Originally, this audit was just Li Hao's attempt to scare the snake, but he didn't expect that he actually hit the snake.
When Li Hao arrived at the transfer office in Chuzhou, Wang Youqian and a group of officials were already waiting at the door.
Seeing Li Hao arrive, Wang Youqian came up to greet him and said, "I really feel ashamed to trust the imperial court this time. I never thought that there would be such a bold and reckless person in the transportation department.
How dare you fabricate accounts and use this to embezzle salt taxes is a heinous crime and must be severely punished.
This matter must be due to my unfavorable supervision. I need to plead guilty to the officials for allowing such corrupt people to hold important positions. "
After hearing this, Li Hao comforted him: "Master Wang, please don't blame yourself so much. There will always be black sheep everywhere. As long as they can be eliminated in time and don't cause any bad effects, it won't be a big deal."
Wang Youqian then said, "It's exactly what Mr. Li said. I will definitely make up for it and severely punish this corrupt official."
"There's no need to trouble Mr. Wang with this. I'm here to check the salt tax. Let me handle these people." Li Hao made it clear with a single word that he had the right to handle the matter.
Then he added: "By the way, I only got a rough idea of where the specific accounts are from the letter. I want to see the details."
Wang Youqian naturally couldn't say anything about this, and it was impossible for him to fight for the right to run the event.
After all, Li Hao was beholden to the emperor. No matter where the lawsuit went, he could not win, and he seemed to have a guilty conscience out of thin air.
It’s just that I hate them even more, I hate those people who are so unsatisfactory that they can’t even make fake accounts and yet they dare to be greedy for money.
That is to say, fortunately, the flaw is not very big, and it should not involve many people.
But Wang Youqian is still worried that Li Hao will use this opportunity to open up the situation, especially if problems are found in the forwarding department's account, then he wonders if problems will also be found in the cargo account.
But there was no use just worrying. Wang Youqian could only make up his mind and start thinking of ways to fight back. He couldn't let Li Hao stay here all the time.
He made up his mind in an instant, and happened to hear Li Hao's question, so he said: "This matter is indeed my negligence, and this case really deserves Mr. Li's trial.
Then I will lead Mr. Li in first. Now the accounts of the Transshipment Department and the Cargo Service have been sealed and taken care of by your subordinates. "
After Wang Youqian led Li Hao to the place, Li Hao said: "I think the transportation company must be busy with official business, otherwise Mr. Li Wang should go and do it first.
I can just take a look here for myself, and then go find Mr. Wang after I finish reading here. "
And Wang Youqian doesn't want to stay here at this time. He still has to comfort people's hearts and let people know that the sky will not fall.
After Wang Youqian left, Li Hao immediately asked: "Since there is a problem in the accounts, why didn't you notify me first and let the people in the transportation department know about it?"
After hearing this, the people below looked at each other, and then among the three divisions, Du Branch, who had had contact with Li Hao, replied: "We originally hid the news, but later we clarified the situation. When, they accidentally noticed it.
For this reason, we quickly sent someone to tell the adults and asked them to handle it.
This matter was caused by our negligence, please forgive me. "
Hearing this, Li Hao said: "Since it was an unintentional mistake, let's forget it this time, but I hope it won't be the same next time.
And regarding these accounts, how many problems did you find specifically? "
Gou Gongshi replied: "We have found problems in the accounts of the forwarding department and the cargo handling department. The errors and omissions probably involve more than 300,000 taels of silver."
After saying that, he handed the compiled account details to Li Hao and asked Li Hao to check it in person.
After Li Hao took it, he still praised: "Although you have had some mistakes this time, your achievements are also very outstanding. It has made a good start for this salt tax inspection."
After hearing this, everyone said modestly: "This is thanks to your Lord's debit and credit accounting method, otherwise we wouldn't be able to easily find the loopholes.
Although the transportation department knew that we had found a problem this time, we did not tell them what the specific problem was.
Especially when it comes to cargo services, they should
I don't know where we found the problem yet. "
Li Hao looked at the accounts and said, "Don't underestimate them. Since they know that there is something wrong with the accounts of the forwarding department, they will definitely think of it.
Next, you continue to check the accounts and list the details and related personnel involved. I will immediately send a letter to Suqian and order the front department of the palace to send someone to arrest the person. "
After hearing this, everyone was a little confused and asked: "Compared to the deficit over the years, these more than 300,000 taels are only a very small part of it.
