Chapter 48 Interrogation (Part 8)
Ling Wei seemed to see through her thoughts: "Commander Zhao, why is Sun Man so fearless? She believes that she has two things in her grasp: First, this matter may involve the imperial family, and we are afraid to act rashly; second, she is certain that there is disunity among us, especially you, who will definitely back down to protect yourself."
She walked back to the bedside, her gaze fixed intently on Zhao Ying: "If you really fall ill and are absent right now, that will play right into her hands. She will be even more convinced of her judgment and will only become more cunning and stubborn during the interrogation, denying everything in every way."
Because you're not here, she's taking a gamble—a gamble that I can't pinpoint certain issues requiring military verification without your cooperation. She's stalling for time, waiting for things to change.
Zhao Ying's heart skipped a beat.
Yes, Sun Man is cunning and shrewd. If only Ling Wei, the outsider princess, is interrogating him, and he is not present, it will give her an opening to make excuses.
"But if we can't get to the bottom of this case, and if we can't convict Sun Man and clear up this mess in Xishan..."
Ling Wei then posed an even more alarming question to Zhao Ying, "Commander Zhao, let me ask you, Sun Man has fallen, Du Wen has fallen, and those heads of the Mining Supervision Bureau can't escape either. So many key positions in Fuling County are suddenly vacant. Who will fill them next?"
Zhao Ying subconsciously replied, "They are selected by the Ministry of Personnel of the Imperial Court, or recommended by their superiors..." She froze halfway through her sentence.
“Not bad.” Ling Wei nodded, looking down at her with a calm and insightful gaze, devoid of mockery. “Chief Minister Cai has students and friends all over the court and the country, and Fuling is her hometown, where she has cultivated relationships for many years.”
Now that her trusted lieutenant has fallen and caused such a huge mess, will she accept it? Won't she be thinking of sending someone more reliable to take over, clean up the mess, and cover it up as soon as possible?
Zhao Ying's back was soaked with cold sweat. She had thought about this problem before, but she dared not think about it too deeply.
The Tsai faction will never let this go. So what will she be seen as the garrison commander who witnessed Sun Man's downfall?
Is it an eyesore or a stumbling block? Or... a hidden danger that needs to be dealt with because they know too much?
Ling Wei's voice rang out again: "At that time, Commander Zhao, do you think you can still live a peaceful life in Xishan as before, being your Taiping Commander? A new broom sweeps clean, but the first fire won't burn me, nor will it burn Sun Man, who has already been convicted. So who will it burn?"
Who will it burn? The answer is self-evident.
Zhao Ying's face turned ashen, and her feigned weakness turned into genuine fear.
Seeing that even the last glimmer of hope in Zhao Ying's eyes had vanished, Ling Wei knew the time was right.
"As for the possible counterattack from the Cai faction, and the difficulties that the new prefect may bring in the future..." Her voice revealed a cold and resolute tone, "Since I dared to lift this lid, I will not only lift it halfway."
She looked intently at Zhao Ying:
"Commander Zhao, if you lend me a hand now and make this case a solid, irrefutable case with conclusive evidence, thoroughly condemning the crimes of Sun Man's faction, you will be a hero who restores order to the country."
While I dare not presume to guarantee you lifelong wealth and honor, I can certainly ensure you receive an evaluation for "loyalty, bravery, diligence, suppressing bandits, pacifying the people, and assisting the imperial envoy in investigating major cases," and submit a memorial to the Ministry of War, or even have the opportunity to present it to the Emperor.
"With this tangible achievement in hand, whether you want to leave this troublesome place and be transferred to a more stable prefecture or county, or you want to advance further in the army, you will have more confidence."
"This is better than you staying here and becoming a thorn in someone's side, only to be easily and subtly removed at any time, isn't it?"
A combination of kindness and severity was employed, with clear advantages and disadvantages.
The road ahead is a precipice, and retreating is a pit of fire. Only by following her can we carve out a path to survival and even fight for a future.
Zhao Ying's eyes shifted rapidly, finally settling on a ruthless look of someone driven to the brink. She took a deep breath and then rolled off the bed.
With a "thump," she knelt directly in front of Ling Wei, no longer feigning remorse as before, but giving a solid military salute:
"Your Highness, I was foolish! I almost ruined my own plans and even jeopardized Your Highness's important affairs. I beg Your Highness to give me a chance to atone for my mistakes!"
She looked up, her hesitation replaced by determination:
"From this day forward, I, Zhao Ying, and all the soldiers of the garrison in Fuling County will follow Your Highness's lead! Whoever Your Highness wants to interrogate, I will take him into custody! Wherever Your Highness wants to investigate, I will pave the way there! This rotten piece of flesh in Xishan, if Your Highness says you want to dig it out, I will be your sharpest shovel, without a word."
This time, she was truly cured.
Ling Wei looked at Zhao Ying kneeling before her, her face showing little pride. She simply nodded slightly and offered a hand in a gesture of support.
"Commander Zhao, please rise. We are both acting on imperial orders to eliminate traitors for the country. From now on, we must work together."
"This subordinate obeys!" Zhao Ying replied loudly, then stood up, looking completely different from his sickly appearance just now.
Ling Wei turned to Qing Shu and said, "Go tell Sun Man that he's rested enough and it's time to continue our chat."
Her gaze fell on the window; the snake was startled, the rat was about to move, and the knife in her hand was already sharpened.
The real contest is about to begin.
Sun Man was interrogated again, this time in the main hall of the prefectural governor's office.
When Sun Man was brought up again, she looked even more disheveled than the day before. Her official robes were filthy, her hair was disheveled, and her face showed obvious signs of fatigue.
Strangely, her gaze was even calmer than yesterday. She glanced around the hall, saw Ling Wei, and also saw Zhao Ying sitting to one side. There was a hint of surprise in her eyes, but then she regained her composure.
Before Ling Wei could even speak, she knelt down, raised her head, and revealed a strangely peaceful smile: "Your Highness, are you going to sentence this humble official?"
That's a very meaningful question.
Ling Wei, seated at the head of the table, merely raised an eyebrow upon hearing this:
"Prefect Sun seems quite anxious? Is it because he's afraid I'll ask too many questions, or because he's afraid he'll... say too much?"
Sun Man's eyelids twitched. She avoided Ling Wei's gaze and turned to look at Zhao Ying with a probing look in her eyes.
Zhao Ying felt much more at ease at this moment. Meeting Sun Man's gaze, she snorted coldly and spoke in a loud voice, "Lord Sun, there's no need to look. Although I am dull-witted, I know how to be loyal to the emperor and love the country."
This world belongs to the Ling family, but even more so to all the people. His Majesty is benevolent and loves his people like his own children. How can you demons and monsters be allowed to harm your people and corrupt His Majesty's ears here?
Even if there are some improprieties, they must be the result of your treacherous and corrupt behavior of deceiving your superiors! If His Majesty is aware of this, he will surely punish you severely!
These words resonated deeply.
The message is clear in two ways: First, I don't believe your accusations against the emperor; second, even if you did say something, it must have been someone below deceiving His Majesty, and ultimately the blame wouldn't fall on His Majesty, but you, by accusing the emperor, would be punished even more severely.
Sun Man's facial muscles twitched almost imperceptibly.
She didn't expect that, just one night later, Zhao Ying, that slippery old fox, not only wasn't scared away, but instead stood firmly by Ling Wei's side and came up with this method of "responsibility separation".
What promises did Ling Wei make to her? How dare she?!
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