In the Northern Song Dynasty, he started by marrying the eighth daughter of the Su family.

Dali Temple

Below the hall, dozens of young students transferred from the Imperial Academy, capable clerks seconded from Kaifeng Prefecture, and several sharp-looking veteran scribes were all engrossed in their work. The sounds of turning pages, hushed discussions, and hurried writing mingled together.

"Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices!" An old official from Kaifeng Prefecture stepped forward quickly, carrying several newly compiled files. His voice was very low, as if he was afraid that an "insider" might hear him.

"This is the review of the case in Zhengding Prefecture! It's been found! The copy of the autopsy record that the coroner kept privately back then doesn't match the key details in the approved and filed document in many places! This is enough to prove that someone tampered with it, framed the victim, and embezzled his family property!"

"Let me take a look..." Han Zhi took the document and wrote, "Mark it clearly and put it in a separate file! Once the Imperial City Guard escorts the relevant criminals to the capital, we will proceed with the trial."

He had barely finished speaking and was about to hand the case file to the clerk in charge of filing when, without warning, the heavy door of the Dali Temple's court was pushed open from the outside.

Wang Penglao walked in and said, "The Emperor's envoy has arrived, Minister Han, who says he wants to convey an imperial edict."

"A decree?" Han Zhi frowned slightly. "Please invite the envoy in to deliver the decree."

Han Zhilang announced loudly, taking the lead to the center of the hall to receive the imperial decree. Wang Penglao quickly stepped aside. The light at the entrance dimmed, and several figures entered.

The man at the head of the group was dressed in the yellow robe of an ordinary scholar, with a tall and upright figure and a calm expression. Behind him followed the familiar Zhang Maoze, the emperor's most trusted eunuch!

Needless to say, the one who could make Zhang Maoze obediently follow behind was none other than Zhao Zhen.

The hall fell into a deathly silence. The previous hustle and bustle vanished, and everyone was stunned by the sudden "heavenly gaze upon them."

Han Zhi reacted the fastest, immediately bowing and saying, "Your subject Han Zhi greets Your Majesty! We were unaware of Your Majesty's presence and have failed to greet you properly. We humbly beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!"

"Greetings... Your Majesty!"

"Greetings to Your Majesty!"

As if waking from a dream, the crowd erupted in a flurry of panicked and disorganized greetings and salutations. Regardless of their rank, everyone hurriedly bowed and made obeisance.

"No gift."

Zhao Zhen waved his hand and sat down in the seat that Han Zhi had just been sitting in, then gave Zhang Maoze a look.

The latter understood, closed the door, stepped forward, took out a yellow silk book from his sleeve, and said, "Minister Han, please see the imperial edict."

Han Zhi took the imperial edict and opened it to read it.

"Imperial Edict: Han Zhi, Minister of the Court of Judicial Review."

I have read your memorial, which details the long-standing abuses of the Court of Judicial Review and proposes solutions. Your arguments are clear and well-organized, demonstrating your concern for the people's suffering and your commendable loyalty and diligence. I have also reviewed the Censorate's report on the affairs of the officials.

You are hereby ordered to act expediently according to the memorial submitted, and to thoroughly investigate and rectify past abuses and grievances. The Ministry of Justice, the Censorate, and all relevant departments must cooperate wholeheartedly in their duties, fulfilling all requirements without any obstruction!

The memorial stated that officials and powerful figures in Zhenzhou Prefecture and other counties were involved in illicit activities, which violated the law. An imperial edict has been issued ordering the Imperial City Guard to select capable and trusted officials, carrying the Emperor's decree, to investigate the matter in each location. Those implicated are to be brought to the capital and sent to the Court of Judicial Review for further investigation. The investigation must be thorough and comprehensive to ensure the law is upheld.

You should understand my intentions, uphold justice and righteousness, and be cautious and thorough.

Therefore, this edict is hereby issued, and you should be aware of it.

On the day of Xinwei in the tenth month, it was given to Han Zhi.

