On 11 May, the much-watched case of Liang Wang Guo Bing's drowning of Hangzhou prefect Kang Zizhen was finally finalized amid the uproar. Prior to this, it was characterized as Kang Zizhen's misconduct, and the news that Guo Bing lost his guard and killed Kang Zizhen by mistake has long been known to the imperial court. In fact, this caused a great shock in the DPRK and China.

Many people believe that characterizing it as manslaughter is a deception of the world and an insult to the intelligence of the court. This case could never have been manslaughter. As a result, calls for a review of the case have also risen. But in fact, this kind of call did not come from Yan Zhengsu and Fang Dunru and others of the Fa-Reform faction, but another force was fueling the flames.

In fact, on the morning of the second day when the Lin family bravely entered the Yushitai Yamen, Guo Chong summoned Fang Dunru and Yan Zhengsu. According to the news from the palace, the emperor and the two important ministers talked for more than an hour in the imperial study, and finally Fang Dunru and Yan Zhengsu had a look of relief on their faces when they withdrew. After that, there was no explicit statement on the case, and the entire Ordinance Division, the Yamen, and the important figures of the reform faction also kept silent, and did not make any statements about the case.

Obviously, some people don't want this case to be settled like this, so they keep fermenting the topic, and go to the court to question it. However, Guo Chong showed a resolute attitude towards the case, and he showed a stack of folds to the ministers in public on the morning of the ninth day of the first lunar month. The folds were all sealed, and they were not opened at all. In other words, Guo Chong didn't read the excerpts about this case at all. But when he saw the twists and turns about the case, Guo Chong threw them aside and ignored them at all.

Although the ministers were dissatisfied in their hearts, they were helpless. No one can shake the authority of the Holy One. No one can change the Holy Lord's decision. Even those who were in a compromise, and their hoarse voices showed that this case had a great damage to the law and order of the imperial court, and had a bad psychological impact on the upper and lower officials, and demanded that the truth must be found out. Guo Chong ignored them all.

Those officials who were on the fold did not dare to jump out and play openly in the court. Originally, their intention was to use this case to provoke a conflict between the royal family and the reformers, and to cause confrontation and hatred between the two parties while overthrowing King Liang. Now Yan Zhengsu and Fang Dunru have no objection at all, if they openly jump out to speak, wouldn't they expose their own purpose instead.

Of course, Guo Chong also said that even if it was a manslaughter, this time he would severely punish the behavior of Guo Bing, the king of Liang, and would not tolerate it. But in this case, everyone is not looking forward to the upcoming punishment of Guo Bing. Many people think that the crime of manslaughter will not be punished too severely, but it is just a formality. The prince is still a prince, after all, he is a brother to the emperor, and it is not surprising that he is shielded and connived. Killing an official of the court can be convicted of manslaughter, what kind of heavy punishment can there be? But some people also think that if Yan Zhengsu and Fang Dunru can shut up and admit this dumb loss, the emperor must have promised Yan Zhengsu and Fang Dunru something. Enough appeasement was given.

On the morning of the 11th, the mystery was finally revealed. Guo Chong announced the final results of the investigation and the will of punishment for the Liang Wang case. The final verdict in the case of King Liang's drowning of Kang Zizhen was characterized as manslaughter under impulse. Guo Chong gave three major punishments for Guo Bing's misconduct and the unauthorized lynching of officials of the imperial court, which led to the accidental killing of officials.

First, he seized the title of Prince of Liang and was demoted to the title of county king. This punishment is both surprising and reasonable. The Prince is a first-class title and can only be conferred by close relatives of the royal family. The county king is second-class, and it is not exclusive to the royal family. Courtiers with outstanding merits can also be divided into county kings. The meaning of seizing the prince of Liang is intriguing. In addition to the reduction of its own title, there is also a feeling of proximity and sparseness.

Second, Guo Bing was dismissed from the post of governor of the bandit capital and sat in the power of Hangzhou. Guo Bing was ordered to move to live in the capital and not to reside outside Beijing.

As soon as this punishment came out, many people suddenly felt that they were suddenly opened. For those who know the inside story, although Guo Bing escaped a more severe punishment this time, this punishment is more fatal than taking the title.

When the emperor was alive, in order to protect Guo Bing, the king of Liang, he appointed the governor of Hangzhou to suppress bandits, and allowed him to open a mansion in Hangzhou. This is a great grace. For so many years, Guo Bing has been able to be safe and sound because of this talisman. This is also something that Guo Chong has always been thinking about. He has always wanted to transfer Guo Bing back to the capital and abolish the will of the former emperor, but he has never been able to make up his mind and has not found an opportunity. Especially when bandits in Hangzhou have been rampant, it is impossible to find a reason to do so. But now, Guo Chong finally found this opportunity and seized Guo Bing's mistake.

Guo Bing lost his qualification to gain a foothold in Hangzhou, and the Liangzhejiang Road that he had operated for 20 years finally came to naught. From then on, he could only stay in the capital, under Guo Chong's nose. If he does anything inappropriate, he will be caught. There will be nothing to hide. This undoubtedly solved the most secret concern in Guo Chong's heart, and it was more appropriate to control Guo Bing in his own hands than to kill him or exile him to the land of Western Xia, and the reason was sufficient, and it would not be criticized.

Third, a fine of 1,000,000 taels of silver was to be deposited into the state treasury. ordered to pay back the assistant silver and interest of 350,000 taels.

