"The conditions are simple, and I hope you will bear with me. I wonder if you have any advice for me, gentlemen, since you have come to visit us?"
After a brief greeting, Zhu Ping'an invited Xu Hai and others into a shed at the Donghu construction site, poured them tea in porcelain bowls, and asked with a bow.
"Ahem, in recent days, there have been a number of memorials impeaching Lord Zhu for colluding with grain merchants, raising grain prices, and accepting bribes. We have come here to verify the matter in accordance with the emperor's order." Xu Hai coughed and said to Zhu Ping'an.
The Taiping County Magistrate standing by was on pins and needles, and his constipated expression was even worse.
What? Impeach me for colluding with grain merchants, driving up grain prices, and accepting bribes
Zhu Ping'an was slightly stunned when he heard this. He glanced at the expressions of everyone in the room without leaving a trace, and he already understood what was going on.
Well, looking at the expressions of Lord Xu, Prefect Tan, and Captain Zhang, the mother-in-law looking at her son-in-law, I think they must have secretly checked and proved my innocence, and by the way, they were also shocked by my results...
Oh, the constipated and uneasy expression of the Taiping County Magistrate, I think among those who impeached him, there must be the Taiping County Magistrate, who will be worried about his career because the impeachment is wrong... ...
Lord Wang, Lord Zhang, and Censor Peng, they looked like they were unhappy with me but couldn't do anything to me. They were probably sent by someone to prosecute Zhu Ping'an for colluding with grain merchants and corruption, but they didn't expect that the impeachment was wrong, resulting in a wasted trip. It's not easy to report back... ...
As for Zuo Zhen, this guy probably didn't get the wrong impression, his eyes seemed to be full of admiration?! An unexpected fanboy?! This also indirectly proved that Xu Hai and his team had verified my innocence and saw Jingnan's achievements.
So... ... it's my turn to pretend, no, it's my turn to show my demeanor.
So, Zhu Ping'an pulled the corner of his mouth, smiled bitterly, bowed his hands and confessed to Xu Hai and others, "Haha, I think it was Ping'an's behavior of defining high grain prices that broke the conventional practice and caused misunderstandings, so they impeached me. I think their starting point for impeaching Ping'an is also for the sake of the 100,000 people in Jingnan. However, the innocent are innocent, and the turbid are turbid. It is Ping'an's fault that I made you all travel all the way from the capital just for Ping'an. No matter how the superiors verify, Ping'an will cooperate unconditionally."
After Zhu Ping'an finished speaking, Xu Hai and others looked at him with even more admiration.
What is the demeanor of a gentleman?! What is a broad-minded prime minister?! What is upright and aboveboard?!
That's it!
When he was impeached, he did not defend himself, but defended the person who impeached him.
People always judge others by their own standards, but Zhu Ping'an can judge others by his own standards.
Not to mention, Zhu Ping'an also expressed his unconditional support and cooperation with the investigation, his attitude is so upright!
How could Xu Hai and others not appreciate it? Zuo Zhen was even more impressed by Zhu Ping'an's magnanimity and gentlemanly demeanor.
Of course, the constipated expression on the face of Taiping County Magistrate became even worse, and he wished he could find a rat hole to crawl into...
Well, the effect is good. Zhu Ping'an took in everyone's expressions and secretly gave himself a thumbs up.
"Ahem, actually, we have basically verified it. The impeachment is wrong. Mr. Zhu is innocent."
Xu Hai coughed and spoke softly.
"What? Already found out? You are really swift and decisive, and you are very observant. Ping An admires you."
As expected, Zhu Ping'an understood it in his heart, but he showed a shocked expression on his face at the right time.
Next, Xu Hai and others further asked Zhu Ping'an about the situation. Zhu Ping'an ordered the officers to go to the county government office to
Next, Xu Hai and others briefly talked to Zhu Ping'an about the investigation and further understood the relevant situation. Zhu Ping'an asked someone to go to the county government office to fetch the "Donation Agreement" signed by Manager Yang and others and the "Donation Distribution Form" signed and sealed by the people when the donations were distributed, and showed them to Xu Hai and others.
These "Donation Agreements" and "Donation Distribution Lists" further confirmed Zhu Ping'an's innocence. Xu Hai also took a few copies of them as evidence to enrich the case closing materials.
When Wang Meng and others saw these "Donation Agreements" and "Donation Distribution Forms", their faces turned even darker, and they secretly thought that this little thief Zhu Ping'an was really cunning. It turned out that he had been preparing for this day. With these "Donation Agreements" and "Donation Distribution Forms", he would have been invincible.
Perhaps, he is still looking forward to being impeached...
Wang Meng and others thought bitterly.
I actually impeached such a person... ... The face of the Taiping County Magistrate had long lost all color.
"Master Zhu, we have traveled through most of Jiangnan on this trip. Everywhere else, there is a desolate scene of grief and suffering, with countless people dying of hunger. Only in your place is there sufficient grain, and the people live and work in peace and contentment. It is full of vitality, like a paradise. How did you come up with the idea of raising the price of grain?"
Xu Hai and others asked curiously.
Zhu Ping'an naturally hid nothing and explained again everything he had explained to the clerks in the county government and the evil woman Ruonan.
"Adapt to local conditions and adopt policies according to the times... Jingnan is fortunate to have Lord Zhu." Xu Hai and others saw the actual situation in Jingnan with their own eyes. Especially the sharp contrast with other places made it easier and more profound to understand, and they nodded repeatedly.
"Master Zhu, why didn't you tell me earlier that you have such a good idea?" Tan Lun said half praising and half blaming.
"Your Excellency, since ancient times, when disasters such as floods and droughts occur, the first priority is to stabilize grain prices. This has become a conventional practice. Raising grain prices breaks the conventional management and goes against common sense. I am just one person, and my words carry little weight. If I were to mention this to you, would you believe me?"
Zhu Ping'an replied with a wry smile.
Tan Lun nodded when he heard this. If Zhu Ping'an had mentioned this to him at that time, he would never have believed it. He might even have blamed Zhu Ping'an for being ridiculous and not taking the lives of the people seriously...
Also, before the flood occurred, Zhu Ping'an had submitted an official document to me to warn me of the flood. However, since I was in the recruit camp at that time, the officials in the government office did not take Zhu Ping'an's reminder seriously and shelved it. In short, Zhu Ping'an brought it up, but I did not respond... With such a previous record, it was normal for Zhu Ping'an to stop making suggestions. How could I be qualified to blame Zhu Ping'an
"Master Zhu, when I return to Taizhou Prefecture, I intend to follow your example in defining the grain price in Taizhou Prefecture and carrying out the work-for-relief program. Master Zhu, please enlighten me on the key points and matters that need attention."
Tan Lun bowed and said to Zhu Pingan.
"Your Excellency's words are too kind. Even if you don't say anything, Ping An will make suggestions. I have drafted a relevant proposal document and am preparing to submit it to you after revising it in the near future. The precautions and other matters are all listed in the proposal."
Zhu Ping'an hurriedly stood up and returned the greeting, then took out a folded document from his arms and handed it to Tan Lun with both hands.
"A letter to Taizhou Prefecture on defining grain prices and using work in lieu of relief"
Tan Lun took it and looked at it. Just by looking at the title of the document, he knew that what Zhu Ping'an said was true, and he couldn't help but feel ashamed of what he had just thought.