As a former general of the Western Army, Chu Mingsheng actually had a backer. The Zhong family in the northwest of Shizhen, which had a high prestige in the military, was his backer. But obviously in Lingzhou City, he didn't dare to compete with Magistrate Weng. The other party could even seize his position after catching a few mistakes. This shows how strong the backers behind Magistrate Weng are.
But when the truth was revealed, Sun Tu was still a little surprised and looked thoughtfully at Magistrate Weng, who had gained confidence again. His backer turned out to be Cai Jing, and with the appetite of this person in the court, it was natural that he could not please him with just tens of thousands of dollars. From this, it seems reasonable that he had exhausted all his means in Lingzhou and scraped the ground three feet away. Among them.
Although Sun Tu has not really penetrated into the officialdom of the Song Dynasty, he still understands some things. Compared with officials like Gao Qiu, Liang Shicheng or Tong Guan who show their greed openly, the current power minister Cai Jing seems to be much more low-key. As everyone knows, Liang Zhongshu of Daming Prefecture gives himself a gift every year. The father-in-law donated gold, jewelry and shells worth more than 100,000 guan, but in fact, the Manchu officials under his wing gave Taishi Cai a hundred times more wealth every year.
It's just that these people didn't dare to make any noise and sent things to Cai Jing's house in a big way, so they didn't show off. Just like the magistrate Weng of Lingzhou in front of him, if Sun Tu had not already grasped the truth about his life, he would never tell others this secret. In the eyes of others, all he did was just himself. Just greedy.
After being stared at by Sun Tuna for a long time, Magistrate Weng felt a little uneasy. He could only continue to reveal some inside information to put pressure on the other party: "Do you know how much wealth I have to donate to Grand Master Cai every year? Two hundred thousand gu! And my annual salary is only so much. If I don’t get enough money from the local people, how can I honor Grand Master Cai? So if you really want to ask, the truth is like this!" As he said, he still had some questions. He looked back at Sun Tu provocatively, waiting for the other party to back down automatically.
He does have reason to be so sure. It is because Cai Jing's status in the court is too high, his disciples and former officials are all over the world, and he has a strong influence on the current emperor. It can be said that as long as he has a thought, he can make anyone completely And disappearing from this world silently, no matter he is an official or a citizen, even a powerful prince may not be spared. This is the strength of Grand Master Cai!
At this time, Chu Mingsheng and others all showed expressions of fear and retreat. This backer was really not something people like them could easily offend. Even if this was directed at one of them, it would inevitably arouse Taishi Cai's wrath, and the consequences would be hard to predict.
Only Sun Tu, after thinking for a while, his eyes became calm again, and he raised the corner of his mouth with a sarcastic smile: "Prefect Weng, you really have a long-term vision. You have already found a backer and thought of a way out. , that’s why you are so unscrupulous here and don’t take anyone or any laws into consideration.”
Listening to what he said slowly, Magistrate Weng felt a little nervous again, always feeling that something was wrong. But when he thought about it carefully, he didn't realize that he had anything to fear. After all, Taishi Cai was the most powerful amulet. How dare he, a fifth-grade governor, be an enemy of Taishi Cai
"If only
Regarding the corruption case, you have such a backing that no one can touch you. But don’t forget, what is the root of what happened to you this time? Do you think Taishi Cai will get into such big trouble? "Sun Tu stared into the other person's eyes and pointed out the most crucial point.
Before he finished speaking, he saw the pride and determination in Magistrate Weng's eyes instantly collapse, replaced by deep fear. Only then did he suddenly remember that he was still guilty of colluding with Zengtou City and colluding with the Jurchens to betray the entire Lingzhou Mansion. This crime is much bigger than corruption and harming the people, and it is related to the stability of the world. Even Cai Jing dare not touch it.
But then, he thought of something else and said anxiously: "You are making a false accusation. Although I have some dealings with Zengtou City, that is because I don't know their exact identity, let alone have any dealings with the Jurchens." …”
"The truth behind this is left to the officials of the Ministry of Punishment or Dali Temple to investigate. What I have to do is to report these crimes to the court truthfully. Of course, it also includes all the things you do in the local area and harm the people. It's illegal." Sun Tu had regained control of the initiative at this time, and after a few words, he was so frightened that the other party turned pale, and his body began to tremble violently.
This time, Magistrate Weng was really frightened, not only because of the charge of colluding with the Jurchens and plotting evil intentions that was imposed on him, but also because once the matter was reported to the court, Grand Master Cai would definitely try his best to clear away his involvement. There is really no place to die...
