The Meridian Gate is the main gate of the Forbidden City. It is located on the north-south axis of the Forbidden City, facing the sun and in the middle. It is located at the meridian, so it is named the Meridian Gate. The east, west and north sides of the city are connected, surrounding a square square, just like three giant dragons embracing each other, magnificent and majestic.
In this square square in front of the Meridian Gate, Zhu Ping'an's first imperial caning journey is about to begin.
Before the beating was about to begin, Ouyang Zishi took action.
"Ahem, this is just a small token of my respect, sir."
In an inconspicuous corner of the square, Ouyang Zishi, under the cover of Luo Longwen and others, called over Captain Zhang of the Embroidered Uniform Guard who was in charge of the execution and stuffed a silver note of one hundred taels into Zhang's hand.
"Uh..." Captain Zhang was stunned as he looked at Ouyang Zishi.
Although Ouyang Zishi didn't know him, he knew Ouyang Zishi and Luo Longwen. He knew that they were both from the Yan family, and he also knew that Ouyang Zishi and others seemed to be at odds with Zhu Ping'an.
It was because he knew that Ouyang Zishi and his group were from the Yan Mansion, and because he knew that Ouyang Zishi and his group did not get along with Zhu Ping'an, that Captain Zhang was stunned when Ouyang Zishi stuffed the silver into his pocket.
Before the execution of the beating in the court, it was normal for family members and relatives to give money and benefits to the Jinyiwei who were executing them and ask them to show mercy. However, it was not normal for Ouyang Zishi and others to give money to Zhu Ping'an before he was beaten in the court.
Yang Jisheng impeached Yan Song, and Zhu Ping'an pleaded for Yang Jisheng. If this is the case, the people in Yan's mansion should be hoping that Zhu Ping'an would be in trouble. Then why did Ouyang Zishi give himself money to plead for Zhu Ping'an before Zhu Ping'an was beaten in court? !
Could there be another hidden story? ! Was it Lord Yan's idea that Zhu Ping'an plead for Yang Jisheng? !
But, it doesn't make sense.
Captain Zhang was stunned, completely confused.
"This Zhu Ping'an is so bold that he dares to disobey the emperor's order. He deserves death. When he is beaten with a stick in the court later, please ask Captain Zhang and your men to make the heavier the better. If Zhu Ping'an is beaten to death on the spot, I, Ouyang Zishi, will reward him double." After Ouyang Zishi stuffed the silver into Captain Zhang's hands, he ordered with gritted teeth.
Oh, I see.
Captain Zhang then understood why Ouyang Zishi had given him money. It turned out that he wanted him to do something bad and kill Zhu Ping'an during a court beating.
Captain Zhang has been in charge of the imperial caning for more than ten years. He is used to seeing people paying money to beg for mercy, but this is the first time he has seen someone paying money to beg for mercy in a dishonest way.
but... ... .
You only have a hundred taels of silver, how much would that be even if it was doubled... ... Mr. Zhu Ping'an gave you a thousand taels of silver without even blinking an eye half an hour ago.
Besides.
The current popular figure in the palace, Eunuch Feng, had made arrangements in advance that this time, no matter who greeted him or how he collected the money, the caning must be used as a "beating", and it must be raised high and put down lightly. It should look heavy, but it is actually light.
and.
His superior, Captain Zhang, specifically conveyed the order from his highest superior, Commander Lu, to him to be more careful this time. What does it mean to be careful? Be careful... Be careful... How could he not be clear about this
And yes.
Xu Jie, who had been working in the palace, was bored today. He had nothing to do, so he strolled to the Jinyiwei Yamen and took a case that had been closed for who knows how many years. He came to me to find out about it, which scared me so much that I broke out in a cold sweat, because I was the one who handled that case and received a lot of bribes from it. In the end, Xu Jie got to know the situation so well that my back was soaked. When I thought it was over, Xu Jie stopped abruptly and said lightly that he had a student named Zhu Ping'an and asked me to take care of him, and then he left. Xu Jie's behavior made me confused for a long time, until I received the order to execute Zhu Ping'an in the court, I understood Xu Jie's intention.
In addition, there is one last point.
That is, Captain Zhang has been able to hold the lucrative job of caning in the court for more than ten years, not only because of good luck and strong connections, but also because he is an expert in observing people's words and expressions. He can also understand what the emperor means. He knows that this time the emperor only wants to punish Zhu Ping'an slightly, and has no intention of severely punishing him, let alone killing him. Why? Because he was responsible for the caning of the three officials in the square in the morning, thirty canings, he remembers it very clearly. The three of them were the first batch to plead for Yang Jisheng, and the emperor ordered them to be caned thirty times. After the beating, the emperor issued an oral order prohibiting pleading for Yang Jisheng, and stated that those who violated the order would be severely punished. As a result, Zhu Ping'an knowingly violated the emperor's oral order and pleaded for Yang Jisheng. As a result, the emperor only ordered Zhu Ping'an to be caned twenty times.
Is this a severe punishment
This is a relief.
What does the above mean? How can Zhang Baihu, who is an expert at reading people's expressions, not know it? !
Even if Eunuch Feng, Commander Lu, and Lord Xu did not say hello, or give any explicit or implicit instructions, he would not do anything to Zhu Ping'an.
Not to mention, Ouyang Zishi only contributed a mere one hundred taels of silver, which was nothing compared to Zhu Ping'an's generous contribution of one thousand taels of silver.
"Mr. Ouyang, what are you doing? Isn't this a slap in the face of me, Zhang? Mr. Ouyang, don't worry, I will know how to beat you with the caning..."
Therefore, Captain Zhang did not take the silver note handed over by Ouyang Zishi. Instead, he stuffed the silver note back into Ouyang Zishi's sleeve, showing a smiling and flattering look on his face, and replied in a very experienced and friendly manner.
After all, behind Ouyang Zishi is Yan Song, the Lord Yan. If he takes the money but fails to get the job done, it will be difficult to end it.
It would be much easier if you didn't charge money.
Besides, with more than ten years of practice, when he beats the cane, the sound will be earth-shattering, and Ouyang Zishi and others will not be able to find any flaws. As for why Zhu Ping'an was not beaten to death in the end, it can be attributed to his good luck and good physique. The Ming Dynasty was established for a hundred years, and only a few officials were beaten to death. Besides, it was only twenty strokes of the cane, so it was normal that he did not die.
Seeing Zhang Baihu's flattering look and listening to what Zhang Baihu said, Ouyang Zishi was very satisfied and put the banknote into his sleeve. Ouyang Zishi was reluctant to part with the 100 taels of banknotes. 100 taels of banknotes were enough for him to drink wine several times. He gritted his teeth and bled just to save Yin Zhu's safety.
Now that I don't have to spend any money and can achieve my wish, why not do it? Ouyang Zishi couldn't be more satisfied.
"Well, it's getting late. Captain Zhang should go and carry out the caning." Ouyang Zishi nodded with satisfaction and urged Captain Zhang to carry out the caning quickly.
Captain Zhang took the order and left.
Looking at Captain Zhang's back and thinking that Zhu Ping'an would soon be beaten to death, Ouyang Zishi could no longer control the smile on his face, and his back teeth were almost showing.