This article seems to be just a fine, and in fact, people who know the background of King Liang's family also understand that this 1.35 million taels of silver is just a drop in the bucket for King Liang's mansion. But in fact, there is a purpose hidden under the surface of the fine. The 350,000 taels of auxiliary silver is the point, Guo Bing resisted not to pay it before, and Guo Chong has not interfered. After all, this is a matter in the implementation of the new law, and it is impossible for Guo Chong to order every official and royal family to pay the assistant money. This is not in line with Guo Chong's idea. Although Guo Chong's attitude towards the new law is to express his support, it is impossible for him not to leave room for himself. He wants to leave room for himself to maneuver, and it is absolutely impossible for him to personally interfere in specific matters in the implementation of the new law. Because in Guo Chong's mind, he is not completely sure whether the new law can succeed. If the new law fails, he must have room to retreat and the possibility of throwing the blame. He doesn't take all the blame on himself. So, he had to exercise some restraint.

But using punishment to make Guo Bing hand over the assistant money is to send a signal to everyone. Guo Bing can't avoid paying the assistant silver, and even has to pay interest, and others must not be fooled.

The ministers, including Lu Zhongtian, immediately understood the meaning, and they finally understood why Yan Zhengsu and Fang Dunru were so calm in this matter. It turned out that they finally got the progress they wanted. The significance of forcing Guo Bing to pay the assistant silver is not the 350,000 taels of silver, but to completely break the deadlock and speed up the implementation of the new law. Since such a goal has been achieved, why bother about Kang Zizhen's killing?

When the punishment of the prince reached Lin Jue's ears, Lin Jue was stunned for a long time, sighed and said a sentence: "Admire, admire." What a blessing. The emperor will really take advantage of the opportunity, and this time his heart is gone. Lord Fang and Lord Yan should also be satisfied. ”

Lin Jue was actually quite satisfied with such a punishment, at least he would not lose his life. It will not let the Liang Wangfu overturn. Although when he went to see Guo Kun in the old palace in the afternoon, Guo Kun was indignant and resentful, and said a lot of excessive things. But what Lin Jue thought in his heart was: What else are you not satisfied with? Blame your father for acting too recklessly, and this time it was self-defeating. This result was still a big result, and even threatened Concubine Rong and used the Queen Mother. If you still think that the result of such a punishment is heavy, you can imagine what the result would be if you didn't do something.

In any case, the matter has finally settled down and there are no more serious consequences, which is already a good result. Of course, the loss of Liang Wangfu was huge, and Liang Wang Guo Bing lost the opportunity to stay in Hangzhou, which was really difficult for him to accept. And being forced to stand for the law-changing faction and paying the assistant money also made him depressed. But no matter what, this matter is not dangerous after all, except for Lin Jue, no one is imprisoned because of this, and it can be regarded as a successful subsidence.

Guo Chong was satisfied, Yan Zhengsu and Fang Dunru also agreed, and Liang Wangfu could reluctantly accept it, which could be regarded as the best result. It's just that for Lu Zhongtian, Wu Chunlai and others, this result is something they don't want to see. They never expected that things would go in this direction, cheapening Fang Dunru and Yan Zhengsu in vain, and failing to let King Liang suffer a catastrophe. Knowing this, he should have adopted the first plan and defended King Liang with a clear banner, which might pull King Liang to his side. It's a mistake.

Fortunately, Lu Zhongtian has a long-term vision, and although he is depressed, he is not as obvious as Wu Chunlai. Lu Zhongtian knew that this matter was actually not the most critical matter, and the most critical thing was the competition for the position of the crown prince. That thing is really a failure, and the failure before that is acceptable and tolerable.

……

In order to celebrate the exoneration of the prince, the Lin family's mansion set up a banquet that night. The little county lord personally held a toast to Lin Jue, thanking his husband for his hard work in this matter. The little county lord knows what is good or bad, and compared to Guo Kun, she knows the key to things better. She knew the danger of the palace this time, and knew that if it wasn't for the proper handling, it was likely that the palace would be destroyed this time, so she was extremely grateful to Lin Jue.

Halfway through the banquet, he was suddenly interrupted by an unexpected incident, and an oracle came from the palace, and it was Qian Delu who delivered the edict in the Yamen of the Imperial Historical Observatory that day. This oracle is a rebuke. It was a reprimand for the small county lord's act of storming the Yamen of the Imperial Historical Observatory that day.

"The emperor has something to tell the county lord, as the royal county lord, you should think twice about acting, how can you ignore the royal system, ignore the laws of the country, be reckless and reckless, and reckless. There were no serious consequences this time, and I will not be severely fined. If there is any more inappropriate behavior, I will not spare it. From today on, the county lord should be cautious in his words and deeds, and think about it behind closed doors. After three months, I wrote a recital to inform me of my thoughts, so that I could see it. Don't be perfunctory. ”

After Qian Delu repeated Guo Chong's words with a serious face, a smile changed on his face.

"County Lord, Lord Lin, the emperor said this. This one...... Don't be too frustrated, the emperor still loves the county lord, otherwise such a big matter would not have been reprimanded like this. Our family is just a messenger, so don't hate our family. ”

Lin Jue laughed and said: "Where did Father-in-law Qian say, the emperor reprimanded him right, and I scolded the county lord a few words when I came back." The father-in-law of Labor Qian took a trip, and came to the table to have a glass of wine and eat some home-cooked food. ”

Guo Caiwei smiled: "Yes, yes, father-in-law, please come to the table and eat some." ”

Qian Delu hurriedly waved his hand and said: "Don't you dare, you still have to serve the emperor at night, how dare you drink, and don't you lose your head if you make a mistake?" This is the farewell. ”

Lin Jue and the little county lord had to be sent out of the mansion, and when they parted, Lin Jue stuffed a wooden box and gave it to the little eunuch who accompanied him, but Qian Delu saw it but pretended not to see it. On the way, Qian Delu called the box, which contained two rows of gold ingots, as many as a hundred taels. Qian Delu smiled, nodded and said, "Lin Jue, this kid is still on the road, and it is not in vain for our family to make this trip." ”