Chapter 26 Chapter 22 The Three Cool Men

After retiring from the court, Zhang Tang, Du Zhou, and Zhao Yu entered the court and Sima moved over.Sima Qian looked at Zhang Tang, who was tall and thin, Du Zhou, who was short and strong, and Zhao Yu, who was fat and fat, and thought to himself, these three people were really the three treasures of cruel officials in the Han Dynasty. Zhang Tang dealt with the Empress Chen's witchcraft incident and the Huainan King's rebellion case coldly and cleanly, and killed tens of thousands of those involved, which satisfied Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. He was quickly promoted from Tingwei to Yushi doctor. , even the prime minister gave him three points.

Senior Sinong Yan Yi couldn't understand Zhang Tang's cruelty and cruelty, so he discussed him with others. Zhang Tang wanted to punish him when he didn't understand Sang Hongyang's new measures, so he deliberately A few ministers asked Yan Yi face to face: "Sinong, do you have any opinion on the Nongsang decree promulgated by the emperor?" Yan Yi knew that he wanted to find fault, so he didn't speak, but moved his lips. When Zhang Tang saw it, he immediately shouted: "Someone is here, take down this person who is dissatisfied with the emperor!" "You...you...you cruel official, I...what did I do wrong?" Yan Yi was so angry that his orifices were smoking.

"You are guilty of defamation." After Yan Yi was sentenced to death, the government and the public were shocked. The white-haired Ji An questioned Zhang Tang: "As one of the nine ministers of the imperial court, you can't inherit the achievements of the late emperor, and you can't change the evil hearts of the world. Let people like you be in power, and the people really can't live. .” Zhang Tang ignored him and left. In the early court, Sima Qian went out to play and said: "Report to the emperor, Da Si Nong was in the Jiuqing, and was suddenly sentenced to death by Zhang Tang for the crime of defamation. I really don't know what the crime of defamation is. Because I can't write history, I ask the emperor to express it." .”

Emperor Wu said: "Zhang Tang, you answer Taishi Ling's question." Zhang Tang then said: "Your Majesty, the crime of slander is a crime based on one's heart. I asked the chief minister Yan Yi what his opinion was on the Nongsang decree promulgated by the emperor. I saw his lips moved. Although I didn't say anything, I could It is concluded that he is dissatisfied with the court in his heart, so he is sentenced to death." The ministers were all in an uproar when they heard this. "Your Majesty... since ancient times, there has been no death penalty for slander." Sima Qian shouted urgently.

The short and fat Ting Wei Du Zhou came out to support Zhang Tang. This Du Zhou was a cruel official in Nanyang who was recommended by Zhang Tang as Ting Wei.He said: "My Majesty, there is no crime of slander in ancient times, which does not mean that it cannot be done now. The crime of slander is dissatisfaction in the heart. Of course, dissatisfaction with the court should be punished by death." At this time, Zhao Yu, Zhang Tang's colleague in the criminal law, also came forward and said: "I report to the sage, I also think that the crime of defamation mentioned by Doctor Zhang Tang can be established. The country is not stable."

After hearing this, the ministers began to discuss in a low voice. Censor Zhongcheng Li Wen objected: "Qizou the emperor, Sima Qian is right, I don't know what the crime of defamation is. If the lips move, the minister will be sentenced to death. I'm afraid it's too cool." Zhang Tang stared at Li Wen fiercely, thinking, this rebel must get rid of him sooner or later. Emperor Wu said: "Okay, it's up to the Tingwei and the Yushi doctor to decide the crime, so let's leave the court." Emperor Wu obviously stood on Zhang Tang's standpoint. Sima Qian was stunned...

After retreating from the imperial court, Zhang Tang, Du Zhou, and Zhao Yu moved towards Sima Qian.Sima Qian saw that Zhang Tang was tall and thin, Du Zhou was short and strong, and Zhao Yu confessed to being fat. The dark-faced Du Zhou said provocatively to Sima Qian: "Taishi Ling, do you have any questions?" Sima Qian looked into his fierce eyes and said: "Someone asked you to try the prison, not to handle the case according to the law, but to act according to the will of the emperor. Do you think this is fair?" Zhang Tang listened coldly, and Du Zhou said: "It's a joke, if you don't follow the emperor's will, what should you do? The law is also made by the emperor."

