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  They returned to the inn without a word, but after Bao Zheng retired from the court, Ouyang Xiu hurriedly came to visit.

  Ouyang Xiu and others had already received the news that Pang Taishi was designing to harm innocent people under the guise of Guang Tianhua, deceiving sons and daughters. This great sin is just right for them to write some articles about it.

  Ouyang Xiu originally wanted to listen to the interrogation process, but when he arrived, Bao Zheng had already retired from the court, so he could only go to the back hall to request an audience.

  After seeing Bao Gong, Ouyang Xi asked straightforwardly: "Bao Daren, I heard that the steward of the Taishi Mansion, Pang An, was arrested for framing innocent people?"

  Bao Zheng nodded: "It's true. Just now in the main hall, Pang An still confessed to his crime. I have already beheaded him!"

  Ouyang Xiu was extremely distressed: "My Lord Bao! How could they kill him? If we report this to the Emperor, I guarantee that old scoundrel Pang will not be able to get away with it! This killing is simply unjustifiable!"

  Bao Zheng burst out laughing: "Lord Ouyang has filtered it. That Pang An has already drawn a confession, admitting to all the crimes without hesitation. As the steward of the Pang family, how can Grand Preceptor Pang deny it? I have prepared the memorial, and was just about to enter the palace to pay respects and impeach him!"

  Ouyang Xiu was overjoyed: "Does Mr. Bao want to go and visit Peng Ji?"

  Bao Zheng nodded.

  Ouyang Xiu immediately said: "Good, I will go and inform Fan Zhongyan, Mr. Fan, Wang Zhi, Mr. Wang, and Han Qi, Mr. Han. We will all go to the imperial court together this time and make that old thief Peng Yan look good!"

  Bao Zheng hesitated: "This, no need to disturb so many people, right?"

  Ouyang Xiu chuckled: "Don't worry, Lord Bao. After receiving the news, several gentlemen gathered at Mr. Fan's residence and haven't left yet. They'll come as soon as they're called. Please take your time, Lord Bao, I'll follow shortly."

  Bao Zheng didn't say much more and saw Ouyang Xiu off with a bow.

  After Ouyang Xiu left, Gong Sun Ce's figure flashed in: "Sir, this matter has been known to them, and it is indeed a bit troublesome."

  Bao Zheng sighed and shook his head: "The last time in the armed fight in front of Taishi's mansion, I had already helped them. It's just that Mr. Fan was too stubborn, and I'm afraid they can't beat Pang Taishi, and turn back to be harmed by him."

  Gongsun Ce nodded and continued, "Sir, we received news that Chaiyang has gathered many Jianghu figures at Binyuelou. They are bound to have a fierce battle with the Taishi Mansion. What should we do?"

  Bao Zheng's eyebrows were tightly furrowed, and after a moment he said: "First go and see the Emperor."

  It wasn't long before Fan Zhongyan and his entourage of officials arrived, walking into the imperial palace with Baogong, their hearts filled with joyful anticipation at the prospect of toppling Peng Taishi.

  It so happened that Master Pong had already received news of Pong An's misfortune. He anticipated that those who didn't get along with him would not let him off, so he went to the palace first to find his daughter, Princess Pong, to pave the way for him.

  Just agreed with her daughter, Mrs. Pang promised to help him breathe again with Emperor Renzong in the evening, and before waiting for the emperor to come, she was preparing to go back and make some preparations when she ran into Fan Zhongyan and others.

  Fan Zhongyan's face wore a victorious smile as he asked: "Master Pang, where is this place?"

  Pang Taishi let out a cold snort: "Where I go seems to be none of Lord Fan's business."

  Fan Zhongyan and others were about to say a few more words to mock Pang Taishi, but were interrupted by Bao Zheng. Bao Zheng stepped forward: "Taishi, slow down! I have something to report to the Emperor, which concerns your mansion, please follow me!"

  As soon as this was said, not only did Pang Taishi stare blankly, but even Fan Zhongyan and others didn't expect that Bao Zheng would be so straightforward. It seemed that this time Bao Zheng must have decided to bring down the Grand Preceptor. Several people couldn't help but feel delighted at the same time, and secretly made up their minds that as long as Bao Zheng was willing to take the lead, they would definitely work together to support him.

