In the bedroom of Jinshen Hall, Zhao Yanxun stood in the dressing mirror and let several young eunuchs change his clothes.
Outside the threshold of the dormitory, Chen Yuhe knocked his head on the ground and was reporting the news he learned from Chen Dalang.
This is Zhao Yanxun's dormitory. Logically speaking, Chen Yuhe has no chance to come here. He is not even qualified to enter the side hall outside.
But Zhao Yanxun still asked him to come in and report, which shows that he takes this matter very seriously.
After listening, Zhao Yanxun asked Chen Yuhe to step aside. At this moment, his clothes had also been changed.
Taking the tea cup from Huo An, Zhao Yanxun asked casually: "Are you clear about this matter?"
Huo An carefully replied: "Your Majesty, the investigation of the case is not the right of the slave, so I don't know about it!"
Sitting back on the chair, Zhao Yanxun asked in a deep voice: "Are you really not clear, or are you pretending not to be clear?"
This question was a bit straightforward, so Huo An could only bite the bullet and answer: "Report to the prince, I have heard about this... too!"
Putting down the tea cup with a "pop" sound, Zhao Yanxun said coldly: "Then tell me what you know!"
"yes……"
"Before the incident occurred that day, Hu Xiaolin surrendered to the government office. It was revealed that Ma Jin might be responsible for the trouble. Afterwards, Ma Jin identified Hu Xiaolin as a traitor and a spy, so Lin Quan advocated detaining him for interrogation!"
"That's all?" Zhao Yanxun asked again.
"That's all this slave knows!" Huo An bowed and replied.
At this moment, footsteps sounded in the corridor of the main hall, and Zhao Yanxun turned on his senses and knew that Lin Quan was coming.
Lin Quan came to the door of the dormitory, knelt down and paid homage, saying: "Slave Lin Quan, please pay homage to the prince!"
"Get up!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Lin Quan quickly stood up.
From this sentence, Lin Quan could know that Zhao Yanxun was not as angry as he imagined, which made him feel much more at ease.
At this moment, Zhao Yanxun did not mince words and said bluntly: "The rebels in the palace are causing trouble. How is the investigation going?"
"Reporting to the prince, after rigorous interrogation, a total of eight people in the party have been found, scattered in various counties in Yuanyang, and now they have all been captured!"
This was Lin Quan's proud work, and he naturally wanted to speak out about it now.
"It's just that at the court, I don't have the authority to hear the case, so the case process has been delayed a lot!"
"The officials of the ceremony office are now just under house arrest!"
Ma Jin caused chaos, and the ceremony office bears a heavy responsibility.
Firstly, the recruitment of people into the palace was not rigorous, and secondly, the custody of documents and official seals was not rigorous, which gave Ma Jin an opportunity to take advantage of.
Zhao Yanxun already knew these things.
There is some wrangling in it, and Zhao Yanxun also knows it.
After thinking about it, Zhao Yanxun asked: "What happened to the man named Hu Xiaolin?"
Lin Quan replied calmly: "Reporting to the prince, this person is also a traitor and a spy, and I have been interrogating him!"
"What have you gained from the torture so far?"
"This person is tough-talking and has been refusing to explain. He even pretends that he is not a spy!"
"Then how can you be sure that he must be a spy?" Zhao Yanxun asked.
Upon hearing this, Lin Quan felt bad. Is this trying to hold himself accountable?
"Your Majesty, I have Ma Jin's finger as evidence!" Lin Quan replied.
Zhao Yanxun tapped his fingers on the table and said: "Hu Xiaolin surrendered and put the palace on guard, so it didn't cause a big disaster. He is also a meritorious person..."
"You must investigate carefully. If this person is a traitor and a spy, he will be given a lighter sentence considering his merits..."
"If this person was under coercion, then he himself is not guilty and has merit. Let the trial office let him go!"
Although Zhao Yanxun didn't say it clearly, the meaning behind his words was very clear.
"Yes!" Lin Quan replied quickly.
Standing up, Zhao Yanxun said slowly: "You have made a contribution this time, and I have nothing to reward you. Go get a few jars of wine!"
I saw Lin Quan paying homage with a great salute and saying: "My slave, I thank you for your reward!"