Zhao Yu reconciled and said, "Don't you know that the Taishi Order doesn't know the daily laws established by the previous monarchs and the orders drawn up by the later monarchs. So, can't the current emperor's approval prevail?" Li Wen, the censor Zhongcheng who came over at this time, scolded Zhao Yu and said: "Sima Qian's question is reasonable. Of course, the case should be handled according to the law and not according to the emperor's eyes." Zhang Tang snorted and left, Du Zhou and Zhao Yu hurriedly followed. In Zhang Tang's residence, Zhang Tang, Du Zhou, and Zhao Yu were drinking.

Du Zhou said: "This Sima Qian has to show him some color." Zhao Yu said: "Sima Qian is strict in handling affairs and follows the rules everywhere. It is difficult to find fault with him at the moment. Besides, he is very knowledgeable and the emperor values ​​him very much. It is not so easy to punish him." Zhang Tang said: "Then get rid of Li Wen first, Li Wen is the biggest threat to us. Stupid scholars like Sima Qian have their own bad luck." Du Zhou said in a low voice: "I have an idea to get rid of Li Wen. Lu Yiju and Li Wen have a rift. I think we should let Lu Yeju..." Du Zhou's voice became even smaller.

After Du Zhou finished speaking, both Zhang Tang and Zhao Yu nodded in agreement. "Minister Zhang Tang kowtowed to the emperor." "Get up." Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty picked up a memorial and said to Zhang Tang: "Aiqing, this is Lu Yiju's memorial to Li Wen. You can deal with it." Zhang Tang knew that they had bribed Lu Yiju's secret, but he opened the memorial with a pretentious gesture, and then said in surprise: "I never thought that Li Wen would dare to rebel." Li Wen was executed, and Zhang Tang let out a bad breath. Zhang Tang is the doctor of imperial history, one of the three princes, with power over the world, he is in charge of the judicial prison, killing a person is as easy as killing a chicken, is it not easy to get rid of one of his subordinates?But the ministers talked a lot, and everyone knew in their hearts that Li Wen was Zhang Tang's opponent, and his death must have been caused by Zhang Tang, but there was nothing he could do.

