diskusbooks Chapter 857 Beating drums to complain
Chapter 857 Beating drums to complain
The emperor was furious, and no one dared to speak; Han Yan could only lower his head as well.
"Your Majesty, Lord Han is always impartial and incorruptible. The reason he released him so easily this time must be for another reason," Fan Li said veiledly.
He naturally knew that Han Yan belonged to Bai Tiantian's camp, and this matter was most likely Bai Tiantian's idea.
Fan Li went to great lengths to wait until now, all to completely crush Bai Tiantian, not just Han Yan.
"This matter was indeed done by me alone, without any instigation from anyone else," Han Yan hurriedly claimed responsibility.
He and Bai Tiantian both served the Third Prince, and their relationship was one of mutual benefit and loss.
Releasing a murderer without authorization might result in dismissal or even imprisonment, but it would never lead to beheading.
Rather than letting Bai Tiantian be implicated, it's better for him to bear the burden alone. As long as the Third Prince can ascend the throne, he will be a meritorious official.
Temporary forbearance is only for a more glorious future.
"Han Yan, how dare you deceive His Majesty! Bai Tiantian was clearly in the Ministry of Justice that day! Do you dare to say that this matter has nothing to do with him?" Fan Li said sternly.
Fan Li wouldn't have taken action unless he was absolutely certain; he was certain that Bai Tiantian would lose because of this.
"Enough!" Seeing the two sides arguing fiercely, the emperor became somewhat annoyed.
At present, he does not want the balance between the two sides to be lost.
"He's just a murderer. Han Yan, arrest him. I'll give you three days. If you can't bring him to justice, you'll be dealt with severely." The emperor's voice intimidated everyone.
It is obvious that the emperor is protecting Han Yan and Bai Tiantian.
With Bai Tiantian's abilities, she could bring the murderer up in three hours, let alone three days.
However, Fan Li had a cold smile on his lips, certain that they couldn't complete the mission within three days.
"What's this old guy up to?" Bai Tiantian stared at Fan Li's cold expression, her heart filled with confusion.
"Could it be... that Lin Wuqing's disappearance is related to him?" Bai Tiantian suddenly realized: "Oh no, that kid Lin Wuqing is in danger."
He had worked with Fan Li for decades and knew his steadiness; the fact that Fan Li was willing to take action meant he was absolutely certain of success.
Bai Tiantian wasn't afraid of being implicated, but she was worried about Lin Ping's safety.
Boom boom boom!
Just as the argument was raging inside the main hall, a loud drumbeat suddenly rang out.
Before long, the eunuch outside the gate called out in a drawn-out voice, "Your Majesty, someone outside the city gate has sounded the drum for petitioning!"
"What? Someone actually beat the drum to appeal?" The entire court was stunned.
The so-called Dengwen Drum was a large drum set up by the emperor outside the palace. Whenever there was a major grievance in the common people, they could beat this drum, and the emperor would personally handle the case.
However, the Dengwen Drum is heavily guarded, and ordinary people cannot get close to it.
Furthermore, those who beat the drum to appeal must have a major grievance; otherwise, they will be considered guilty of deceiving the emperor.
Therefore, the Dengwen Drum has become a mere decoration, and no one has sounded it for years.
The drums sound today for two reasons: first, a great injustice has occurred, and second, the person beating the drum has considerable courage.
"Who is beating the drum? Do I really want to handle this personally?" the emperor said solemnly.
The emperor's personal handling of cases could win the hearts of the people, and he even hoped that someone would beat the drum every now and then.
Before long, a young man walked into the main hall with a grin on his face, showing no sign of being wronged.
"Lin, Lin Wuqing... How is this possible? Wasn't he killed?" Fan Li's eyes nearly popped out when he saw Lin Ping.
Nightmare Palace is the empire's strongest assassin organization, and Vermilion Bird Gate is Nightmare Palace's elite force. There's no reason they can't wipe out a mere brat.
Bai Tiantian's face lit up with joy, but she didn't know how to exonerate Lin Ping.
Lin Ping's arrival could indeed absolve him and Han Yan of their crimes, but his charge of murder was already set in stone.
Thinking of this, Bai Tiantian couldn't help but shake her head. "Lin Wuqing, you shouldn't have come!"
Compared to Han Yan going to prison, Bai Tiantian would rather see Lin Wuqing beheaded.
He not only possessed strategic planning skills, but also created a variety of powerful weapons.
With Lin Wuqing's help, Bai Tiantian's army will surely be able to reach a new level in time.
Therefore, in Bai Tiantian's opinion, Lin Wuqing's role was greater than Han Yan's.
"Who is Your Highness, and why are you seeking justice?" the Emperor asked with a dignified expression.
"Hmph, since you've delivered yourself to my doorstep, this time I'll make sure you die a horrible death." Fan Li stared coldly at Lin Ping, his eyes flashing with undisguised killing intent.
Lin Ping glanced at Fan Li, thinking to himself, "Old man, you're the one who should die!"
"I, Lin Wuqing, have come to file a complaint against the current Grand Secretary Fan Li!" Lin Ping said angrily, pointing at Fan Li.
The emperor was stunned, looking at Lin Ping in disbelief, and asked in confusion, "Why do you want to sue Minister Fan?"
Since the emperor is going to personally decide the case, he must make the whole story clear.
"Your Majesty, this man is the murderer whom Lord Han released!" Fan Li said, speaking before Lin Ping could.
"He actually dared to come to our doorstep?"
All the officials looked at Lin Ping with surprise and pity. Poor child, he had no idea what was going on in the court. Wasn't he just courting death?
"Guards, seize him!" The emperor roared in fury.
The reason for decisively arresting Lin Ping was to use his blood to quell the conflict between Fan Li and Bai Tiantian.
If Lin Ping is killed, Fan Li will have no grounds to accuse Bai Tiantian.
"Sigh...you shouldn't have come." Bai Tiantian shook her head helplessly. She knew the emperor's intentions and dared not plead for Lin Ping.
"Does Your Majesty not intend to listen to the whole story? If so, what is the point of setting up the Drum of Appeal? Is it just for the people of the world to see?" Lin Ping said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "If you want to chill the hearts of the people of the world, then just execute me on the spot!"
These words greatly offended the emperor. Since the purpose of the petition drum was to put on a show, it should at least look like a show, and he had to hear Lin Ping finish speaking.
"Very well, I'll give you a chance." The emperor suppressed his anger.
"The reason I am suing Fan Li is because he accused me of intentional homicide!" Lin Ping said loudly.
According to previous views, Lin Ping committed intentional homicide and was guilty of a capital offense. However, now that he has accused Fan Li of malicious framing, it means that there are other hidden circumstances in the murder case, and the emperor has no choice but to retry the case.
"In that case, I will personally preside over this murder case." The emperor sat upright, his calm and composed gaze revealing an invisible killing intent.
"Your Majesty is wise!" Lin Ping said respectfully.
Fan Li gave Bai Tiantian a meaningful look and thought to himself, "His Majesty is personally handling this case. Let's see how you try to deny any involvement now."
"Tell me the whole story," the emperor asked.
Lin Ping bowed repeatedly, then replied solemnly, "That day I killed someone, and the prefect sentenced me to death. Lord Han took me away and pardoned me. Oh, by the way, the General is also in the Ministry of Justice."