Han Zhi respectfully closed the imperial edict, turned to Zhao Zhen and bowed deeply: "Your subject Han Zhi accepts the decree and thanks Your Majesty for your grace! Your Majesty values ​​the grace of Heaven, and I will certainly uphold justice, be prudent and thorough, eliminate long-standing abuses, and rectify the laws of the country!"

"Han Qing," Zhao Zhen's voice broke the silence, calm and even, yet carrying an invisible pressure, "Have you understood the imperial decree?"

"Your subject understands!" Han Zhizhi stood up.

"Alright." Zhao Zhen nodded slightly. "The imperial decree says that the Imperial City Guard should arrest the person. The decree also says that you should thoroughly investigate and punish him."

He paused, tapping lightly on the smooth rosewood armrest of the chair with his fingers. "Now that I am here, I do not wish to merely read what is written on paper."

"Just now outside the door, I seemed to hear that there has been a crucial breakthrough in the case of Zhen Ding Prefecture? You might as well tell me about the details of the review of this case, how this newly discovered irrefutable evidence was obtained, and what your next steps are?"

"I would like to hear your thoughts at this moment. In the Dali Temple, with its manpower, case files, and various constraints, are there any difficulties in practice? Or is there any area where I can provide further assistance?"

Li, the clerk, was startled when the emperor pointed his name directly at him and quickly bowed: "Your Majesty, it is indeed true! This is the key evidence in the case of Wang Deqing of Zhending Prefecture!"

Zhao Zhen slightly raised his hand to indicate: "Bring it here, let me take a look."

"Yes!" Clerk Li was overjoyed, yet extremely nervous. He carefully carried the several files, some new and some old, to the imperial desk. Zhang Maoze stepped forward, took them, and meticulously spread them out before Zhao Zhen.

Zhao Zhen didn't rush to ask questions. Instead, he picked up the obviously older, yellowed, and slightly illegible copy of the autopsy report. He read it very slowly and carefully, his eyes scanning line by line of text: the location of the fatal wound, the deduction of the murder weapon, the estimated time of death... He didn't miss a single detail. His fingers would occasionally pause for a moment on a line of text, his brow furrowing slightly, as if he were thinking about something.

Then, he picked up the original file. This document was clearly much newer, with clean paper and neat, clear handwriting. Zhao Zhen's gaze swept back and forth between the two documents, especially over the marked areas.

“Framed innocent people, seized their land…” Zhao Zhen’s voice was deep as he said, “Ten years of injustice, if it weren’t for your thorough review and verification, if the coroner hadn’t still had a shred of conscience, I’m afraid you wouldn’t have been able to see the problem.”

He picked up the crucial copy again, his fingertips lightly tracing the hasty yet authentic handwriting: "This certificate is excellent. It was hard-won."

"With this irrefutable evidence, the case in Zhen Ding Prefecture is now clear." After the Imperial City Guard arrested the suspects, you must conduct a thorough investigation according to the law, ensuring the truth is revealed, justice is served for the victims, and an explanation is given to the people.

He put down the case file, leaned forward slightly, and looked at Han Zhi, saying, "I understand your concerns about manpower. If there is indeed a shortage of manpower for interrogation, recording, and document copying after the suspect is brought in, you may report it to me immediately."

"I hereby instruct the Ministry of Personnel or the Kaifeng Prefecture to select capable personnel to assist in handling this matter. It is imperative to ensure that the case files are clear, the interrogations are conducted in an orderly manner, and that prudence is not compromised due to haste."

"As for the impeachments and undercurrents within the Censorate, I have already left a draft of the relevant documents, which is my stance. The six words in the edict, 'Do not obstruct or hinder,' are the foundation of your actions! They are also my attitude!"

"Your Excellency should simply uphold justice and handle cases according to the law. If any petty person, lacking any sense of propriety, dares to secretly obstruct, leak secrets, slack off, or spread rumors, regardless of their status or rank, you may immediately impeach them, and I will punish them severely without leniency."