Empress: Your Majesty, please respect yourself, I don't want to be promoted

Luo Jing, Metropolitan Procuratorate.

With his hands behind his back, Lu Chen walked into the government office where he was also the spokesperson of the Kodao.

When the censor inside saw Lu Chen coming, he hesitated for a moment, then stood up and greeted Lu Chen.

Lu Chen responded indifferently, and then asked bluntly, "Is Master Zuodu Censor Fang here?"

Seeing that Lu Chen acted like he was doing business and didn't want to talk to them, the censors couldn't help but secretly heaved a sigh of relief.

To be honest, they didn't really want to deal with Lu Chen.

Although His Majesty's favor for Lu Chen is very obvious, as long as this guy has a little bit of an official mind, a little bit of ambition, and a little bit of tact, he can definitely become the man of the Yongchu Dynasty.

But this stuff is just too straight.

And this guy is obviously a dead-brainer, not to mention being tactful, he almost only accepts the deadly logic in doing things, and doesn't know how to be flexible at all.

No matter how much this kind of person is favored, it is difficult to bring any benefits to others.

Not to mention whether it is beneficial to curry favor with such a person, the risk must be extremely high.

Maybe you look forward to it eagerly, and they will accuse you of forming a clique for personal gain.

So for this kind of person, if you don't want to deal with him, the best way to deal with him is to keep a respectful distance and keep the most basic etiquette.

No matter how favored he is, it has nothing to do with others.

What's more, with this kind of person's temperament, it's not certain how long he can be favored.

As the saying goes, loyal words are harsh to the ear, as the emperor, no matter how generous the empress is, she cannot always tolerate a straight minister.

Therefore, it stands to reason that this kind of person won't be able to jump around for long.

Just wait for him to kill himself.

At this time, a censor said softly to Lu Chen: "Master Fang is dealing with official business inside, how dare you ask Master Lu what he wants to do with him? Please go and report to him."

Hearing that he called himself a subordinate, Lu Chen couldn't help but twitch his mouth.

So, those of you censors with the lowest rank are all seventh-rank officials, what the hell is this Lao Tzu who claims to be an official from the seventh rank?

Is it necessary to be so humble?

You are famous censors who are not afraid of power!

Shaking his head, Lu Chen stopped thinking about it, and said calmly, "I would like to ask Zuodu Yushi about the situation of Xia Yan's case, please go and report."

Naturally, he came to the Metropolitan Procuratorate because of Xia Yan's affairs.

Of course, he was not afraid that Fang Ping, who was one of the chief officials of the Three Law Departments, would not be dedicated to the case, but that he was too dedicated.

There is no way, the previous two times, he was stabbed in the back by the Holy King of Cangming, or by the Empress. He was obviously rushing to be dismissed from office, but he was almost not promoted to the key department of the Ministry of Officials as a promising five Pin Lang Guan.

This official luck was too invincible, so he had to guard against it.

Although the evidence in this case is convincing and there is basically no possibility of overturning the case, it was the same as the previous two times. It seemed impossible that there would be another change, but in the end it was directly reversed at the last moment twice in succession. care.

Even as long as he is willing, he can immediately rise to the top and rise step by step.

Two consecutive failures made him realize that reality in this world is often more magical than fiction, and nothing is impossible.

So he must contain any signs of something wrong.

Fortunately, when we went to Dali Temple and the Ministry of Criminal Justice, Zhao Bingliang, Minister of Dali Temple, and Qian Yiqian, Secretary of the Ministry of Criminal Justice, both said with certainty that there was really no doubt about this case, and their attitude towards him was obviously subtle.

It seems that he is not pleasing to the eye.

When talking with them, Lu Chen was annoyed on the surface, but in fact he was happy in his heart.

So there should be no problem with the Ministry of Punishment and Dali Temple.

The only thing left is the Metropolitan Procuratorate.

Although the emperor decides the final verdict of the joint trial of the three divisions, the three divisions still play a big role. If they unanimously decide that Xia Yan's crime is not to be punished, the canonical punishment must be declared. case verdict.

As long as Zuo Du Censor Fang Ping does the same as those two good teammates and does not do unnecessary things, Lu Chen feels that nothing will happen to this plan.

"Oh, I see."

The censor nodded, and then replied: "Since that's the case, Mr. Lu will stay here for a while, and the next official will go to ask Mr. Fang for instructions."

After all, he bowed to Lu Chen first, then turned around and walked towards the inner hall of the government office.

The Metropolitan Procuratorate is not like the Sixth Branch Gallery, the chief official is only a regular seventh-rank official in name.

In fact, the Metropolitan Procuratorate is in charge of supervision, impeachment, and recommendations. It is the highest supervisory organ in the empire, and its status is equal to that of the six ministries. On a par with it, naturally it is not something that can be seen casually.

If it weren't for Lu Chen's special status, I'm afraid he wouldn't even be able to enter the gate of the Metropolitan Procuratorate.

Soon, the censor came back.

"Lord Lu, Lord Fang, please go over."

"Well, thank you."

Lu Chen thanked him, and the censor even said that he was rude, and then stepped forward to lead the way, and brought Lu Chen to Fang Ping's public house.

Fang Ping had already put down his desk at this time, and when he saw Lu Chen coming, he got up straight away.

"It's about Lu, you're here."

