95 Chapter 95
◎Interrogation of the Ambassador◎
The weather is warm and sunny, and spring is here.
Gao Quan was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat.
He led his troops to clear the way and focused on protecting the princess. Unexpectedly, a man suddenly rushed out of the ditch beside the road, and he was so scared that he immediately reined in his horse and stopped.
"I, Bai San, beg Your Highness the Princess to show mercy and redress the injustice done to Mr. Bai!"
The team stopped abruptly. The officials surrounded in the middle had no idea what was happening. They only vaguely heard someone shouting.
Liu Zhaoyu suddenly felt something was wrong.
He looked up at the tall, wide and magnificent carriage in front of him. The exquisitely carved cloud patterns on the carriage walls and the phoenix patterns embroidered with gold thread on the curtains all demonstrated the power and majesty of the royal family.
What did Princess Rong'an do during the month she was "missing"? Was it really just because she was willful and playful that she deliberately left the team to travel incognito?
Gao Quan ordered his men to guard Bai San, then turned his horse around and rode to the princess's carriage. He dismounted and respectfully reported, "Princess, there's a man blocking the road ahead, claiming to be Bai San, and I'm here to speak out on behalf of General Bai."
A corner of the carriage curtain was lifted, and Feng Caiyu's voice was heard: "The princess has ordered, bring people here."
"yes."
After a while, Gao Quan personally led Bai San to stop a few feet in front of the car, not letting him get closer.
Bai San had lived for more than 20 years, but he had never seen such a magnificent carriage. The pearls, jade and gold on it shone so brightly that he could not open his eyes. He had to lower his head and could not see Jiang Qing riding on the horse next to him.
Of course, even if he saw it clearly, he would not associate the armored captain with the rough, dark iron rod.
He was anxious and immediately knelt on the ground and repeated his request.
Meng Fan was ordered to step out of the carriage and stand on the wide shaft. When he saw the bloodstains on Bai San's body, he felt a surge of anger.
On her way to Sichuan, she had witnessed many kinds of folk life, but this was the first time she faced such hardship.
Why is the world like this?
In such a big country with so many talented people in the court, why can't we find a few officials who can truly speak up for the people?
"If you have any grievances, please tell me."
After the voice reached the imperial carriage, all the officials of Chengdu Prefecture were shocked. They looked at each other and then at Liu Zhaoyu who was at the front.
Liu Zhaoyu gritted his teeth. What was the purpose of guarding the saltworks? How could a mere cook escape so easily?!
He turned his head and looked at Zhang Tiju behind him.
Zhang Tiju's official position was not high, so he was not qualified to welcome the princess. However, this time the princess came to Shu on behalf of General Bai to urge him to deal with a case related to salt affairs, so it was reasonable for him to come along.
Receiving Liu Dutai's cold gaze, he felt a chill down his spine and hurriedly whispered, "The Jianzhou Salt Field is directly under the jurisdiction of the Jianzhou Ambassador's Office. I only arrived in Jianzhou with the Dutai last night, so I really don't know."
Liu Zhaoyu thought to himself that he was a waste and looked away.
He was not worried about the princess solving the case, but things always happened beyond his plans, which was really frustrating.
He tried to move forward, but was stopped by the princess's guards and had to give up.
Fortunately, they were not far away, and Bai San's voice was loud enough.
Having been injured before, and having traveled all night without eating for two meals, Bai San was almost exhausted, but he still tried his best to raise his voice, fearing that Her Royal Highness the Princess in the carriage could not hear him clearly.
"Mr. Bai is a good man!" He shed tears as he spoke. "The ambassador tried to take a girl from the village, and he desperately tried to stop her. He angered the ambassador, and now the government officials have silenced him! Your Highness, please seek justice for Mr. Bai!"
Xie Mingzhuo had heard him say this once at the salt field.
She didn't believe it completely, but she didn't think he was lying either.
If the ambassador was simply prevented from forcibly taking women, he would not be so foolish as to carry out a massacre without even changing his official uniform.
There must be a deeper secret hidden in this, and this secret is enough to make people destroy the entire family at all costs.
But ordinary kitchen owners have no way of knowing.
Unfortunately, her time at the saltworks was too short to investigate further, but if she didn’t show up and put things in order, there would only be more tragedies in Baisha Village.
"Gao Quan, take him to the ambassador's office." The voice came from the gap in the carriage curtain, like ice hitting jade, extremely pleasant to the ears.
