White-robed Minister

0027 [All are excellent actors]

Wang Yuanbi's methods of handling cases, though somewhat simplistic and crude, were indeed effective.

The torture continued from day to night, with screams coming and going intermittently, and confessions were quickly produced.

In order to receive rewards, rank-and-file soldiers eagerly denounced their superiors, sometimes even resorting to fabrication. Some of their confessions were obviously false, so absurd as to be laughable.

Inside the passenger cabin of a commercial vessel.

Xu Lai, Yang Shu, and Yu Shanyuan are eating sweet dumplings (glutinous rice balls).

Winter Solstice Festival!

"The officials of Qingyuan County must be extremely busy today," Xu Lai said, chewing on a glutinous rice ball.

Yu Shanyuan said, "With the arrival of the superior official and the winter solstice upon us, they certainly have to serve him well. Especially Wang, the registrar, whose fourth term as acting official is about to end. Even if he has not committed any wrongdoing, he still needs the grain transport department to send him off."

"Release?" Xu Lai hadn't expected this word.

Yu Shanyuan explained:

"It refers to the process of issuing certificates. There are three stages for the acting official position of a candidate who has passed the provincial examination: acting official in the next stage, acting official in the regular stage, and acting official in the stage of issuing certificates."

"Registrar Wang has already survived the first two and is currently in the stage of being transferred to a temporary post. If the Transport Commissioner refuses to transfer him, he will never be able to become a selected official. Judge Chen, who has come this time, is just the right person to transfer him."

Goodness, after more than ten years of working as a temporary worker, he finally met someone who could guarantee him a permanent position.

You'd have to lick it to death!

Xu Lai asked curiously, "What about Magistrate Shen? He's also an acting official."

Yu Shanyuan said with a smile, "Magistrate Shen is a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), so his starting point was being selected as a candidate. Registrar Wang toiled for more than ten years just to obtain the status of a candidate; this is the highest he can achieve in his life."

In other words, the starting point of Magistrate Shen's career was the end point of Registrar Wang's career.

Yang Shu interjected, "If Magistrate Shen is deemed to have rendered meritorious service this time, all it takes is Judge Chen's recommendation to remove the 'acting' title from his position as acting magistrate."

Xu Lai suddenly realized: "No wonder those two were only superficial in flattering Wang Yuanbi, but went to great lengths to please Judge Chen. I thought they looked down on eunuchs, but it turns out there's more to it than meets the eye."

After chatting for a few more minutes, Yu Shanyuan said to Yang Shu, "Magistrate Shen has already said that tomorrow you will be provided with additional escort troops and laborers, and the shipping vessels can resume operations at any time."

"Finally, we can go!"

Yang Shu was filled with emotion, feeling an indescribable sense of relief.

Yu Shanyuan said, "I'll also take your merchant ship."

"Brother Ti Ren, why aren't you staying in Qingyuan as a staff member?" Yang Shu asked.

Yu Shanyuan explained, "The New Year is approaching, and I need to go back to my hometown. I'll bring the books from home with me so I can work as an advisor to Magistrate Shen while also studying for the imperial examinations."

Xu Lai put down his spoon, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Then I wish Brother Jiezhi success in his exam preparation, and Brother Tiren success in passing the imperial examination soon!"

Yang Shu smiled and said, "Perhaps the three of us can become Juren (successful candidates in the provincial examination) in the same year and Jinshi (successful candidates in the imperial examination) in the same year."

"Hahaha!"

Yu Shanyuan laughed loudly: "If we can all become Jinshi in the same year, the whole of Guangdong will be in an uproar. Just look at last year's exam, Guangdong didn't produce a single Jinshi."

In those days, it was quite normal for scholars from Guangdong to fail the imperial examinations in Beijing.

Just as they were laughing and joking, Yang Shu's elder brother, Yang Xun, ran over and called out happily, "Thirteenth Brother, quickly grab your weapon and come with me to the official ship to see the angel."

"Weapons?" Yang Shu didn't understand.

Yang Xun quickly explained, "Today is the Winter Solstice, and the county magistrate and the registrar are entertaining two distinguished guests. The angel, in high spirits, summoned Chen Xiuqi for questioning, wanting to know how the salt bandits were defeated that night. Chen Xiuqi told us about you and me, and the angel then sent someone to summon us over. He specifically instructed us to bring weapons."

