Zhao Junchen was sitting in the study, reviewing the records from the Ministry of Accounts, but he was a little absent-minded and very slow. (Novel Network)
After a long time, the study door was pushed open, and Xu Qingyan came to Zhao Junchen.
"how?"
Zhao Junchen raised his head and asked.
A trace of regret flashed across Xu Qingyan's expression, and he said: "Fang Ru was rescued. According to the young master's method, after filling her with soapy water, she vomited out most of the poisonous wine she drank, and after the doctor diagnosed her
, also said that as long as she recovers for a while, she will be fine."
Seeing Zhao Junchen nodding and saying nothing, Xu Qingyan couldn't help but ask: "Master, are we going to let her go like this?"
After knowing that Fang Ru was fine, Zhao Junchen continued to read the records from the Ministry of Accounts and said casually: "Hostility is a hidden danger, and she is no longer a hidden danger. In this case, why should I kill her?"
Xu Qingyan was a little reluctant and muttered: "Who knows if she is acting, young master, please don't be deceived by her."
"No." Zhao Junchen sighed softly and explained: "When a person is about to die, his words are also good. The reason why I let her drink that glass of poisonous wine is to see her sincerity. At that time
, she doesn’t have to hide anything, let alone put on a show and lie. However, just in case, you can still let people stare at her, but in the future, you have to be more concealed, so that she doesn’t find out easily again.
.”
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Xu Qingyan looked extremely embarrassed. Why did Fang Ru feel suspicious? Zhao Junchen had already told him about it.
Seeing Xu Qingyan's appearance, Zhao Junchen shook his head subconsciously.
People who are too smart always have restless ambitions. Zhao Junchen is worried about it, but people who are worried about it, such as Xu Qingyan, are often not smart enough. And people who are both smart and loyal are like no other.
It's hard to find, at least, Zhao Junchen has not been able to encounter it so far.
From a certain point of view, this situation is now a bottleneck for Zhao Junchen. Sometimes, Zhao Junchen has no one to discuss things with, so he can only bear them alone.
Jiang Qian knew the basics and was promoted by Zhao Junchen, but his ability was limited to financial management and accounting.
Xiao Shancai was a genius at eating, drinking, having fun, and seducing people's hearts, but that was all.
As for others, such as Zuo Lanshan, Zhan Shanchang, Tong Huan, Chen Dongxiang, Li Lide, Gu Quan and others, they are not lacking in wisdom and ability, but they are not lacking in ambition and selfishness. Since they were able to betray Wen Guanliang and join Zhao Junchen for various interests in the future,
Naturally, he would betray Zhao Junchen and switch to other people for more benefits. Zhao Junchen was even more worried. There were many things that Zhao Junchen did not even dare to let them know.
If we want to say that she is both smart and loyal, the one who best meets the requirements is Fang Ru. Unfortunately, Fang Ru is only a concubine after all and cannot be used for much purpose, and even today, Zhao Junchen still has some barriers to her.
"Talent is hard to find..."
Zhao Junchen murmured to himself.
Suddenly, Zhao Junchen thought of the Liu Zimin he met today.
It's not that Liu Zimin is a talent in Zhao Junchen's eyes, but through Liu Zimin, Zhao Junchen thought of the Spring Examination in March next year.
"Or, Chunwei..."
Zhao Junchen narrowed his eyes slightly, thoughtfully.
On the other side, after being embarrassed for a long time, Xu Qingyan suddenly remembered something and asked: "Master, since you don't kill Fang Ru, what about Wei Ping? Poisoning court officials is not a trivial matter."
Zhao Junchen looked unconcerned and said quietly: "Poisoning court officials is certainly a big deal. It affects the face of the court and the stability of the country. Even if it does not shock the government and the public, it will definitely alarm the Holy One. It is indeed difficult to handle. However,
, if it was just a misunderstanding in the end, and it was not poisoning but suicide, then the matter would be easily solved."
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, a puzzled look flashed across Xu Qingyan's face.
At this moment, the voice of a servant of the Zhao family sounded outside the door.
"Sir, Li Lide, the minister of punishment, and Gu Quan, the right deputy censor of the Inspectorate, would like to see you."
..."You already know about the fact that Wei Ping was poisoned and died outside our house today during the Shuntian Prefecture's treatment, right?"
After Li Lide and Gu Quan arrived in the study, they had just sat down when Zhao Junchen asked.
After hearing Zhao Junchen's inquiry, Li Lide and Gu Quan looked at each other, and then Li Lide said: "Sir, after all, this Wei Ping is an official of the imperial court. The matter of being poisoned is not a trivial matter. Now it has spread throughout the government and the public.
, it is rumored that it seems to be related to the Lord's family, so now there is a lot of discussion among the officials and the people."
Gu Quan looked at Zhao Junchen's expression and said: "Yes, sir, this matter is of great importance. All factions in the court are paying attention to it, and Wei Ping died when he died, but he died not in the place, sir."
Outside the house, if there are villains who deliberately use this matter to cause trouble in the future, it will be difficult to handle."
Zhao Junchen nodded and said slowly: "Yes, the death of a court official from poisoning is a major event. It is inevitable that the government and the public will pay attention to it and there will be rumors. However, in my opinion, this Wei Ping may not have been poisoned.
If someone poisons someone, he may commit suicide by taking poison out of fear of guilt.”
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Li Lide and Gu Quan were both stunned, with doubts on their faces.
Gu Quan asked: "Why do you have such suspicion, sir?"
