101 Chapter 101
◎Catch them all◎
All five of them had heard of the name Princess Rong'an.
They had heard various versions of the rumor several times, but the image of the princess was still vague in their minds.
It was not until I actually saw the figure in the water pavilion that I realized all the rumors were false.
Princess Rong'an deserves this.
They only took one look, then lowered their brows, knelt on the ground outside the water pavilion, and saluted respectfully.
"There is no need for such great courtesy for people outside the sect." Xie Mingzhuo raised his right hand slightly, signaling the five people to stand up.
Feng Caiyu stood by and said at the right moment, "Five Taoist priests, please enter the pavilion and take a seat."
The waterside pavilion was ventilated on all sides, and willow catkins on the shore were blown in by the wind and landed on the table. Xie Mingzhuo brushed them away casually, looking lazy.
Five people sat down opposite her, with the highly respected Taoist Master Shen Zhen in the middle, so that he was directly in front of Princess Rong'an.
Their eyes met.
Xie Mingzhuo chuckled, "You are a Taoist priest, unconventional and exceptional. May I ask your Taoist name? Where do you practice?"
"Princess, you are too kind. I am Shen Zhen, and I am practicing in Lingxiao Temple on Longming Mountain." Shen Zhen answered neither humbly nor arrogantly.
"So you are Taoist Master Shenzhen," Xie Mingzhuo said with a smile. "I have benefited greatly from reading your answers just now."
Shen Zhen bowed and said, "I am deeply honored to have caught the princess's eye."
He was contemptuous in his heart.
This answer sheet could have been written in a more "pleasing" way, but for some reason, when I started writing, I inexplicably wrote down what was really in my mind.
Maybe he had been holding it in for too long and finally found a chance to vent. After all, the person grading the papers was just a princess, how could she understand all these menial matters?
Now that I see his true appearance, I find that he was indeed raised in a world of luxury. He only looks rich but lacks dignity.
Presumably, the destruction of the branch temple in the capital was simply due to the stupidity of Wei Sanlang and others. Although there were rumors that the princess had seen through the conspiracy in advance and arranged a siege, he believed more that such rumors were deliberately spread by the royal family to cover up the scandal of the princess being deceived.
It is said that literature carries the truth and the handwriting reflects the writer.
It can be seen from Shen Zhen's answer that this person is extremely arrogant and conceited. The success of his conspiracy has made him lose the most basic judgment.
Such a person is not worthy of being an opponent.
Xie Mingzhuo saw through his false mask and said with a smile, "I've been having splitting headaches lately, and I've been having trouble sleeping and having nightmares. I've seen doctors but nothing has helped. I wonder if any of you Taoists can offer some relief?"
"Perhaps the princess is overwhelmed with affairs of state and is overly worried," Taoist Xuancheng spoke first. "I'm an expert in making incense. I have a sleeping incense you might want to try."
"Oh?" Xie Mingzhuo became interested.
Seeing this, the other Taoists also recommended their own skills.
Some say that she is good at chanting scriptures to help her sleep, some say that she can stick talismans in the bedroom to help her sleep, and there is an even more outrageous one, saying that the princess is precious and should live in a place with strong dragon energy. She suddenly came to Sichuan and her body could not adapt for a while.
"What the Taoist priests said makes sense," Xie Mingzhuo looked at Shen Zhen, "Does Taoist Master Shen Zhen have any magic tricks?"
Shen Zhen: "It can't be called a miraculous method, but I do agree with what Taoist Chengfeng said."
Taoist Master Chengfeng is the one who talked about "dragon energy".
"So what should we do?"
"The princess left Shu and returned to the capital, and this sorrow can be relieved."
Xie Mingzhuo couldn't help but laugh out loud, clapping his hands lightly. "As expected of an accomplished Taoist, what you all said is truly brilliant."
"Princess, you are too kind to me. I am truly unworthy of your praise."
"You are so outstanding, why don't you come back to the capital with me and visit the Taixu Monastery outside the capital? Are you willing?"
Taixu Temple is the best temple in the capital. The Taoists in the temple are all highly skilled in Taoism. His Majesty the Emperor has visited the temple many times to listen to scriptures and discuss Taoism, and personally praised the abbot as the best immortal in the world.
From then on, Taixu Temple became very popular.
There is no Taoist who doesn't want to enter the temple to practice, and what the princess said means that she really wants to support them.
