Jianchang Prefecture, Yun State, is the perennial county seat.
Hai Rui was wearing a censor's official robe with a solemn face. He looked at the county government officials guarding the treasury in front of him and shouted in a deep voice:
"Open the treasury quickly and hand over the account books and catalogs!"
The official guarding the treasury looked bitter. Under the sharp eyes of the Legalists around Hai Rui, he swallowed tremblingly and said with a sad face:
"Master Yushi, there is an account book in this treasury, which is very important. Your Excellency is here in a hurry today, why don't you let your subordinates report it first?"
Hai Rui's eyes were extremely sharp, like sharp edges, he stared at the treasury officials and scolded:
"Open! I am the censor appointed by His Majesty to inspect the affairs of Jianchang Mansion. If you dare to stop me again, you will be punished immediately!"
The Legalist disciple on the side heard this, coughed slightly, and couldn't help but interject:
"In Dayun Law, anyone who obstructs official duties will at least lose his official position and be demoted to a commoner. At worst, he will be implicated in his entire family and be exiled thousands of miles away!"
Hearing this, the official was obviously startled. After hesitating for a long time, he finally could not resist the pressure and took the treasury key from his waist, and handed it to Hai Rui respectfully.
Hai Rui nodded slightly, and Zhi Du immediately stepped forward and took away the key to the treasury.
In the fearful and helpless eyes of the officials guarding the treasury, a large group of people came straight to the Changning County treasury.
At this time, Zhang Tang saw that all the government officials were hiding aside in fear, trembling and not daring to come forward. He immediately leaned into Hai Rui's ear and asked in a low voice:
"Sir, do we think that with such a large-scale investigation now, we are trying to alert the snake? Don't you mean that the big rats behind these are still useful?"
Today, the Yun State has sent a team of troops into the southwest counties of the Xia State with great fanfare to treat the people suffering from the plague.
But with so many people in the southwest counties, if they hear that there is a way to survive in Yun State, many people will come. At that time, Changning County will probably close the city again like before!
Whether it was Xiao Cheng, Dao Yan, the actual chief official of Changning County, or even the tough-tempered Hai Rui, they all refrained from attacking those people at this time, just to let them use their remaining energy.
Transport more food and grass, rescue more innocent people, and increase the prestige of the current Yun Emperor. Then it will be in vain that Xiao Cheng, Hai Rui and the other ninjas did not take action.
This is something that Zhidu, Zhang Tang and others have known for a long time. Now that they have made such a decision, they should pretend not to see the sinister things behind it.
So at this time, I felt a little bit puzzled that Hai Rui suddenly started investigating with great fanfare.
After hearing Zhang Tang's question, Hai Rui looked around, lowered his voice and said:
"If I suddenly pretended not to see it, the people behind the scenes would be suspicious all day long. That would only be to alert the enemy!"
Hearing this, Zhidu couldn't help but said:
"If that's the case, then why didn't you let your guard down with them before?"
Hai Rui frowned, shook his head and said:
"That's even more unacceptable! It's not an exaggeration, it's just my temper..."
Hai Rui was not easy to get along with because of his extremely stubborn, strong and upright temperament.
The Imperial Examination Scholars came from the same background and were naturally close to each other. When they were observing politics at the Chancellery, they often interacted with each other. Naturally, many people got into trouble with him.
Therefore, Hai Rui's bad temper has spread throughout the court.
The person behind this plot is most likely an official from the capital who is also involved and knows his temperament.
Hai Rui suddenly smiled at these people and refused to accept the gifts. This seemed extremely inconsistent and suspicious!
At this time, Hai Rui suddenly paused again, with a sneer on his lips, and said:
"Moreover, the more high-profile the investigation is, and the more fearful these people are to use all their means, the more they can see the trump cards of these people behind the scenes!"
When the two heard this, they immediately showed a look of understanding, and they both cupped their hands and said:
"Your Excellency is wise!"
While the two were talking, the accompanying Legalist expert had already opened the door to one of the treasury.
People poured in and looked around.
Then he saw that the huge treasury was full of grain and grass. In the tall grain store, white rice overflowed and fell to the ground. In addition, there were all kinds of materials, which filled the treasury.
Full.
When everyone saw what the treasury looked like, their brows suddenly moved.
Hai Rui narrowed his eyes and gestured to the accompanying expert next to him.
Immediately, someone drew out his weapon, stabbed the food hoard, and then drew it out again.
