Li Yuan took Wang Jingyao with him on a fast horse. After entering the city, he went straight to the Governor's Mansion. After all, Chuzhou City is the seat of a state. Unless there is an urgent military situation or someone coming from Jinling, Pegasus is not allowed on the streets.
However, many of the soldiers patrolling along the street clearly saw the purple official robe on Li Yuan, and they knew that a big shot from Beijing was visiting, and no one dared to stop him.
When they got off their horses at the Governor's Mansion, the guards in front of the mansion came forward to inquire. Li Yuan sullenly took out his badge of "Dianzhidu Yuhou". The guards were so surprised that they bowed to Li Yuan and then trotted in to report.
After a while, the two of them were respectfully led into the house and sat down to have tea.
Wang Jingyao held on to Li Yuan's clothes the whole time, just like she held Li Yuan's hands when she was a child, as if she would feel at ease as long as this man was by her side. It's just that I never expected that Li Yuan would develop to such an extent that he could even enter the Governor's Mansion at will! At this moment, I thought of my own experience again, and I couldn't help but lower my head in shame...
A middle-aged man in simple clothes in the back hall came slowly with vigorous steps. At the same time, he cupped his hands and said with a hearty smile: "This must be Mr. Li Yuhou! It's true as rumored. You are an extraordinary young man with outstanding talents! I once led an army into Chu in the past. I heard about what Mr. Li did in Tanzhou. I am so passionate that I wish I could no longer be young and go to the battlefield with you!"
Li Yuan also stood up and returned the salute, and looked around. Sure enough, as recorded in the history books, He was a down-to-earth official with a martial spirit.
On the way here, Li Yuan had already recalled that He Jingzhu, the governor of Chuzhou, was considered a famous general in the Southern Tang Dynasty. He played an important role in the first battle of the Southern Tang Dynasty to destroy Fujian. Later, he was ordered to lead an army to assist Ma Xi'e in winning the throne, with great military exploits.
After that, the emperor asked him to guard Chuzhou. During this period, he often traveled incognito, inquired about the sufferings of the people, and built water conservancy projects. He had a good reputation and was regarded as a responsible local official.
Therefore, Li Yuan believed at this time that the governor He was fair in handling matters. As long as he was fair, he would have some confidence.
Since He Jingzhu was so enthusiastic, Li Yuan felt much better, and he replied humbly: "Master He, there is no need to be humble. In the past, you led the army to capture Tanzhou in a bloody battle, which was a great achievement! In comparison, I was just lucky. , how can they be compared!”
However, this sentence can be regarded as a high compliment. When He Jingzhu led his army to attack Tanzhou, he at most relied on foreign aid to support him. The main force in Chu's civil war was of course Ma Xihe's Langzhou soldiers and barbarians. The so-called bloody battle actually resulted in less than a few casualties. ten people.
As a military general, if someone praises his military exploits, even if it is an excessive compliment, He Jingzhu is of course willing to accept it, and his favorable impression of Li Yuan also skyrockets: "I heard that Mr. Li and his party returned home to visit relatives a few days ago. I am really filial and sincere! It's a pity that I was on official duty that day. I was so busy that I couldn't welcome him. Today I heard that Mr. Li has returned south, so I thought of going to Jinling to make amends in the future. I never thought that Mr. Li would go and come back again. I am really flattered to come to my humble residence!"
Wang Jingyao beside him had been uneasy until the call was made. Li Yuan stopped being polite and said: "Master He is guarding a state for your majesty. Of course, he is busy with official duties, so there is no need to be polite! I came to visit you today because of my sister. , please forgive me if there is anything presumptuous!"
He Jingzhu waved his hand and said generously: "Where can I start? Mr. Li, it's okay to say it!"
The Wang Jingguo case occurred in Chuzhou, and it was considered a major case. How could He Jingzhu not know about it? Li Yuan saved time and gave a rough description, his words were quite sincere.
"It turns out to be a case of illicit salt." He Jingzhu's face darkened, he touched his beard, and after pondering for a moment, he whispered: "Master Li, this matter is difficult to handle. You and I are officials in the same dynasty, so you should know the rules of our dynasty. According to the law, those who traffic in smuggled salt are severely punished. Mr. Li must be aware of it. When this little brother of the Wang family was arrested by the state government, five carts of smuggled salt were confiscated, and both the stolen goods and the physical evidence were obtained. He was convicted of five crimes. After the name was brought to the case, I have already submitted a letter to the Third Division. News has also come from Jinling. The case is very important and must be severely punished! Even if I am the governor of a state, I am afraid it will be difficult for me to show favoritism..."
Wang Jingyao only listened to these words and couldn't control her tears again. Then she knelt down and begged: "Master He, I kneel down for you on behalf of my unfulfilled brother! My brother is only fourteen years old. He is uneasy." Yes, but how dare we common people commit such a serious crime? We must have been tricked, please be careful!"
"Miss, you are Mr. Li's sister, how can this happen? Alas! It's not that I don't want to help you, it's because the law is ruthless and my mind is weak!"
After saying that, He Jingzhu turned his head and narrowed his eyes. He ignored Wang Jingyao in front of him and let her kneel in front of him. The meaning was hard to understand. At this time, he began to feel dissatisfied with Li Yuan. Was Li Yuhou losing his mind? Selling illicit salt is such a crime, and so many officials have avoided it. How dare Li Yuhou intervene rashly without knowing the bounds of the world? After all, he is young!
