Transcription
Who is shouting? Your Majesty, this is an ordinary prisoner. Very dishonest, and disobedient. Please have mercy on me. Please let me go.
What crime did he commit? Your Majesty, theft.
What did he steal? Your Highness, a bag of grain.
How long have you been locked up? Three months. Let me out. I can't stand it.
Ha ha. You are so strict about a bag of grain. Take this man out. I will interrogate you personally. Come in. Kneel down.
Your Majesty, Wang Lao. Listen carefully. Your Majesty will interrogate you personally. You must answer truthfully. Don't talk nonsense.
Your Majesty. What's your name? Wang Laoliu.
What did you shout in the prison just now? Your Majesty. I want you to judge for me. Yes, yes. The shackles are too heavy. I can't stand it. I can't stand it. I can't stand it, Your Majesty.
Remove his shackles. Yes, yes. Ah ah. Thank you, Your Majesty. Your Majesty. Thank you, Your Majesty.
Wang Laoliu, why did they put such heavy shackles on you? Your Majesty, this prisoner is very dishonest.
Get out. Everyone in the prison goes out. Yes.
Wang Laoliu, don't be afraid. Speak freely. Hey. Your Majesty. I can't even die if I want to. I stole a bag of grain. I had no choice but to do that. My family has six people, my whole family didn't have a grain of food for half a winter.
Take your time. After I was arrested, they put this shackle on me. and handcuffs. It hurts me. I couldn't sleep all night. I was in so much pain. My wife came to see me. Jin said, If you want to send this person and handcuffs, you have to pay twenty guan. Your Majesty, I don't have twenty guan in my house. My wife looked at me and cried. He was also helpless. This spring, my second son also starved to death, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, you've been locked up here for over three months. Almost four months. I ask you, you've been locked up here for over three months. Have you seen the prisoner in the cell diagonally opposite. Xue Qiang. I've seen him.
How did he die? I heard he died of illness.
Did he suffer for a long time? He died quickly.
How do you know? Your Majesty, I can't sleep at night. I can hear every sound. Two nights before Master Xue's death, I heard him walking around in the cell.
Are you sure it was him? It was him. Yes, it was him. He was locked in a room alone. Uh. Everyone said how could Master Xue die so suddenly?
Kai Ji, what's your opinion now? Your Majesty, I am indeed at fault for neglect of duty. The management of the capital prison is chaotic. and the wind of extortion is rising. If not controlled, it will surely cause great disaster. As the Minister of Justice, I am deeply shocked today. The Jingshi Prison will be strictly regulated from now on. to completely eliminate all drawbacks that violate the law. As for the retrial of Xue Qiang's case, must not be perfunctory. Whether Xue Qiang is really dead and whether he died of the plague are still in doubt. If If there is indeed a secret conspiracy, not only all the people involved in the Jingshi Prison must be severely punished. the officials of the Ministry of Punishment and even I myself I am willing to apologize. and await Your Majesty's punishment.
Has the Xue family's people been brought here? The butler of the Xue family is already waiting outside. Let this man go. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness. Wang Laoliu, ah. Go back. Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Your Majesty.
Bring the Xue family's people up. Yes. Bring him up. I am Zhang Shouchen, Your Majesty. You are the butler of the Xue family. I am Xue Shiming.
Where are you? Our master is out for business. We have sent someone to Hebei overnight and he will return soon.
Is Xue Qiang dead? Your Majesty, Xue Qiang is definitely dead.
Where was he buried? Buried in the Xue family cemetery.
Is there a corpse in Xue Qiang's coffin? Of course. I will order to open the coffin for autopsy. Is it okay? Your Majesty, you must not do that.
Why? Your Majesty, digging graves and exposing corpses it's a taboo since ancient times. Our master went out to do business. I'm I really can't make the decision. Could it be that the tomb is empty? Your Majesty. It's the tomb of Master Xue Qiang.
Are you stopping me? Your Majesty, I dare not. but I dare not take the responsibility. Do you think Your Majesty is discussing with you? Open the book, Han Metropolitan Inspector. I will open the coffin tomorrow morning. open the coffin for autopsy. Yes. This case is complicated. but simple. If it's in Guanzhong, everything is easy. If Guanzhong is not lost, investigate to the end. Wouldn't it be great? Yes. Tell me the truth. whether Xue Qiang is dead or not.
