When Zheng Xin heard that calm had returned to the lobby of Jiangnan Provincial Government Office, he glanced at the officials again and said: "I originally followed the emperor's order and came to Jiangnan to inspect the people's livelihood and the administration of officials. I decided to handle this case temporarily. It turns out that It was just to mediate the conflicts between Jiangnan officials. However, at the end of the interrogation today, it was discovered that I, the Jiangnan officials, were also involved, and the scandal behind the curtain was discovered, but it was unexpectedly so shocking. "
He took a breath and added: "It is said that Jiangnan is a place of civilization and enlightenment. Among the ten roads in the world, half of the students from Jiangnan will be Jinshi in every imperial examination. Therefore, it can be said that Jiangnan Road is the foundation of the imperial court. . I am a subject of the Han Dynasty and a prince, and I cannot let Jiangnan’s officialdom continue to rot like this. I want to investigate this case to the end!”
He coldly glanced at the faces of each official, and seeing the uncertainty on their faces, he added: "I see that all of you, sir, were born in the second rank of Jinshi. They are all well-educated Confucians and can read the classics of saints. There are more than me. So I will not talk about the big truth, but I will just say one thing - I ask you to ask yourself, are you really impeccable in your daily life as an official? Do you follow the teachings of the saints in everything
After saying that, he saw that several officials in the hall had blushed and lowered their heads. Knowing that his words had had the effect of shaking the mountain and shaking the tiger, he continued: "If you all know the word 'shame', then you might as well Go back and do some self-examination, and you can also spread the word to other colleagues. Just say that I am the one who speaks. Anyone who is guilty, especially those involved in the case of "Liaochen Palace", must tell me the whole story. Maybe I can still see it. I will give you a lighter punishment in the name of your confession and surrender. If you are stubborn and hope to survive this storm - if you are not afraid of me being unselfish and dealing with it seriously, then you can try it!"
All the officials in the hall quickly agreed: "I know, I know..."
"It's good that you know." Zheng Xin said, "Also. After today's court hearing, it was discovered that Cai Min was deeply involved in the case, so he was taken into custody and sent to Qixia Temple where I was staying. Master Yin Chengliang was unfavorable in restraining his subordinates and was also negligent. If you are suspicious of your duties, please come to Qixia Temple to stay temporarily and discuss with me the rectification of Jiangnan officials."
Needless to say, Cai Min, and the so-called "joint discussion" actually meant that Zheng Xin wanted to put Yin Chengliang under house arrest. The officials in this room are all smart people. Why can’t I hear the meaning here
I just feel that Yin Chengliang, the governor of Jiangnan Road who was controlling the sky a few days ago, is now in trouble, and I can't help but feel ups and downs - those who are close to him on weekdays are thinking about how to draw a clear line with him to avoid being dragged into the water by him; on weekdays, Those who have a grudge against him are thinking of ways to add insult to injury so that he will never be able to stand up again.
Zheng Xin also knew that although all the officials in the hall looked sanctimonious, they actually had their own evil intentions. He sneered secretly in his heart and shouted loudly: "Quit." Then he turned around and left the place where the matter was.
Qiu Yizhi was a smart man. He knew that he was now the target of public criticism and would inevitably be made difficult by hundreds of officials in the south of the Yangtze River. He did not speak, salute or say goodbye, so he immediately ran away. While the officials were still stunned, he He quickly left the main hall and ran all the way outside the government office.
When the officials saw this, they immediately reacted and chased out one by one - it was not that they meant to embarrass Qiu Yizhi, but seeing that Qiu Yizhi was talkative in front of His Highness, they asked him to speak to Zheng Xin. It's good to say something nice to yourself in front of you, even if you're asking for news.
Qiu Yizhi had no time to guess what they were thinking, so he just ran out with his head down.