When Li Yuan witnessed this, his face was gloomy. He quickly helped Wang Jingyao up and said softly: "Sister Yao, kneeling is useless. Get up quickly! I have everything."
Then he forced a smile and said to the seemingly calm He Jingzhu: "Master He, my girl is worried day and night. After all, it is her brother who is in jail. Although her words are urgent, it is humane. But what she said is not unreasonable. Reason. As far as I know, in the salt-producing area of Chuzhou, since the Wei and Jin Dynasties, illegal salt trafficking has been banned many times, and most of them are desperadoes who despise the king's law.
Our dynasty's laws are very strict, and such a big deal as selling smuggled salt must be planned carefully. Wang Jingguo was born well and was still young, so how could he make such calculations? There must be someone behind the scenes to deceive and drive you! May I ask who the envoy is? Where do these private salts come from? Where is it going to be transported to? These are still inconclusive. Since the case is unknown, how can it be submitted to the Third Division? Please think twice about this relationship! "
Li Yuan's words can be either light or serious. After all, He Jingzhu has been immersed in officialdom for many years. How can he not hear it? He has now sentenced Wang Jingguo to death, and stated in the letter sent to Jinling that these five people were the principal and accomplices. The court also replied to the letter and commended him. Now Li Yuan said that Wang Jingguo was not the main culprit. Doesn't the implication mean that he wronged the people and closed the case in a hurry?
So he calmed down and said righteously: "Master Li, what you said is wrong! Evidence is needed to decide the case! Even though Wang Jingguo is not the one in charge, his trafficking is a fact. There are both witnesses and material evidence. How can he be exempted from the guilt? ? The three departments in this case have already responded to the letter, and there is nothing wrong with it. Since Mr. Li is favored by His Majesty, he should abide by the laws of the imperial court——"
"Master He, do you think I don't understand the laws of the court?"
Li Yuan continued to say coldly: "The person who secretly sells a stone of salt will die. What is buying and selling? Making profit from something is called selling. But Wang Jingguo was just transporting it, and it was taken by officials on the way. The private salt was also confiscated, without any profit. He is not the mastermind, so even if he is sentenced, he will be sentenced to exile at most. Why was Qiu Jue decided directly? Master He directly regarded him as the mastermind and convicted him. Do the three divisions know the truth? I am afraid it is inappropriate to be so arbitrary!"
Now that Li Yuan has changed his face, He Jingzhu is not a weakling, and he no longer deals with it. He also said sternly: "I had known that Mr. Li's sharp tongue could even convince the King of Chu. Today, I have learned the lesson! Okay!" A person who sells things for profit! The case has been concluded for a long time. The third division has already replied to the letter. The main culprits are Wang Jingguo and others. If he is really asked to sell the private salt powder, I am afraid that your sister will also have to sit down at this time. Yes! I respect Mr. Li and will not engage in verbal disputes with you. Mr. Li, since you are sure that Wang Jingguo is not the mastermind, do you have any real evidence? If so, I will report it truthfully! "
He Jingzhu is very confident. If you, Li Yuan, have evidence, can you sue me? And even if there is an envoy, how can you afford it? Now that we've broken up, let's see who suffers.
Li Yuan was startled inwardly. To be honest, his answer was just a loophole in the words of the law, but he didn't expect He Jingzhu to be so tough. It seems normal to think that cracking the illegal salt case is a great achievement. He Jingzhu has arrested several current criminals, how could he let them go? Moreover, the business of licking blood at the tip of a knife must be backed by relatives from the DPRK and China. He Jingzhu may not dare to investigate, and he may be involved...
The most important thing is that I really don't have any evidence. It's all just empty talk. If we continue to argue, it will probably be useless. We can only take one step at a time...
Then he softened his expression, blinked and said: "There is indeed no evidence now, but Lord He, as the father-in-law of Chuzhou, should have dealt with many criminals in illegal salt cases before. I must know whether Wang Jingguo is the mastermind. Although I am in the military It’s worth it, but it’s not difficult to find out.”
Seeing Li Yuan's meaningful look, He Jingzhu asked in his heart, are you trying to put pressure on me? Sure enough, as the outside world said, this Li Yuan is just a stooge who wants to get in touch with Minister Chen. That's true! But there are still people above me!
Then he showed a look of disdain and responded coldly: "Of course I know what I know! Mr. Li is favored by Your Majesty now, so he has a way. How can I dare to stop him? He just wants me to deceive the court and let the criminal go privately. , but it’s impossible!”
Li Yuan was helpless, and he forced himself to hold his hands and said: "If you let him go privately, you will be punished as an accomplice. Naturally, I cannot force you to do such a rebellious act. In this way, I will take my sister to visit her brother in prison first. How about ?”
Seeing that He Jingzhu still looked cold and did not reply, Li Yuan could only say sincerely: "Master He, please rest assured that I am also an official and I will abide by the laws of the court. At this time, all the imperial troops accompanying me are stationed outside the city. We haven't entered the city yet, so Wang Jingguo will definitely make no mistake."
He Jingzhu seemed to have this doubt. Hearing this, he raised his hands and said indifferently: "In five days, Wang Jingguo and other five criminals will set off to Dali Temple in Jinling. Mr. Li, please help yourself."
