I still remember that when Zhang Fei first came here, he was like a rat crossing the street, and everyone was shouting and beating him!
But when Zhang Fei left here, there was a chorus of praise.
Compared with the confusion in the Li Si case, they were immersed in the public trial process of this case, feeling sad, happy, or even moved to tears.
Therefore, they all knew that Zhang Fei was ostensibly defending Cao Dongdong, but in fact he was defending Lin Fei.
Although the truth was revealed, no one blamed Lin Fei.
There was more regret, and some people even spoke up for Lin Fei.
Why
Because this is the norm in the Song Dynasty. There are too many such cases and they are not uncommon, but most people endure them silently. This case also gave Lin Fei a chance to vent, and also gave everyone a chance to vent.
"Daddy, please don't hit me. I'm innocent!"
When Cao Ping appeared with his head held high, Cao Dongdong was immediately scared to death. His father was very ruthless when he beat people, and the key point was that his father was really an archer and could shoot with both hands.
But for Cao Dongdong, this was a two-handed fight, equivalent to being beaten by two people.
Cao Ping gazed at his son lovingly, waved his hand and said, "Daddy won't hit you. Although you often get into trouble, you haven't brought shame to our Cao family! Not bad! Not bad!"
His tone was full of praise.
Cao Dongdong gradually became happy, thinking, Zhang San didn't lie to me, didn't lie to me. He chuckled, "It doesn't matter whose son we are."
Cao Ping smiled and nodded.
It turned out that Zhang Fei had told Cao Dongdong in advance that he should tell everything truthfully in class and not hide his true thoughts, because he just wanted to go, nothing else.
The purpose is to achieve a reversal effect.
This routine is not common nowadays, but it was very common in Zhang Fei's era. First, rumors and slanders were spread to arouse public anger, but a clarification would reverse the situation. This huge contrast would make people feel guilty and have a deeper impression of the good side.
In fact, Cao Dongdong was certainly at fault in this matter, but Cao Ping now thinks that his son was not frightened, but instead dared to argue in class for the dignity of their Cao family. He is very pleased and can no longer bear to blame him!
Cao Dongdong suddenly seemed to remember something and said, "Dad, I hope you can plead for Lin Fei."
Cao Ping was surprised and asked, "He hurt you so much, why are you still begging for him?"
Cao Dongdong's eyes turned and he said, "Because he is a good soldier. Our Cao family is a family of generals. I respect such a good soldier very much."
Cao Ping hesitated for a moment, "Isn't this what Zhang San taught you?"
Cao Dongdong shook his head: "No! That's what the kid thinks."
Cao Ping did not point it out, but said with a chuckle: "It seems that you have indeed made a lot of progress!"
Cao Dongdong laughed and thought to himself, Zhang San has a skill that Taozi and the others don't have, I have to win over Zhang San. With Zhang San around, I won't be afraid of being punished by my father and aunt.
... ...
Before the court adjourned, Wang Anshi and Sima Guang had quietly left the government office.
At this moment, the two of them were walking on the street, but the biting cold wind was not as cold as their hearts!
"Alas... This really poses a problem for Uncle Hui!"
Wang Anshi sighed.
Sima Guang said: "It's not a difficult problem, just deal with it according to the law."
Wang Anshi looked at him with contempt: "You really have a heart of stone."
Sima Guang snorted, "I am doing this for the greater good. I also sympathize with Lin Fei, but if I don't do this, more people will follow suit in the future."
"More people will follow suit?" Wang Anshi clapped his hands and said, "Wonderful! Wonderful!"
Sima Guang said unhappily, "Are you trying to take advantage of this issue again?"
Wang Anshi sighed, "I'm not in the mood to play the lute to a cow today. Let's go and have a drink."
Playing the lute to a cow? Sima Guang immediately hummed: "What a coincidence, I don't feel like playing the lute to a cow today. Goodbye!"
Turn around and walk away.
As the two of them crossed paths, a carriage slowly passed by them.
Inside the carriage.
