Song Xiu

Chapter 154 A Shocking Scene, Changes to Guanzhong
In the eighth month of the second year of the Jianlong reign of the Song Dynasty, in the public hall of Kaifeng Prefecture.

The desks of Zhao Pu, Zhang Zhao, and Lü Yuqing were arranged in a triangular pattern. Zhao Pu was holding a file, Zhang Zhao was holding a red brush, and Lü Yuqing was holding a gavel.

All three gazes were sharp as swords, intently fixed on the elderly man below, bound in shackles—Fu Yanqing, the military governor of Tianxiong Army.

Today, three senior officials have been ordered to conduct a formal joint trial of Fu Yanqing.

The joint trial began with Lü Yuqing, the Prefect of Kaifeng.

As Lü Yuqing slammed the gavel, his question was uttered.

"Fu Yanqing!"

"His Majesty has treated you with the utmost kindness, granting you the power to pacify Hebei and bestowing upon you high official positions and generous salaries. Why then did you forge an imperial edict and commit such a treasonous act?"
The ink on Fu's forged edict is still wet; do you have anything to say about it?

Lu Yuqing's two shouts were filled with coldness.

Upon hearing Lü Yuqing's question, Fu Yanqing raised his gray head and looked intently at him.

Although he is now a prisoner, the arrogance he had when he guarded Daming Prefecture remains. Facing the three important officials in front of him, Fu Yanqing is not afraid at all.

He swallowed, trying to moisten his dry mouth, and then dragged the shackles across the brick floor to find a more comfortable position.

Fu Yanqing's behavior caused the three senior officials to frown.

Zhang Zhao couldn't hold back any longer; he stared intently at Fu Yanqing:
"Fu Yanqing, if you think that resisting questioning will give you a chance to escape with your life, then let me tell you clearly, don't be delusional."

Zhang Zhao wasn't just making threats.

With irrefutable evidence of the forged imperial edict by the Fu family in hand, whether Fu Yanqing confesses or not is irrelevant.

The reason for holding a joint trial is to give the world an explanation.

Zhang Zhao enjoyed great prestige among the court officials, but his prestige was nothing in Fu Yanqing's eyes.

Although Zhang Zhao and Lü Yuqing both spoke in a cold tone, Fu Yanqing felt that their intimidating power was not as strong as Zhao Dexiu's gentle words.

"Zhang Gong is being too impatient. I've been in prison for too long and just want to stretch my muscles."

"Fu's act of forging an imperial edict was at my behest."

As soon as Fu Yanqing finished speaking, Zhao Pu frowned.

When Fu Yanqing was arrogant just now, Zhao Pu did not frown because at that time he thought that Fu Yanqing's arrogance was just a dying struggle.

The reason Zhao Pu frowned at that moment was that he noticed something unusual—since he was already arrogant, why didn't he insult him first, but instead confessed directly?
Zhao Pu, who had prepared himself for criticism, was clearly not used to it.

Fortunately, not everyone has the same surprising idea as Zhao Pu.

Seeing that Fu Yanqing was willing to confess, Lü Yuqing breathed a sigh of relief—he wanted to finish the trial as soon as possible so he could go back to his residence and take his medicine.

The second gavel struck, and Lü Yuqing once again spoke sternly:
"Since you have confessed, then sign the document!"

As soon as Lü Yuqing finished speaking, an official from Kaifeng Prefecture placed a pre-written confession in front of Fu Yanqing.

Looking at the confession and paper in front of him, Fu Yanqing did not take any action.

He looked at the objects and let out a resentful laugh:
"The court is devoid of talent!"

"My lifelong reputation has been ruined; I never imagined I'd end up being judged by three blustering, cowardly bastards like you."

Upon hearing Fu Yanqing's words, the expressions of all the ministers in the hall changed.

Although today's trial is being conducted jointly by Zhao Pu, Lü Yuqing, and Zhang Zhao, to ensure impartiality, quite a few other high-ranking officials are also present.

Fu Yanqing's words not only humiliated Zhao Pu and his two companions, but also served as a sarcastic remark to the assembled officials.

