Zhong Ji's expression darkened when he heard this, and the corners of his face twitched, as if he was holding back his anger.
But all the officials, big and small, around him were filled with indignation, and they all began to curse.
"I see that this Chen Gong is obviously looking for trouble!"
"Zhao Cheng has already gone to persuade him personally. What is Chen Gong's intention of making this trip!?"
"Does he want to watch the tens of thousands of people affected by the disaster in Henan Province starve to death?"
"I think this Chen Gong is a person who is seeking fame and reputation. He must be trying to step on our Henan Yin to become the leader when he comes here this time!"
Zhongji's face was as dark as water. Hearing their discussion, he shouted: "That's enough!"
Zhong Ji swept through the crowd, turned around, and strode away, saying, "He can come if he wants, and don't move around. It's a good idea to entertain him!"
The crowd couldn't bear it and chased after him: "Zhong Yin, this Chen Gong has bad intentions, we can't give in."
"Yes, if he forcibly stops it, tens of thousands of disaster victims will lose their livelihood, but something big will happen!"
"Zhong Yin, you must at least take precautions, right?"
"Yes, yes, at least find the person first, otherwise he will act recklessly, and I don't know how many victims will starve to death..."
The kind of collection turns a deaf ear, and the dragon walks like the tiger steps.
At this time, Chen Gong, whom they were talking about, followed Hu Cao's officials and came to a post house.
Chen Gong wandered outside for a while, then quietly went upstairs and knocked lightly on a door.
Zhong Yu, the member of Hucao Yousi, opened the door and saw that it was Chen Gong. He was startled and said, "County Magistrate Chen?"
Chen Gong looked around, raised his hand cautiously and said, "Exceptor Zhong, I have something to ask you."
If Zhong Yu knew something, he stepped aside and waited for Chen Gong to come in. He stuck his head out and looked around. He closed the door when he saw no one.
The two sat down without any other courtesy. Zhong Yu said, "Is County Magistrate Chen here for the five thousand shi of food?"
Chen Gong looked solemn and said, "Yes. Henan Yin impeached the official, so the official had to make this trip."
Zhong Yu looked at him with hesitation on his face and said: "It's not a secret. County Magistrate Chen will know sooner or later. It is true that five thousand stones are missing from the warehouse, and it is true that it has been diverted to provide relief to the victims."
Chen Gong knew all this. He frowned and said in confusion: "Why do you use this method? Henan Yin can do it openly?"
Zhong Yu said: "We have asked about these. The officials in Yin, Henan, all agreed that the disaster was like a fire, and they were worried that the court would stop them, so they took this strategy. As for the impeachment of County Magistrate Chen, it was because Magistrate Chen refused to open the warehouse to release grain, which made them dissatisfied. .”
Chen Gong thought carefully and said, "Has Hu Cao believed it?"
Zhong Yu laughed and said: "County Magistrate Chen, it is unnecessary to ask these questions. Henan Yin did not embezzle the autumn grain and did meritorious service in relieving the victims. When the matter comes to the top, most of them will just reprimand him and let it go."
Zhongji opened a warehouse to release grain, which solidified his reputation as a "benevolent person". If the court dealt with it severely, what would the victims think? How should the officials who serve the people all over the world deal with themselves?
Chen Gong took a deep breath, looked at Zhong Yu and said, "To be honest with Mr. Zhong, I think this matter is quite strange."
Zhong Yu thought for a while and said: "County Magistrate Chen, as far as Hu Cao is concerned, I have no doubts."
Chen Gong's expression was solemn. Hu Cao had no doubts, but he had more doubts in his heart.
Zang Ji’s various behaviors are too weird!
They misappropriated autumn grain to provide disaster relief and impeached him. Instead of pleading guilty afterwards, they deliberately delayed the time. It seemed that everything had a reasonable excuse, but it was always separated by a layer, as if something was hidden.
Zhong Yu put his hands on his knees. After waiting for a while, Chen Gong still did not speak. He tried to persuade him: "County Magistrate Chen, although you and I have no friendship, I still want to advise you that everything is in harmony. Let this matter be settled as soon as possible. , and the imperial court, Zhong Yin and you are all good. If you expand it wantonly, it will embarrass the imperial court and your Majesty’s face will be lost.”
Misappropriating autumn grain is a serious crime and should be punished according to law.
But if it's for 'relieving victims', that's another matter. Not only can the court not blame it, but it has to reward it.
Chen Gong suppressed the confusion in his heart, nodded slightly, raised his hand and said, "Thank you, Mr. Zhong."
Zhong Yu obviously felt that Chen Gong still didn't believe it. He paused, moved closer, and whispered: "The Yushitai is ready to close the case and submit it."
Chen Gong's expression changed and he said, "Why are you in such a hurry?"
According to court practice, such a major case will not come to a conclusion within three to five months.
How many days has it been?
Zhong Yu was the son of Zhong Yao, and he was in Hucao. He knew the affairs of the court very clearly. He sat back and said with a smile: "County Magistrate Chen, the issue of autumn grain is the top priority of the court. The prince went to Yanzhou the day before yesterday. Yesterday the Prime Minister inspected Sili, and today Shangshu Hucao Xun went to Bingzhou."
Chen Gong paused. Naturally, he didn't deserve to know about this kind of thing.
Silently pondering, he said: "Then, how will the court deal with the Henan Yin incident?"
Zhong Yu shook his head, pointed to the sky, and said: "That is a matter that can be decided by the imperial court and even His Majesty."
Chen Gong felt uneasy, but he still took a deep breath, raised his hand and said: "If Zhong Yin is really worthy of his guilt, the official will not pursue him. Thank you Mr. Zhong. After returning to the capital, the official will organize a banquet."
