Huguang Chengxuan Chief Secretary, Huguang Huicheng.

Today is the second day of May, and it was just two days ago that we celebrated Mangzhong, which is the time for rice planting in the south and wheat harvesting in the north.

Huguang occupies 35% of the world's acres and has more than 2 million hectares of arable land. At this time in previous years, people have already started planting seeds in full swing.

But this year is different, just because the weather is not kind - it rained heavily for days in Huguang this year, and there was no sun at all for most of April.

Especially in Yuezhou, Jingzhou and other prefectures and counties, embankments have burst frequently, so that floods have overflowed recently and people have drowned.

Measured over ten feet, no less than 100,000 acres of land were submerged.

Floods will cause delays, let alone sowing, and disaster relief will have to be considered.

"Counsellor Feng, the flood destroyed the embankments and flooded the fields. The total length of the damaged embankments exceeded 100,000 feet!"

"If we don't repair the dams and save the rice seedlings, I'm afraid it will cause serious trouble later!"

The Taoist officials eagerly reported the cause of the flood to Councilor Feng Shiyu.

There have been recent floods in the province, and many places have been affected.

The dykes were washed away and fertile fields were flooded. If not dealt with in time, another annexation and famine would inevitably occur in the province.

But at this critical moment, all the high-ranking officials in Huguang Province who should come forward to coordinate this matter were indifferent.

Governor Zhao Xian stayed behind closed doors.

Chief Secretary Chen Rui goes to the mines every day.

Even when he is participating in politics and participating in meetings, he doesn’t know what he is busy with.

Only today did the officials who were assigned to guard the road squat down to the returning counselor Feng Shiyu.

Feng Shiyu was silent for a long time, and then slowly said: "Let's use the stolen goods to fine the silver first. If it's not enough, we can also withhold part of the money for the liberation of the capital. It will be enough to build the embankment."

"I'll go talk to him over at Fantai."

The stolen money from fines is the basis of local treasury storage. Roughly eight points of the amount of stolen money from fines will be transferred to the stolen money treasury, and two points will be transferred to the local chief secretary or the Zhili prefecture treasury.

In the past few days, Huguang has been in turmoil, and many officials have been imprisoned. Naturally, the amount of money in the stolen goods and fines treasury has skyrocketed.

However, the money must be used properly and must be reported to the central government.

The chief envoy Chen Rui and the governor Zhao Xian were unable to protect themselves and did not want to interfere with this matter at all.

After sending Fen Shoudao away, Feng Shiyu got up and went to the back hall to look for Chen Rui.

As soon as he stepped into the back hall, before Feng Shiyu saw anyone, he felt a rush of anxiety.

He raised his head and saw Chen Rui, who was sitting in the courtroom with disheveled clothes and a rather decadent look.

Feng Shiyu said cautiously: "Fengtai, we have just separated from each other to talk about the recent floods, which destroyed the dams and flooded the fertile fields. The situation is so serious that it has already reached the point where it must be dealt with!"

"He made a petition and asked the feudal lord to stop it a little, otherwise he might be blamed for it!"

"What I mean is that we might as well act urgently and use the stolen money from the fine treasury to repair the dam."

The Chief Secretary's political affairs have been in a state of turmoil recently.

Feng Shiyu could only make the matter more serious so that Chen Rui could take it seriously.

After saying that, there was a brief silence in the courtroom.

The chief envoy Chen Rui seemed unaware and remained motionless.

After a while.

Chen Rui finally looked at Feng Shiyu and murmured: "Feng Huazhi, count the time. I'm afraid the imperial envoy from the capital is already on the way."

Counting the time, it took almost half a month for the news to reach the capital.

No matter how slow the center moves, the imperial envoy should be on his way.

Chen Rui didn't listen to what Feng Shiyu said at all, he only thought about how his career would end.

Feng Shiyu was silent for a moment, ignored the matter of the lake and the vast water, and said, "It should only be seven or eight days."

The road from North Zhili to Huguang is farther than that from South Zhili.

