Do you know: I am Yuan Wenshao

Chapter 222 Seeking drunkenness
"Finally this trouble is solved."

Yuan Wenshao stood at the door and watched Zhao Ceying leave in a carriage.

Once you know the problem with the account books, you will definitely find evidence if you continue to investigate.

The evidence is overwhelming, no matter how Jiang Jingming denies it, it is useless.

Jiang Jingming bribed so many officials, it is conceivable that another big earthquake will follow.

……

Zhao Ceying escorted Jiang Jingming to the prison of the Ministry of Punishment, and found a doctor to treat Jiang Jingming. She was relieved to learn that Jiang Jingming was indeed fine.

Although Jiang Jingming was in a coma, Yuan Wenshao captured many people alive from his house, and Zhao Zongceying interrogated these people personally.

Although most of these people were servants and guards, they knew some things and got a lot of useful information.

During Zhao Ceying's interrogation, many officials learned about Jiang Jingming's arrest.

Those who had no contact with Jiang Jingming didn't care, but those officials who had received Jiang Jingming's benefits were in panic all day long.

Many people went to see Zhao Zongquan to plead for Jiang Jingming.

Zhao Zongquan knew that these officials were interceding for Jiang Jingming and must have interests with Jiang Jingming. However, he did not get angry, but gently appeased these people and sent them back.

As soon as these officials were dismissed, a eunuch came in and saluted, "Official, Your Highness King Huan wishes to see you."

"Let him come in." Zhao Zongquan said.

"Yes."

The young eunuch responded and retreated. After a while, he led Zhao Ceying and a eunuch holding an account book and making a confession in.

"My son, I pay my respects to my father!" Zhao Ceying saluted.

Zhao Zongquan waved his hand and said, "How is the investigation of Ying'er's matter going?"

"Going back to Father, we have found conclusive evidence that Jiang Jingming is a Xixia spy. Please take a look at it." Zhao Ceying bowed.

"Submit it!" Zhao Zongquan said.

The eunuch behind Zhao Ceying who was holding the account book and giving the confession bowed forward and handed everything in his hand to the eunuch waiting in front of the emperor.

The eunuch sent these to Zhao Zongquan's imperial case.

Zhao Zongquan picked it up and read it slowly. Even after seeing the records of Jiang Jingming's bribery of officials, his expression remained very calm.

After a long time, Zhao Zongquan stopped and said: "I took a look and found that these oral confessions are too vague and cannot be considered as evidence."

"Father, one of the account books records his bribery of officials. In addition, there are problems with his account books."

Zhao Ceying recounted Yuan Wenshao's analysis and said: "Father, these ministers have already sent people to verify. I think the news will come in a few days."

Zhao Zongquan nodded when he heard this and said, "Then you can report to me after you find out everything."

"Father, Jiang Jingming has bribed a large number of officials. I am worried that these people will jump over the wall when they learn that Jiang Jingming has been arrested. I believe that the top priority now is to arrest all these officials," Zhao Ceying said.

Zhao Zongquan heard this and said to the maids and eunuchs in the palace: "Everyone, go out. No one is allowed to come in without my order."

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, the palace maids and eunuchs bowed and left.

Zhao Zongquan stood up and walked to Zhao Ceying and said softly: "These people can't move now."

When Zhao Ceying heard this, he was shocked and said: "My father and these people colluded with the Xixia spies. Jiang Jingming was able to transport a large amount of grain and fine iron to Xixia without anyone noticing. Without the help of these people, it would not have been possible. These people are the worms of the country." , how can we not eliminate it?”

Zhao Zongquan sighed and said: "Ruling a country is different from being a steward and running an army. Among other things, many of them are important ministers, even the Grand Prime Minister is involved. If they are all caught, it will definitely shake up the government and the public, and panic people. "

"Father, it is precisely because many important officials in the court are involved that we cannot let it go. The important officials in the court and even the Grand Prime Minister, the head of the officials, are connected with Xixia. This is really terrible." Zhao Ceying retorted.

"How can it be as simple as you think? I used to think that the emperor was the master of the world and he kept his word. But after I ascended the throne, I realized that it was not that simple. Didn't you complain for Mr. Li at the beginning? You felt that since the late emperor If you choose reform, you should support Prime Minister Li. You should not remove the reform party and compromise like the old guard. Only after I ascend the throne can I understand the mood of the late emperor at that time. Sometimes, for the sake of the overall situation, I have to compromise." Zhao Zongquan sighed. said in a tone.

"Father, how can these two things be compared? At that time, it was just political disagreements, but now they are colluding with foreign enemies. Father can use this incident to clean up the court." Zhao Ceying said.

At that time, he was still young and respected Xianggong Li very much. Later, when Li Daxianggong was demoted, he complained for Li Daxiangong. For this, Zhao Zongquan gave him a beating and refused to let him talk about such a sensitive topic. .