Kaiding, some things It's hard to say. What do you mean? When he was in the coffin, was he dead or alive? Sir Kai, We're sorry. What do you mean? Lord Kai, We have repeatedly considered whether to tell you this. We're afraid that telling you it would be bad for you. Xue Qiang is not dead. Yes. and he didn't have the plague. There was no one in the coffin. Your Excellency. Lord Kai, I'm afraid that tomorrow morning, it can't be hidden anymore.
I will tear you two into pieces. Please calm down. What's the point of calming down, sir? Tell me. How much did the Xue family give you? Lord Kai and I each got one thousand taels of silver. You two are doomed. The Jingshi Prison is doomed. and the entire Ministry of Punishment. Yes, it's Kai. It's all our fault. We deserve to die. We deserve death. You deserve to die. Yes. Kai大人. we can't escape. But what we are worried about is I'm afraid that Kai大人 and the Ministry of Punishment will also be implicated. You are so kind. Where is the guard? Oh. Lord Kai, please don't do this. Please listen to our explanation. What else can you say? Lord Kai, you go out first. Okay. Lord Kai, Now that things have come to this, I have to speak out. Your Excellency Kai is also in danger. You want to threaten me? I dare not. Sir, I have thought about it before and after. In this matter, I have made a big mistake. I deeply regret it. I regret coveting money which led to my death. But this matter involves many officials of the Ministry of Justice Once it is exposed, with the emperor's temper, I'm afraid you, Kaida, can't escape the crime of chaos. So I dare to ask Lord Kai to find a way to save me from this disaster. I, Wang Xizhe, am willing to serve Kai as a slave. and give my life. It's really that death is near. his words are good. Wang Xizhe, Usually you and I are at odds with each other, you wish to replace me. Now you're so kind to think of me. Do you know what kind of punishment you will receive? We'll skin you alive, and stuffed with straw, hang it outside the city gate for public display. The emperor will also destroy your three clans. You have committed such a heinous crime, you want to drag me into the water. What's your intention? Let me tell you. it seems that I'm really mentally confused. I've used you corrupt officials. I'd rather be dismissed and beheaded I will never be in cahoots with you. It ruined my reputation. But, Lord Kai, if the entire Ministry of Punishment is investigated, the cases involved there will be more than the Xue Qiang case. It depends on what you have done. It's not just us. What do you want to say? As I know, since Kai took office, the bribery cases in the Ministry of Punishment there are more than thirty or forty. Does Lord Kai really not know or just turn a blind eye? Even if there are thirty or forty cases, I will investigate them one by one. and then go to the emperor to apologize. Could it be that among these thirty or forty cases, is there not one that involves Lord Kai? You want to frame me. I dare not. Last spring, a court official surnamed Liu came to me offered two hundred taels of silver to save his nephew. I had limited authority, and refused. But strangely, it was successful. At the end of last year, Jiang, a rich merchant in Zhejiang, bribed me with four hundred taels of gold. and eight hundred taels of gold to bribe others. reducing his son's sentence from twenty years to three years. This also happened. There is insufficient evidence in these two cases. Lord Kai is quite familiar with these two cases. Whether the evidence is sufficient or not, but accepting a large amount of money there may be some. Do you have any evidence? Why are you laughing? I'm just guessing. Lord Kai, I had no choice but to do so. Please understand.