In an instant, the white rice overflowed from the gap and rolled to the ground.
Seeing this situation, the treasury official at the door suddenly looked bitter and couldn't help but beg:
"Sir, we have tools to measure rice and grain here. If you do this, the grain hoard will have to be replaced. I don't know how much effort it will cost the officials. Don't do this, don't do this!"
Hearing the officials' constant pleading, Hai Rui turned a deaf ear and pretended not to hear it and sneered:
"Explore every other foot, try all sides! The methods of the treasury officials, hehehe..."
When the Legalist experts around him heard this, they immediately clasped their fists in response, spread out, and moved their hands to the grain hoards in the treasury to verify the depth and reality.
All the treasury officials had bitter expressions on their faces at this time, as if they wanted to step forward to stop it, but were unable to do anything.
Hai Rui frowned and immediately shouted:
"There are also treasury account books, hand them over quickly!"
Upon hearing this, the leading official immediately replied:
"Sir, there is trouble in the city. There are more things coming in and out of the treasury these days than in previous years. The pile of account books is as high as half a person. You still..."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhi on the side couldn't bear to listen anymore, and immediately interrupted with a scolding:
"What are you talking about? Take us quickly to seal it!"
The official hesitated for a moment, and helplessly signaled to his subordinates, leading Zhi Du to seal an account book.
Hai Rui glanced around and saw a group of accompanying Legalist disciples running between the grain stores in the treasury. But every time he pierced the grain store, what came out was always white rice grains. There was nothing suspicious about it.
None were found.
Something's wrong!
Hai Rui's heart suddenly trembled, but his face remained calm. He looked at the anxious treasury officials waiting beside him and said in a deep voice:
"What's your name?"
When the treasury officials heard this, they quickly bowed to Hai Rui and said:
"Your Excellency came in a hurry and was not greeted by the courtesy. The next official, Zhao Xuesong, was appointed treasurer of Changning County and was in charge of the affairs of the county's central treasury."
"Secretary Zhao, you're polite!" Hai Rui nodded slightly and returned the greeting.
"Don't you dare..." Zhao Xuesong quickly waved his hand to Hai Rui fearfully, saying he didn't dare.
Then he paused and asked timidly with a puzzled look on his face:
"Master Censor, don't blame me for being rude. It's just that you came to the treasury quietly. What kind of official business is it? You might as well talk to me and he will help you!"
Since he wanted to do it in a big way to be seen by the next generation, Hai Rui had no intention of hiding it. He looked at Zhao Xuesong with sharp eyes and said solemnly:
"I know that there are people in the city who are greedy and are interested in the imperial court's relief food and grass, harming the public and enriching themselves. I am here today because of this matter."
Having said this, Hai Rui's eyes became even sharper, with a hint of scolding in his tone as he continued:
"Treasurer Zhao is in charge of the treasury, so he must know something! Official corruption, or having a wrong mind on such a big matter, Dayun law has always punished severely. If you know anything, please tell me in detail quickly. If you are honest, I will
I can make the decision and treat you lightly!"
Hearing Hai Rui's words, Zhao Xuesong felt as if his tail had been stepped on. He almost jumped up and shouted loudly:
"Master Yushi, you are wronged! Although I have a humble official position, I am always grateful for the kindness of Your Majesty and the court. How could I do such a rebellious and unconscionable thing? My lord, please don't do it because of some baseless rumors.
, then you won’t listen to my subordinate’s excuse!”
While saying this, Zhao Xuesong pointed at the treasury and argued hurriedly:
"Sir, if nothing else, do you think there is any trace of corruption in this treasury? The account books will be handed over to you as soon as possible. You will know when the time comes!"
Hai Rui looked at Zhao Xuesong's humiliated look, with a look of solemnity on his thin face, and scolded:
"Nonsense? I have been coming to Changning County for a long time, and I already know many things. What the people eat every day is bran eaten by animals!"
Hearing this, Zhao Xuesong quickly continued to shout:
"My lord, my lord! This is all a misunderstanding. You don't know something!"
Hai Rui looked at the man in front of him, who was using his lifelong acting skills to vividly portray the image of a small official who was wronged by a superior official and tried every means to prove his innocence.
He couldn't help but sneer in his heart and continued to watch him perform his best.
