Chapter 96: Reversal! The Eight Investigation Divisions jointly beg for a halt, and Zhao Duan conquers Lihuatang
Deliberate revenge?
A look of confusion appeared on Qian Kerou's palm-sized face. The single-minded "confidential secretary" couldn't figure out the key.
Zhao Duan stood with his hands behind his back beneath the large ink painting, leaving only his back to her, and said quietly:
"Why didn't you come earlier, didn't you come later, but at this time? Is it a coincidence? Not necessarily."
He used Li Lang to establish his authority. This purpose was obvious to anyone with a discerning eye, and Princess Yunyang certainly understood it.
Today he opened the door wide and demanded a bribe to redeem the person. The prince consort took the opportunity to visit him and wanted to take the person away in public.
If Zhao Duan agreed, the authority he had worked so hard to build would be severely weakened.
It would be interpreted that he dared to hit Li Lang that day because he had Mo Chou's support.
Today, when Mo Chou is not here, a "coward" and "green-haired turtle" recognized by the Beijing circle can make him give in.
In particular, I don’t know that today, the officials in the Lihua Hall and half of the officials in the capital are paying close attention.
Both were redemptions, but the princess demanded bribes from the minor official's family members while providing it for free to the prince consort. The difference in treatment was obvious, and Princess Yunyang only needed to spread the word.
Zhao Duan's behavior of bullying the weak and fearing the strong, and taking advantage of others' power will spread.
The dignity is gone and all the previous efforts are wasted.
Of course, this speculation may not be true.
But no matter whether Princess Yunyang had such intentions, at this critical juncture, the prince consort came to her house to ask for the person for free, which was just to put pressure on him.
Zhao Duan had to, and had no choice but to fight back hard.
"I don't understand."
Qian Kerou said honestly that the female official felt that the minds of the important figures in the court were very complicated.
It's like walking into a deep pit at every step. If you're not careful, you'll make a mistake.
Unconsciously, she became more and more impressed with her boss and felt that he was really amazing.
"You don't have to understand. Overthinking can cause heart problems. It's better to be simple."
Zhao Duan laughed at himself:
"Go on, call the next one."
After the female secretary left, he touched his heart and felt lost in thought.
I don't know when it started, but I became so evil and mean.
…
After the incident, the bribery process continued.
In the afternoon, perhaps because the news spread, more family members came to offer bribes.
The box under Zhao Duan's desk was full, so he had to replace it with a bigger one.
The accumulated stolen money was already heading towards the 30,000 taels of silver mark.
The work will not be suspended until the evening.
As expected, a big disturbance occurred during the morning court session that day.
The collective imprisonment of fifty-eight officials was enough to attract the attention of all the ministers.
The Empress Xu Zhenguan of Dayu sat on the dragon throne, quietly listening to the ministers' repeated impeachments. She was silent for a long time, and finally said calmly:
"I will investigate and discuss this matter after understanding the whole story."
Then, the eunuch raised his whip high and lashed it on the shining floor of the Golden Palace, shouting shrilly:
"Withdraw from the court——"
The ministers left in anger.
The students of the Imperial College discussed this heatedly, denouncing the treacherous and corrupt officials who were causing chaos and saying that the country would be in ruins.
The next morning.
Zhao Duan continued to accept bribes, and no one came to the Prince Consort's house during this period, and Princess Yunyang had no reaction.
This instead made Zhao Duan look up to this woman who was notorious for her "dissolute" behavior.
"Sir, I'm afraid no one will come today."
evening.
Qian Kerou walked in holding a list that listed the people who gave bribes and the amount of the gifts.
Two days have passed, and the time is almost up... Zhao Duan said "yes" and asked:
"Is everything complete?"
Qian Kerou flipped through the list and said:
"There are fifty-eight officials who have been convicted, and the families of fifty-seven have sent gifts."
"What about the other one?" Zhao Duan raised his eyebrows.
Qian Kerou explained with a complicated expression:
"The remaining one is Lu Zhi, a seventh-rank judge at the Dali Temple. He... comes from a poor family, so I'm afraid he can't afford it."
"Oh? Tell me in detail."
"Yes. As far as I know, this person came from a humble family. After passing the imperial examination, he was assigned to the Dali Temple as a judge.
This official position was the starting point for Jinshi. Logically, he would be promoted quickly, but Lu Zhi was as his name suggested, upright and incorruptible, and seemed to have a bad relationship with his colleagues.
He had repeatedly refuted his superiors, even writing letters criticizing the late emperor, and yet he refused to form cliques... Therefore, this judge sat in office for ten years."