Li Wen's death shocked the government and the public again. Everyone knew that Li Wen was Zhang Tang's opponent. Zhu Maichen, the official who had a grudge with Zhang Tang, thought that the opportunity had come. Zhu Maichen, who was originally from Wu (now Hangzhou, Zhejiang), was a late-blooming civilian minister. He was born in a poor family and made a living by collecting firewood when he was young.Seeing that he was proficient in "Spring and Autumn" and "Chu Ci", Emperor Wu liked him very much, so he appointed him as a Chinese doctor.Because of his decree to destroy Dongyue, he was promoted by Emperor Wu to be the lord and captain, and he is now the prime minister. When Zhang Tang dealt with the Huainan king's treason case, he killed Yan Zhu, who was an official under the Huainan king at that time. The unjust death of his benefactor made him hate Zhang Tang to death. Find an opportunity to avenge Yan Zhu.Now that Zhang Tang killed Li Wen unjustly, which caused dissatisfaction among the courtiers, he certainly would not let go of the opportunity to avenge his benefactor. So he invited Bian Tong and Wang Chao, who had been neglected by Zhang Tang, to go hunting, and the three long history rode horses on the mountain road to discuss while walking. Zhu Maichen said: "Zhang Tang's power is getting bigger and bigger, even the prime minister is afraid of him, he can get rid of whoever he wants, maybe it will be our turn next." Chao Chao and Bian Tong were both former ministers of Erqianshi. They were demoted because they offended them. Now they are temporarily serving as the long history under the current prime minister Zhuang Qingzhai.Because the chief was humiliated by Zhang Tang, he also hated Zhang Tang deeply, and the three hit it off. Wang Chao said angrily: "Could it be that we all died under his butcher's knife like Li Wen?" Bian Tong sneered: "Hmph, it's not that easy. I don't think he will gain power for long, because he has killed too many people and clans. I don't think he will have a good death himself." They shot a few rabbits on the wild mountain, and then sat down in an open space. They cut off the skin of the rabbit with a knife, removed the internal organs, and lit a bonfire to roast the meat.Zhu Maichen took the wine from the horse's leather pouch, and the three of them drank together. "Well, the barbecue is really delicious." Wang Chao said while chewing. "This wine is not bad." Bian Tong praised the wine after taking a sip. After three glasses of wine, all three of them became excited, Zhu Maichen said: "Should we wait for Zhang Tang to come and clean us up one by one?" Wang Chao put down his wine bottle and said loudly, "Of course we can't wait to die." Bian Tong asked: "Zhang Tang is powerful and powerful, and the emperor dotes on him so much, what can we do?" Zhu Maichen said: "The solution is what people think. He can kill Li Wen unjustly. Can't we follow suit?" "...Oh, I see." The agile Dynasty nodded immediately. Bian Tong also suddenly realized, and said: "Then...Brother Zhu's solution is..." "Arrest Tian Xin for interrogation, and accuse Zhang Tang of colluding with businessmen to take bribes to get rich." "...What if Tian Xin doesn't recruit?" "Use all the thirty-seven kinds of criminal laws invented by Zhang Tang, wouldn't that be enough?" "Forcing him to confess...it's a good way." Chao Chao nodded in applause. Zhu Maichen flicked the wine bottle and said loudly: "Just come to him for physical and personal evidence." "good idea." "Full up, cheers!" The three drank happily again. It’s really leaky and rainy. Prime Minister Zhuang Qingzhai also hated Zhang Tang because of the theft of Ba Ling, so he also took the opportunity to instigate Zhu Maichen, Bian Tong, and the three chief officials of the dynasty to impeach Zhang Tang. Flew to Emperor Wu like a snowflake. When Zhang Tang heard that Lu Yeju was seriously ill, he went to visit him. Seeing that it was Zhang Tang, his family quickly informed him. "Please hurry up." Lu Yeju said lying on the bed. Zhang Tang entered the room and saw that Lu Yiju's complexion was not good, so he sat down on his bed and greeted him. "What's wrong with you?" "Panicter, shortness of breath, severe swelling." Zhang Tang got up and lifted his quilt. Seeing that his legs and feet were very swollen, he rolled up his sleeves and massaged his legs and feet. Lu Yeju said: "Master Zhang, it seems that people cannot do bad things. Ever since Li Wen died, I have had nightmares every night..." "Brother Lu!" Zhang Tang interrupted him, "Don't think wildly, with me, what are you afraid of?" Zhang Tang was massaging, Jia encouraged him. "My lord Zhang, I heard that the emperor has doubts about Li Wen's death. Someone may have already reported it. My lord Zhang, I... I'm afraid!" "Lu Yeju, you regret it. If you do this, you will not be able to excuse your false accusation!" Zhang Tang said word by word. "Are you threatening me?" Lu Yeju said in fear. "Think about yourself." Zhang Tang didn't expect that the words and deeds of the two of them had been overheard by Lu Yiju's younger brother. Lu Yejun was threatened by Zhang Tang, and within a few days his condition worsened and he died. After Zhu Maichen and other three tortured Tian Xin, Tian Xin had to confess, so the three sued Zhang Tang for taking bribes to get rich. Emperor Wu was worried after reading the three people's complaints, and Yang Deyi came to report: "Your Majesty, King Zhao asks to see you." "Xuan." King Zhao came in and reported, "Your Majesty, Li Wen's death is unjust." "Is there any evidence?" Emperor Wu asked. King Zhao said, "Your Majesty, I have brought a witness, who is Lu Yiju's younger brother." The king of Zhao was named Liu Pengzu. The state of Zhao he was entrusted to was in the north. Because of his iron smelting and casting industry, he