Chapter 816 Different Ideals 3 (Happy Birthday and Full Moon to Mo Yan and Her Little Princess)
Manbao led County Magistrate Tang around in turns. As they walked, County Magistrate Tang realized something was wrong. He looked back and found that they had left the Taoist temple and left it behind without them knowing.
He looked at Manbao in surprise: "Are we leaving the Taoist temple?"
Manbao nodded. "Up ahead is the vegetable patch that Taoist Shouqing and his family have just opened. Go around it and go up a little further. There's a large protruding rock. The view from there is excellent. People outside don't know about it."
County Magistrate Tang asked, "Then how did you know?"
Bai Shan said: "We are familiar with the young Taoist priest in the temple. He brought us here to play."
County Magistrate Tang followed them and saw only trees and weeds along the way, but they passed through a cave and walked up the mountain road for more than ten steps. Suddenly, the view in front of them opened up. As soon as they got out, they saw a huge stone that extended out. Standing on it and looking into the distance, they saw fields everywhere, which was particularly empty.
The blue sky and white clouds are in full view, which makes you feel relaxed and happy.
County Magistrate Tang stood and looked for a while, then turned his head to look at the other side. He found that they could not see this place from the vegetable garden just now, but they could see the vegetable garden clearly from here, so whether anyone came or not, they could see it at a glance from here.
It is indeed a good place to chat and share secrets.
County Magistrate Tang lifted his robe and sat down cross-legged, sighing, "What a pity! We're missing a mat, three cushions, and a pot of good tea."
Manbao and Baishan each found a place to sit down. Hearing this, they said, "You really enjoy life too much. This is a place for cultivation. Just let things flow. Bringing so many things here and then having to clean them up afterwards is such a hassle."
County Magistrate Tang pointed to Mingli and Daji standing nearby and said, "They're not a burden; they're here."
County Magistrate Tang sat down on the stone, straightened his robe, and said with a smile, "Okay, now let's have a frank talk."
County Magistrate Tang did not let Mingli step down, as he was his confidant. Similarly, he would not let Daji step down.
He knew that Daji's existence was more trustworthy than Mingli, so if he trusted Bai Shan, he could confide in him and tell him these things, and naturally Daji could also hear them.
Although there was no tea, County Magistrate Tang was still in high spirits and asked them, "Are we friends?"
Manbao and Baishan nodded together.
County Magistrate Tang laughed and asked, "Are you friends with Yang Heshu?"
The two nodded again.
County Magistrate Tang asked, "Who do you think is better, me or Yang Heshu?"
Manbao was confused. "Master Tang, you and Master Yang are both our friends. Why are you making this comparison?"
"That's right. I wouldn't ask Manbao whether I am better or Bai Er is better."
County Magistrate Tang said, "I am testing your sense and wisdom. Do you understand?"
Manbao felt that it would be inappropriate to tell the truth since he was asking for help from others, so he said, "In my heart, you are all the same."
County Magistrate Tang said bluntly, "That's obviously false. What about you?"
After saying that, he looked at Bai Shan.
Manbao also looked at Baishan.
Bai Shan thought for a moment and said, "I prefer spending time with County Magistrate Yang. It feels like being bathed in the spring breeze."
County Magistrate Tang asked curiously, "How about getting along with me?"
Bai Shan looked at him for a long time without saying anything.
County Magistrate Tang encouraged him, "Go ahead, go ahead. I don't mind."
Bai Shan pondered and said, "When talking to Lord Tang, I can't help but find something to refute him."
Manbao lowered her head to suppress her laughter. County Magistrate Tang glanced at her and said to Bai Shan, "Your feeling is very accurate. So you think Yang Heshu is a better friend than me?"
Bai Shan then said seriously, "Master Tang, I was serious about what I said just now. I believe that there is no comparison between friends. Although Manbao is smarter than Bai Er, and I get along better with Manbao, as friends, they are different, yet the same. I will not compare them."
Manbao nodded repeatedly.
County Magistrate Tang sighed and said, "I finally understand why Changbo made friends with you so easily."
He paused and returned to the topic, asking, "So you all believe what the old lady said?"
They both nodded, and Bai Shan said, "Grandmother wouldn't lie to us."
"Then do you think what the old lady knows is true?"
The two of them stopped talking.
County Magistrate Tang said, "I don't believe it."
He leaned back with his hands, raised his chin slightly, looked at the two of them, and said, "Or, the old lady must be hiding something crucial. For example, why is she so cautious and afraid, and why are there people watching your house?"
"That old case from twelve years ago sounds pretty serious, but that was before the Jianwei Weir burst," County Magistrate Tang said. "Four years ago, the Jianwei Weir burst, and three years ago, most of the officials in Yizhou Prefecture were held accountable. The Jiedushi was exiled, the governor was beheaded, and his entire family was exiled as well. A total of sixteen officials were beheaded along with him."
"These sixteen individuals are all those Lord Wei has found guilty of embezzling funds for the Jianwei Weir repair project. With the exception of the King of Yizhou, all those responsible have been questioned," County Magistrate Tang said. "Lord Wei lacks conclusive evidence to prove the King of Yizhou's embezzlement, so he can only bring the censors to bear on the King of Yizhou through investigations and confessions. Do you know why your grandmother obtained the account books but didn't turn them over to the court?"
Bai Shan said unhappily, "The emperor has already reprimanded the King of Yizhou for the Jianwei Weir incident and confiscated his entire township. Submitting the accounts would simply reopen an old matter. Even if my father's murder case is implicated, it would most likely fall on the deceased Governor Yan. At most, the King of Yizhou would receive another reprimand."
County Magistrate Tang nodded. "Yes, the King of Yizhou is the Queen Mother's youngest son and the current emperor's younger brother. How serious a crime do you think he could be held accountable for?"
Bai Shan stopped talking.
Manbao was silent for a long time. "So, is this matter over? Then did my parents, Bai Shan's father, and all those people who died in vain all die in vain?"
County Magistrate Tang sighed and said, "Of course not. At the very least, we must uncover what happened back then and redress their grievances. Especially your parents. You must be able to pay your respects to them openly and honestly."
Magistrate Tang paused and said, "I don't know if Magistrate Bai and the people from Shu County died because of the incident at Jianwei Weir, but I am certain that your parents are innocent."
Bai Shan was unhappy, "Why don't you believe my father?"
County Magistrate Tang said, "Because the Zhou Yin couple were just enthusiastic passersby, and your father was actually involved in the entire incident, I will not make a direct conclusion unless I can obtain more information and evidence."
County Magistrate Tang said, "This is what I want to tell you. When investigating a case with me, the questions I raise may make you uncomfortable, especially you, Bai Shan. After all, the person I suspect is your closest relative. That's why I don't like people with family ties to directly participate in case investigations, but you are an exception."
The next update will be around 11:30 PM
(End of this chapter)
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