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Chapter 286 A Reprimand to the Minister of Justice
The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

Zhou Chen sat upright on the dragon throne, looking at the message sent by the Eastern Depot in his hand.

These messages all concern the progress of the Ministry of Revenue officials in various localities.

After Cao Zhengchun took action and eliminated five powerful families that no longer cooperated with the Ministry of Revenue, most of those families that had previously stopped cooperating with the Ministry of Revenue became obedient again.

The officials in the Ministry of Revenue also acted much faster.

However, Zhou Chen knew in his heart that these restless aristocratic families were only temporarily suppressed by the court's methods.

To truly subdue these powerful and influential families, we must deal with those worldly-wise individuals.

The reason these powerful and influential families dared to act so boldly and were no longer as afraid of the imperial court as before was because these worldly people gave them confidence.

Zhou Chen looked at the messages sent by the Eastern Depot and his expression relaxed slightly.

As long as the officials of the Ministry of Revenue can act smoothly and quickly, that's fine. As for dealing with those who are involved in worldly affairs, that cannot be done in a short time.

at this time.

A palace eunuch entered and reported, "Your Majesty, Minister of Justice Wang Yangming requests an audience outside the palace."

"Oh!"

Zhou Chen raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Announce him to come in."

"According to the order."

The eunuchs and guards withdrew from the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

moment.

Wang Yangming, the Minister of Justice, then entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

"Your subject Wang Yangming greets Your Majesty."

After entering the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Wang Yangming bowed respectfully to Zhou Chen on the dragon throne.

"No gift!"

Zhou Chen put down the message in his hand, looked up at Wang Yangming, and asked, "My dear minister, what brings you to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to see me?"

Wang Yangming was born into the Langya Wang family, an official from a prominent and powerful family.

Zhou Chen had no ill feelings toward officials from powerful and wealthy families.

As long as they can be used by the court and by the emperor, that's fine.

Wang Yangming bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Justice has already made a judgment in accordance with the law regarding the crime of the thirteen prominent families, including the Chen family of Yingchuan, hiring assassins to kill court officials."

"This is the Ministry of Justice's verdict against all thirteen prominent families, including the Chen family of Yingchuan. Your Majesty, please preview it."

Wang Yangming took out a memorial from his sleeve and held it in his hands.

Upon seeing this, the eunuchs and guards standing in the hall immediately stepped forward, took the memorial from Wang Yangming's hand, and presented it to Zhou Chen.

Zhou Chen opened the memorial and began to read it.

In addition to the charges of thirteen aristocratic families hiring assassins to kill court officials, Wang Yangming also listed some of the illegal and disorderly conduct committed by these thirteen families in his memorial.

Zhou Chen watched very carefully.

After all, this concerns the lives of thousands of people; it's no small matter.

Although the Chen family of Yingchuan and the other thirteen powerful families committed the heinous crime of hiring assassins to kill government officials, thus committing a capital offense.

However, only the mastermind committed a capital offense. Not all members of the thirteen aristocratic families necessarily faced the death penalty; the decision would be made according to the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

As the emperor, Zhou Chen held the power of life and death over millions of people. With just a flick of his pen, countless heads would roll.

Therefore, Zhou Chen is very cautious and serious about such judgments in order to avoid any situation where someone is wrongly convicted.

After Zhou Chen finished reading the contents of the memorial, he looked up at Wang Yangming and said, "Very good. Your Ministry of Justice is in charge of the criminal law and prisons of the Great Zhou. It can be said to be the most important cornerstone of the Great Zhou."

"As the saying goes, nothing can be accomplished without rules. The world is in chaos, and it needs a whip to spur it on."

"Your Ministry of Justice is like a whip, and I hope that in the future, your Ministry of Justice will do things in this way, striving for excellence and trying your best to avoid wrongful convictions."

Zhou Chen was very satisfied with Wang Yangming's memorial.

The evidence listed in the memorial was very clear, and the charges against the defendants were all based on evidence.

The Ministry of Justice is in charge of criminal law and prisons throughout the land. All major murder cases in the Great Zhou Dynasty are investigated and convicted by the Ministry of Justice.

If the Ministry of Justice were to be even slightly negligent or make a mistake, it could result in wrongful convictions or even the deaths of several, dozens, or hundreds of people.

Although, in the end, any case still had to be reviewed by the emperor and pass his approval.

But as the emperor, Zhou Chen has countless important state affairs to attend to every day. He can't possibly send someone else to verify every single case in the Ministry of Justice!

Therefore, this issue ultimately depends on the Ministry of Justice.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty, I will certainly strictly enforce the regulations of all departments of the Ministry of Justice, carefully investigate and verify cases, and thoroughly examine cases to avoid any errors in the investigation."

Wang Yangming said solemnly.