And now that they are all on guard, is it too hasty to bring the front secretary in now? "
Li Hao explained: "If I had known that the problem would be found by checking the accounts, I would not have left them as a back-up.
Although it is a little late to start taking action now, but based on the Arrancar, since there is a loophole, we must pursue the victory and find a way to open a hole first.
And at this point, if I don't let the people from the front office come to investigate, I'm afraid I won't even gain this little bit. "
After hearing the reason, everyone did not ask any more questions, so they agreed: "Okay, then my subordinates will quickly sort out the remaining accounts and involved personnel in the past two days. Once the front staff arrives, they can arrest the people directly." .”
After Li Hao encouraged them a few more words, he went out to find Wang You. Anyway, if he had to hold him back, it would save them time for arrangement.
So Li Hao used the excuse of consolation to drag Wang Youqian to have a drink together after going to the Yamen, and they didn't leave until late at night.
However, even though he returned late, Wang Youqian still secretly went to meet with a corrupt official in Huainan to discuss matters.
I saw Wang Youqian saying: "The people sent by Li Hao have already gone to Suqian, and those who want to come to the front office will arrive soon.
When the time comes for arrests and interrogations, he will definitely not let us interfere, so we must be prepared in advance. Those who should give up should give up directly, and don't cause a lot of trouble by procrastinating. "
After hearing this, someone asked: "But we don't know what they found out, and we don't even know who to arrange for it."
Wang Youqian said: "Just because of the accounting problem, everyone who could be implicated immediately abandoned this line.
Tell them that as long as we people are fine, the wealth of their family will still be there. "
Hearing this, everyone was shocked. According to this statement, there would be a lot of people abandoned this time.
Moreover, everyone also had doubts about how to throw it away, so they asked: "But if I really fall into Li Hao's hands, what can I ask for under the three trees?"
Wang Youqian said: "So since some people have already been abandoned, naturally they cannot be allowed to fall into Li Hao's hands alive.
But they can't all die, otherwise there will be no living condemnation, and the matter will not be completed. It will only give Li Hao an excuse, so I think you know what to do. "
After hearing this, everyone expressed their understanding that the Song Dynasty treated scholars favorably, and it was impossible for Li Hao to torture civil servants with Jinshi background, so these people would naturally be able to live.
As for other people involved in this matter, they are safest only if they cannot speak.
After talking about handling the problem, Wang Youqian began to arrange counterattack measures, saying: "Now that Li Hao has made a hole here, we cannot let him make trouble here.
We must work together to let him hit the wall, otherwise even if we want to give in later, he may not be willing to accept our kindness. "
Regarding this, everyone had a unanimous opinion and unanimously decided to teach Li Hao a lesson.
Everyone said that they would obey the arrangement and let Wang Youqian give the order.
Then Wang Youqian began to make arrangements for the command camp, salt field, salt merchants and cargo handling, preparing to bury a big hole for Li Hao.
Of course, Li Hao was completely unaware of these circumstances.
After Li Hao arrived in Chuzhou with a battalion of troops from Yang Wenyuan, he began to sign official documents and let the people in the front department begin their arresting journey.
Li Hao himself was sitting in the government office, waiting for the arrest result.
At about noon, Li Hao saw Yang Wenyuan returning with someone.
Just seeing this number of people, Li Hao asked: "Chuzhou wanted to arrest no less than forty people, why did you only bring back so many, and the others ran away."
Yang Wenyuan explained: "Among the people to be arrested, these are the only ones alive, and most of the others have committed suicide out of fear of crime.
Moreover, they all left confession letters, and I also had people bring them back with them.
There are also a few others whose whereabouts are unknown. I don’t know whether they ran away or died without their bodies intact. I’ll give you their names later, and you can file a sea arrest document. "
After hearing this, Li Hao couldn't help but sigh: "It seems that they have prepared in advance as expected.
What's unexpected is that they are also quite cruel to their own people. "
Yang Wenyuan said: "We are our own people. I don't think they necessarily think so. All those arrested are Jinshi. I am afraid that in the eyes of those behind the scenes, these are the only people who are our own people."
