Chapter 133 Fan Xian: I respect the law as I respect my sword! Lai Mingcheng: Bah! You are using fishing as a pretext to enforce the law!
After hearing the conversation between Emperor Qing and Prince Yong, the officials in the palace truly witnessed Prince Yong's arrogance.

You beat the prince, and then you blame the prince for giving up his position to you, as if your beating was justified.

"Your Highness is terrified!"

Li Changan shouted, expressing his respect for the emperor.

The prince gritted his teeth, half of his face was swollen, and he began to secretly feel resentment in his heart.

Emperor Qing saw this and felt very satisfied.

He liked fighting, fighting among his subjects, and fighting among his heirs.

Only with disputes can there be checks and balances, and only with disputes can the majesty of imperial power be reflected. Only with disputes can the emperor avoid being undermined by his subordinates.

Emperor Qing obviously did not want to mention the matter again, so he started the court meeting according to the rules.

The first thing to be reported was the border war. As Qin Ye was old, Qu Xiangdong, deputy envoy of the Privy Council, reported on his behalf.

"There has been no trouble at the border of Northern Qi recently, but rebellions have occurred in the vassal states within Northern Qi."

"Half a month ago, the Western Qin State suddenly rose up and declared independence. It has now annexed the five vassal states of the Northern Qi State."

"Northern Qi sent an army of 100,000, but General Han Xin of Western Qin defeated the enemy with a smaller force and annihilated them all!"

Upon hearing the news, the officials of Southern Qing began to gloat over the disaster. After all, a war happening in an enemy country was a happy event!

"After the fall of the Northern Wei, there were more than a dozen vassal states besides the Northern Qi, and those vassal states became vassal states of the Northern Qi."

"The entire Northern Qi army only has about 500,000 soldiers. An army of 100,000 soldiers is enough to cause serious damage!"

"The five countries that Western Qin destroyed were all relatively powerful. The remaining small countries were easily defeated!"

"That's not necessarily true. Northern Qi had a great master, and Ku He slaughtered the royal family of Western Qin in a rage. Didn't Western Qin perish in the blink of an eye?"

Fan Xian had heard of Han Xin's name in the Inspection Institute, and before that he also knew that Li Changan's personal eunuch was called Zhao Gao.

He always thought it was a homonym, after all, he had heard of the prince's name in the history of his previous life.

Emperor Qing said, "Let's wait and see what happens. The Grand Master of Northern Qi will not sit idly by."

Li Changan thought to himself that if he had not fought with Ku He, Ku He would indeed have taken action.

But now, Ku He probably still needs to recuperate from his injuries.

After talking about the border affairs, Lin Ruofu reported the important events of the six ministries. It was a full hour later before the court meeting began.

After Eunuch Hou said, "If you have something to report, please report it; if not, please dismiss the court," the officials knew that the highlight of the day was about to begin.

Li Chengze had originally prepared a letter of self-defense, but after hearing news from all sides, he simply lay down and gave up.

All government offices have used irrefutable evidence to prove the smuggling case, so there is no point in making excuses.

The eyes of the Dali Temple Minister and the Ministry of Justice were all on Lai Mingcheng.

These two are the prince's men, but the prince has instructed that Lai Mingcheng should take the lead.

After all, the second son of the Cui family went to the Inspectorate to surrender himself and report the crime, and Lai Mingcheng has always been bold in speaking out, so it is most appropriate to let him take the lead.

Sure enough, under everyone's gaze, Lai Mingcheng walked to the center of the hall as if he was going to the battlefield.

"Your Majesty, I have a plan to tell you!"

Emperor Qing was not at all surprised at Lai Mingcheng's departure.

"Lai Mingcheng, who are you going to question today?"

Lai Mingcheng straightened his back and said confidently, "There are many people I want to report!"

"The first one to be reported is the Harem Inspection Office!"

Emperor Qing said, "The Imperial Palace Inspection Office is responsible for purchasing food for the palace. Why are you reporting them?"