"Sir, Changning County was closed down for several months, and no one was allowed in or out. There were nearly a million people in the city, and there was a shortage of food and grass. There was almost a riot in the city. Master Daoyan tried his best to support it, and then we got help from the imperial court. But
Even so, there may be an accident in the future, and the grain and grass cannot be transported. It was Master Daoyan who personally ordered that bran be added to the people's daily rations to save the excess grain and grass to prepare for the future!"
Having said this, Zhao Xuesong's face showed a visibly aggrieved look and said:
"Sir, although this bran is not delicious, it will not starve to death! We here are all thinking about the people..."
From the corner of his eye, Zhao Xuesong saw Zhi Du leading people to bring in a large number of account books. He quickly pointed to the account books over there and swore:
"Every account book has records. If your Excellency can find out anything from it, I will be willing to die!"
At this moment, a group of Legalist masters who had just gone to investigate, led by Zhang Tang, came to Hai Rui and shook their heads slightly at him.
Just now, everyone tried their best, but nothing abnormal happened in the treasury.
In other words, the food and grass in the treasury are indeed real, and there is no fraud!
Hai Rui nodded, strolled up to Zhidu, patted the account book he had brought, pondered for a moment, and then said in a somewhat gentle tone:
"Okay, this officer is just doing a routine investigation. If there is a mistake and Treasurer Zhao is wronged, I will personally apologize to you later!"
When Zhao Xuesong heard this, he pursed his lips, looked moved, wiped the corners of his eyes, and said with a cry:
"It's not that, it's more than that! Master Yushi, you are just fulfilling your duties..."
Hearing this, Hai Rui nodded and said in a deep voice:
"Walk!"
After giving the order, a group of accompanying experts immediately left with their account books and surrounded Hai Rui.
Watching Hai Rui's figure go away, all the treasury officials present suddenly looked at each other, breathed a sigh of relief, and at the same time showed a hint of smile.
Treasurer Zhao Xuesong rubbed the tears from the corners of his eyes, raised his head slightly, turned his head and glanced at the messy treasury, which was filled with white rice and all kinds of things overturned. He curled his mouth and looked at the many subordinates with pride and shouted
:
"Why are you still standing there? Why don't you hurry up and clean it up!"
All the treasury officials responded with smiles on their faces:
"yes!"
After Hai Rui walked out of the treasury, he paused slightly and hummed in a cold voice:
"A bunch of rats and insects!"
Zhi Du heard this, but he took out three account books, handed them to Hai Rui, and said:
"Sir, there is indeed something wrong with these treasury officials!"
Upon hearing this, Hai Rui took the account book, opened it casually, and said with some surprise:
"At this time, you have already looked at the account books? What did you find?"
Zhidu shook his head slightly and said:
"There is indeed a problem with the account books, but it does not mean that the numbers in the account books are wrong."
Hai Rui looked at Zhidu and motioned for him to continue.
Zhi Du opened one of the pages, pointed to the date on it, and said:
"Sir, this account book records the entry and exit records of the treasury from March 13th to March 28th."
After that, he opened another book and continued:
"And this one records the entries and exits from the treasury from February 1st to March 3rd. The other one is from this month."
Hai Rui heard this and said in a deep voice;
"What's the problem?"
Zhidu pointed to the writing on it and said:
"Don't you remember? In the middle of March, it rained heavily for several days in Jianchang Prefecture. The climate in the north is already humid, and books often get damp. Even if the Changning County Treasury is dry, the preservation is still intact, but
Compared with the ink stains in February, there shouldn’t be any difference at all!”
All records are written with pen and ink. If there is humid weather, the ink will become damp again, and even if it is well preserved, it will be slightly different.
Upon hearing this, Hai Rui quickly raised the account book and looked at it carefully.
As Zhi Du said, there is no difference in the details of handwriting in these account books of different dates, and there is no trace of records from different periods.
Hai Rui immediately closed the account book in his hand, nodded with satisfaction and said:
"Yes, this account book was definitely added later! Haha, I made more mistakes, but I finally have evidence!"
Hai Rui paused and continued:
"Continue to investigate, and we will take it out later so that these giant rats can no longer hide!"
"yes!"
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－
I almost missed it!
The world is very lively today. The big hair and two hair incident has exposed a lot of ghosts, ghosts, snakes, and patients with intermittent Mary syndrome. Then I stopped reading and talked to others on the writers forum for more than an hour.
Sure enough, there is no limit to human limits. I just finished writing three thousand words in one hour in an extremely anxious situation.
Of course, the main reason is because when I went to work today, the plot was all in my mind...