Chapter 306: One Person Overpowers All Officials
"How dare I say I'm teaching you? I just understand a thing or two."
Gao Lian smiled faintly, his calm demeanor showing the composure of a top leader.
"The silver mine case is extremely serious. As a provincial governor, I take it very seriously. Haha, even from a selfish motive, I want to get to the bottom of it as soon as possible so that I, Liu Ancha, Sun Zhifu, and even the officials and gentry of the entire Taicang Prefecture can be cleared of all charges."
Just a few words encompassed everyone present as a whole.
Zhao Duan also took out the silk beside him, wiped his hands, and said slowly:
"Since Gao Fantai is looking forward to it, he should avoid suspicion."
Gao Lian sighed:
"I know this, of course. However, although Lords Liu and Sun and I have been unable to intervene in matters these past few days, we have heard some of the rumors and developments in the city. These few whispers, including slanderous remarks against the Imperial Envoy, are nothing to worry about.
However, it has reached the point where the people are asking for mercy, and as a prefecture-level official, I can no longer turn a blind eye."
What a sight that cannot be ignored!
First, I gathered the local officials present into a group, pointed out their hostile relationship with me, and then attacked them on the pretext of the people... I've made my words clear to you...
The smile on Zhao Duan's face faded, and he said calmly:
"Master Gao, there's no need to be so vague. I don't like beating around the bush. Just tell me what you want to say. It just so happens that I'm curious about how these people had the guts to surround the post station."
Gao Lian pretended to be helpless and spoke earnestly, but he pressed on step by step:
"Lord Zhao has misunderstood. Gao has no other motives than the protection of His Majesty's country. Lord Zhao wants to open up, so be it. Let's just be clear."
The mine silver case was committed by the county magistrate Wang Chusheng. The matter has been judged. Gao believes that the most urgent task is to search for Wang Chusheng. However, Lord Zhao has not taken any action in recent days. Instead, he has launched investigations into the various government offices in Taicang Prefecture, causing panic among the people and uneasy thoughts among the officials.
Even someone as impartial as Magistrate Sun was suspended due to suspicion, which is why the people under his jurisdiction are asking for his life... Lord Zhao, this is extremely inappropriate!"
As soon as these words were spoken, it was like turning on a switch.
For a moment, all the officials in the hall spoke up in support as if they had made an appointment.
"Your Excellency the Governor is absolutely right. Wang Chusheng has escaped, so we should arrest him instead of targeting us."
"Zhifu Sun's behavior as an official is obvious to all. When the news of his suspension came out, the people below were thrown into chaos."
"...People in the city are in turmoil. We can't continue..."
It looked like a vegetable market, a mess.
Officials from different government offices spoke one after another, complaining bitterly, focusing on the two points of "the people's spontaneity" and "the officials' restlessness".
Even many gentry expressed their dissatisfaction.
There seems to be an intention to blame Zhao Duan for the recent unrest in the city.
Amidst the clamor, only Zhao Duan remained expressionless.
Xu Junling, who was sitting next to him, glanced at him with a look of pity and a hint of "gloating", as if to say:
I warned you before that the other party would fight back.
The scene in the hall seemed to have been planned in advance. Zhao Duan used the crab feast as an opportunity to clarify the rumors and speak frankly.
Local officials took the opportunity to launch a counterattack.
Carrying with them the emotions that had been brewing for days, and taking today as an opportunity, after Gao Lian fired the first shot, these people were ready to attack in groups.
It looks like:
If you keep holding on to me, you'll be forcing us to expose the entire Taicang Prefecture to the elements!
If the imperial structure collapses in one prefecture, Zhao Duan cannot bear the responsibility.
Overt conspiracy!
Force the emperor to abdicate!
At this moment, although it was far worse, Zhao Duan actually felt as if he had the same feeling as the former empress at Xuanwu Gate, facing thousands of rebels.
Forcing abdication... is not just a coup d'état with swords, knives, blood and fire, it can also be a drama without smoke and blood, just verbal attacks, but still powerful.
"grown ups……"
Beside him, even though the imperial censor Chen Hong had seen a lot of storms, he still had some sweat on his forehead.
He worried that Zhao Duan's insistence on his own way would ultimately lead to chaos in the region. Then, upon returning to the capital, faced with the impeachment of the entire court, the Empress would likely throw him, the "Deputy Imperial Envoy," out to protect her lover and appease the court officials' anger.
Even the Jinyi captains who stood behind Zhao Duan and served as guards without taking a seat became nervous.
However, facing the wind and waves, Zhao Duan was like a dark reef, standing still despite the turbulent sea.
His right hand was tapping lightly on the table, as if he was calculating the time silently.
Suddenly, outside the Chrysanthemum Terrace, the neighing of horses was heard.
Then, a minor official came running in in a panic, his face pale, his forehead sweating, and he almost kicked off his boots:
“No… this is bad…”
In an instant, the siege on Zhao Duan in the hall was temporarily suppressed.
Gao Lian turned his head and frowned, feeling a strong sense of unease:
"What happened? Why are you so flustered?"
The clerk almost shrieked:
"The soldiers... those soldiers are arresting people in the city!... The city gate guards and the government officials have also been detained!"
What?
Like a stone, it smashed into the lake.
