Chapter 156 Isn't the person His Highness referring to Little Shen?
The Longqing Emperor stroked his beard. “The matter of inspecting the various departments in the capital cannot be delayed. It seems I will have to choose someone else.”
He turned to Pei Yuan, "Sixth Brother, you are authorized to lead a thousand Flying Eagle Guards, along with the garrison of Changsha Prefecture, to quell the Anhua riot within a month."
A slight stirring appeared in Chen Chu's heart.
Did the saltworkers' riot occur in Anhua?
No sooner had Zhao Bin, the magistrate of Anhua County, been arrested and taken to the capital than a salt farmers' riot broke out in Anhua.
Is there any connection between the two?
She hesitated for a moment, then took out the blood-stained cloth that Zhao Bin had given her the day before and truthfully reported it to Emperor Longqing.
"...I think Zhao Bin wouldn't have resorted to this method to ask for help if he hadn't been driven to desperation."
I had intended to inquire about Zhao Bin's case today, but now that I have heard of the riot among the salt farmers in Anhua, I am uneasy.
It is unclear whether Zhao Bin's arrest is related to the salt farmers' riot, or whether Zhao Bin is truly innocent.
"I humbly request Your Majesty's permission to send the imperial censor to Anhua to investigate Zhao Bin's case."
The Longqing Emperor held the blood-stained cloth, lost in thought.
He Zhengxiang asked Shen Chu in a low voice, "No wonder you asked about Zhao Bin yesterday. Why didn't you tell me about the bloodstained cloth?"
Shen Chu chuckled dryly, "I was afraid of alerting the enemy, so I originally intended to investigate secretly."
As soon as she finished speaking, she felt a sharp gaze fall on her.
She looked up and met Pei Yuan's deep, unfathomable gaze.
Pei Yuan gave him a deep look, then turned his gaze away.
Emperor Longqing said, "Zhao Bin served as the county magistrate of Anhua for three years. His performance was mediocre. It is indeed suspicious that he colluded with mountain bandits to commit crimes. It should be thoroughly investigated."
Pei Yuan bowed, “Father Emperor is wise. Anhua belongs to Changsha Prefecture, which is the hometown of Chief Minister Feng.”
I've heard that most of the Feng clan members live in Changsha Prefecture, and it was a member of the Feng clan who initially exposed Zhao Bin's case.
The Longqing Emperor frowned slightly. "What are you trying to say? You suspect that the Feng family might be involved in this matter?"
Pei Yuan shook his head, "Your subject just feels that the matter here is probably not simple. We need to send an imperial censor who is brave, resourceful, intelligent, and unafraid of power to Changsha, otherwise we may not be able to find out anything."
Courageous and resourceful?
Exceptionally quick-witted?
Fearless of those in power?
He Zhengxiang blinked and blurted out, "Isn't that talking about Xiao Shen?"
Emperor Longqing stroked his beard and laughed, "Tsk~ Sixth Prince, you've always been arrogant, but I didn't expect you to have such a high opinion of Minister Shen."
Shen Chu almost choked on her saliva.
Pei Yuan has always disliked her, so he would never speak so highly of her.
The Longqing Emperor sighed, "It's a pity that Minister Shen has to stay in the capital to inspect the various departments, and cannot..."
Shen Chu suddenly announced loudly, "Your subject is willing to go on the salt inspection tour."
There were three people in the hall, and all three pairs of eyes were fixed on her at the same time.
Pei Yuan's peach blossom eyes narrowed slightly, revealing no emotion.
He Zhengxiang looked puzzled. "Why did you change your mind again?"
The Longqing Emperor was slightly taken aback. "Didn't you just say that you were too busy with inspections in the capital and didn't want to go?"
Shen Chu smiled and said, "I have thought about it carefully. Since I have accepted Zhao Bin's blood cloth, I should investigate this matter thoroughly."
As for the inspection of various departments in the capital, I will leave it to Lord He for now, as he has more experience in this area than I do.
Moreover, what the Sixth Prince said makes sense. The waters in Changsha Prefecture are probably very deep. If an ordinary censor were to go there, he would probably have many concerns.
But I am not afraid. I am willing to cooperate with the Sixth Prince to thoroughly clean up the salt administration in Changsha.
