Daming: Old Zhu, we agreed not to rush!

Zhu Biao's blow was like a lightning strike, shocking Zhao Rongzhen.

After a moment, he said slowly: "Your Highness, if the Ming Dynasty has a prince like you, Zhao Rongzhen will have no regrets."

To be able to manage Wenzhou Prefecture so well, Zhao Rongzhen must be capable first, and secondly, he is also a 'good official' who cares about the people.

"Okay, Zhao Rongzhen, there is no need to flatter the prince and explain your problems. Now I am just giving you a chance. What will happen depends on the problems you explain."

Su Jing opened his mouth to remind him.

No matter whether Zhao Rongzhen was sincere or fake, he didn't want Zhu Biao to be affected emotionally.

There is a saying that the most unbelievable thing is the tears of corrupt officials.

Zhu Biao also urged: "Zhao Rongzhen, tell me quickly."

Zhao Rongzhen nodded, and then said: "When I return to His Royal Highness, Zhao Rongzhen, I will tell you the truth. But please don't be confused, because this matter is a bit long."

"In the first year of Hongwu, I came to Ruian County, Wenzhou Prefecture, and I was there to give instructions. At that time, Wenzhou Prefecture did not have the same situation as it does now. People's livelihood was in decline, and the use of fertile land could not make the people rich."

"Later, by chance, I met the prefect Meng Song. This man was greedy, but timid and incompetent. Wenzhou Prefecture was not rich at that time. He was very eager and wanted money but did not dare to do it."

"Xiaguan didn't know much about Meng Song's situation at first. He just tried his best to help him with a few things, all of which were related to Ruian County. They basically solved problems."

"In this way, I was successfully promoted to the government office as an errand, right next to Meng Song."

"Since I was with Meng Song, I have gradually learned about the situation in Wenzhou Prefecture. There are such good conditions here, but they have never been able to get rich. The people's lives are suffering all because of Meng Song's incompetence."

"Although this person is the prefect, he has no talent for governance. I saw that the people were in such hardship, and I had an idea in my mind."

"Taking advantage of Meng Song's money-grubbing character, I started to do what he wanted and saved funds for him on various projects. When he was happy, I naturally got promoted."

"As the power in my hands grows, I can do more and more things, and the money given to Meng Song also increases. Meng Song becomes more and more happy and gradually leaves everything to me. , Wenzhou Mansion gradually came under my control, and I gradually began to escape from Meng Song's control."

"Before His Royal Highness came here, he and I were actually very at odds with each other, but it was just because he still needed me to make money, that's why we didn't break up."

"I originally thought I could take this opportunity to completely eliminate the cancer that is Meng Song, but I didn't expect that everything would be seen through by Uncle Ren Yuan."

"Of course, I deserve it, and there is nothing to defend. The things I did for Meng Song before were not good things, and I recognize them all."

Following Zhao Rongzhen's narration, Su Jing and Zhu Biao roughly understood Zhao Rongzhen's experience.

However, after saying this, there are still many doubts.

"Zhao Rongzhen, you said that you have been getting money for Meng Song. If you do this, why can the people of Wenzhou Prefecture still live in such peace? Isn't this money a gift from the people?"

Su Jing stared at Zhao Rongzhen and said.

If the prefect of a government is a corrupt official, how can the people live and work in peace and contentment?

This is the strangest thing.

Zhao Rongzhen said immediately: "In the beginning, I did use some means to get some money to give to Meng Song, but later it was no longer the case, because I opened shops in every county in Wenzhou Prefecture, and the money I gave to Meng Song Silver is actually just the profit from normal operations.”

"After all, Meng Song is the only one who needs to be managed in Wenzhou Mansion. The other officials, at least as far as I know, are not greedy."

As soon as these words came out, Su Jing and Zhu Biao were shocked.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Rongzhen had this trick.

Run a shop and use the profits from the shop to bribe Meng Song.

If it is an officialdom where corruption is rampant, this method will naturally not work, because what goes up works and what goes down works.

The prefect is corrupt, and officials at all levels below the prefect, as well as officials at the bottom, are corrupt.

It is impossible to satisfy just a few merchants.

But Wenzhou Prefecture is different, because under the management of Zhao Rongzhen, Meng Song, the prefect, is very clear.

Not to mention there is no corruption at all, but at least most of it is good.

In this way, it is completely possible to just feed Meng Song.

Of course, Su Jing and Zhu Biao would not listen to this one-sided statement.

"Zhao Rongzhen, as you told me, I will send people to investigate. Now what I want to ask is what consequences did you have when you started to search for money for Meng Song."

