A powerful minister of the Song Dynasty

Chapter 338 Song Xuan is a villainous and ruthless man, uncontrollable!
"Roar in the courtroom, drag him away and beat him!"

Song Xuan immediately threw out a token.

County Lieutenant Ban Feng waved his hand.

We had a great time today, everyone got a turn, it's been a long time since I've had a chance to practice.

What the hell is this Kaifeng Prefect?
在开封县衙内，咱们只认宋大官人。

Even Liu Congde's arrival couldn't make a difference; he had to honestly pay back money. What's so great about Chen Yaozuo?
No matter how arrogant Chen Yaozuo is, no one can be more arrogant than Liu Congde.
Snapped.

When the stick landed on his buttocks, Wang Xie felt the pain and then screamed that he wouldn't dare do it again.

His reaction was the same as everyone else's; he remained stubborn until his buttocks were hit by the stick.

宋煊瞧着另外三名同伙：“他叫你杀人就杀人，没少分钱吧？”

“他说事成之后分我们每人一百贯，所以才动手杀贼的。”

Song Xuan looked at the three of them: "So you all made a move?"

None of the three spoke, but Song Xuan clicked his tongue twice.

“他是把你们往死路上拉，人家是有陈府尹罩着，这个官司即使判了死刑，他兴许能不死，但是你们死定了。”

"Do not believe?"

宋煊哼笑一声：“你们就是做替死鬼的命，死到临头还替他遮掩。”

"Do you think that if Magistrate Chen can save one person, he can save all of you?"

“莫要妄想了，无论是酿私酒，还是杀人灭口，总是要有人死的，他不死，死的就是你们。”

After Song Xuan finished speaking, he ignored them and asked if the indictment was finished, and asked them to sign and affix their fingerprints.

"My lord, if I report this, could I atone for my crime?"

The three of them stared at Song Xuan, only to see him laugh heartily.

"Of course not! Keep dreaming!"

"You've slaughtered an entire family, and you still want a chance to live? I see none of you are repentant, and you dare to bargain with me!"

被锁着的三个人气息顿时萎靡下来。

“不过若是你们实话实说，兴许王澥能陪着你们一起死。”

“If you don’t speak, he will watch you die.”

Song Xuan held up his finger: "There are only two possibilities!"

The three of them knelt on the ground in despair and began to cry.

“My lord, Wang Xie asked us to kill people as a pledge of loyalty, and he is willing to lead us to make a lot of money.”

He said that Chen Yaozuo, the prefect of Kaifeng, was protecting him and that nothing would happen to him.

"That's why we did it."

"Right, that is it!"

Upon hearing that his men had betrayed him, Wang Xie cursed them even more fiercely:
"Are you guys out of your minds?"

"Since we're all going to die anyway, why should you be the one to live?"

"Die together!"

Wang Xie was so angry that he cursed loudly despite the pain.

Song Xuan then expressed his willingness to grant their wish to die together and to be a "confidant judge".

So they were all sentenced to death and made to sign and put their fingerprints on the papers.

"Quit."

After Song Xuan had dealt with all five cases, he dispersed the crowd.

他让周县丞全都留好备案，另外卷宗誊抄一份，直接送往开封府衙，逐级上报。

Seeing how clean and efficient Song Xuan was in solving cases, the people of Kaifeng County naturally had new fodder for conversation and began to spread the word.

Xiaofeng felt only bad luck.

I had planned to find some cases for Song Xuan to keep him busy and prevent him from focusing on investigating the Worry-Free Cave.

As a result, he cleared up the case in a short time.

This case has no effect on him.

Xiaofeng felt that the strategist's first step was not very smooth!

The rumors circulating on the streets seemed to have no effect on Song Xuan at all.

Do we have to find some old, long-standing cases in the future?
Xiao Feng was completely baffled, so he returned to Zui Xian Lou to find Cang Lin.

“为何这么快就回来了？”

Cang Lin chuckled and said, "Is it that Scholar Song is at a loss with the case and is constantly worrying about it?"

Xiaofeng silently shook his head.

“他没给判吗？”

Cang Lin also used his connections to find a few tricky cases.

有皇宫的势力，有蛟龙的神话传说，还有不归属宋煊的辖区的案子，清官难断家务事。

最为重要的还有他顶头上司陈尧佐的势力。

他们二人本来关系就不好。

Now that they've met, it'll give Song Xuan even more trouble.

Which case isn't difficult?
"He sentenced them all."