Wang Mingyang understood Zhou Chen's meaning.

However, as the Minister of Justice, Wang Yangming knew that it was impossible to completely eliminate wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice.

We can only try our best to avoid it.

Zhou Chen was also aware of this.

Zhou Chen picked up his imperial brush, reviewed the memorial, affixed his seal, and handed it to Wang Yangming, the Minister of Justice.

Thus, the fate of all thirteen prominent families, including the Chen family of Yingchuan, was decided.

After returning the reviewed memorial to Wang Yangming, Zhou Chen casually remarked, "My dear minister, you are from the Langya Wang family, so you should also know about worldly people, right?"

Wang Yangming put away the memorial and paused for a moment; "I have heard a little about it."

Wang Yangming said cautiously.

"What is your opinion, my dear minister, on the matter concerning the Chen family of Yingchuan this time?"

Zhou Chen glanced at Wang Yangming and asked.

Wang Yangming hesitated for a moment before speaking, "I have only heard about those who engage in worldly affairs; I know nothing else about them."

"Therefore, I dare not speak presumptuously."

Wang Yangming knew what Zhou Chen was asking.

The reason why the Chen family of Yingchuan dared to hire assassins to kill government officials was because they had powerful figures behind them.

However, Wang Yangming had only heard of those who were involved in worldly affairs and did not know much more about them.

He couldn't presume to explain why those worldly people would act this way.

"I have heard that those who are involved in worldly affairs have also visited the Langya Prince's family."

"You seemed quite concerned about the casualties among the Imperial Guards before?"

Zhou Chen looked at Wang Yangming, his gaze calm.

Upon hearing this, Wang Yangming's expression changed immediately.

"Your Majesty, minister..."

Wang Yangming suddenly knelt on the ground, his face turning pale.

Wang Yangming never expected that the emperor would find out about his secret inquiries into the casualties of the imperial guards.

Inquiring about palace affairs is a grave taboo.

Even though Wang Yangming was the Minister of Justice, if the matter were to be investigated seriously, he would still be in deep trouble.

Wang Yangming stood trembling, head bowed to the ground, unable to utter a single word.

Wang Yangming was afraid, he was terrified.

He feared that Emperor Zhou Chen, because of this matter, would suspect that the Langya Wang family, like the Yingchuan Chen family, were plotting against the court.

If that were the case, not only would Wang Yangming, the Minister of Justice, be in deep trouble, but the entire Wang family of Langya would also suffer.

Zhou Chen looked at Wang Yangming, who was bowing to the ground, and slowly said, "My dear minister, can you tell me what the purpose was of those worldly people visiting the Wang family of Langya?"

"Why is my dear minister concerned about the casualties among the palace guards again?"

Zhou Chen's voice was calm.

But hearing this sent a chill down Wang Yangming's spine, and his face turned even paler.

"Your Majesty, I do not know the purpose of those worldly people visiting the royal family."

"It's just that the clan sent me a message earlier, asking whether those worldly people from the main royal family had arrived yet."

"I only just inquired about the casualties among the Imperial Guards." "Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Wang Yangming bowed his head to the ground, daring not to conceal anything, and told them everything.

Wang Yangming knew that if he dared to conceal or deny anything at this point, his position as Minister of Justice would truly be over.

Only by confessing honestly can there be a glimmer of hope.

Most importantly, this is not something outrageous, and confessing it won't have any consequences.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chen's eyes flickered.

The Langya Wang family inquired whether the worldly representatives of the royal family had arrived. Needless to say, this was something that the worldly representatives who visited the Wang family had asked them to find out.

But why are those worldly people trying to find out the whereabouts of those worldly people in the royal family?
Zhou Chen frowned slightly as he thought about it.

For a moment, the hall fell into silence.

Wang Yangming bowed his head to the ground, not daring to move an inch.

Sweat was already beading on his forehead.

Wang Yangming didn't know whether Emperor Zhou Chen would believe his answer.

He didn't know if he would be safe and sound afterward.

All he could do was wait in agonizing agony.

After a while.

Zhou Chen looked at Wang Yangming, who was bowing his head to the ground, and said calmly, "My dear minister, you are my Minister of Justice, and also the Minister of Justice of the court. I hope you can remember that you are first and foremost an official of the court, and only then a member of the Langya Wang family."

"This order cannot be reversed."

"I hope you will remember this, my dear minister, and not disappoint me."

Zhou Chen said slowly and deliberately.

Upon hearing this, Wang Yangming immediately bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will remember Your Majesty's instructions and never forget them."

Wang Yangming breathed a sigh of relief.

It seems he has managed to keep his position as Minister of Justice.

His Majesty has no intention of removing him, the Minister of Justice.

"Go back!"

Zhou Chen waved his hand and said no more.

