After hearing Du Ning's reasons, Chen Xun was a little silent. For a moment, he didn't know how to evaluate Du Ning's approach. After a long pause, his voice was a little dry, and he squeezed out a few words and said.
"and after?"
"later……"
Du Ning's eyes became a little dark, a hint of complexity flashed across his face, and he continued.
"I promised Jia Xiuping that I would not report this matter to the court. In exchange, he would restrain these fake Japanese in Fujian and other places and strictly prohibit them from hurting others. When he left, he left a thousand taels of gold. I was originally I don’t want to accept it, but I know very well that it’s impossible to make Jia Xiuping believe in me just with red lips and white teeth.”
"The only way is to fall into the quagmire like them. Only in this way can they believe that I will keep secrets and put some restraint on those hypocrites..."
After hearing this, Chen Xun's original anger was gone, replaced by complicated emotions that he didn't know how to describe.
If everything Du Ning said is true, then there is one thing he has not said yet, that is, since Jia Xiuping has revealed all the truth and also brought so much gold to the door, it is clear that Just be determined to win.
In other words, he must have made up his mind. If there is no way to convince Du Ning, then Du Ning will never be able to leave Fujian.
Under that situation, no matter who it is, there may not be a better way...
Seeing the complicated expressions of the two people in front of him, Du Ning paused slightly, and his expression became a little sad, but he continued to speak.
"After that, Jia Xiuping would send some gold and silver utensils and antique calligraphy and paintings every once in a while. At the beginning, I just found a house and locked up all these things, deceiving myself that they didn't exist. However, no matter how much I ignore them, these things are there, reminding me all the time that I am already complicit in these corrupt officials!"
When he said these words, the veins on Du Ning's face were pulsing, and his face was painful. After a while, he slowly calmed down and continued.
"Later, a fellow countryman of mine who was doing business in Fujian came to the capital to visit because of some matters. After meeting with him, I asked a lot about the situation in Fujian. I learned from him that most of the local people were extremely poor. So I came up with the idea that these gold and silver are the people's treasure, if they can be used on these people, it can give me some peace of mind."
"So, I asked this fellow villager to build a charity village and build water canals in the local area to help the people who were homeless due to poverty so that they would not become bandits. I always thought that if one day these charity villages would be opened If there are enough, no more common people will be forced to abandon their ancestral names and become Japanese pirates. Perhaps, I can no longer be an accomplice of these corrupt officials."
"Although this goal is far out of reach, my self-deception has made me feel more at ease..."
After Du Ning finished speaking, it was as if the pressure of many years was relieved all at once, and his body slowly relaxed. He raised his head and looked at the thunder outside the window, silent.
Chen Xun looked at the student in front of him intently. At this moment, he no longer knew what to say. He didn't know that he should be happy that he had not misjudged the person. Is Du Ning not a real corrupt official? It should be sad that Du Ning clearly had such a bright future, but ended up at this point.
Now that the matter has come to this, no matter how much we talk, it is impossible for Du Ning to escape his guilt. After all, it is true that he accepted bribes, and it is also true that he allowed local officials to collude with Japanese pirates. If these two major crimes are suppressed, Du Ning's future is destined to be cut off. , the reputation is ruined.
Chen Xun's interest suddenly waned. There were still some mysteries in his mind, but now, he didn't want to continue asking any more.
However, what he didn't expect was that at this time, Wynn beside him suddenly asked a question.
"Master Du, after our family returns, we will report these things to Your Majesty and order people to go and verify them. However, our family still has one thing that is unknown."
"Although this matter is secretive, the Fujian nest case has been investigated and Jia Xiuping has also been arrested. His Majesty is wise and holy, and for the sake of the livelihood of the people along the coast, he also plans to reopen maritime trade in the court."
"It can be said that the issues that Mr. Du was worried about before are no longer problems now. However, after Mr. Du was arrested, he did not make any defense from beginning to end. If Chen Shangshu and our family had not come here today, I am afraid that Mr. Du would still be here. Will you continue to hide it, why...why?"
After the words fell, Chen Xun's eyes suddenly looked over, which was quite meaningful. However, he did not say anything more. Instead, like Wynn, he was waiting for Du Ning's answer.