Zhu Biao continued to ask Zhao Rongzhen.

If the subsequent corruption is true, then Zhao Rongzhen only paid bribes but did not accept bribes and corruption.

But in the beginning, Zhao Rongzhen must have used some tricks to get money for Meng Song.

What Zhu Biao wants to know is what methods Zhao Rongzhen used.

Hearing this question, a look of regret immediately appeared on Zhao Rongzhen's face: "I did something wrong, which almost destroyed two families. Although I made up for it later, I still did something wrong after all."

Although Zhao Rongzhen did not specifically say what he did, it is not difficult to imagine.

After all, it can be described as a family being destroyed.

Zhu Biao looked a little ugly, because he still admired Zhao Rongzhen's governance ability.

A Fu Cheng can make the people of Wenzhou Prefecture live and work in peace and contentment, which is absolutely extraordinary.

I came here tonight just to let him go.

But now, after hearing Zhao Rongzhen's words, Zhu Biao felt extremely embarrassed.

Su Jing's expression remained as before, he could guess such a result.

It is certainly impossible for Zhao Rongzhen to reach his current position from an edict and to monopolize the power of Wenzhou Prefecture just by being kind and caring for the people.

However, he can say it directly without any concealment, which can be regarded as a bold move.

"Zhao Rongzhen, since you have confessed your crime, I will give you a chance to redeem yourself and make meritorious service."

Zhu Biao thought briefly.

The plan Su Jing told him still needs to be implemented, but now that Zhao Rongzhen is there, it is more convenient.

"No matter what your Highness orders, Zhao Rongzhen will not hesitate to die!"

Zhao Rongzhen agreed directly without any hesitation.

He had nothing to worry about now, the matter had been confessed, and all that needed to be said had been said.

Meng Song was the one he wanted to deal with, so naturally he wouldn't hesitate at all.

"Okay, Zhao Rongzhen, then listen to me."

Su Jing immediately told Zhao Rongzhen briefly about tomorrow's plan.

……

"That's about it. Zhao Rongzhen, you understand."

Su Jing vomited lightly and said.

Zhao Rongzhen nodded and said: "I already understand. Your Highness and Uncle Ren Yuan can rest assured that everything will go according to plan."

Now Zhao Rongzhen is still a little lucky in his heart.

To give an account tonight and to give an account tomorrow are two different things.

……

In a blink of an eye, it's tomorrow morning.

Zhu Biao and Su Jing had already packed their bags, while Meng Song and Zhao Rongzhen were seeing them off respectfully. "Your Highness, Uncle Ren Yuan, walk slowly."

Meng Song was very respectful, with a look of reluctance on his face.

Of course, what I think is another matter.

"Well, Master Meng, please stay."

Zhu Biao said calmly, and then they walked towards the gate of the government office together.

As soon as we arrived at the gate, a citizen shouted directly: "I want to find the prefect! Yongjia Rice Shop is cheating customers!"

The shouting voice was quite loud, and it was directly transmitted inside.

As soon as this voice appeared, Meng Song's face instantly turned ugly. How could such a mess happen at such a critical moment?

Without waiting for Zhu Biao to speak, he immediately said: "Your Highness, it's a small matter. If it doesn't delay His Highness's schedule, I will take care of it later."

Then he said to Zhao Rongzhen: "Mr. Zhao, you go and deal with it first. I will come back later."

"Please forgive me for not being able to agree."

Zhao Rongzhen's words immediately stunned Meng Song.

He looked at Zhao Rongzhen and made direct gestures with his eyes.

However, Zhao Rongzhen did not answer the question at all, but said: "This person came here because of the Yongjia Rice Shop. Everyone in Wenzhou Prefecture knows that the prefect will handle this kind of matter personally, and other officials will not recognize him."

Such a sentence made Meng Song speechless.

It is true that he himself announced the matter of Yongjia Mihang to the people of Wenzhou Prefecture. As long as something happens, he, the prefect, will definitely handle it personally and impartially.

"Prince, look at this..."

Meng Song didn't have time to get angry at Zhao Rongzhen, after all, Zhu Biao was still here.

Zhu Biao thought for a while and said: "Since there are disputes, let Mr. Meng handle them. I will also wait for a while to see how Mr. Meng handles these disputes."

The prince is staying!

Meng Song was really dumbfounded. He didn't expect that things would turn around like this.

This is all going away, how can we stay?

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's schedule is important. This trivial matter should not cause His Highness the Crown Prince to worry."

Meng Song immediately advised.

He really didn't want to make any mistakes.

"Don't worry, Lord Magistrate. Your Highness the Crown Prince's upcoming trip is not too urgent. Besides, such a small matter should be handled quickly."