But as he grew older, he gradually understood that failure of reform was not that simple.

The reason why so many people opposed it was because many people's interests were affected, but it also had a lot to do with the fact that the reform was too hasty at that time.

Some people opposed the reform not because of interests, but because the reform had many disadvantages and caused a lot of chaos.

But things are different this time. Those people are colluding with foreign enemies.

"It would be nice if it was as simple as you think. Although I am the emperor now, there is a queen mother holding a jade seal and hanging a curtain to listen to the government. If I touch them, the queen mother will definitely feel that I want to promote my confidants to control the court. How can I agree? "Zhao Zongquan shook his head and said.

"Father, I think the Queen Mother is a sensible person. If I explain the matter to her, she will definitely support it." Zhao Ceying said.

"The Queen Mother is sensible, but the emperor she wants is the kind of emperor who rules the world according to the late emperor's method. She is not satisfied with me. Now my foundation is unstable. If I have a dispute with the Queen Mother, the world will be in turmoil. ." Zhao Zongquan shook his head.

"Is this the case?" Zhao Ceying asked unwillingly.

"Things are not as bad as you think. They accepted Jiang Jingming's benefits, which may not necessarily mean they have taken refuge in Xixia, just for money. Now that they have something in my hands, if I don't pursue it, they will definitely support me in the future. , when I take control of the overall situation, I will have plenty of opportunities to deal with them." Zhao Zongquan sneered.

When Zhao Ceying heard this, a flash of astonishment flashed in his eyes, and he suddenly understood why Zhao Zongquan did not agree to take action against those officials.

Zhao Zongquan said that he did not want to conflict with the Queen Mother because he did not have the strength to fight for power with the Queen Mother.

And once he suppresses this matter, he will have control over these officials. In order to survive, these officials will support Zhao Zongquan in the future.

These officials were the capital for Zhao Zongquan and the Queen Mother to fight for power.

After thinking about this, Zhao Ceying lowered his head, cupped his hands and said, "Father, I understand."

Zhao Zongquan nodded and said: "Your uncle and the others will arrive in Beijing in a few days. When the time comes, you can go out of the city to greet them on my behalf."

"Yes, if my father has no other instructions, I will leave." Zhao Ceying saluted.

"Go." Zhao Zongquan waved his hand.

……

Yuan Wenshao originally thought that there would be a big earthquake after Jiang Jingming was arrested.

However, except for the day when Jiang Jingming was arrested, many officials entered the palace to plead for Jiang Jingming, the rest was very peaceful, as if nothing happened.

Yuan Wenshao originally thought it was because of insufficient evidence, but several days passed without seeing any action.

Yuan Wenshao was teasing his son at home that day. Zhao Ceying sent someone to inform him that he would follow him out of the city to meet the triumphant army early tomorrow morning.

……

Early the next morning, Yuan Wenshao rode to the west gate to meet Zhao Ceying.

This time, in addition to Zhao Ceying, there were also some officials from the Ministry of Rites to greet the triumphant army, and the group left the city in a mighty manner.After leaving the city, Zhao Ceying slowed down her horse, and after Yuan Wenshao came closer, she whispered: "Isn't it strange why you didn't take action against those officials?"

"I am indeed a little surprised. Could it be that Your Highness has not found the evidence yet?" Yuan Wenshao asked.

It stands to reason that the amount, time and location of the money sent are recorded in the account book, so it is easy to find out if you want to check it.

Zhao Ceying shook his head and whispered: "Outside of Prime Minister Han, the evidence of officials in Bianjing who accepted Jiang Jingming's benefits has basically been collected. Not long ago, the rebels rebelled, and many officials were implicated. At this time, the DPRK and the Central Government have already We can’t withstand the turmoil.”

Yuan Wenshao fell silent after hearing this. This reason was too far-fetched, but since Zhao Ceying said this, he must have asked Zhao Zongquan for instructions. He was a military general and it was hard to say much on such matters.

About ten miles out of the city, we stopped. After waiting for about ten minutes, we saw dust in the sky in the distance.

"Play music!" Zhao Ceying said in a deep voice.

Following Zhao Ceying's instructions, solemn drums and melodious horn sounds sounded.

The army stopped two miles away. Shen Congxing, who was wearing armor and a scarlet cloak, led Gu Tingye and the lieutenant general of the army, rode forward, dismounted a few hundred steps away, and came on foot.

When he got close, Shen Congxing held his sword in his left hand, raised his cloak with his right hand, knelt down on one knee, cupped his hands and said: "I was ordered to lead troops to the northwest. Under the leadership of Duke Dingguo, I pushed back Xixia and regained the lost territory. Now I am ordered to lead the army back to the court." !”

"Wan Sheng!"

"Wan Sheng!"

"Wan Sheng!"

After Shen Congxing finished speaking, the army behind cheered in unison, shocking the sky.

