He didn't attract much attention when he came, and he left quietly. Before boarding the car, Murong Defeng pondered Liu Yang's mood and whispered: "Your Highness, do you want to inform Kaifeng Mansion?"
"What should we inform Kaifeng Mansion to do? Seal the building? Arrest people?" Liu Yang's tone was unusually harsh.
Seeing this, Murong Defeng smiled awkwardly, but he did not feel disappointed. He also knew that His Highness the Crown Prince was not targeting him. After Liu Yang calmed down, Murong Defeng continued: "These people in the market are really bold and reckless. They criticize the imperial court in such a way and have no respect at all. They should be restrained.
If there were not such people who speculated and spread rumors, the capital would be much more harmonious. Although rumors are limited to the wise, the guests in the Guan Tower just like to hear those strange stories and wish that the court would have more scandals for their entertainment..."
Liu Yang looked back at the restaurant. The hustle and bustle was still there, and a burst of laughter burst out from it. He didn't know what interesting story he was talking about.
"Is this kind of situation rare? This kind of situation has been expected for a long time!" Liu Yang sighed: "Such discussions are extremely common!"
"Then we can't let their rumors confuse the public. People like this won't disturb people's hearts!" Murong Defeng said.
Liu Yang didn't say anything for a while and got into the car. After starting to drive towards the imperial city, he said to Murong Defeng who was riding with him: "I remember that after Han Xizai visited Tokyo, he gave advice to the imperial court and said that he should control public opinion. The imperial court also accepted it, Kaifeng Prefecture officers and patrols were dispatched, and the capital was silent for a while. However, how long did it last?"
"It is better to guard against the people's mouth than to guard against the river. We build dikes and fortifications against the river, but how can we erect high walls to block the people's voices? It is better to block things like this!" Liu Yang said: "Let it be noisy. After waiting for a while, the influence will pass, and the attention of the people will naturally shift!"
"What His Highness said is reasonable, but I still believe that we cannot let it go and should be restrained!" Murong Defeng did not show his disapproval, but calmly advised him.
"Then say hello to Kaifeng Mansion!" Liu Yang said after being silent.
"Yes!" Murong Defeng said with a smile. Although His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has his own opinions, he always listens to suggestions.
...
While Liu Yang and his party were visiting the Flower Building, there were two other people talking about the Flower Building. Of course, the situation involved had nothing to do with what Liu Yang had seen and heard, but it was closely related to the haze that lingered in his mind.
In the imperial city office, Zhang Dejun sat expressionlessly in the study, listening to the report of his fourth son Zhang Jinjie. The four adopted sons that Zhang Dejun adopted each have their own characteristics. The fourth son is the most ruthless and can be regarded as the sharpest and most useful knife in Zhang Dejun's hand.
However, in front of his father, Zhang Jinjie had to put away his fangs and his attitude was very submissive, and the sharp facial contours became a little softer.
Faced with the things that Zhang Dejun was paying attention to, Zhang Jinjie was naturally extra attentive. He bowed his body slightly, spoke slowly and clearly: "My son and his subordinates have been staying awake for the past two days to pay attention to what happened at the Huahualou banquet that day. People were investigated and interrogated one by one, and the final clue pointed to a failed candidate named Wang Song.
This man was from Ruzhou, sociable and good at eloquence. After entering the capital, he often participated in gatherings among the scholars of Jinke. During the banquet at Zhihualou that day, he pointed out that Wu Jichuan had visited Li Dajun.
When Erchu interrogated him, the man denied it, claiming that he was drunk and raving that day. However, a literati is a literati after all, and he eventually opened up.
According to his confession, it was Zhou He, a merchant in the porcelain business in Nancheng, who gave him the advice. The two were originally from the same hometown. Wang Song was only a reference to Beijing and also had support from Zhou He. The two had a close relationship.
After losing the election, Wang Song was upset. Because he was familiar with Xu Shilian's temperament, he took advantage of the atmosphere in the Zhaihua Building to mingle with the crowd and make provocations. It was just an attempt, and he never thought that Xu Shilian would actually go and beat the drum! "
After listening to Zhang Jinjie's report, Zhang Dejun showed no expression on his face and asked directly: "What happened to the porcelain merchant named Zhou He?"