Bai San's accusation that the Salt Tax Bureau ambassador had raped a woman was just one-sided, so he naturally had to ask the ambassador in person.
The team restarted.
Liu Zhaoyu cursed in his heart again, "Waste!" The ambassador of Jianzhou Salt Tax Bureau was really not up to the task.
A chess piece that is useless and only causes trouble should be discarded.
However, they did not expect that when the team arrived at the gate of the Salt Tax Bureau, all the officials of the Salt Tax Bureau knelt down in a large number, but there was no sign of the ambassador.
Jiang Qing urged his steed forward and asked sternly, "Where is the ambassador?"
"Reply, reply, Captain, there was a fight at the salt works. The ambassador went to the salt works early in the morning after receiving the report and has not yet returned to the office."
The news that the princess' carriage arrived in Jianzhou today was only passed to the ambassador's office yesterday, and no one in the ambassador's office took it seriously.
The princess was received by high-ranking officials from Chengdu Prefecture, and they were not qualified. Unless the princess came to the salt field to inspect and investigate a case as soon as she arrived in Jianzhou, they would not be able to see the princess's carriage.
The ambassador also believed that the princess needed to rest in Jianzhou City for a few days, so after receiving the news of the unrest in the salt field, in order to prevent the incident from getting out of hand and reaching the princess's ears, the ambassador went there in person to suppress it.
"The ambassador is so concerned about the salt business; he is truly a pillar of the court." Xie Mingzhuo laughed in the carriage and ordered everyone, "Since that's the case, let's head directly to the salt fields."
These words were like a slap in the face to the officials of the ambassador's office.
The princess came to investigate the truth of the chief prosecutor's case. Regardless of whether the chief prosecutor's death was related to the ambassador's office, the ambassador's office was responsible for its negligence. It is really shameful that the princess compared the ambassador to a "pillar".
Liu Zhaoyu's face was gloomy, and this was the third time he cursed "waste" in his heart.
There was no riot at the salt field earlier or later, but it happened when the princess arrived. How did Ge Kang act as an ambassador?
He could never have imagined that everything he saw and heard today was all caused by Princess Rong'an.
Like Yan Dafa, he prided himself on being clever and guessed that there was another reason for the princess's disappearance, but he never imagined that the princess, who was of noble character, would disguise herself as an insignificant laborer and sneak into the salt field for a secret visit.
He only hated that the Jianzhou Salt Field had disrupted all his plans.
Last night they traveled from Chengdu Prefecture to Jianzhou City, and then from Jianzhou City to the Salt Tax Bureau. Now they have to go from the Salt Tax Bureau to the salt fields. Most of the officials are exhausted.
Except Liu Zhaoyu.
He was a military officer, and even after becoming the capital, he never forgot to train himself. A mere dozen miles was nothing but a drizzle for him.
"Come on, everyone," he warned the others in a low voice.
Everyone: “…”
Fuck you, you idiot! You're a reckless man, of course you're not afraid of being tired. But they're old and have been staying up late, how can they cheer up?
Speaking of this, I can't help but think of Governor Kong, who has been unsuccessful in begging for retirement several times and is now unemployed due to illness. That old man is really living a comfortable life.
Jiang Youxin, the Left Provincial Government Commissioner, said dryly, "There are soldiers surrounding us anyway, so no one else can see us. If it damages our authority, then it damages it. Why bother trying to hold on?"
Liu Zhaoyu: “…”
Damn it, the court really has no one available, and has to let these mediocre people just sit there doing nothing.
If one day he could conquer the world, he would definitely select the most outstanding civil and military officials to protect his kingdom.
If Xie Mingzhuo could hear his inner thoughts, he would definitely burst into laughter.
But even if she couldn't hear, she could infer that there were serious flaws in the Shu bureaucracy.
Xiang Jinghui said that the person who assassinated Censor Xiang was a constable from the Censorate.
He Cuiniang from Baisha Village also said that the people of Bai Zongcui's entire family were wearing official uniforms when they were massacred.
The Censorate was in charge of the criminal cases of a province. Even if he could command the officials of the prefectures and counties, he would not dare to be so arrogant and unjust. Where did he get the confidence from?
After the Zongcui case occurred, all the government offices remained silent and no one dared to speak out for the unjust case. What were they afraid of?
It is a powerful military force.
Governor Kong was old and frail, unable to supervise military and political affairs. Liu Zhaoyu was young and strong, and it was easy for him to seize the opportunity to control the military forces of the various guards in Shu.
