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Next, under Zhao Junchen's deliberate probing, Guo Pu revealed a lot of information about Li Xin.
In Guo Pu's mouth, Li Xin was mean, ungrateful, old-fashioned, hypocritical, and ruthless. All in all, he was a pedantic official with numerous shortcomings who was not to be trusted with. However, during his time as an official in Huai'an, Li Xin never took bribes. Deeds and rumors of taking bribes, misappropriating public funds, and using power for personal gain.
In the end, because of this news, Guo Pu got his wish and got a reward, and then left happily and with a lot of gratitude.
At the same time, after receiving the news, Zhao Junchen, Bao Wenjie, and Huo Zhengyuan each had their own thoughts, but they did not communicate in depth or reveal their true thoughts. They just agreed to go to the Huai'an Magistrate's Yamen together the next day to investigate the case. After that, they went back to their rooms to rest.
However, after returning to their respective rooms, the three of them did not rest blindly, but took different actions.
Among them, Bao Wenjie sent out all his followers and asked them to continue to investigate various information about Li Xin among the people. According to Guo Pu's description, Li Xin did not look like a corrupt official at all, but Bao Wenjie was unwilling to believe that Prince Zhu Heyu had misjudged the case, so he wanted to obtain some different information.
These little moves of Bao Wenjie naturally cannot be hidden from Zhao Junchen's eyes, but Zhao Junchen does not intend to pay attention to it.
￡In fact, Zhao Junchen also has his own plan.
That night, when Bao Wenjie wasn't paying attention, Zhao Junchen suddenly paid a secret visit to Huo Zhengyuan.
Huo Zhengyuan was indeed tired when Zhao Junchen visited him. He had been asleep for some time.
However, after learning that it was Zhao Junchen who paid a secret visit. Huo Zhengyuan did not dare to neglect and quickly got up and dressed. And met with Zhao Junchen as soon as possible.
In Huo Zhengyuan's room, Zhao Junchen exchanged a few polite words with Huo Zhengyuan, then went straight to the point and asked: "Master Huo, the three of us are ordered to investigate the case this time. It doesn't matter whether the matter is big or small." Xiao, although we don't need to work too hard, we can't be dismissive or neglectful, otherwise it will be difficult for His Majesty to explain... However, I think that Academician Huo's attitude towards the investigation is a bit passive and perfunctory, but I don't know why? "
Zhao Junchen's inquiry was too direct and without any concealment. Although he looked frank and honest, it still made Huo Zhengyuan somewhat unable to adapt.
Therefore, Huo Zhengyuan did not speak out his true thoughts. He just pondered for a moment and said slowly: "Master Zhao misunderstood. It's not that I was perfunctory. It's that the case is complicated and confusing. The truth is not yet known. I don't Be willing to express opinions easily.”
Zhao Junchen showed no mercy and directly exposed Huo Zhengyuan's true thoughts. He said with a smile: "I'm afraid, for Academician Huo, what's confusing is not the case. It's His Majesty's attitude and thoughts, right?"
Huo Zhengyuan's expression changed, and he couldn't accept Zhao Junchen's direct style.
However. Without waiting for Huo Zhengyuan to refute, Zhao Junchen continued: "Actually, throughout the ages, superiors have sent people to inspect and inspect local areas. In many cases, it is not to find out the truth, but to obtain the 'truth' they need and then use it. These so-called "truths" achieve certain purposes. As for whether these so-called "truths" are complete and accurate, not many people actually care... Therefore, His Majesty sent us to Huai'an Prefecture to investigate the case this time. We should first consider What 'truth' does Your Majesty need, and then he will complete the task according to Your Majesty's needs? Do you think this is the truth, University Scholar Huo?"
Zhao Junchen's words became more and more direct and explicit, even to the point of being "disrespectful".
But precisely because of this, Huo Zhengyuan felt more relieved, feeling that Zhao Junchen was not lying to him, but wanted to have a frank talk.
Therefore, Huo Zhengyuan was also straightforward and asked: "However, Mr. Zhao is so leisurely and at ease, so he must have guessed His Majesty's true intentions?"
Zhao Junchen said with a smile: "When I was in Linqing a few days ago, I accompanied His Majesty on a private visit incognito. During the period, I met a woman who complained to the imperial court. Her name was Li Jiamin. She was the daughter of Li Xin, the former prefect of Huai'an... I think your Majesty She seems to like this woman very much. I am afraid it is also because of Li Jiamin that we are sent to review Li Xin's corruption case."
Huo Zhengyuan's eyes flashed when he heard Zhao Junchen's words.
Huo Zhengyuan was a resourceful and scheming person. He had not guessed Emperor Deqing's true thoughts before because he had too little information. Now that he had obtained useful information, he immediately understood Emperor Deqing's true thoughts.
"Because of Li Jiamin, His Majesty wants to vindicate Li Xin?... No! Li Xin's corruption case was judged by the prince himself. If he vindicates Li Xin, it will inevitably damage the prince's reputation... Oh, yes Yes, His Majesty wants to reduce some of Li Xin's charges, and then avoid the serious ones and let Li Xin only receive a light punishment. In this way, even if Li Xin avoids jail, the reputation of the prince will not be harmed. damage……"
Hearing Huo Zhengyuan's muttering to himself, Zhao Junchen put his hands on his hands and said with a smile: "Master Huo is really wise, and he can tell the truth at just one point!"
After understanding Emperor Deqing's thoughts, Huo Zhengyuan felt relieved - before that, because Huo Zhengyuan did not understand Emperor Deqing's true intentions, he could only adopt a perfunctory attitude towards the investigation, in order to try his best to keep away his own feelings. Responsibility - Now that he understood Emperor Deqing's true intentions, Huo Zhengyuan suddenly felt enlightened and had an opportunity to please Emperor Deqing.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen gave Huo Zhengyuan a small favor this time.
However, Huo Zhengyuan still couldn't figure out why Zhao Junchen was suddenly so friendly to him?
"Is it possible that Zhao Junchen wants to bribe him?"
Finally, Huo Zhengyuan thought of this possibility, but felt that Zhao Junchen was overestimating his capabilities.
After all, Huo Zhengyuan is a great scholar in the imperial court. He has a distinguished status and cannot be bribed by anyone. Although Zhao Junchen has become more powerful in recent times and has good scheming methods, he is just a minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs. That's all, no matter the qualifications or experience, they are not enough to bribe Huo Zhengyuan.
However, just when Huo Zhengyuan was about to test Zhao Junchen, Zhao Junchen suddenly stood up and left.
Looking at Zhao Junchen's leaving figure, Huo Zhengyuan's expression was complicated and thoughtful.
In fact, Huo Zhengyuan didn't know that thousands of miles away in the capital, his backer Huang Yourong looked very worried.
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ps: Although it’s a day late, I still wish the reader a happy birthday to the out-of-print melon seeds! Forever eighteen years old, more and more beautiful!
...(To be continued...)
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