How can I bear this?

The insults Zhao Pu "expected" arrived, but he seemed quite angry.

As a civil official, his reputation was of utmost importance. When someone made a blatant accusation against him to his face, he, as the head of all officials, had to react.

Although Zhao Pu did not possess a gavel, he harbored a deep resentment.

He slammed his fist on the table and shouted:
"How dare you, a traitor, slander the reputation of the officials of the court?"

When Zhao Pu spoke up to refute him, the expressions of the assembled officials softened somewhat.

After Zhao Pu finished refuting him, Zhang Zhao, who was of an upright character, did not continue.

Fu Yanqing's fearless behavior cannot be simply explained by the nature he developed from years of holding a high position.

Thinking that there might be more to the story, Zhang Zhao spoke up:
"I'd like to hear what makes you think that the gentlemen in the hall are all bark and no bite."

Given Fu Yanqing's status, it was perfectly normal for Zhang Zhao to give him a chance to explain.

Fu Yanqing had been waiting for this opportunity.

Fu Yanqing disdainfully picked up the confession from the ground, shaking it as he spoke:
"I have fought for many years, why would I fear death?"
I was indeed the mastermind behind the forged imperial edict, but with the court's authority growing stronger every day, how could I, alone, dare to carry out such a deed that would result in the extermination of an entire clan?
If this gets out, I will be guilty of the crime of exterminating my entire clan. How could I not make contingency plans?
The confession clearly records the crimes of my Fu clan, but what about the others?

Are you unable to think of this, or are you afraid that the Fu family has served as generals for three generations and five dynasties, and has a deep-rooted influence in the world, so you intend to forgive your accomplices?

If they are not punished, but only I am punished, how can I win people's hearts? And how will the people of the world view the court?

Fu Yanqing’s words were quite arrogant, and before the three presiding judges could react, some of the ministers present could no longer remain calm.

Seeing that Fu Yanqing was showing signs of "maliciously making false accusations," Li Fang was the first to stand up and stop her:

"Insolence! The Prefect of Kaifeng is asking you a question; you only need to confess your guilt, what else is there to discuss!"

In the past, given Li Fang's status, Fu Yanqing wouldn't have bothered to even glance at him.

Although Fu Yanqing is now in a precarious situation, he is not someone Li Fang can easily intimidate.

Li Fang's initial intervention sparked the interest of many ministers, all of whom had previously curried favor with Fu Yanqing.

Today, they are afraid that Fu Yanqing will go crazy and implicate them.

However, as soon as the ministers stood up, Zhao Pu and Zhang Zhao gave them a look, and they all suppressed their panic and sat down again.

Zhang Zhao stopped him because he genuinely wanted to investigate this treasonous case.

As for Zhao Pu...

If Zhao Pu still doesn't realize the trickery involved at this point, then his wisdom is being underestimated.

Zhao Pu glanced silently toward the side hall.

With him around, things won't get chaotic.

After calming the panicked ministers, Zhang Zhao took the gavel directly from Lü Yuqing.

With a "snap," Zhang Zhao solemnly bowed and asked:

“Tell me who your accomplices are.”

"If you dare to speak, I dare to investigate!"

Zhang Zhao's words tarnished his decades-long reputation.

Zhang Zhao's words did not deter Fu Yanqing from his arrogance.

"Dare to investigate?"

Fu Yanqing suddenly burst into laughter, the sound echoing in the spacious courtroom:
"If you want me to sign, ask Li Hongxin first! He should still have the engagement money I sent last year in his Fengxiang military governor's mansion."

"The engagement was ostensibly a marriage, but in reality, it was a conspiracy. Have you investigated this matter?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the lobby erupted in commotion again.

Li Hongxin has served under several emperors and is currently the military governor of Fengxiang, stationed in Jingzhao Prefecture (Chang'an). He is a powerful regional governor in the northwest of the imperial court!

He was publicly accused of being an accomplice, and Lü Yuqing was so shocked that he coughed on the spot.

My lord, what exactly did you say to Fu Yanqing?