What? Drive. Gallop, gallop. Cha cha cha cha cha cha. Master, master. What's the matter? Something big is going to happen. I already know. What's the situation now? Lord Wang and Lord Yang have already sent people. You must go back immediately. Huang Jianmin has beaten the drum. has reported it to the emperor. When I came out, I heard that it was a man surnamed Hu in prison who exposed the matter. Let's go. Tell me. How do you two want me to protect you? Lord Kai, the most urgent thing now is to stop the autopsy tomorrow. Opening the coffin will probably be the end. Yes, Lord Kai now relies on you. After all, the emperor trusts you the most. Humph. If the emperor didn't trust me, you two would have been arrested already. Maybe the Imperial Prison and the Ministry of Punishment have been surrounded by the Dali Temple's troops. Yes, this shows that the emperor has given you enough face. the emperor will reuse you in the future. If the emperor really trusts me, I wouldn't have let Han Yike come. and the emperor himself would not have come to visit. You all underestimate the emperor's strategy. It seems that the only way now is to revoke the order. and cancel the switch. Ha ha. Can you stop what the emperor wants to do? Lord Kai, we are all relying on you now. You must give us a solution no matter what. Listen up. First, don't panic. panic is useless. Second, don't run away. Running away will only get you caught. Third, don't turn yourself in. Surrender is useless. Fourthly, don't play tricks with me. otherwise, I can put you in an irreversible situation at any time. Please rest assured, sir. But, sir, how to deal with tomorrow morning's matter? This is something I need to consider. You don't need to think too much. It's useless to think. Just leave it to fate. Sir, Madam, something terrible happened. What happened? Xue Qiang's case has been exposed. The body will be exhumed tomorrow. It's all over. I'm going to be executed. What should we do? You pack your things right away and take your son and leave quickly. Where do you want us to go? Go to Kaifeng, Henan to rely on Liu the magistrate. He will take care of you. Remember not to take the main road. and take the small roads. Try to avoid checkpoints. Please remember. Don't go back to hometown. In a few days, the government will definitely chase to your hometown. No, don't go. Let's go together. Let's go together, the court will definitely send people to chase us. I can only turn myself in and ask for the emperor's forgiveness. so that our families will not be implicated. If you surrender, the emperor won't kill you. I can go to the prison to see you if I stay. My crime is too great. There are other things. Will the emperor spare me? You go quickly. I've told you before. Don't do such things. This kind of thing is too dangerous. Oh, yes. Lord Wang, Is Mister Yang in? Yes. Hey, hey. You quickly pack your things. I have to write a confession. Lord Yang, Lord Wang, You want to turn yourself in. You go down first. Kai guessed it right. You're right, you're going to write a confession letter. Do you want to implicate us all? I just want to talk about myself. Isn't your matter related to mine? Yes. Lord Wang, at this time, do you think Kai will still think of us? If he doesn't think about us, he has to think about himself. He has time, but we have no time left. If we are arrested, how much time will he have? Well, his affairs we are just guessing. and there's no real evidence. The emperor protects him. what else can we expect? So in this matter, we must bind him closely to us. How? Take half of the money from the Xue family and give it to him. Will he accept it? If he doesn't accept, it means he will abandon us at any time. At that time, we can turn ourselves in. That's a good idea. Giddy up. Giddy up. Remember not to show any panic. and don't talk casually. No matter what happens, I will handle everything. Even if you are arrested, don't confess. nor implicate me. Please rest assured, sir. Has Xue Shiming come back? Not yet, he will arrive tomorrow. Go ahead. I still need to meet the emperor. See the emperor. Can you persuade the emperor to change his mind? You don't need to worry about these things. Lord Kai, Everything depends on you. Uh-huh. I didn't expect he really understood. We have also made it clear. That's Xue's money. Lord Kai's mind is really hard to fathom. I tried to give him a gift once before, but he scolded me terribly. Times have changed. Who should be collected, who should not be accepted. When to accept it and when not to. He knows it very well. Could he really be sure to change the emperor's mind? I'll take it. Kai is really