Chapter 696 Audience (Part 2)
Hearing that the emperor had finally asked about the real matter, Sun Shaozong hurriedly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the soldiers are on a long expedition, while their wives and children at home are being wantonly humiliated. If this kind of thing were to spread, it would certainly dampen the morale of the army."
"Zhang An was so foolish that he committed suicide in prison. Even if the court comforts his family, I'm afraid some people will inevitably feel grief for the loss of the rabbit."
"thus……"
At this point, Sun Shaozong could not help but hesitate for a moment before continuing, "So I think it would be a good idea to treat this case together with the other one."
"Another case? What case?"
"Your Majesty, when I heard that Zhang An lost the lawsuit, I went to Zhang's house to find out what happened. However, I accidentally discovered many strange things in Zhang Biao's house..."
Sun Shaozong briefly recounted the various anomalies he had discovered in Zhang Biao's home, and also told the story of how Wang Baochang and Wei Shougen were poisoned on the same day during his secret investigation.
Finally, he concluded: "Although I don't have any solid evidence at the moment, from all the signs, it seems that Zhang Biao conspired with others to kill the young beggar, it should be true!"
After saying this, Sun Shaozong pricked up his ears, wanting to see how the emperor would respond.
After waiting for a long while, I only heard three bland words: "Go on."
It turns out that it is not that easy to guess the boss’ intentions!
Considering this aspect, perhaps the prince's smooth ascension to the throne would actually be a good thing for the ministers - at least this guy is someone who is easy to guess and fool.
Although he was complaining in his heart, Sun Shaozong did not dare to neglect it, and continued: "In my opinion, we should put aside the matter of Zhang Wu's humiliation and focus on investigating the case of Zhang Biao's torture and killing of the young beggar."
"When the truth of this case comes to light, we can announce to the public that Zhang An discovered what Zhang Biao had done and killed Zhang Biao accidentally out of indignation."
"Afterwards, although Zhang An never regretted getting rid of harm for the people, he thought that it was against human ethics to have a nephew kill his uncle. In order to be loyal and filial, he committed suicide in prison."
In just a few words, the motive of Zhang An's murder of his uncle was changed from personal hatred to public indignation, and Zhang An's act of committing suicide because he could not bear the humiliation became an act of "being both loyal and filial".
Doing so can not only avoid the grief of fellow soldiers over the loss of a rabbit, but also set an example of "loyalty, filial piety, benevolence and righteousness", which can be said to be killing two birds with one stone without any cost.
However, Sun Shaozong was responded with a cold question: "Sun Shaozong, what position do you hold now?"
This is a knowing question...
Sun Shaozong's heart skipped a beat, and he vaguely realized that he had neglected something, but he could not think too much at this moment, and hurriedly said respectfully: "Your Majesty, I have just been appointed as the Left Junior Secretary of the Dali Temple."
Bang!
Emperor Guangde slammed his hand on the imperial desk and angrily shouted: "What is the Dali Temple? It is the general constitution of the world and the model of the court's laws! I let you serve in the Dali Temple because I hope you can correct the mistakes and recreate the glory of Xu Tai's tenure!"
"You are so good at scheming and manipulating things. Even if you can help the current situation, where do you put the rules and regulations?!"
In the previous several visits that Sun Shaozong had made to the emperor, Emperor Guangde had always been friendly. But now he suddenly roared, which frightened Sun Shaozong so much that he felt a chill on his back and quickly knelt on the ground.
He trembled and said, "Your humble servant... Your humble servant has failed the grace of Your Majesty!"
As he spoke, he used the sleeve of his robe to cover his eyes with his backhand.
Emperor Guangde looked at Sun Shaozong, who was lying prostrate in front of the imperial desk, and said sternly: "You are not letting me down, but the people of this world and the reputation of 'God's Judgement'!"
"If someone else had said this, I might not appreciate it, but I wouldn't be angry either - but when you say this, coming from a junior official of the Dali Temple, I am extremely disappointed!"
"His Majesty!"
Sun Shaozong kowtowed to the ground, then raised his head in disgrace, tears streaming down his face as he said in shame: "I am so foolish and stupid that I actually... didn't recognize your majesty's painstaking efforts. Please punish me severely!"
Having said that, he prostrated himself on the ground again.
However, what he was thinking in his heart was: He had indeed violated a taboo this time, but the emperor's rage seemed a bit too much.
Could it be that...
Did the emperor lose control of his emotions because he found out about the case of the 'virgin boy and girl'?
Emperor Guangde had just seen him crying bitterly, but how could he know that he was just a temporary creation?
"well."
Feeling that the time was almost right, he sighed behind the imperial desk: "After all, you are young and inexperienced, so it is inevitable that you will be confused for a while. Fortunately, you did not act in private, but reported it to me first, so that you will not make a mistake all the way."
He paused here, and then continued: "This time I will fine you one month's salary as a warning to you. If you do it again, I will not let you off easily!"
"His Majesty!"
Sun Shaozong cried out in a 'moved' voice, and said with his head on the ground: "I will definitely take this as a warning. If I do it again, even if Your Majesty doesn't punish me, I will not be able to live in this world!"
"It is worth my while to have such an awareness."
Emperor Guangde said this as he stood up, walked around the imperial desk, and personally helped Sun Shaozong up from the ground. He said emotionally, "What I want are capable officials, not treacherous officials who are good at scheming and changing their ways!"
“Your Majesty~~~!”
Sun Shaozong was preparing to continue .
However, Emperor Guangde turned around and sat back on the imperial desk, saying solemnly, "Sun Shaozong, the Left Junior Secretary of the Dali Temple, accepts the order."
Isn't this just taking off your pants to fart?
Since you were going to announce an imperial decree, why did you help yourself up just now?
Sun Shaozong was speechless, but he quickly knelt down again properly.
Emperor Guangde said solemnly, "Whenever the army is on a campaign, it is common for bad guys to harass their families. In order to completely put an end to such cruel acts, I order the Dali Temple to draft relevant laws and regulations from today on. You and Right Junior Secretary Li Wenshan will be in charge of this matter, and submit it to the cabinet for review."
"I obey your order!"
This task was not difficult for Sun Shaozong, as he had the provisions of later generations to refer to, and with the assistance of the legal expert Li Wenshan...
"Also, the case of Wei Shougen and Wang Baochang being poisoned has been transferred to the Dali Temple for investigation. The deadline is one month. All the evil thieves involved in this case must be caught in one fell swoop!"
this……
It seems that Prince Zhongshun probably acted on his own!
Of course, it is possible that the emperor is crying wolf.
Sun Shaozong was guessing in his heart, but he still said, "I obey your order."
"Get up and talk."
Emperor Guangde's tone softened a bit, and after Sun Shaozong stood up, he continued, "Since Zhang An died in prison, his faults have been compensated enough. For his contributions to Huguang, I will double the reward to his wife and children."
"On behalf of Zhang An's family, I would like to thank Your Majesty for your great grace!"
Sun Shaozong turned over and knelt for the fourth time, and this time he was much more willing.
After he stood up again, Emperor Guangde suddenly changed the subject and asked indifferently, "I heard that Earl Yongyi went to the Dali Temple the other day?"
Without waiting for Sun Shaozong to respond, Emperor Guangde continued to talk to himself, "It's no wonder he's anxious. The cabinet's proposal has been approved for six or seven days. I wonder if you have found any clues?"
