Of course Chen Ping understood that in the final analysis, he was just a scholar with no power or influence, so it would be extremely dangerous to be exposed to others.
Judging from the current situation, the undercurrent behind Ling Shu has become a powerful force. With his current strength, he is nothing more than a mantis trying to pull a chariot.
Tang Hao patted his shoulder, "I have been ordered to stay undercover next to Ling Shu for a long time. I spent a lot of time and effort just to find out the forces hidden behind him. I am ashamed to say that in the past few years, those contacts under Ling Shu, I I haven't seen any of them. He never believed me and just contacted me alone. In addition, in order to save you yesterday, he had no choice but to reveal his identity. Now that Ling Shu is dead, there is no need to investigate this line further. ."
According to the analysis of the clues currently available, Ling Shu is the leader of Qianzhou. Once he dies, his body will naturally fall apart and relevant traces will be quickly erased.
Therefore, it makes no sense for Tang Hao to stay any longer.
"But if this happens, you're probably in danger too, right?" Zhao Jin asked worriedly.
"You don't need to worry about this matter. There will be arrangements from above." Tang Hao walked out, "Also, when I report to the prefect's Yamen, I will also remove you completely."
Chen Ping nodded secretly, this matter is normal. No matter who is behind Tang Hao, if he can conduct an undercover investigation, he must have various plans to deal with it.
He knew that what happened next was beyond their control, so he handed it over.
"Then this matter involves Mr. Tang, so let's take our leave first."
The three of them walked to the door. Tang Hao finally stopped, looked at them seriously, and gave them one last instruction.
"As far as I know, the superiors have been investigating this matter for more than ten years. The organization behind it is huge and intricate, and many people have lost their lives for the investigation. Tang knows that you are passionate and unwilling to be outdone, but I still have to remind you of one thing... ....Not every time you are in danger, someone will come to save you. Only by saving your life can you see the day when victory comes."
Just like this time, Tang Haoyuan didn't want his original intention to be exposed so quickly.
Chen Ping and Zhao Jin bowed their hands to express their thanks, and the three of them said goodbye and left separately.
......
Zhengxing government office.
Tang Hao came to the government office. With his identity, no one dared to stop him, and the journey was smooth and he met Lu Wei.
Lu Wei was very surprised when he saw him, "Why is Mr. Tang here?"
"I have something to report here. Sir, do you still remember the case of the scholar's disappearance?"
Seeing that his expression was wrong, Lu Wei frowned.
"Then isn't Chen Ping back already? Could it be that something happened again?"
"Chen Ping is back. But when my subordinates searched everywhere, they accidentally discovered a lot of contraband."
"What kind of contraband?" Lu Wei looked serious.
"Someone is smuggling salt and iron!"
"What!?" The tea cup exploded on the ground with a bang, and Lu Wei stood up suddenly, "Are you serious?"
"I have personally gone to the scene to check this matter and confirmed it is correct! This is the evidence, sir, please take a look!"
Tang Hao put the evidence that he had prepared long ago on the table.
Lu Wei's face darkened when he heard this, and he immediately picked up the evidence and looked through it.
Those were the account books that Tang Hao had already recorded, as well as some confessions that were tortured from Ling Shu's men.
Record everything Ling Shu did over the years, even including the bribery of Tian Dujian to kill Liu Bi.
"Are you sure it's him? Ling Shu?!"
"It's him! He has smuggled huge amounts of salt and iron to the north over the years! If my people hadn't happened to find out and followed the clues, I might not have known that our Qianzhou actually hid such a terrible silverfish!"
Lu Wei flipped through the evidence, sweat dripping down his forehead, and his upright face looked slightly ferocious.
He slammed the ledger shut and asked directly: "Has the specific amount been found?"
The war in the north was in full swing, and at this time there were actually people smuggling salt and iron in Qianzhou.
I'm afraid he can't wear his official hat firmly!