"Hey! If you have something to say, just say it. Don't keep looking at me like that. I'm getting really nervous."
Since getting in the car, Xu Zhiqian looked at Zhang Fei lovingly and silently, making Zhang Fei blush.
"Thanks!"
Xu Zhiqian's eyes were filled with tears as she spoke to Zhang Fei sincerely.
She cried several times while watching the trial just now, and now her eyes are a little red and swollen.
She didn't expect Zhang Fei to do this.
Because their agreement at that time was that when she could not convince Lin Fei, she could only go to court. Since they each served their own master, winning was of course the first priority.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Fei not only won the lawsuit, but also spoke a fair word for Lin Fei.
This made her very excited.
This was the first time Zhang Fei saw Xu Zhiqian in this state, and he hurriedly said, "Don't be so sentimental. Even if you weren't here, I would have said the same thing. People are not plants or trees, so how can they be heartless?"
Xu Zhiqian said: "I, Xu Zhiqian, clearly distinguish between gratitude and resentment. Even if you didn't do it for me, I still want to thank you. Besides, you also said a lot of good things for me."
"Okay, thanks, but don't even think about marrying me. I won't accept that."
Zhang Fei said righteously.
"You... you are such a hateful person, can't you just talk nicely?" Xu Zhiqian stamped her feet lightly, and suddenly her eyes turned, "Forget it! No matter what you say today, I won't be angry with you."
Zhang Fei rolled his eyes, "Come on! You are so generous, you just want to ask me how the verdict will be. If you have a big argument with me, how can you ask me?"
Xu Zhiqian's face flushed bright red. "No... No, I didn't argue with you because you did a great thing today and said a lot of good things for me."
"Then don't ask."
"Don't ask..."
Xu Zhiqian said: "Why can't I ask? These are two different things and cannot be mixed up."
Zhang Fei looked at Xu Zhiqian with deep contempt.
Xu Zhiqian blushed and asked, "What do you think the verdict will be?"
“No sincerity at all!”
Zhang Fei shook his head.
Xu Zhiqian asked: "Then what do you want to say?"
Zhang Fei's eyes began to scan her body, thinking, I have to say, this woman is really good-looking, even my Yun sister can't compare to her, and her figure is good, straight and curvy, but it's a pity that she has a bad temper, so she is only suitable for playing friendly games.
"What are you looking at?"
Xu Zhiqian was so ashamed and angry after being insulted by him.
"ah?"
Zhang Fei raised his head and said calmly, "It depends on whether you keep your promise."
"What promise?"
"Just don't be angry with me today."
"But... but you can't push your luck further." Xu Zhiqian said aggrievedly.
Zhang Fei suddenly raised his hand, closed his eyes and pinched his fingers.
The movements are done in one go, smoothly and fluidly.
Xu Zhiqian rolled her eyes and pursed her lips and said, "You're crazy."
"I guess Lin Fei will be sentenced to serve as a captain on the northwest front."
"Captain?"
Xu Zhiqian said: "What nonsense! This captain is an officer, more than a hundred times stronger than the instructor of the imperial guards. How can this be a punishment?"
Zhang Fei snorted, "You're asking again, but you don't believe it after I ask."
Xu Zhiqian said: "Then tell me the reason."
Zhang Fei said, "Because I have already informed the young master to ask his father to intercede for Lin Fei. If the Cao family makes this request at this time and gives Lin Fei a chance to redeem himself, it will greatly enhance the reputation of the Cao family, both among the people and in the army."
"real!"
Xu Zhiqian stood up suddenly in excitement.
boom!
She seemed to have forgotten that she was sitting in a carriage and came into close contact with the roof.
"Ouch!"
Xu Zhiqian covered her head with her hands in pain.
"Pfft... Haha, I planned everything, but I didn't expect you to hit your head. Even the wisest man can make mistakes. Haha!"
"dare you laugh!"
"Ha ha!"
"Don't laugh!"
"Do you want me to rub it for you?"
"Go away."
... ..