Zhao Yanxun could say that he was giving the rewards casually, but Lin Quan could never think so.
At this moment, the eunuch's voice sounded outside the dormitory: "Your Highness, the two chief ministers are waiting outside the hall to see you!"
"Let them wait in the side hall!"
"yes!"
After the little eunuch left, Zhao Yanxun sat back on the chair and asked, "Tell me what they want to say when they come over!"
Although Zhao Yanxun had some guesses, he had been away for a month and had no idea what was going on in Yuanyang, so he asked Lin Quan and Lin Quan to fill in the gaps for him.
…………
In the west hall of Jinshen Hall, two chief historians stood bowed.
The two of them did not speak, each holding a stack of memorials and thinking about what they wanted to report.
At this moment, footsteps sounded outside the hall, and the two stood even more respectfully.
When they heard footsteps outside the side hall, the two of them turned around at almost the same moment, facing Zhao Yanxun who entered the door.
"Greetings to Your Highness!" The two of them saluted.
"No gift!"
After saying this, Zhao Yanxun, dressed in casual clothes, came to sit down at the head of the chamber, his eyes wandering over the two ministers.
Lin Quan and Huo An then entered the hall and stood on both sides of Zhao Yanxun's writing case.
"During this period, you two dear ministers have been acting in the general affairs, thank you for your hard work!"
This was Zhao Yanxun’s first sentence, expressing his affirmation to the two long history officials.
Governing the people is a tedious and large-scale work, and being able to do it in an even and orderly manner is inherently valuable, not to mention that these are still extraordinary times.
"I dare not take credit!" Cheng Wenguang said politely.
Zhao Yanxun didn't talk nonsense and said bluntly: "If you have anything to report, just say it quickly!"
"yes!"
Next, the two chief historians began to report on their work.
Cheng Wenguang is mainly in charge of government affairs, so he starts first, focusing on food consumption and people's governance.
If they are able to make the final decision, they must report the results, if they cannot handle the matter, they must ask Zhao Yanxun for his opinion, and if they have controversial plans, they must also ask Zhao Yanxun for approval.
After Cheng Wenguang, it was Zhou Chengping who spoke.
He had many things to report, mainly the punishment of some offenders and the review of severe sentences.
And at the end, Zhou Chengping brought up the matter of the ceremonial office.
In any case, in the chaos in the palace, Dian Yi has all the unshirkable responsibilities, and it is up to Zhao Yanxun to decide how to deal with it.
Taking Zhou Chengping's report on the situation, Zhao Yanxun asked: "After checking for so long, except for the arrested Ma Jin, are there any accomplices of the rebels in the ceremony office?"
I only heard Zhou Chengping reply: "Reporting to your highness, there are no rebels and comrades in the ceremony hall. They have neglected their duties and neglected their duties!"
Zhao Yanxun did not answer, but turned his head slightly thinking about Lin Quan, who immediately replied: "Return to your highness, I have not found any accomplices!"
Now is not the time to be vindictive, Lin Quan can still understand the importance of the situation.
Putting down the memorial in his hand, Zhao Yanxun asked: "Since we have no comrades, we will be punished for dereliction of duty and negligence. What do the two beloved ministers think of this?"
I only heard Zhou Chengping reply: "Your Highness, I think... Ma Baokun should be removed from the ceremonial duties, and the seven officials under him should be dismissed from their posts!"
This was Zhou Chengping's opinion, and then Zhao Yanxun glanced at Cheng Wenguang.
"Reporting to Your Highness, I believe that... Ma Baokun and his subordinate officials' dereliction of duty has led to serious consequences. His Highness did not kill them... His Highness is merciful!" Cheng Wenguang bowed and said.
According to Cheng Wenguang's meaning, it would be fine to kill Ma Baokun and the others.
After thinking about it, Zhao Yanxun said: "Ma Baokun was guilty of negligence and was transferred to Liaoping as county magistrate..."
"The two officials who were responsible for managing the document seal...beheaded!"
"The rest of the officials should be dismissed from their posts!"
This method of punishment is actually the most reasonable.
Strictly speaking, Ma Baokun had little to do with this matter. After all, he couldn't have brought the documents and seal with him.
Other officials are also jointly and severally responsible. Only the two officials responsible for the documents and seal are the real responsible persons.