Lu Chen bowed his hands to him, and after a little politeness, he asked straightforwardly: "Master Fang, tomorrow is the day for the interrogation of the three divisions. I wonder if you have any new progress here? Or have you found anything?" Suspicious?"

Hearing this, Fang Ping hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and sighed softly.

"Sorry, Mr. Lu, I may disappoint you here, old man."

Hearing this, Lu Chen felt relieved.

it disappointed me?

That would be great!

What I want most now is this kind of disappointment!

Thinking of this in his heart, his face suddenly sank.

"Master Fang, please speak frankly, no matter what the result is, the subordinate officials will accept it frankly."

Seeing Lu Chen being so open-minded, Fang Ping couldn't help but look at Lu Chen with a hint of appreciation.

When everyone abandoned the empress, for the sake of loyalty in his heart, he stood up to the empress dowager Zhao and the legendary Holy King Cangming, no matter how much the empress favored him, he had nothing to do with it. disgust.

Such a loyal person should have gained the trust of the king.

It's unreasonable not to be taken seriously.

What's more, in his eyes, after Lu Chen gained power, not only did he not act arrogantly, relying on the empress's favor to do anything wrong, but he strictly abided by the integrity of his ministers and upheld his original intention.

Such an excellent and pure courtier, he was once famous in the government and the public for his outspokenness, daring to advise, and courage to handle affairs in the late emperor's time, he naturally appreciated it very much.

Of course, because of his impartiality and integrity, the first thing the Empress Dowager Zhao did when she came to power was to drive out courtiers like him. It wasn't until the Empress took charge of the court some time ago that she personally issued an edict to him. When he was called back, the official returned to his original post.

So he didn't feel sorry for the empress, after all, when the empress was in decline, he wasn't in Luojing at all, even if he wanted to, he couldn't do anything.

Therefore, when facing Lu Chen, he didn't put on any airs. He changed from his usual seriousness and became extremely approachable.

"The old man has been looking through the files of this case for the past few days, carefully checking all the testimonies of the victims, Xia Yan's interrogation records, physical evidence, account books, etc., to see if there is anything wrong with it. Or something wrong."

Fang Ping caressed his long beard and said helplessly:

"However, it is a pity that when Xia Yan served as the magistrate of Yongchuan County, he took advantage of his power to plunder the local wealthy families, accepted all the bribes from wealthy merchants, and used the money obtained from corruption and bribery to buy off the demon queen's party members to consolidate his power in Yongchuan. All the accounts here are extremely clear, and the amount is completely consistent with the victim's confession, so..."

Having said that, he shook his head again.

"The evidence in this case is solid and there is no doubt. The old man's opinion also upholds the original verdict."

Although he appreciates Lu Chen very much, but appreciation is appreciation, and it is impossible for him to violate the principle.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Lu, if you insist on saving that Xia Yan, I really can't help you, and please forgive me for talking too much..."

Fang Ping stared at Lu Chen, and said slowly: "As the saying goes, people's hearts are separated from their belly, you know people, you don't know your heart, you are still young, you look at things too one-sidedly, and you are too kind. From the old man's point of view, Xia Yan must be a heinous scum, and he deserves to die. It is unnecessary and not worthwhile for Lu to save him. You even put your official status and future as guarantees for this kind of person. .”

"So, for Lu, listen to the old man's persuasion. Knowing your mistakes can correct you. What you should do now is not to worry about Xia Yan's case, but to enter the palace quickly and admit your mistakes to His Majesty..."

Hearing this, Lu Chen immediately understood what Fang Ping meant.

He was urging himself to make amends quickly, to admit his mistake to the empress, so as to preserve his official status and future.

It could be seen that Fang Ping was indeed thinking of him.

Otherwise, with his dignified official position as Zuodu Censor, there is no need to talk nonsense with him, just watch him coldly like Dali Siqing and Xingbu Shangshu, watching him make jokes, and others will not say anything about him.

But this intention, he can only accept it.

After all, his original purpose was to take off this official skin!

So, before Fang Ping finished speaking, Lu Chen said firmly, "Master Fang, thank you for your kindness, but I still think that Xia Yan is definitely not the kind of scum who takes bribes and oppresses good people, but a A real good officer!"

After that, he stood up.

"Besides, if it is true that the subordinate officials have misjudged their eyes, wasted their efforts, and wasted the precious manpower and material resources of the court, the subordinate officials should bear the consequences. If the incident is imminent, but try to shirk responsibility, how is this different from a villain? I am dignified Husband, how can you be so irresponsible?"

Hearing these sonorous and forceful words, Fang Ping couldn't help shaking.

He looked at Lu Chen's tall and straight figure in disbelief, then smiled wryly, and said, "Why bother Lu Chen?"

Lu Chen shook his head, and said lightly: "He who lives between heaven and earth and has no beginning and end is not a gentleman!"

"This matter started because of the dismissal, so it will naturally end with the dismissal."

After speaking, he raised his hand and bowed to Fang Ping.

"Lord Fang, I've been bothering you a lot this time. If you have a chance to come and thank you in the future, your lord is busy with business, so I will leave first."

Fang Ping opened his mouth, but stopped talking.

In the end, he sighed and waved to Lu Chen.

Without the slightest hesitation, Lu Chen turned and left.

Looking at Lu Chen's leaving back, Fang Ping's eyes moved slightly.

After a while, he suddenly ordered to the little official at the side: "Go, get the files related to this case again, the old man has to go through it a few more times."