Chapter 43 Interrogation (Part 3) (Bonus Chapter 2)
Since this path is temporarily blocked, let's try another one.
"Very well." Ling Wei's voice returned to its calm tone. "Sun Man, since you have admitted to the crimes of condoning your subordinates' collusion with bandits, forcing villagers to relocate, illegally operating mines, and imprisoning and harming miners, then I ask you..."
"Where did those ores illegally mined from black mines, which were never recorded and never entered into the national treasury, end up?"
This is Ling Wei's true goal: to pull out the radish, but also to bring out the mud.
Sun Man and Du Wen were just the beginning; what she truly wanted to sever was the dark vein deeply embedded in the flesh and blood of Xishan behind them.
The publicly available account books were watertight, and the Ministry of Revenue's archives were neat and tidy.
But what about those mines that were never registered?
What about those broken bodies whose names were never recorded?
And what about the enormous profits that flowed away with it?
What Ling Wei wants to do is expose all that is hidden from the light of day to the scorching sun of the execution ground.
The lobby fell eerily quiet. Even Du Wen forgot to tremble and looked at Sun Man in terror.
Sun Man remained silent for a moment, the deep sorrow and regret on his face gradually fading away, replaced by a strange calm.
She raised her eyes, looked at Ling Wei, and slowly said:
"Your Highness... I am old and cannot remember many things."
These shameless words caused Zhao Ying to gasp in shock, and even Ling Wei's eyes widened slightly, almost laughing in anger.
Sun Man, however, seemed oblivious to their reactions, continuing to reminisce as if recalling the past:
"I was fortunate enough to be selected by Your Majesty to serve in Fuling County, and it has been almost ten years since then." She murmured, as if sorting out the long years. "At that time, the Longji Mine had only been discovered for a short time, and all industries were waiting to be developed... Your Majesty is benevolent and has taken many measures to reduce or exempt the mining tax in Xishan. We are deeply grateful and can only repay Your Majesty's grace by doing our best in serving the country."
She paused for a moment, as if suddenly remembering something, and turned to Ling Wei, her tone becoming respectful and concerned: "Your Highness, please forgive me, this old minister was in a daze. Speaking of Your Majesty, is Your Majesty's health still good these days?"
At this time of year, His Majesty is probably going to the hot spring palace on Cuiwei Mountain to recuperate, isn't he? That place is beautiful with its clear waters and lush mountains, perfect for nourishing the body.
Ling Wei didn't answer, but just frowned and looked at her.
Sun Man didn't seem to need to answer, and she continued speaking to herself: "Speaking of the Cuiwei Mountain Palace... I remember that when the palace was built, the construction period was quite tight."
She frowned slightly, seemingly trying to recall the specific year. "What year was it again? My memory is terrible. I only remember that the Ministry of Works and the Imperial Workshops were frequently in contact. Documents for procuring timber, stone, and glazed tiles were sent from the capital to various places. On the official road passing through Fuling, there was a constant stream of caravans transporting building materials..."
She described it as if it were the most normal scene of a royal construction project.
"The progress is truly rapid," Sun Man sighed softly, her tone ambiguous, whether it was admiration or something else. "Such a vast palace complex, it seems like only yesterday..."
She didn't finish her sentence.
"Bang!" Zhao Ying jumped up from her seat, her face ashen, her voice trembling with fear: "Your Highness! It's getting late! You...you've worked tirelessly all day, running around all night, and presiding over the interrogation until now. Why don't...why don't you rest for now and continue the interrogation tomorrow?"
She couldn't let Sun Man continue talking, not even a single word!
This old woman wasn't reminiscing at all; she was throwing a silent thunderclap into the lobby with the most nonchalant tone.
This is no longer a trial; this is an outrageous act.
Sun Man's meaning couldn't be clearer: a portion of the revenue from the illegal mines didn't go into the national treasury or into the pockets of the Cai faction, but instead... flowed into the private treasury of the current emperor, Emperor Jinghe! It was used to build His Majesty's detached palaces and villas!
Regardless of how much of what she said is true or false, how can this be investigated? A daughter interrogating her mother? A subject interrogating a monarch? This is putting Ling Wei on the hot seat of justice!
Sun Man, lying on the ground, looked at Ling Wei's suddenly pale face and at Zhao Ying's panicked attempt to interrupt the interrogation. Finally, a slightly crazed smile appeared on his lips.
She spoke slowly, as if speaking to Ling Wei, and more likely to her own inescapable fate:
"Your Highness, I confess my guilt. I failed to manage my subordinates properly, tolerated bandits, and mistreated disabled miners, causing injustice among the people... I admit to all of this."
“But…” she changed the subject, her eyes flashing with a ruthless and mocking glint, “where did those ‘extra’ mineral veins go…”
"Your Highness, I am old and confused; I truly cannot remember. Perhaps there was never any 'extra' at all? The official accounts, verified by the Ministry of Revenue, are clear year after year; the national treasury is full, and all parties... aren't they all satisfied?"
“Your Highness has concealed your talents and bided your time until now, which is truly commendable.” Sun Man’s voice was even lower, but every word was piercing. “Why bother to investigate things that are too far-reaching for the sake of some... crippled ants who are already unacceptable to the world, and some 'muddled accounts' with no evidence?”
“Some threads, once pulled out, are hard to untangle. One careless move, and you might pull something you shouldn’t have…” She drew out her words meaningfully, her gaze sweeping over Ling Wei, then quickly returning to the plaque inscribed with “A Clear Mirror Hangs High,” before turning away again. “Your Highness is wise enough to understand the implications. Closing the case where it should be closed is best for everyone.”
The illegal mine can be filled in, the miners can be released, and the accounts... can be gradually balanced out.
It's nothing more than my incompetence that led to banditry and some mismanagement. In that case, Your Highness's duties before His Majesty and in the court can be considered well done, can't they?"
She was using the secrets that Emperor Jinghe might be involved in to force Ling Wei to compromise, to force her to stop the case at the level of "Sun Man's dereliction of duty and bandits in Xishan", to give up investigating the ultimate destination of the black mine's profits, and to protect that behemoth that was deeper inside.
Ling Wei's hand clenched quietly beneath her robe sleeve.
......
The interrogation was interrupted.
Ling Wei let Qing Shu escort her back to the courtyard where she was temporarily staying. Her face was expressionless, frighteningly calm.
As soon as she entered the room, she said to Qing Shu, "Go and get some wine, the more the better."
Qing Shu opened his mouth, wanting to persuade her, but when he saw Ling Wei's dark eyes, all the words stuck in his throat.
She silently withdrew, and after a short while, she brought over two jars of strong liquor, then silently retreated to the door to stand guard.
Ling Wei didn't ask for a cup. She broke the clay seal, picked up the wine jar, and tilted her head back to drink it.
The scalding, spicy liquid burned her throat, burning all the way down to her stomach. After several large gulps, she put down the wine jar, her eyes somewhat unfocused as she stared at the flickering candlelight. Suddenly, she spoke in a low voice:
"System... there's more than one wicked woman in this world, isn't there?"
Due to the constraints of the natural order, the system could not speak; its mind was completely silent, save for the faint buzzing sound brought on by the alcohol.
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