Qi Ning said with a smile: "The Jiang family started from maritime trade, so naturally they have many contacts with the navy of the East China Sea."
"To be honest, Jiang Mantian donates a batch of supplies to the Donghai Navy every year. Other than that, he doesn't have much contact with the Navy." Shen Liangqiu shook his head and said, "When the Governor was alive, he had no contact with the Jiang family. There is also very little contact.”
Qi Ning asked curiously: "The Donghai Navy controls the East China Sea, and the Jiang family's fleet trades, how can it have little contact with the Navy?"
Shen Liangqiu hesitated for a moment and then said: "Master Hou may not know that the Jiang family had some connection with Zhuo Qingyang back then...!"
"General Shen is saying that Mr. Zhuo once taught Jiang Suiyun in Donghai?" Qining knew that Zhuo Qingyang had stayed in Donghai for a period of time and received warm hospitality from the Jiang family, and Jiang Suiyun even worshiped him. Jiang Suiyun was a disciple of Zhuo Qingyang and was very smart. Zhuo Qingyang still had a good impression of him back then, and later even recommended Jiang Suiyun to the court as an official.
Shen Liangqiu said: "Mr. Zhuo Qingyang is very talented and a great scholar in the world. In fact, when he was young, he often came to the East China Sea, and he had contacts with Jiang Mantian at that time. Jiang Man was an outstanding genius and learned. It is said that Jiang Mantian When I was young, the name of my magical power was once spread, and it was quite famous in the East China Sea."
Qi Ning knew Jiang Suiyun quite well, but he didn't know much about Jiang Mantian, the head of the Jiang family, but he also knew in his heart that Jiang Mantian was an extraordinary person who could make the Jiang family the largest businessman in the East China Sea.
"Since this person is so talented and even has friendship with Mr. Zhuo, why didn't he join the court as an official?" Qi Ning was a little confused.
Shen Liangqiu said: "Many people have this question. Considering Jiang Mantian's talent and learning, it is actually not difficult to become an official in the court. But this person has never been involved in officialdom. He has always been obsessed with maritime trade." After a pause, he continued to explain: "Back then, the Han family in the East China Sea was very powerful. When they divided the East China Sea, maritime trade was an important source of financial support. Moreover, the Han family had a monopoly on maritime trade and never let other families get involved. Naturally, the family does not dare to compete with the Han family, so they can only spend their money and follow the Han family to drink soup."
"We, the Great Chu, destroyed the Han family. It is said that the old Marquis Jindao used the captured Han family ships when he first formed the navy." Qi Ning nodded slightly.
Shen Liangqiu nodded and said: "It is exactly what the Marquis said. Fortunately, the old Marquis used his troops quickly, otherwise the Han family would have fled far away with the fleet. However, even so, some of the Han family's navy fled in a hurry. Later, it became a scourge of the East China Sea, and it took the old marquis many years to calm it down. After the Han family fell into decline, maritime trade was temporarily interrupted. The court also wanted to resume maritime trade, but in order to restore maritime trade, it must rely on the East China Sea. The local wealthy families are familiar with the East China Sea and are familiar with maritime trade methods. The old Marquis also knows this very well, so...!"
"Could it be that the old Marquis recommended the Jiang family back then?"
Shen Liangqiu said: "After the old Marquis pacified the East China Sea, among the four major families in the East China Sea, the Jiang family was the most cooperative. The court also needed such a person. Moreover, Jiang Mantian also used Zhuo Qingyang's connections at that time, so the court would restore the East China Sea. The trade errands were handed over to the Jiang family, and the conditions were naturally to receive heavy rewards from them. After Jiang Mantian got the errands, he immediately began to reorganize the fleet, and in just over a year, maritime trade was resumed."
Qi Ning said: "Since we are at sea, we naturally need the protection of the navy. Why do the Jiang family and the navy rarely move around?"
Shen Liangqiu hesitated before speaking, hesitated, and then said: "It's mainly because of the Ministry of Husbandry. The Ministry of Husbandry submitted a letter to the court. The Jiang family's caravan can be managed by the Ministry of Husbandry. There is no need to involve the Donghai Navy. Go in. In the first two years, the Jiang family and the Donghai Navy were very close, and when the trade started, the Navy did send a few warships to escort each time. But after two years, the Jiang family received a request from the imperial court. After receiving the order, you can equip yourself with some escort ships for escort, and over the years, the old Marquis has almost wiped out the bandits on the sea, and ordinary pirates would not dare to provoke the Jiang family's caravan."
Qi Ning's words were cautious when he mentioned Shen Liangqiu. It was a little strange at first, but he soon understood.
The East China Sea has a navy of 30,000 troops and hundreds of warships. It is a huge military force on this side of the East China Sea, and the maritime trade has benefited hugely. The Jiang family has become the largest businessman in the East China Sea because of maritime trade. You can see the huge profits. The Donghai Navy and the Jiang family work together, and the Donghai Navy even controls the maritime trade. The combination of powerful military power and huge wealth will naturally make the imperial court fearful.
Of course, the imperial court did not want Mr. Jin Dao to be able to control huge financial resources in addition to controlling the Donghai Navy. Therefore, the purpose of bringing in the Ministry of Household Affairs was to cut off the connection between the Donghai Navy and the Jiang family.
Now that Qi Ning understands this, he understands why Tantai Zhilin will not get too close to Jiang Mantian. Although the sky is high and the road is far away, the court obviously has its eyes on the East China Sea and is wary of the Tantai family and the Jiang family. Getting closer is like having Wei Shutong keep an eye on Shu King Li Hongxin in Xichuan.