Sun Tu saw that he had understood the consequences, and no longer threatened him with words. He just waved his hand and ordered someone to hand the confession to Magistrate Weng for his signature. At this point, he had no way to escape. He could only sign his name and fingerprint his confession honestly. By the time all this was done, he was already paralyzed on the ground and could only be half-dragged out.
Soon, only Sun Tu and Chu Mingsheng were left in the hall. The latter's face was full of fear and struggle. After a while, he hesitated and said: "Sun Dujian, are you really planning to take all these charges to trial?" Are you going to Bianjing? Isn’t this too risky? If you offend Master Cai, the consequences will be... "
Sun Tu could tell that this man was really scared. For a general who had fought countless battles and had never shown fear in the face of many powerful enemies to react like this showed how powerful and terrifying Cai Jing was.
But he didn't show any hesitation, and just nodded gently: "If everyone doesn't do some things, it will only increase the arrogance of those evil people. I only know that there is righteousness in the world, and all evil will be rectified!"
"There is righteousness in the world, and all evil will be warded off..." Chu Mingsheng muttered and repeated this sentence, feeling a little startled, but he was still full of doubts about it.
"You should know, Inspector Chu, that everything is human-made, right? You should also know why our Song Dynasty has repeatedly suffered heavy losses in the north and northwest in the past hundred years. That is because our soldiers do not have the courage to fight against any enemy to the end. The momentum is the result of being suppressed by civil servants for hundreds of years." Sun Tu looked at the other party with a faint look: "Even if the Western Army has two ministers, big and small, to take charge of the overall situation, can our Song Dynasty put down the rebellion of Xixia? We can't just guard that bitter cold place, but
Are you going to let the Xia people occupy the most fertile land in the Hetao where horses can be raised and feel helpless
"The army has been weak for many years. Military attachés are like mice meeting cats when it comes to civil servants. They are suppressed everywhere. Has anyone before me ever thought of rising up to resist and seize the military power and political power in a place? No, because you don't dare. , and didn't want to try. But I, Sun Tu, did it and succeeded. What was the result? Although the court reprimanded me, it also acquiesced to what I did. I, Sun Tu, even practiced in Qingzhou. We have formed a truly elite force. Because we are fearless, we are invincible!
"It is also a general truth today. He, Cai Jing, dominates the court and seems to be invincible. But is that really the case? In my opinion, the reason why the Song Dynasty is in such a state is because those in power in the court are like him. Those who only know how to exercise power and ignore the country for their own selfishness will lead to corrupt officials everywhere in the world, and the people and soldiers will be miserable. Although our Song Dynasty looks at the prosperous and prosperous times, but under the splendid clothes, there are What? It's just a skeletal body that's so weak that it falls to pieces with just the slightest touch!
"You and I are both ministers of the Song Dynasty and generals responsible for protecting the country. Can you bear to watch the Song Dynasty fall into chaos one day, and the people who have already suffered so much are trampled and killed by the iron hoofs of foreign races?"
Chu Mingsheng couldn't react for a long time after these words came out so loudly that he just looked at Sun Tu in surprise, and even his breathing became rapid. Although he was only in Northwest and Lingzhou, he had seen a lot of things, so he naturally understood that what Sun Tu said was not false, but the real root cause that everyone had deliberately ignored.
In the past, he could turn a blind eye and deceive himself and others, but now, when Sun Tu laid everything bloody in front of him, he was really shocked. After a long time, he muttered: "So what does Sun Dujian mean?"
"No one has done it before, but it doesn't mean that it can't be done. If I can create a world in Qingzhou, then I can also use this matter to make changes in the court this time! Lingzhou is an opportunity. As long as we seize this opportunity, Perhaps this is the best opportunity to overthrow Cai Jing and other powerful officials who oversee the corruption!" Sun Tu unabashedly stated his purpose: "I want to unite all the soldiers and civilians in Lingzhou and submit tens of thousands of people's letters to the emperor. Report all the shortcomings in it. I want to see whether the current emperor puts the world first or one person first!"
In fact, Sun Tu had long wanted to do something for the Song Dynasty, but he had never found a suitable opportunity before. But today, after learning about certain things hidden under the water, he could no longer bear it. It was time to issue the most severe torture to the Song Dynasty court - which one was more serious
If he were a mature bureaucratic politician, he would never do such a direct thing at this time, but it was obvious that Sun Tu was not such a person, and he still retained a sincerity deep in his heart.
In addition, what no one knows is that this is Sun Tu's last chance for Zhao Ji, the Zhao family, and the entire Song Dynasty!
If they make the wrong choice, Sun Tu will let go and let the world develop in the direction he wants to see - by then, the world will be turned upside down, and how many people will die will not be considered!
The opportunity is in front of you, it depends on what choice Zhao Ji makes...