Chen Rui looked bitter and forced a smile: "I'm afraid our official positions are only for these seven or eight days. You are still in the mood to care about people's livelihood. I can't compare to you in this kind of character."

Chen Rui naturally knew about the flooding in Huguang.

It's just that he no longer has the intention to deal with it.

It is said that a monk can ring the bell every day, but how many people can do it?

What Chen Rui loves is just his career in officialdom. How can he have the leisure to look at the people at his feet?

Feng Shiyu bowed respectfully: "The vassal state may not be completely exhausted. As long as you and I clean up the matter of Zhang Chucheng, it may not be impossible to recover."

Removal from office is certain, but it is not hopeless.

Chen Rui shook his head: "To put it lightly, I am sitting in this position. I don't want to pick it all off, but I can pick it off easily."

Feng Shiyu suddenly raised his head, took two steps forward, and said in a deep voice: "Isn't it because the vassal government used a rat-proof weapon?"

"In these days of searching the mines, although the people have evacuated and the furnaces have been extinguished, aren't the clues nakedly placed in front of us!?"

"If the feudal lord wants to be clean, why should he feel sorry for himself here?"

"Shouldn't we just go to Prince Yueyang's Mansion and kill him!"

It's not a criminal case script. As long as the provincial government wants to investigate the case, there is no case that cannot be solved.

Once you dig through a few mines, you will understand who is mining secretly.

In the past, it was just that the province had no involvement. Now, once the name of Yueyang Palace is revealed, it is impossible to hide it from anyone. As for whether it has anything to do with the matter of Zhang Chucheng and Tang Bin, just continue to investigate.

It's just that after finding out this step, Chen Rui didn't dare to take action.

Chen Rui was silent.

Chen Rui didn't understand what Feng Shiyu said.

It's just that this matter involves clan members, so how dare he act rashly!

What should I do if the check is wrong? How resentful would the clan be to him?

Is it considered an overstep when the Chief Secretary takes on the duties of an Inspector?

To take a step back, once he was really convinced about burning the imperial envoys, would the emperor be grateful to him, or secretly resentful?

What's more, since you dare to burn the imperial envoys, will you jump over the wall and rebel!?

If we really find out, the outcome may not be better than doing nothing.

If you hand the things you have on hand directly to the imperial envoy, you can at least show your attitude and pick off some of them.

Chen Rui waved his hand feebly: "Let the following use the stolen money from the treasury. I will approve the note for you later."

"Zhu Yingyan from the Yueyang Palace should be left to the imperial envoy to cook."

After saying that, he leaned back on the chair without saying a word.

Feng Shiyu had tried to persuade him several times in the past two days, but seeing Chen Rui's attitude, he was helpless.

The former bowed his hands and was about to leave.

At this moment.

An employee walked in quickly, looking slightly anxious.

Feng Shiyu immediately stopped and cast a concerned look.

After standing still, he saw that there were only two superior officials in the hall, and he quickly saluted and said: "Fan Tai, Councilor, someone just came from below to tell me..."

"It was said that it was the governor Zhao Xian. He just ordered his personal guards, left the Yamen, went to the capital command department in person, invited the capital commander Zhan En, and went straight to Yuezhou Mansion!"

Chen Rui suddenly stood up and his expression changed drastically: "Leading troops!?"

"Did you tell me what you were doing!?"

His tone was urgent and his face turned red.

The experience hurriedly replied: "Fantai, they said they are going to Yuezhou to inspect military affairs, and let each government department do their own duties, and don't do anything without permission."

Feng Shiyu was also moved when he heard this.

Inspection?

I brought my personal guards and invited the commander-in-chief. How could this be an inspection?

I'm afraid I went there because of Zhang Chucheng's affairs!

Chen Rui and Feng Shiyu glanced at each other in unison—Governor Zhao Xian might have found out Yuezhou, so he hurried over in such a hurry, but...for this reason, he was even more anxious than them, and he had a big dick on his butt

I'm afraid it's even unclean.

The former immediately stepped out and ordered: "Go and prepare the chariots and horses for the ceremonial guard. We are going to Yuezhou Mansion to inspect the government!"

