"What, the White Lotus Sect!"
When Zhao Zhenji heard Hai Rui mention the White Lotus Sect, the look of surprise on his face could not be concealed, and he immediately lost his voice.
But after that, Zhao Zhenji quickly reacted, turned his gaze to Hai Rui, and lowered his voice.
"This is not the place to talk. Come with me!"
When Hai Rui heard this, he didn't doubt that he was there. He cupped his hands and said respectfully.
"Yes, sir!"
Soon, Hai Rui followed Zhao Zhenji's footsteps and came to a secluded and deserted place. When Zhao Zhenji saw that no one was around, he suddenly stopped, turned around, and asked Hai Rui.
"Tell me the whole ins and outs of the whole thing!"
"Yes, sir!"
After that, Hai Rui recounted the entire incident to Zhao Zhenji in detail. As Hai Rui recounted, Zhao Zhenji's frown gradually relaxed.
Immediately, he gathered his thoughts, turned his gaze to Hai Rui, and said in a deep voice: "Hai Rui, you just said that it was Zhang Juzheng who recommended you to His Majesty, right?"
When Hai Rui heard this, he immediately responded without thinking: "Yes, sir, he is the official recommended to your majesty by Lord Shangshu!"
Zhao Zhenji frowned slightly when he heard this, and immediately reminded him: "Master Shangshu, from now on, you should call him Ge Lao!"
Seeing the serious expression on Zhao Zhenji's face, Hai Rui immediately reacted and asked tentatively: "Sir, do you mean that Zhang Juzheng has officially joined the cabinet?"
When Zhao Zhenji heard this, he nodded slightly and immediately responded: "Well, that's right, I just got the news!"
But soon, Zhao Zhenji noticed that Hai Rui's face became a little ugly, and asked curiously: "Hai Rui, what's wrong? Why do you look so ugly?"
Facing Zhao Zhenji's inquiry, Hai Rui just waved his hand, indicating that he was fine.
At this moment, Hai Rui's mind was replaying the previous conversation with Zhang Juzheng.
After Hai Rui reviewed the details in his mind in detail, he finally came to his senses: "It seems that Mr. Zhang Ge doesn't care much about this, but to be on the safe side, I'd better find an opportunity to go there another day. Come visit!”
While Hai Rui was still thinking about the next response, Zhao Zhenji's voice sounded again: "Hai Rui, remember, you must handle this matter properly. After all, this matter concerns the White Lotus Sect!"
"If there's anything I can do to help, just ask, do you understand?"
Sensing the concern in Zhao Zhenji's words, Hai Rui immediately looked stern, buried his head deeply, and said in a deep voice.
"Yes, sir!"
When Zhao Zhenji saw that the matter was almost settled, he immediately waved his hand and gave instructions.
"Okay, go back and hand over all the work at hand to them!"
"Yes, sir!"
When Hai Rui heard this, he immediately responded without any hesitation.
Zhao Zhenji looked at Hai Rui's leaving figure and couldn't help but sigh: "It seems I'm not the only one who knows the goods!"
Zhao Zhenji knew that the reason why Zhang Juzheng recommended Hai Rui to His Majesty was probably because of Hai Rui's ability. After all, it was hard to find a subordinate with a clean net worth and considerable ability like Hai Rui!
"Has this Zhang Juzheng started to expand his party members not long after he joined the cabinet? It seems that his plans are not small!"
Zhao Zhenji said this, and immediately looked at the scenery in the distance, not knowing what he was thinking.
…
Forbidden City, Ministry of Punishment.
At this moment, Zhang Runde, the Minister of Punishment, was in the room, sipping tea leisurely.
Ever since Yan Shifan sent someone to inform him that Yan Song was fine, Zhang Runde's hanging heart finally fell to the ground.
With his previous outstanding performance, Zhang Runde successfully gained the attention of Yan Song and Yan Shifan and his son, and many important matters were entrusted to him to take care of.
While Zhang Runde was still enjoying this rare free time, there was a knock on the door.