听着小老弟的话，苍鳞一下子就坐直：
"That's good. If they can make a judgment in such a short time, it must be a random and arbitrary judgment."

"How could Chen Yaozuo, the Prefect of Kaifeng, not seize the opportunity to deal with Song Xuan!"

Why are you looking like this?

“我觉得宋煊好像熟读大宋律法似的，他根本就没有翻阅，直接就给断案判案，让被告认罪，不是胡乱断案的，公正的很。”

Xiaofeng slammed his fist on the table:
"I suspect that Chen Yaozuo won't be able to cause him any trouble; instead, he'll be the one causing trouble for Chen Yaozuo!"

"what?"

苍鳞眼里露出不可置信的模样：
"That Consort Shang was the emperor's favorite concubine, yet Song Xuan so easily and fairly judged her case?"

"Yes, Song Xuan almost beat that arrogant eunuch to death."

Xiao Feng was also completely baffled:
"I just can't understand how Song Xuan could be so bold!"

"hiss."

苍鳞听到这话，缓了半天才开口道：

“I have lived in Tokyo for years and have never seen such a person before.”

“此子行事强横霸道，又悍而多义，怕是将来真有相爷的前途啊！”

啸风眼里流露出失望之色：
"It seems that my Worry-Free Cave is truly a fish to be slaughtered."

“哈哈哈。”苍鳞连连摆手道：

"wrong."

"wrong?"

"As for ordinary people, I, Wuyoudong, can treat them all as fish on a chopping board, but as for officials, we are the fish on the chopping board."

苍鳞悠悠的叹了口气：
“否则无忧洞怎么那么多条规矩，都是避免招惹官员的？”

Upon hearing this, Xiaofeng sighed again: "How could this be!"

"The people of Wuyou Cave originally sought survival, but now we seek wealth."

苍鳞手里盘着手串道：
“杀个小吏、衙役之类的没什么大事，可是要惹上杀官，你瞧朝廷会不会干我们？”

啸风靠在椅子上：“我在街上瞧着那些士卒都在巡逻了。”

“不知道是不是无忧洞，还是什么其余的事。”

"It might be that bathroom murder case. Don't forget, it was you who spread the word."

苍鳞用手帕擦了擦自己的玛瑙手串：
"When you went to the county government office to look at the case today, did you see where they kept their money?"

"No, there was no chance to enter the inner room at all."

Xiaofeng sighed:

"This Song Xuan is really not easy to deal with. With so many onlookers flooding into the county government office, he has also sent people to guard the back hall. He is very cautious. If we want to take any further action, we need to get more information from our inside contacts."

Cang Lin shook his head: "Don't act rashly. Let's lay low for now."

“或者你找个惊天大案，把宋煊给调虎离山，兴许有机会。”

"Disaster."

Xiaofeng felt it would be difficult to find a suitable one at the moment.

The case he had meticulously prepared for today was judged so cleanly and efficiently by Song Xuan that it not only did not distract him, but also helped Song Xuan's reputation spread throughout the capital city.

这下子，就更不好弄了。

"My men reported that the soldiers sent people to guard each wellhead and spread the word, encouraging them to come out and work to earn money for food."

“开封县要出钱清理沟渠，需要大量人手，避免东京城被黄河水淹。”

Xiaofeng was also somewhat worried when he heard this news.

If it weren't for Song Xuan's judgment today, probably very few people would believe him.

But as news of this case spreads, it's likely that some people will actually go out.

"Brother, what do you think about this?"

"It's hard to say." Cang Lin shook his head.

"The Yellow River project built by Liu Congde was extremely poor; it was practically nonexistent."

“水淹东京城，头一个死的便是藏在无忧洞里的人，咱们也不用去管，近期你也不要下去，免得被人盯上。”

“谁知道明面上有军队劝阻，背地里会不会有人跟踪，想要放长线钓大鱼呢。”

"I understand."

Xiaofeng responded, realizing that he had truly underestimated Song Xuan.

Not only were the people of Wuyou Cave worried, but Chen Yaozuo, the prefect of Kaifeng, also received a file sent by Song Xuan.

毕竟判了死刑以及涉及到其余辖区的案子，都要逐级上报。

陈尧佐直接让通判钱延年交给自己，他们一起过目。

He also heard the rumor today that Song Xuan had judged five cases in half a day.

Chen Yaozuo was really looking forward to Song Xuan doing more work.

In this way, the more you do, the more mistakes you make.

Chen Yaozuo was afraid that Song Xuan would not work, so that he would have no chance to find fault with him.

