Due to the sudden incident, the prefect is still confused and wondering why he ended up in such a situation. He stood by the window and felt very uncomfortable when he saw the housekeeper being helped out and huddled with the people from Guoxiang.
He later learned that Kuang Chang had even released the Taipingqiao widow, and threatened that "the prefect has brought trouble to Yangzhou, and has particularly poisoned Jiangdu. Now he is arresting innocent people without authorization and framed good people. It is extremely hateful." The imperial court has discussed deposing him, so don't worry, everyone, he will show his righteousness to the world. '
Several soldiers who had been treated favorably by the prefect were questioned by him, so they secretly explained the matter to the prefect. It turned out that the woman was a half-closed woman who was deeply loved by the governor and had contact with him at that time. Now that she is captured, the governor is afraid of being blamed, so he is imprisoned here. After hearing this, the prefect felt extremely regretful and became even more depressed than before.
Within a few days, the envoys sent by the imperial court arrived at the gate of Jiangdu. The governor, who had gone out of the city for several miles, welcomed him happily, set down the incense case, and paid homage to the emperor's edict. This edict simply stated how the prefect had violated the law and should be removed immediately. However, it did not mention the candidate for the new prefect, so he was temporarily replaced by the same magistrate. Kuang Chang brought the edict, and when he saw it, it was indeed written by Yan Wen. He was secretly happy and took the envoy to the city to talk about it.
After the envoy had eaten in Jiangdu, he said goodbye to the governor and hurried back to the capital. After the envoy had left, Governor Kuang summoned his confidants and discussed: "This Tongpao Chen has an unclear relationship with the Wan Dang Party. I don't feel comfortable handing all the power to him. I don't know who else to choose?"
The confidant said: "Although Tongpao Chen has been guilty of colluding with Nanjing, he is a thoughtful and well-planned person who can stabilize the overall situation. He has always won the hearts of the people in Jiangdu. If he is to establish an outsider, he may not be trusted. , Jiangdu may undergo changes."
Kuang Chang nodded: "That's right. However, Jiangdu needs to clean up a group of officials to prevent the prefect from making a comeback. In this way, the Wan and Lu parties should not rush to clean up now. You can transfer some people from Zhenjiang and ask them to help."
"Yes." The confidant took the order and went down, but then came back: "The edict...can it be read out in public?"
"No need," Kuang Chang replied, "Just show it to the prefect. Don't forget to take off his official uniform."
The magistrate looked up and saw the wooden door slightly opened, and a ray of white light came in from outside the house. A man walked out of the light, holding an edict in his hand. On both sides stood officials holding sticks with serious eyes.
"Yangzhou Magistrate... listen to the order." The man shouted.
The prefect knelt down timidly. After hearing him read it loudly for a while, he rolled up the edict, handed it to someone else, and then pointed at the magistrate's head: "Since the holy will is here, quickly hand over the official uniform, seal and ribbon!"
While the prefect was still hesitating, the government officials stepped forward to hold his arms, searched for the official seal on his body, roughly took off his official uniform, and put it in a box.
The prefect was left in his civilian clothes, and was kicked out of the Yamen, and then stumbled out of Jiangdu City. No one knows what happened after that.
Chen Tongpao temporarily took over all the affairs of the Yamen. He didn't dare to make any noise, and honestly followed Governor Kuang's arrangements to clear out all the officials appointed by the former prefect and replace them with new ones. It must be said that these Liu gang members were quite capable. In just two or three days, the storm ended quietly.
But Guoxiang people still refused to give up. No matter how they looked at it, the name Chen Tongpao, who had the power to know Yangzhou Prefecture, was too awkward. In order for Mr. Chen to ascend to the throne of the prefect as soon as possible, he had to call Wen Zhong to conspire for major events.
After the ceremony, the Hunanese said first: "Master Chen is too close to Nanjing. As for the governor, he is still afraid of himself and will never choose a candidate. Brother Wen has some connections and is familiar with officials, so I asked for him."
Wen Zhong smiled and said: "Sixing thinks too much. If you can fully support him, Chen Tongpao, what can't you do?"
Xiang Ren frowned, still puzzled: "Why is this?"
"Governor Kuang cares about this because he feels that there are many disadvantages and few benefits. If you can make a good relationship with Kuang Chang and firmly support Chen Tongzhi at the same time, thus safeguarding the Liu Party's interests in Yangzhou, even if you promote 'Wan Dang' It’s not a big deal. Besides, because of the matter of granting the title of country squire, we also have some foundation in the countryside. With a little money, the country gentry can win over him! If the village sages, the government, the people, including you all support him, such a big deal In the battle, if Kuang Chang still wants to win the hearts of Jiangdu, he will definitely agree."
The people from Hunan couldn't help but clapped their hands and said, "What a great idea!"
Wen Zhong continued: "But Chen Tongzhi is a cautious person and has never been willing to get involved in party struggles. His opinion should be asked on this matter."
The people from Guoxiang pondered for a while: "Now that he is appointed magistrate, it is a time when everyone is paying attention. It would be rude if I rush to see him."
Wen Zhong hesitated for a while, then slapped his forehead and said, "Why don't you send someone to invite the person tomorrow? When you go to the government office to wait for the approval, wouldn't it be best to take the opportunity to have a few words with Mr. Chen?"
When the people of Hunan heard this, they were overjoyed and ordered the housekeeper to make preparations and go to receive the invitation tomorrow.
The next morning, Tongpao Chen was reading the official document when the library office rushed to report: "The playboy has handed over the submission and I beg you to approve it."
After the clerk said that, he just stared at Chen Tongpao's face to see how he would react. Tongpao Chen, as if nothing had happened, nodded indifferently: "Let him come in." This made the book manager not happy.
As soon as the housekeeper came in, Tongpao Chen put down his pen and paper and raised his eyes: "Master housekeeper, are you healed?"
The housekeeper touched the blue scar on his face: "I've applied a few patches of medicine...it's still not clear."
"You are so brave, Mr. Butler."
"Master, you have to work hard." The butler walked to the table while chatting and took out the submission in his arms, "No, there are still big things waiting for me to do."
"There's always more than one." Tongpao Chen wrote on the submission.
As soon as the housekeeper heard this, he looked around at the doors and windows, then supported the table with one hand and leaned towards his face: "Do you want to be a prefect..."
Tongpao Chen showed no reaction and seemed to be lost in thought, "Continue talking."
"Our master wants to help you please Governor Kuang, and then use Shopkeeper Wen's relationship to win over the squire and get the entire Jiang River to support you. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that cannot be ignored."
Chen Tongpao said nothing. After handing over the submission, he calmly said: "You have to do your job."
When the butler saw that he had expressed his attitude, he was very happy. He bent down a few times with a smile, thanked him ten thousand times, and then left.
The steward took his approval document and went to the governor's Yamen to ask for a post. The people in the yamen were not nagging. They wrote a post immediately, gave a few instructions, and then let the housekeeper go.
The people from Guoxiang selected the land yesterday and discussed it with the landowner. Now that I saw that the post had been taken, I bought the land, built brick walls ten feet high, and built a shop. Within ten days, the pawn shop was completed, and a plaque was immediately hung up saying "Guo Jia Pawn Shop" and it has been open since then.
