Lu Sheng was utterly dumbfounded. He exclaimed in disbelief, "Didn't I just say no? Are you deaf?"
Meng Shuping looked puzzled. "Aren't you refusing to admit it to the death?"
[If he won't admit it, why bother interrogating? Is he trying to waste my time? Just sentence him to death directly!]
Lu Sheng, flushed with anger and humiliation, retorted, "Who's refusing to admit it? You only asked me one question!"
Meng Shuping pondered for a moment, realizing that asking just one question was indeed rather insufficient. So, he asked another, "Then do you admit to forcibly seizing the common people's fertile farmland?"
Lu Sheng immediately replied, "Of course I don't admit it!"
Meng Shuping wasn't the least bit surprised. [See? Asking is useless—he won't confess honestly. I told you we should just sentence him to death directly.]
He slammed the gavel again. "Incorrigible! The penalty increases! Take him away!"
Lu Sheng was so enraged by Meng Shuping that he nearly spat blood. "Is this how you conduct a trial? You're just arbitrarily passing judgments!"
Meng Shuping waved him off dismissively, "Yes, yes, you're absolutely right."
[Go ahead, sue me if you dare! Weren't you so capable just now? What a joke! He doesn't reason with others, yet he expects me to reason with him? What, does he think he's that important?]
"You... you..." Lu Sheng glared at him, eyes blazing, unable to contain his anger. "How can there be an official like you in the imperial court? Don't you care about human lives at all? Aren't you afraid the court will dismiss you?"
Meng Shuping replied indifferently, "Not afraid at all."
[As if I care about this crappy official position? I've long wanted to quit, okay?]
[Besides, how dare he accuse me of treating human life as worthless grass? When he did the same, why didn't he think about that? What a hypocrite!]
Lu Sheng never expected that he, who had always lorded it over others, would encounter someone even more unscrupulous than himself. He couldn't help but panic—this person genuinely wanted to kill him!
At that moment, one of the bailiffs who had escorted Lu Sheng hesitated and asked Meng Shuping, "Sir, are you sure the trial is over?"
To be honest, after so many years in the Ministry of Justice, this was the first time he had witnessed such a trial. Could it be that this official was just bluffing?
The clerk responsible for recording the proceedings also reminded him, "Lord Meng, after the interrogation, the prisoner still needs to affix his fingerprint. Since he hasn't confessed, shouldn't we try to get him to admit his guilt first?"
Only then did Meng Shuping understand. "Ah, is that how it works?"
The clerk quickly nodded. "Yes."
So, Lord Meng should conduct the interrogation properly; otherwise, there's no way to record the trial process.
Hearing this, Lu Sheng puffed out his chest again. He knew it—there was still justice in this world. As long as he refused to confess, they couldn't do anything to him!
However, just as he began to feel smug, he heard Meng Shuping instruct the bailiffs, "Then the few of you, hold him down and make him press his fingerprint on a blank sheet. After he's done, we'll fill in the confession later."
Lu Sheng widened his eyes in disbelief. "You corrupt official! How dare you!"
Seeing the bailiffs still hesitating, Meng Shuping urged them, "Come on, hurry up! Once he presses his fingerprint, it's done."
[After interrogating for so long, I'm quite tired! Sigh, I must treat myself to something nice later.]
Hearing Meng Shuping complain about being tired, Lu Sheng was fuming with rage. After asking just a couple of questions, what was there to be tired about? How could there be such an irresponsible official?
Even he, a good-for-nothing, was appalled!
The bailiffs were also quite shocked by Meng Shuping's methods—today they had truly seen some real action!
Seeing Meng Shuping urging them on, they quickly restrained Lu Sheng and forced him to press his fingerprint onto the paper. Lu Sheng, both frustrated and furious, struggled desperately to pull his hand back, the veins on his neck bulging from the strain.
In the end, he could only shout angrily, "Do you know who my brother-in-law is? He is His Highness Prince Cheng! If you dare treat me like this again, my brother-in-law will make you regret it!"
At these words, the bailiffs' hands slackened a bit. This man was Prince Cheng's brother-in-law? They certainly couldn't afford to offend His Highness Prince Cheng.