It's okay if everyone doesn't move, but now that Governor Zhao Xian has taken action, he can't lag behind others.

After that, he walked out quickly, followed closely by Councilor Feng Shiyu.

After moving away, outside the Chief Secretary and even the entire Wuchang Mansion, it started to rain again.

…

On the official road from Wuchang to Yuezhou Prefecture, the rain became even heavier, hitting pedestrians and carriages with a crackling sound.

The closer we get to Yuezhou Mansion, the darker the sky becomes.

Dark clouds are gathering.

Commander Zhan En sat on the carriage with a livid face, staring at the governor Zhao Xian in front of him.

The former said bitterly: "Governor Zhao, I am also a high-ranking official of the imperial court! You are dragging me by force like this, and you are not insulting me, but the official body of the imperial court!"

He was working at the Capital Command Department. The governor in front of him, who was usually suave and dignified, but today was irritable and restless, rushed directly into his office, and without even saying a word, he dragged himself onto the carriage.

Such disregard for dignity, I don’t know why you are so crazy!

Zhao Xian has an elegant face. Although his face is expressionless, he seems not angry and confident.

His tone was cold, and he spoke word by word: "Official body?"

"Commander Zhan had better have nothing to do with Yuezhou's affairs, otherwise, let alone official status, I'm afraid he will lose his official life."

Zhan's expression changed. If he hadn't been in the carriage, he would have almost stood up in shock.

He looked anxious: "Young Governor Zhao is talking nonsense here! The matter between Zhang Chucheng and Tang Bincha has nothing to do with me!"

Zhan En naturally knew what he meant by the so-called Yuezhou matter.

I don’t know what made Governor Zhao so crazy that he said such nonsense!

Zhao Xian looked at him coldly: "Really?"

"Then the Yuezhou Guard's five thousand-household patrols all stopped on routine patrols that day, and you didn't know that?"

Mine thief?

Without the release of Yuezhou Guards, how could the mine thieves have the ability to attack the county government!

Zhan En also came back to his senses immediately, his scalp numb.

He suppressed the throbbing in his heart and spoke with a little surprise: "The ministry is saying that the Yuezhou Guards deliberately indulged the bandits that day!?"

Zhao Xian watched Zhan En's reaction closely, unable to miss a single bit.

Seeing that Zhan En did not reveal any flaws, Zhao Xian spoke again: "So Commander Zhan doesn't know..."

He changed the subject: "I heard that the subordinate officers of Zhan Commander's Department have close relations with the subordinate officials and eunuchs of various princes?"

Zhan En's heart sank, but it didn't show on his face. He shook his head repeatedly: "What the Ministry said is biased. Officials in the yamen need to let me intervene in official matters, but in private matters, even if I am the commander, I have no right to interfere.

As for whom I associate with, and whether we are close or not, that is not my concern."

After hearing this, Zhao Xian nodded and said no more to him.

The carriage fell into silence for a moment.

Zhan En looked at the heavy rain outside the window and the direction in which he was traveling. He tilted his face and asked, "Are you going to take me to Yuezhou Guard?"

Since Zhao Xian said that Yuezhou Wei and Zhang Chucheng were involved, he must have grasped something.

At this moment, he went straight to Yuezhou, and what he meant was too obvious.

Zhao Xian turned his head and glanced at Zhan En, his meaning unclear: "I want to go to Yuezhou Guard for inspection, but..."

"Shu Ao, the censor of the patrol, asked us to go somewhere else first, saying that we have something to discuss."

Zhan En asked cautiously: "Why don't we say it clearly? Where else?"

Zhao Xian stared at Zhan En for a long time before spitting out four words: "Prince Yueyang's Mansion."

Zhan En nodded thoughtfully and nodded politely to Zhao Xian, thus ending the conversation.

Only the hands shrunk in the sleeves were trembling slightly.

…

The heavy rain in Yuezhou Prefecture has been continuous for days, and it is still pouring at this time.

Bai Yu's dancing beads hit the court hall of the government office.

The plaque hanging high above the mirror was smashed and blurred.

