"Those literati are the most troublesome. You didn't use any extraordinary means during the investigation, right?" Zhang Zhang Dejun suddenly asked in the corridor.
This question is a bit redundant. How can an organization like the Imperial City Department be expected to completely abide by the rules? The unscrupulousness and lack of scruples are probably the biggest difference between the Imperial City Division and the Wude Division.
Although he felt a little disapproval in his heart, Zhang Jinjie still replied honestly: "Don't worry, although literati are pedantic, they are also soft-headed and cannot withstand intimidation. I only used some means to intimidate, but I didn't use severe punishment.
but......"
Thinking of Zhang Dejun's previous attitude, Zhang Jinjie also showed a little hesitation. Seeing his hesitation, Zhang Dejun frowned slightly: "Nothing, tell me immediately!"
As his voice rose, Zhang Dejun's voice became much shriller. Not daring to be negligent, Zhang Jinjie lowered his head and said, "When we were investigating the people present at the Flower House that day, in order to find out the personnel situation, we interrogated the storekeepers at the Flower House."
After a pause, Zhang Jinjie said the most crucial sentence: "This flower-picking building is the property of the Duke of Luan..."
The Duke of Luan, Murong Yanchao, was nearly seventy years old. Although he had been serving as an official for several years, he was still old-hearted. After returning home, he devoted himself to running the fields, manors, trade, and restaurants under the mansion. The various industries were prosperous. Prosperous.
Everyone in the government and the public knows that Duke Luan loves money and likes to make money, and he has a good way to make money. However, if anyone tries to influence him to make money, the old guy will also get angry.
"Okay!" Zhang Dejun couldn't help laughing after hearing what he said, but he was slightly depressed: "A King of Qin is not enough, and the Duke of Luan is also involved. A prince, a Duke, a nobleman from Tianhuang, a royal family member, you are Do you think I, the Imperial City Secretary, can really be unscrupulous?"
"You are being reckless!" Upon seeing this, Zhang Jinjie quickly admitted his mistake: "I was just working for my father and wanted to get the job done!"
"If not, do you think you can avoid a slap in the face?" Zhang Dejun glared at him, and then said: "Learn more from your big brother and use your brain when doing errands!"
"Yes! Father taught you yes!" Zhang Jinjie showed his respect.
However, the slightly twitching corners of his mouth showed a bit of mockery and sarcasm. Of course, this ridicule was not directed at Zhang Dejun, but at the "big brother" in his mouth.
Zhang Dejun's four adopted sons and the four great kings of the Imperial City Division are obviously not in harmony. They are all fighting for power and for glory and wealth. They are fighting for favor and supremacy. In Zhang Jinjie's eyes, the so-called eldest brother Wang Shouzhong only flattered Zhang Dejun and was very hypocritical. In terms of his ability to do things, he didn't look down on him at all.
Although he was pretending to be something, Zhang Dejun's ability to observe words and emotions also captured the connotation of Zhang Jinjie's expression, but he didn't say much. He was aware of the conflicts and disagreements among his adopted sons, but he didn't care. Every superior wanted some competition among his subordinates, as long as it didn't delay things.
Here, Zhang Jinjie mentioned something else: "During the investigation, I discovered that someone else was also investigating the matter, trying to find out what was behind it!"
"Oh?" Zhang Dejun tilted his head sharply: "Who is it?"
"After tracking and monitoring, we pointed the finger at Murong Defeng!" Zhang Jinjie said with certainty.
Hearing this, Zhang Dejun was a little surprised and a little emotional, and murmured: "It seems that our Crown Prince is also vigilant! In this way, there is one more situation to report!"
"In addition, we also found out a situation that I don't know if it is related to this matter. That Xu Shilian has some relationship with Rong Guogong. His father Xu Qibiao married Rong Guogong's aunt!"
"This matter is getting more and more interesting..." After hearing the news, Zhang Dejun couldn't help but exclaimed: "It must be a coincidence! Duke Rong Guo, I hope he is not involved in it!"
...
While Zhang Dejun was in the imperial city office, worried about the results of the investigation, news came from the Prince of Qin's Mansion in the south of the Imperial City that King Qin Liu Xu hurriedly returned to his home.
Just this movement made people familiar with him feel a little unusual. According to his normal work and rest routine, as long as it is not a holiday, he will definitely be in the government office. He will only come home late but not leave early.
