freenovelworld Chapter 194 Conquer Zuo Dading!
Chapter 194 Conquer Zuo Dading!
With the help of the shrewd and capable Dali Temple Shaoqing Shen Xi, the Prince of Qin, who temporarily took over the position of Dali Temple Chief Minister, only went to the Dali Temple every day and then returned to the Prince of Qin's Mansion to rest and recuperate.
Although the emperor wanted to tire the king of Qin to death, he could not issue an order to force him to sit in the court every day to try cases. He just sent people to the Dali Temple every day to urge him to try and close the case quickly.
Shen Xi was really a capable person. With the evidence brought back by His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin after a thorough investigation, and the dozen corrupt officials brought back, he was able to get to the bottom of the case in just three days. However, he still needed to hear His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin's opinion on how to deal with the officials involved in the case.
After all, this corruption case involved several important officials of the imperial court. According to past practice, when these officials with great power and extensive connections were involved in such corruption cases, even the emperor, who hated official corruption, would eventually punish one or two of them, and the others would be let off lightly.
If the water is too clear, there will be no fish; if the person is too strict, there will be no followers. If corrupt officials are punished according to the law, there will probably be few officials left standing in the court to serve the country.
When His Royal Highness Prince Qin came to the Dali Temple again, Shen Xi handed the completed case file to the prince for review.
After reviewing it briefly, the King of Qin placed the case file on the table and smiled faintly: "Sir Shen, all corrupt officials involved in the Shandong Road case will be severely punished! You should think carefully before making a decision on how to report the officials involved in the case of taking bribes in the court."
Shen Xi was surprised to find that His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin, who had always been upright, clear about right and wrong, and ruthless to corrupt officials, could actually be flexible and tactful.
Shen Xi bowed and asked sincerely, "Your Majesty, I am unsure how to deal with the official involved in the case, so I am waiting for your decision."
King Qin Zhao Defang picked up the teacup and took a sip of the fragrant tea he brought with him, then put the teacup down and pondered for a moment.
"Minister of the Ministry of Revenue Qin Guangnian, take him down! Minister of the Ministry of Revenue Luo Zhongqing has deep roots and it is not easy to take him down with this case. So let's not make this powerful enemy and let him go for now!"
Zuo Dading, the Minister of Works, was a capable man. The amount of bribes he received was not large, so he was bribed to keep it for his own benefit.
Report the others truthfully, and let the emperor figure out how to deal with them!"
After hearing this, Shen Xi knew that His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin completely trusted him as his confidant.
He said with a firm look in his eyes: "I will obey the prince's orders! I will review the case file again and report it according to the prince's wishes."
This smart, capable and loyal Shen Xi was deeply loved by King Qin, who smiled and nodded!
"Good! Tomorrow is the day of the grand court session. After you sort out the case files, I will report them to the emperor. We can take advantage of the competition among the ministers to close the case according to the result we want."
Shen Xi obeys the order!
After respectfully seeing off His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin, he hurriedly re-interrogated several criminals in the cell, coerced and bribed several criminals to re-record their confessions, and then revised the case files.
Shen Xi was busy all day and didn't even have time to eat lunch. Finally, according to the prince's instructions, he re-interrogated several corrupt officials involved in the case, hinted that they changed some of their confessions, and revised the case file. Then he got on the carriage and went home exhausted.
Shen Xi closed his eyes and rested in the carriage, thinking about the demeanor of His Royal Highness Prince Qin when he was investigating a case in Jiangnan, and his determination to admire and follow him became even stronger!
Shen Xi used to hold a low official position and was an honest official, so the Shen Mansion was just a two-story courtyard.
The carriage turned into the alley and arrived in front of the Shen Mansion. Shen Xi got off the carriage. Looking up, he saw an ordinary-looking carriage without any Hui mark parked in front of the door.
The curtain of the carriage was lifted, and a man of medium build came out.
: "Brother Shen, you are finally back. I have been waiting for you here for most of the day."
Shen Xi was delighted. The prince's instruction to punish the Minister of Works Zuo Dading and recruit him for personal use was about to happen.
He stepped forward to greet her, "Oh! It's Master Zuo. Master Zuo has been waiting outside my house for a long time. What's the urgent matter?"
Zuo Dading was about forty years old, with a square face and eyes that were a little evasive under his drooping brows. His guilty expression made it clear at a glance that he must have done something wrong.
Zuo Dading bowed again, a wry smile on his lips: "Brother Shen, how about we go into the mansion to talk?"
"Master Zuo, please!"
Zuo Dading followed Shen Xi into the Shen Mansion with a heavy heart.
Shen Xi brought Zuo Dading directly into the study. The maid brought in tea and then bowed and left.
Shen Xi sat on the fishing platform, and after serving the tea, he waited quietly for the fish to bite the hook.
Zuo Dading was feeling anxious, but he didn't know how to start. His face turned red. Hiding his emotions, he picked up the teacup, took a sip, and finally found a topic to talk about!
"Good tea! I didn't expect Brother Shen to be an expert in tea art. This is the first time I've seen a way to drink tea like this. Where did Brother Shen buy it?"
