Chongzhen: Why is the emperor's head square?

Chapter 25 First Murder

Immediately afterwards, Feng Ying and Wen Tiren began to argue about the matter.

Feng Ying insisted that sufficient evidence be found before a death sentence could be handed down.

Wen Tiren, however, insisted that the public's opinions were not unfounded, that his guilt was already established, and that no evidence could be found.

After all, Zheng E's mother and Wu Zongda, the Grand Secretary who impeached Zheng E, had both passed away.

Wen Tiren believed that there was no need to expend further manpower; a death sentence would suffice.

"Your Majesty, if you convict someone without any evidence, wouldn't the laws of the court be unfair?" Feng Ying earnestly advised.

Wen Tiren then said, "Your Majesty, Zheng E is also a member of the Donglin Party."

Donglin Party?

The party fights.

It seems that Wen Tiren knew exactly what was going on and that he disliked the Donglin Party, which is why he framed Zheng E.

To achieve the goal of eliminating dissidents.

Zhu Youjian now faces a choice: on one hand, the fairness and justice of the Ming Dynasty's laws.

On one hand, executing Zheng E, a member of the Donglin Party, could suppress the dissenting voices of the Qingliu faction.

Since he appointed Yang Sichang, the Qingliu faction has had much criticism of Yang Sichang.

This was mainly aimed at Yang Sichang's policy of "pacifying the country before resisting foreign aggression."

In Yang Sichang's proposal, it was to avoid the Jin army in the north taking advantage of the situation while suppressing the rebellion.

Therefore, it is suggested that, if necessary, peace negotiations could be initiated with the Jin army.

This proposal was met with strong opposition from Qingliu and others.

Therefore, in this situation, killing is actually the optimal choice.

Kill Zheng E and suppress all dissenting voices.

Yang Sichang's plan can proceed more smoothly.

Alternatively, Zheng E could be spared to uphold the fairness and justice of the Ming Dynasty's legal code.

Alternatively, kill Zheng E to deter dissenting voices from the Qingliu faction.

In his memory, Emperor Chongzhen in history chose the latter.

After some thought, Zhu Youjian slowly stood up, and after a moment of contemplation, waved his hand and said, "The case of Zheng E is dismissed for retrial."

After careful consideration, Zhu Youjian still chose to uphold the fairness and justice of the Ming Dynasty's legal code.

I will eventually eliminate these parasites of the Donglin Party, but not in this way.

"Feng Ying, you are in full charge of this case."

Feng Ying immediately nodded and said, "Your Majesty, I will certainly not fail your expectations!"

Wen Tiren remained somewhat silent.

Unexpectedly, the emperor actually let Zheng E go.

The fairness and justice of the Ming Dynasty's legal code had long been exhausted in the repeated factional struggles.

Who is guilty is determined not by right or wrong, but by their political affiliation.

Getting what you've lost back is no easy task.

After dealing with this matter.

Zhu Youjian then inquired, "Minister Feng, are there any prisoners in this jail who have been definitively convicted and whose convictions are undisputed?"

Upon hearing this, Feng Ying nodded: "Seven days ago, Wang Yuan from Shengyuan County raped a woman and murdered her husband."

"Wang Xin, the magistrate of Shengyuan County, is Wang Yuan's uncle, and has been a scourge to the region for many years..."

"The joint trial by the three judicial departments has yielded conclusive evidence, both in terms of witnesses and physical evidence, and the defendant has been sentenced to death."

"The case file is still being compiled, so it is not included in the case file."

Zhu Youjian asked, "Are the witnesses and physical evidence confirmed to be complete?"

Upon hearing this, Feng Ying was taken aback.

"Your Majesty, the evidence is conclusive, both in person and in the physical evidence. The women who were raped and the people of Shengyuan County can all testify to this."

After receiving a definite answer.

Zhu Youjian nodded: "Take me to see him."

Under Feng Ying's leadership.

Zhu Youjian arrived at the cell where Wang Yuan was being held.

Just as Wen Tiren and Feng Ying were wondering what the emperor wanted to do.