“我听闻这五个案子都十分棘手，未曾想宋知县如此短时间就断了，当真是让老夫大开眼界啊。”

Chen Yaozuo was also willing to mentor Zhao Gai:

“Judge Zhao, you should also take a look at your classmate’s methods of solving cases and learn from him.”

"Yes."

Zhao Gai was not from a commoner background either.

Song Xuan naturally understood that Chen Yaozuo's words were a veiled attack, an attempt to put Song Xuan in a difficult position.

It's a case of praising someone to death!
There's nothing interesting about cases of dragons eating people.

Chen Yaozuo noticed the look of surprise on Zhao Gai's face, because he thought Zhao Gai was very composed and would not show such an expression.

"What, is Magistrate Song's judgment too arbitrary?"

"No, I only admit now that I can't even come close to Song Twelve."

听着赵概如此言语，陈尧佐、钱延年都是充满了好奇。

宋煊到底是怎么判案子，给他惊诧到如此模样。

Zhao Gai was determined to become the top scholar in the imperial examination and worked hard towards this goal.

Even though Song Xuan achieved the highest honors in all three levels of the imperial examinations, he still felt that he had a chance to become the top scholar.

If it weren't for Chen Yaozi deliberately causing trouble.

Perhaps then, the formidable fighting power of the twelfth brother wouldn't be able to be unleashed, allowing him to write an exceptionally excellent article.

Zhao Gai handed the dossier in his hand to Chen Yaozuo.

Chen Yaozuo looked closely and saw that it was Song Xuan who had beaten up Consort Shang's personal eunuch.

They also said things like the inner palace must not issue imperial edicts.

Chen Yaozuo pondered the words carefully, convinced that the Emperor would never stand up for Consort Shang.

He knew that Song Xuan had even reprimanded Empress Guo.

Strangely, the Guo family has not yet taken any action against Song Xuan.

This meant that Chen Yaozuo's earlier suggestion to wait for the other two families to take action, as Lü Yijian had suggested, had not been fulfilled.

Moreover, Song Xuan was in the right.

The only thing to nitpick is the statement that the empress dowager should not interfere in politics. Is it a sarcastic remark directed at the Empress Dowager?

Qian Yannian quickly reviewed the remaining files and found no errors or omissions.

It seems that Song Xuan's case-solving is indeed based on a sound logic, and there are no problems with it.

Chen Yaozuo handed the case file in his hand to Qian Yannian and continued to look at the rest of the case files.

钱延年也猛的瞪大眼睛，连尚美人的面子宋煊都不给。

Is it true that Song Xuan beat up Liu Congde?
否则哪个大臣昏了头，会去得罪后宫之人呢。

Qian Yannian finally understood why Zhao Gai had been so shocked.

如此凶悍的臣子，当真是少见。

In Qian Yannian's opinion, Song Xuan is only a minor seventh-rank county magistrate, so he shouldn't be so powerful!
Even though there is an example of Wang Zeng, who achieved the highest honors in the imperial examinations, he was very likely to become a prime minister in the future.

However, during this time, if someone deliberately puts you down, saying it's to toughen you up, it might be a good opportunity.

Prime Minister Wang became prime minister in his thirties, wearing a purple robe.

你宋煊如此强悍，岳父又是武将，本就失去了先机。

你处处树敌，将来谁会提拔你？
When you become prime minister in your sixties or seventies, how much energy will you have to handle national affairs and implement the policies you want to implement?
So Qian Yannian didn't understand why Song Xuan wanted to get involved in the vortex of power.

Both Zhao Gai and Qian Yannian were considering the consequences of their respective treatment of Song Xuan.

“陈府尹何在？”

"exist."

Chen Yaozuo glanced up and immediately stood up. It was a eunuch from the Empress Dowager's side.

"This is the decision of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. We hope that Prefect Chen will issue it to all counties."

Chen Yaozuo was used to this kind of thing.

The Empress Dowager liked to bypass the prime ministers in the imperial court and issue orders to those below her.

In this way, the restrictions on the prime minister's control over the emperor's power were broken.

But there's nothing I can do about it.

After Chen Yaozuo took it, the eunuch beside Liu E left immediately without lingering.

He opened it and saw that it was an imperial edict issued by the inner palace to various prefectures and counties, but he pretended not to see it.

"Did Your Majesty make a decision so quickly?"

那自己想要利用这件事来逼迫宋煊低头的事，怕是行不通了，还得另外想个办法。

陈尧佐把诏令交给钱延年，让他去下发到各县。

Qian Yannian was even more astonished after reading the contents.