powerful. Hmph. Let's see how much is inside. How dare you still take their money? I'll take it. Something will happen tonight. Together, they have at least one thousand taels. The more, the better. Why do you want more? If it's really a catastrophe, Do you think that by taking less money, you can avoid death? Don't you see that they are together. they are just looking for your把柄. Don't worry. As soon as this matter is over, I'll find a way to get rid of them later. Can this be handled? Tonight, we must transfer everything away. and give the silver to Butler Xu together. and ask him to send it to the eastern suburbs. If something happens, I'll have a day or two to prepare. You go to your father's place to hide for a few days. When you arrive, ask him to send you to Yunnan. Once you arrive in Yunnan, everything will be fine. But, I'll be there soon. I was listening from behind. You're going to see the emperor. How could it be? It's just talk. Maybe it can make the emperor change his mind. At this time, you must not stop the emperor. Oh, this is a big deal. You have to think of a way. Sometimes there is no way is the best way. Don't lose your cool. There's still hope. It depends on whether Xue can do it. Sir, please don't. Take him away. Don't dig it. Sir, don't dig. Don't dig, sir. Sir, Don't dig, sir. Yes. Sir. Sir. Ah, kick. Eek. Sir, you're back. Something big happened. I know. What's the situation now? They're digging the young master's grave. It seems that they have already started digging. They said it was the emperor's order. They don't believe there's a corpse. Go to the cemetery quickly. Hey. Hurry up. Gee! Your Majesty, Kai Ji, the Minister of Justice, sent someone to report. that Xue Qiang's tomb has been started to dig. but Xue Shiming has not returned yet. Judging from the appearance of the Xue family, there seems to be no fraud, sir. ask if we should continue digging. Keep digging. Yes. Why did Kai Ji ask this? He doesn't want to dig it up. Is Han Yike here? Yes. Yes. No, sir. Master Han is not at home. I really can't explain it. Get out! Lord Kai, hurry up. Master Xue is indeed buried in the tomb. Take him away. Yes, take him away. Sir, sir. Excuse me, sir. What happened? Look at this. What happened? This is an empty tomb. Xue Qiang's tomb. Yes. Why is it an empty tomb? I heard that Xue Qiang didn't die at all. and was bought out by the Xue family. What happened? Gee! 驾驾 Hey. Drive. Hurry up, hurry up. Hey. Drive! Drive. 驾驾 Drive drive. No. Sir, this Sir Han, Sir Han. You are Xue Shiming. Xiao Ming is. I don't know why you want to dig my child's grave. Does he have sin after death? Xue Qiang is really dead. Reporting to you, My son has been dead in prison for more than three months. This is his grave? Nonsense! You bribed someone you claimed that Xue Qiang died of illness and smuggled him out of prison. You have committed a heinous crime. I dare not. Your Excellency, My son died in prison. there are imperial physicians to testify, and the officials of the Ministry of Punishment. How could it be false? Could the imperial physicians and officials wouldn't they take bribes from you? Lord Kai, please forgive me for speaking bluntly. The officials of the capital prison and the Ministry of Punishment are all your subordinates. How dare you? Do you think I will cover up my subordinates? If you tell the truth about the whole process, I can order to stop the excavation. I have nothing to confess. If I have a guilty conscience, how dare you travel day and night to protect my son's grave? If the coffin is opened there is no corpse. what else can you say? I'll accept any punishment. But, Lord Kai, If the corpse is missing, what should we do? Lord Han, judging from his appearance, there really is a corpse in Guanzhong. Yes. Lord Kai, what do you think should be done? The trouble is there are so many onlookers. Once the coffin is opened it will be difficult to end it. We've dug to this point. abandoning halfway it will be difficult to end it. What's more, Your Majesty has already given an order. Keep digging. Sir Kai, You haven't answered me yet. If Guanzhong is lost, what should we do? Are you threatening Kai? I dare not. but I was once a seventh-rank official of the court. I am not without status. Although my son is unfilial, but he has already been punished in his lifetime. He shouldn't suffer this humiliation after death for no reason. The spirit in heaven will not be at peace. Yes, sir. Even if my son has all kinds of sins, he has paid with his life. He shouldn't be ridiculed by the world anymore. If there is a mistake, I will apologize in person. and rebuild Xue Qiang's tomb. Start. Put