Zhu Youxiao watched all this with a blank expression.

He had already anticipated this scene. Rather than saying that the civil servants were targeting Wei Zhongxian, it was better to say that they were using this matter to target themselves. This was their counterattack against themselves as the emperor.

When I was doing those things, I had already thought about this day, so I didn't really care about it.

"Han Aiqing, what do you think?" Zhu Youxiao looked at Han Xu and asked with an expression on his face.

Han Xu felt bitter in his heart.

He knew that if his answer at this time dissatisfied His Majesty, he might not be able to continue his career. But there was also one point: if he said he would not punish Wei Zhongxian, he might not be able to stand in the officialdom either.

As a cabinet bachelor, it is very important for someone to support you. If everyone does not support you, then you will not be able to serve as an official.

Han Xu breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that Wei Zhongxian is indeed at fault in this matter. Those who have merit must be rewarded, and those who have committed mistakes must be punished. Therefore, I believe that Wei Zhongxian should be severely punished."

Zhu Youxiao nodded, then turned to look at Liu Yijing and asked, "What do Liu Aiqing think?"

"Your Majesty, I think Wei Zhongxian should also be punished severely." Liu Yijing also said.

At this time, this point of view must be tenable. No one dares to take a step beyond the limit, so everyone's attitude is also very consistent.

Zhu Youxiao nodded and said: "My beloved ministers are right, this matter should indeed be handled this way. According to my decree, Wei Zhongxian neglected his duties and was fined with forty imperial staffs and half a year's salary."

At this moment, Wei Zhongxian was kneeling outside.

The decree was quickly spread, and someone took Wei Zhongxian to the court.

Wei Zhongxian naturally knew these people who executed the imperial cane, and the person responsible for the execution was Chen Hong.

When he arrived at the execution place, Wei Zhongxian had no expression on his face. He lay directly on it and said, "Come on."

Chen Hong stood there with his hands folded and his feet stretched out.

The executioner naturally understood and had the confidence in his heart, so soon the crackling sound started to sound.

When the stick fell on him, Wei Zhongxian jerked, but he gritted his teeth and did not scream.

His body was hunched over, his face was red from holding back, and his blood vessels were bursting out.

Although the beating was very light, after forty sticks, Wei Zhongxian could no longer walk.

The little eunuch next to him quickly went up to help him.

Chen Hong also came over at this time, stretched out his hand to help Wei Zhongxian up, and said: "Eunuch Wei, everyone in the hall wants to punish you severely. Your Majesty did not ask anyone and gave you such a punishment. After all,

Those people still want us to die. Eunuch Wei, please be more careful in the future."

Looking up at Chen Hong, Wei Zhongxian nodded and said slowly: "Today's kindness will be remembered by our family."

After saying that, Wei Zhongxian did not look back, and allowed himself to be helped to apply the medicine, but he could not hide the resentment in his eyes.

Wei Zhongxian understood what Chen Hong said, and that was to tell him again that although we are arguing, our family is not without a sense of right and wrong when it comes to major issues of right and wrong, and we will not add insult to injury to you. You should be more careful in the future. If there is anything.

Our family will not sit idly by when things happen.

Wei Zhongxian said that he had recorded this kindness, which meant that he was telling Chen Hong that I understand what you said and I will pay attention to it in the future.

The two people reached an agreement with great tacit understanding, which is considered a gain.

Watching Wei Zhongxian leave, Chen Hong also turned around and walked into the main hall.

He knew that the matter was not over yet, and Wei Zhongxian's beating would not be in vain.

At this moment, no one in the hall mentioned Wei Zhongxian again, which obviously recognized Zhu Youxiao's actions. After all, the crime Zhu Youxiao charged Wei Zhongxian with was dereliction of duty, not killing the minister.

For the crime of dereliction of duty, forty imperial rods is already considered a heavy penalty. As for pursuing other charges, it is impossible. Your Majesty will not agree. The civil servants know it very well.

However, they knew better that by accepting this punishment, they were actually showing their attitude.

They did this just to show the outside world, rather than really wanting to punish Wei Zhongxian. Maybe they really wanted to kill Wei Zhongxian in their hearts, but they could only express their stance at this moment because it was His Majesty's idea.

Zhu Youxiao was very satisfied with the performance of these people, which proved that what he had done during this period was effective, and these people no longer dared to confront him head-on.

However, even if Wei Zhongxian was beaten, the matter still had to be dealt with.

Looking at everyone's faces, Zhu Youxiao said: "Although Zou Yuanbiao is dead, the case still needs to be handled. Han Aiqing has finished the case. You Aiqing can take a look and discuss how to handle it.

"

After Zhu Youxiao finished speaking, he nodded to Chen Hong who came in.

Chen Hong quickly sent the case file to everyone and asked them to look through it.

The first one to look at was naturally Liu Yijing.

After a brief look, Liu Yijing probably understood that all the charges were proven, including forming cliques for personal gain, colluding with generals, accepting bribes, and framed the ministers of the DPRK and China. It was all there.