他方才都被宋煊的胆大包天所震惊，觉得他做事过于激进。

However, the imperial edict issued by the Empress Dowager perfectly matched Song Xuan's judgment.

这不就是给宋煊托底吗？

Everyone knows that Song Xuan was the top scholar chosen by the emperor, but why does the Empress Dowager treat him so well?

莫不是大娘娘也在拉拢宋煊？

After all, the previous Song Xiang who achieved the triple crown in the imperial examinations had done so somewhat by "taking shortcuts".

In addition, the two Songs were related.

So it's perfectly reasonable for the Empress Dowager to try and win over Song Xuan!

毕竟如今的官家，谁都知道是个傀儡。

就算事王相公等人都无法遏制住大娘娘的权势。

Who knows what Song Xuan will choose!
However, after this imperial edict was issued, Chen Yaozuo became even more restless.

宋煊怎么能把王澥判处死刑呢？
他不知道我与王澥是什么关系吗？

Even if Wang Xie brewed illicit liquor and killed his neighbor's entire family, it would be understandable.

Song Xuan didn't investigate in detail whether the Qi family were thieves, just in case they were!
或者发现他们酿私酒，想要以此来讹诈王澥，这也说不定。

Chen Yaozuo also wanted to exonerate Wang Xie.

所以看完宋煊判案的三人，各自有各自的懵逼情况。

"Someone is coming."

Although Chen Yaozuo knew that he had a bad relationship with Song Xuan, he still wanted to fight for Wang Xie.

"The subordinate is here."

“去请开封县宋知县过来，本官对于案情有疑问。”

"Yes."

赵概与钱延年同时看向陈尧佐，他们二人都觉得这个酿私酒的判死刑，没什么问题啊。

"Prefect Chen, do you perhaps feel that Magistrate Song's sentence was too lenient?"

Qian Yannian's cautious question made Chen Yaozuo feel that he was deliberately making fun of him.

"I believe this judgment is problematic."

Prefect Qian Yannian took the case file and reviewed it again. It was well-reasoned and supported by evidence.

He even felt that confiscating all his family property and paying it all to his neighbor Qi Dongchen was too lenient.

It would be best to involve Wang Xie's family as well. Even the neighbors knew about it but did not report it, which is punishable by caning according to the laws of the Song Dynasty. His family must have known about it, so how can they not be punished?

理应充足同犯。

Solving five cases in one day, all in such a rush, still managed to cloud the judgment of the young Song Xuan. Qian Yannian planned to remind him later.

Write a new judgment and arrest all of Wang Xie's family members as well.

They had to be caned or forced into hard labor.

“There is indeed a problem,” Qian Yannian echoed.

A look of doubt appeared in Chen Yaozuo's eyes.

Does Qian Yannian want to advance his career?

That's why they took the initiative to echo their own words!

After all, all the performance evaluations of officials in Kaifeng Prefecture were written by him, the prefect.

Inside the Kaifeng County Government Office.

Song Xuan was chatting with Sang Yi.

"You need to practice speaking more in the future."

Song Xuan leaned back in his chair, waving a palm-leaf fan:

"I don't see anything wrong with you; it's all in your head."

Guo En sat to the side, looking distressed as he tried to read.

Since his father died in the line of duty and the county government paid for his funeral, they have been living in the backyard of the county government office.

Guo En was then formally educated by Song Xuan.

Even if he's not smart enough to take the imperial examinations, if he wants to make a name for himself in the Imperial Guard, he still needs to learn how to read the roster.

"Psychologically, what is its function?"

桑怿停顿了一会：“什么，意思？”

"From now on, you should give up the path of taking the imperial examinations and switch to a military career. Gradually, you will be able to overcome your habit of speaking like this."

"give up?"

桑怿吐出一口气来。    宋煊可是连中三元的状元郎。

他都不赞成自己继续走下去，那真的是没戏了！

“对，这就是放弃一念起，顿觉天地宽。”

Song Xuan pointed upwards:
"Once the mountain of the imperial examination is no longer pressing down on your head, you will feel much better."

"If I'm in a good mood, I won't have to hit you anymore."

桑怿点头：“那我，试试。”

"Yes, with such talent, you should make a name for yourself on the battlefield and bring honor to your wife and children."

Song Xuan laughed heartily twice: "If I have a fierce general like you under my command in the future, I will surely be able to conquer the battlefield smoothly."