The huge profits from private salt sales were enough to support more soldiers.
It was impossible for Xie Mingzhuo not to have doubts.
However, Liu Zhaoyu was even worse than King Liang. If he wanted to rebel, it would be like an ant trying to carry out a rebellion, and it would be difficult for him to succeed. She did not take him seriously, and now was not the time for a head-on confrontation.
The real purpose of her trip was to rectify the salt administration and, at the same time, to expose those officials who were greedy and insatiable.
The group, each with their own thoughts, finally arrived at the Jianzhou Salt Field.
The soldiers set up camp outside the salt field, and their actions left the officials confused.
It was Jiang Youxin who asked on his behalf: "Governor Gao, after the princess inquired about the case, she went to Chengdu Prefecture. Why are you setting up camp here?"
"Mr. Jiang, I will only follow the princess's orders and will not ask any other questions." Gao Quan said to him in a light tone.
He was not deaf or blind, and he could hear and see clearly what these high-ranking officials in Sichuan were doing along the way.
Although they pretended on the surface, the habits led by Liu Zhaoyu could not be hidden at all.
It is really displeasing to see a second-rank official bowing his head like this.
Jiang Youxin sensed he was mocking his own talkativeness, and he retorted, "The princess is young and impetuous, and it's understandable that she's working day and night to investigate this case. But as a close minister, why didn't you try to dissuade her?"
It's already afternoon and I haven't had lunch. I'm already dizzy and hungry.
Gao Quan had been about to order the cook to start cooking, but was already annoyed at being interrupted. Too lazy to save face, he said bluntly, "If the salt administration in Shu hadn't been lost, why would the princess have gone through all this trouble?"
After all, it's all the fault of you Shu officials!
Jiang Youxin was speechless and left in shame.
The conflict at the salt field had long since subsided, and the thick smoke from the stoves boiling salt hung over the salt field like layers of dark clouds.
The deputy envoy of the Salt Tax Bureau had entered the salt field to look for the ambassador. When he found the ambassador, he was leaning on the Luohan bed in Cao Shengcai's house in Baisha Village, smoking a pipe, with a dazed look on his face, as if he was floating in the air.
The deputy envoy called out loudly several times before he came to his senses, his face full of anger at having his sweet dream interrupted.
"What?"
The deputy envoy wanted to shake his brains evenly, "Master Ge, the princess has arrived at the salt works and is now outside the salt works, along with the officials from Chengdu Prefecture. Please pack up quickly and go out to see her!"
"Princess?" The ambassador jumped to his feet. "Why is the princess at the saltworks?"
"Oh, stop asking and get out now."
The ambassador quickly threw away his pipe, took a few steps, then turned back and told the stunned Cao Shengcai, "Leave it here for now, I'll come back later."
Cao Shengcai nodded hesitantly, unable to speak.
Did he hear wrongly? Was the princess outside the saltworks right now?
It’s so sudden!
The army cooks were extremely efficient and in just a few moments they cooked meals for the entire team, and the soldiers, who had been hungry for most of the day, ate heartily.
There are not many things to pay attention to when traveling, so Feng Caiyu and Meng Fan just worked together to make a few home-cooked dishes and brought them into the carriage.
As for Jiang Youxin and others, they could only make do with the soldiers and eat from the big pot.
When Ambassador Ge Kang arrived, the air was still filled with the aroma of food.
He knelt down in front of the carriage, kowtowed three times, and said respectfully, "Your humble servant Ge Kang pays homage to the princess. May she live a thousand years!"
There was no movement in the carriage, so he could only continue kneeling.
However, by the afternoon, his face was already showing signs of fatigue, his eyelids were drooping, his gaze was wandering, and he was yawning continuously, looking as if he had been drained of all his energy.
This is consistent with the accusation that he is "lustful".
The spring sunshine is not scorching, it only makes people feel warm when it shines on their bodies, but sweat keeps oozing out of his forehead, like a monkey caught in the rain.
After about a quarter of an hour, the curtain was finally lifted a little.
Meng Fan got off the carriage and asked someone to bring Bai San to confront him.
Having just had a full meal, Bai San was full of energy. He covered the bloody petition paper on his chest, walked firmly to Ge Kang, and knelt on the ground.
"Bai San, repeat what you said before."
"yes."
Even though a row of high-ranking officials were listening, Bai San remained fearless, his voice became louder and his words clearer.