As for Du Ning, he was silent for a moment and said.
"Just because His Majesty wants to open the sea, I can't say!"
After hearing this, Wynn frowned and asked.
"Why is this?"
So, Du Ning sighed again and said.
"If I don't tell the matter, then I will be just a corrupt official who is greedy for profit and provides shelter for the Japanese pirates. However, if I tell it, then the court will definitely cause controversy. When the time comes, I will You may be able to escape the blame, but the ministers in the DPRK will definitely use me as an example to argue that the Japanese pirates are difficult to eradicate, so we should focus on appeasing them instead of repeated conquests, and then criticize His Majesty's policy of opening up the sea."
"Your Majesty has always been kind. If your Majesty knew the inside story, he would definitely hesitate on how to deal with me. However, what I have done has been known to both the government and the public for a long time. My crime is obvious. If I cannot deal with it fairly, other criminals will also be responsible." how?"
"But if you want to punish him justly and severely, with these inside stories, your majesty will definitely feel unbearable and indulge Du Ning. This will not only hinder the imperial government, but also put your majesty in a dilemma. Is this the way for a minister? Therefore, I will not talk about this matter. , I am doing my last little bit to open up the sea for the imperial court, and it can also be regarded as seeking peace of mind for the wrong things I did in the past."
Du Ning said this calmly, but the two people listening next to him had extremely complicated emotions.
After a moment, Wynn nodded slightly and said.
"Our family understands. We will truthfully report to Your Majesty what happened today. As for how to deal with it in the future, I believe that Your Majesty will make a holy decision!"
After saying this, Wynn glanced at Chen Xun, who sighed deeply, turned around and left the prison without saying anything more.
Wynn bowed to Du Ning again, and then followed in Chen Xun's footsteps.
The two walked out of the imperial prison together and stood under the eaves in front of the Fusi Gate in Beizhen. When they parted, Chen Xun turned around and looked at Huaien, and with a rare solemnity, he held his hands in front of him and said.
"Thank you so much, Eunuch Huai'en. Chen will remember your kindness today and will definitely repay it if you have the opportunity in the future."
This thank you was not for Wynn to accompany him to the prison today, but for Wynn's last question.
If it were not for Wynn's question, then Du Ning would not have had the chance to say those last words. This was a favor, and it was sold to Chen Xun.
After all, in Du Ning's current situation, even with these words, there is no possibility of making a comeback. Therefore, Chen Xun will naturally inherit this sentiment.
Faced with Chen Xun's thanks, Wynn didn't have any special reaction. He returned the gift with his hands and said calmly.
"Chen Shangshu is too polite. We are just fulfilling our duties and asking everything clearly so that we can reply to His Majesty. We should not be grateful to Chen Shangshu."
After hearing this, Chen Xun didn't say any more. Some words can be stopped at the last minute. There is no benefit in saying more. So, he nodded slightly, turned around and walked into the pattering spring rain.
In the Qianqing Palace, Huaien stood under the imperial steps and recounted everything he had seen and heard in the imperial prison.
"...Your Majesty, this is all the information that was asked today. Here is the list written by Mr. Du. Your Majesty, please take a look at it."
After that, he respectfully handed over the list he got from Du Ning.
Zhu Qiyu unfolded the list, glanced at it, then shook his head slightly and ordered.
"Give this to the Ministry of Justice and ask them to send someone to verify it!"
When Huaien heard this, he was slightly stunned. He originally thought that the emperor would hand over the matter to Dongchang or Jinyiwei, but the emperor was talking about the Ministry of Punishment.
The difference between the two is that when Dongchang and Jinyiwei come to handle the matter, the confidentiality will be higher, but if the Ministry of Punishment comes to handle it, it will inevitably have to issue an official document to the state capitals, or it will cooperate with the Metropolitan Procuratorate and let the local inspection and inspection officials do it. Shi Lai investigated, and as a result, Du Ning's matter could no longer be hidden.
Seeing Hua En in a daze, Zhu Qiyu was not surprised and spoke.
"Do you also think what Du Ning said is reasonable?"
Wynn hesitated for a moment, then nodded without denying it.