Under the plaque is Shu Ao, the patrol censor, sitting in the government office.

Zhong Chongwen, the magistrate of Yuezhou Prefecture, was sitting on the lower body, while Tongzhi, Tongjian, and other officials stood on both sides without even a place to sit.

Don't look at the mere seventh rank of the imperial censor.

But when official power was really displayed, even the fourth-rank prefect did not dare to breathe heavily, let alone the other junior officials.

The imperial court has repeatedly issued orders to patrol the censors and not to beat local officials without reason, and today it seems that there are countless things that can be done.

Shu Ao was sitting in the lobby, closing his eyes and concentrating, saying nothing.

The government officials in the hall were trembling and at a loss.

This scene has gone from morning to now.

The prefect Zhong Chongwen exchanged glances with his colleagues in the government office and communicated secretly.

As if urging and begging, Zhong Chongwen finally sighed and nodded.

He looked around at his colleagues in the hall and the soldiers standing outside who had been transferred from nowhere.

Zhong Chongwen then looked at Shu Ao, who was sitting in his previous seat, and said cautiously: "Shu Yushi, you said you had something to discuss, so you summoned us. Now that everyone has gathered, half a day has passed. You might as well say something now?"

Even though he was the censor on patrol, it was too much to just eat without letting anyone leave. Even having to send someone to supervise him when going to the toilet was too much.

Shu Ao, the patrol censor, slowly opened his closed eyes, and looked at the speaker.

Seeing that it was the prefect, he first nodded politely and smiled, and then said with relief: "Prefect Zhong, please be patient. I am still waiting for someone to come from Huguang Huicheng."

"When people arrive, you can leave."

He invited Governor Zhao Xian to the Yueyang Prince's Mansion for a briefing. Naturally, he had to control the people in the government office first.

This is not only to prevent leaks, but also to prevent people from being connected in series and jumping over the wall.

Zhong Chongwen was helpless and was about to argue.

Just then.

There was a noise outside.

Some of the prefect Zhong Chongwen, Tongzhi, Tongpan and others turned to look outside, while others looked at each other in confusion.

The captain who was accompanying him on patrol strode in, holding the hilt of his sword, and then said a few words next to Shu Ao's ear.

Shu Ao quickly stood up and walked out in a hurry.

As soon as I walked outside the government office, I saw the governor's guard of honor.

Zhao Xian opened the car curtain and walked out, and Shu Ao walked forward quickly.

Both parties greeted each other.

It was raining heavily, and even if the attendants were holding umbrellas, their clothes would inevitably get wet.

But the two of them couldn't care less.

Zhao Xian held Shu Ao's arm and said urgently: "Shu Yushi, how is the Yueyang Palace now?"

Shu Ao didn't dare to ask for help, so he hurriedly said: "We have sent people to look after the surrounding area, and not a single fly can fly out!"

Zhao Xian asked: "Where is the Yuezhou Guard? It's absolutely perfect!?"

At this time, Commander Zhan En also bent down and walked out of the carriage. Hearing this, he couldn't help but look towards Shu Ao.

Shu Ao nodded confidently: "General Soldier Liu Zhen arrived one step ahead of the department and has already gone to Yuezhou Guard."

As the number one military attache in the province, the Commander-in-Chief will have no problem keeping the Yuezhou Guards in check without causing any trouble.

Zhao Xian let out a sigh of relief.

This patrol censor is much better than the trash of the Chief Secretary and the eagle dog of the Qianhu Station of the Imperial Guard.

He raised his head and glanced at the Yueyang Palace in the distance and snorted coldly.

Then he grabbed Shu Ao's arm and quickly pulled him towards Yueyang Prince's Mansion.

While walking in front, he said: "Shu Yushi, that mine thief is really in the Yueyang Palace!?"

Although the mine thief Shi Chaofeng was beheaded, other leaders have escaped.

It was precisely because Shu Ao wrote a letter saying that if he went to Yueyang Prince's Mansion at this time, he could catch someone and get the stolen goods, he came in such a hurry!