Three people were quite interested and were about to accept the offer when they heard Shen Zhen say, "Thank you for your appreciation, Princess. However, I know my skills are limited and joining Taixu Temple would only tarnish its reputation. Besides, the Shu region's Taoism is not prosperous. I would like to stay and do my bit."
After several exchanges, Xie Mingzhuo understood the personalities of the five people.
She suppressed her smile, raised the teacup and drank it all, then played with it in her hand.
"That's a pity."
The three people who were tempted shut up in disappointment.
"But if you can help me solve my problem, I will reward you handsomely." Xie Mingzhuo's eyes swept across their faces, finally looking at Shen Zhen. "I want to ask you a question. Please answer truthfully."
This was a bit strange, but none of the five people thought much about it.
Xie Mingzhuo stroked the teacup and said slowly, "You live in the palace and are worshipped by the people. I believe you are well-informed and know many secrets. If you have any clues about opium, you must not conceal them."
Several people's hearts skipped a beat.
Opium?!
"Judging from your expressions, you must have known?" Xie Mingzhuo said with a smile, "If you say you don't know, then you'd be dishonoring the reputation of a Taoist master."
“…”
"Those who failed to pass the test have been taken to a dark room for interrogation. If they can provide clues, but you can't, shouldn't this princess suspect you of being involved in the opium case and committing heinous crimes?"
“…”
The spring breeze stopped inside and outside the pavilion.
Dusi Yamen.
Liu Zhaoyu was fiddling with a walnut in his left hand while spreading out a map with his right hand. He dotted a brush with cinnabar and drew with his wrist suspended.
"Sir!" The subordinates came hurriedly.
"What's up?"
"The King of Shu brought thousands of soldiers to search for good farmland outside the city."
"What is he going to do?"
"He said he was looking for the most suitable land for his new seedlings."
Liu Zhaoyu knew the hobby of the King of Shu. He was a spoiled prince, and no one knew what was wrong with his brain. He was surrounded by the earth every day. He was probably born a peasant in his previous life and couldn't change his lowly nature. He didn't know what luck he had in this life, as he was born into a noble family.
"Then let him find it."
The subordinate was embarrassed: "But the King of Shu searched carefully..."
Liu Zhaoyu immediately stood up, overturned the wide chair, threw away the cinnabar pen, and strode out.
"Ask someone to follow."
As soon as I walked out of the government office, I saw a man standing at the door. He was wearing a crimson official robe and a black gauze hat, as if he had been waiting for a long time.
"Mr. Kong?" Liu Zhaoyu was surprised. "Aren't you recuperating at the princess's residence?"
That day, when the officials came to pay their respects to the princess, Kong Ganyi fainted outside the door and asked Gao Quan to send someone to carry him in for treatment.
The princess took pity on his old age and frailty, and allowed him to rest for a few days before returning home.
Kong Ganyi had been bedridden for many years, and his requests to retire had been rejected by the emperor several times. He could only continue to stay in the governor's office in a sick state, with no energy to supervise military affairs. This is how Liu Zhaoyu gradually seized power.
"Liu Dutai, please go back." Kong Gan gestured behind him, and the officers from the governor's office surrounded the Dusi Yamen tightly.
The soldiers of the Dusi Yamen all stepped forward, placed their right hands on the hilts of their swords, and a fierce battle was about to break out.
"His Royal Highness the King of Shu has led his troops to surround Lingxiao Temple, and Shenzhen is now trapped in the princess's residence. What's the point of your stubborn resistance?" Kong Ganyi snorted coldly, "Liu Zhaoyu, you embezzled salt profits, secretly raised troops, and colluded with the evil cult. You even used opium to control people's hearts. You are simply insane and your crimes are unforgivable!"
Liu Zhaoyu took a step back, his breath seemed to be stuck, and he gritted his teeth and said, "Are you pretending?!"
"Five years ago, you invited me to visit Lingxiao Temple. You intended to use dirty tricks, using opium to lead me astray, turning me into something neither human nor ghost, so that you could seize power from me."
Kong Ganyi was filled with hatred. "I have worked diligently for many years just to get promoted to the imperial court and become a prime minister. You have ruined my career and killed me, yet you still want to conquer the world. How ridiculous!"
Liu Zhaoyu really couldn't understand why things suddenly turned out like this. Could it be that he had spent not just one day but a year?
Seeing him in such a state, Kong Ganyi laughed out loud.
