the traitor. Now the officials in the court are planning to go to the palace to remonstrate with His Majesty. When His Majesty comes to his senses, he will definitely clear your name." Some officials from the Ministry of Justice were comforting Wang Xiang. His Majesty's decree was too absurd and the ministers would definitely not sit idly by.
"Yes, yes, yes. Your Majesty must have been deceived by a traitor." Wang Xiang nodded vigorously, took a deep breath, and then calmed down.
Then a fierce light flashed in his eyes. It must be that Xu Yingqing had said something to the emperor, otherwise the emperor would not have issued such an order. He would not be a gentleman if he did not take revenge.
Xu Yingqing, you'd better not fall into his hands, otherwise he will let you experience what cruelty is.
On the other side, inside a house in the capital.
Zhang Chengzhong came with a group of people to read the emperor's appointment edict.
The young eunuch who came with Zhang Chengzhong was holding some trays with bright and beautiful crimson official uniforms on them.
In addition to the official uniform, there is also a token that shows that I am present in person, which allows me to execute people first and report later.
After Xie Lang received the imperial edict, she saw Zhang Chengzhong said to her respectfully: "Lord Xu, I have delivered the imperial edict. Some court officials have gone to the palace to advise His Majesty to withdraw his order."
There was a hint of flattery in Zhang Chengzhong's tone as he was conveying a message to Xie Lang.
"Got it." Xie Lang said lightly, and then asked the servants to see the guest off.
Xie Lang didn't take Zhang Chengzhong's attitude to heart.
You can't judge this man by appearances. How can he be a good person when he can reach the position of a eunuch in charge of the imperial seal? I believe he will always have a frivolous look on his face towards any official in the court.
Eunuchs like him actually have only one master, and that is the emperor. The current emperor is his puppet, so there is no need to worry about his position.
…………
Ministry of Punishment.
Xie Lang was wearing a crimson official uniform. Xu Yingqing's appearance was already good, and with Xie Lang's aura of a superior, she looked even more heroic.
There was a large group of people following behind her.
boom!
The door was kicked open, and Wang Xiang was seen still sitting in the position of Minister of Justice, and there were other officials in the room.
When Wang Xiang heard the loud noise, he stood up like a frightened bird.
"In compliance with His Majesty's order, arrest the criminal Wang Xiang and take him away."
Xie Lang walked in from outside. Following her order, several yamen runners walked directly from behind Xie Lang to Wang Xiang, handcuffed him skillfully, and then escorted him away. The other officials inside also stopped what they were doing and turned around to watch the scene because of the noise.
"Xu Yingqing, what did you say to His Majesty?" Wang Xiang looked at Xie Lang with a sneer: "His Majesty is wise and powerful, and will never be deceived by you. His Majesty will definitely give me justice when the time comes."
Xie Lang glanced at him coldly, then left silently, and the yamen runners took him behind and walked away.
The other officials had been silent until Xie Lang left, and then they spoke up again: "This is too absurd. The Shangshu said he would be imprisoned, and we let a yellow-haired boy shit on our heads. Why is this so?"
"Look at her domineering attitude. She would at least say hello when she met us before, but now she just ignores us."
"Don't be impatient. The censors and the other lords have already gone to the palace to advise against this unruly behavior."
"..."
Prison Department of Punishment.
Xie Lang walked in front, and the bailiffs escorted Wang Xiang behind.
Wang Xiang kept mocking Xie Lang on the way.
"What kind of lies did you say to His Majesty to confuse the people? Even if I am imprisoned for the time being, I will be released in a few days. What about you, Lord Xu? You have become the Minister of Justice because of your lies, but can you really stay in this position for long?"
"I'm talking to you, Xu Yingqing? Do you really think you are the Minister of Justice? You are just a young boy. Even if His Majesty was confused for a moment and believed your lies, there are still officials. They will not sit idly by and do nothing about this matter."
Xie Lang walked straight in front, while Wang Xiang kept chattering behind him, but Xie Lang didn't respond at all, which made Wang Xiang feel very uncomfortable.
Although Wang Xiang was imprisoned, he was not actually worried. He believed that he would be released in a few days, and by then it would be Xie Lang who would be released.
But not long after, Wang Xiang's expression finally changed.
Because he discovered that the road ahead was the road to the torture chamber.
I wonder if Xie Lang would torture him?
Thinking of this, he panicked a little and shouted to Xie Lang, "Wait, wait, where are you taking me? That's the road to the torture chamber, and the prison is at the other end."
Xie Lang did not reply, but continued walking forward, and soon he arrived at the torture room.
Various torture instruments were placed inside, many of which still had dark blood on them. The surrounding environment was very depressing, and it was in the middle of the torture room.
There was also a stove with firewood burning in it. The jailers around added firewood into the stove from time to time, and the fire in the stove burned even more vigorously.
"Xu Yingqing, what are you going to do? The court has a rule that officials above the fourth rank cannot be executed privately or tortured into confessions without the permission of His Majesty. Even the Minister of Justice cannot..."
Wang Xiang had just said half of his words when he heard Xie Lang pointing at a rack in front of him and saying, "Put him up there."
"Sir, this..." Several jailers hesitated when they heard Xie Lang's words.
Xie Lang took out the imperial edict from his bosom and said to the crowd, "Your Majesty ordered me to try the criminal Wang Xiang. I am just following the law. Hurry up and put him on the stand."
When the jailers saw Xie Lang take out the imperial edict, they looked at each other, hesitated for a moment, and finally grabbed Wang Xiang's struggling hands and feet and dragged him towards the rack.
“How dare you!” Wang Xiang struggled, his eyes wide open, his face ferocious with anger, and then glared at Xie Lang: “What crime have I committed? Even if Your Majesty wants to put me in jail, there must be a charge.”
"You know exactly what crime you have committed." Xie Lang raised the corner of her mouth with a sarcastic smile. The flame of the fire beside her illuminated half of her face, while the other half was hidden in the shadow.
The smile in his eyes was not visible, and he smiled softly at Wang Xiang: "Either you are corrupt or you are forming a clique for personal gain, or you are committing an offense, why don't you confess quickly..."
"Where's the evidence? Where is the evidence? How can I plead guilty to something that is completely fabricated?"
Wang Xiang shouted at Xie Lang, what kind of crimes are these? Maybe it's corruption or bribery, or forming a clique for personal gain...
In other words, the charges have not yet been determined, so there is nothing he can do.
Even if the confession is obtained through torture, false evidence must be prepared, at least to confirm the guilt.
"I never need evidence when trying a case." Xie Lang looked at Wang Xiang coldly, and his words made people shudder: "I want you to confess all the crimes you have committed in person."
What is the evidence?
Does Xie Lang need evidence to torture someone?
In his previous life, Wang Xiang used all kinds of torture on Xu Yingqing. In this life, he will make him pay back for it all.