Chapter 516

Min Sheng took the candlestick on the table to him, quenched the silver needle on the fire, twisted the tail of the needle, and inserted the silver needle through the gap in the wooden box.

I didn't dare to put too much force on my hand. I only stirred gently. Soon I heard a click and the box opened.

Si Chen Chen quickly looked at the box and saw that there were several pieces of paper stacked neatly inside. Take out and open, write down the corresponding place and number of times.

It is clear to both sides that this is the document of smuggling.

After looking at it, she found that according to the time recorded on the documents, there had been two small records of smugglers' salt. She estimated that the farmer Ling Yu saw at the gate of the city yesterday was one of the escorts.

The next shipment time recorded on the document is only one day away. They have already mastered the specific time of the joint, and in order to avoid scaring the snake, Si Chenchen and Min Sheng put the box back intact behind the landscape painting in the wooden house. Prepare for tomorrow.

In the afternoon of the next day, the two men came to the wooden house early, looked around and no one was there, and then they stepped into the house. Hiding in the corner behind the inconspicuous curtain waiting for dark.

After waiting for about three sticks of incense, no one came. She fell asleep and yawned.

At this time, the wooden door issued a slight "creak" sound, two people look nervous at the same time, holding their breath to gaze at the door. Four or five men in black swarmed through the door, standing on the other side of the statue in order.

At this time, the outermost man in black is only one punch away from Si Chenchen's hiding place. Si Chenchen holds his breath and dare not make a sound, for fear that his hiding place will be found.

The head man in black gently turned the finger of the Buddha, and the dull mechanical rotation sound was particularly loud in the extremely silent room. After a moment, four or five people in black entered the open secret passage under their eyes and disappeared into the thick ink.

Si Chenchen and Min Sheng didn't make a rash move. They waited for a cup of tea, until the man in black returned to the house and walked out from behind the curtain.

She breathed a sigh of relief. The clothes of the men in black were the same as when they were attacked that day. Si Chenchen also understood the reason why they were chased several days ago.

It was the time of shipment on the documents that day. Wen Qihua and I happened to bump into the man in black who came to pick up the goods. In order to prevent the secret from being disclosed, they wanted to kill people.

In other words, the secret of this crack is really enough to hide people's eyes. I have just been away from the distance of only a foot, but I still haven't seen the mystery. Where was the secret passage just now?

Thinking of this, she went forward two steps to carefully examine the right hand palm of the Buddha, and it was really fishy. The second finger of the Buddha has a trace of activity at the beginning. If you don't observe it carefully, you can't find it.

She slowly turned the mechanism like a man in black. Eyebrow a pick, become. With a dull sound, a floor beside the foot slowly cracked a crack that allowed a person to pass by sideways.

Min Sheng leaned down and saw a spiral stone ladder. Two people look at each other, Si Chen Chen raises a foot to be about to take the lead, Min Sheng a seized her.

In order to prevent accidents, a torch was thrown from the hole. The light fell down the stone ladder to the bottom. At the end of the ladder was a locked door.

After waiting for a while, the two entered the secret passage one by one.

The air was not as wet and dry as I thought. No, I went to the gate.

Min Sheng took the silver needle out of his sleeve. Compared with the tightly fitted wooden box, the door lock was much easier. When the door was opened, you could see a huge warehouse with lights on the four corners and miscellaneous tools and discarded wood in the corner.

However, the most eye-catching is the warehouse in the middle of a dense pile of sacks. The arrangement is neat, reflecting the weak oil lamp, and the mouth of the tightly tied sack is suffused with bright white light.

Si Chen Chen turns his head and exchanges his eyes with Min Sheng. They go to the sack pile in tacit agreement, and untie the bags one by one with their hands and feet.

As expected, the whole room was full of official salt smuggled from the coastal areas. The warehouse hidden in the underground of the Buddha statue is the most powerful evidence of smuggling by the governor of the south of the Yangtze River.