Qian Kerou couldn't hide her admiration and said:
"However, this person has a good reputation among the people. He is said to be fair in judging cases and has the nickname 'Little Justice'."
Tsk... sounds like a decent man like Hai Rui...
So, you impeached me with the intention of getting rid of harm to the people?
Zhao Duan complained.
In fact, he had a rough idea of these fifty-eight people.
When they learned that most of them were just following the trend to curry favor with Li Yanfu, they flocked over.
Most of them are from the lower levels of the "Li Party".
This is also the reason why he felt at ease arresting people, but it seems that Lu Zhi is an exception.
"Did he say anything in prison?" Zhao Duan asked.
Qian Kerou hesitated and said, "I dare not say it."
"explain."
"Oh. He cursed you bitterly in prison, calling you a treacherous villain, a lawless traitor who was corrupting the government. He would never yield to you or give you even a penny..."
The female secretary spoke in a lower voice and glanced at Zhao Duan.
However, this domineering and overbearing superior was not angry at all, but listened with great interest.
"He's a very temperamental person," Zhao Duan chuckled and ordered:
"Pass the order down. Release Lu Zhi and keep the rest of the people in custody."
At this time, the other three subordinates also walked in. When they heard the order, they were all stunned.
I suspect I heard it wrong.
"Sir... are you talking about rebellion? Shouldn't we release those fifty-seven people and only keep Lu Zhi?" Shen Juan was stunned and asked.
Hou Renmeng also looked puzzled.
Zhao Duan raised the corner of his mouth, sat at the head, and said with a smile:
"I have already said that I am only asking them to remain in prison and cooperate with the investigation. Since Lu Zhi has nothing to do with the rebels, he should be sent back. As for the other fifty-seven people..."
After a pause, he restrained his smile:
“Although they have nothing to do with the rebels, but… they dared to bribe the imperial officials in public, violating the Great Yu Law, and they still want to be released from prison?
As the Chief of Police, I have the duty to supervise all officials. I will personally draft a memorial to Your Majesty. As for the nearly 30,000 taels of stolen money..."
He bent down and moved two large boxes of gold, silver and jade articles from under the table onto the table.
He casually picked up a pile of silver ingots and put them aside.
Pointing to the remaining two boxes, he changed his tone and said:
"As for the remaining 20,000 taels of stolen money, wrap it in a seal and send it to the palace along with the memorial."
He pushed the allocated silver ingot forward again:
"My brothers have been working hard these past few days, so I'm paying for it myself. I'll distribute this money and I'll be clear about rewards and punishments. I won't treat my own people unfairly. Do you understand?"
The four people in the hall were stunned.
No one answered for a moment.
Zhao Duan was too lazy to care about his subordinates' emotions. After thinking for a while, he said:
"Oh, there's one more thing. I want you to mobilize the channels and spread another message.
Let me say that the reason why I took the money but did not do the job, and instead turned around and attacked the government, using sting operations to enforce the law, was because I was targeted by the other eight gangs and could not get the case, so I resented that the governor was biased and unfair.
I'm worried I won't pass this month's review, so I resorted to this desperate measure."
Chain tricks!
At this moment, Zheng Laojiu, who was holding a celadon teacup and holding the official newspaper under his arm, was the first to understand.
Finally understood the real purpose of Zhao Duan's mysterious operation.
Retaliation?
This is just a matter of convenience!
His real purpose was to make things bigger and attract the attention of the entire court.
It is conceivable that once Zhao Duan delivered the memorial and the "stolen money" to the palace, the criticism against him in the court would be temporarily silenced.
Although sting enforcement is shameful, the fact of bribery is right in front of us, which provides reasons for arguing and smoothing things over.
Zhao Duan can be fully interpreted as:
They only arrested people to "cooperate with the investigation" and would release them after one or two days of investigation.
But he can't be blamed for the fact that a group of corrupt officials came to offer bribes.
In this way, if the Empress and Yuan Li take sides a little more, this matter can be raised high and then put down easily.
The most Zhao Duan received was a salary deduction, which was not a serious punishment.
But he took revenge on a group of parasites.
At the same time, Li's party would also argue that they did not intend to bribe, but were misled by rumors, which is understandable.
Even if it is just to save face, we will try our best to rescue the fifty-eight people.
At this time, Zhao Duan spread the news that he was wronged and was targeted by the eight halls.
With Ma Yan's intelligence, he would definitely understand his intention.
Just take advantage of the situation and force the Eight Halls to surrender and hand over the case.
There is no doubt that Ma Yan and Zhao Duan are in the same group.