桑怿抿嘴一笑，他知道宋煊也是有身手的，渴望对外指挥作战。

Guo En raised his head: "My lord, will I be able to follow you into battle in the future?"

"you?"

Song Xuan glanced at him:
"Let Old Sang give you some pointers sometime. With your current mediocre skills, you'd be a complete noob on the battlefield, and I'd have to come and rescue you."

"Hey, I get it."

Guo En agreed excitedly and continued practicing writing.

The official did not refuse, but he felt that he could not help him now. He believed that as long as he practiced martial arts well, he would be able to go to war with him in the future.

Sang Yi did indeed choose the military path after failing the imperial examinations. He, along with Wang Bao, Xu Xianchun, and others, all died in the Battle of Haoshuichuan fourteen years later.

Guo En fought against Mecang Epang and was surrounded on all sides. He fought from morning till night and was eventually defeated and committed suicide.

Sang Yi glanced at Guo En; he was indeed a natural at martial arts.

Unfortunately, the Song Dynasty did not have much respect for military men.

There are very few scholar-officials like Song Xuan who are willing to actively integrate into the military community.

"My lord."

齐乐成连忙前来汇报：
"Someone from Kaifeng Prefecture has arrived, saying that Prefect Chen requests your presence, sir."

"Yo ho."

Song Xuan stood up and smiled:

"It seems that the relationship between Prefect Chen and that death row inmate Wang Xie is indeed not simple!"

"He couldn't sit still so quickly."

“王澥果然没有说谎，怨不得又是酿私酒，又是杀人全家灭口的。”

Everyone present knew that Song Xuan's relationship with the Chen family was not so harmonious.

But no one responded.

"Alright, I'd like to hear how he's going to cover up for the murderer."

宋煊拿起一旁的官帽：“王保、许显纯，何在？”

"exist."

"Go fetch the horse, go call someone, and come with me to the Kaifeng government office."

"Yes."

Once outside the county government gate, Song Xuan had already put on his official hat and immediately mounted his horse.

在一帮人的簇拥下，大张旗鼓的奔着开封府衙而去。

The Kaifeng government office also had guards at the gate. As soon as they saw Song Xuan, this "local tyrant," arrive, they rushed in to report.

Since Song Xuan kidnapped the magistrate last time, nothing has happened to him. Now, Qin Ying is still sitting obediently in jail in Kaifeng County.

Clerks and yamen runners in the Kaifeng government office.

They all firmly believed that Song Xuan had brutally beaten Liu Congde, the most powerful relative of the Song Dynasty.

However, this has only increased the admiration of scholars among many people.

As long as you can achieve the highest honors in all three categories, what do the beatings of the maternal relatives and the imperial clan matter?

Even the emperor would have to side with you and say you did a good job!

宋煊下了马，带着人进开封府府衙，没有人敢阻拦，甚至还主动问好。

Who can afford to offend this "Living Tyrant"?

If someone is unhappy, what's the big deal if they scold their superior, Prefect Chen of Kaifeng?
Anyway, I used to curse and shout in the street when I was a commoner, let alone now that I'm an official.

That was like a protective charm.

进去通风报信的衙役出来后，连忙引着宋煊往后堂走，嘴里说着陈府尹等了许久之类的话。

Song Xuan made a soft "hmm" sound through his nose without saying anything.

However, those around him felt an increasing pressure coming from him, and they all lowered their heads, not daring to meet Song Xuan's gaze.

再瞧跟在宋煊身后的县尉班峰，更是挺胸抬头仰着脑袋，生怕别人不知道他是宋煊的马仔一样。

The constables behind them followed in a very similar manner, each one looking down on the others.

The situation of being treated as inferior is no longer a thing of the past.

Even if they got too cocky, not a single yamen runner in the Kaifeng government office dared to utter a sound.

Who can blame them when Shangguan is truly tough and protective of his own?

一个小小的衙役郭辛死了，都有宋大官人亲自抬棺，着实是让他们这帮人羡慕。

Some even wondered if they, as yamen runners from Kaifeng Prefecture, could fill the vacancy left by the death of a yamen runner in Kaifeng County.

For no other reason than simply wanting to live under the sunshine of Master Song.

陈氏兄弟把后堂的花厅布置的极为雅致，桌子上摆着五个卷宗，是宋煊新送来的。

一旁的小炉上煮着茶，水汽氤氲。

When Song Xuan came in, he saw three people sitting together.

Only the seat opposite Chen Yaozuo remained.