After discovering the secret, they quickly went back to their residence and made a fake document according to the original form in the wooden box, and quietly dropped the bag.

Back to Wen Qihua's side, even though Ling Yu and the dark guards found out the secret of the situation of the governor of the south of the Yangtze River transporting official salt, they could not be convicted because of the lack of solid hammer. The investigation seemed to have reached a deadlock.

Now, the deadline for the investigation is approaching. If there is no progress, we will not be able to hand over the work when we return to Beijing. Wen Qihua's previous oath with Emperor Wu will not be fulfilled.

He sat upright in the room, his fingers stroking the exquisite teacup, his eyes resting on the rippling water surface of tea, and his thoughts became more and more distant.

How on earth can we get a solid evidence of smuggling without scaring the snake? The governor of the south of the Yangtze River has a strong background and a prominent family background. Since he took office, all the officials under his command have followed his lead and made the common people miserable.Even if there were several powerful families living in seclusion in the south of the Yangtze River, they did not openly oppose the governor.

Yes, aristocratic family. Wen Qihua put the cup on the table, and it suddenly opened.

In recent days, I have been trying to find out the clues of the smuggling case from outside, and have forgotten the biggest chip of the Wen family. From the generation of Wen family, from official to Wen Qihua's father, he became the prime minister. All the civil and military officials in the Manchu Dynasty treated each other with courtesy and were afraid of three points.

The Wen family is the first of several aristocratic families in Jiangnan area. Although he did not participate in the official salt smuggling case, it was difficult to guarantee that the governor of the south of the Yangtze River at that time attracted the Wen family in order to help people.

At the thought of this, Wen Qihua's frown widened slightly. "Lingyu." Hearing the voice, the confidant respectfully stood in front of him and whispered, "what's your command?"

After listening to his plan, Pei Ling Yu had to look at his plan and admire him deeply.

After Ling Yu was ordered to retire, the tea in Wen Qihua's hand was also cold. He splashed it on the ground and took up the teapot for another drink.

This time, in any case, we can firmly grasp the handle of the governor of the south of the Yangtze River. He looked out the window at the night, and his eyes were full of satisfaction.

The good days of these officials who are earning money without conscience are coming to an end.

...

Wen family mansion. Located in the bustling downtown area of the south of the Yangtze River, a large house with seven entrances and seven exits. The courtyard is guarded by close soldiers. The high gate courtyard is solemn and solemn. It is an existence that ordinary people can not expect.

There are hundreds of servants in Wen's house alone, and the fruits and vegetables collected every day are enough to support several farmers.

In the south of the Yangtze River, the Wen family has been an official in the dynasty for generations, and its position can not be underestimated. Its sphere of influence, large and small, has affected the whole territory. Moreover, the network of Wen family's relations is also complicated. Besides, the two prime ministers of the dynasty came from them. So let's not say the south of the Yangtze River, the Wen family is still in the limelight.

As the old saying goes, there is no rat in the gate. In addition to Wen Qihua and his father, there were many officials in the dynasty, and many of them had important positions. Because of this, no one dared to offend the Wen family.

Wen Qihua's favorable chip that night was Wen Ting, a distant cousin of his family who served as salt transportation envoy in Muchuan, a subordinate area of the south of the Yangtze River.

Jiangnan area is located in the inland, if you want to smuggle salt, you must buy salt envoys from the surrounding coastal areas, and use the way of drawing to attract them into the gang, so that they can be used for their own use.

Although smuggling has risks, the vast majority of the officials involved in the smuggling have a kind of fluke mentality, and they covet the attractive rewards that are available at hand.

Since the governor of the south of the Yangtze River had such a large amount of official salt, the salt transporters around him must have been attracted.

Wen Qihua gambled with his own guess. After the report of Wen's family's eye liner, he decided that the distant cousin who had served as a salt operator did not receive bribes, which had nothing to do with the smuggling case.

Then he ordered Lingyu, his confidant, secretly brought him a message and invited him to get together in the mansion. At the same time, he had important matters to discuss with him. After a while, Ling Yu covered everyone's eyes and ears and took him back to Wen Qihua's residence.