Su Jing said with a smile, directly blocking Meng Song's words to persuade him to leave again.

From Zhao Rongzhen to the prince to Su Jing, Meng Song felt something strange, but the situation was urgent and he couldn't think too much about it.

"In that case, I will go and deal with it."

Meng Song immediately summoned the people who came to complain into the government office and went directly to the hall.

Zhu Biao and Su Jing sat aside and watched.

"Who is in the hall and what is going on?"

Meng Song asked seriously, although he had not done such a thing for a long time.

The man below immediately said: "Li Youfu, a common man, pays my respects to the magistrate. Yesterday I ordered ten buckets of rice at Yongjia Rice Shop. I went to pick up the goods today. The price I was promised was twenty yuan per bucket, but now I have to charge me every bucket. Thirty coins for a fight is really too much, and the magistrate is asked to make the decision for the common people!"

After listening to Li Youfu's story, Meng Song roughly understood what happened.

Little things, really, really small things.

"The shop owner of Yongjia Rice Shop was summoned to ask questions."

Meng Song also immediately sent someone to find another person involved.

Not long after, Zhang Ruqing, the shopkeeper of Yongjia Rice Shop, came. As soon as he entered the government office, he immediately said to Meng Song: "Brother-in-law, I was wronged. How can I get 20 yuan a dou of rice now?"

"What brother-in-law! This is the court! I am the prefect and you are the suspect!"

Meng Song was really frightened and broke into a cold sweat.

Good guy, His Royal Highness the Prince is sitting next to you, and his brother-in-law is so direct. He is really digging a hole for himself!

After all, Zhang Ruqing is also the shopkeeper of Mihang, and now his eyes are clear.

After all, no one else knew about the news of the Crown Prince's visit to Wenzhou Mansion, but his sister would still tell him.

"Zhang Ruqing, a common man, pays homage to the magistrate!"

Zhang Ruqing knelt down immediately. He also guessed that the young man sitting next to him was His Highness the Crown Prince. At this time, he felt regretful in his heart, why he was so quick to talk.

Meng Song glanced at Zhu Biao, but didn't notice any strange expression on Zhu Biao's face, and then he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Zhang Ruqing, you are the shopkeeper of Mihang. Tell the truth about what happened."

Meng Song asked immediately.

Zhang Ruqing immediately said: "Yes, the grassroots received this guest at the rice store yesterday. This guest wanted to buy ten buckets of rice. Because it was getting late, we made an agreement to pick it up tomorrow. The price was agreed to be thirty dollars per bucket of rice. Money, but when he came this morning, he insisted on saying 20 cents per dou of rice, and I definitely couldn’t give it to him. How can there be 20 cents a dou of rice on the market now?”

"You're talking nonsense. It was clearly agreed that it would be twenty dollars a dou, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to buy ten dou of rice!"

Li Youfu immediately retorted: "Sir, he just raised the price and doesn't want to sell to me!"

Zhang Ruqing didn't quarrel. At least he knew that His Royal Highness was in the court, so he naturally didn't dare to make any noise.

"Okay, Li Youfu, don't worry. Since you said it was twenty yuan a dou, do you have proof?"

Meng Song immediately asked Li Youfu.

Li Youfu's face turned ugly for a moment, and he said awkwardly: "It was too late last night, and it was only one night, so there was no written agreement, only a verbal agreement, but I remember clearly that it was twenty cents per dou."

When he heard that there was no written evidence, Meng Song immediately said: "Li Youfu, since you have no evidence, why did you come to sue the officials? Maybe you think this court is child's play."

Li Youfu immediately said: "That's not what the prefect said! If you encounter unfair treatment at Yongjia Rice Shop, you can go to the prefect. I think the prefect is just talking, and he is still favoring his relatives!"

"I wonder how many times the prefect has shown favoritism in the past two years! I don't accept it!"

Li Youfu was quite strong, so strong that it was a bit abnormal.

Su Jing looked at Li Youfu's performance and really didn't know what to say. It was too fake.

The gap between a common man and a prefect is really incalculable.

Let alone a magistrate standing in front of the people, he is just a petty official. When the people see him, they have to kowtow.

Such open confrontation in court is simply a sign of being tired of living.

False, it’s true and false!

However, at this time, Meng Song became nervous and said directly: "How dare you slander me? If you come, please take him into custody first!"

Meng Song knew the relationship between Yongjia Mihang and himself best, and he did not dare to let this Li Youfu speak anymore.

At this time, Zhu Biao stood up: "Mr. Meng, are you a little hasty?" (End of Chapter)