Seeing that his interest was interrupted, Zhang Runde frowned slightly and immediately gave instructions.
"Come in!"
"Yes, sir!"
After the words fell, there was only a "squeak" sound, the door of the room was pushed open, and a subordinate came in.
When Zhang Runde saw the visitor arriving, there was no trace of surprise in his eyes. After pouring himself a cup of tea, he asked, "What's the matter?"
After hearing this, the subordinate official bowed respectfully to Zhang Runde and then explained the purpose of his trip: "Sir, I asked the young man to give you a message."
Seeing the visitor being so annoyed, Zhang Runde suddenly showed an impatient look on his face, and immediately asked: "Tell me, what are you talking about?"
After that, the subordinate official came to Zhang Runde and said in a low voice: "Sir, Mr. Xiaoge asked you to entertain the officials of the Maritime Trade Department who were escorted to the Ministry of Justice for interrogation, whether they live or die!"
When Zhang Runde heard this, he didn't pay too much attention to the matter. He just waved his hand and said casually.
"Okay, I know, if nothing happens, just go out!"
"Yes, sir, I will leave now!"
When the subordinate official saw that his words had been brought to him, he immediately turned around and left without making any stop in the room.
After the subordinate officer left, Zhang Runde coughed twice and immediately called his subordinate. After whispering a few words in his ear, the subordinate vowed to Zhang Runde that the matter would be done well.
Seeing that the matter had been given, Zhang Runde immediately sent the subordinate away. After the subordinate left, Zhang Runde picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and said silently to himself.
"No wonder I am responsible for this. You all brought it upon yourself. Who made you offend Mr. Xiaoge and the others?"
"Be careful how you behave in the next life!"
At this moment, in the prison of the Ministry of Punishment, the officials of the Maritime Trade Department who were previously escorted to the capital were all imprisoned in the prison of the Ministry of Punishment as usual.
Along the way, they were tortured. Not only were they unable to get enough food, but the government officials responsible for escorting them often punched and kicked them.
Seeing themselves being treated like this, how could they not know that they had offended a big shot, and in order to survive, they had to swallow their anger. They even dreamed that after being escorted to the capital, they could actively confess their crimes, or even serve as tainted witnesses, etc. way to alleviate one's guilt.
After all, as long as you can live, there is hope for everything!
In this way, after they were escorted to the jail of the Ministry of Punishments as they wished, they knew everything about the crimes they had committed, and some even started to bite them randomly. The words are etched on the face.
Faced with such cooperative prisoners, the Ministry of Punishment was naturally overjoyed. After obtaining enough confessions from them, they also specifically asked the prison to appropriately improve their treatment.
At this moment, it was time to deliver the meal, and the officials from the Maritime Trade Department couldn't help but be overjoyed, because today's meal was quite sumptuous, with both meat and vegetables, and even extra chicken legs.
At this moment, these originally pampered and majestic officials from the Maritime Trade Department did not care about anything else and began to wolf down their food one after another. However, what they did not notice was that the eyes of the officials responsible for guarding them were full of amusement.
Soon, this extremely rich meal was snatched up by the officials of the Maritime Trade Department who were dizzy with hunger. Not long after, the door of the cell was opened, and several government officials walked away with sticks as thick as their arms, grinning. Come in.
"My lords, are you satisfied with this meal?"
When the officials from the Maritime Trade Department saw this, they immediately panicked. While huddled in a corner, they did not forget to warn them.
"You...what are you going to do? Don't...don't mess around!"
"If something happens to us, and the court investigates it, you won't be able to escape the involvement!"
Seeing this, the leading officer couldn't help but sneered and said word by word: "You've already eaten your meal, how can you not go on the road?"
Immediately, he waved his hand suddenly and commanded in a deep voice: "Beat me hard, life or death!"
"yes!"
Soon, wailing, screaming, and begging for mercy resounded throughout the Penal Department Prison, but no one was destined to pay attention to these sounds.
(End of chapter)