Wen Qihua had a good impression of his cousin when he was in the south of the Yangtze River. He was upright, not flattering and daring to tell the truth at a critical time.

Also because of their own integrity has offended many people. But Wen Qihua appreciated him very much.

After the two exchanged greetings, after inquiry, it was learned that the governor of the south of the Yangtze River had indeed sent someone to find him a month ago, and tried to attract him with 30% of the bonus per order.

However, I don't know that this person is upright and honest by nature. Even if the other party is his immediate superior, he doesn't sell his face at all and refuses.

Although he had no choice but to block his own way of making money, the governor of the south of the Yangtze River made a lot of obstacles to him and wore many small shoes.

Things are really moving in the direction of their own judgment. It's a good sign. While listening to Wen Ting's indignant complaints, Wen Qihua also has a heart to worry about.

He personally picked up the teapot and served a cup of tea for the thirsty Wen Ting. He lowered his eyes and could not see the deep thoughts in his heart. "What kind of letter or material evidence did the governor of the south of the Yangtze River draw you in?" he asked casually

Wenting looked down and thought for a moment, as if to himself, murmured, "at that time, I rejected the visitor sent by the governor, but I did not remember whether he had left a letter or not." Then he shook his head as sure as he did.

Wen Qihua couldn't help mentioning that "since there is no letter, then you should think about what benefits he has promised you. If you change sides in the future, it can be used as a keepsake."

The salt transporter lowered his head and thought for a while. Suddenly it dawned on me and patted my head, "yes, I remember that. It seems that the envoy left a jade pendant before he left. I'm told to keep it safe. If I have other ideas in the future, I can go to the residence of the governor of the south of the Yangtze River to find someone else. "

Wen Qihua raised his mouth and said, "have you ever carried this jade pendant with you?"

Wenting untied his pocket with his back hand and searched for a moment. His eyebrows were relaxed and he had a small and exquisite jade in his hand. That day, I put it into the pocket, which I didn't want to use.Wen Qihua took over the jade pendant and played with it. It's wonderful. After so many days of investigation and secret investigation, we can get the result. With this material evidence, together with the documents found by the boss's anger and Min Sheng, it is enough to take off the top flower feathers of the officials involved in the case.

Ling Yu is arranged to see Wenting off. Wen Qihua calls for Si Chenchen to discuss with Min Sheng about the next plan.

Now that the evidence has been collected, we will be able to return to Beijing soon. But there's also a drain bottle around. Mention this nine princess, Si Chen Chen Chen headache.

Going south for a few days, I tried my best to avoid meeting with the ninth princess. However, it always backfired. The ninth princess wanted to stay by Wen Qihua for various reasons, which made Wen Qihua very upset. More and more indifferent to her.

Nine Princess seems to blame everything to the present, this division adult's head, to her cross eyebrow cold. I'll make trouble for her whenever I have a chance.

Si Chenchen was afraid that she would find out her true identity. She never argued with the ninth princess. She just wanted to calm things down. I want to take a detour when I meet in the house.

Nine Princess see her this pair of timid and tiny appearance, more proud, on the contrary, even more severely hinder her.

Now, when we return to Beijing, we can get rid of the oil bottle temporarily. After informing the ninth princess, the party rushed to the capital overnight with the collected evidence.

Min Sheng is also accompanied by Si Chen and Chen all the way, which makes Wen Qihua feel unhappy, but he doesn't show it.

The mood of returning to Beijing was different from that when I came to Beijing. I gave up my previous worries and anxieties. I thought of seeing Teng Ge'er immediately, and thinking of the fortune teller that could be reopened again. On the way, Si was angry and angry, humming and singing songs. I just felt that there was scenery everywhere.

After returning to Beijing, the party did not delay and immediately went into the palace to report the harvest to Emperor Wu.