Zhou Chen had no intention of harming Wang Yangming; he simply wanted to give him a good talking-to.

With the Eastern Depot in existence, nothing could be hidden from Emperor Zhou Chen.

Wang Yangming believed that his secret investigation into the casualties of the Imperial Guards within the palace was unknown to anyone, but little did he know that it could not be hidden from the eyes and ears of the Eastern Depot.

Not only Wang Yangming, but also all the civil and military officials in the court, their every move could not be hidden from Emperor Zhou Chen.

Take Wang Yangming, the Minister of Justice, for example. The Eastern Depot kept records of everything he said and did.

Zhou Chen was even well aware of some of the corrupt and illegal things Wang Yangming had done in the past.

However, Zhou Chen understood that if the water is too clear, there will be no fish.

As an emperor, one should not place too much importance on the distinction between right and wrong.

As long as Wang Yangming can be used by the court and is useful to the emperor, Zhou Chen will not easily touch him.

Just like He Zhongtang in the annals of history, everyone knows he was a corrupt official, and a huge one at that.

Did the emperor sitting on the dragon throne not know this?

The answer is obvious.

However, the emperor did not punish the wicked and promote the good, nor did he distinguish right from wrong and bring down this corrupt official.

what is the reason?
It was because that corrupt official, He Zhongtang, was useful to the emperor.

The emperor needs not only upright and loyal ministers, but also sycophantic and treacherous ministers.

This is precisely the art of rulership.

"My minister retire."

Wang Yangming rose and left the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Only after leaving the Hall of Mental Cultivation did Wang Yangming finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Just now in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Wang Mingyang's heart was in his throat, fearing that he would be questioned by the emperor.

Fortunately, the emperor only gave him a warning.

After letting out a long sigh, Wang Yangming left the palace with a furrowed brow and a heavy heart.

……

East Factory.

Imperial Prison.

Zhou Wudao and the others sat blankly in the prison.

As members of the royal family who had entered the world, Zhou Wudao and his companions were rare geniuses who were destined to break through the Heavenly Human barrier in the future, and they were full of pride.

Even in the Tianshan Mountains, they are basically a force to be reckoned with.

But they never expected that they would stumble in this secular world and become prisoners, locked up in this deep dungeon.

It has to be said that this was an absolute disgrace for Zhou Wudao and his three companions.

"Zhou Wudao, what are you waiting for? Quickly use your trump card to notify the clan and have them send someone to kill this dog who dares to disobey the master."

Do you want us all to die here?

Zhou Qian looked at Zhou Wudao with a ferocious expression and said.

Compared to Zhou Wudao and the other two, Zhou Qian harbored a deeper hatred for Emperor Zhou Chen.

He was a genius, yet his strength was crippled, turning him into a useless person. This was even more unacceptable to him than killing Zhou Qian.

Zhou Wudao glanced at Zhou Qian indifferently; "You know that once you do this, our Zhou family will be out of the game."

"Can you bear the consequences?"

Zhou Wudao said coldly.

He also wanted to immediately notify the clan to send people to wipe out this secular branch of the family, in order to vent his anger.

But he can't do that until the very last moment.

Otherwise, they will be eliminated.

If the clan blames them then, they can't afford the consequences.

No sooner had Zhou Wudao finished speaking than a mocking voice rang out from a cell on the opposite side.

"Tsk tsk, I really didn't expect that!"

“Zhou Wudao, Zhou Qian, you were actually arrested by your own branch of the family. You have become prisoners of the branch. It’s truly an eye-opener.”

"You can't even control your own branch of the family, that's quite shameful."

"However, this worldly emperor is quite audacious, daring to even touch someone from your master's family who is involved in worldly affairs. I have to admire him for that."

From a cell on the opposite side, a strange, sarcastic voice spoke.

This strange-sounding person was none other than the masked man behind the Assassin's Tower that Cao Zhengchun had taken down in Sichuan.

"Hmph, even if we're humiliated, at least we're not being tortured, unlike you guys, who are practically being tortured to death!"

"I've heard that the Eastern Depot has 108 kinds of cruel tortures. I wonder what they taste like?"

Zhou Wudao gave a cold look to the people in the opposite side cell.

They were all worldly people, and they all came from the same place, 'Tianshan'.

Therefore, they all knew each other.

"Hmph, you'll soon find out how cruel the Eastern Depot's tortures are."

"Zhou Wudao, you don't naively think they wouldn't dare to torture you, do you!"

“Since they dared to arrest you, they are not afraid to torture you.”

"It's just that it's not your turn yet."

"I hope you won't be able to get past their first round of appetizers, otherwise you'll be letting down the Zhou family's reputation."

The other party also gave a cold snort, retorting sarcastically to Zhou Wudao.

(End of this chapter)