With Qi Cao as evidence, the corruption case began to be investigated from Lian Liangcai, and soon the Tingwei Mansion discovered the loopholes.
In particular, the residence where Lian Liangcai lived was the residence of Yan Le, the former Xianyang magistrate, so the gold might have been obtained by Yan Le through corruption.
After Feng Xiao's investigation, he discovered that the gold was the money allocated by the court during disaster relief in Sishui County a few years ago, part of which flowed into Yan Le's house.
Following this line, people from the Tingwei Mansion began to investigate the evidence of corruption by other people, and reported the matter to Ying Zheng.
In order to increase their credibility, Feng Xiao, Meng Yi and Li Si came to Zhangtai Palace to meet His Majesty in person.
"Join Your Majesty."
Ying Zheng also knew about the investigation of Tingwei Mansion during this period, so he was not surprised to see them now.
But when he saw Meng Yi coming in with Li Si, he frowned slightly.
"Get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
After saying that, the three kneeling people stood up at the same time and stood respectfully in the middle of the hall.
Feng Xiao was the first to speak out, handing over the matters investigated in the past few days about Lian Liangcai and the evidence of Yan Le's corruption to Ying Zheng's hands.
"Your Majesty, I have been investigating for several days and nights, and found that some of the evidence about corruption investigated by Zhao Gao was false. This is the evidence I investigated."
"Especially the evidence about Lian Liangcai, all the corruption gains from Yan Le, the former Xianyang order, were recorded in Lian Liangcai's name. The evidence received in the Lian Mansion is also false."
"Furthermore, the evidence of corruption by other officials also has some flaws, and the investigation needs to be restarted."
"Your Majesty, please take a look."
In the past few days, Zhao Gao had been ill, and all he had to do with Ying Zheng was Yan Tong. When he heard that Feng Xiao had new evidence, he felt a little unsteady.
However, he still stepped down respectfully and placed the evidence handed over by Feng Xiao in front of Ying Zheng's desk.
Seeing Ying Zheng looking through the evidence, Yan Tong's heart was already in turmoil, and he wanted to run and tell Zhao Gao now.
Looking at the case files on the table, Ying Zheng's face darkened, and he didn't speak for a long time, making it difficult to guess what he was thinking.
When Feng Xiao saw this, he knew that he still needed to add fuel to His Majesty's anger. Otherwise, His Majesty would soften his heart and forgive Zhao Gao. What would be the point of so many days of investigation?
"Your Majesty, when I was investigating a corruption case in the past few days, I discovered that Zhao Gao was actually related to the assassins in Xianyang Prison. Lord Meng and Lian Liangcai have been investigating this matter."
After hearing his words, Ying Zheng raised his head, glanced at Meng Yi and Lian Liangcai, put down the evidence in his hands, and pushed the case files to the table.
Just enough for Yan Tong to stretch his neck and see.
Ying Zheng glanced at the evidence inadvertently, looked at the three people in the audience and said, "Meng Yi, how is the investigation going?"
Seeing that His Majesty was willing to listen to this matter, Meng Yi immediately stepped forward and saluted Ying Zheng respectfully.
"Your Majesty, this matter was inspired by Lord Lian."
"Someone reported that those two people were related to Yan Le at the moment. I thought that it was very strange that Yan Le committed suicide, so I started to investigate the matter."
"Before I found out that Yan Le's wife was in prison to see him, a eunuch from the palace had secretly visited Yan Le's house. It must have been that person who threatened Yan Le's family, which made Yan Le do what he did."
"After my investigation, it was found that the eunuch also visited a courtyard in the west of the city, and that courtyard is a private property of Yan Le. It was also where someone saw two assassins."
"I followed the clues and discovered that one of the assassins has been arrested. He said that Yan Le has a close relationship with Zhao Gao, and this matter may also be related to Zhao Gao."