  Bao Da looked at Bao Zheng: "Lord Bao! Alright, I'll follow you to see His Majesty."

  Fan Zhongyan and Ouyang Xiu walked together with Bao Zheng, while Pang Taishi followed behind them alone, his footsteps extremely steady, without any sign of tension.

  Ouyang Xiu said in a low voice: "This old thief can indeed hold his breath."

  Han Qi chimed in, "Just wait and see if he still looks so smug. I bet that once the Emperor comes out, he'll put on a show of being old and pitiful."

  The imperial palace of the Northern Song Dynasty can be said to be the smallest in history. It has always adhered to a relatively enlightened approach to governance, such as holding public trials and when Emperor Taizong wanted to expand the palace, he gave up because the nearby common people refused to relocate. Later rulers never brought it up again, which is unimaginable in any dynasty. Of course, this also had an advantage, that the emperor could sneak out of the palace without going through many gates.

  Another advantage was that they soon saw Emperor Renzong. Emperor Renzong was reading in the Foning Hall and, upon hearing of their arrival, received them there.

  Bao Zheng led the way in, but according to etiquette, he should have let Pang Taishi go first. However, Bao Zheng looked extremely angry, and Pang Taishi didn't say anything.

  After the formalities, Renzong saw Bao Zheng's angry face and smiled slightly: "What? Who has offended Chancellor Bao again?"

  Bao Daishi indeed, as Han Qi said, was just about to put on a frail and pitiful appearance when Bao Zheng loudly declared: "Your Majesty is wise, I have evidence, and I accuse the Grand Preceptor of the Imperial Court, Peng Ji!"

  Ren Zong listened to Bao Zheng's words, and since the matter involved Grand Master Pang, he glanced at Pang Ji before waving his hand: "Bao Ai Qing, what business do you have with the Grand Master?"

  Bao Zheng said with an angry face: "Pang An, the steward of the Taishi Mansion, has been using the Taishi's name to harm innocent people in the market and deceive children. I have already beheaded Pang An according to law. However, as a member of the royal family and a high-ranking official, the Taishi cannot avoid responsibility for having such a steward in his mansion! The crime of being derelict in duty is one that the Taishi cannot shirk!"

  Fan Zhongyan and others, upon hearing Bao Zheng's words, were all stunned. They had always thought that Bao Zheng was going to accuse Pang Ji of a major crime, but unexpectedly, he only accused him of "being too lenient with his subordinates!" This was truly something they had not anticipated.

  The lofty ambitions of just a moment before, and the eloquent speech that had been prepared at great length, seemed to have been doused with a bucket of cold water.

  Pang Ji was overjoyed in his heart.

  Bao Zheng finished speaking and handed the records of the interrogation of Pang An to Renzong for review. Renzong didn't look at them, but instead lowered his face and asked: "Taishi, is this true?"

  Pang Ji immediately knelt down: "Your old minister is guilty, your old minister is willing to accept punishment!"

  As he knelt down, he glanced at Bao Zheng and thought to himself that Bao Zheng had done him a favor by killing Pang An. If Fan Zhongyan and the others were to get hold of this matter, it would be troublesome. He wasn't afraid of Fan Zhongyan and the others, but rather, he was afraid of trouble.

  Ren Zong slammed the book to the ground, hitting it beside Pang Ji's feet: "You scoundrel! As a Grand Preceptor, the people in your mansion are acting so recklessly, demoted by one rank! Half a year's salary will be deducted!"

  Demotion by one rank doesn't matter, and half a year's salary is just a drop in the bucket, which is equivalent to no punishment.

  Fan Zhongyan, Ouyang Xiu, Han Qi and Wang Zhi were all speechless. Before they could react to what was happening, the imperial edict had already been issued. The four men were helpless and could only be helpless.

  (Brothers, Lao Hei is begging for votes with tears of blood! By the way, Qin Xianglian and her son and daughter have also come to kneel beside me! Please brothers, spare two chapters' worth of recommendation tickets!) be=《Super Son-in-law》]

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