Lai Mingcheng replied, “The Supervisory Office has the power to report rumors and the responsibility to impeach all officials!

Recently, I heard that the head of the Procuratorate, Eunuch Dai, bribed people in public. I feel that this person is so bold and reckless! "

“Since they dare to bribe in public, it means that bribery in private has become the norm!
Therefore, the Inspectorate has conducted a thorough investigation and has uncovered the crimes of the Procuratorate!"

"Eunuch Dai is obsessed with money and is unscrupulous. He has done everything he can to extort bribes and squeeze vegetable farmers!

He used vegetable prices to set a trap, forcing many vegetable farmers to sell their children!

"This person has purchased three luxury houses outside the city, far exceeding his salary level! The evil deeds of the Procuratorate have angered the people!"

"The people privately call the Jianshusi the Department of Flesh and Blood! Not only is the Jianshusi corrupt and perverts the law, it also ruins the reputation of the royal family among the people!"

Lai Mingcheng spoke eloquently, and Emperor Qing then sought the opinion of the Dali Temple.

The Dali Temple Minister replied, "The Prosecution Department is under the jurisdiction of the harem, and this case should be decided by Your Majesty!"

So Emperor Qing ordered his men to drag up Eunuch Dai, who had become a puddle of mud.

Eunuch Dai knew that the Second Prince was almost finished, let alone him, a small character.

Emperor Qing said to Lai Mingcheng, "Show him the evidence."

Eunuch Dai looked at the memorial that Lai Mingcheng threw in front of him, which listed the evidence of crimes in detail.

Eunuch Dai, who usually bullied vegetable farmers and young eunuchs, had never seen such a scene.

Eunuch Dai almost collapsed from his knees, and said in a trembling voice, "I was wrong!"

"Your Majesty, please have mercy!"

At this time, Eunuch Hou said to Emperor Qing, "Your Majesty, he pleaded guilty."

Emperor Qing didn't even want to say a word, "It will be reduced to ashes!"

So, two imperial guards dragged Eunuch Dai out directly.

Eunuch Dai, who was dragged away, was still screaming miserably.

"Your Majesty, please be merciful. I am willing to sell everything I have to make amends for my mistakes!"

"Your Majesty, please have mercy!"

After Eunuch Dai was dragged away, Eunuch Hou said, "Censor Lai, please continue."

After hearing what Eunuch Hou said, Li Chengze took a deep breath and waited for Lai Mingcheng to fire at him.

However, Lai Mingcheng said, "Your Majesty, the second person I want to report is the Director of the Inspection Institute and the Chief of a Division, Fan Xian!"

Just now Lai Mingcheng mentioned that Eunuch Dai bribed people in public, and many people thought that Lai Mingcheng was going to just let the matter go.

Fan Xian solicited bribes in public, and Eunuch Dai offered bribes in public. This matter was almost known to everyone in the officialdom.

After all, Fan Xian was an illegitimate prince, and the banknotes were torn up by Li Chengze, so it was understandable that Lai Mingcheng did not participate.

Emperor Qing also became interested, "Lai Mingcheng, why did you come to question Fan Xian?"

Lai Mingcheng raised two fingers and said, "Two charges, one is soliciting and accepting bribes, the other is arrogance and perverting the law!"

Emperor Qing looked at Fan Xian who had just finished his shift and said, "Fan Xian, do you admit your guilt?"

Fan Xian said loudly, "I didn't know, I am innocent!

As for soliciting and accepting bribes, being arrogant and perverting the law, I don't know where to start! "

Lai Mingcheng took out another memorial, "Fan Xian openly solicited and accepted bribes. Many people saw it at the time, and there are many witnesses. Here is the testimony. Fan Xian, don't even think about denying it!"

Fan Xian spread his hands and said, "How can I admit something that really didn't happen?"

Lai Mingcheng immediately bowed to Emperor Qing and said, "Your Majesty, since Fan Xian refuses to admit it, I ask for a witness!" At this time, Li Chengze directly stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I am the witness!"