There was no way he could escape the punishment if his seal was stolen, nor could he just sit back and watch like Chen Rui.

If he didn't go all out and charge into battle, I'm afraid it wouldn't be as simple as dismissal.

Shu Ao nodded: "Nothing wrong!"

He didn't elaborate on how he found it, just to prevent taking credit, just click on it.

Commander Zhan En also followed, half pushing and half on the spot.

While the two were talking, suddenly several more fast horses broke through the rain curtain and ran towards them neighing.

Before I could see who it was, I heard the urgent voice of the chief envoy Chen Rui coming from afar: "How could such a coincidence happen? The governor, the censor, all the commanders, and the general soldiers gathered in Yuezhou?"

"I don't know what happened to mobilize the troops and people like this, but I don't even know they are here."

Chen Rui got off his horse and walked quickly to a few people.

He was dissatisfied with several people, and his words were even arrogant, calling himself his own station.

If these people were asked to settle the matter before the imperial envoy arrived, but only others would be missing, how would the central government view him?

This is setting yourself up for injustice!

Zhao Xian didn't bother to pay attention to him at all.

Shu Ao, the censor of the patrol, said bluntly: "The vassal has a high position of power and is busy with government affairs. How can you dare to disturb it?"

Chen Rui held the manuscripts written by Zhang Chucheng and Tang Bin and refused to reveal anything, which had long made him dissatisfied. Therefore, Shu Ao only left Chen Rui and did not write to him.

Feng Shiyu, who followed Chen Rui from the side, bowed respectfully.

He asked curiously: "Are you going to the Yueyang Prince's Mansion? The province is on patrol, and I found out that the province is still short of the Yueyang Prince's Mansion for several months."

"However, there are floods now, and the province is also tight on money. We are about to go to Xiaozhi to deal with it. It will be a few months later."

"If you're on your way, why not go with us?"

You can always find a reason.

Anyway, as long as you follow along, you are participating.

Zhao Xian snorted coldly and took the first step.

Shu Ao's expression was cold, but he could only nod his head and said thoughtfully: "Fantai, it's a good thing that the counselors should go together, but I'm afraid the rain will make the road slippery, causing the two of you to stumble."

After that, he turned around and left.

Chen Rui turned a deaf ear to the sarcasm in his words and silently followed quickly, followed closely by Councilor Feng Shiyu.

Commander Zhan En watched this scene silently and walked at the end.

Although the rain was heavy, it could not stop many people's footsteps.

The location of Yueyang Palace is eye-catching enough, so you don’t have to go to the wrong place.

Several provincial officials walked for less than a quarter of an hour before arriving outside the Yueyang Palace.

Before the few people arrived, there were only hidden lines inside and outside the palace that were difficult to detect.

After a few people arrived, the soldiers surrounded the palace.

The accompanying officials hurriedly went up to knock on the door, but were stopped by Governor Zhao Xian, who went to knock on the door himself.

The door opened in response, and a man dressed as a eunuch came out. When he saw the soldiers at the door, he looked startled: "Are you...?"

Zhao Xian was unceremonious: "I'm here to see Zhu Yingyan, the lieutenant of your palace."

After all, he is a clan member who has not yet been convicted, so he will give him a little superficial effort.

Shu Ao behind him also followed up and nodded.

Chen Rui and Zhan En looked on with cold eyes.

The eunuch didn't know what he thought of, and he suddenly realized: "Oh, you got the news and came to attend the funeral of Lieutenant Fu Guo?"

"You might as well declare your identity and let our family create a register first."

Familiar, he just finished speaking.

Zhao Xian's expression changed drastically, and Shu Ao opened his mouth in shock.

Chen Rui and Feng Shiyu looked at each other, frowning and saying nothing.

Only Commander Zhan En, who was standing behind him, breathed a sigh of relief quietly.

Zhao Xian grabbed the eunuch by the collar: "What did you say!? What happened to Zhu Yingyan!?"

Facing Zhao Xian's reaction, the eunuch was at a loss.

He said in confusion: "Yes, Lieutenant Fu Guo, died last night!"
Chapter completed!