Chapter 173 (1/2)
As soon as he opened his mouth to retort, the three stately officials were at a loss The three looked at each other, seeing their opponent's resentment Fan Xian had had Guo You reard to the rules In truth, it had provoked the ire of many an official in the capital Thankfully, theout of consideration of the Prime Minister and Minister Fan
But these three officials each had their own backers, and each had their own interests and schemes
Some time passed before Han Zhiwei, Minister of Justice, suddenly spoke coldly ”Yesterday, the iave the order to impeach you, as you are aware, Mr Fan”
”I know of the matter, but not in detail,” replied Fan Xian callared at hiant simply because of your reputation as a talent and the support you have behind you And do not presume that I will believe that you exposed this scandal simply out of dedication to the nation and its people If you cannot explain clearly your despicable behavior regarding the civil service exa you kindly”
Fan Xian frowned ”Sir, there are so the exa this before the court? As for 'despicable', I could say the same for you”
”The audacity!” The three officials denounced him In all their years in the capital, they had never seen such an arrogant youth Han Zhiwei's whiskers shook as he reprimanded him ”Do not presume that all of the capital's officials fear those who stand behind you I have headed the Ministry of Justice for eight years, and I stand on the side of righteousness, not your hed ”If you care about the truth in investigating thissuch things? I truly do not understand”
Han Zhiwei's anger turned to laughter ”Very well,” he said, ”then I ask you: on the 26th of February, did you or did you not visit the Tongfu Tavern?”
Fan Xian knew they were asking about that rainy day He smiled ”That is correct”
”And did you or did you notWanli and his three other associates?”
”That is correct”
”Before Yang Wanli entered the exa to him?” ”That is correct”
”You acted as proctor in that exa exareat responsibility so I ask you, did Yang Wanli enter the third rank of candidates?”
”That is correct”
”Outside the hall that day,Wanli s Why did you allow him to enter the exam hall?”
Fan Xian s Qinian, allowing Yang Wanli to be ruined ”That did not happen,” he said, without the slightest hint of nerves
”It didn't?” asked Han Zhiwei angrily
”That is correct”
”Very well Then I ask you: on that day outside the hall,objects that would allow them to cheat Did you still allow thehtly He knew that on the small end of the scale, this was not considered an issue, but if his opponent got hold of hio This was somewhat troublesome But he remained unflustered in his reply ”That is correct”
”Very well” There was a flash of color in Han Zhiwei's sallow, haggard face as he glared at Fan Xian ”Since you have admitted to it,” he said coldly, ”we have no choice but to send you to prison, pending more detailed enquiry”
”What have I admitted to?” said Fan Xian, surprised
Han Zhiwei frowned ”You have ad that I have asked you It is all clearly visible, fifth-rank Academician Fan Xian As proctor of the civil service exa Wanli to abuse your position for personal gain, ignoring the laws and decrees as well as the will of the Emperor Your conduct was truly reckless”