While chatting, the sky had completely darkened, and the autopsy was still going on in the room. Not long after, Wei Yujiang came out of the room first, and everyone immediately turned towards him. At this time, Director Zheng, who was doing the autopsy by himself, also came up from behind Wei Yujiang and held his hands. He said: "Master Marquis, General Shen, I have already inspected the governor's body in detail."
Before Qi Ning could speak, Shen Liangqiu had already asked: "Mr. Zheng, where is the fatal injury to the Governor?"
"General Shen, there are no other fatal wounds on the Governor's body. All the wounds on his body are old wounds. At least within half a year, except for the strangulation marks on his neck, there is no new wound." Director Zheng said carefully: "I also checked my blood. There is no poison in the blood of the Grand Governor, so there is no possibility of being poisoned. From the lungs, it seems that the Grand Governor did suffocate and died."
Shen Liangqiu frowned, his eyes deep.
"Mr. Zheng, do the results of your inspection indicate that the Governor indeed committed suicide by hanging from a beam?" Qining asked.
Chief Zheng nodded and said: "Reporting to the Marquis, the only new injury on the Governor's neck is the strangulation mark on his neck. I checked the throat at my humble position and found that it was indeed due to the suspension of the beam that caused him to be unable to breathe, his lungs swelled, and he died of suffocation." He glanced at Wei Yujiang and said, "Sishen Wei made the same judgment."
"Master Marquis, what Chief Zheng said is true." Wei Yujiang said solemnly: "The autopsy results show that the Governor did suffocate to death by hanging from a beam, and the scars on his neck must have been caused by hanging from a beam, so... Bizhi and Chief Zheng can use Guaranteed by his life, the cause of death of the Grand Governor was indeed suicide by hanging from a beam, and there was no other reason."
"This... how is this possible!" Shen Liangqiu looked ugly: "Chief Zheng, Chief Judge Wei, are you sure you didn't make a mistake in your judgment?"
"General Shen, Chief Zheng has never made any mistakes when he was still a co-worker." Wei Yujiang said sternly: "Although my ability is shallow in my humble position, my confidence will not be a problem."
Shen Liangqiu stayed for a moment, turned around slowly, raised his head slightly and looked at the dark sky, dazed.
Qi Ning gently patted Shen Liangqiu's shoulder and said: "General Shen expresses his condolences and accepts the change. Chief Wei Sishen and Chief Zheng guaranteed with their lives that the Governor did hang himself from the beam, so there should be no problem. And we are all aware of the situation at the scene. It can be seen clearly that when the Governor committed suicide, there was no one else in the house, and there was absolutely no way anyone could have entered or left the house, so he could not have suffered at the hands of others."
Shen Liangqiu let out a long sigh, clenched his fists and said, "But... why did the Grand Governor commit suicide? General... I really don't understand."
"To find out the reason why the Governor committed suicide, I think we need to talk to Madam." Qining said: "Maybe the Governor has something unspeakable that others don't know, but Madam may know."
Shen Liangqiu looked solemn, nodded slightly, and said: "Master Marquis, you have come all the way from the capital. It has been a tiring journey. It is already dark. I will arrange dinner and then have a good night's rest. If my wife agrees, I will let you see me tomorrow." Lord Marquis."
Qi Ning thought for a moment, nodded slightly, and then asked: "General Shen, what orders does the old Marquis have for you?"
Shen Liangqiu was startled, not understanding the meaning of Qi Ning's words, Qining added: "The Governor has passed away, so naturally the body cannot be kept like this. Did the old Marquis order the Governor's body to be transported back to the capital?"
Shen Liangqiu hesitated for a moment and then said: "Master Marquis, I don't dare to say anything about how the Governor will be buried. The old Marquis has not sent orders to come here, but... I will see Madam tomorrow. Madam should have some ideas."
"In this case, we can only wait until we meet Madam tomorrow to decide." Qining glanced into the room and said, "Is this study guarded day and night?"
Shen Liangqiu said: "Don't worry, Lord Marquis, there are three layers of guards inside and outside this courtyard. No one will dare to break in."
Qi Ning nodded, Shen Liangqiu had already raised his hand and said: "Master Marquis, please!"
Qi Ning didn't stay long and walked towards the outside of the courtyard. The group of people followed Qi Ning out of the courtyard. After walking a few steps, they saw a guard from the Governor's Mansion hurried over. When he saw Shen Liangqiu, he stepped forward and said, "General, Governor Chen wants to see you!"
"What is he here for?" Shen Liangqiu frowned: "Who does he want to see?"
"Chief Chen said he would like to come to see Jin Yihou." The guard said, "I'm waiting in the front hall now."
Qi Ning was startled, and Shen Liangqiu was also a little surprised. He looked at Qi Ning and asked, "Master Marquis, does Chen Ting know that you have arrived in the East China Sea?"
Qi Ning shook his head and said: "My trip is very secretive. I don't make any publicity to the outside world. Moreover, I enter the city in disguise. I just don't want to alarm too many people." He frowned slightly: "Is this Chen Ting the governor of the East China Sea?"
"Exactly." Shen Liangqiu said: "Chen Ting is the governor sent to Donghai by the imperial court three years ago. The governor... the governor committed suicide. So far, he has not been informed." A look of suspicion appeared on his face: " The Marquis has just arrived in Gulin City, how did he get the news so quickly?"
Qi Ning smiled slightly and said, "It's useless for us to speculate here. If we go meet this Governor Chen, everything will become clear!" He walked straight to the front hall.