Shen Xi secretly laughed in his heart. This Minister of Works, who was one level higher than him and ten years older, used to be arrogant and looked down upon. But today, he repeatedly addressed Shen as "Brother Shen" and was very humble. It was true that even the most arrogant person could lower himself when he needed help!
Shen Xi held the teacup and took a sip of the fragrant tea, then slowly put the teacup down and smiled slightly!
“To be honest with you, Lord Zuo, my unique tea was generously given to me by the Princess of Qin when I was investigating a case in Jiangnan.
The princess gave me three pounds of tea, but I usually don’t drink it casually. I only brew a pot of tea when distinguished guests come to visit.”
With the beginning of the conversation, Zuo Dading's uneasy and reserved mood gradually settled down, and his awkward expression became much more natural.
“The Princess of Qin is truly a prodigy!
Everything she makes, whether it is food or supplies, is unique and special.
Has the Princess of Qin sold this tea? If it is available, Brother Shen, please don’t forget me, a tea lover.”
Shen Xi put down the teacup again, glanced at Zuo Dading opposite him, and lowered his eyes to look at the teacup in his hand.
"Master Zuo is still thinking of buying this kind of tea made by Princess Qin?
Even if Princess Qin opens a tea shop in the near future, will Lord Zuo still have a chance to buy some?"
Zuo Dading was startled when he heard this!
He stood up and bowed, his face panicked and anxious: "Brother Shen, please save me once! My wife gave birth to a fat son for me two months ago.
The Zuo family, which has been a single-line family for three generations, now has a successor. I... I, as a father, cannot go to jail!"
As he spoke, Zuo Dading's eyes turned red and his voice choked!
Shen Xi stood up, helped him sit on the chair, and patted his shoulder!
"His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin dragged his sick body to the Dali Temple today. After reading the files, he said that you, Lord Zuo, are a man of great talent. It was probably because of a moment of confusion that you committed the crime of corruption and bribery.
If you are dismissed from office and imprisoned, it will be a huge loss to the agricultural irrigation construction project of the Song Dynasty.
He specifically ordered me to re-examine several criminals, inducing them to change their confessions and revise the case files.
"Master Zuo, the prince and I took great risks to keep you, a talent in water conservancy engineering!"
Zuo Dading's heart suddenly relaxed and he burst into tears of gratitude!
He stood up and knelt down in the direction of the Prince Qin's Palace!
With tears streaming down his face, he choked and said, "Your Highness the Prince of Qin actually came to my rescue in secret. I never expected that!
With such great kindness, Zuo Dading will definitely repay His Majesty the Prince of Qin with all his heart and soul!"
Shen Xi laughed secretly in his heart, but with a serious face he reached out and helped him up.
"Master Zuo! The prince said that as long as you can contribute to the water conservancy projects of the Song Dynasty, it will be the best reward for him!"
Zuo Dading felt even more ashamed!
"Of course, of course! As long as I am in the position of Minister of Works, I will dedicate my life to the water conservancy projects of the Song Dynasty to repay His Majesty the Prince of Qin for his great kindness!"
Shen Xi asked Zuo Dading, who was still sighing, to sit down again and poured him another cup of tea.
“Brother Zuo, His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin has been very kind to me.
Mr. Shen was demoted because he was implicated in the assassination of the fourth prince and was unable to solve the case. He then spent his days in depression hiding at home.
It was His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin who took the opportunity of investigating a case in Jiangnan to make a request to the Emperor and promoted me to the Dali Temple.
The strange case of the disappearance of young children in the south of the Yangtze River was solved by the wise and brave Prince Qin, who risked his life and entered a dangerous place.
Because of this case, the Princess of Qin was almost used as a medicine cauldron by the evil Taoist priest. His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin and his uncle, the Ghost Hand Poison Doctor, almost lost their lives!
The Shadow Guards of Prince Qin's Palace also suffered heavy losses in this battle!
However, Mr. Shen was awarded the title of Shaoqing of Dali Temple for his contribution in solving the case. It is really shameful!
His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin is selfless and broad-minded. It is only because he cherishes talents that he always risks being suspected by the Emperor to protect those of us who have special skills!
We should remember the great kindness of the prince in our hearts! When we have the opportunity to repay the prince one day, don't forget it!"
Zuo Dading's expression became serious!
"Brother Shen! If Zuo loses his conscience, he is worse than pigs and dogs! My precious son will also be punished!"
Shen Xi was secretly happy again!
It's done! Zuo Dading, who had a son at an old age, dared to swear on his precious son that he would follow the prince wholeheartedly to repay his kindness. ...
Zuo Dading finally slept well tonight, but several other court officials who had guilty consciences were all terrified and unable to sleep all night.
I wonder how the King of Qin, who has always been ruthless and ruthless to corrupt officials, will bring the law to their heads during the court tomorrow!
I wonder if the Emperor will give a lenient punishment, as he did in the Yingzhou disaster relief corruption case, and only severely punish and exile the Left Prime Minister Zhao Pu, who disgusts the Emperor, and show leniency to other ministers?