Amidst Lü Yuqing's coughing, Zhao Pu's expression changed drastically.
"Fu Yanqing! Stop making baseless accusations! Li Hongxin is a pillar of the nation."

"pillar?"

"Was I not once a pillar of the nation?"

Fu Yanqing suddenly broke free of his shackles, the chains taut and straight. His question left Zhao Pu speechless.

"What about Guo Congyi? He and I call each other brothers. When I was planning something big at the beginning of the year, he personally sent his cousin to the city to talk to me in person."

Just a few days ago, his cousin was in my residence, using the alias Fu. I can identify him in public, so let him investigate! Guo Congyi is the military governor of Wuning Army, responsible for overseeing Xuzhou, a key military region of the imperial court in the southeast.

Although Fu Yanqing did not directly produce any "covenant document" or similar items, who would be foolish enough to write a covenant document during the chaotic Five Dynasties period?
The evidence, such as the engagement and communication with relatives, is enough to greatly increase the suspicion against Li Hongxin and Guo Congyi.

Next, Fu Yanqing, as if he had given up entirely, filed a series of complaints against several military governors stationed in various regions.

Fu Yanqing's accusation directly tore open a gap in the deeply entrenched and complex situation of regional warlords.

The important thing is that Fu Yanqing did not make baseless accusations.

After reciting the list in his mind, Fu Yanqing tilted his head back and said:
"If it exists, it exists; if it doesn't exist, it doesn't exist."

"Since the other military governors did not conspire with me, I will not say another word."

Fu Yanqing's "integrity" was like a sharp weapon, severing the possibility of the warlords of the world uniting together.

After Fu Yanqing finished speaking, the air in the courtroom had already frozen.

Zhang Zhao straightened his body, his gaze sharp as an eagle's.

No wonder Fu Yanqing dared to act with such impunity; it turns out that this case of treason involved many powerful vassal states.

Just when the officials thought that Fu Yanqing's accusation had ended, a loud shout rang out in the hall again.

"besides!"

Fu Yanqing's voice was hoarse but carried a crazy, penetrating power.

Upon hearing that there was more, all the officials in the hall trembled.

Today's court hearing was truly thrilling.

As the assembled officials were shocked, Fu Yanqing loudly proclaimed:

"Meng Chang from Sichuan was also an accomplice in this case!"

“Back then, through Li Hongxin, Meng Chang sent envoys to contact me many times. My mansion is full of Shu Kingdom court brocades given by Meng Chang, which can be easily verified.”

“Meng Chang promised that if things did not go well, he would reward us with high-ranking official positions and generous salaries after we fled to Shu.”

Zhang Zhao never expected that an enemy country would be involved in this matter.

Meng Chang wanted to incite internal strife in the Song Dynasty so that he could seize an opportunity!

Upon realizing Meng Chang's sinister intentions, all the ministers rose from their seats with a clatter.

"Meng Chang? How dare you!"

"Send troops to destroy Shu!"

"Let Meng Chang know what the wrath of the royal army is!"

Upon learning that Meng Chang was audacious enough to overthrow the Song Dynasty, the anger and shock in the hearts of the officials erupted like a flood.

To quell the complete uproar in the hall, Zhang Zhao pounded the gavel repeatedly, but the loud banging was drowned out by the clamor of the court officials.

Zhao Dexiu sat upright behind the bamboo curtain in the side hall, a cup of cold tea on a small table in front of him, the tea reflecting his contemplative eyes.

The commotion in the courtroom and Fu Yanqing's frantic shouts clearly reached his ears.

Throughout the entire process, his fingers tapped lightly on the table, maintaining a steady rhythm, as if the turbulent waves in the hall were nothing more than a gentle breeze.

Seeing that things were developing as expected, Zhao Dexiu whispered to Lü Duan beside him:
"Leave a bloodline for Fu Yanqing."

Cao Bin's good news arrived just yesterday.

As Lü Duan's soft response rang out, the three presiding judges in the hall exchanged a glance:
This is a shocking case! A truly shocking case!