it down. Sir, Lord Han's coffin has been dug out. Ah. This is. Open the coffin to autopsy. It's not allowed to open the coffin. Master, don't open the coffin. Sir, Sir. Sir, get up. Sir, you can't open the coffin. Report. Lord Kai, Lord Han, there's a loss in Guanzhong. Master, Master. I'm sorry, sir. Coroner. I'm conducting an autopsy. Report to Lord Kai. Lord Han, the corpse in Guanzhong has already rotted. The corpse was dressed in gorgeous clothes. It was a young man. and several pieces of jade and jewelry. Lord Han, look. Let's report to the emperor. So, Xue Qiang is indeed dead. It seems so. Is the corpse in Guanzhong definitely him? Both I and Han have personally inspected it. The body has completely rotted. Whether it is Xue Qiang it's impossible to identify. That's true. Let's leave it at that for now. However, the extortion of prisoners and their families in prison is certain. You should continue to investigate. Don't slack off. Yes. Start writing. In the past, you kept saying that the prison extortion and bribery had been banned. Why did I find out as soon as I went down? Your Majesty, I am indeed guilty of negligence. and have betrayed the emperor's trust. I will investigate it strictly and will not tolerate it. Since ancient times, there have been many such incidents in prison. I know this. but in the Ming Dynasty, this cannot be allowed to continue to grow. It must be completely banned. Whether it can be done in any previous dynasty or not, I will do it. In addition, I have summoned Xue Shiming to the Ministry of Justice to interrogate him carefully. to inquire about the entire incident, to avoid mistakes. Well, you can go now. Han Yike, stay. I have something to tell you. I'll retire. Lord Wang, it's a false alarm. I didn't expect we could return to the Ministry of Justice. If I hadn't stopped you, you would have turned yourself in yesterday. Ashamed, ashamed. Anyway, I didn't expect there was a poem in Guanzhong. The coffin clearly contained Xue Qiang who went out. It seems that Xue Shiming is a thoughtful person. He deserves to be an official. Why didn't he tell us? Maybe he thought it was unnecessary. It's true. If it weren't for Hu Lin, who would pay attention? this Xue Shiming Why didn't he continue to be an official? With such a mind, How could he not rise to prominence? How many people are willing to be officials now? The emperor only punishes corruption, Too clean water has no fish. It's better to quit officialdom and do business like Xue Shiming. and use his old connections to make a profit. Right? But to be honest, we don't have the same ability as Xue Shiming. we can only be officials. Earning a little money by bribery. and be afraid. Humph. Life is not easy. Well, forget it. If I can get through this, I'll be satisfied. I'm satisfied. Lord Wang, I have prepared some wine. can you come to my humble abode for a drink? Yes, but don't make a sound. I understand. Han Yike, Do you think that coffin really contains Xue Qiang? Okay. I think we should believe it for now. The scene today leaving no room for doubt. I have also investigated. At that time, Xue Qiang's coffin was directly transported from prison to the cemetery. Witnesses have testified that there seemed to be no time to do anything else. It seems that I'm overthinking. I was considering who would replace Kai Ji. but now it seems unnecessary. After all, he is the son of Kai Meng. and worthy of trust. The position of the Minister of Justice can't be filled by just anyone. Your Majesty, I have some concerns. When opening the coffin, I saw Wang Xizhe, the minister of the Ministry of Justice, both looked panicked. Oh. Oh, and The opening of the coffin has disturbed the people, Without finding any results, but instead, it seems that the court is too arbitrary. I'm worried that this matter will cause adverse reactions among the people. Is that so? Yes. Your Highness is right. When the coffin was opened, the people present were shocked. However, I think the people may not necessarily favor the Xue family. This is the reaction of the people. This is the reaction I want. If Wang Xizhe Yang Shuzhen and the others really colluded with the Xue family, they would not be able to withstand this reaction. Do you understand this? Ah. I understand. I ask you, Wang Xizhe, the Vice Minister of Criminal Justice, have you known him before? No. Director Yang Shuzhen, I have met her once. Do you know Qiu Yanyan, the prison guard of Jingshi Prison? I tried to get to know him, Master Qiu. I hope you could take care of Xue Qiang in prison. What kind of care? I hope my son will not be abused in prison. Have you ever had financial dealings