"Replying to your lord, I am willing to recruit..." Meng Huilong pondered for a long time, and finally said: "After the disaster broke out, due to lack of preparation, the grains of the rice merchants in the city were sold out. I saw this was a good opportunity to make money, so I asked the government

I went to the Yamen to beg my uncle Meng Huade to sell the grain and rice from the government treasury at a high price. My uncle did not agree at first, but I asked him to tell me that there was a shortage of grain in the city and the people were in urgent need of food to survive. I would sell it at the usual price.

I didn't want to take advantage of the opportunity to make money. My uncle couldn't help but I begged hard and finally agreed. I sold the more than a thousand stones of grain in the treasury at five times the usual price. I made a lot of money. I didn't tell my uncle about the money I earned.

My uncle didn't take any money, and it all fell into my pocket. Later, the adults came to the city and requisitioned the whole city's grain and rice. I don't know why I didn't requisition my family's food. Maybe it was too remote and was missed. I heard the news

After that, he quickly closed the store, pretending not to know, and trying to get away with it. Hearing that the adults were helping the victims a few days ago, the villain became obsessed with money, and planned to smuggle some from it and sell it after the adults left. Because the villain knew

, in a short period of time, no rice merchant would dare to transport rice into the city. During that time, he would definitely be able to make a fortune. So, the villain spent money to bribe the head catcher Feng Zhi, and gave some benefits to Chang Dabao and Jiao Kuo.

He started transporting grain to the east city. When the Lord opened a warehouse to help the people in the city, the villain saw a rare opportunity and bribed Wang Xian and others to secretly transport grain. What he said is all true. I hope the Lord will be punished lightly. "

"It seems that you are still a well-versed person in Huaiqing City. No matter which yamen you are in, the officials will give you some face. I wonder if you have any other business in the city? You bribed Feng Zhi,

How much money did Chang Dabao and those people give him?" Although Yue Su asked lightly, murderous intent was revealed in his eyes.

"In addition to this rice store, the villain also has a silk shop and four butcher shops in the city." Regarding this issue, Meng Huilong did not dare to hide it. After all, Liu Cong and others knew all about these things and could not hide them.

It's better to explain honestly. "The villain gave Feng Zhi, Wang Xian and other three head catchers eighty taels of silver each, and fifty taels each for the others. He also promised that there would be benefits in the future."

"Humph!" Yue Su snorted coldly and said, "They are easy to get rid of." After saying that, he looked at Meng Huade and said coldly: "Mr. Meng, you have also heard what your nephew said. He embezzled government officials without authorization.

How are you going to explain the matter of food to the Headquarters?"

After listening to Meng Huilong's confession, Meng Huade was already trembling all over. Now that Yue Su was asking questions, he couldn't see the cold light in his eyes. He quickly came to the steps, lifted up his clothes and knelt down. He cried: "Your Excellency... I am the official.

I was also fooled by him, thinking that he really agreed to him for the sake of the people in the city. I really didn't take any of the money from the sale. As for the fact that he smuggled relief food, I didn't know about it. He had recently

The grains and rice returned were only said to be purchased from other places. If it had been known that he had stolen the grains for disaster relief, he would have been brought to justice long ago. I hope you will forgive me for your negligence...

"

Meng Huade was crying bitterly.

Meng Huilong's confession is already the most beneficial to Meng Huade. He misappropriated grain and rice from the government treasury to line his own pockets. It is also said that he was taken advantage of by others and he did not take any money. Smuggling relief grain is even more said to be

He had no idea. In this case, Meng Huade was at best misappropriating official food, but for the sake of the people, plus a crime of negligence. This crime will definitely not lead to loss of head. As for whether he will be dismissed, that is not up to you, the governor.

Forget it, it needs to be reported to the Ministry of Punishment, and the Ministry of Punishment will discuss the punishment. I think it will cost more money to deal with it, which is to demote, retain and punish.

"Mr. Meng, who just vouched for you in front of the headquarters with a black gauze on your head?" Yue Su sneered.