Emperor Wu looked at the smuggling documents handed over by Si Chen Chen with a gloomy face, and his anger gushed out. These lawless things are so rampant under the emperor's feet, but he has not paid attention to him!

Emperor Wu held the tissue paper in his hand, and his fingers tightened and turned white. With a big hand, he waved down a kind of blood swallow which was sent by Princess Liu huifei to the ground. The crisp sound of fragmentation was accompanied by an angry rebuke from Emperor Wu: "it's ridiculous!" Startled to stand in front of the division Chen Chen an exciting spirit. Although it was not her fault, there was an air field so strong that she could not breathe that she lowered her head down again.

The maidservant, who originally held a red swallow jar in her hand, was frightened by the sudden anger and fell on the ground The emperor will not be angry

Emperor Wu's eyes fell on the ground on the fragmented carved glass, and did not make a sound. When Si Chen Chen couldn't help but secretly observe his expression, there was a sonorous and firm voice from father-in-law in his ear, "come on, let's drag it down and deal with it."

...

"spare your life, Emperor!" The earthy faced maidservant yelled in surprise, and watched the maid who had been scared into a pool of mud was dragged out of the hall door by two bodyguards. A layer of cold sweat had already appeared on the forehead of Si Chenchen and Min Sheng.

To accompany a gentleman is like a tiger. This is true.

Ignoring the screams, Emperor Wu ordered Duke Li to send the Minister of punishment into the palace, and ordered him to take his bodyguards to the south of the Yangtze River immediately to find out the governor's warehouse where the official salt was stored.

In addition, the jade pendant in Wen Qihua's hands was used as material evidence, which proved that the governor of Jiangnan colluded with other officials to smuggle and sell official salt.

Under his own eyes, such collusion between officials and officials for personal gain even occurred, and Emperor Wu's intention of killing became increasingly strong. The Ministry of punishment was ordered to investigate the matter thoroughly.

Zhang Shangshu of the Ministry of punishment is an experienced and capable man. Although his character is uncertain, he is the right-hand assistant of Emperor Wu. He also has to hold real power. Since taking office, he has solved many major cases, which is highly valued by Emperor Wu.

After getting the right to pay the emperor, he boldly examined the local officials. From the direct subordinates of the governor of the south of the Yangtze River, he found many documents of smuggling official salt. The smuggling cases in the whole Jiangnan area have gradually emerged.

After the governor of Jiangnan was arrested and put into prison, he wanted to find out the whereabouts of other documents from his mouth. Unexpectedly, this governor is also a hard bone. He has the posture that a dead pig is not afraid of boiling water.

After years of veteran officialdom, Zhang Shangshu naturally knew how to deal with him.

"My Lord, it's time for your son to go to private school." Zhang Shangshu's tone seems to be full of concern. Only when the governor of the south of the Yangtze River on the opposite side heard this, he seemed to have been stung by a bee. He immediately jumped up from the corner of the thatched area, pulled Zhang Shangshu's collar through the door, and looked into his eyes fiercely. He said word by word,

"if you dare to touch him, I will not forgive you."

Instead of being moved by it, Zhang Shangshu chuckled and said, "Lord Su, your wife and your son are now resting in our house, looking forward to your return."

After hearing this, the defense of Governor Su of Jiangnan collapsed. That's it.

After a few days of following the vines, and the confession of the governor of the south of the Yangtze River, Zhang Shangshu successfully found out the underground interest network, which led to a large number of officials who wanted to take a share in the smuggling case.

After hearing Zhang Shangshu's report, Emperor Wu's face was gloomy. Although the case had been shelved for a long time, no one took over the case. But I didn't expect to involve such a complex network of interests. When he is the emperor is a decoration!On the next day, Duke Li read out an edict in front of civil and military officials. The court dismissed several officials headed by the governor of the south of the Yangtze River, beheaded Lord Su to the public, and filled all the money found by copying his family into the national treasury.

And one vote of local officials involved in the case was demoted and fined a year's salary. warn others against following a bad example.