Zhong Yao returned the greeting with a smile and said, "County Magistrate Chen is so polite."
Compared with his father Zhong Yao, who was strict in speech and cautious, Zhong Yu was open to making friends and making things convenient for others and himself.
When Chen Gong left the post house, he felt that something was wrong, so he quietly explored everywhere.
He did not return to Luoyang, but disguised himself again and sneaked into some places where victims gathered.
In the evening, the porridge service continued in various sheds. There was not only porridge, but also noodles, and the food was full.
Chen Gong walked five places and ate seven times, and his stomach was a little full.
Holding a bowl of porridge, he walked out of the disaster area with his staff who came over. He looked strange and kept his brows furrowed.
The staff member on the side said doubtfully: "Didn't Dong Weng have verified that Henan Yin is indeed distributing food to help the victims? These days, the total is only one or two thousand dan. In another ten days and a half, five thousand dan may not be enough. It's not that Zhong Ji and others are corrupt."
Chen Gong's brows were twisted so hard, his eyes were very calm, and he said: "I always feel that something is wrong. I seemed to have thought of it just now, but now I can't recall it."
The staff looked at him, confused.
After a long while, Chen Gong sighed and said, "That's it, let's go back."
In any case, the people benefiting from this incident are the victims, and there are countless living people. Even if the editor has selfish motives, his merits outweigh his faults.
…
Before Chen Gong returned to Luoyang, Zhong Yu and other Hucao officials arrived first.
Zhong Yu reported clearly to Hucao. When he returned to the mansion that night, before he could enter the door, a servant came up to him and said in a low voice: "Third Young Master, the master has invited you."
Zhong Yu asked as he walked: "Father is back so early?"
Tingwei Mansion is very busy. Zhong Yao usually leaves early and comes home late, rarely at home. The father and son have not seen each other for a month.
The servant responded and led Zhong Yu to the backyard.
In the side hall in the backyard, Zhong Yao was writing something. Under the light, his profile was solemn.
"I've met my father." Zhong Yu knew his father's nature, so he took a calm breath and raised his hand.
Zhong Yao put down his pen and said, "Sit down."
Zhong Yu stopped talking and laughing in front of Chen Gong and tried his best to remain calm and serious.
Zhong Yao closed the official document on the table and said, "I'm going to Henan County. What do you think?"
When Zhong Yu knew that the school entrance examination was coming, he felt nervous. He thought quickly and said, "Back to my father, although Zhong Ji acted inappropriately, his intentions were upright. The child thought that he should be punished with a small punishment but with a big warning."
Zhong Yao remained calm and said, "I'm asking you, did you see anything else?"
Zhong Yu's mind suddenly became tense and he turned rapidly.
When his father said this, it must be something unusual and there was something hidden in it.
Zhong Yu thought for a long time, but still had no clue, so he had to raise his hand and said: "Please ask father to teach the child."
Zhong Yao is not angry. This son is smart and knowledgeable and has no dandy habits. Overall, he is satisfied.
Stretching out his hand and pushing the tea cup in front of him towards Zhong Yu, Zhong Yao said: "First, Zhong Ji's intentions were upright, why did he write a letter to impeach Chen Gong? Second, he did nothing beforehand and did not report afterwards. Third, I I have never seen such generous relief, and the victims have better food than us. Fourth, the Yin family in Henan has always been willing to give charity, and this time, I didn't see a single person."
Zhong Yu looked at Zhong Yao, his face stiffened, and he felt cold from the bottom of his heart, and his whole body was trembling with chills.
His father’s four questions hit home!
Why impeach Chen Gong?
Even if disaster relief is to be provided, why not report it to the court in advance? There is not even a single report! ?
Zhong Yu has also been to those disaster relief sites. At first he didn't think there was a problem, but now that he thinks about it, it's a big problem!
In the same way, why are only the government providing relief? The aristocratic families always gain the reputation of benevolence at such times, so why don't they see no one at all?
Zhong Yu quickly calmed down, took a deep breath, and said: "Father, this kind of conspiracy to steal autumn crops for fame and reputation has sinister intentions and is an unpardonable crime!"
Zhong Yao pushed his tea cup again and said, "How do you think this matter will develop? How to deal with it?"
Zhong Yu just picked up the tea cup and quickly put it down. After thinking about it again, he said: "It should be verified by the Yushitai and dealt with severely."
Zhong Yao looked at him and said, "Can you find evidence?"
Zhong Yu was startled, thought about it carefully, and then fell silent.
He found it really hard to find evidence!
Zhong Yu now understood Zhong Ji's trick. He used the disaster relief money and food donated by wealthy families to serve as the five thousand shi of food. Not only did he covet these five thousand shi of autumn grain, he also gained a good official reputation as "asking for orders for the people" and "not caring about himself."
The disaster relief is not over yet, and now that Zhong Ji is being arrested, there is no evidence at all. He can completely evade it by saying that the disaster relief is not over yet, and the 5,000 kilograms of autumn grain donated by the family are not enough.
He is not corrupt!
And when the disaster relief is over, there will be no way to verify it.
Zhong Yu couldn't help but become solemn as he thought about it.
If Zhong Ji escapes and follows his example, then the court's grain tax will probably be further eroded and corrupted!
But this matter is very difficult. Zhongji is now very famous and there is no way to touch him without evidence.
Zhong Yu thought about it, but still couldn't find any good solution, so he had to raise his hand and said, "Please ask father for advice."
Zhong Yao smiled rarely and said: "The imperial court is an upright place, but it is also the most filthy place in the world. There will be many people like Zhong Ji, and there will be more in the future. Such people will either fall by the wayside. Or become a traitor. Tomorrow you go to Hucao, don't say much and let the matter continue to ferment."
Asking for a monthly ticket~
(End of chapter)