"Your Majesty, I feel that although Mr. Du has accepted bribes, his starting point is still good after all. Moreover, after the Fujian den case emerged, he did not struggle and argue. He was willing to be arrested and imprisoned, waiting to be dealt with. Telling the inside story shows how loyal you are to the emperor."
"If this matter is handed over to the Ministry of Punishment, aside from other things, I'm afraid Master Du's painstaking efforts in concealing it will be in vain..."
"Yeah?"
An inexplicable smile appeared on Zhu Qiyu's face, he looked up at Wynn and asked.
"If he was so concerned about the court, why did he tell the truth in the end?"
Ah this...
Wynn was in a daze for a moment and hesitated, but finally said.
"Back to your lord, I actually thought it was a little strange at the time, so I asked a few more questions."
After saying this, Wynn was a little nervous. After all, although this kind of behavior of befriending courtiers was subtle, it might not escape the emperor's eyes.
He hesitated whether to tell it, but in the end, he still felt that if he concealed it, the consequences might be more serious in the end. It was two evils, so he decided to tell everything truthfully.
The expected blame did not come. On the contrary, Wynn felt the emperor's eyes falling on him, and then said something meaningful.
"So, this is the difference between you and them..."
Wynn blinked, but for a moment, he didn't understand the meaning of this sentence.
Seeing this situation, Zhu Qiyu shook his head and said with a trace of regret in his eyes.
"Du Ning's fault is that he is too arrogant!"
"As a local official, his duty is to serve as a herdsman for the court. When such a major case occurs, his duty is to collect evidence and report it to the court. As for how to deal with it, the court will make its own decision."
"Du Ning is just too arrogant. He feels that no one in the whole court, including the monarchs and ministers, is as considerate as him. Yes, his starting point may be good, but why does he think that after he explains all the situations? After that, will the imperial court still insist on going its own way and ignore those ordinary people?"
"The imperial court has its own laws. How can such a major case be handled? How can he decide just by participating in politics? He has already made a big mistake by concealing this matter without authorization. If everyone in the local ministers is like this, why should the imperial court decide? use?"
Looking at the emperor's slightly stern look, Wynn seemed to understand something and said.
"Your Majesty, Shengming, it is true that this servant has misunderstood. This matter is so important. If we report it to the court truthfully, perhaps the court will be able to know the situation in Fujian as soon as possible and come up with a better way, so as not to let Fujian officialdom continue to rot. …”
Zhu Qiyu nodded slightly, stood up, and slowly came to the door of the palace, looking at the light rain still falling from the sky, and said.
"Du Ning's path has gone astray!"
"For the so-called people's livelihood, he allowed these Japanese pirates to wreak havoc for so many years, but he never thought that doing so was just drinking poison to quench thirst."
"Perhaps under Jia Xiuping's restraint, these Japanese pirates will restrain themselves a little and try not to hurt anyone. However, when they wreak havoc in the place, the authority of the government among the people will be gradually lost. The people will no longer trust the government, and there will be bandits. If it continues for a long time, ordinary people will not be able to survive, and more and more people will become new bandits, and then... raise the flag to rebel!"
"So, is Du Ning protecting them or harming them?"
Wynn followed behind. He did not answer the question because the emperor did not need to answer. When the question was asked, there was already an answer.
Zhu Qiyu stood in the corridor with his hands behind his hands, a deep sadness condensing in his mind. It was for Du Ning, but not for Du Ning.
Because he knows that there are many people like Du Ning who choose to take shortcuts for the immediate benefit, but the so-called shortcuts all come with a price.
Du Ning's statement seemed reasonable, but what he did actually just covered up the contradiction. Japanese pirates were still raging along the coast, and people's lives were still miserable. Nothing had changed, and nothing could be solved. It's just to maintain the calm of the status quo. When conflicts break out in the future, it will only be more difficult to deal with.
And this was also the reason why he finally decided to announce the case and hand over the list to the Ministry of Punishment. Du Ning's mistake was not only that he accepted bribes and protected Jia Xiuping and others, but more importantly, he That so-called strange self-esteem of serving the country and the people.
In this case, let Du Ning serve as a warning to these people...
(End of chapter)