After saying that, Meng Yi stood there with neither humility nor arrogance, waiting for Ying Zheng's decision.
He felt that the meaning of his words was very clear. As long as His Majesty does not favor Zhao Gao, then this matter must be investigated starting from Zhao Gao, and there will definitely be results.
And in what he said just now, he was also vaguely proving to Lian Liangcai that if His Majesty is willing to get rid of Zhao Gao, then Lian Liangcai must be released. He believes that Lian Liangcai's talent will be discovered.
Ying Zheng, who was sitting there, listened to Meng Yi's words, his eyes darkened, and he couldn't help but think of the poisonous elixir and the refined salt case. Ran Fang suspected that Zhao Gao was behind it.
It seems that Ran Fang suspected Zhao Gao earlier than they did, and now Meng Yi has more evidence, which shows that Zhao Gao is really bold!
"In that case..."
"Meng Yi, you will investigate the matter between Zhao Gao and the assassins, and we must find out a result!"
"As for the corruption case, Feng Xiao will restart the investigation!"
"We must get to the bottom of it!"
The expressions of several people were stagnant. They had already reached this point and Zhao Gao must be imprisoned.
No one expected that His Majesty would still protect him.
Feng Xiao glanced at Li Si covertly and motioned for him to speak out, asking His Majesty to hand Zhao Gao over, preferably face to face or locked up directly!
But Li Si was indifferent, as if he didn't see his prompt, and just stood there respectfully, doing nothing.
He was a little angry, but had no choice but to answer respectfully: "Here."
"I will live up to my orders."
After saying this, Ying Zheng waved his hand and motioned for all of them to leave.
They looked very tired, and they did not dare to stay longer. After all, everyone knew the relationship between Zhao Gao and His Majesty. Now that Zhao Gao has done so many things, His Majesty will inevitably feel a little sad.
"I'll take my leave."
After they left, Ying Zheng didn't even look at Yan Tong beside him, and said calmly: "You also need to step aside, I will be quiet for a while."
"Here."
Yan Tong said this very calmly, but the expression on his face and the movements of his feet could tell that he was excited and panicked at the moment.
As soon as he came out of Zhangtai Palace, Yan Tong's pace became much faster, and he walked quickly towards Zhao Gao's room.
After Feng Xiao came out of Zhangtai Palace and looked at Meng Yi and them walking away, he got closer to Li Si.
After making sure that no one was around, he asked in a low voice: "Prime Minister, what do you think your Majesty means by this?"
"Now that the evidence is conclusive, as long as we arrest Zhao Gao and torture him severely, we won't be afraid that he won't tell anything."
"Your Majesty still wants to protect him. Could it be that His Majesty is reluctant to part with Zhao Gao?"
"Shut up!" Li Si glanced at Feng Xiao warningly and scolded sternly, "Your Majesty has his own reasons for doing things. How can we, as ministers, speculate on the holy will at will!"
Feng Xiao was stunned for a moment. He didn't expect Li Si's reaction to be so big, but he figured it out after a moment.
He bent down and bowed to Li Si, saying, "Thank you, Prime Minister. I understand."
Seeing this, Li Si nodded slightly and continued: "Don't mention this matter again. Just do your own thing well. Your Majesty will decide the rest."
"Since His Majesty wants you to re-investigate the corruption case, just go and investigate. Remember to investigate all the people involved in the corruption, and never slander anyone!"
With that said, the two of them walked out of the palace.
Feng Xiao followed Li Si's carriage and apologized respectfully in the carriage: "I just spoke openly. Thank you, Prime Minister, for your advice."
"But this matter... I really feel that this is a bit strange. Your Majesty's attitude is so intriguing."
"How about the Prime Minister go meet Ran Fang and see what his attitude is towards this matter?"
Li Si glanced at Feng Xiao and neither agreed nor disagreed.
"Let me take you back to Tingwei's Mansion. I still have things to deal with, so I won't keep you here."