Liu Yijing glanced at Han Xu subconsciously. She didn't expect that Han Xu would do things so brilliantly.

Liu Yijing passed the file on quietly, and then he stood there quietly and said no more.

In fact, this matter has little to do with Liu Yijing. The current result is actually what he is happy to see, but he still has some vigilance, and this vigilance is towards Han Xu.

Everyone read the dossier quickly, with mixed expressions, but they already knew the result in their hearts. The charges had been proven, and both witnesses and material evidence were available. All that was left was sentencing.

This is what His Majesty asked everyone to talk about. Obviously His Majesty wants to knock this matter out in front of everyone today, and then say to the outside world that this is everyone's decision.

"Dear ladies, what do you think?" Zhu Youxiao said slowly.

Let me punish Wei Zhongxian, and the rest of you won't be able to escape.

"Your Majesty, I think this case was interrogated by Mr. Han Ge. I still need to listen to his opinion on the specific sentencing." Sun Shenxing, the Minister of Rites, was the first to stand up and directly pointed the finger at Han Xu, obviously trying to force him to do so.

Han Xu expressed his stance.

Zhu Youxiao glanced at Sun Shenxing, nodded, and said, "What are the opinions of other beloved ladies?"

Does anyone else have any opinions? No one wants to take the lead in this matter. It is naturally the best thing to have someone to support it.

However, everyone also realized that Sun Shenxing was digging a hole, and no matter what Han Xu chose, it would be wrong.

Everyone's eyes were focused on Han Xu, wanting to see what he would do.

"Since this Aiqing has no objections, then Han Aiqing, please tell me!" Zhu Youxiao nodded and his eyes fell on Han Xu, wanting to hear what he had to say.

In fact, Zhu Youxiao could already guess 70% to 80% in his mind.

Han Xu's expression did not change at all, he had already been prepared in his heart.

He took a step forward and said: "The case is clear and the facts are there. I thought it would be enough to deal with it according to the Ming Law. I am not very familiar with the Ming Law, but the Minister of Punishment is here. You can ask him about the sentencing.

.”

The Minister of Punishment is Huang Kezuan.

Huang Kezuan sighed inwardly and took a step forward. Finally, he was involved.

This time the matter is so big, the Xingbu has not been involved in anything, Dali Temple is not as good as the Xingbu, but now it is finally my turn to speak.

Huang Kezuan has no choice. They didn't ask you to express your position. They just asked you about the criminal law. As the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment, if you don't even know this, then why are you doing it?

Zhu Youxiao looked at Huang Kezuan with a smile on his face.

If anyone in the DPRK is a neutral, then Huang Kezuan is a very interesting person.

Historically, Huang Kezuan was at odds with the Donglin Party members and was regarded by Wei Zhongxian as his accomplice, but later he and Wei were also at odds.

Huang Kezuan has no party or faction, and he does not want to form any party or faction.

There were disputes over the "Red Pill Case" in which Guangzong died and the "Relocation Case" in which Guangzong died. The two factions often attacked each other for their own interests.

Huang Kezuan insisted on staying in the middle and not relying on the two sides, which often caused both sides to get scolded. He adhered to the principle that appointments have their own merits and honors will last forever.

If you become this official, you will have to bear everything that this official brings. As for your reputation, it will naturally be determined after thousands of years. If you do well, your reputation will not be obliterated for thousands of years.

Lose.

This is a very upright person who also has his own opinions on politics. Huang Kezuan served as Minister of the Ministry of War and has his own unique opinions on military matters.

He once wrote in the title book that he believed that the Ming Dynasty had reached a critical moment of life and death. The soldiers guarding the border went into battle hungry and owed millions in monthly grain. He also reported that due to years of famine, in some places the father had to feed his son, and his wife

The miserable state of eating one's husband.

This is a person with ideas. If there is any official in the capital who can abandon his sectarian opinions and serve the country wholeheartedly, then Huang Kezuan should be considered one.

Huang Kezuan opposed the large-scale construction projects in the palace, and was especially dissatisfied with the cost of building the three main halls.

He believes that the country has reached the current stage. As an emperor, you are still thinking about building a palace. You don't have to build it. Looking at the palace, it is not that there is no place to live.

Historically, after the completion of the three main halls, Huang Kezuan, who resigned from office and stayed at home, was granted the title of Crown Prince and Grand Master. Kezuan was not accepted.

This is the person Zhu Youxiao plans to reuse, so Zhu Youxiao did not involve the Ministry of Punishment at all in this incident.

Now Huang Kezuan has come in, but the involvement is not big, so the problem is not big.

Huang Kezuan didn't know what Zhu Youxiao thought of him. From the beginning to now, he had no intention of intervening.

In Huang Kezuan's opinion, this is dog eating dog. Although he wanted to settle such disputes, he had no choice.

"Your Majesty, if you accept bribes, falsely accuse courtiers, collude with border generals, you should be beheaded according to the law, and your family property will be confiscated; if you form a party for personal gain, you will be beheaded and have your family property confiscated according to the laws of the Ming Dynasty." Huang Kezuan took a step forward. After saying this, he
Chapter completed!