Song Xuan strode over and said, "Greetings, Prefect Chen, Magistrate Qian, and Magistrate Zhao."

The two returned the greeting, and Chen Yaozuo smiled:
“宋知县来了，快请坐。”

After Song Xuan sat down, he didn't say anything.

倒是陈尧佐站起身来，亲自给宋煊倒茶：

“这是新到的建州茶，快尝尝。”

这种茶在太宗时成为贡茶，也是宋代士大夫之间斗茶的好材料。

Fan Zhongyan, Su Shi, Emperor Huizong of Song, Cai Xiang, and Lu You all praised it.

It was hailed as the best tea in the world in the Song Dynasty's classic tea texts.

Song Xuan wasn't in a hurry. He picked up the exquisite teacup and slowly blew away the foam. He didn't like drinking the dregs.

茶香清冽，确是上品。

"Prefect Chen has a refined taste."

赵概也配合的喝了一口，在陈尧佐绕过他的时候，眨了下眼睛。

Qian Yannian was curious about what Chen Yaozuo was doing.
It was as if the sun was coming out in the west.

难不成看见宋煊如此表现，他是想要“不计前嫌”，大家共同把事给做好了？

Qian Yannian felt that Chen Yaozuo must have realized that he could not control Song Xuan.

陈尧佐捋须笑道：
“公务繁忙，偶尔也要放松一下。”

"It was Magistrate Song who first caused a sensation in the bathhouse murder case that shocked the capital, putting both of us at risk of being assassinated."

"Prefect Chen should be more careful when he goes out."

Song Xuan pointed to the door and laughed, "These days I have to bring a large group of people with me every time I go out, and I also have to carry shields just in case."

"Indeed."

Chen Yaozuo listened to Song Xuan's reminder.

Now that Song Xuan's mind is on Wuyou Cave, that desperate man will set his sights on me.

We still need to be more careful in the future.

After all, he hadn't become prime minister yet, so he couldn't afford any problems.

"Any clues about the Worry-Free Cave?"

“可惜。”宋煊摇摇头：

"No one has come to claim the reward money yet, which shows that Wuyou Cave still poses a great threat to the people."

陈尧佐轻微颔首：
“既然如此，那本官也要对无忧洞开出悬赏，毕竟开封府衙的名声，还是要比开封县衙要大。”

"I believe the people of Dongjing (Kaifeng) would rather come to the Kaifeng government office to receive their reward money."

Song Xuan and the other two remained silent.

Zhao Gai felt that Prefect Chen was being overconfident.

你都不敢暴揍大宋第一外戚一顿。

谁会相信你更加容易保护他们这些通风报信之人啊？
Qian Yannian also felt that his own prefectural governor truly had no reputation whatsoever.

He believed that Chen Yaozuo was unaware of how outsiders were spreading Song Xuan's nickname, "Standing Tai Sui."

"However, I heard today that Magistrate Song tried five cases in half a day. He must have worked very hard."

"Hahaha." Song Xuan put down his teacup:
"It's my duty, no matter how hard it is. I believe that if Magistrate Chen were to encounter a case, he would do the same."

"Sigh, I guess I'm getting old."

陈尧佐摸了下自己额头上的汗：
“精力不济，今后开封的大小案件，还需要宋知县多多出力为好，毕竟连祥符县的案子也给判了，到底是年轻啊。”

Song Xuan looked at Chen Yaozuo and smiled, "Does Prefect Chen think my judgment on the case is unclear?"

"To resolve five cases in half a day is indeed a way to gain fame."

Chen Yaozu stroked his beard: "However, I believe that Scholar Song is already famous throughout the world and does not need to make a name for himself through such trivial matters."

“你瞧瞧这个小叔子把寡嫂赶出去的案子，这接生录就一定是真实的吗？”

Song Xuan nodded slightly. He was waiting for Chen Yaozuo to talk about the Wang Xie case. All the rambling he was doing now was just setting the stage.

After all, he's a seasoned official; how could he possibly speak his mind so frankly, especially when outsiders are present?

Of the four people present, three of them, apart from himself, were not Chen Yaozuo's confidants.

People naturally speak in a way that's hard to understand.

“Prefect Chen’s words make sense. I will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly.”

Song Xuan took the case file and placed it beside him.

他本来想着睁一只眼闭一只眼，既然陈尧佐说要仔细查，那就直接把开封府衙里收受李甲贿赂之人给揪出来。

Anyway, that would be during the term of his third brother, Chen Yaozi.