Li Chengze was not panicked at all, so Emperor Qing took the opportunity to say, "Li Chengze, tell me about the situation at that time."

"At that time, the Inspection Bureau sealed up the Procuratorial Office, and Fan Xian publicly hinted at soliciting bribes.

Later, he took the three thousand taels of silver notes sent by Eunuch Dai and counted them in public..."

Li Chengze recounted the situation at that time, and Fan Xian said, "The banknotes were torn up, so how can there be any accusation of bribery?"

Lai Mingcheng shook his head helplessly, "Back then, His Royal Highness Prince Yong was sued by someone because he did not understand criminal law and legal principles.

Today you, Fan Xian, are just as ignorant!"

Li Changan looked at Lai Mingcheng helplessly. Do you still want to choose me at this time? Is it necessary?
Fan Xian asked curiously, "Censor Lai, could it be that I have been bribed without knowing it?"

Lai Mingcheng said righteously, "Fan Xian, after you accept the banknote, order the Inspection Office to withdraw and let the Procuratorate go."

"The power-for-money transaction has already been completed. Eunuch Dai's three thousand taels of silver notes have been used to buy your release of the Procuratorate. You have accepted bribes to get things done!"

"Then the Second Prince destroyed your banknotes. He destroyed your property on purpose, so he should compensate you!"

After Lai Mingcheng finished speaking, Li Changan secretly praised in his heart, thinking that this old man was really capable.

The ministers in the hall all nodded. If Fan Xian really issued an order to let the Procuratorate go, he was indeed taking bribes.

Fan Xian was also a little stunned. As expected of the chief of the three judicial departments, his analysis of the case was very thorough.

Li Chengze said loudly, "Your Majesty, I deliberately damaged Fan Xian's property. It was my fault. I am willing to compensate you!"

When Fan Xian heard what Li Chengze said, he immediately said, "Second Prince, stop! This is not how it works!"

"You didn't destroy my property, and the banknotes were not mine at all. I didn't accept bribes!"

Lai Mingcheng said coldly, "Master Fan, I have already made it very clear just now.

If you don't understand criminal law, be humble and don't deny it casually!"

Emperor Qing said to Fan Xian with great interest, "Fan Xian, do you have anything else to say?"

Fan Xian suddenly smiled, "Has Censor Lai ever heard of fishing? Will the fish take the bait without bait?"

Lai Mingcheng frowned and said, "So you deliberately accepted bribes to trick the Procuratorate into taking the bait?"

Fan Xian smiled and said, "Yes, in fact, I have heard about the evil deeds of the Inspection Bureau a long time ago.

Everyone in the Inspection Institute must obey the law as if it were a sword!
Your Excellency and I share the same thoughts on the idea of ​​exterminating traitors for the country!"

Fan Xian was smiling when Lai Mingcheng suddenly became furious!
"I bother!"

After saying this, Emperor Qing behind the curtain held his forehead in pain.

Fan Jian and Chen Pingping both frowned. This old man is here again! He is exaggerating!
As expected, Lai Mingcheng pointed at Fan Xian's nose and said, "Who can be so in tune with you?

I have always been a righteous man, and I have always been impartial and law-abiding, but you have blatantly accepted bribes, and you have been arrogant and perverted the law. We are not the same kind of people!"

Fan Xian said angrily, "Lai Mingcheng, wasn't what I just said very clear?"

"Just like you, I want to investigate the Susi. I am using myself as bait and entering the game with my body!"

“Because of my behavior, you also noticed the Procuratorate.

In the end, you found out the crime and Eunuch Dai was brought to justice. Isn't that great?"

Many ministers in the palace thought the same thing, and didn't know why Lai Mingcheng was so angry.

Lai Mingcheng continued, "Fan Xian, your knowledge of criminal law is not even as good as that of His Royal Highness Prince Yong when he was fourteen years old."

As soon as these words came out, Li Changan immediately said, "This prince has nothing to do with this case, please be careful with your words, Censor Lai!"

Lai Mingcheng bowed and said, "I'm sorry, your highness's ignorance of criminal law back then has left a deep impression on this old minister. I can't forget it."

