Ji Kui's meaning was very clear. Before Xingyang, the disaster was very serious. The reason why it was like this was entirely because of the efforts of himself and a group of officials.
We did not hesitate to open up our treasury and spend countless gold, silver, money and food to appease the people, and finally stabilized the situation.
What he said was high-sounding, and there were no loopholes in the official documents.
If you look at his words and accounts alone, he is really a good official who cares about the people and is impeccable.
Liu Changqing had no substantive evidence for this, so he could only smile and say, "Master Ji is a model for your efforts in disaster relief. Thank you for your hard work."
"No matter where you are, the responsibilities of a lower official are above the people's livelihood. They should do it. I don't dare to say how hard it is." Ji Kui quickly expressed humility.
"In that case, the official documents have been checked, and the situation is roughly understood. I will report it to the king truthfully." Liu Changqing threw a smoke bomb first.
"Yes, I hope the imperial court can be considerate of the situation and realize how difficult it is to provide relief." Ji Kui sighed in a pretentious manner.
"Of course, of course." Liu Changqing smiled again and closed the bamboo slips in his hand. "Then Master Ji, if you have nothing else to do, please retreat first."
"Yes, I will resign." Ji Kui saluted.
He looked respectful and humble just now, but after turning around, his expression suddenly dropped.
Returning to his office, Jun Cheng also hurriedly came to find him and couldn't help but ask: "Sir, how is the situation?"
"There must be nothing wrong with the official documents. We have all used the government's allocations for disaster relief." Ji Kui said.
"But sir." The county magistrate was still a little worried: "Liu Changqing is not a good troublemaker. He has solved many major cases. If he finds out any clues..."
"What do you mean?" Ji Kui frowned.
"How about we send someone to monitor him secretly to see what his next actions will be, so that we can respond in advance." Jun Cheng said tentatively.
"Well..." Ji Kui thought for a moment, then waved his hand and said, "Something is wrong. The Tsing Yi Guards are all masters who follow and monitor the inspectors. Once they are discovered, how do you explain it? Isn't this just asking for it?"
"That……"
"That's it." Ji Kui interrupted him directly: "Starting from tomorrow, if Liu Changqing wants to inspect places or do other official business, you will accompany him as his guide throughout the whole process. He can't refuse, right?"
"Well, what you said makes sense." Jun Cheng nodded in agreement.
Now Ji Kui just hopes that Liu Changqing can get out of here as soon as possible. He doesn't even dare to think about assassination. He came with Wang Jian, a serious imperial minister, but if he died in Xingyang, then the officials here No one can escape.
They decided to let Jun Cheng follow Liu Changqing openly. The latter also called Yang Zhao immediately after talking to Ji Kui.
"Sir, have you discovered anything?" Yang Zhao asked impatiently as soon as he came in.
Liu Changqing shook his head: "It's naturally impossible to find out anything from the surface of the official document. If it were that simple, then there would be no corrupt officials in the world."
"This." Yang Zhao hesitated and said, "Although Ji Kui is upright and honest, I always feel that something is wrong."
"You feel it too." Liu Changqing said with a smile: "That's because what he does is too watertight. Often it's too perfect, which turns out to be the biggest flaw."
As he said that, he added: "Next, we have to do two things. First, we will conduct unannounced visits to the people and check all counties to find out the real disaster situation in Xingyang. Second, we should keep up with the grain merchants in Xingyang. According to this line, the grain and grass sent by the imperial court amount to 150,000 shi. If this grain is not really used for relief, it will definitely be stolen and sold."
"Of course, you should not show up for these two things. Send the people below to do it in secret. The two of us will stay in the county house to stabilize Ji Kui."
After hearing this, Yang Zhao nodded first, then raised his hands and said, "I understand, I'll make arrangements right away."
In the next few days, Liu Changqing did not go out in Xingyang County Mansion. He had no intention of inspecting various places. From time to time, he checked some files, checked some accounts, and had meals with the officials. It was like a visit. It's like a formality.
His behavior also made Ji Kui relax some of his vigilance.
In this way, the first news came back quickly. After secret investigation and visits, Qingyi Wei found that most of the people in Xingyang, every household, had some surplus food. In other words, this place just had no harvest this year, and was far from fleeing the famine.
This indirectly confirmed Ji Kui's lie.
But these alone cannot make a county governor, and the latter can just take precautions as an excuse to make perfunctory decisions.
A few days later, Yang Zhao hurriedly entered the study where Liu Changqing was. He bent down and said, "Sir, there is a clue from the grain merchant."
"Oh?" Liu Changqing was shocked and immediately put down the brush in his hand.
Without further ado, Yang Zhao took out a folded sack, unfolded it, and placed it on the table.
Liu Changqing stood up and saw the red mark on the sack at a glance, and couldn't help but look at Yang Zhao.
The red mark is similar to an official seal, which means it is for official rations. Just like official silver, it will have marks.
"The imperial court allocated Xingyang's official rations." Liu Changqing took a breath and asked in a solemn voice: "Where did you find it?"
"A grain merchant surnamed Tong. Preliminary estimation is that they have been selling these government grains to the hardest-hit areas. As a result, they accidentally missed this sack when unloading the goods." Yang Zhao returned.
"Yes." Liu Changqing nodded, "Your guess is very reasonable. Where is that man now? He must not be allowed to escape."
"Don't worry, sir. We have been escorted back secretly and under strict control."
"Prying open his mouth is an important way for us to open up the corruption situation in Xingyang." Liu Changqing's words were concise and to the point.
"Understood." Yang Zhao agreed simply.
Being able to assist the inspectors in handling major corruption cases is equivalent to gaining the trust of the emperor for the Qingyi Guards, and it is also a political progress. How can Yang Zhao not be careful?
Xingyang City, in a rented mansion.
There are many green-clad guards here, and the scene is more like a temporary torture chamber.
Not long after, Yang Zhao stepped in and said with a cold expression: "How's it going?"
"Preparing for torture, sir, look..." a green-clothed guard said tentatively.
"Don't kill him, torture him for a few days first." Yang Zhao said, looking at the grain merchant named Tong who was tied to the shelf, and sneered: "Whether you say it or not, in the year of great disaster, just relying on the official The food is on you, but for this reason, the Tsing Yi Guards have the right to make it impossible for you to live or die!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he waved his hand to signal his men to execute him.
At this time, the businessman surnamed Tong was already pale and his body was shaking. He looked at the torturers who came over. The torture instruments in their hands were so terrifying.
He couldn't help but feel the heat in his crotch and peed out. At the same time, he screamed: "Say, I'll say anything!"
"Where does the official ration come from?" Yang Zhao immediately stepped forward and grabbed his hair.
Any department of the Tsing Yi Guard can deal with dead soldiers and assassins with ease, let alone a mere profiteer who steals and sells official rations.