最好能借着这个事，治陈尧咨一个领导失察的责任，把他从翰林学士位置上拽下来。

Do you still want to be a candidate for prime minister?

不给你这个机会。

Prefect Qian Yannian also brought out the case file of Wang Xie's case: "Magistrate Song, I think there are some flaws in this case as well."

"Oh?"

Song Xuan was surprised that it was Qian Yannian who brought it up, and nodded, saying, "Please speak, Magistrate Qian."

"Why didn't you arrest all of Wang Xie's family members?"

“他们全都是帮凶。”

"Even if you're not an accomplice, failing to report it is still a crime that warrants a double penalty."

"You sentenced me too leniently!"

"what?"

宋煊本来以为自己够激进的了。

I never imagined that my judgments would be seen as conservative by others?

钱延年是不是知道王澥与陈尧佐之间的关系，故意在这里加重成惩罚的？
"puff."

"Cough cough cough."

Chen Yaozuo spat out the tea in his mouth onto the ground and immediately coughed loudly.

Zhao Gai quickly patted his back to help.

"Thank you for your guidance, Magistrate Qian." Song Xuan took back the case file of Wang Xie's case: "I'll revise it right away."

"Wait a minute."

Chen Yaozuo took a long time to catch his breath, confirming that Qian Yannian had done it on purpose.

He glanced at Qian Yannian and then:

“王澥此人，老夫也是略知一二的，他祖上有功于朝廷，乃是一家忠良。”

"Was it too arbitrary for Magistrate Song to convict him based solely on the murderous words of his subordinates?"

Song Xuan didn't mention in the case file that Wang Xie said his patron was Chen Yaozuo, so he pretended not to know about it.
“Prefect Chen, a country has its laws, and a family has its rules. Wang Xie first violated the law by brewing wine privately, and then committed murder to cover it up. The evidence is conclusive.”

"What's so arbitrary about it?"

“I absolutely do not believe that Wang Xie would do such a thing. Besides, he was not the one who killed him. What if the other three conspired together to arrest him?”

Chen Yaozu stroked his beard:

"Back when Emperor Gaozu of Han started his rebellion after slaying the white snake, why did so many capable people in Pei County recommend him? Wasn't it just so that if they failed, there would be someone to take the blame? They pushed Emperor Gaozu out!"

"How dare he, a murderer, be compared to Emperor Gaozu of Han?"

Song Xuan snorted and laughed:
"Prefect Chen knows that Wang Xie's family are all loyal and virtuous, yet he is making such a fuss about him. Could it be that they have a past relationship?"

"Young people are just too rigid."

Chen Yaozuo shook his head and sighed: "I understand your intention to uphold justice, but there are always exceptions. Wang Xie was confused for a moment, but his crime does not warrant death."

"Not to mention that brewing private liquor at home is a capital offense."

Song Xuan looked up and stared directly at Chen Yaozuo:
"All four lives were taken at his behest. Prefect Chen, how can you say your crimes don't warrant death?"

Qian Yannian glanced at Chen Yaozuo, and sure enough, he wanted to bend the law for personal gain.

However, he glanced at Song Xuan again, trying hard to keep his mouth shut; his wishful thinking was probably going to fall through.

Zhao Gai picked up his teacup and took a sip; so that's where the problem lay.

He got it.

Chen Yaozuo's smile froze for a moment, then relaxed again:
“宋知县有所不知，那齐家父子素来刁钻，邻里多有怨言。”

"Wang Xie's actions, though excessive, are understandable."

赵概再一次低估了陈尧佐的无耻之处，这种话他也是能说出来的。

宋煊直接扯下自己的官帽，端在手中，站起身来，指着陈尧佐的鼻子：

"Does someone have to be killed off for saying or doing something too extreme?"

“还他妈的情有可原？”

"So it wasn't just your whole family that died?!"

宋煊指着陈尧佐道：

"If I fucking kill your whole family and then say there are extenuating circumstances, will the Emperor and the Empress Dowager let me go?"

“你兄弟愿不愿意放弃怨恨，原谅我！”

Faced with Song Xuan's scolding, Chen Yaozuo was caught off guard.

Qian Yannian and Zhao Gai also looked at Song Xuan with expressions of horror.

宋状元嘴里如何能这般污秽？

But it sounds so cool!

Qian Yannian immediately felt that his regret of not having witnessed Song Xuan verbally abusing Chen Yaozuo in the street had been made up for.

After his initial shock, his face lit up with joy, and he especially hoped that Song Xuan could continue his efforts.