Fortunately, although he was a Jinshi, he was also born in the army and had a strong body and mind through hard work, which was not what those rotten Confucian scholars could compare to. So he took the lead, like a race, and was the first to rush out of the Jiangnan Daofu Yamen.
Yuchi Jiming had been waiting outside the yamen for a long time. Seeing that she had not left the hall for a long time after being promoted to the court, she simply calmed down and sat and drank tea at a small tea stall outside the yamen.
When she saw Qiu Yizhi hurriedly running out of the government office, followed by countless officials, she thought those officials were going to attack her little uncle, so she hurried forward to meet him.
Upon seeing this, Qiu Yizhi was afraid that Yuchi Jiming would be violent, so he hurriedly shouted: "Jiming, ignore them, prepare your horse and leave here quickly."
After hearing this, Yuchi Jiming immediately turned around, led the two horses over, and then walked towards the manor of "Mr. Bansong" Lin Shuhan with Qiu Yi. Twenty or thirty panting officials, young and old, were left standing in the square in front of the government office, looking at the ocean and sighing.
In the manor, Lin Shuhan was drinking tea and talking with Wu Ruofei. When he heard that Qiu Yizhi was back, he stood up to greet him and went out. He met Qiu Yizhi on the way and asked, "How is it? The meeting is open today. Is the trial going smoothly?"
Qiu Yizhi nodded with a smile and said: "It went well. Not only did Miaozhen confess, Li Shenshi also confessed, and Li Shenshi also bit out Cai Minlai. If we have another meeting tomorrow, Yin Chengliang may not be able to protect himself."
Lin Shuhan couldn't help but feel a little proud when he heard that his plan was successful, so he smiled and said: "It seems that the overall situation of this case is almost settled."
Qiu Yizhi was also in a good mood. He smiled back and said politely: "Thanks to Mr. for teaching me a clever trick."
The two of them talked for a few more words, and suddenly they saw the gatekeeper of the garden, Old Wang, running hurriedly from a distance and said, "Master Qiu, someone came over just now and said that His Highness invited you to come over to discuss important matters."
Before Qiu Yizhi could reply, Wu Ruofei, who was standing behind Lin Shuhan, said angrily: "His Royal Highness is so unreasonable. The young master has been busy for most of the day, and he didn't even have time to take a sip of water, and then he had to go to work again. It's really Don’t treat others as human beings.”
Qiu Yizhi hurriedly smiled and explained: "Miss Wu is wrong. My eldest brother has always been the most considerate and approachable. The emperor has said that he is a good person several times. He is so anxious, obviously he is worried about the situation in front of him. He takes this case very seriously, which is also his good intention.”
So Qiu Yizhi turned around and asked Lao Wang, "Where is the messenger now?"
"He's still waiting at the door. I didn't let him come into the garden."
Qiu Yizhi smiled and said: "You are so brave, you actually dared to stop the people sent by His Highness. If I hadn't been in the garden today and they used rat-proof weapons, they might have forced their way in! In this way, you Just tell that person that I will go to see His Highness immediately after taking a short rest."
Lao Wang agreed in a confused manner, then turned around and walked towards the main entrance.
After hearing this, Wu Ruofei said: "His Highness asked the young master to come over right now, but the young master insists on eating before leaving. Isn't this intentional neglect? Aren't you afraid that Your Highness will hold a grudge?"
"Of course I'm scared!" Qiu Yizhi replied casually. Seeing that Wu Ruofei's beautiful face was a little pale, she smiled again, "Why don't Miss Wu hurry up and prepare some food for me to satisfy my hunger, so that I can go there early, sir?" It’s okay to offend His Highness.”
Only then did Wu Ruofei realize that Qiu Yizhi was teasing him, so he smiled and said angrily: "Master, this joke made me worry for nothing. Humph! Another day I will ask Mr. Lin to help you come up with a bad idea and teach you how to make a fool of yourself. , do you believe it?”
Qiu Yizhi said hurriedly: "Believe, believe, believe! I have learned Mr. Lin's methods. I will thank you in advance!"
