When the news came back to Lingdu, King Ling became furious. He went to the palace study and asked sternly: "What do the people responsible for arresting do for food? Kang Botai was allowed to run away to Qin!"
Murong Hongye stood below and said cautiously: "A senior official must have leaked the secret about this matter and leaked the news in advance. This gave Kang Botai enough time to prepare. By the time the officers and soldiers arrived, the building was already empty."
"How unreasonable!" King Ling became even more angry: "This thief hurts and tortures the people, and tortures the people. If he is not cut into pieces with a thousand swords, it will be difficult to eliminate the hatred in my heart!"
It was normal for him to be so angry when meeting such a corrupt official, and he would never let Kang Botai go just like that. However, the latter had fled to another country, which made things complicated.
After he calmed down a little, Murong Hongye said tentatively: "Your Majesty, although Kang Botai has escaped, according to our intelligence, we have grasped his general destination, which is Yunmeng County in Qin State. As long as we further investigate, We can send elites to sneak into Yunmeng and arrest him secretly."
Hearing this, King Ling raised his hand slightly, frowning and said: "This is a bad idea, to use force to invade Qin. It would be great if it succeeds, but if any accident happens, it will affect the relationship between the two countries."
As he spoke, he also glanced at Murong Hongye: "Are you completely sure?"
"This..." Murong Hongye did not dare to respond easily.
After all, that is someone else's territory. How can it be so easy for you to kill and arrest people? And after being exposed, the situation will inevitably expand, and it may even lead to an early confrontation.
King Ling rejected the proposal. After thinking about it, he said decisively: "Let's use diplomatic means first. If diplomacy doesn't work, then we will resort to other options."
This is a question that a king should consider. In order to catch the corrupt man, King Ling did not delay. He immediately picked up a pen and began to write a letter himself. He planned to send the letter to Xiao Yuan first, and if it failed, he would send an envoy.
After he finished writing, he checked it again to confirm that it was correct, and then handed it to Murong Hongye and said: "Immediately send the letter to the King of Qin's court through official channels."
"No." Murong Hongye took it respectfully and left as ordered.
Xiao Yuan was naturally able to receive the correspondence between the monarchs of the two countries quickly. Not long after, the letter was in his hand. After he opened it and read it, he frowned slightly and began to think secretly.
The beginning of the letter was undoubtedly some greetings, asking how the King of Qin's younger brother was doing, and then King Ling got down to the topic and stated the matter directly, hoping that the Qin State would send the corrupt officials back for punishment.
After thinking about it, Xiao Yuan decided to agree to King Ling's request.
Many places in the Central Plains were hit by disasters, and the two kings spared no effort to open warehouses and provide relief. Such a corrupt official who was full of crimes, because of his corruption, caused so many people to starve to death in the wilderness, how could he not be held accountable.
Furthermore, if he prefers to protect Kang Botai because he is targeting the Ling Kingdom, then the corrupt officials of the Qin Kingdom may also go to the Ling Kingdom in the future.
Due to various reasons, Xiao Yuan also mentioned it in passing during the court meeting the next day.
After hearing this, all the ministers were in an uproar.
"Why doesn't the Yellow River break up for me? Such words come from the mouth of an official from the same place?"
"Oh my God, from what Kang Botai said, you can imagine the situation of the people in Huainan..."
"Such corrupt officials are really committing heinous crimes and are not tolerated by heaven..."
In the midst of the noise, Xiao Yuan frowned slightly, picked up the bamboo slips on the king's case and threw them down, "Do you think that corrupt officials are the only ones in Lingguo Kangbotai? In our Qin State, there are not many treacherous sycophants who are taking advantage of the opportunity to make a big fuss." Where is the national treasure?"
"All ministers should examine themselves and use others as a mirror!"
"I will bear in mind your Majesty's teachings——" People shouted in unison.
Then, Jia You stood up and said seriously: "Your Majesty, I think that people like Kang Botai are completely crazy. No matter the Qin State or the Ling State, everyone is of the same nation. They spare no effort in disaster relief, and so on. Officials are a cancer that harms the world. No matter where they escape, they should be severely punished! If not, it will chill the hearts of the people in the world."
"I second the proposal." Yao Tingyu followed: "Since Kang Botai has escaped to Yunmeng, our country should arrest him. However, considering that this thief is the governor of Lingguo County, in order to avoid unnecessary trouble, Weichen suggests that after arresting him, he should be handed over directly Spiritual Kingdom.”
"Yes." Xiao Yuan nodded, and just as he was about to speak, another minister stood up, raised his hands and said: "Your Majesty, I heard that Kang Botai enriched his own pockets and embezzled millions of taels of silver. At this moment, these stolen funds They must all be in Yunmeng. After we arrest him, we can seize the silver coins, which is also an unexpected gain."
Hearing this, Xiao Yuan's eyes lit up.
But Yao Tingyu immediately objected: "It can't be like this. We promised Lingguo that the matter will be made public. These money are all used to control floods in the Yellow River. If they are seized privately, there is no reason at all, and they are no different from bandits!"
"Master Yao is wrong." The official said, "After these silver coins are withheld, King Ling will still control the floods in the Yellow River. There is no reason not to take the money given for free."
"This is an act of immorality and breach of trust." As Yao Tingyu spoke, he also faced Xiao Yuan and said with a serious face: "I heard that the king must be benevolent in order to rule the world. This is the relief money provided by Lingguo to control floods. , it is related to millions of people, and the Spiritual King will also do his best to recover it. If our country secretly seizes it, it will be confirmed, and the Spiritual Kingdom will also use this to send envoys to keep entangled with us. When the time comes, things will expand and unexpected events will inevitably happen. , Your Majesty has always been a sage, so how can a mere stolen money be considered righteous?
This is an old minister who values virtue. As he spoke, Xiao Yuan also thought carefully. He could predict the development of the situation and the reaction of Lingguo. This is not to say that he is afraid of Lingguo, but that he is greedy for this small advantage and will complicate things. , good things turn bad, and the gains outweigh the losses.
Furthermore, from a legal perspective, the money belongs to Kang Botai, and you have no reason to rob it. Strictly speaking, it belongs to the Spirit Kingdom.
After thinking about it, he also smiled slightly, raised his hand and said, "Okay, there is no need to discuss this matter anymore. I order Magistrate Yunmeng to arrest Kang Botai."
The order was quickly passed to Yunmeng. Kang Botai was here. It was not easy for the local county magistrate to arrest him.
The mansion they had just bought was broken into, and the latter was directly tied up by the officers and soldiers. When he saw Magistrate Yunmeng, he kept saying:
"Sir, what do you mean by this? Common people are not guilty..."
"Kang Botai, Huainan County Sheriff, stop pretending." County Magistrate Yunmeng sneered.
"This, this." Seeing that his identity was exposed, Kang Botai's face changed drastically at first, and then he said quickly: "No matter who I am, and why do you want to do this, sir, I have prepared a lot of gifts. As long as you are willing to show your kindness, I will not be stingy."
Yo! Upon hearing this, County Magistrate Yunmeng was moved, but he quickly gave up the idea.
It's not that he doesn't want it, but he doesn't dare.
Because this is the highest order, once Kang Botai is released, his head will also be taken off!
If you have money, you must have life to spend it.