Who would listen to those few curses?
"you."

Chen Yaozuo pointed at Song Xuan, his face full of anger.

Previously, Song Xuan was not an official, but he stood up for his friend and publicly insulted him; that was simply a sign of his youth.

如今他已经步入官场，还胆敢如此，分明就是没有把我这个开封府尹放在眼里。

Song Xuan glared at him angrily and pointed at him, saying, "I'm fucking asking you a question, answer me!"

Having spent many years in officialdom, Chen Yaozuo quickly adopted a kind and amiable demeanor.
Why is Magistrate Song so stubborn?

“You are not yet of legal age and have a bright future. I still have some influence in the court. If you are willing to do me a favor, I will surely be rewarded in the future.”

"Pooh."

宋煊直接把口水吐到了桌子上，抛物线直接跑进了陈尧佐的茶杯里：
“I, Song Twelve, have studied the classics for so many years. If I were to break the law for the sake of my future, I would be letting down the teachings of the sages, the emperor who appointed me as the top scholar, and the law-abiding common people.”

Zhao Gai stared at Song Xuan in disbelief, then instinctively stood up.

How could a person be so ruthless?
Is Twelfth Brother not even going to act anymore?

Qian Yannian looked at the young Song Xuan and subconsciously wanted to applaud his behavior.

This is absolutely amazing!

He truly deserves to be the youngest scholar to achieve the highest honors in the imperial examinations since the founding of the Song Dynasty, and he also chose the daughter of a military general as his wife.

如此火爆的脾气，定然是受到了曹利用的影响。

He had wanted to say these things to the Chen brothers for a long time, but he had kept them to himself and dared not utter them.

Now that the top scholar Song has spoken so boldly, Qian Yannian truly feels that he has found a substitute for him.

It's a pity that not many people are qualified to witness such a lively event firsthand; it's truly a great regret in life!
Chen Yaozuo glanced at Song Xuan's outrageous behavior, and saw him spitting into his teacup, which he had nurtured for many years.

I'm so angry!
Chen Yaozuo stood up, his face ashen: "You arrogant and ignorant brat!"

"You think you can easily shake..."

He swallowed his words, because Song Xuan's temper had really offended him.

Originally, Chen Yaozuo had planned to use the Wang Xie incident to bury the hatchet with Song Xuan.

"Hehe." Song Xuan was still holding his official hat in his arms.
“Prefect Chen, the Analects says: ‘Government is about being upright. If you lead with uprightness, who would dare to be otherwise?’”

"Although I am a lowly official, I know that being an official should prioritize integrity."

"If the law is broken because of the powerful and wealthy, where is the law? Where is the people's support?"

Chen Yaozuo's face grew increasingly ashen; he stretched out his arm, his fingers trembling slightly.
“你，你竟然敢教训老夫！”

"Is it a lesson I'm lecturing you for something everyone knows?"

Song Xuan snorted and laughed:
“看样子陈府尹的圣贤之学，早就学到狗肚子里去了。”

“你。”陈尧佐捂着自己的胸膛：
“宋煊，你能不能懂点事！”

“我懂你妈的事！”

Song Xuan spat again: "You brat, not worth discussing things with!"

The three watched as Song Xuan strode out of the room, followed by his exceptionally burly follower who glared at them, picked up two files, and left with Song Xuan.

At the entrance, there were not only Song Xuan's men, but also people from the Kaifeng Prefectural Government, waiting for the Prefect to call them in to argue with Song Xuan.

未曾想却是听到了这么一个满耳之事。

Is this gossip I can listen to?

After Song Xuan came out, everyone at the door lowered their heads, and some were even so frightened that they fell to the ground.

Looking across the entire court, there were very few officials who dared to criticize the Prefect of Kaifeng.

"let's go."

Song Xuan immediately mounted his horse and rode it right there in the government office, casually tossing his official hat to Xu Xianchun for him to hold.

The officials of the Kaifeng government office all withdrew, none of them daring to let Song Xuan dismount and walk inside the office.

花厅里的陈尧佐依旧没有回过神来，自己不仅被宋煊给臭骂一通，关键还被他给教训了一顿。

自己什么身份，宋煊什么身份！
Who could tolerate such humiliation?
After Song Xuan had been gone for a long time, Chen Yaozuo finally lost his temper and roared:

"Song Xuan is a cunning and ruthless man, uncontrollable!"

“本官要上奏弹劾他！”

"You must all submit your memorials as well!"

(End of this chapter)