"Liu, you're just a hereditary military officer who's only reached the position of governor. Do you really think you're so talented that you can rule the world? And that damn Shen Zhen, he only knows how to use some despicable tricks and boasts about being as wise as Zhuge Liang. Pah!"
After years of being suppressed, Kong Gan finally vented all his frustrations in one day, and he felt so relieved.
He no longer cared about the demeanor of a scholar and continued to mock and scold: "You are just trash, not even as good as the princess's fingernail. Do you think you can fool the princess by making a few scapegoats? You have no idea of your own limitations!"
Liu Zhaoyu's face turned pale.
He has realized that he may not be able to escape the blame.
In Xie Mingzhuo's opinion, Liu Zhaoyu's thoughts were just playing house, and she was too lazy to deal with it personally.
Opium is more worthy of attention, as she has zero tolerance for it.
Before entering Sichuan, her plan was to investigate the case of Bai Zongcui and rectify the salt administration. Now that the culprit of the Zongcui case has been found and the salt administration is supervised by the capable Xiang Jinghui, all her energy is focused on opium.
She had read Kong Ganyi's resume, which was quite impressive. If he could make achievements in Sichuan, he would most likely return to Beijing and join the cabinet.
Unfortunately, five years ago, Kong Ganyi suddenly fell ill and has been depressed ever since.
Xie Mingzhuo also learned from Xie Changfeng's recollections why his repeated requests for ashes were rejected.
Five years ago, the emperor was obsessed with alchemy and ignored state affairs. Most of the memorials were submitted to the cabinet. It was Chang Wei's opinion that was rejected. After he reported it to the emperor, the emperor agreed directly.
There must be a deep meaning behind the teacher's action.
She sent people to investigate, but the governor's office was well-organized and had many spies. It was not until Kong Ganyi came to pay a visit that the spy was able to find an opportunity to pass on the news.
Kong Ganyi cooperated very well and performed a play in front of the house.
After entering the house to see her, he told her everything.
Five years ago, he accidentally fell into the trap. In order to avoid becoming a complete puppet of Liu, Jiang and others, he took advantage of the situation and pretended to be addicted to drugs while he was determined to quit his drug addiction.
He was a man of strong will, and since he was only hit once, he quickly regained his sanity.
Kong Ganyi was able to climb to the high position of provincial governor with his own abilities. How could his intelligence be compared with that of Liu Zhaoyu, who relied on the protection of his ancestors?
The opium issue is definitely not that simple.
He sent his confidant to secretly follow the clues of Afurong. The confidant traced all the way to Fuliang, Jiangxi, and accidentally discovered traces of the Sun-Moon Sect. Due to the strict rules of the Sun-Moon Sect, he accidentally exposed his identity and was injured by the Sun-Moon Halberd. Fortunately, he was rescued by a kind doctor named Xu.
After waking up, in order to avoid implicating Doctor Xu, he left without saying goodbye.
When he was giving the explanation, Xu Qinglang was standing next to him and couldn't help but raise his eyebrows in surprise.
It turns out that the person her father saved back then was Lord Kong’s confidant!
Xie Mingzhuo was also surprised when he heard this. It was indeed a coincidence, but it was just the right coincidence. The unknown warrior lurking in the dark should not be sacrificed rashly.
Over the years, Kong Ganyi had accumulated a lot of evidence and was just waiting for the right opportunity.
He could contact his confidants without being noticed by the spies, but he could not submit memorials smoothly. Every official document that passed through his hands was under the surveillance of Liu Zhaoyu.
It is even more unrealistic to let a confidant deliver a secret letter to the capital.
He found out that the salt administration in Shu involved many high-ranking officials, and there were also backers in the six ministries in the capital. He didn't know who they were, so he didn't dare to take the risk.
When he heard the news that the princess had entered Shu, he knew that a great opportunity had come.
Others may think that the princess's reputation is undeserved, but he doesn't think so.
He studied the princess's behavior after entering the court, and even the three months of "recuperation" were linked to "Lord Meng" in the Liang Wang case and the Fuliang Sun and Moon Incident.
A princess like this is worth the risk of presenting her to him.
As it turned out, his vision was correct.
The princess was more far-sighted than he had imagined, and she never took Liu Zhaoyu, Shen Zhen and others seriously.
Waterside pavilion.
Taoist Chengfeng suddenly stood up and swung his whisk towards Xie Mingzhuo's face, filled with murderous intent.
