Chapter 291 Impeachment of the Jingzhao Prefecture Governor
Zhu Lan came home from work. Before he even entered the yard, he heard the sound of someone warming up his voice coming from the courtyard.
She paused, wondering when the family had hired an actor, but the singing style sounded... really not very flattering.
Zhu Lan opened the door and went in, looking in the direction of the sound. Sure enough, he saw a figure practicing his gait and singing by the pond.
“Youyou!?” Zhu Lan gasped, feeling like he had seen a ghost in broad daylight.
Qiao Youyou actually started practicing acting?
After asking about the whole story, Zhu Lan learned that Qiao Youyou had accepted the task of celebrating the Minister's birthday.
Qiao Youyou told Zhu Lan about her plan and asked with blinking eyes: "Lanlan, you are very thoughtful. Please help me think about whether there are any loopholes in this plan."
Zhu Lan thought seriously for a moment, "It is feasible. If this is done, it will not only expose the true face of the Anju Property Agency, help those innocent people who were defrauded of renting to get justice, but also make Min Yuan suffer for his own mistakes. But..."
"Just what? Lanlan, just tell me quickly." Qiao Youyou said, shaking her arm.
Zhu Lan frowned and thought deeply. She did have some concerns in her heart.
If Prince Qi was behind Anju Real Estate, Qiao Youyou would have directly damaged the interests of Prince Qi's mansion if she destroyed the real estate company. It would be a small matter if Prince Qi obstructed her, but if he retaliated secretly, Qiao Youyou would have a hard time dealing with it.
Zhu Lan pursed her lips and said it was nothing, and Qiao Youyou immediately jumped up happily.
Zhu Lan looked at her happy expression and thought to himself that it was useless to tell her about his concerns. Qiao Youyou had already done this, and it would be difficult for her to withdraw now.
Fortunately, as a compiler in the Imperial Academy, I am qualified to participate in court meetings. Tomorrow, I will help her add an insurance policy.
…
Qi Wang Mansion.
Yan Changwen was sitting opposite Murong Lin, having dinner together, when a man hurried in from outside the door, came to Yan Changwen and whispered something.
Yan Changwen's ivory chopsticks stopped in the air, and he frowned slightly, "Did Ning Xiang send the account book to the Ministry of Revenue?"
The visitor said yes.
"Your Highness, the 10,000 taels of silver were about to be loaned, but a female official from the Ministry of Revenue showed up and ruined the deal. Ning Xiang sent the account book over in order to get the loan as quickly as possible."
"Ning Xiang said that the account book was carefully kept. Even if the Ministry of Revenue really wanted to check, they might not be able to find any clues."
Yan Changwen narrowed his narrow eyes even more, "What's the name of the female official in the Ministry of Revenue?"
"It seems her last name is Qiao, and her name is Qiao Youyou. Manager Min said that she is just a woman, and she is young, so what ability can she have..."
Murong Lan, who was sitting opposite Yan Changwen, glanced sideways at the person who came.
Yan Changwen chuckled, "How many times have I told you not to underestimate women? How can a woman like her pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi? It's you who are so arrogant, no wonder you suffer a great loss."
Murong Lian said softly: "Your Highness, this Qiao Youyou is not simple. If the account books of Anju Real Estate Bank really fall into her hands, I'm afraid..."
"People who are suspended for investigation can't care about so many things." Yan Changwen picked up the handkerchief to wipe his mouth and looked at the person who came, "Go tell Min Yuan that the king will cooperate with him in a play tomorrow."
…
Meeting the next day.
I don’t know if it’s because the weather is getting warmer or Emperor Liang’s health has improved, but he no longer holds the heater in his hands when he goes to court, and his complexion is a little better.
After the important officials in the court had submitted their memorials, Emperor Liang asked if anyone else had anything to report.
Zhu Lan, dressed in court robes, stood out from behind the court officials and saluted from a distance, saying, "Your Majesty, I have something to report."
"My dear Zhu, what's the matter?"
"I would like to impeach the prefect of Jingzhao, Lord Wu, for unfairly judging cases and for protecting others for personal gain."
Wu Chengqi's face changed, "Zhu Xiuzhuan, where did you get this from!?"
Emperor Liang motioned for Zhu Lan to continue.
Zhu Lan stood up straight and slowly told the story of how he had almost been cheated when he rented a house in Beijing.
"Your Majesty, nowadays, the big and small pawnbrokers in the capital are full of fraud. Many innocent people have been defrauded and left penniless and heavily in debt. I believe that there are more than one person who went to Jingzhao Prefecture to report the case, but Jingzhao Prefecture has been slow to act. Isn't this deliberate favoritism?"
"Zhu Xiuzhuan, we have already learned the details of your report to Jingzhao Prefecture. The pawnshop involved has been shut down and the people involved have been arrested. How can you say we did nothing?
Even if you are the top scholar this year, you should not rely on the emperor's appreciation to seek favor in the court and make random accusations. "
Wu Chengqi scolded, but his eyes couldn't help but glance in the direction of Yan Changwen for a moment. However, Yan Changwen was calm and composed and didn't even turn his head.
Zhu Lan bowed again and said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, according to my investigation, there is a very large pawnshop in the capital, called Anju Property Agency. This pawnshop is suspected of colluding with those scammers. Li Duchang, the former head of the Honglu Temple, is also one of the victims. However, Jingzhao Prefecture has not yet taken any action against this pawnshop. I don't know why."
Wu Chengqi said, "Zhu Xiuzhuan, you also said that you were only suspected and there is no real evidence. Since there is no evidence, do you want to force me to confess?"
Emperor Liang listened to the debate between the two and finally spoke up, asking Zhu Lan if he had any evidence.
"Your Majesty, the evidence will be available soon," Zhu Lan replied, "Anju Real Estate Company has now sent all the account books related to its operations to the Ministry of Revenue, and Qiao Youyou, the deputy director of the Ministry of Revenue's Duzhi Division, will conduct a review and examination."
After these words were spoken, Yan Changwen finally raised his eyebrows slightly, turned sideways and glanced at Zhu Lan, but the expression in his eyes could not be seen clearly.
Emperor Liang nodded. "Since this matter is already under investigation, we will deal with it separately after we have some clues."
…
After the court session, Zhu Lan was walking up the white jade steps to return to the Hanlin Academy when he suddenly heard someone calling him slowly from behind. Turning around, he saw it was Yan Changwen.
"Your Highness, is there anything I can do for you?"
Yan Changwen smiled and said that it was nothing serious, he just happened to be going the same way as Zhu Lan.
"Just now, Zhu Xiuzhu mentioned the official Qiao Youyou in the court. I vaguely remember that you two are from Jiangzhou?"
"That's right." Zhu Lan replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Mr. Qiao and I are both students of the Sixth Prince. We are classmates and of the same year."
Yan Changwen raised his hand to block the sun and asked nonchalantly, "As for the matter of Anju Real Estate, does Zhu Xiuzhuan intend to take care of it to the end?"
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