Before Du Kefa tried the case, he had already roughly read the file submitted by the bailiffs. In order to let the onlookers understand, he asked,"How did Dang Renhong take over your ancestral restaurant?”
"When he saw that the business of the restaurant was good, he forced me to transfer the restaurant by force. I had no choice but to agree and sign a contract with him. However, after he got the title deed, he didn't give me the money according to the contract. He only gave me 100 taels. My eldest son couldn't take it anymore and went to him to argue, but…he ordered his soldiers to beat him to death.”The middle-aged man sobbed.
"Do you have any evidence?"
"With the contract that was signed back then, all the cooks and waiters in the restaurant can be witnesses.”
"Bring a witness."
The six commoners were brought up, and they all confirmed that what the middle-aged man said was the truth.
"Please help me, my lord." The middle-aged man kowtowed heavily.
"The Great Tang and His Majesty will definitely return you justice.”
The middle-aged man and the witnesses were taken away, and another seven people were taken away. Their faces were dark, and they were obviously farmers.
"Dang Renhong forcefully seized our fertile land, saying that he would buy it at market price, but he didn't receive a single cent and even forced us to farm for him.”
After some questioning, they were taken away, and more victims and witnesses came up.
"Dang Renhong's youngest son took a fancy to my wife and took her away. He even broke my leg while I was still alive.”
"We were doing business in Nan Ning Prefecture when Dang Renhong conscripted his soldiers to steal our goods and even injured us.”
"We are soldiers of Nan Ning Prefecture. Dang Renhong deducted the military salary and only gave us one-third of the salary stipulated by the Great Tang.”
"I was once an official of Nan Ning Prefecture. I was beaten up and dismissed by Dang Renhong because I accepted the case of the commoners suing Dang Renhong. This is the dossier of the complaint against Dang Renhong by the people of Nan Ning.”
As the grievances were quickly tried, the people outside the hall were already shocked.
"Dang Renhong is unpardonable and deserves to be killed.”
"These people are too pitiful."
"If Dang Renhong doesn't die, it won't be enough to appease the people's anger.”
"Why would the Great Tang have such a dog official?”
Finally, after more than half a day of trial, Du Kefa roughly went through all the grievances. Looking at the angry people, he smiled in satisfaction.
With these people spreading the news, Dang Renhong's actions would soon spread throughout the streets and alleys of Chang 'an.
Under the surging public opinion, Li Shimin had to consider it carefully if he wanted to forgive Dang Renhong.
However, Du Kefa turned around and looked at the thick written confession on the recorder's desk. With the records of Dang Renhong's crimes, would Li Shimin forgive Dang Renhong?
"Leave." Du Kefa stood up and walked towards the recorder.
The constables chased the cursing commoners out of the Supreme Court.
Du Kefa received the testimony, smiled coldly, and walked out of the Supreme Court.
"Where are you going, sir?"
"Enter the palace."
In Zichen Hall, Li Shimin and some important officials were listening to Zhangsun Wuji's report on Dang Renhong's corruption case.
"Your Majesty, Dang Renhong has voluntarily admitted his crimes and is willing to hand over the remaining assets.”
Li Shimin looked at the dossier and asked Fang Xuanling and the others," How do you think we should deal with Dang Renhong?”
Fang Xuanling, Wei Zheng, and the others didn't say anything. Li Shimin's intention to protect Renhong was obvious.
"Your Majesty, although Dang Renhong was in the wrong, he has made great contributions, so his merits and demerits should be offset. You can revoke his title and official position, depose him as a commoner, and exile him three thousand miles.”
Zhangsun Wuji had already guessed Li Shimin's thoughts. Dang Renhong was greedy for money. It would be a lie to say that Li Shimin was not angry, but Li Shimin did not want to execute Dang Renhong because of their past relationship and the fact that Dang Renhong's two sons had sacrificed their lives for the country.
"What do you think of the treatment of the auxiliary army?”
"This subject believes that this method is appropriate," Hou Junji said.”
Zhang Liang also responded, while Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui remained silent.
"Deal with it according to the auxiliary army. Immediately send Dang Renhong to Danzhou and never return to the Central Plains.”
Li Shimin wanted to cut the Gordian knot and end the case as soon as possible.
"His Majesty is merciful and loves the people. This is truly the blessing of the Great Tang and the people.”Hou Junji and Zhangsun Wuji said gratefully.
The two of them were delighted that they had finally saved their old brother's life.
Wang De gently walked into the main hall and reported with his head lowered,"Your Majesty, Du Kefa of the Supreme Court requests an audience outside the Imperial Palace.”
"Du Kefa? I won't see you." Li Shimin didn't want to see Du Kefa the most. He was definitely here to oppose his forgiveness of Dang Renhong.
Wei Zheng stood up and said,"Your Majesty, the joint hearing of the three departments includes the Supreme Court. Du Kefa should be allowed to enter."”
"No, I'm tired. You can leave. The auxiliary army immediately sent Dang Renhong to Danzhou.”
"I accept your decree."
Li Shi Min walked out of the Purple Mansion Hall, not wanting to stay for another second.
"Sigh, let's go." Fang Xuanling sighed and left with Du Ruhui.
Wei Zheng hesitated whether he should persuade Li Shimin or not, but he could tell that Li Shimin was in a bad mood today, and that Li Shimin was determined to protect his party and Renhong.
"Forget it. Although I spared Dang Renhong's life, exiling him to Danzhou is also a heavy punishment.”
Outside the palace, Du Kefa looked at the fully-armed Royal Guards.
He was once again stopped outside the palace.
He could only keep asking the Kingsguard to notify him, not daring to trespass.
Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui left the palace first. The two told him that Li Shimin did not want to see him and asked him to return to the Supreme Court.
"His Majesty has already sent Dang Renhong to Danzhou. Third Brother, don't pester him.”
"Big Brother, Dang Renhong deserves to die ten thousand times. Exiling him to Danzhou is too light a punishment.”
" You…" Du Ruhui couldn't persuade him and could only leave with Fang Xuanling.
Hou Junji looked as if he had won a battle, and he smiled proudly at him.
"Lord Du, Dang Renhong's case is over. It's more important for you to return to the Supreme Court to revise the new law."”
Hou Junji wasn't polite at all."I've said it before, you're still too inexperienced to punish the old general of King Qin's Mansion.”
Du Kefa ignored the two of them and they left happily.
Wei Zheng came out and advised Du Kefa to stop here and continue to revise the new law.
"Lord Wei, if you show mercy outside the law, what is the use of the law? Why would he need to revise the new law? It was better to deal with everything according to the Emperor and the ministers 'ideas.”
When Wei Zheng heard this, he was enlightened.
Wei Zheng stood beside Du Kefa and said,"Then I will wait here for Your Majesty.”
Du Kefa stood outside the Imperial Palace with a scroll in his hands. The sun was setting, and the sunset was bright and dim at the same time.
In the palace, Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun had just finished their meal when a eunuch came in and whispered,""Your Majesty, Lord Du is still outside the palace. Lord Wei Zheng is also accompanying Lord Du.”
"Hmph, they're forcing the abdication!”
At this moment, the sound of wheels could be heard outside the palace. Wei Zheng turned his head and his expression changed drastically!
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