Zhao Junchen glanced at Gu Quan, smiled softly, and said: "Mr. Gu, why do you ask questions knowingly? Wei Ping is just a small Shuntian government official, but he has always lived a luxurious and extravagant life. Mr. Gu, you are the right-hand man of the Metropolitan Procuratorate.
The deputy censor of the capital has always been upright and looks down upon corrupt officials. If there is any doubt, he will naturally investigate in detail. Recently, Wei Ping has been found to have been involved in corruption and bribery. He is now collecting evidence to prepare for impeachment in front of His Majesty.
To him."
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Gu Quan was stunned again.
Gu Quan knew very well that these days, he was busy contending with the prince's party in the Metropolitan Procuratorate. How could he have the time and energy to investigate whether a small figure like Wei Ping had been corrupted or accepted bribes?
On the contrary, Li Lide, who was on errands in the Ministry of Justice after all, had a faster mind. After hearing what Zhao Junchen said, he nodded repeatedly and said with a look of astonishment on his face: "So, if Wei Ping is caught by Mr. Gu, it's already...
If you are desperate, then there is a motive for suicide."
Looking at Li Lide with admiration, Zhao Junchen continued: "Actually, I don't know much about these. Who would have thought that Wei Ping, after being desperate, would actually ask to see me today and want to follow my path?
, begged me to protect him, but how could I protect a corrupt official like Wei Ping? He refused immediately. I didn’t expect that Wei Ping would be so indifferent after he had no hope, and just left me
Mansion, he took poison and committed suicide. It is really sad..."
While speaking, Zhao Junchen sighed deeply.
At this point, Gu Quan also reacted, with a look of surprise in his eyes, and nodded: "That's true. I never thought that the pursuit of him these days would actually force him to death. However, Wei Ping
Over the years, corruption and bribery have brought disaster to the country and the people. It is not a pity to die, so committing suicide by taking poison would be an advantage for him!"
After a pause, Gu Quan assured again: "Please rest assured, sir, that the relevant documents and evidence will be prepared by the official before the morning meeting."
Zhao Junchen smiled and nodded, then looked at Li Lide and asked: "Master Li, are people from the six doors investigating Wei Ping's case together?"
Li Lide nodded and said: "The death of a court official due to poisoning is a major event. According to the rules, it is the six doors that work together to investigate."
The so-called six gates in ancient times did not refer to a specific yamen, but the collective name of the three law division yamen. In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it was the collective name of the three major censorship agencies: the Ministry of Punishment, Dali Temple and the Metropolitan Procuratorate.
And among them, based on the Ministry of Punishment, the arrests and arrests that were investigating the case outside Zhao Junchen's mansion today were all from the Yamen of the Ministry of Punishment.
Zhao Junchen nodded and waved. Xu Qingyan, who was waiting at the side, held the handkerchief he had just prepared in front of Li Lide.
"Master Li, it's like this." Seeing Li Lide looking at the handkerchief with doubts on his face, Xu Qingyan explained softly: "After Wei Ping left our Zhao Mansion today, some of the servants in the manor saw the look of despair on his face, and from
He took out this handkerchief from his arms. At that time, the handkerchief was folded, and he didn't know what was wrapped inside. Later, Wei Ping died of poisoning, and this handkerchief was picked up by my servants in the Zhao family. It was just the yellow particles on the handkerchief.
But it looked like arsenic. Thinking that this might be an important piece of evidence, the servant handed it into the hands of my lord, and now it is handed over to you. I also asked Lord Li to see if there is any use for it."
After Li Lide pondered for a moment, he asked: "I see, can those servants in your mansion report the case to the Ministry of Justice tonight and make a confession?"
Before Xu Qingyan could speak, Zhao Junchen nodded and said: "Of course it is possible. As a court official, I should cooperate with the Ministry of Punishment and do my part for this case."
Li Lide smiled and said: "In this case, with all the personal and material evidence, and Mr. Zhao and Mr. Gu serving as circumstantial evidence, when your Majesty inquires tomorrow, Wei Ping must have committed suicide."
Gu Quan nodded repeatedly and said: "Yes, yes! Now it seems that Wei Ping must have committed suicide by taking poison out of fear of crime. When Mr. Li reports to His Majesty tomorrow, all these rumors today should end."
...In this way, during the conversation between the three of them, Wei Ping's poisoning was determined to be a suicide due to fear of crime. Poor Wei Ping, his reputation will be ruined after his death.
Of course, he was indeed not a good person during his lifetime.
After seeing off Gu Quan and Li Lide, Zhao Junchen returned to the study, looked at Xu Qingyan's expression of admiration, smiled softly, and then his face became much more serious, and asked softly: "How is Zhang Daoquan's Tongji Temple developing in the capital now?
Already?"
I don’t know why Zhao Junchen asked this, but Xu Qingyan still replied: "Not bad. With the methods you taught him, young master, Tongji Temple has now developed a lot of believers in the capital, and it has gradually gained some influence."
Zhao Junchen nodded and asked: "How successful is he in developing followers in the officialdom? Are there any followers of his in the Shuntian Mansion Yamen?"
When Zhao Junchen supported Zhang Daoquan's development in the capital, he also gave him a list of officials, asking Zhang Daoquan to do his best to develop the officials on the list into believers. Although most of these officials were of low rank and power, they were just
They are low-level officials in various yamen in the capital, but they are in a key position, and any troubles cannot be hidden from them.
Xu Qingyan replied: "It's not going very well, but there are some believers in the officialdom, and there are more of them in Shuntian Mansion."
Zhao Junchen said coldly: "In that case, let Zhang Daoquan find a way to find out about Wei Ping's actions in the past few days through those believers. I always feel that Wei Ping's actions this time are not that simple!".