Emperor Longqing raised an eyebrow slightly. "It's one thing for the sixth prince to praise you, but why are you praising yourself too?"
Shen Chu said earnestly, "Your Majesty, this is my confidence."
Emperor Longqing was amused and shook his head, saying, "I like your cleverness. Every time I talk to you, you make me laugh."
"In the end, it is Your Majesty's discerning eye that matters. If Your Majesty had not personally selected me as the top scholar and promoted me to the position of censor, how would I have had the opportunity to make Your Majesty laugh?"
Shen Chu smiled and offered a compliment.
The Emperor Longqing's anger dissipated considerably after being flattered like this, and he immediately issued an edict: "Appoint Shen Chu as Salt Inspector, bestow upon him the Imperial Sword, and grant him the authority to act expediently upon seeing the sword, as if seeing the Emperor himself."
Go back immediately to gather your men and join the Flying Eagle Guards led by the Sixth Prince. We will depart tomorrow.
You two are given one month to investigate Zhao Bin's case and clean up the salt administration in Changsha Prefecture.
Shen Chu said, "Your subject obeys the decree and will certainly not fail Your Majesty's trust."
Emperor Longqing kept He Zhengxiang behind to discuss matters, and ordered Shen Chu and Pei Yuan to go ahead and make preparations.
After leaving Longquan Palace, Pei Yuan called out to Shen Chu, "Why did you suddenly change your mind and agree to go to Changsha Prefecture?"
Before Chen Chu could speak, he sneered, "I am not the Emperor, don't try to fool me with that kind of talk."
Shen Chu said, "Of course, it's to investigate Zhao Bin's case."
"Ha, you're really enthusiastic." Pei Yuan scoffed, clearly not believing her words.
Shen Chu's smile paused slightly.
Investigating Zhao Bin's case was only one aspect of her decision; she suddenly changed her mind because she heard Pei Yuan say that Changsha Prefecture was the hometown of Chief Minister Feng.
In other words, the Feng family's roots are in Changsha.
Chief Minister Feng is a cautious man with an excellent reputation. Her rash investigation of the Feng family in the capital might alert them.
Perhaps going to Changsha Prefecture and starting with the Feng family's roots might yield unexpected results.
But these words cannot be said to Pei Yuan.
She could only smile and say, "Your Highness is wise, decisive, and has exceptional strategic skills."
Whoever goes to Changsha with His Highness will surely be able to quickly clean up the salt administration.
"Isn't this just following His Highness to reap the rewards? Naturally, Shen Chu should be the first to step up in something like this."
Pei Yuan frowned slightly.
Sun Yan whispered, "I didn't expect Lord Shen to have such a high opinion of our Highness. Does Your Highness feel at ease following His Highness?"
Shen Chu twitched the corner of her mouth. "Of course, I find it very exciting and thrilling to investigate cases with Your Highness."
Pei Yuan narrowed his peach blossom eyes slightly.
If you want to praise him, just say so. Why beat around the bush like this?
He smirked and gave Chen Chu a deep look. "Go back and gather your men. Wait for my news."
“Yes,” Shen Chu replied.
After leaving the palace, she went straight to the Censorate, where Li Chengxuan and Zhou Jun were engrossed in checking accounts.
Shen Chu patted the table. "Stop looking at it. Pack up. I'll take you to Changsha Prefecture to investigate the case."
Li Chengxuan excitedly threw down the files in his hand, "Really? We can leave now? I'm so tired of looking at files every day, my eyes are going to get calluses."
Zhou Jun looked at him with the same eager expression.
Shen Chu nodded, "Of course, His Majesty has even bestowed the Imperial Sword. You two should pack your things quickly and head south with the Sixth Prince's Flying Eagle Guard early tomorrow morning."
Li Chengxuan blinked. "The two of us? You're not coming with us?"
Shen Chu smiled mysteriously, "Of course, you follow the group. I have other arrangements. See you in Changsha Prefecture."
She didn't want to travel south with Pei Yuan and spend every day together.
So Shen Chu returned to the Marquis's residence, packed a few things, and set off that afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Flying Eagle Guard.
Sun Yan stared at Pei Yuan in astonishment. "What? Your Highness wants to set off first?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com