Zhu Youjian said, "Open the prison cell."

Feng Ying glanced at the jailer.

The cell door slowly opened.

Zhu Youjian stepped forward, looked at the somewhat dejected Wang Yuan who was imprisoned, and asked, "You committed adultery with a woman and murdered her husband."

"Do you admit to this crime?"

Although Wang Yuan was down on his luck, the arrogance in his eyes remained strong.

"So what if the Wen Jiabao faction is in power? Otherwise, I could still be enjoying my retirement!!"

In Wang Yuan's view.

He was arrested not for committing crimes such as raping women or murder.

It was because his uncle, the county magistrate, was affiliated with the Donglin Party.

Because of the downfall of the Donglin Party, his uncle was also targeted by the Wen Party. It was only because of his uncle's downfall that the court noticed what he had done.

Otherwise, how could the imperial court possibly notice them?

They wreaked havoc in the countryside; there were plenty of local gentry and powerful figures in the county.

He was simply unlucky and became one of the targets of the Wen Party's attack on the Donglin Party.

Zhu Youjian felt much better after hearing this.

In this way, I won't feel guilty about using Wang Yuanlai for the experiment.

Zhu Youjian immediately took out the immortal totem from his bosom.

Then it was placed on Wang Yuan.

The effect of the Undying Totem is to negate one fatal attack.

In the Minecraft world, it needs to be held in hand to have an effect.

This experiment.

The main purpose is to experiment to see if it will work when carried around without being held in hand.

"What are you doing?"

Wang Yuan inquired.

Zhu Youjian remained silent.

I just glanced around.

Not seeing a knife, he said, "Feng Ying, fetch me a knife."

The jailer immediately drew his sword from his waist and presented it with both hands.

Zhu Youjian glanced at it and nodded in acknowledgment.

"You may all step back. No one is allowed to approach without my order."

Wang Chengen immediately led Wen Tiren, Feng Ying, and others out of the prison.

Only Zhu Youjian and Wang Yuan remained in the prison cell.

Zhu Youjian examined the large sword in his hand, its cold gleam suddenly appearing.

It seems that the jailer sharpens his knife frequently.

In the dimly lit prison, a sliver of candlelight reflected off the blade.

Zhu Youjian's half-face was reflected on the blade.

Zhu Youjian gripped the broadsword tightly.

Take a deep breath.

Wang Yuan seemed to realize something at this moment and hurriedly shouted, "You can't kill me!"

"Help! Help!"

Wang Yuan's cries for help were naturally ignored by Feng Sheng and the others.

"According to the laws of the Ming Dynasty! Your killing of me is against procedure and regulations! Without His Majesty's permission, officials are not allowed to kill privately!"

Officials did not have the right to kill; they could only do so with the emperor's approval.

Only then can punishment be used.

A chill ran through Zhu Youjian's eyes.

Those who break the law and commit crimes are often the ones who understand the law best.

"Officials don't have the right to kill, but sorry, I do!"

Done.

Without hesitation, Zhu Youjian slashed at Wang Yuan's neck with his sword.

Blood gushed from Wang Yuan's neck immediately.

Warm, scalding blood gushed out.

It splashed onto Zhu Youjian's body, and he felt the warmth of the blood.

Zhu Youjian stared intently at Wang Yuan.

Wang Yuan tried to cover his neck to stop the wound, but it was no use.

The chilling shadow of death enveloped my heart.

In a moment of despair.

All that could be heard was the sound of something breaking.

Just when Wang Yuan thought he was doomed.

The wound was healing at a speed visible to the naked eye.

The immortal totem has taken effect.

It seems that in the real world, the totem of immortality doesn't need to be held in your hand to be effective.

Wang Yuan immediately felt the chill of death gradually fading away, replaced by a warm current flowing through his body.

The wound closed up completely very quickly.

When Wang Yuan saw that he had been slashed by a knife but was unharmed, he thought it was divine protection.

They immediately became arrogant.

"Hahaha! Looks like I'm saved from death by heaven!"

Am I some kind of emperor?! I'm not dead even with such a huge scar on my neck!