Han Changzhou, the governor of Kaifeng, stood outside the palace gate with great anxiety, waiting for the emperor to summon him. He actually knew very well that his coming here today to ask for an audience with the emperor was extremely illegal. After all, only high-ranking officials at the level of prime minister or minister could participate in today's court meeting. He, a fourth-grade civil servant, could not participate even if he was given a silver fish bag. .
But when it comes to his own future, Han Changzhou has to take the risk. What's more, compared to the orders he gave and what his subordinates did last night after Sun Tu pointed out everything, today's reckless request to see the emperor is no longer a bold move.
Just last night, he rebuked Sun Tu for his reckless behavior and lack of discipline, but Sun Tu revealed the truth behind Fen Yanzi and proposed to investigate to the end and drag the Qian family into trouble, so that he could turn his mistakes into achievements. Even if it doesn't work, it will not affect his official future.
After weighing and considering, Han Fuyin, who was unwilling to lose his official position, finally changed his mind and made a decision that even up to this time made him feel shocked and unbelievable. He ordered his subordinates to follow the previous instructions. The clues found led to a raid on Qian's related properties.
When he issued this order to everyone below with a stern expression, and hundreds of officers set out with doubts, Han Changzhou felt a trace of panic: "Sun Tu, this time I have completely left no way for myself to escape. If something goes wrong, although I will not be able to protect my position, your life and that of your family will also be unsafe."
Faced with such a straightforward threat, Sun Tu seemed very calm: "Xiaguan believes that there is no unstoppable path for people. As long as people commit crimes, they will definitely leave clues. In addition, Xiaguan feels that this is not enough. , I want to see Tong Shuai first, so that someone can say a few words to us in the court."
At this point, Han Changzhou could only cooperate with him, so he nodded and asked Sun Tu to find Tong Guan as a backup, while he himself stayed quietly in the yamen, waiting for the final result to be announced.
He waited all night, until daylight broke out, and the men sent out to search came back and brought back good news that cheered him up. Then Han Changzhou stopped delaying. After washing himself and changing into court clothes, he hurried to the palace in a car and asked to see the emperor with a silverbait bag.
He waited outside the palace gate for a long time with some agony before a chamberlain came out and said, "Your Majesty has decreed that Han Changzhou, the governor of Kaifeng, enters the palace to see you!"
After hearing these words, Han Changzhou let out a long sigh of relief. He still staggered a little when he took two steps, but after taking two steps, he stabilized and entered the palace gate with great energy. The visitor followed the relatively familiar roads in the palace to the front of the Chongzheng Hall, and then bowed respectfully. Only after someone heard from inside that he was asked to come in and answer questions, was he able to enter the scene of the court meeting.
Although he lowered his head when he entered the palace, his eyes still scanned the people present flexibly, and found that the faces of the monarchs and ministers were solemn, especially his benefactor Han Zhi, who looked at him with a sinking face at this time. There was more anger and hostility in his eyes.
Han Changzhou guessed the whole story in a flash, but this matter was related to his future, and he couldn't care less even if he had to go against the Han family. After secretly encouraging himself, he knelt down to worship again.
Zhao Ji stared at him thoughtfully for a long time before speaking.
: "Han Qing suddenly entered the palace today, but what important matter did he report?"
"Your Majesty, I am here to plead guilty and accept punishment." Han Changzhou had already thought of a countermeasure on the way here. Although he was still trembling a little when he spoke, his thinking was quite clear.
These words made the faces of others present change slightly, and Tong Guan frowned. If Han Changzhou took the initiative to admit his mistake, or even put the blame on Sun Tu, the lawsuit would be very detrimental to him. At the same time, he looked at Han Zhi with some suspicion. Could it be that the Han family used force behind his back to force Han Changzhou to confess
Han Zhi was slightly surprised. If Han Changzhou really knew this, he would have to protect him later. Even if it's just for show, you have to set an example for the rest of the Han family.
Zhao Ji was a little confused: "Are you here to plead guilty? Is it because the Kaifeng Mansion sent people to randomly pick up people in Tokyo and opened the gates at will yesterday?"
"Back to Your Majesty, I did go overboard yesterday in order to capture the gang of Pink Swallow thieves who have brought trouble to the capital for many years, and disturbed many people, but I don't think these are faults. The fault I want to admit today is that last night The Kaifeng Prefecture also sent officers and others to surround and search many properties under the name of the Marquis of Shunde. Such a crime is actually contrary to the laws of the imperial court, and I ask your Majesty to convict you of it." As he said that, Han Changzhou knelt down deeply on the ground, with a look on his face. The look of admitting guilt and accepting punishment.
But the words stunned the kings and ministers in the palace. Zhao Ji couldn't believe his ears. After a while, he asked: "What did you say? You actually sent someone to check the property under the name of Marquis Shunde privately?" The so-called The Marquis of Shunde is the current title of the Qian family. The original head of the Wuyue Kingdom had by this time been reduced to a marquis with almost no real power.