Meng Shuping raised an eyebrow. "You're Prince Cheng's brother-in-law?"
Hearing this, Lu Sheng assumed Meng Shuping was scared. With a shake of his arm, he broke free from the bailiffs' hold and said arrogantly, "That's right! Now you know I'm not someone to mess with, huh? Hmph, but it's too late! Once I'm out of here, I'll make sure my brother-in-law deals with you properly!"
The others also sneaked glances at Meng Shuping. Would the case simply be dropped now?
Meng Shuping thought it over for a moment before ordering, "Alright then, someone, paddle him!"
[He dares to bring up Prince Cheng? Doesn't he know I have a grudge against Prince Cheng? Tsk, since you've fallen into my hands, did you really think I'd go easy on you?]
Everyone in the room looked at Meng Shuping with admiration. Who would have thought this official would be so bold? Even upon hearing Prince Cheng's name, he didn't even flinch!
Lu Sheng almost couldn't believe his ears. He had invoked Prince Cheng, yet not only was this man unafraid, he had become even more resolute. Lu Sheng was about to burst out cursing—was he really this unlucky?
But no matter how much he raged inwardly, it couldn't stop him from being pinned to a bench for the beating. As the first strike landed, he howled in pain and nearly jumped off the bench. He couldn't help but curse at Meng Shuping, "You damn official! Just you wait! I... ow... won't let you... ow... get away with this!"
[Oh ho, still threatening me?]
Meng Shuping asked the two bailiffs administering the beating with concern, "Haven't you eaten? Should we switch to someone else?"
Hearing this, the two bailiffs immediately swung harder. Ridiculous—this was their expertise. If they failed at this, how could they still hold their heads high here?
Lu Sheng was so angry he wanted to curse again, but this time, the pain was so intense he was in too much pain to curse. After more than a dozen strikes, he finally was sobbing uncontrollably and cried out, "I confess! I confess, alright?!"
If he didn't confess, he would be beaten to death!
Meng Shuping sighed regretfully. [Ah, why did he confess? I hadn't finished with him yet!]
But since the bailiffs had stopped, he couldn't very well order them to continue. So he reluctantly said, "Fine, then speak up!"
[He'd better confess honestly, or else—confess and you might live, resist and you'll die!]
Lu Sheng jolted, realizing Meng Shuping was truly determined to beat him to death. He prepared to offer a half-truthful confession, but before he could speak, another voice came from the doorway, "Vice Director Meng, how is the case proceeding?"
Meng Shuping looked toward the door and saw Kang Miao walking in.
At the sight of Lu Sheng's miserable state, Kang Miao was shocked. Frowning, he asked, "Why has torture been used?"
Meng Shuping eyed him suspiciously. [Is he trying to save this man to curry favor with Prince Cheng? And he calls himself an official of the Ministry of Justice—abusing his power!]
[No way, I must report him harshly to the Emperor!]
Kang Miao was speechless. He had only asked one question—was it necessary for this kid to jump to conclusions? And even planning to speak ill of him before the Emperor? How treacherous!
Seeing Kang Miao arrive, Lu Sheng felt as if a savior had come. He quickly pleaded his case, "Your Honor, sir! Please uphold justice for me! This man named Meng was about to beat me to death, forcing me to confess to crimes I didn't commit!"
He refused to believe that everyone could be as hard-nosed as Meng Shuping.
Kang Miao looked at Meng Shuping mockingly. "I thought Vice Director Meng was so impressive, but it turns out these are the only tricks you have. Vice Director Meng, you're not planning to extract a confession through torture, are you?"
Meng Shuping replied sincerely, "Exactly! It gets results faster."
[I prefer running interrogations this way. If you can't stand it, then don't watch. Why does he have to stick his nose in so much?]
[Besides, I don't believe he's never done this himself. Now he comes to me talking about forced confessions? Tch, who does he think he's fooling?]
Kang Miao's face flushed red with anger. Meng Shuping actually admitted it? Most people would hurriedly deny such accusations—why doesn't he play by the rules?
His eyebrows furrowed as he demanded, "Does Vice Director Meng not fear repercussions from above for acting this way?"