After returning to Xu's house, Xu Zun simply patted his shoulder heavily and said with great satisfaction, "I didn't make a mistake in choosing you!"
For Zhang Fei, this sentence was only slightly less joyful than Xu Zhiqian hitting the roof of the car.
... ...
Lin Fei confessed everything that day, but there were some twists and turns. He originally wanted to take all the responsibility on himself, but Wu Yuhou confessed the truth and said that he was actually the one who came up with the idea.
As for why Zhang Fei did not tell Mrs. Lin's life story in the court, it was because she was also a poor woman. She was originally from Daming Prefecture, but because her husband gambled, she was sold to a brothel as a prostitute. Fortunately, she was rescued by Lin Fei, but Lin Fei also spent all his savings on her and borrowed a lot.
So he asked Wu Yuhou for help.
Wu Yuhou has been Lin Fei's friend for many years. Lin Fei once saved his life and he has always stood up for his friend, so he proposed this plan to use Cao Dongdong's promotion. The treatment of this officer is much better than that of a coach, and the money can be paid back quickly.
And all this was what Lin Fei deserved, and he exchanged his life for it.
Mrs. Lin also took the initiative to agree to help Lin Fei.
However, Wu Yuhou had planned everything, but he did not expect that although Cao Dongdong was afraid of the two queen dowagers, he was also a fool, and with Ma Xiaoyi, the military strategist, giving him advice, he actually chose to go to court with them.
Although the case was clarified, it also posed a difficult problem for Lu Gongzhe.
After Zhang Fei’s debate in class, he also felt compassion!
At this time, Cao Ping suddenly reported to the emperor, stating that Cao Dongdong was also at fault in this matter, and that their Cao family would not hold Lin Fei responsible, and suggested that Lin Fei be exiled to the northwest border to allow him to make meritorious contributions while serving his sentence.
At the same time, Empress Dowager Cao and Empress Dowager Gao also stood up to plead for Lin Fei.
The current young emperor Zhao Xu is fond of martial arts in his heart. After all, his idol is General Tiance Li Erfeng, not the donkey-cart god of war Zhao Laoer. He has a different view on soldiers. He respects Di Qing very much. As soon as he ascended the throne, he ordered Di Qing's portrait to be brought into the palace, and he personally wrote an obituary for him.
After learning the reason, he had no intention of punishing Lin Fei.
Therefore, he personally approved the case and sent Lin Fei and Wu Yuhou to the northwestern border as exiles, but secretly sent Lin Fei there to serve as the captain.
Although the Du Tou was a low-ranking military officer in the Northern Song Dynasty, his authority was equivalent to that of a company commander.
... ...
The wind is cold.
"I will never forget your kindness. Please accept my respect."
"Why!"
Zhang Fei quickly pulled Lin Fei and said with a smile: "In fact, we should thank you. If you hadn't fought bravely at the border, we wouldn't be able to live freely in the capital."
Xu Zhiqian on the side glanced at Zhang Fei and nodded slightly.
Lin Fei looked at the two of them, tears welling up in his eagle eyes. Not being good at speaking, he simply clasped his fists and bowed deeply to Zhang and Xu, then embarked on a new journey.
Zhang Fei looked at the backs of Lin Fei and the others going away, and suddenly felt a chill on the tip of his nose. He looked up and heard a clear and pleasant voice, "It's snowing!"
Zhang Fei tilted his head to look at Xu Zhiqian and said with a smile: "I don't know if this can be considered as redress for the injustice."
Xu Zhiqian smiled, "In fact, you are not a bad person, and you understand justice."
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Why? Are you attracted to me?"
Xu Zhiqian's smile faded, and she spat, "It's just a little indecent!"
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Please Madam Xu, please stop correcting my only shortcoming."
Xu Zhiqian rolled her eyes, shook her head, and turned to walk into the city.
"You don't seem to agree?" Zhang Fei chased after him.
"Of course I don't agree. I only know two."
"what else?"
“Thick-skinned.”
"Isn't that an advantage? It can keep you warm! You really don't know how to appreciate it."