What's more, during this period, I was paying attention to the chaos in the Northeast. Wanyan Jurchen has already sent troops to the north and is fighting with Tulu Bushi Wei. The situation there not only involves the political and military stability of Liaodong, but also involves the governance issues of the various vassals. Liu Xu is in charge of the vassal administration, and naturally he is also deeply concerned about it. expressed concern. In addition, the Jurchens and Shiwei were fighting, and among them, Liu Xu catered to Emperor Liu's will and pushed hard.
Even so, after receiving the summons from the palace, Liu Xu did not delay at all and returned in a hurry. As soon as he returned to the house, he ignored Princess Bai Niangzi's concerns and worries and went directly into the study. The door was closed and only his confidant Chang Shi and the steward were informed.
The chief historian of the Prince of Qin's palace was named Li Ying. He was a Jinshi and had served as a censor, a county magistrate, and a doctor in the household department. He was good at writing poems and poems. At this time, he and the steward were standing in front of the desk, looking very calm and just lowering their heads slightly.
In comparison, the steward on the side was much more nervous, and his face was full of panic. He confessed to Liu Xu in awe, saying that he was not doing things well.
Although Liu Xu's expression was a little gloomy, he still showed a smile and waved his hand vigorously: "Okay! At least, you are aware of it, and you are not so slow that I know nothing about it!"
When Liu Xu said this, the steward became even more nervous and said, "It's the little one who didn't clean up his head and tail. He's guilty!"
"How to clean up? Are we still going to silence you?" After hearing what he said, Liu Xu was immediately annoyed and scolded: "Since you have done this, you have to bear the risk of being discovered! It's just..."
The expression on Liu Xu's young and majestic face changed for a while, and finally he sighed: "It's my fault in the first place. I thought too simply and did it too revealingly. After all, I still didn't expect that the Imperial City Secretary The person's sense of smell is so sensitive, and in just a short time, he has already found the palace!"
The steward was still loyal. Seeing Liu Xu's emotional and embarrassed look, he gritted his teeth and immediately knelt down: "Your Highness, this matter was done by a small person and has nothing to do with Your Highness. If anything happens, just take the punishment! "
Hearing what he said, Liu Xu suddenly laughed and rebuked in a non-serious tone: "Loyalty is commendable! But it is a bit stupid! With your status, can you afford this?"
"This..." The steward suddenly realized. Yes, what is his identity.
"Okay, get up!" Liu Xu waved his hand: "This matter is not that serious! Even if the Imperial City Department investigates it, what can it prove? Can it be used to convict me?"
"You guys, please step back and let me think about it!" Liu Xu ordered with some waning interest.
"Yes!" Seeing Liu Xu's situation, the steward's eyes were full of worry, but he still stepped back together with Chief Shi Li Ying.
Liu Xu sat on the chair, his eyes fixed on Li Ying who had not said much. His eyes were a little cold, and he had secretly made up his mind that this person could no longer be trusted.
Although Liu Xu secretly promoted this turmoil, it was Li Ying who initiated it. Judging from the process and results, it did have a certain effect, and even almost dragged the prince into the water. Even if it ended smoothly, Li Fang was released to Hubei.
However, from an objective perspective, how much impact can it have on the prince? This can be regarded as a tentative move, but so far, Liu Xu is very dissatisfied.
Now, the Imperial City Division has noticed this matter, and without Emperor Liu's instruction, how would the minions of the Imperial City Division have thought of pursuing and investigating like this?
Obviously, Emperor Liu was also silently paying attention to the story behind it. From this point of view, it did not have much impact on the prince, but instead put himself in a dilemma. It was a waste of money. Looking back at the decision at that time, it is even more questionable.
However, sitting in deep thought with an expressionless face, Liu Xu tried his best to get rid of the emotion of regret. At least he felt that he should not have such emotions.
As he said, a matter like this is not serious enough to warrant accountability. But some consequences may be more serious than direct blame.
For example, how would Emperor Liu view himself after learning that he was behind this matter? To secretly cast a cold arrow, such behavior is simply the behavior of a villain. Does this mean that he will lose his impression with Emperor Liu?
This is what Liu Xu is really worried about!
If you say he regrets, Liu Xu definitely does not regret it. When it comes to the fight for the right to inherit the throne, how can he be tender and affectionate. There is nothing despising or ridiculing about the villain's behavior, but the only thing that shouldn't be done is that after doing it, others notice it.
That night, Liu Xu locked himself in his study and did not go out for a long time until the next morning. When the King of Qin Liu Xu appeared again, except for the scrawling of the spreading stubble, his whole person was more restrained.