Xu Lai reminded him, "Brother Jie, when you get there, don't lose your temper."

Yang Shu sighed softly, "Ah, I know. Bringing weapons along is just like being an entertainer, brandishing swords and knives to amuse them. Since the angels want to see it, I'll perform; I can even sing a song."

The proud and arrogant Yang Shisanlang has finally matured after being repeatedly beaten down by society.

……

Another day has passed.

Chen Congyi and Wang Yuanbi sat facing each other, with the interrogation confessions placed beside them.

Wang Yuanbi spoke first: "I'm just here to observe; saying anything more would be overstepping my authority. How the case proceeds is up to Minister Chen."

Chen Congyi thought to himself: These confessions were all obtained through coercion and inducement. Do you even know what it means to overstep your authority?

"Since the angels are involved, why don't we go back to Guangzhou together to continue the trial?" Chen Congyi suggested.

Wang Yuanbi, however, was unwilling to get involved in the mess and immediately stated: "I have to return to the capital every year to report on my work and to the officials in person what I have seen and heard in the local area. This year, the winter solstice has already passed, so it is really inconvenient for me to return to Guangzhou."

Chen Congyi could only say, "Since that's the case, then we won't delay the angels any longer."

In fact, Shen Zhigao and Huang Bao did not implicate many officials. They mainly bribed the Guangdong Circuit Inspector and partnered with certain salt merchants to sell smuggled salt every year.

But if this matter is thoroughly investigated, the entire inspection and salt transportation system in Guangdong will be finished!

Even some of Chen Congyi's subordinates were going to be involved.

The Chief Justice will eventually be caught.

The true purpose of Yu Jing, Cai Kang, and Chen Congyi was not to investigate and punish a large number of officials, but to rectify the Guangdong officialdom and eliminate long-standing malpractices while maintaining overall stability in Guangdong.

The robbery of the imperial convoy was merely a starting point.

The more officials involved this time, the easier it will be for Yu Jing and Cai Kang to take action: forcing officials in various government departments to support their reforms!

Who would dare not support it?

Then let's handle this officially and arrest him for questioning.

Of course, the inspectors of Qingyuan County couldn't handle such a major case as the theft of the imperial convoy. Several people in Guangzhou would definitely have to be dealt with, and the unfortunate individuals chosen couldn't be too high-ranking or too low-ranking officials.

The first person to be dealt with is the Guangdong Road Inspection Officer—the direct supervisor, the main recipient of bribes, and a military officer.

Chen Congyi was chatting with Wang Yuanbi at this moment simply to probe his intentions and find out how the eunuch would report the case to the emperor after returning to the capital.

However, it's not convenient to ask directly about such things, otherwise it would be tantamount to spying on the emperor's secrets.

Chen Congyi tested the temperature and poured hot wine for Wang Yuanbi with a smile, hoping that the other party would "let slip the secret" while drunk.

Wang Yuanbi deliberately beat around the bush: "Those Yang brothers are truly remarkable. Although they are both scholars, they are skilled in archery and horsemanship, and also possess martial arts prowess. This morning by the river, Yang Shu hit the bullseye from dozens of paces away!"

Chen Congyi could only agree: "Indeed, he is skilled in both literature and martial arts."

"His elder brother, Yang Xun, is also quite skilled; he wields the stick with great flair. The stick is reinforced with wrought iron at both ends, and he can smash stone slabs with a single blow. No wonder he was able to repel the salt bandits that night." Wang Yuanbi seemed only interested in such matters.

Chen Congyi said, "Since the angel values ​​him so highly, then I will recommend Yang Xun for the position of military officer."

Wang Yuanbi secretly accepted money from Yang Xun. He was known in Guangzhou for his willingness to help others if he took the money.

However, after Wang Yuanbi finished his business, he continued to wander around in circles.

Chen Congyi was completely exasperated and sat there drinking alone in silence.

Wang Yuanbi staggered to his feet and strolled back to his room. As he stepped out of the cabin, he suddenly turned back and said, "Please tell Minister Cai that I greatly respect him."

Chen Congyi had been waiting for these words, so he stood up, bowed, and said, "Thank you, angel."

Why did this eunuch respect Cai Kang?

Because Cai Kang and the Crown Prince were both teacher and friend, and the Emperor had fallen ill several times this year!