"Sir..." Meng Huade continued to cry bitterly, "The lower officials are confused, the lower officials are confused..."

There really was no excuse to explain it, so Meng Huade simply cried and kept crying, saying that he was confused, and wanted to let this matter go.

Yue Su knew what he was thinking, but the evidence he had now was indeed not enough to punish Meng Huade. He smiled slightly and said: "Master Meng, there is no need to cry. Are you dedicated to the people? At most, it is an oversight. This department will

Report the truth to the court."

After that, he stopped paying attention to Meng Huade, picked up the tea cup and took a sip of tea.

Yue Su said it was lukewarm, but he didn't ask Meng Huade to get up and go back to sit down. Meng Huade didn't know what to do. He didn't sit much when he went back, and it was inappropriate to stay here kneeling.

This is exactly the effect Yue Su wants. Since you are kneeling, how can you get up again? When other criminals are brought in and see you kneeling, they will definitely feel unsure. It will be much easier to interrogate you then.

Not long after, the prisoners were escorted to the hall one by one. When Feng Zhi, Wang Xian and others saw the prefect kneeling on the ground, they were already uneasy and uneasy, but now they started beating violently. Even those who were timid didn't need to give orders.

He knelt down on his own initiative.

"Everyone who has your last name or your current position will be reported to this department one by one!"

"The villain's surname is Feng Mingzhi, and he is currently the chief catcher of Huaiqing Mansion." "The villain's surname is Chang Dabao, and he is the chief catcher of the Qing Military Department." "The lower official's surname is Xie, with the character Kun in his last name, and he is the chief clerk of Huaiqing Mansion.

.”…

Everyone reported their names one by one, and everyone except the chief clerk, Xie Kun, knelt on the ground.

Yue Su nodded and said: "Thank you, Chief Secretary, I would like to ask you, do you know about Huaiqing Mansion's misappropriation of grain from its inventory?"

Meng Huade was kneeling at the foot of the steps now. How could Xie Kun dare to hide it and said truthfully: "The official knows."

"As the chief registrar, you assisted the prefect in managing the money and food in the government treasury. Huaiqing Mansion misappropriated the official food without authorization. Since you knew it, why didn't you come forward to report it, but instead just sat back and ignored it, colluding with him?" Yue Su asked angrily.

"The lower official is just a ninth-grade chief registrar. He must obey the superior's orders in everything. The magistrate has his orders, and the lower official really dare not disobey." Xie Kun replied carefully.

"Don't you dare to disobey? I think you are complicit! Why don't you explain to the headquarters why you didn't do anything when you knew it?" Yue Suyi asked righteously.

"I'm an official... I'm an official..." Xie Kun didn't know how to come back. He knelt down with a "plop" and said after a while: "Master Meng said that he will temporarily lend the official rations to Meng Huilong for less than two months.

I can return it. I thought, as long as I can pay it back, and I can’t disobey Mr. Meng’s order, I agreed. I am confused, and I hope you will forgive me.”

"Are you just confused? I will ask you again, how much benefit did you receive from Meng Huilong?"

Xie Kun didn't know whether Meng Huilong had confessed or not. He was afraid that if he didn't say anything, he would be accused of deceiving Shangguan again, so he had no choice but to confess honestly. "Meng Huilong once gave Xiaguan fifty taels of silver, but Xiaguan was greedy and took it.

.My lord... I will admit my guilt..."

He is just a small ninth-grade master bookkeeper. Fifty taels of silver is already a lot for him. A small role like him is usually rarely seen by people. Meng Huilong and others gave him fifty taels.

It's a big deal.

"Meng Huilong gave you fifty taels, how much did you give Master Meng?" Yue Su asked coldly.

Meng Huade confiscated the money, and Yue Su wouldn't believe it even if he beat him to death. Meng Huilong might not be able to find out anything, so it would be best to open a breakthrough with these little minions.

When Meng Huade heard this, his heart trembled at first, but then he calmed down. How could a bookkeeper know about such things?