But even so, the Qian family still had a high status in the court, and the court needed to set them up as an example. The kings of the Song Dynasty had always treated them favorably, and the officials in the court would not cause trouble for them. And now, the Kaifeng Mansion has taken it upon itself to search the Qian family's property? This is too courageous!
"I am aware of my guilt. But I had to take this step for the sake of the stability of Tokyo. Because some subordinates found out that the gang of thieves Fen Yanzi who had caused trouble for many years had long been involved with the Shunde Marquis Mansion, and the latter had done more for them. As a result, even some officials in the court protected the thieves because of the benefits they received. Therefore, the subordinates had no choice but to kill first and then report, and ordered people to conduct raids at night." Han Changzhou looked frightened on the surface, but in fact he had calmed down and said this He spoke clearly and logically, and by the way, he dug a hole for some officials.
He is less than forty-five years old, and now he is a fourth-rank official, and he is also on the mission of the governor of Kaifeng. Naturally, he is not willing to ruin his future like this, so even if he offends many people, he must fight this time!
Tong Guan had calmed down at this time and saw that the other party was trying to suppress the emperor first. He must have found some evidence before he dared to come to the palace to meet the emperor at this time. So he helped and said, "Did you find anything?"
"We did get a lot last night. We found several women from the capital who were abducted by Pink Swallows and others in a brothel called Miaoyue Pavilion in Xiaotianshui Lane in the east of the city, which was registered under the name of Marquis Shunde. As far as they said, they They were kidnapped during the Mid-Autumn Festival, and they are all from Tokyo. If Pink Yanzi hadn't been seized by my subordinates from Kaifeng Mansion later,
I'm afraid these poor women have been sold elsewhere. "Han Changzhou responded immediately, and quickly took out the relevant confession from his sleeve and raised it above his head.
Naturally, no one would question the authenticity of these words. He, Han Changzhou, did not have the courage to lie in front of the emperor and a group of important ministers. After a pause, he raised his head slightly and said: "In addition, I also learned from the captured thieves that they did all this under the instructions of important figures in the Shunde Marquis Mansion... Just because they knew that the matter was of great importance. , so I had to come to see the emperor and report the truth truthfully."
Zhao Ji's eyes fell dimly on Han Changzhou. After a long while, he turned away and looked at the official of medium height with white hair and beard who was closest to him: "Grand Master, what do you think about this?" ?”
This old man, who looked old and squinted and had never participated in this debate from the beginning, was Cai Jing, the prime minister of the Song Dynasty, who had great power and was deeply trusted by Zhao Ji.
No matter what the officials below said just now, he didn't show any expression at all, as if he was asleep. It wasn't until Zhao Ji asked him about it that Cai Jingfang opened his eyes and glanced at Han Changzhou, Tong Guan and several other officials, then leaned forward and said: "I think this matter cannot be taken lightly, and the truth must be found out as soon as possible. Who is behind it?" Under the guise of the Shunde Marquis Mansion, they killed the people."
Cai Jing is indeed a famous traitor in the Song Dynasty. With just one sentence, he has pointed out the key points. Of course, Fen Yanzi and the mastermind behind it must be investigated, but the Qian family of Shunde Hou must not be involved. Because the imperial court still needs to erect them there as a memorial arch, otherwise if word spreads, it will only alienate the surrounding vassal states.
"Then who should be responsible for this matter in the opinion of Taishi?" Zhao Ji immediately understood the truth and asked again after being refreshed.
"Since it was the Kaifeng Mansion that discovered this inside story, of course it is better for them to continue to investigate. However, after all, Shunde Marquis has a high status, and it is not something that Kaifeng Mansion's subordinates can ask, so let's leave it to Privy Council Tong." Cai Jing said. , glanced at Tong Guan again.
Tong Guan immediately saluted Zhao Ji and said: "Your Majesty, I am willing to share your worries and let Marquis Shunde cooperate to find out the truth of the matter as soon as possible."
Han Zhi and Du Zhiyuan's expressions became very ugly. Wouldn't this clear the Kaifeng Mansion, especially Sun Tu's charges? But just when they wanted to say something louder, Cai Jing's old eyes glanced over. Just this glance made the two high-ranking officials feel cold in their hearts, and the movements they were about to make stopped abruptly.
What does it mean to have power over the ruling and opposition parties, and what does it mean to be the most powerful person in the world? With just a few words and a look, Cai Jing set the tone for this turmoil that had been quarreling for half a day, so that no one dared to express different opinions.
"In that case, let's follow what the Grand Master said. Han Qing, the Kaifeng Mansion must investigate this case as soon as possible without being biased. In this way, I can still forgive you for yesterday's offense. Otherwise, you will be punished for both crimes. , I will not take it lightly. Do you understand?" Zhao Ji nodded and looked at Han Changzhou.
Han Changzhou hurriedly kowtowed in obedience to the order. When he came out of the hall, he felt that his back and clothes were wet with cold sweat.
A mystery that started among the people was finally solved in the temple!