After Lu Jing left, Shao Wenzhao, the Minister of Punishment, came again.
He sighed deeply as he sat down, looking very worried.
"Master Shao, what's wrong with you? Is it that I, Xiao Chen, am not lovable, or that everyone doesn't welcome me back? Why do they all look so sad?" Xiao Chen said.
"Sigh... everything in front of you is full of worries. How can you stop worrying?" Shao Wenzhao said.
"No matter how worried you are, can you live with Lin Dongyang?" Xiao Chen said.
"Master Xiao, I know that you have a good relationship with Master Lin Dongyang. You are the only one willing to protect him when he suffers this time." Shao Wenzhao sighed, "You are saying this because I am not merciful to him, right?"
"I'm not blaming you, sir. I'm just wondering, sir, if you have no grudges against him, why do you want to punish him to death?" Xiao Chen said.
"Haha, should I punish him? He is a high-ranking official in the border area, a second-grade governor. Do you think it is so easy for me, a minister of the Ministry of Punishment, to punish him? Besides, why should I punish him?" Shao Wenzhao smiled bitterly, "You, Mr. Xiao. I know in my heart what is going on, but why should you blame me?"
"At least you, Mr. Shao, should be more merciful when you are trying the case, right?" Xiao Chen said, "Why did I hear that you ordered him to be cut in half? This is too much!"
"Haha, if we don't decide to cut him in half, how can he save his life!" Shao Wenzhao said, "If we directly convict him of execution, some people will think that our trial of the case is not truthful, and other mistakes will occur, and it will be difficult for the emperor to show mercy. ."
"Oh? So Mr. Shao, you still show mercy?" Xiao Chen said.
"In the final analysis, the emperor still doesn't want him to die, but he himself wants to die." Shao Wenzhao said, "Mr. Xiao, you probably don't know yet, right? He confessed to all the crimes that those officials involved in him, and even He took the initiative to confess a lot of things that we didn’t even know about, big and small, all put together, it’s shocking.”
"Did he confess everything on his own?" Xiao Chen frowned, "Or did you sentence him?"
"A single sentence of punishment is useless." Shao Wenzhao said, "We still have to talk about such a little bit of human kindness. Besides, he confessed so happily, there is no need to use punishment. Maybe he just wanted to avoid being tortured and humiliated, so he didn't resist at all... like this At least I can save some dignity for myself and my family.”
"Oh, I understand, someone is threatening the lives of his family!" Xiao Chen heard the implication of Shao Wenzhao's words.
"I didn't say anything." Shao Wenzhao waved his hands repeatedly, "Master Xiao, please don't think too much."
"You didn't say anything to anyone, and I didn't think about anything." Xiao Chen said, "In your opinion, Mr. Shao, is it possible for Lin Dongyang to make meritorious deeds and make a comeback?"
"Mr. Xiao, you killed him just because you thought that way." Shao Wenzhao said, "He has reached the best ending now. If you want him to save his life, don't torment him anymore."
"I can't just sit back and watch when Dongyang is in trouble. I have to find a way to get him out, right? He's not young anymore. The Jinyiwei Zhao Prison is not a place for people to stay. I'm afraid he will die there in a year and a half." ." Xiao Chen said.
"That's not a problem." Shao Wenzhao said, "It's just that if he is sick, he won't be able to be protected..."
"Thank you, Mr. Shao, for your advice." Xiao Chen said hurriedly.
"What did I tell you?" Shao Wenzhao waved his hand again and again, "Mr. Xiao, if you always scare people like this, then I won't dare to say anything."
"Master Shao came to visit my little brother first. This is a sign of affection, so I should thank you." Xiao Chen said with a smile. "It's too late today. I will definitely come to pay my respects tomorrow. I also have some specialties brought from Yizhou for Master Shao to try."
"If someone gives me something, I won't be able to accept it. But if it's a good thing from Mr. Xiao, the more the better. I dare to accept as much as you want!" Shao Wenzhao said with a smile, "Master Xiao will be granted the title of Marquis soon. That’s not considered a gift, but a reward!”
"Mr. Shao, what you said is that after I seal my brother off, our friendship will be gone forever?" Xiao Chen said.
"If someone else said this, I would only think of it as being polite, but when Mr. Xiao said it, I took it seriously." Shao Wenzhao said, "Lin Dongyang is in trouble. Mr. Xiao, you should treat him as a friend and try your best to help him, not to mention me. generation?"
"Sigh...Actually, I didn't help with anything, and maybe it would be a disservice." Xiao Chen sighed.
But it doesn't really matter whether he helps or not. What matters is that he is willing to help his friends when they are in danger. As the saying goes, a friend in need is a friend indeed. Xiao Chen, apart from anything else, is really affectionate and righteous.
Worth handing over.
What's more, he is very rich.
Early the next morning, Xiao Chen began to pay his respects, which was just a formality, drinking two cups of tea and sitting for a while.
Of course, there were also some gifts. He, Xiao Chen, never came to someone else's house empty-handed.
This makes everyone feel very embarrassed. What did you say?
We went empty-handed yesterday, and today you, Mr. Xiao, come with generous gifts. Isn’t this a slap in our face?
Okay, okay, let’s not talk outsiders. Since you, Mr. Xiao, have rewarded you, we don’t dare not accept it. Let’s go back and have a glass of water and wine to help you catch the wind...
Xiao Chen came in a hurry this time, and of course he didn't have time to bring any Yizhou specialties, but he did bring a lot of gold and silver treasures, all of which were seized from Duke Saladin.
This guy is simply a money-giving boy. Two large ships of gold, silver and jewels he has accumulated over the years were all given to Xiao Chen 'generously'...
After paying homage to everyone, of course he also went to pay homage to the prince. First, he went to Fengyang Prince's Mansion. As he expected, Fengyang Prince Li Feng said he was ill and disappeared, probably because he was too embarrassed to see me...
Whether you like to see me or not, it’s like who the hell wants to see you!
Finally, he went straight to Jiangdong Prince's Mansion. When Li Shi heard that he was coming, he immediately came out to greet him in person. Although his face was a little pale, he didn't look sick. It could be seen that he was not sick at all. Even if he was sick, it was a heart disease!
Xiao Chen's statement yesterday may have had a great impact on his condition. Seeing Xiao Chen, his face even showed a long-lost smile.
Just a little bit morbid.
"When I met the emperor yesterday, what did the emperor say to you?" If it were normal, Li Shi would definitely not ask this, but now that he asked it, not only did he not seem abrupt, but it revealed his trust and affection for Xiao Chen.
The tone of voice is quite good.
Xiao Chen naturally didn't have to hide anything and told the truth.
"Haha, since the founding of the Zhou Dynasty, there has never been a precedent for a governor to govern two counties. The emperor is very gracious to you." After hearing this, Li Shi pondered for a while and then smiled.
"The emperor's kindness is so great that I can't repay it even if my body is broken into pieces and I have devoted my whole life!" Xiao Chen said.
"But it's not an exaggeration to say that I can make you a marquis. With your merits, let's talk about being a prince in our family. In fact, you can become a prince." These words were the sweet dates that were fed to Xiao Chen with his own hands. .
Of course, you can understand that this was something Li Shi deliberately let out and promised to him.