Ge Kang listened blankly without refuting until Meng Fan reminded him. Then he reacted, as if he didn't know what day it was. His eyes fell on Meng Fan's face and he revealed a dazed smile.
"Beauty...Beauty..."
The crowd was shocked.
This is the princess's study companion and also her cousin. Is Ge Kang crazy?
Inside the carriage, Xie Mingzhuo noticed something strange.
Before she reached out her hand, Feng Caiyu had already lifted the curtain, revealing a gap, just enough to observe Ge Kang's situation.
He was in his forties, with a fat body. He looked like a mountain of flesh when kneeling there. The fat on his face squeezed out the living space of his facial features, and his eyes became a thin line.
Feeling dazed and confused, he rubbed his nose more and more frequently.
Xie Mingzhuo was startled, but said calmly, "This is disrespectful. Gao Quan, bring him into the tent for questioning."
"yes."
Gao Quan ordered his soldiers to drag Ge Kang into the camp, leaving Bai San, who was filled with righteous indignation, at a loss.
"Is there a doctor at the salt field?" Xie Mingzhuo lifted the curtain, got off the car and walked towards the tent, not forgetting to ask Bai San.
Bai San subconsciously said, "Yes, his name is Xu Qinglang, he lives in Liugou Village, and he's an excellent doctor."
The princess actually asked him a question herself! How could he have such a good reason?
"Gao Quan, send someone to Liugou Village to invite Doctor Xu."
It wasn't until the princess disappeared from the tent that Bai San came to his senses. Wait, weren't we supposed to seek justice for Mr. Bai? Why did he suddenly need a doctor?
Who is sick?
At Jiang Qing's signal, he immediately got up and followed.
After entering the tent, Ge Kang's expression became more and more strange.
"Tie it up with a rope." Xie Mingzhuo said, and sat down on the main seat in the tent. "Tell all the Shu officials outside to come in and take a look."
Jiang Qing protected her tightly by her side, and her own soldiers tied up Ge Kang, making him into a huge meat dumpling, unable to move at all.
The officials from Shu entered the tent one after another and stood on Ge Kang's left and right. They could not bear to watch Ge Kang's bloodshot eyes and howling incoherently.
"Trial."
At Xie Mingzhuo's command, Meng Fan began to interrogate him in front of everyone, and Feng Caiyu took out paper and pen to record.
What she used was not a brush, but a charcoal pencil modified by His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin, which was suitable for shorthand.
The scholars were proud of their status and looked down upon this kind of pen. This pen was only circulated among newspapers and ordinary merchants. Since Shu was far away, the officials took a liking to it.
Ge Kang had gone crazy, and kept shouting "smoke" and could not listen to Meng Fan's interrogation at all.
"As long as you answer seriously, I will give you cigarettes." Xie Mingzhuo coaxed.
Ge Kang keenly caught the word "smoke" and nodded hurriedly: "I'll tell you! I'll tell you everything!"
His "smoking addiction" made him lose his mind, and he answered every question he was asked.
Xie Mingzhuo listened to the trial calmly, observing the officials present with a calm gaze.
Some were surprised, some had blank expressions, but more people had incredible expressions.
They couldn't figure out what happened to Ge Kang.
By the end of the trial, Ge Kang had exposed his past. He confessed to selling government salt for huge profits, forcibly abducting women out of lust, and hiring killers to eliminate dissidents.
But there was no mention of the case that Mr. Bai was urging.
Meng Fan asked, "How did Mr. Bai die?"
"They are robbers!" Ge Kang almost collapsed. "Give me a cigarette! Give me a cigarette!"
"Why did you continue to torture the Baisha Village cook after he died?"
"I don't know, I don't know anything..." Ge Kang shouted at the top of his lungs, "Cigarettes, I want cigarettes, give me cigarettes, please."
There is no point in asking further.
"Shut his mouth and assign someone to keep him under strict supervision," Xie Mingzhuo ordered. "We'll wait for the doctor's diagnosis before we proceed. Do you have any objections?"
Everyone shook their heads and replied, "The princess is wise."
Xie Mingzhuo ignored their insincere flattery and called the deputy envoy to ask where they had found Ge Kang.
The deputy envoy answered honestly and said the name Cao Shengcai.
Gao Quan immediately sent people to Baisha Village to arrest Cao Shengcai.
Soon, Xu Qinglang arrived at the camp carrying a medicine box.
She stood outside the tent waiting, holding the straps of the medicine box tightly, her back straight.
Am I really going to meet the princess? How should I greet her once I get in?!
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