Meng Shuping asked eagerly, "Will they strip me of my title then?"
Remembering how Meng Shuping had repeatedly rubbed it in his face about the emperor's trust in him, Kang Miao's face darkened considerably. He snorted and snapped, "No!"
Meng Shuping looked utterly disappointed. [Then why does he talk so much? Always giving people hope only to let them down—how annoying!]
Realizing that Meng Shuping had steered them off track, Kang Miao felt furious and exasperated. He snapped, "Isn't Vice Director Meng going to continue the interrogation?"
Meng Shuping said, "Oh," then declared, "I now find the defendant Lu Sheng guilty and sentence him to execution, effective immediately!"
With that, he stood up to leave.
Seeing him actually make a move to leave, Kang Miao was stunned. "Vice Director Meng, is this your idea of justice? Didn't we just hear him say he was going to confess?"
Meng Shuping glanced at Kang Miao. [So he caught that too? He knew the criminal was about to confess but deliberately interrupted—could it be he's afraid the criminal might implicate him? Did he accept bribes?]
[I'm taking this up with the higher-ups! I must file a complaint!]
He reached out to a clerk, took a blank confession with a red thumbprint, and said, "He already confessed. Look, the fingerprint is right here."
Kang Miao felt his brain nearly melt down. Since when do people openly admit to forced confessions? Does this guy really not fear public condemnation?
He said incredulously, "This is a coerced confession!"
Meng Shuping replied earnestly, "If you're unsatisfied, you can reopen the case. I've already finished my part."
[Sigh, I told them not to assign me work. They make me do it, and then they have to redo it themselves—what a hassle!]
Kang Miao was fuming, but just as he was about to erupt, it occurred to him: why should he meddle? If Meng Shuping insisted on this path and offended Prince Cheng, wouldn't that be ideal? Moreover, this interrogation was clearly problematic—perhaps he could use this to oust Meng Shuping.
So he said coldly, "Since Vice Director Meng sees no issue, then so be it. I just hope you won't regret it later."
Lu Sheng had thought that once Kang Miao arrived, Meng Shuping would tone it down. To his surprise, this man remained as brazen as before, and even Kang Miao was letting it slide.
Panic surged in his heart. If Meng Shuping really went through with this judgment, even if Prince Cheng could eventually get him out, it would likely take considerable effort. Besides, he didn't want to bet his neck on whether Prince Cheng would come to his rescue.
Realizing that if he didn't save himself now, he would truly be executed, he frantically blurted out, "That estate belongs to Prince Cheng! Prince Cheng ordered me to do all this! If you have a problem, take it up with Prince Cheng. I was just following orders!"
He refused to believe that Prince Cheng would abandon him if he dragged him into this. Even if Prince Cheng later blamed him, he could always claim he was forced to confess under torture!
Meng Shuping's eyes lit up instantly. [Hoh!]
He said excitedly, "Tell me more."
[Tsk tsk tsk, dirt on Prince Cheng? Now that's worth hearing. Could it be that I actually wronged this young man?]
Seeing an opportunity, Lu Sheng felt a surge of hope. He quickly began weaving a story that was part truth, part lie, doing his best to shift all blame onto Prince Cheng.
Watching this, Kang Miao felt immensely relieved that he hadn't gotten involved. Otherwise, he might have been in trouble himself. He glanced at the still-excited Meng Shuping, and thought with smug satisfaction, *Enjoy it while it lasts. It won't be long before that laughter fades.*
When Jiang Cian heard that Lu Sheng had been coerced into a confession by Meng Shuping and had implicated him, he was furious. This Meng Shuping was far too out of line. Was this how he served in office after the emperor appointed him?
So, after Emperor Qianyou finished discussing official matters with his ministers, Jiang Cian stepped forward. "Father, I've heard that Vice Director of the Board of Punishments Meng Shuping tortured a criminal during interrogation and passed a reckless judgment. I suspect he is dissatisfied with the appointment you gave him in the Board of Punishments and is deliberately neglecting his duties, treating human life with contempt, so that you would consider him incompetent and dismiss him!"
The smile vanished from Emperor Qianyou's face. He turned to Cao Jie and asked, "Minister Cao, is this true?"