was mercilessly attacked by Zhang Tang, who implemented the government-run iron smelting policy, so he was at odds with Zhang Tang.After Lu Yiju's death, Lu Wenju wanted to avenge his elder brother, so he went to ask King Zhao for help. Of course King Zhao was willing to bring him to the emperor immediately. "Bring it in." Lu Wenju came in and kowtowed: "Xiaomin kowtowed to the emperor, long live the emperor, long live the emperor!" "You said that Li Wen's death was wronged, what evidence do you have?" "Your Majesty, my elder brother is seriously ill. Zhang Tang came to visit. I heard their secret conversation with my own ears. The head of the pigtail regretted that he had given false testimony against Li Wen. I also heard Zhang Tang threatened my elder brother, so I suspect that my elder brother was killed. Zhang Tang was scared to death." "Bring Zhang Tang!" Emperor Wu was furious, and immediately ascended to the palace to punish Zhang Tang. "emperor……" "Zhang Tang, look, these are the references to your impeachment. How did Li Wen die? What do you have to do with Tian Xin?" "Your Majesty, Zhang Tang was wronged." "Why did you threaten Lu Yiju?" Emperor Wu asked him angrily. "Your Majesty..." Zhang Tang wanted to argue. Emperor Wu waved his hand, expressing his reluctance to listen, and ordered: "Censor Zhongcheng Xianyi." "The minister is here." "Zhang Tang will be handed over to you for trial." "Follow the order." "Master Zhang, please." "Your Majesty, I am wronged." Zhang Tang was taken away by two jailers. But this Xianyi is also a cruel official who has a rift with Zhang Tang. If Zhang Tang's case is entrusted to him, can he still be lenient? Ministers who sympathized with Li Wen and hated Zhang Tang wrote letters one after another, demanding that Zhang Tang be severely punished.In the study room, Sima Qian presented a large stack of memorials to Emperor Wu.Emperor Wu looked at the table and asked Sima Qian: "Sima Qian, you always ask me how to write a certain history? Now I ask you how Zhang Tang should be punished?" Sima Qian said: "The case of Li Wen's unjust death is enough to sentence him to death, not to mention how many innocent people he killed and how many clans he exterminated." Emperor Wu sighed: "Alas, the blame is his own fault, the grievances are hard to stop, and I can't save him." Zhang Tang was in prison with a depressed face and loose hair, sitting with his back against the wall in a daze.A jailer at the gate of the gate said: "Zhang Tang, Mr. Zhao is here, get up and greet him." Zhang Tang thought, in the past, when you subordinates saw me, your backs were so bowed to the sky, but now you have such virtues, you are really snobbish dogs. Zhao Yu came in. He was the one Zhang Tang pulled up with one hand, and he was also the one who set the torture and cruel laws together with Zhang Tang. Although he sympathized with Zhang Tang, how dare he disobey the emperor's will? Wine, good food. Zhao Yu poured a glass of wine and said, "Come, Mr. Zhang, have a drink." "He's here to see me off!" Zhang Tang didn't catch the wine Gu. Zhao Yu put down his wine glass and said in embarrassment: "Brother is good to me, Zhao is very grateful, but... it's just the emperor's will, how dare I disobey it as a younger brother!" "What is the emperor's will, you can just say it, it's a dead word, why hesitate." Zhao Yu had no choice but to say: "Brother Zhang, you have handled too many cases. Think about it, how many people have been killed and how many clans have been exterminated in your life. Yes, it is inevitable that there will be no unjust deaths. The emperor wants me to tell you You, your crimes have reached the point of causing public anger, and the emperor can't save you. The emperor thinks that you have contributed to the court in the past, so he can't bear to punish you. In order to protect your family, you can make your own decision!" Zhang Tang understood, tears rolled down this tough guy's face. "I have killed many people and exterminated many clans, but this... This is all done according to the emperor's will. Oh, I Zhang Tang, what crime did I do? What mistake did I make? I just It's a scapegoat..." After saying that, he said in a trembling voice, "Give me the pen and ink." Then he wrote: Zhao Yu picked it up and looked at it, but before he finished it, he heard a loud "bang" and looked back to see that Zhang Tang had hit the wall and died. Zhao Yu went to report to Emperor Wu with tears in his eyes, and Emperor Wu couldn't stop sighing. After Zhang Tang's death, Emperor Wu was always unhappy. In the proclamation room, he put down the notebook, got up and walked to the window. Looking at the geese and birds flying by in the sky, he felt as if he had broken an arm, and he let out a long sigh. Zhao Yu came to report: "Your Majesty, we estimated that Zhang Tang's family property did not exceed a hundred gold. It was all his salary and the emperor's reward, and nothing else. His son wanted to bury him generously. Minister, he was framed to death for no reason, what is worth burying. They were dragged to the outskirts with a bullock cart and buried hastily." After hearing this, Emperor Wu sighed and said, "Oh, without such a mother, it is impossible to have such a son." Emperor Wu turned his head and ordered: "Zhao Yu, go and investigate carefully. Why did the three long historians frame Zhang Tang?" "Follow the order." In order to repay Zhang Tang's promotion, Zhao Yu reported to Emperor Wu that Zhu Maichen, Bian Tong, and the dynasty were ordered by Prime Minister Zhuang Qingzhai to impeach Zhang Tang. Emperor Wu regretted killing Zhang Tang, so he ordered the three long officials to be punished and released. Tian Xin beat Zhuang Qingzhai to death.Zhuang Qingdi committed suicide in prison.He also ordered Zhang Tang's son to enter the court as an official.