After hearing this, Wu Ruofei nodded with satisfaction, turned around and led a few people back to the house, and brought out several ready-made snacks and placed them on the table for Qiu Yizhi, Lin Shuhan and Yuchi Jiming to enjoy.
These snacks are all made by Wu Ruofei himself. Not only are they exquisite in appearance and elegant in taste, but they are also ingeniously added with a little cinnamon, rose, papaya and other flavors, which is the icing on the cake and the finishing touch.
Qiu Yizhi picked a piece and put it in his mouth and chewed it a few times. Most of the heat accumulated in his body in the morning was immediately dissipated. His ears and eyes were clear, and his heart felt very comfortable.
So he was eating and talking to Lin Shuhan, and half an hour had passed before he knew it. Qiu Yi realized that it was not good to delay things too late, so he said goodbye to Lin Shuhan and Wu Ruofei, and rushed to Qixia Temple with Yuchi Jiming.
Zheng Xin had been waiting for Qiu Yizhi for a long time in Qixia Temple. Seeing that he was late, he felt a little unhappy, but he didn't want to get angry. He just smiled and said: "Brother, you are late. You haven't had lunch yet, right? I'm here just right." There are several plates of snacks made by chefs from the palace kitchen. You can take a few bites first and then we can talk."
Although Qiu Yizhi was no longer hungry, he could not deny Zheng Xin's favor. After thanking him quickly, he picked up a small snack and put it in his mouth.
The cuisine in this palace is very particular. As long as it is clean and tidy so that the nobles dining there can't find fault with it, it is considered to be a pass. Therefore, although this snack was not unpalatable in Qiu Yi's mouth, it was not unique at all. He quickly drank the tea, then stood up and thanked him: "As expected of the person brought by His Highness, the craftsmanship is indeed extraordinary." , I’m really in for a treat!”
Zheng Xin smiled proudly and said, "Since it's delicious, let's eat a few more bites, brother."
Qiu Yizhi had no choice but to pick up another piece and hold it in his hand, but said: "I wonder what the purpose of Your Highness calling the younger brother over in such a hurry is to discuss?"
Zheng Xin listened to Qiu Yi's straightforward answer and said: "It's not a big deal. It's just that the trial of the case went very smoothly today. In just a few words, the big fish Cai Min was caught. Brother Yu invited Brother Xian here because he wanted to work with him. Dear brother, let’s discuss how this case should be heard tomorrow.”
Qiu Yizhi played with the snacks in her hands, pondered for a long time, and then said: "Based on the situation in today's court hearing, I only have three humble opinions. Please refer to them, Your Highness."
Zheng Xin's eyes lit up after hearing this, and he said: "How many times have I told you that when no one is around, you and I can treat each other as brothers, but talking about 'His Highness' and 'Second Highness' will only make you angry." My brotherhood. By the way, if you have any advice, please give me some advice."
Qiu Yizhi put down the pastry in his hand, cupped his hands, and said, "I don't dare." The younger brother thought, firstly, the filthiness of Jiangnan's officialdom was beyond original imagination. The main hall... The eldest brother heard it with his own ears today, and Li Shenshi didn't have to talk to him. After all, Cai Min is an important official and a high-ranking official in the border area. It is really shocking that there are more than one or two officials like him in the officialdom of Jiangnan."
Zheng Xin nodded and said: "That's it. Emperor Father decreed that these filthy officials should be severely punished. Brother Yu now truly understands the emperor's deep meaning. What about the second one?" Zheng Xin asked.
"Second..." Qiu Yizhi took a sip of tea and said, "Second, I see that Jiangnan's officialdom is not monolithic. My eldest brother should be able to start from it when trying cases."
Qiu Yizhi's words immediately aroused Zheng Xin's interest, and he asked: "Brother Xian, what do you mean by this? Please explain clearly." (To be continued)