with Yang or Qiu? have you had any financial dealings? I dare not. Sir, I have a small request. I want to talk to you alone. You all step back. Yes, yes. Sir Kai. I think this matter has not completely passed. I hope you will be careful. Who is the corpse in the coffin? I was a little cautious at that time. I asked someone to get a young male corpse. I dug up the grave late at night and hid it in the coffin. Now it seems this was indeed necessary. I just didn't inform you. I've frightened you. Is it an unowned corpse? The corpse was from Jiangpu. Where is Xue Qiang now? Still in the mansion. Send him away immediately. Don't worry, sir. When the wind dies down, I will do as you say. For you. Huh. I almost lost everything. I am now regretful. Ha ha ha, sir. I know in my heart. I will never treat you unfairly. Remember, you mustn't mention money at any time. even if you say it, I will never admit it. Don't worry, sir. To express my gratitude for saving my life, I'm willing to dedicate five thousand taels of silver. I will deliver it to your residence this afternoon. I hope you'll accept it. I think you're crazy. Don't worry, sir. this matter is foolproof. This afternoon, I'll ask a stranger to buy a cart of rice. and hide the silver box in the rice. and then take it to the street opposite Kaida's house to sell. You ask the butler to buy the rice and bring it back to the mansion. You're really a sensible person. But this time, it's okay. Lord Kai, I, Xue, have always been a big spender. I'd rather lose money myself nor will I treat my friends unfairly. You have been disturbed by me this time. and sleepless nights. How could I not know the depth of your kindness? This is just a token of gratitude. I will repay you in the future. If you really mean it, I I can't refuse. But we must take precautions to ensure that Xue Qiang's corpse doesn't cause trouble. Definitely. Open the coffin for autopsy. It's just to clarify the situation. This matter is settled. Lord Wang, I owe you a lot this time. Otherwise, if I had surrendered myself that day, would I be here today? Lord Wang is really calm in the face of trouble. I toast you. Okay. Lord Yang, please drink. Yes. But compared to Lord Kai, we are still slightly inferior. It's possible. Kai has already taken the money from Xue's family. and knows the inside story. Does it? Yes. But not. If he knew that Guanzhong was lost, why didn't he try to reassure us? If he didn't know, why is he so calm? How does Lord Wang explain it? Do you remember three months ago we went to Kai's place to report that Xue Qiang died in prison. Do you remember his attitude? Yes. Lord Kai, Yesterday, the murderer Xue Qiang in Jingshi Prison died of the plague. The warden reported and requested permission for burial. The warden wrote that the plague is highly contagious 不宜 to be detained. suggesting that it should be dealt with early. It's really the plague. Lord Kai, please see. It's attached with the diagnosis certificate of imperial doctor Chu Jian'an. I know this Xue Qiang. When I inspected the prison a few days ago, he was fine. How could he die? Your Excellency is right. But the imperial doctor said that Xue Qiang had severe plague. and the condition is difficult to control. So what should we do? Should we inform Su Yu? let the family use the coffin to transport the body away. It was the family's request. Yes, Xue Qiang's father requests to transport the coffin to the city. Oh, The Xue family is not easy to deal with. Yes. It can be allowed. but it must be checked by the Ministry of Punishment to prove that the prisoner is dead. Yes. Lord Wang and I are going to check it in person. Ordinary prisoners can, Xue Qiang is a murderer. and a death row inmate. we should be cautious. So, what you mean is I will personally to check it. That would be the best. The imperial doctor said that Xue Qiang has severe plague. even the prison guards are afraid to stay away from him. Lord Kai goes. We are afraid of you, sir. This matter cannot be taken lightly. I'd better go and see for myself. Uh, sir, is really typhoid fever. Indeed. The case of Huang Xiang that the emperor urged. the witness is still waiting outside. How about this? I won't go. You two go instead. Remember, you must check carefully and there must be no mistakes. If there's a mistake, I'll ask you two. Please rest assured, Your Excellency. You mean he already knew we have discussed with the Xue family. It's not impossible. Otherwise, why did he say he would go in person first and then changed his mind. Or he didn't plan to go at all. He wants to put the blame on us. Xue Shiming has been in officialdom. He is more cunning than