At the same time, Zhao Duan's actions not only demonstrated his skill and dominance, but also destroyed the blockade of the eight halls. He also secretly took out some of the dirty money to reward his subordinates and win people's hearts.
Use both kindness and severity.
How could the officials in Lihuatang not be convinced?
Do you agree to follow him as the police chief?
Kill three birds with one stone.
Although Zheng Laojiu and others could not guess the entire plan, just seeing a small part of it was enough to frighten them.
I felt awe for this young superior.
"I understand, sir, rest assured, I will do it right away."
Shen Juan, who was lazy but smart, also reacted. He looked at Zhao Duan deeply, bowed and retreated.
At this point, I was completely convinced in my heart, and it was not until this moment that the title of "Sir" truly came into being.
It only took Zhao Duan three days to go from showing off his power to subduing the troublemaker in Lihua Hall.
Wait for the four subordinates to leave.
Zhao Duan closed his eyes again and listened to the rustling sound of the big pear tree with lush branches and leaves in the yard.
Think quietly.
The four subordinates thought that this was the end of the series of schemes.
But the truth is, up to now, everything Zhao Duan has done is just a prelude.
"The next step is to put it on the agenda."
Do you want to challenge yourself to find the traitor within a week?
Give Zhenbao a surprise?
Zhao Duan thought it was worth a try.
…
…
That night.
A memorial and two boxes of gold, silver and treasures were urgently sent into the palace with the help of Zhao Duan's privilege as "White Horse Supervisor".
The next day, early morning court.
When all the officials were filled with anger and were ready to question the empress about the "investigation results", the eunuch read out Zhao Duan's memorial on the spot.
For a moment, all the ministers were silent.
The subsequent developments were exactly the same as Zhao Duan's deductions.
Amidst the turmoil in the court, the pressure was finally directed to Ma Yan.
Under pressure from the empress, the governor was forced to convene a meeting of eight halls and was furious.
The detectives who had been waiting to see what was happening and hoping for Zhao Duan's downfall were scolded and criticized. After the meeting, everyone was stunned.
Only then did he realize that he and others seemed to have been plotted against.
They were angry but helpless as the governor had already issued a death order, asking them to "see what happens", appease Zhao Duan and release the officials.
End this farce.
The eight people had no choice but to swallow their anger and go to Lihua Hall together to pay a visit.
But I was turned away.
…
"My master is taking a nap and you don't want to disturb him. You can go to the flower hall and wait." Qian Kerou said seriously.
His cheeks flushed slightly from the lie.
“……?”
Haitang, the tall chief officer of Narcissus Hall with a ponytail and teardrop moles at the corners of her eyes, raised her head and glanced at the setting sun.
He said expressionlessly, "Are you sure Zhao Jisi is taking a 'nap'?"
The heroic female inspector almost gritted her teeth, biting the word "午" very hard.
Tie Chiguan, who had well-developed muscles and a beard as hard as steel needles, had his cheeks twitching and clenched his hands, making a "crunching" sound from his joints.
Resist the urge to score.
"Haitang, there's no need to embarrass the subordinates."
Zhang Han spoke calmly. This middle-aged man with a general-like demeanor said:
"Let's go to the flower hall and wait."
Just three days later, the situation reversed.
From the time when Zhao Duan sent people to visit but was refused, to the time when this group of chief officers came and were turned away.
"The Zhao guy really holds a grudge!"
Haitang was so indignant that she wanted to poke a few holes in him with a flying knife.
I waited for more than an hour.
Just when it was getting dark and everyone's patience was almost exhausted.
Outside the flower hall, in the crimson twilight that looked like a fiery cloud, a dark silhouette slowly walked in.
Zhao Duan, wearing a black uniform embroidered with flying fish, with a tall figure and handsome appearance, came leisurely, with a hint of sleepiness on his face.
Ironically, although they had been working in the same office for several days, this was the first time they met each other.
What a nice appearance!
The heroic Haitang's eyes lit up, and the urge to cut him off with a flying knife weakened a little.
However, soon after the two sides exchanged greetings and Zhao Duan spoke loudly, her good impression disappeared.
"It's very simple to calm this matter down," Zhao Duan looked around at everyone and said with a smile:
"I want all the clues you have about the rebels to be shared with Lihuatang unconditionally."
After a brief pause, he added, "Each of them will talk to me individually."
No matter how much the Eight Hall ate, Zhao Duan would make them spit out double.
P.S.: The plot of these chapters is quite "large", so it seems a bit vague. There are many characters, and the protagonist is always giving orders. The only way to increase the readability is to constantly advance the plot through brief descriptions. However, this is also to lay the groundwork for the later part, and now the groundwork is basically done.
(End of this chapter)
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