The case file from the court hearing was quickly delivered to Zhao Dexiu.

Upon hearing that the case of Fu Yanqing's forged imperial edict involved many powerful local warlords, Zhao Dexiu showed "hesitation":
"Is it possible that Fu Yanqing is maliciously making false accusations?"

On the surface, the Crown Prince of the Song Dynasty still believed that all the regional military governors were loyal subjects.

Seeing Zhao Dexiu's hesitation, Zhang Zhao stepped forward and said directly:

"I disagree!"

Then Zhang Zhao explained his reasons.

"First: The evidence presented by Fu Yanqing has been carefully examined by me and is entirely true."

"Second: If Fu Yanqing wants to make accusations at will and destabilize the Song Dynasty, why not list all the military governors in the country?"

Fu Yanqing once held a high position and wielded great power, and had close ties with the military governors of the entire country; it would not be difficult for him to produce evidence of his crimes.

"Third: Fu Yanqing accused Li Hongxin, and Guo Congyi and others of trying to control the court in order to protect themselves. Their motives were reasonable."

Zhang Zhao gave three convincing reasons.

As soon as Zhang Zhao finished speaking, the ministers nodded naturally.

Upon seeing the ministers nod in agreement, Zhao Dexiu seemed to be persuaded.

"In your opinion, how should I handle this matter?"

An excellent regent should know how to listen to the opinions of his ministers.

As soon as Zhao Dexiu finished speaking, Zhao Pu stood up and offered his advice:
"Your Highness, why don't you order the military governors involved in the case to come to the capital and confront Fu Yanqing face to face?"

If the military governors involved have nothing to hide, they will come of their own accord; if they deliberately try to evade responsibility, then they are essentially confessing without trial.

Zhao Pu's suggestion made Zhao Dexiu nod in satisfaction.

"Let's do as Prime Minister Zhao says."

As Zhao Pu was about to leave to receive his orders, Li Fang worriedly raised a possibility:
"Li Hongxin, Guo Congyi, and others are all fierce generals. What if they raise an army against the imperial court?"

Li Fang's words caused many ministers to show concern.

Having lived a life of worry, all the ministers turned their attention to Zhao Dexiu.

With Zhao Kuangyin gone, he is their pillar of support right now.

At this point, Zhao Dexiu had to make a move.

Sensing the concerns of his ministers, Zhao Dexiu gently closed the dossier in his hand and made the final decision:
"It doesn't matter."

"Let's see whose realm it is today!"

Upon hearing this, all the ministers were greatly encouraged.

This, this long-lost sense of security!

Before the imperial court could issue the summons, Li Hongxin had already learned of it.

With so many ministers in attendance that day, it was difficult to keep the details of the trial a secret.

Li Hongxin was the brother-in-law of Liu Zhiyuan, the founding emperor of the Later Han Dynasty. Relying on his maternal relatives, Li Hongxin rose rapidly in his early years, serving as a regional military governor for several years.

After the establishment of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Kuangyin, in order to appease the former officials, ordered Li Hongxin to be reinstated as the military governor of Fengxiang and stationed in Guanzhong.

Li Hongxin was bloodthirsty and mediocre, which gave him a bad reputation in Guanzhong.

When Li Hongxin learned that Fu Yanqing had implicated him in the forgery of the imperial edict, his emotions underwent a dramatic shift:
Confused—shocked—fearful.

How could Li Hongxin possibly contain himself amidst such a drastic change in emotions?

Li Hongxin immediately summoned many of his advisors to discuss the matter.

Upon learning of this, the staff's first reaction was not to offer advice to Li Hongxin, but to suspect whether he was truly involved.

Even his advisors didn't believe in him, so how could Li Hongxin expect the court to believe him?

After dismissing his staff, Li Hongxin suddenly harbored rebellious thoughts.

Having been stationed in the area for many years, Li Hongxin still possesses basic judgment.

The Fengxiang Army alone could not withstand the powerful Imperial Guard, so they had to seek outside help.

Li Hongxin had two external allies in mind: the Dingnan Army and the Western Shu!

(End of this chapter)