a fox. He will definitely do things perfectly. How could he ignore the role of Kai Ji? So the first person Xue Shiming contacted must be Kai Ji. I remember. We were worried that Kai Ji would intervene in this matter. They had already colluded. Kai might have accepted the money from the Xue family and didn't allow the Xue family to expose him. What a clean official! There is no honest official. It's just a matter of being cautious or rash. If it's true, it's really hateful to think about it now. When we reported to him, he was still using official language to scare us. In fact, in his heart, he knew it very well. To hold our handle, Huh. but also to protect himself. Forget it, Lord Wang. now that things have been exposed. You don't play tricks with him in the future. We can't fight him. It's a blessing to save our lives this time. We should just listen to him in the future. Just work with him in a down-to-earth manner. Of course, it would be great. But I always feel that danger is imminent. Your Majesty, What's the matter? I have something to report, but I'm not sure. someone beat the drum for justice again this morning. It's still about Xue Qiang's case. Is it the same person surnamed Huang? Not Yuan. He has nothing to do with Huang Jinmin. He used to work in the Ministry of War. and a gentry. I summoned him into the palace. Yuan Peiyao pays his respects to Your Majesty. Are you the one who beat the drum? Yes. What's the matter? Your Majesty, For Xue Qiang's case. Oh. What's your relationship with Xue Qiang's case? I saw the excavation of Xue Qiang's tomb yesterday, open the coffin and examine the corpse. I thought Your Majesty's decision was very wise. But I also think that just because there is a corpse that Xue Qiang was dead. What evidence do you have to prove that Xue Qiang is not dead? Xue Qiang has been dead for over three months. but two months ago, Xiaomin's wife probably died at Xue Qiang's hands. What happened to your wife? My wife's surname is Lin, Yu Zhen was engaged to Xue Qiang in August last year. Xue Qiang was imprisoned in October last year. and died in prison in January. Through introduction, Xiaomin married Yuzhen in January this year. They had a deep affection. However, in early February, Xiao Ming went to Zhejiang to handle affairs, but something big happened at home. Oh, look at you. Why are you crying? Stop crying. Go away quickly. I'm too ashamed to face people. You've been mine for a long time. You have to serve me until dawn. Oh, no. No, don't do this. Hey, my wife. There's a man in the second daughter-in-law's room. Really? That's not true. I heard it clearly. What should we do? Oh, it's so embarrassing. Go and call the eldest son. Peppa, Peppa, wake up. Peppa, Peppa, get up quickly. Let's go. You. Ah ah. Dad, what happened? Don't ask, he ran away. Someone ran away. Who? Ask the West Room. Father. Father. Father, you're back. Huh. Father, what happened? Ask your wife. I just ask you one question. Did you have an affair with that person? Did you commit adultery? Don't push me. Who is that person? It's Xue Qiang. Nonsense. Xue Qiang has been dead for two months. It's him. How dare you deny it? How could a dead man come into your room? Tell me, is she your mistress? Say. Ah. Ah ah ah. Say. How many times have you had an affair? No, he forced me. Forced. Why didn't you shout? I was scared. I thought he was a ghost. I thought he was a ghost. You still insist that it was her. You are a whore. Divorce her. Our Yuan family has never had such a thing happen. Maybe Xue Qiang really didn't die. There are rumors outside. You also believe this nonsense? Didn't you see it on the day of Xue Qiang's funeral? Did the person you saw last night look like Xue Xiang? Oh, it was so dark. and there was no moon. How could I see clearly? Xue Xiang is so close to our home. What if it was really him? You must have seen a ghost. You're such a loser. Oh, you're still defending your wife. Oh no, oh no. The second son's wife has jumped into the well. Oh my god. Hurry up and save her! Xiaomin shouldn't have said bad words for hurting her with words, causing my wife to die unjustly in the underworld. Afterwards, Xiaomin went to Xue's house to question, but Xue's family denied it. Xiaomin sued to the government, but there was no evidence. and the case was dropped. This time, the court ordered to dig the grave, Xiaomin suddenly realized Xue Qiang was not dead. The one who broke into the house and raped my wife that night it was him. My poor wife was unable to defend herself. and forced to commit suicide. I beg Your Majesty to uphold justice for me. to arrest Xue Qiang, and punish the murderer.