At that time, the matter was finished, and it was near lunch time.

Emperor Wu ordered him to leave the court, and he left Wen Qihua, Si Chenchen and Min Sheng, which eased the fierce expression just now. Wen ran said,

"Wen Xiang and Mr. Si did their best to help smuggling in the south of the Yangtze River. The master of Min Gu tried his best to help the smuggling in the south of the Yangtze River. To show my appreciation, I have ordered the imperial dining room to prepare a banquet, which can also be regarded as a comfort to your suffering

Several people smell speech, respectfully hang the first line ceremony way, "thank the emperor."

So they followed the maids to Lushui palace. This hall is built in front of Huanyun river behind the imperial garden. The scenery is quiet and beautiful, surrounded by luxuriant flowers and trees.

This was originally the place where the emperor received foreign envoys. Now the banquet is arranged here, which is enough to show the emperor's heart of reward.

A mahogany dragon chair with bright yellow Shu Brocade upholstery was placed on it. In front of him is a long rosewood table, both ends of which are carved into auspicious clouds, which are raised high. This is undoubtedly the throne of Emperor Wu.

Under the chair, two rows of dark brown wood carved patterns were placed on both sides of the chair, and a flower stool of the same color was set up on each side, with cushions of sky blue embroidered unicorn.

Each of the three came down to his own case under the guidance of the maid. When the emperor indicated that they would take their seats, they would salute and sit down. He sat next to Wen Qihua, and Min Sheng sat down opposite him.

A moment later, a line of maids came one after another with mahogany trays and placed dishes on several cases in front of the three people. The clothes, as light as the wind.

Si Chen Chen looked down one by one, and the banquet specially prepared by the emperor was really extraordinary. The exquisite and exquisite plate must be the best in the world.

Phoenix Tail shark's fin, bergamot golden roll, mushroom duck's paw, Douchi dace, etc. are all served in blue and white with rounded corners, with strong fragrance. Vegetables such as fresh mushroom, sweet and sour lotus root, lotus root, lotus leaf swallows, lotus bean curd and other vegetable dishes are served in jade eight edged dishes and placed in four corners of meat dishes.

There are also Sixi dried fruit and four sweet preserved fruits in a slightly smaller circle of carved silver plate, and the Royal meal bean yellow, almond bergamot, sweet scented sugar cake and crispy canary, and each one of a grade of official swallow, mixed with milk and peach blossom tears, put in a white porcelain cup, the hot air is accompanied by milk flavor and light peach blossom aroma.

A few cases are soon covered by a variety of exquisite dishes, bright color mixed with rich aroma, people can not help but stir. The emperor was about to order people to serve wine, but he saw a maid coming up outside the hall and said, "the emperor, the eldest princess is coming."

As soon as the words fell, the eldest princess walked in with a smile. She wore a warm colored gauze skirt and bowed down. When she bowed down, her hairpin swayed and touched slightly, making a slight sound.

"To my father." The eldest princess saluted, and her eyes crossed Wen Qihua and others. She said, "it's said that the father emperor entertained several meritorious ministers today, and the children's ministers specially brought their own wine for you to taste. It's also the daughter's wish."

The emperor was very relieved and said with a loud smile, "of all the sons and daughters, my eldest princess is the most knowledgeable one. It's a coincidence that you came here. I'm going to send someone to fetch the wine. Please take your seat for the eldest princess. Come and eat with your father and the people. "

The eldest princess ordered the maids who came from outside the palace to bring wine. Each of them put a pot on the table. I went to the emperor's case, picked up the wine pot, poured a cup for the Emperor himself, and then went to the empty seat beside Min Sheng.

"This wine is called pear blossom. It's made from the last pear blossom in spring. It tastes mellow, soft in the mouth, and has a faint aroma of pear blossom. " The eldest princess said, "father, please taste it. Mr. Wen, Mr. Secretary, and this one... " The eldest princess looked at Min Sheng with her head on her side. She was stunned for a moment and didn't know what to call her.

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