Chapter 127.4: Part 4: Re-trial
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Marriage of the Di Daughter Chapter 127 Part 4: Re-trial
Cheng Wang and Emperor Hong Xiao were also completely baffled. The former was puzzled, while the latter was suspicious.
Only Shen Yurong and Ji Heng, these two people, had expressions different from the officials.
Shen Yurong had a peculiar expression, his sight as he looked at Jiang Li carried thoughtfulness, as if he just saw Jiang Li for the first time. Ji Heng, however, did not show any worries for Jiang Li at all, instead, he did not look surprised, as if he had expected Jiang Li's response. Just, his pupils contained a bit of interest.
"Continue." Emperor Hong Xiao said.
Jiang Li bowed in salute and continued to speak humbly, "Tongxiang County Deputy Xue Huaiyuan, although he held a small position, he was an official representing the Northern Yan court. From small to big, the influence caused is no small matter. Xue Huaiyuan was an official for 10 years and was only found guilty of corruption last year. Presumably, in the previous 10 years, he had also corrupted silvers. Where these silver went to, why there wasn't any trail, were not written down in the dossier, there are a lot of doubts in these. Perhaps he was engaged in the business of selling military horses, and also suspected of treason for collaborating with the enemy. He cannot be killed without investigation."
"Investigated." Emperor Hong Xiao moved his finger, "but the evidence is all in the dossier."
Jiang Li once again bowed in salute, "Precisely because of this, this female subject brought the people of Tongxiang to the capital. This female subject requests to call for a witness testimony."
"Call the witness." Emperor Hong Xiao waved his hand.
Zhou De Zhao hurriedly commanded his subordinate to bring the witnesses over.
Very soon, witnesses were brought over. Each and every one was a resident of Tongxiang. There was Dai Yun, Ping An, Mo Wen Xuan, butcher Zhang, aunt Chun Fang, and many others. It was the first time for these people to enter the capital, the first time entering the palace, and the first time meeting the emperor. Facing the civil and military officials, they were already so frightened their faces turned pale, their legs trembled, nearly unable to get up after kneeling on the ground.
Jiang Li immediately said, "Witnesses please speak about country deputy Xue Huaiyuan's corruption."
These witnesses were people who had originally received favor from Xue Huaiyuan. This time entering the capital was precisely to redress the injustice on their county deputy, how could they talk about Xue Huaiyuan's fault? Soon one by one told all the things done by Xue Huaiyuan in the past. Xue Huaiyuan loved the common people like his children, kind hearted, calm and just, and showed consideration to his subordinates. When he took office in Tongxiang, he promoted water conservancy and taught the farmers irrigation. Knowing many things and being able to do many things. In the short 10 years, he was able to let everyone in Tongxiang who could not afford clothes and shoes to develop to the present peaceful and happy life.
These did not seem to enumerate the evidence of Xue Huaiyuan's crimes, instead they seemed to be praising him. Both Li Zhong Nan and Cheng Wang frowned, realizing that things had turned in the direction they did not want them to go.
It was impossible for Jiang Li to get rid of Xue Huaiyuan's crimes based on evidence alone. In the palace discussion, the final decision was made by the emperor. But in this palace discussion, the scale of public opinion had clearly already leaned towards Xue Huaiyuan. The civil and military officials gradually started to sympathize with Xue Huaiyuan.
Jiang Li remained unmoved, and did not cry out grievances for Xue Huaiyuan along with the people. Instead, she shook her head and said, "A greedy person, why would he do his utmost to do practical things for the common people. These people are full of lies, no need to pay attention to them."
One by one, the witnesses were brought out. Everytime a new person was brought in, not one of them said that Xue Huaiyuan was wrong.
Seeing that the situation was not good, Cheng Wang sneered, "This Tongxiang county deputy used to deceive people. He must not be underestimated with his greed for silver. That's how he managed to use these small favors to win over the people's sentiments. Even if the evidence is conclusive, there will be people speaking up for him."
"What His Royal Highness Cheng Wang said is extremely correct." Jiang Li said, "It's just that, this county deputy was greedy for the disaster relief silver, so it could not be a one time occurrence. Feng Yu Tang was in office for half a year, and he had already corrupted a lot. Half a year ago, Xue Huaiyuan was imprisoned, his family property was confiscated and recorded, this female subject invites the imperial censor to announce the inventory of the seized Xue family's property and Feng family's property. To let everyone see, how repulsive this Xue Huaiyuan is compared to Feng Yu Tang!"
When Feng Yu Tang heard this, he immediately shook all over.
What kind of person Xue Huaiyuan was, the crime of corruption was simply fabricated. Xue Huaiyuan's own property was not much while he had been in office for half a year, yet already raked in the fat and wealth of the people to the maximum. Comparing these two, naturally the strangeness could be seen!
Sure enough, when the imperial censor came to announce the two family's property, the result was beyond everyone's expectation. Aside from the corrupted silver, Xue Huaiyuan nearly had nothing at all, not much different from just having four bare walls for a home. Even his meager official's salary was gone due to giving material assistance to the common people. It was different from Feng Yu Tang. In the short half a year, he had accumulated ten times of what Xue Huaiyuan possessed after ten years.
Everyone was silent.
Jiang Li said, "Doesn't everyone feel weird? A criminal like Xue Huaiyuan, whose conduct in 10 years is actually more honest than many officials in the capital. Supposed that other corrupt officials are able to be like Xue Huaiyuan, our Northern Yan will not be worried about prosperity."
"Clever words," Li Zhong Nan snorted coldly, "then he's always been corrupt!"
Jiang Li smiled, "Pass the witness."
This time, the witnesses were Xue Huaiyuan's previous subordinates, Peng Xiao, He Jun, Gu Da and Gu Er. Their blood had been boiling, precisely to redress the injustice for Xue Huaiyuan while they still remained on earth. At last, they had arrived at this opportune moment. Without waiting for Jiang Li to open her mouth, they immediately knelt down, carefully retelling the hardships Xue Huaiyuan faced over the past 10 years.
No one knew Xue Huaiyuan better than them, because they had accompanied each other for the same 10 years. Thus their words especially made people feel as if it had happened to themselves. When they talked about how Xue Huaiyuan was framed and sent to jail, as well as when they were thrown to the mine and were cruelly tormented by Feng Yu Tang's subordinates, the seven foot boy could not help shedding tears.
Those were tears of extreme suffering.
Emperor Hong Xiao seemed somewhat moved; Cheng Wang internally screamed 'not good', and promptly said, "No matter what, it was a fact that Xue Huaiyuan was corrupt, just like what Miss Jiang second said, and let Xue Huaiyuan receive the punishment of a thousand cuts." He must not let Jiang Li continue.
"Slow down." Emperor Hong Xiao spoke.
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