Li Changan was speechless, but Li Chengqian was happy. It takes another evildoer to deal with an evildoer!

Lai Mingcheng then said to Fan Xian, "Sir Fan, you are the chief judge of the Inspection Bureau. You hold the power of law enforcement and can decide life and death. You must study criminal law well."

Fan Xian was speechless for a moment. This was equivalent to the Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme People's Procuratorate telling you, young man, learn some law.

"Censor Lai, what do you want to say?"

Lai Mingcheng said, "Let me ask you, when Eunuch Dai came to see you at the Procuratorate, did he intend to bribe you?"

Fan Xian said, "That's not the case, he thought that the Second Prince would support him.

As a result, the Second Prince didn't say anything, so he thought of bribing me."

Lai Mingcheng continued, "You hinted that giving money would settle the matter, so he gave you the money?"

Fan Xian answered calmly, "Yes, I just said that this is fishing. If I don't hint at him, how can he give me money?"

Lai Mingcheng nodded, then bowed and said to the throne, "Your Majesty, Eunuch Dai had no intention of bribing, but Fan Xian, as a national law enforcer, tempted him to commit a bribery crime."

“Law enforcers induce others to commit crimes, and then punish them as law enforcers.

This behavior itself is a violation of the law! In Fan Xian's own words, it can be called fishing enforcement! "

"Fan Xian keeps saying that he respects the law like a sword, but he himself is fishing for law enforcement, ignoring the law and breaking it knowingly!"

Li Changan took a deep breath. Fan Xian and Lai Mingcheng worked together to invent the concept of sting enforcement which did not exist now.

What Lai Mingcheng said also implicitly conforms to the law that crime requires the unity of subjective and objective factors.

Eunuch Dai had no intention of committing a crime. Fan Xian's law enforcement method of tempting Eunuch Dai to commit a crime was itself illegal.

Then, Lai Mingcheng turned around and said to the ministers in the hall, "Everyone, you are all Beijing officials, and you are all under the supervision of the Inspection Office!"

"And the acting director of the First Division, Fan Xian, not only thinks that sting operation is okay, he even boasts about it at the court meeting. Aren't you afraid?"

“You had no intention of committing a crime, but Fan Xian sent people to lure you.

Then, he will deal with you in the name of the Inspection Bureau. Are you afraid?"

The officials in the hall were whispering to each other, obviously they had not thought of this.

Lai Mingcheng turned to Emperor Qing and said, "Your Majesty, there is nothing wrong with the Inspection Bureau using these methods to gather intelligence and deal with enemies!"

"But if this method is used on officials, will it also be used on ordinary people?"

"Such a measure would probably make all officials uneasy and the people dissatisfied, which would be detrimental to the long-term peace of the country, Your Majesty!"

Emperor Qing remained silent, but Lin Ruofu said something in a sarcastic tone.

"The Inspection Bureau has been arrogant for so many years. They use the same methods they used to deal with enemy spies in the supervision and punishment of corruption. Of course, they don't think there is anything wrong with it."

Chen Pingping pushed the wheelchair to the center of the hall, "Your Majesty, Fan Xian told me about this before he did it, and I agreed."

"At that time, the court had already obtained preliminary evidence of the prosecution department's guilt. Eunuch Dai was not an innocent man either. There was nothing wrong with Fan Xian's methods."

Lai Mingcheng immediately asked, "Does Dean Chen have any evidence for what he said?"

Chen Pingping smiled slightly, "Censor Lai, the affairs of the Inspection Office are confidential, and only Fan Tisi and I know about it at this moment."

Lai Mingcheng sneered when he heard this, "So, doesn't it mean that whatever you, Chen Pingping, say is the truth?"

"Your Inspection Institute's power has reached the point where you disregard the laws of Qing!"

Chen Pingping was even more relentless, and he bowed to the throne and said, "Imperial Censor Lai, you should know clearly!"

"The power of the Inspection Institute was granted by His Majesty!"

(End of this chapter)