After the army slowly calmed down, Zhao Ceying waved his hand, and officials from the Ministry of Rites stepped forward to read the imperial edict.

This imperial edict is to order the army to return to camp and reward the three armies. As for the rewards for Shen Congxing and others, they must be announced in public after entering the palace.

After the imperial edict was recited and Shen Congxing and others saluted, Zhao Ceying stepped forward to help Shen Congxing up and said with a smile: "My father has already held a banquet in the palace. My uncle and the generals will enter the palace before me."

When the army returned to camp, someone made arrangements for it. Shen Congxing and others followed Zhao Ceying to Bianjing.

When he arrived at the palace, Zhao Zongquan led the heroes and officials to worship the Taimiao, and then read out the rewards to everyone.

Shen Congxing had a title, but this time he was only rewarded with some Zhuangzi money. What is intriguing is that the official family did not grant him an official position.

Gu Tingye was given the title of deputy commander of the front department.

The rest of the people also had their own awards. After the awards were read out, Zhao Zongquan held a banquet in the main hall.

By the time the banquet was over, all the civil and military officials were a little tipsy.

Yuan Wenshao also drank a lot. He went home and slept until evening. When he got up, the drunkenness had passed.

"Where's the eldest lady?" Yuan Wenshao handed the towel to Chunhua and asked.

Chunhua took the towel and said, "Back to the master, the eldest lady is taking Sister Wen and Brother Xian to bask in the sun in the garden."

Yuan Wenshao nodded, left the room and headed for the garden.

Hualan was lying on the rocking chair and saw Sister Wen reaching out to touch Brother Xian's face again. She said angrily: "Brother Xian is sleeping. Don't touch him. He will wake up later and it's time to cry again."

As soon as Sister Wen touched her brother's face, her mother quickly pulled her back and said strangely: "Mom, my brother was wrinkled before. Why is he like this now? His face is smoother than mine."

"That's because he's still young."

Yuan Wenshao came over and smiled after hearing Sister Wen's words.

"Keep your voice down, sir. Brother Xian didn't sleep much in the afternoon. If he wakes up, he'll cry again." Hua Lan said.

"You didn't let him sleep a long time ago, and now you let him have a full sleep, and he will be tormented again at night."

Even so, Yuan Wenshao lowered his voice.

Looking at his sleeping son, he reached out and pinched his face.

"Why are you like Sister Wen, you always like to pinch his face." Hua Lan opened his hand angrily.

Yuan Wenshao smiled coquettishly and said, "Isn't it just because of his cuteness?"

"Dad, you said you would let me go to school after the New Year. The New Year is over, when can I go to school?" Sister Wen asked, hugging his leg.

Yuan Wenshao pinched her face and said with a smile: "Wouldn't it be better to stay at home with your mother and brother?"

Sister Wen tilted her head and avoided her father's hand, saying, "No, mother has to take care of my younger brother. My younger brother is always crying. It's annoying to death. It's not fun at all."

"The Lantern Festival will be in two days. The Haijia Private School will not start until the Lantern Festival. I will send you there then." Yuan Wenshao said with a smile.

"Really?" Sister Wen's eyes lit up when she heard this.

"Of course it's true." Yuan Wenshao smiled and rubbed Sister Wen's head.

"Daddy hates it." Sister Wen pushed her father's hand away and ran away angrily.

Yuan Wenshao was chatting with Hua Lan when Zhang An came over and saluted, "My lord, Marquis Weibei and Commander Gu are here."

"How did they come?"

Yuan Wenshao was stunned when he heard this and asked: "Where is he now?"

"We have been led to the front hall." Zhang An said.

"Madam, it's getting late. You should take Brother Xian back to your room first. I'll go over and take a look." Yuan Wenshao said.

"Well, officials, go quickly. See if you want to keep them for dinner. Let me know so I can arrange for people to prepare." Hua Lan said.

"Ah."

Yuan Wenshao nodded and took Zhang An to the front hall.

"Haha, Marquis Weibei and Zhonghuai are here. I'm sorry if I miss you from afar." Yuan Wenshao walked into the front hall with a smile.

Gu Tingye stood up and said, "We were going to have a drink at Fan Lou. When Marquis Weibei learned that your home is here, he wanted to ask you to come with him."

Yuan Wenshao saw that Shen Congxing looked wrong and wondered, "What's wrong with Marquis Weibei?"

Gu Tingye winked at Yuan Wenshao and said, "He is in a bad mood. Let's go have a drink with him and get drunk."

Yuan Wenshao seemed to understand something when he heard this and said, "Why don't you drink at my house? I'll have someone send you some food and wine."

"You can drink anywhere, as long as you have wine." Shen Congxing said.

"Then I'll ask someone to make arrangements."

Yuan Wenshao called Zhang An and gave instructions.

(End of this chapter)