Next, under Zhao Junchen's deliberate inquiring, Guo Pu revealed a lot of information about Li Xin.
In Guo Pu's mouth, Li Xin was mean, ungrateful, ignorant of good and bad, old-fashioned, hypocritical, and ruthless. In short, he was a pedantic official with countless shortcomings who should not be closely friends with. However, when Li Xin was an official in Huai'an, he never took bribes.
Stories and rumors of accepting bribes, misappropriating public funds, and using power for personal gain.
In the end, because of this information, Guo Pu got a reward as he wished, and then left happily and with many thanks.
At the same time, after receiving the news, Zhao Junchen, Bao Wenjie, and Huo Zhengyuan each had their own thoughts, but they did not communicate in depth and reveal their true thoughts. They just agreed to go to the Huai'an Magistrate's Yamen together the next day to investigate the case.
After that, everyone went back to their rooms to rest.
However, after returning to their respective rooms, the three of them did not rest blindly, but took different actions.
Among them, Bao Wenjie sent out all his followers and asked them to continue to investigate various information about Li Xin among the people. According to Guo Pu's description, Li Xin did not look like a corrupt official at all, but
Bao Wenjie was unwilling to believe that Prince Zhu Heyu had wrongly judged the case, so he wanted to obtain some different information.
These little moves of Bao Wenjie naturally cannot be hidden from Zhao Junchen's eyes, but Zhao Junchen does not intend to pay attention to it.
￡In fact, Zhao Junchen also has his own plan.
That night, when Bao Wenjie wasn't paying attention, Zhao Junchen suddenly paid a secret visit to Huo Zhengyuan.
Huo Zhengyuan was indeed tired. When Zhao Junchen visited him, he had already fallen asleep for a while.
However, after learning that it was Zhao Junchen who was visiting secretly, Huo Zhengyuan did not dare to neglect and quickly got up and dressed. He met Zhao Junchen as soon as possible.
In Huo Zhengyuan's room, Zhao Junchen exchanged a few polite words with Huo Zhengyuan, then went straight to the point and asked: "Master Huo, the three of us are ordered to investigate the case this time. Whether the matter is big or small, it doesn't matter."
Xiao, although we don’t need to work too hard, we can’t be dismissive or neglectful, otherwise it will be difficult for His Majesty to explain... However, I think that Academician Huo’s attitude towards the investigation is a bit passive and perfunctory, but I don’t know why?
"
Zhao Junchen's inquiry was too direct and without any concealment. Although he looked frank and honest, it still made Huo Zhengyuan somewhat unable to adapt.
Therefore, Huo Zhengyuan did not tell his true thoughts. He just pondered for a moment and said slowly: "Master Zhao misunderstood. It's not that I was perfunctory. It's that the case is complicated and somewhat confusing. The truth is not yet known. I don't
Be willing to express opinions easily.”
However, Zhao Junchen was merciless and directly revealed Huo Zhengyuan's true thoughts. He said with a smile: "I'm afraid, for Academician Huo, what is confusing is not the case, but His Majesty's attitude and thoughts, right?"
Huo Zhengyuan's expression changed, and he couldn't accept Zhao Junchen's direct style.
However, without waiting for Huo Zhengyuan to refute, Zhao Junchen said: "Actually, throughout the ages, superiors have sent people to inspect local areas. In many cases, the purpose of inspection is not to find out the truth, but to obtain the 'truth' they need, and then
And then use these so-called "truths" to achieve certain purposes. As for whether these so-called "truths" are complete and accurate, not many people actually care... Therefore, His Majesty sent us to Huai'an Prefecture to investigate the case this time. We will first
We should consider what 'truth' His Majesty needs, and then complete the task based on His Majesty's needs. Do you think this is the truth, University Scholar Huo?"
Zhao Junchen's words became more and more direct and explicit, even to the point of being "disrespectful".
But precisely because of this, Huo Zhengyuan felt a lot more relieved, feeling that Zhao Junchen was not lying to him, but wanted to have a frank talk.
Therefore, Huo Zhengyuan was also straightforward and asked: "However, Mr. Zhao is so leisurely and at ease, so he must have guessed His Majesty's true intentions?"
Zhao Junchen said with a smile: "When I was in Linqing a few days ago, I accompanied His Majesty on a private visit incognito. During this period, I met a woman who complained to the imperial court. Her name was Li Jiamin. She was the daughter of Li Xin, the former prefect of Huai'an... I think your Majesty
She seems to like this woman very much. I am afraid it is also because of Li Jiamin that we are sent to review Li Xin's corruption case."
Hearing Zhao Junchen's words, Huo Zhengyuan's eyes flashed.
Huo Zhengyuan was originally a resourceful and scheming person. He had not guessed Emperor Deqing's true thoughts before because he had too little information. Now that he had obtained useful information, he immediately understood Emperor Deqing's true thoughts.
"Because of Li Jiamin, your Majesty wants to vindicate Li Xin?... No! Li Xin's corruption case was judged by the prince himself. If he vindicates Li Xin, it will inevitably damage the prince's reputation... Oh, yes
Yes, Your Majesty wants to reduce part of Li Xin's crime, and then avoid the serious ones and let Li Xin only receive a light punishment. In this way, even if Li Xin avoids jail, the reputation of the prince will not be harmed.
damage……"
Hearing Huo Zhengyuan's muttering to himself, Zhao Junchen put his hands on his hands and said with a smile: "Grandmaster Huo is really wise, and he can tell the truth at just one point!"
After understanding Emperor Deqing's thoughts, Huo Zhengyuan felt relieved. Before this, Huo Zhengyuan could only adopt a perfunctory attitude towards the investigation of the case because he did not understand Emperor Deqing's true intentions, so as to try his best to keep away his own feelings.
Responsibility - Now that he understood Emperor Deqing's true intentions, Huo Zhengyuan suddenly felt enlightened and had an opportunity to please Emperor Deqing.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen gave Huo Zhengyuan a small favor this time.
However, Huo Zhengyuan still couldn't understand why Zhao Junchen was so friendly to him all of a sudden?
"Is it possible that Zhao Junchen wants to bribe him?"
Finally, Huo Zhengyuan thought of this possibility, but felt that Zhao Junchen was overestimating his capabilities.
After all, Huo Zhengyuan is a great scholar in the imperial court. He has a distinguished status and cannot be bribed by anyone. Although Zhao Junchen has become more powerful and scheming in recent times, he is just a minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs.
That's all, neither qualifications nor seniority are enough to bribe Huo Zhengyuan.
However, just when Huo Zhengyuan was about to test Zhao Junchen, Zhao Junchen suddenly stood up and left.
Looking at Zhao Junchen's leaving figure, Huo Zhengyuan's expression was complicated and thoughtful.
In fact, Huo Zhengyuan didn't know that thousands of miles away in the capital, his backer Huang Yourong looked very anxious at this moment.
…
ps: Although it is one day late, I still wish the reader a happy birthday to the out-of-print Guazi! I will always be eighteen and become more and more beautiful!
...(To be continued, please search Piaotian Literature, the novels will be better and updated faster!