At the court meeting the next day, someone presented evidence, saying that secret reports from Jiangsu and Zhejiang had indicated that the Ye Jia case was related to Prince Xin Xiao Changqing, and that one of the arrested Ye Shang had had close contacts with Prince Xin.
"Prince Xin, how do you explain this matter?" Emperor Youning asked the eunuch to present the evidence to Xiao Changqing.
In previous years, Xiao Changqing worked for Emperor Youning and made many friends from all over the world. He did have some dealings with this Ye Shang. He pretended to approach a merchant in order to investigate a corruption case and then withdrew. This person probably didn't even know his identity.
However, if he wanted people to know, then they would know. After reading it carefully, Xiao Changqing said frankly, "Your Majesty, this man did have contact with me in my early years. I haven't contacted him for three years. I just learned today that he was involved in the Ye Jia case. All the speculations in the memorial are nonsense. This case has nothing to do with me."
"His Royal Highness Prince Xin said that it has nothing to do with you. You need to present evidence. There is no connection on the surface. Who can know privately..."
Someone else refuted it, and someone immediately came out to defend him: "It is not enough to convict him based on one-sided words. It looks like a confession, but who knows if it is just empty talk and slander? Or maybe someone couldn't stand the torture and made random accusations..."
The two sides each held their own views and were unwilling to accept the other. Some people attacked Xiao Changqing, while Xiao Changqing's people tried their best to defend him, causing Emperor Youning to watch them argue in silence.
Xiao Huayong, looking pale and somewhat tired, lowered his eyes and remained silent. His eyes were deep and dark.
Since suspicious points have been discovered and the prince is involved, it is natural to investigate thoroughly. It is obvious that Xiao Changgeng cannot find out the truth alone, and Xiao Changgeng does not have enough confidence to shake the deeply rooted Xiao Changqing.
Who to send became the focus of the dispute. Some people did not believe Xiao Changqing, while others were worried that Xiao Changqing would be framed. Xiao Huayong gave a subtle look to Shangshu Ling Cui Zheng.
Cui Zheng hesitated for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance. I am an incompetent official, but I am willing to accept Your Majesty's orders and go to Yuhang to help Your Majesty with your worries."
As soon as Cui Zheng finished speaking, everyone was shocked. He was the head of all officials, and he actually planned to go to Jiangsu and Zhejiang in person. Wouldn't this turn Jiangsu and Zhejiang upside down
But when everyone thought about it, they realized that at this time, only a person of high moral character and prestige who could suppress the prince and who did not belong to any force could be able to keep the situation under control.
Some people with guilty consciences naturally wanted to refute, but since Cui Zheng was going to accompany His Majesty to the temporary palace to escape the summer heat, all the government affairs had been arranged, and it was not a big deal to withdraw at this time. To refute Cui Zheng's going to Jiangsu and Zhejiang, one needed a reasonable reason, otherwise it would make oneself appear guilty.
Xiao Changqing took a deep look at Cui Zheng who was standing in the middle. This was something he manipulated himself, and his purpose was to use this incident to prove his innocence and leave the capital.
There are only a few qualified people, and the six ministers will not take on the task, because if the matter is not investigated clearly, it will be ineffective, and if it is investigated clearly, it will offend many people.
For the sake of the overall situation, Your Majesty has no intention of uprooting the people. Everyone can see that, so whoever goes there will make enemies and sow the seeds of trouble. Who would dare to take on such a task
Among the three ministries, the Minister of the Central Secretariat Tao Zhuanxian is old, and it is a scorching summer now, so he cannot withstand the tossing and turning. The Shizhong is your Majesty's man, so even if your Majesty sends him, he must send himself to show fairness.
Since the fall of the Gu family, the Cui family has been playing it safe and keeping neutral in everything. They have been neither active nor lazy in court affairs, and have always been content to do their duty. Your Majesty has always been happy to see this happen, but you never expected Cui Zheng to take the initiative to intervene in this matter.