The distant mountains are like dark green, the blue waves are like Xu, and the smoke and willow painted bridges reflect the leaning tower.
Cao Bin sat on the bow of the boat, holding a tea bowl and looking at the slowly passing scenery around him. He smiled at Pang Yanyan beside him:
"This is the West Lake in my mind."
It was already mid-July. With the efforts of hundreds of thousands of people, the dredging of the West Lake was finally completed, and the refugees were sent back to Qu, Mu and other three states.
The second season rice must be planted before August, otherwise the farming season will be delayed.
Now it seems that the time was just right, and it was worth it that Cao Bin allowed the refugees to work overtime to complete the dredging of the West Lake regardless of consumption.
This is Cao Bin's first boat trip to the West Lake after the completion of the project.
Behind him, Sai Xishi fanned the small stove for making tea and said with satisfaction:
"My husband has done another good deed that benefits the country and the people."
"Even the newly built river embankment was named Caogong Embankment."
Cao Bin curled his lips and said:
"Sister, don't fool me. I'm afraid there will be more people saying that I am using public affairs for personal gain and using official business to decorate the manor."
Du Shiniang laughed and said:
"Cao Lang is quite self-aware, but those rumors are just rumors made by people with ulterior motives."
"Who told Cao Lang to leave Zhu alone?"
One month after the battle, unlike the busy establishment of the Maritime Trade Chamber of Commerce and the planning of the Shipping Department, Zhu Min, who had received the imperial title, was enjoying great success.
Many Jiangnan officials and gentry took the initiative to move closer, almost forming a rivalry with Cao Bin.
The slander and rumors against Cao Bin were naturally directed by them.
Cao Bin didn't care, he wanted this effect, not to mention that many gentry and merchants were attracted by his maritime trade association.
Master Li comforted him and said:
"Cao Lang doesn't have to be sad. The refugees and people are still very grateful to Cao Lang."
"Otherwise, the new embankment would not be named Caogong Embankment."
Cao Bin smiled and said:
"Senior Sister, there is no need to feel relieved. My main purpose in dredging the West Lake is to live comfortably."
"Otherwise, I really wouldn't be so anxious. They were not wrong."
"Now that the land prices around West Lake have soared, the land I bought earlier has made money again! Let them be jealous, haha!"
Pang Yanyan hugged Cao Bin's arm and smiled:
"My husband is so awesome, he can make more money than my father..."
Everyone was speechless when they heard this. Although Master Pang landed safely, his reputation was not very good. Is he serious about making money?
Cao Bin and several wives and concubines were playing in the West Lake until noon, and when they were about to return to the manor, a small boat suddenly caught up with them and reported:
"Master Hou, Mr. Zhu and Mr. Bao please go to the government office, saying that they have important matters to discuss."
Cao Bin chuckled and said:
"It looks like the plan is about to show up."
He did not hesitate and immediately ordered the sedan chair:
"Inform Lu Junyi to lead troops to surround the transfer envoy's office and Zhu Min's residence. No one can enter or leave without the order of the general!"
After saying that, he jumped on the boat and rushed to the Hangzhou government office.
He received a letter from Bailian Society three days ago, and Zhu Min had already stepped into a trap.
When I rushed to the Yamen, I saw all the officials from Hangzhou, big and small. Zhu Min and Bao Zheng were sitting in the seats, waiting for Cao Bin.
Seeing him appear, Zhu Min stood up and invited him, laughing loudly and saying:
"Please take a seat, Mr. Zhongjing. Mr. Bao has good news to report. He is waiting for you now."
After saying that, he gestured to Bao Zheng:
"Master Bao, it's time to start!"
Bao Zheng was not polite, looked around and said:
"I was entrusted by the imperial court and Lords Cao and Zhu to investigate the case of tax bank robbery. Now we have new clues."
"Half a month ago, as prompted by Mr. Zhu, I discovered the stronghold of the remnants of the rebels and sent Zhan Zhao and Jiang Ping to attack."
"Now that it has been completed, you can all be witnesses!"
As he spoke, he was stunned and said:
"Bring the criminals!"
After a while, Zhan Zhao and others came in with a few big men and handed over:
"For your information, my lords, we raided the rebel den at night and captured fifty-nine Fang La remnants and one imperial spy."
"We also found several suspicious letters and one hundred thousand taels of official silver..."
Hearing this, Zhu Min's expression suddenly changed, and he realized that something was wrong.
One hundred thousand taels of official silver was a benefit from the White Lotus Society. How could they be willing to use so much money to set up bait to frame Cao Bin.
I don’t have such a big friendship with them, right?
Then I heard Zhan Zhao continue to say:
"We have been interrogating all night, and several people have already confessed. The remnants of the rebels and... Mr. Zhu Minzhu cooperated with each other inside and outside to rob tax money..."
"These letters are physical evidence, and the court officials are also people from the world recruited by Mr. Zhu..."
Many officials were stunned when they suddenly heard this big revelation. They thought it was Cao Bin, but they didn't expect that the big thief turned out to be Zhu Min.
Before Zhan Zhanzhao could finish speaking, Zhu Min got up in anger and shouted:
"Shut up, you dare to accuse me falsely?"
"What kind of letters or details, I don't know anything about it!"
As he said that, he looked at Bao Zheng coldly, and said with an angry smile:
"Okay! You bastard, you dare to conspire with Cao Bin to kill me, I will definitely impeach you!"
After saying that, he got up and left.
Bao Zheng said:
"Master Zhu, you are the most suspect at this time. Please cooperate with me in the interrogation."
Now that things have happened, how can Zhu Min still be willing to cooperate? He scolded directly:
"This officer is so cooperative!"
"Does the letter have my official seal and fingerprints? Does the witness have my official certificate?"
"Without any evidence, what qualifications do you have to interrogate me, as a small general judge?"
"If you want to interrogate me, you can go and ask for the imperial edict!"
At this point, why didn't he understand that he had fallen into Cao Bin's scheme? But the evidence in front of him can't do anything to him.
As long as he doesn't cooperate, Bao Zheng will have no way to continue the interrogation.
At this moment, Cao Bin laughed and said:
"Master Zhu, don't worry, there is insufficient evidence, we can find it."
With that said, he said to Bao Zheng:
"Master Bao, I have sent troops to surround the transfer envoy's Yamen and Zhu's Mansion. Why not let the spy identify his boss?"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Min's face changed drastically, and his hands trembled with anger. He pointed at Cao Bin and said:
"Cao Bin, how brave are you to surround my residence privately?"
"I want to impeach you. I want to write a bloody letter to impeach you!"
If Cao Bin catches his staff, he will really be unable to defend himself.
The key is that he didn't expect Bailian's social rebellion at all, so he was a little careless and didn't let his staff hide out. After all, the safest place was around him.
Cao Bin said indifferently:
"Master Zhu, go ahead and sue, Cao will plead guilty!"
"Cao Bin, I...I'm going to fuck you!"
Zhu Min almost vomited blood in anger. He never thought that Cao Bin would be such a rogue, what the hell, he didn't follow the rules at all.
Cao Bin was too lazy to pay attention to him, looked at Bao Zheng and said:
"Master Bao, please?"
"If the court blames this matter, Cao will bear the responsibility."
He is not Bao Zheng. If he insists on following the procedures, he can check first and report later. This is the advantage of having soldiers in hand.