Sure enough, Xie Kun said truthfully: "Sir, I really don't know about this matter."

"Then do you know what the crimes are for accepting bribes, conniving, and covering up others to misappropriate official funds?" Yue Su asked sternly.

"This... this... I know..." Xie Kun replied weakly.

"Let him sign it!"

Yang Yishan took the confession and asked Xie Kun to sign it. Then Yue Su said loudly: "Here comes someone! Take off his crown and official uniform!"

"Yes!" A police officer agreed, stepped forward to hold Xie Kun down, and took off all his veil and official uniform.

Xie Kun was stripped of his official uniform, and he seemed to have lost his soul. At this time, he heard Yue Su say again: "Xie Kun! You accepted bribes, connived, and protected others to misappropriate official food. You will be dismissed from your official position now and you will be convicted later.

.”

"Thank you, Sir..." Xie Kun rushed to kowtow, then collapsed on the ground, unable to move. After ten years of hard work, he had gained fame and fame, but ended up with such a result. He still didn't know how to deal with it. He was not like Meng Huade.

As a magistrate, he has some foundation at least. He is a humble official and may never turn over.

Yue Su stopped paying attention to Xie Kun, glanced down again, and said: "Feng Zhi, as the chief arrester of the government, you were ordered to take care of the disaster relief grain and rice, but you liaised with others without authorization, accepted bribes, and allowed Meng Huilong to smuggle

Is it a sin to provide food for disaster relief?"

The matter is already obvious. If the governor can say this, it is obvious that Meng Huilong has confessed. It is impossible not to admit it. Feng Zhi lowered his head and said: "The villain knows his crime!"

"As a head catcher, you also know the laws of the Ming Dynasty. Those who violate the law will be punished with an additional penalty. Do you know how to convict someone?" Yue Su said coldly.

"I know this, but I hope you will be dealt with lightly." Feng Zhi said carefully.

"Whether you get a lighter sentence or not depends on your performance. You will be punished for having an affair with Meng Huilong and smuggling grain for disaster relief."

Next, Feng Zhi told Meng Huilong eighty taels of silver and allowed him to transport grain and rice for disaster relief. The content was roughly consistent with what Liu Cong and Meng Huilong had explained.

"Let him sign it."

Yang Yishan took the recorded confession to Feng Zhi, and after he signed it, Yue Su said: "Feng Zhi, you accepted bribes and conspired with others to steal grain and rice for disaster relief. It is a capital crime. If you want to be punished by this department,

It’s okay to show kindness to others, but you have to make atonement for your sins yourself.”

This move is called luring a confession. What is meant by atonement is that you are asked to report others. In the lobby, either the prefect or the arrester, all the adults are eating this bowl of rice. Who can not understand what this means.

Of course Feng Zhi understood. He also knew that the governor wanted him to expose other officials in Huaiqing City. Who this official was was probably the prefect. Anyone who could be the head catcher was a Yamen official.

Feng Zhi is no exception. He is a close confidant of Meng Huade.

The boy hesitated for a moment and thought to himself: "Looking at the meaning of the gentleman above, it seems that he has not yet found the evidence to crucify Master Meng, and he wants to tear open the door from me. Exposing Master Meng will not do me any good.

Instead, we all die together. If I don’t expose Mr. Meng, I might still have a chance to survive. At worst, I will end up dead. I can think of a way in prison to fool me. In the future, Mr. Meng will give me more support and I won’t be the head catcher.

, I can also be a housekeeper or something like that in his house.”

Feng Zhijiu worked as an errand in the yamen and knew very well that in prison, as long as he survived the limelight and made some money, it was possible for him to get out. He was a close confidant of Meng Huade. He had followed Meng Huade for a long time, and he was confident that as long as he could keep his master, he would be able to escape.

Will help myself find a way.

Having made up his mind, Feng Zhi said: "Sir, I know I deserve to die, but I hope you will be given a lighter sentence."
Chapter completed!