……

The angel was returning to the capital to report on his duties, and all the officials of Qingyuan County came to see him off.

Xu Lai was naturally among those seeing them off.

After bidding farewell to the officials, Wang Yuanbi surprisingly asked Xu Lai privately, "Third Brother Xu, didn't you prepare any farewell gift for me?"

What, does this have to do with me?

Seeing everyone looking at him, Xu Lai forced himself to say, "I am poor and have nothing of value. I had intended to present you with a poem, but I am saddened by our parting and have come up with nothing to say."

"Come closer, let's talk more," Wang Yuanbi said with a mischievous smile.

Xu Lai didn't understand what he meant, but subconsciously took two steps forward.

Wang Yuanbi took Xu Lai's hand and said loudly, "Study hard for the imperial examinations; you have the talent to become the top scholar."

Xu Lai was a bit confused and completely bewildered.

Chen Congyi couldn't understand it either, wondering what was wrong with this eunuch.

The investigating officials from Guangzhou, as well as the local officials from Qingyuan County, all looked at Xu Lai, wondering why the angel valued him so highly.

"Hahaha!"

Wang Yuanbi laughed loudly several times, then turned around, boarded the boat, and left.

"Saburo, see you next year!"

Yu Shanyuan and Yang Shu clasped their hands in farewell and took their leave.

The two followed Wang Yuanbi onto the ship and carefully escorted him into the passenger cabin.

Yang Shu walked into another cabin and said in a low voice, "Does he really value Xu Sanlang that much? He actually praised him as a top scholar in public."

Yu Shanyuan shook his head and said, "This person is definitely not as simple as he seems. He can't possibly be fooled by Xu Sanlang."

"Forget it, I won't think about him anymore," Yang Shu lay down to rest. "Anyway, that eunuch is going back to the capital soon. He might be replaced as the next eunuch in charge of the imperial examinations."

Weigh anchor and row.

The boatmen chanted their work songs as they slowly pulled the boat along.

Wang Yuanbi had a private cabin, which contained four boxes of various sizes.

He made all of it in Guangdong!

Chen Xiuqi, the military officer in charge of escorting the imperial convoy, has truly escaped a desperate situation. Now, in addition to being responsible for escorting the imperial convoy, he has also been given a new mission—to help Wang Yuanbi transport the embezzled and bribed goods to the capital.

Wang Tianshi was highly regarded for his work and promised to help Chen Xiuqi escape punishment through Cai Kang.

But someone must compensate for the lost treasures.

Who will compensate us?

Of course, it refers to the Luo family, a father and two sons, who were killed by salt bandits. Though they are dead, their family still lives on!

A true tragedy of family destruction and death.

Wang Yuanbi took out a bunch of keys and opened the boxes one by one.

Besides gold and silver, there were also spices, jewelry, and other items. He had even decided who should receive a certain gift, and he had to make arrangements with everyone in the palace.

Playing with a string of pearls, Wang Yuanbi was filled with self-satisfaction.

He not only made a fortune this time, but also got involved with Cai Kang. After returning to the capital, he can use this opportunity to secretly get closer to the crown prince.

Yu Jing had already seen Xu Lai's poem "New Thunder" written for him at the West Garden of the Military Command, and was convinced that the poem would be widely circulated. On the way, he heard the line "A young man should have lofty ambitions and consider himself the best among men," and immediately decided to summon Xu Lai and force him to write a poem for him.

They had to write poems praising him.

If Xu Lai was willing to write, Wang Yuanbi would reciprocate by showing great respect for Xu Lai in every way.

These three poems can be compiled into a short story and promoted in Bianliang.

To put it bluntly, Wang Yuanbi wanted to ride on Yu Jing's popularity to establish a positive image for himself. He even wanted to get closer to some civil officials.

Of the four prime ministers today, three are Yu Jing's good friends!

He just said that Xu Lai had the talent of a top scholar, but that was just to add material to the short story.

Of course, it would be even better if Xu Laizhen passed the imperial examination, proving that Wang Yuanbi had the ability to recognize talent and helped impoverished scholars from humble beginnings. Anyway, it was just a casual remark, beneficial without cost, and there was no loss.

How could someone who could be pushed forward by Yu Jing and Cai Kang to help seize the power of the Guangdong Provincial Judicial Commission be a fool?