Li Hao agreed with this, but he thought too much about it, so he said: "Never mind, lock up the captured people for interrogation first, and then wait for news from other places."
Yang Wenyuan said: "Other places are probably the same as Chuzhou. It seems that if you want to open a breakthrough, you can only play tricks on these people."
Li Hao said: "Whatever you want to do, you can't use torture to extract confessions from them.
Otherwise, if this matter is reported back to the DPRK, we don’t know how many impeachments we will receive. At that time, even the great ministers will not be able to speak for us. "
Yang Wenyuan said: "What should we do? We finally have a breakthrough. Can't we just give up?"
Li Hao explained: "Don't be anxious, no matter what, we have already gained a lot.
And it happened in such a short period of time, which was quite unexpected.
We still have a long time ahead, and we may not know when the opportunity will come again.
Moreover, the private sale of salt is not a one-time transaction. They stopped as soon as we arrived, but as long as they can stop, people upstream and downstream will always force them to deliver.
We should not be the ones who are anxious next. If we do too much, we will make many mistakes. When they start taking action, we will definitely have new opportunities. "
Yang Wenyuan said: "Okay, since you have a plan, then I will arrange the guards first. In addition, do you want to go and interrogate these people in person?"
Li Hao said: "I don't need to, let others do it. This person chooses me to make arrangements. I will just go and observe when the time comes."
Then the prisoners escorted from other states also arrived, and as expected, the situation was similar to Chuzhou.
As for the interrogation of these people, the effect was as Li Hao expected, and the effect was not very great.
But even so, the total cash and farm stores seized from various stores amounted to more than one million taels, which was considered a victory in the first battle.
At the same time, the group of people who inspected the salt fields along the coast also completed their inspection and came to Chuzhou to meet Li Hao, and Cai Xiang also came back with them.
As for the harvest, of course there is none. On the surface, the salt field is above board and there is no problem at all.
In private, Cai Xiang did not sneak into the salt field at all, because the salt field was surrounded by the local command camp like an iron barrel. Cai Xiang was afraid of exposing his identity, so he had to meet Sheng Hong behind.
However, Cai Xiang came back just in time, and Li Hao directly handed over the subsequent interrogation work to Cai Xiang. After all, he was good at managing prison litigation.
But even Cai Xiang did not get any new clues in the subsequent interrogation.
So things came to a standstill and progress began to become very slow.
At this time, Li Hao planned to return to Yangzhou, so he found Wang Youqian.
Wang Youqian heard about this and asked, "Now that we return to Yangzhou, what will we do with those prisoners?"
Li Hao said: "Then naturally come with me to Yangzhou so that I can take care of it myself.
Could it be that Mr. Wang has some different ideas? If you have any, why not speak up and let's go over the details together. "
Wang Youqian hurriedly explained: "Master Li, what are you talking about? Of course the prisoner should be you."
Personally supervised.
I'm just worried that Mr. Li will have a hard time on his journey, and it won't be good if something goes wrong. "
Li Hao said: "There is no need to worry about this. The prisoner's side is escorted by the people from the front office. There are not many people anyway, so you can still see him."
Wang Youqian said: "That's good. When Master Li is ready to set off, I can come and see you off."
Li Hao said: "The time is set in three days, and we will set off then.
There is one more thing I want to inform Mr. Wang. This investigation has produced results. As a rule, I will write a memorial and report it to the court.
After arriving in Yangzhou, after the prisoner's trial is completed, I should submit this memorial. I can only tell the truth about this matter, and please don't blame me, Mr. Wang. "
Wang Youqian said: "I did make the mistake of lax supervision in this matter, and my confession has been submitted.
Mr. Li can tell the truth, I am already very grateful. "
This reasonable answer really made Li Hao not know what to say, so he simply took him to have a drink.
Then according to the plan, Li Hao safely returned to Yangzhou with his people, and sent someone to send his memorial back to Bianjing.
However, in the days that followed, the investigation of the salt tax was at a loss.
Just when everyone was having a headache, Cheng Shi came to the door again and said that An Lingxu had agreed to help.
Hearing this sudden news, Li Hao asked: "You have been talking to him for so long, why did he suddenly agree to help? Did he make any request?"
Cheng Shi said: "When he agreed, my lord, you succeeded in the investigation in Chuzhou, so he must have been frightened.