Kai Ji, how did you investigate this case? Is Xue Qiang dead or alive? Your Majesty, calm down. Lord Han and I did conduct a careful investigation and followed the emperor's decree to open the coffin. and there was indeed a corpse in the coffin. The forensic doctor found that This person died about three months ago. whose bones and appearance were similar to Xue Qiang. so we concluded that Xue Qiang was dead. How to explain what happened to the Yuan family? The Yuan family's matter, I just heard about it. I thought the Xue Qiang case should be investigated further. Your Majesty, Yuan Peiyao's wife Lin, was engaged to Xue Qiang. and later married into the Yuan family. If Xue Qiang was not dead, seeing his fiancée marry someone else, he would be unwilling. While Yuan Peiyao was away, he sneaked into the Yuan family. he forced Lin to marry him. Although it was risky, but he thought that Lin would think of the past feelings and not expose him. it was also explainable. What Lord Han said is very true. However, Your Majesty, I have a few words to ask Yuan Peiyao. Go ahead. Sir Kai, please speak. I ask you, who are you suing this time? I sue Xue Qiang. You believe that Xue Qiang was the one who raped you. I can conclude. You said your late wife was engaged to Xue Qiang. Yes. Have they ever met? My wife said that She saw Xue Qiang once on the street. Only once. Yes. So did your father ever meet Xue Qiang? Yes, several times. That is to say, your father knew Xue Qiang. Yes. As you said, your father wasn't sure at that time if the person he met was Xue Qiang. Yes. Why? It was too dark that night my father couldn't identify him. After the man sneaked into Ling's room, did he light the light? No. Okay. Let me ask you. How many times has your father seen Xue Qiang? it cannot be determined that the person who escaped over the wall was Xue Qiang? Madam Ling only met Xue Qiang once. how could she be sure that the person who came that night was Xue Qiang? He had seen Xue Qiang after all. According to you, it was dark that night. your father couldn't recognize Xue Qiang in the yard. Madam was in the room, and the light was not on. How could she recognize the person? Xue Qiang said who he was. Everyone thought Xue Qiang was dead. Could the visitor be believed just by saying that? If it wasn't Xue Qiang, who else could it be? Couldn't it be someone else impersonating him? Why would others impersonate Xue Qiang? Couldn't impersonating Xue Qiang Wouldn't it be easier to grasp Ling's weakness and force her to submit? You. You mentioned just now you heard rumors that Xue Qiang was not dead. Couldn't a villain pretend to be Xue Qiang's ghost to scare Ling? Xiaomin believes that the person must be Xue Qiang. You heard that the emperor ordered an autopsy, to confirm that the person was Xue Qiang, right? Exactly. It means you were also skeptical. Otherwise, how could you have let it go? Your Majesty, I will definitely investigate this matter. But I also see that whether it was Huang Jiemin's complaint last time or this time Yuan Peiyao came to sue, are all related to rumors about Xue Qiang. The reason why there are so many rumors about Xue Qiang is related to the wealth of the Xue family. The prison in Beijing has a growing trend of extortion. which further fuels the spread of these rumors. However, whether the rumors about Xue Qiang are true or not, In the Beijing Imperial Prison, whether anyone dares to do such a reckless thing, I think we can't jump to conclusions yet. Okay. Well, Minister Kang is worthy of being the Minister of Justice. You analyze things clearly and logically. and well-organized. As Kang said, this case should not be concluded rashly. However, if someone believes that the one lying in Xue Qiang's coffin must be Xue Qiang, then he is a big fool. Since I ascended the throne, I have never encountered such a bizarre case in a major case. This is what makes me interested. According to my original temper, Since it has come to this, I would immediately send people to arrest the officials and the officials of Dali Temple one by one. and naturally we will know the truth. But this time, no. but this time, I want to experience what it's like to catch mice. There is only one Xue Qiang in the world. After he was buried, he couldn't make waves in the world. If he still makes waves, the one in the coffin no one would know who he was. I've calculated. with the strength of the Xue family, to bribe the relevant officials at all levels and make them all silent. or even get Xue Qiang out of prison. The money he needs is more than thirty or fifty thousand. So, you don't need to be impatient. there will be a good show to watch soon. If the officials of the Ministry of Justice and the prison they can live in peace. If not, they will have trouble sleeping and eating. In that case, why should I rush to expose something as before? Kai Ji, Minister of Justice. I'm here. I order you to continue to investigate this case. and don't slack off. until the truth is revealed.