"What is this? The Ten Great Courtesans? What do they have to do with this?"
Nie Shan's eyes widened.
The ten famous courtesans of Bianliang city were, in the eyes of the Bianliang people, basically equivalent to today's top celebrities.
Wherever they appeared, they would naturally attract countless onlookers.
"Don't you remember? The victim in this incident is the foremost scholar of Bianliang!"
Damn it!
Nie Shan's composure completely shattered. What was all this?
How could such a simple matter have escalated to this point?
This matter was already extremely sensitive, and now with the added influence of the Ten Great Courtesans, could this matter be delayed any longer?
Forget others, but who in this world didn't know that Li Shishi was the Emperor's personal plaything!
If she were to whisper in the Emperor's ear at night, would he still be able to keep his official position?
He had spent so many years to finally achieve the position of Shao Yin of Kaifeng Fu.
Moreover, his performance reviews in the Ministry of Personnel had always been excellent.
According to convention, he would at most need another three to five years to at least become a Minister of the Six Ministries, and at most ten years. As long as he didn't make any mistakes, perhaps by the time he retired, he might even receive a "Qingliang San" (a symbol of high office).
If his future were to be ruined because of such a lawsuit, it would truly be too unfair!
"These damned Jin people, with so many brothels in Bianliang city, couldn't they just spend a little money?"
Nie Shan was now completely in a dilemma. According to the current situation, it was probably impossible to delay it past today.
"My Lord, the matter has reached this point, you simply cannot avoid it. I suggest you just deal with it as it is! Let those who cannot stand it investigate it themselves!"
Seeing Nie Shan's troubled expression, Zhang Shaoyou quickly lowered his voice and said.
"But those two prime ministers..."
"It's already come to this, you can't worry about them anymore. Anyway, this matter will eventually be sent to the Court of Judicial Review for re-examination! As long as our procedures are correct, whoever made the mess behind will have to clean it up themselves!"
After Zhang Shaoyou finished speaking, even Nie Shan hesitated.
Just as he said, he could no longer afford to show respect to those prime ministers.
After all, he could not afford to offend either side in this matter. If he continued to procrastinate, no matter which side made a scene, he would be the one to suffer in the end.
It would be better to cut the Gordian knot now, and let each matter be handled by the responsible party.
Quickly conclude this case, and as for the problems that arise later, let those who have headaches figure it out themselves!
At worst, if they overturned the case at the Court of Judicial Review, there would be other powerful forces behind them to smooth things over.
In the end, as long as he was fine, he wouldn't care if there was a fight outside.
"My Lord, the chief envoy of the Jin delegation has arrived!"
Just as he was hesitating, a yamen runner rushed in.
"It seems all the deities have arrived!"
Nie Shan gave a wry smile. It seemed that this matter could only be handled impartially now.
He knew very well how troublesome this foremost scholar of Bianliang was.
Although there were not many outsiders present during the incident at the Imperial Academy, given the gossiping nature of Bianliang people, it had quickly spread throughout the entire city.
Just because someone falsely accused the scholar of cheating, the Crown Prince and Prince Yun had both intervened!
If he continued to dally, he would probably be the one to suffer.
"Ascend the hall!"
Since he had a plan, there was no need to continue to entangle himself. Nie Shan could only order the court to reconvene.
"Who is in the hall?"
As soon as Nie Shan ascended the hall, he immediately saw the Jin man sitting arrogantly in the center.
Even though he knew that this fellow was likely the Jin envoy who had come this time, he still struck the gavel and asked.
"I am an envoy of the Emperor of the Great Jin! Lord Nie, the villain before you has injured the guards of our Great Jin delegation. How do you intend to handle this matter?"
Nie Shan's eyes were rolling to the sky. Well, this guy was directly twisting facts.
Moreover, he was the greatest in the court. After all, he was now presiding over the case in accordance with the laws of the Great Song, but this guy actually sat directly in the center, which clearly showed that he did not take him seriously.
However, this guy's identity was a bit sensitive. If he were to be directly thrown out, it would seem somewhat inappropriate.
"Someone, move a chair for Young Master Han!"
Nie Shan did not even need Han Mo to speak before he directly gave the order.
"Lord Nie, what do you mean by this? This wicked villain injured the guards of our Great Jin delegation, and you still let him be on equal footing with this official?"
Li Shanqing was furious. This was clearly showing disrespect to him!
He was an envoy representing the Jin Emperor, how could he be on equal footing with such a young brat.
But Nie Shan seemed to hear nothing. He did not take him seriously at all. He just looked at the documents before him.
Zhang Shaoyou chuckled and gave a look to one of his confidants. The person immediately understood.
He immediately went to the back and specifically brought a chair that Nie Shan usually kept in his office for Han Mo.
Although Nie Shan was only the Shao Yin of Kaifeng Fu, ever since the founding emperor Zhao Kuangyi served as the Yin of Kaifeng Fu, this position had been vacant.
It was not until later, when Cai Jing created the position of Mu of Kaifeng, that the Crown Prince became the nominal head.
However, even so, the specific matters of the entire Kaifeng Fu still fell on this Shao Yin.
His chair was naturally the highest one in the office. Even when placed on the ground, it was still a head taller than Li Shanqing's chair.
Coupled with Han Mo's naturally tall stature, even if the two sat side by side, he was still two heads taller than him.
"What was your name again?"
Seeing that Han Mo had also sat down, Nie Shan finally spoke again.
"This envoy is an envoy of the Emperor of the Great Jin, Li Shanqing!"
Li Shanqing's eyes were about to burst into flames. This fellow was clearly deliberately trying to humiliate him!
"So it's Lord Shan!"
Nie Shan coughed dryly, then picked up his teacup, took a slow sip of tea, and then said leisurely.
"My surname is Li!"
Li Shanqing said through gritted teeth.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Lord Li, right? My ears are not very good. What was your name again?"
"Pfft!"