"This year alone, two thousand kilograms of iron ore have been shipped. Earlier, in the sixth year of Tianqi, as much as five or six thousand kilograms were shipped!"
Lu Wei's mind buzzed, "Are you sure? It was six years ago or even earlier than Tianqi? It's still running now?"
"Judging from the confessions, this is indeed the case! And maybe there are dozens of cars hidden somewhere in Qianzhou, just waiting to be sent out."
"With so much salt and iron, what does he want to do!!! Is he going to rebel, or is he going to support the enemy and kill Dayu?!"
It took a long time for Lu Wei to react to the shocking fact.
"The matter of salt and iron is of great importance. From your perspective, what should be done about it?"
It’s not that we don’t check, but we also need to confirm the direction.
It would be absolutely impossible to transport such a large amount of salt and iron without a larger protective umbrella behind it.
"Of course it's a thorough investigation! This matter has nothing to do with us in the first place. Now if we don't investigate and later are exposed and don't report the knowledge, that's the crime of beheading!" Tang Hao stared at Lu Wei seriously and said, "I have sent people to guard it. The major traffic arteries in Qianzhou are waiting for your order!"
Lu Wei was startled, then suddenly realized.
"Yes, investigate, investigate thoroughly!"
And the investigation must be conducted openly and decisively.
It doesn't matter to him what happened nine years ago in Tianqi, and it wasn't him who made the decision in Hui Qianzhou.
But now that he is in office, it is a credit to him to dig out this matter, but it will be a big mistake once he is fooled.
Lu Wei attaches great importance to official authority and has always been considerate and considerate. He has never been so panicked.
But he quickly calmed down and made the right decision.
"In this case, you will be solely responsible for this matter! All matters should be reported directly to this officer. First, arrest the scourge Tian Dujian and torture him, and then investigate everything inside and outside!"
"Okay." Tang Hao understood.
Not long after, the message drum on the wall of Zhengxing Prefecture was beating loudly.
The sound of drumming one after another spread like thunder throughout Zhengxing Mansion.
When people who were about to leave the city were stopped, the expressions of the soldiers who usually boasted changed.
"The demonstration drums sound and the whole city is on alert!"
"It is forbidden to enter or leave the city, everyone should go back!"
"Seal the city gate, whoever dares to break in and take it down!"
Three moments later, Ling's Mansion was surrounded by officers and soldiers, and all the restaurants in Ling's Liquor Store were also blocked.
At sunset, there was a commotion in the government prison, and several government officials were dragged into the cells.
In the next few days, all Lingshu's relatives and friends were taken to the prison to await trial, and even Xue's Winery was invited over for questioning.
It’s March 15th.
Thirty-six carriages of Ling Shu's smuggled goods were escorted to the capital, and the turmoil once again reached a climax.
Entering the capital with the carriage, there were also many criminal evidence and confessions that Lu Wei had examined at lightning speed.
The matter was of great importance, so the excerpts were handed over directly to the supervisory censor and presented to the Emperor's imperial court.
Anyone who smuggles salt and iron in huge quantities is tantamount to rebellion and will be punished according to law!
The emperor was furious and sent two supervisory censors with orders to assist the prefect in conducting a thorough investigation of Qianzhou.
Anyone related to this matter who has defaulted on their responsibilities will be dealt with severely.
In addition, the Ministry of War was also assigned to patrol along the route from Qianzhou to the border.
Anyone who opens the door to Lingshu, teaches or receives information privately, or passes on information will be killed without mercy!
As soon as the news came out, not to mention Qianzhou, but also the entire capital, people were panicked!
It was at this time that Caishikou, Zhengxing Prefecture.
More than two hundred and sixty heads fell to the ground, and half the street was stained red with blood.
The court's laws were strict and no one could shake them. Chen Ping was silent for a long time after hearing this, and he could only lament that Ling Shu had trapped himself in a cocoon.