At this moment, disbelief surged from the hearts of all the officials.
Accompanied by strong doubts.
"What soldiers? Where did they come from?!"
Censor Liu Ji stood up suddenly:
"By whose orders? Who told them—"
The old man was halfway through his words when he seemed to suddenly wake up, turned his head abruptly and looked at someone in the hall.
The soldiers in the city...except for a small number of guards in charge of the city gates, there were only some yamen runners who could not be considered "officials"...and the rest were only the two hundred cavalry stationed at the post station, which were transferred by Zhao Duan.
"It's you!"
At this moment, Gao Lian and others also reacted and looked towards the main seat in horror.
Zhao Duan, who had been silent just now and accepted the criticism from everyone, became calm and composed, with the corners of his mouth slowly rising, and was about to say something.
Suddenly, someone broke in from outside again.
This time, it was the servants that Gao Lian brought from home.
The Gao family servant rushed in in a panic, almost crying:
"Master, a group of soldiers broke into our house and sealed it off. The maids and servants were all tied up and the door was sealed. I was lucky enough to escape by staying outside..."
Gao Lian was horrified, and genuine anger surged across his elegant, fair face, as if he had ripped off his refined and refined exterior. He stared at him intently:
"Mr. Zhao!"
These three words were almost uttered by someone.
"What do you mean?!"
Gao Lian shouted angrily, raised his finger and pointed at him, angrily saying:
"You mobilized troops without any prior notice and even brought them to my house. What happened? What crime did I commit? You may be an imperial envoy, but I am only a temporary governor! According to Dayu law, how could you have such authority?!"
At this moment, he seemed extremely angry and out of control.
The others were not much better. Censor Liu Ji's face was even more gloomy as he said:
"Sir Zhao, I am in charge of the inspection. I will report your actions today to the court and to His Majesty! If you cannot come up with a convincing explanation, even if you are an imperial envoy, the court will not tolerate your actions!"
From the beginning of the banquet, there was an unusual silence. Sun Xiaozhun, who was completely different from his usual firecracker-like personality, also stood up, stared at Zhao Duan meaningfully, and said:
"Sir Zhao, Taicang is under the jurisdiction of this government. Please give me an explanation."
explain!
At this moment, the Taicang officials who had just besieged and pressured and almost forced the emperor to abdicate were all filled with shock and anger.
To be more precise, they were using anger to cover up their inner fear.
A group of civil servants, no matter how sharp their bloodless knives are, will still be cowardly when faced with real iron cavalry and the violent threats from the soldiers in the army.
This is accompanied by a strong sense of confusion.
Wang Chusheng has disappeared and all clues have been cut off. Do you really want to use the unwritten "gray income" in official circles as evidence to convict us?
Even Censor Chen and Xu Junling looked over in astonishment, as neither of them had known about this move.
"My Lords, please be patient."
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Zhao Duan's face was as bright as spring breeze. He slowly stood up and wiped his fingers clean which were covered with crab roe.
He took a step forward, slowly stepped out of his seat, and came to the center of the banquet where everyone was gathered.
Very amazing.
As he moved, all the noise stopped.
People closed their mouths and breathed heavily, all eyes fixed on this famous, powerful upstart.
The situation is reversed.
From being attacked by a group of people just now to now suppressing the whole audience by himself.
He didn't even do anything, just waited for the news from outside.
"You want an explanation, and I will give you one." Zhao Duan paced slowly, his voice steady and powerful.
After saying this, he suddenly looked outside the open lobby.
In an instant, everyone's eyes followed him and turned to the golden, brilliant autumn chrysanthemums in the yard.
Then, the sound of iron hooves was heard in the wind, and someone with sharp eyes saw that a flag higher than the wall in a corner of the yard was approaching.
"Open the door!"
A low shout was heard, followed by the exclamations of the gatekeepers.
"boom!"
The gate of Juhuatai Garden was torn open in the middle by a huge force, and the autumn wind blew in.
Outside the door, there were three people standing there. The one at the end was Yuan Xingjun, who was standing as a background, carrying a flag and riding a horse.
In the front was a scholar who covered his face with a silk scarf and looked frail. He was standing with his hands behind his back, looking very inconspicuous.
Further ahead was a Royal Gold Medal Shadow Guard dressed like a man of the underworld, wearing a conical hat, with a long sword slung behind him, and most of his face covered by a bronze visor.
The armored woman was carrying a heavy bag in her hand. In full view of everyone, she walked straight through the sea of chrysanthemums and came to Zhao Duan.
She looked up at Zhao Duan, who was standing with his hands behind his back, examining her with curiosity. She compared the portraits and clasped her hands together.
"Master Zhao, I have brought the prisoner to you."
Plop!
As he spoke, the sack in his hand fell to the ground and the opening of the sack loosened by itself.
A wealthy middle-aged man rolled out from inside, his body covered with bloody wounds, his face pale from torture, and tied up like a dumpling with cowhide rope.
Wang Chusheng, the magistrate of Taicang County, was originally unconscious, but he fell and suddenly woke up. He looked ahead in confusion and fear, and his pupils suddenly narrowed.
"This is my explanation to you,"
Zhao Duan looked around at everyone, smiling:
"But is it enough?"
The whole audience was silent.
(End of this chapter)
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