"When I learned about this person, I was also wondering how a mere merchant could be involved in the imperial examination!" Zhang Jinjie said with a bit of excitement on his brows: "Jing'er asked, this People deny it too!
However, during the follow-up investigation, Er discovered that this person was engaged in porcelain business and had established a relationship with the stewards of the Prince of Qin's palace and had many contacts. When the son used this trick again, he was indeed fooled and confessed to the son that what he did came from the instructions of the Qin Palace..."
Hearing this, Zhang Dejun's face changed slightly. He couldn't sit still anymore and stood up directly. He said with surprise: "Is there a prince behind you?"
"Basically certain!" Zhang Jinjie's eyebrows were a little excited.
Seeing this, Zhang Dejun immediately scolded: "Thank you for being so excited!"
Zhang Jinjie was a little confused about this, and said in confusion: "Now that the mastermind behind the scenes has been found out, father can report to His Majesty!"
"After finding out about the King of Qin, do you want me to take credit or take the blame?" Zhang Dejun said accusingly: "Is there any evidence for what you said? What can be explained by just relying on the confessions of these people? If it is spread out, it will not be Don’t people think that you are making false accusations against His Highness the King of Qin?”
Faced with this accusation, Zhang Jinjie finally came to his senses and said aggrievedly: "However, Jing'er's investigation does point to the Palace of Prince Qin!"
This time, Zhang Jinjie did not give any discount. The Imperial City Division conducted secret investigations. Although there were always unscrupulous methods, this time, Zhang Jinjie dared to pat his chest and say that everything unfolded based on clues and evidence.
Seeing this, Zhang Dejun calmed down and took a few steps, but soon became irritable again. He has some political vision, and of course he knows that the princes of the Tian family are likely to be involved behind the Deng Wengu case, but when he really finds out about the King of Qin, he can't help but feel nervous.
After thinking for a while, Zhang Dejun asked: "You won't question the manager of Prince Qin's Mansion, right?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Jinjie quickly shook his head: "How dare I not have my father's order!"
"Fortunately, you still have some sense of awe!" Zhang Dejun subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief.
Although the Imperial City Secretary acted a little boldly and unscrupulously, he still did not dare to act recklessly when it came to the Tian family. Even if there was an order from the emperor this time, there was no telling what Emperor Liu would do when it came to the prince. manner.
After all, Emperor Liu had always had great favor and trust in the King of Qin. What's more, as the emperor's domestic servant, he would not dare to offend the royal family easily. Emperor Liu was very concerned about imperial power and the majesty of the royal family.
Therefore, when receiving the investigation order, Zhang Dejun was very conflicted. On the one hand, he was afraid of the results of the investigation, and on the other hand, he was afraid that the investigation would not yield results and he would be unable to communicate.
"What about the merchants?" Zhang Dejun pondered for a moment and asked.
Zhang Jinjie seemed to be infected by Zhang Dejun's solemnity, and hurriedly said: "Temporarily detained in the Yamen!"
"You! You are just eager for quick success. I repeatedly told you to investigate secretly and be cautious. It seems that you didn't listen at all!" Zhang Dejun couldn't help but lectured: "Since this person has been found, why don't you secretly monitor him and be so anxious? Arrest him for interrogation? Now, I’m afraid the King of Qin’s Palace has been shocked!”
"My son is not doing his job well, please punish me father!" Zhang Jinjie could already feel Zhang Dejun's concerns, and he did not dare to make excuses anymore and immediately admitted his mistake.
"If punishing you can solve the current trouble, then I really have to think carefully about how to deal with you!" Zhang Dejun said this, but Zhang Jinjie secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
He raised his eyes and saw Zhang Dejun frowning in deep thought, and couldn't help but ask for instructions in a low voice: "The matter has come to this, how should we deal with it?"
"What else can we do? Now that we have found out, we can only report it truthfully!" Zhang Dejun sighed: "This time I have offended His Highness the King of Qin!"
Having said that, Zhang Dejun still abides by the basic principles. He would rather offend King Qin than dare to compromise in front of Emperor Liu.
"Call the merchant named Zhou, I want to interrogate him personally!" Zhang Dejun, still a little worried, ordered again.
"yes!"
"You should also give me a good time to reflect, and don't act in a hurry, otherwise it will be unpredictable!"