As for the request, he didn't mention it to me. He just said that he wanted to see the adult in person and then talk about it in person. "
After pondering for a moment, Li Hao asked, "Then do you think An Lingxu's words are true or false? Is it possible that he is here to deceive me?"
Cheng Shi replied: "I really don't know about this matter. I may have to judge it myself."
Li Hao thought for a while and said, "Then you can bring him to see me, and the time will be tomorrow night.
When the time comes, you sneak into the alley next door, and I'll let someone put you in the house, trying not to attract anyone's attention. "
After hearing this, Cheng Shi left and went to find An Lingxu to inform him.
Soon, An Lingxu and Cheng Shi came as scheduled. Speaking of which, this was the second time Li Hao met An Lingxu.
The first time, the An family wanted to steal their own soap business. That time, they had to pull the skin of their senior brother, the Yan family, and they were able to deal with it.
However, Li Hao didn't intend to take revenge. After all, he didn't suffer any loss at that time. As long as An Jia sincerely helped, Li Hao had no reason not to accept it this time.
After arranging the two of them to sit down, Li Hao asked: "Master An, Master Cheng has been persuading you for so long, but you have never agreed to help.
Things have changed so quickly now, so it’s not like you’re pretending to agree and trying to trick me. "
Hearing Li Hao's question, An Lingxu was about to ask a question, but Cheng Shixian said: "Master Li, I am feeling a little unwell. Can I go back home to recuperate first?"
Li Hao naturally understood that Cheng Shi didn't want to get too involved, so he thought of leaving with an excuse and letting Li Hao and An Lingxu talk on their own.
So Li Hao agreed to let him go back home first. After they left, Li Hao signaled An Lingxu to answer the question just now.
Just listen to An Lingxu say: "Your Excellency came here to investigate the salt tax to make enemies of the entire Huainan officials.
The villain is just an ordinary businessman, so naturally he does not dare to join the adult's service without authorization. "
Li Hao then asked: "Then how dare you do it now."
An Lingxu explained: "Your Excellency, you just investigated a group of salt road officials from Chuzhou a few days ago.
The villain also knew from this the determination and strength of the adults, and also understood that they could not defeat the adults, so they thought of abandoning the dark side and turning to the bright side. "
After hearing this compliment, Li Hao was not too happy, and said: "They are not at the end of the road yet, you can really trust me so safely.
Businessmen pursue profits,
Since you took such a big risk, I'm afraid the goal is not small. "
An Lingxu said: "Sir, you know it for sure. The villain is willing to take such a huge risk, and he naturally hopes to get something in return."
Li Hao asked simply: "Let's talk about it and see if I can promise you."
An Lingxu said: "What I think is that there are two things that are not difficult for adults to do.
This means that my family also wants to serve the country, but has never found a way. Therefore, I hope that after this incident, your Excellency can recommend my family's heirs to join the court as officials and contribute their meager strength.
Secondly, your lord has cleared the salt road in Huainan. The business of selling salt still has to be done by others. My family is willing to work for you. "
Hearing this, Li Hao smiled, and then stared at An Lingxu until he was stunned.
Then he said: "Okay, I can promise you both of these things, as long as you do things well.
I will protect your heir at least eight ranks. As for the share of selling salt, I will also guarantee that your family will have 20%.
But the premise is that you help me get things done. If you dare to deceive me, I will leave you alone.
Even your brother who is an official, I can do something about it. "
An Lingxu quickly replied: "This villain naturally understands and will never dare to deceive adults."
Li Hao said: "Okay, I believe you. You go out and wait. I will arrange for someone to contact you directly later."
Li Hao then asked people to take An Lingxu out, and then asked people to invite Cai Xiang and Yang Wenyuan over.
When the two arrived, Li Hao told them the situation.
After listening, Cai Xiang had the first question and said, "Is this man familiar to you? Can you believe his words?"
Li Hao replied: "I haven't had much contact with this person in the past, and I don't know if his words are trustworthy.
But anyway, we don’t have any clues now, so we might as well treat a dead horse as a live doctor and give it a try first.
The reason I invited Judge Cai here this time is because I want you to check with him in person to see if he is genuine or not. As for the manpower arrangements you need, you can contact Wen Yuan and let him help you. "
Cai Xiang did not refuse and agreed immediately: "Okay, then leave this matter to me."
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