Yuan remained silent, believing this was unnecessary. Simply chopping off the heads of these two thousand smugglers would close the case of military secrets.
Ever since the arrival of this envoy, Zhao Kangping and him had been at odds. He had originally thought that the imperial court had sent him a envoy so that they could join forces and make a fortune. However, he had no idea that this envoy was not interested in making money, but was instead interested in killing people.
Zhao Kangping suddenly had an idea: "Sir, think about it, if the tragedy in Kui County was really caused by these two thousand smugglers leaking the information, then it would be fine. But if there is really another hidden secret, and the court investigates it, it may be disadvantageous to you. Why don't we first listen to the opinions of the various counties? If all the counties agree with Sir Li's idea, even if something happens in the future, we can all bear it together, right?"
As expected, Li Qingyuan hesitated upon hearing this. Although others might not know, he knew Zhao Huan's character. The Qinghe prefect kept saying that the smuggler was wrongly accused. If that was truly the case, and the bastard emperor investigated, his own head would be in great danger.
Li Qingyuan shuddered at the thought. "Alright! I'll give you seven days. If the counties have no objection to my memorial, please notify the post station and submit it!"
Zhao Kangping silently said in his heart: God bless you, whether these two thousand heads can be saved depends on your luck.
Zhao Kangping wasn't exactly a good official, but he wasn't evil either. His sole purpose in office was to make money. While it was all about making money, a gentleman should earn it in a proper way. He didn't even have the guts to commit the corruption and bribery that the imperial court explicitly forbade. If caught, he would be beheaded.
Zhao Kangping couldn't understand why some officials, with so many other ways to make money, chose to resort to corruption and bribery. While corruption and bribery certainly made money quickly, it wasn't worth risking one's life.
During both the Tang and Song dynasties, various government agencies were allowed to lend money to the private sector. This capital was partly provided by the imperial court as capital and public funds, but also by private contributions from civil servants. From the six ministries down to the prefectures and county offices, this capital was lent out. The primary recipients of loans were merchants, with loan periods ranging from a few days to a year. Due to the high frequency of loans, merchants had a high repayment rate, and profits did not have to be turned over in full, resulting in a substantial income.
Then there were the various taxes and levies, all of which included fire consumption and grain consumption. Zhao Huan, in order to forge the Red Cannon, had worked to improve smelting technology. Iron smelting technology remained relatively unchanged, but silver mines were being opened one after another. Consequently, the imperial court began vigorously promoting silver transactions, leading to a widespread use of silver. The loss from melting and recasting broken silver into ingots was fire consumption.
In addition, there is grain consumption, which is also a gray income. Since the court has not issued an order to ban it, it is practiced throughout the country and is semi-legalized.
So Li Qingyuan sent the memorial to each county to listen to their opinions. As a result, the county magistrates chose to be ambiguous after receiving the memorial, with no one opposing or supporting it.
These individuals, driven by self-preservation, dared not speak out. This bureaucratic system has perpetuated its influence on future generations, even into the present day. Officials' suggestions are clearly flawed, yet subordinates remain silent. Some flatter their superiors, believing everything they say is right. Others avoid offending their superiors, fearing embarrassment. And some simply gloat over their misfortunes, believing their downfall will only bring them opportunities.
Only Zhou Guitong and Zhang Dafa, the magistrate of Bohu County, jumped out and severely criticized Li Qingyuan's memorial. This memorial was pure bullshit, a fabrication of charges and a recipe for injustice.
Li Qingyuan was furious when he saw the two people's reply: "Are these two people planning a rebellion? They must be colluding with the criminals. Come here! Come here!"
Two guards walked in, bowing and saying, "Sir!"
"You two should send this memorial to the capital as soon as possible. Lord Zhao, you should order all counties to escort these smugglers to Qinghe Prefecture for centralized custody!" Li Qingyuan gave the order.
Zhao Kangping sighed helplessly. He was only one rank below Li Qingyuan, so if anything went wrong, he would be held jointly responsible. Unlike those petty local officials, they would remain indifferent. Anyway, we've captured the man for you, and the only charge we're trying him for is smuggling. As for how your Excellency, the Envoy of Qinghe Prefecture, decides when he's sent to him, that's your business.
It's best not to speculate on the higher-ups' intentions. If anyone is accused of this crime, then that's it. Our voices are insignificant, and even if we say something, you'll just treat it as bullshit. It's unnecessary to annoy you. The response from each county was essentially the same: "This case awaits investigation."
Li Qingyuan, however, took this as his correct judgment and finally prepared to send the memorial.
If the letter reached the court, it would be a serious problem, as the capital was unaware of the actual situation. Judging only from the memorials from officials across the country, Li Qingyuan's letter alleging that the military leaks were caused by these smugglers would be impossible for the court to verify. Especially since Zhao Huan was currently preoccupied with border intrusions, he would likely issue an edict approving Li Qingyuan's approach.
Just then, there was a commotion outside the Qinghe government office.
"Ning Erzhu of Ningjia Village traded two pounds of tea leaves with the Mongols for three sheep! Suspected of leaking military secrets, he was executed on the spot and beheaded in public! Niu Shigeng, a native of Niujia Village, injured a Mongolian smuggler and traded an iron pot for a working ox. Suspected of leaking military secrets, he was executed on the spot and beheaded in public! Wang Pengxing used two pieces of pottery..."
Li Qingyuan was furious. He asked sternly, "What's going on? Who's making a noise outside?"
After a while, an official arrived with a report: "Your Excellency, at the government office gate is none other than Kui County Magistrate Zhou Guitong. He's holding several boxes of files and shouting loudly."
Li Qingyuan was surprised: "Let's go out and take a look!"
When Li Qingyuan walked out of the government office, he saw that the Qinghe government office was already filled with onlookers standing in three layers inside and outside, and these people were pointing and talking.
"It's just a change of things, why chop off my head?"
"That's right, what does the court want to do?"
"I heard that it was the order from the new envoy."
"This damn official is killing innocent people!"
The people were shouting and cursing, and Li Qingyuan was frightened. He wanted to retreat back to the government office, but it was too late. Someone had already recognized him.
"Look! It's the new envoy!" Someone pointed at Li Qingyuan at the door.
"Beat him to death!" Someone shouted.
The people here were indeed fierce and unruly. Since there were so many people, they hurled vegetable leaves and rotten eggs at Li Qingyuan, shouting and cursing. Zhou Guitong continued to chant loudly: "Three miles from Huaishupo, three pieces of blue cloth were exchanged with the Mongols for two sheep! Suspected of leaking military secrets, they will be executed on the spot and beheaded in public!"
Li Qingyuan, escorted by his guards, hid in the government office, pointing at Zhou Guitong and cursing, "Zhou Guitong! You're inciting the people to cause trouble. I'm going to arrest you!"
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