Xie Mingzhuo turned his wrist, and the teacup in his hand hit the man's forehead accurately as fast as a meteor. The force was so great that the teacup shattered into powder. The latter only felt that his forehead was hit by a huge hammer, his brain was shaking, and he fainted completely.
As she fought back, another whisk wrapped around her neck.
"You think I'm dead?!"
Jiang Qing chopped it off with a single blow, then kicked Shen Zhen over. Then, bending down, she swiftly dislodged his jaw, snorting coldly, "Thinking of taking the princess hostage? I'm afraid you're dreaming."
The other three Taoists were stunned. How could this happen in the blink of an eye?!
No wonder the princess dared to come to Shu in person, she really is a very capable person.
Xie Mingzhuo looked at the three of them: "Did you remember?"
Three people: "..."
If you remember it, will you get a lighter sentence?
Dozens of Taoists came here hoping to meet a noble person, but who could have imagined that the princess was going to try them as criminals.
We spent so much effort to fight for the quota back then, but now all our efforts are in vain and our future is bleak.
Although the tied Shen Zhen knew that he was doomed to die, he did not show a trace of fear, and there was even a hint of pride in his eyes.
"Master Shenzhen," Xie Mingzhuo walked up to him and said condescendingly, "Do you think that even if I get a clue, it will be too late?"
Shen Zhen's expression changed slightly. Isn't it?
Before coming, he had made arrangements. If anyone entered the princess's residence and did not come out before dark, everyone would leave Chengdu and cover up their traces.
This was just his habit of keeping something in reserve before doing anything, and he never thought he would have to use it.
"Princess," Gao Quan strode over, "The King of Shu has sent word that the imperial guards have surrounded dozens of palaces, temples, and are awaiting your orders."
Shen Zhen: “…”
It doesn’t matter. We still have Liu Zhaoyu. He has soldiers at his disposal and will definitely be able to turn the tables.
"Governor Kong has also brought people to guard the Dusi Yamen. Liu Zhaoyu can't escape even if he has wings."
As for Jiang Youxin and others, they were probably so scared that their legs went weak and they couldn't even run away from the government office.
God's hope was truly shattered.
Xie Mingzhuo left all the remaining trivial matters to her subordinates to handle, and she only had to wait for reports.
Three days later, the opium case was completely solved.
In the Lingxiao Temple on Longming Mountain, not only are there a large number of opium products hidden, but also many gold, silver and jewelry have been found in the secret rooms of the temple.
Countless money and treasures were also found in the homes of Liu Zhaoyu, Jiang Youxin and others.
With the evidence right before their eyes, it was useless for them to keep their mouths shut; they had no choice but to confess.
After this explanation, all the people related to the matter in the capital surfaced, including Fang Ji, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.
However, according to Liu Zhaoyu, Fang Ji did not know about the opium affair. He was only responsible for taking the money and helping to select suitable salt officials or assistant officials, making sure that they were all people in the same interest chain.
Xie Mingzhuo personally drafted a letter and sent it to the capital as soon as possible.
A few days later, Wu Shanqing, under the emperor's order, read the letter in court, shocking everyone inside and outside the court.
Some people couldn't help but murmur: "Wherever the princess investigates, a large number of people will fall."
The princess had been "recuperating" for three months. Three months later, officials in Henan, Huguang and Jiangxi were dismissed. People with ulterior motives had already noticed the clues.
Otherwise, did the “Three Discussions” come out of thin air?
Henan, Huguang and Jiangxi have already endured it once, and now the pressure is on Sichuan. Are officials in other provinces starting to tremble?
It is not known whether officials in other provinces are worried, but officials in Guizhou are already in a state of panic.
Just the day before he set off for Beijing, Xie Mingzhuo received news from Guizhou.
Thousands of laborers in the silver mines went on strike and rioted, led by a young man named "Meng Fan".
When he received the news, Xie Mingzhuo was having a deep conversation with the King of Shu about crop improvement, and the other party nodded repeatedly with a look of admiration on his face.
When Jiang Qing came to report, his face was full of grievance of being interrupted.
"Aunt Rong'an, I'm leaving for the capital tomorrow. Can I stay here tonight to save you the trouble?"
Although Xie Peng was several years older than her, he found calling her "Auntie" very easy.
"Of course." Xie Mingzhuo agreed without hesitation and said with a smile, "But before we go to the capital, I have to borrow your guards from you."
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