The next day,
Yangzhou City was sealed.
Ordinary people were allowed to enter but not leave. The children of officials,
They also needed to be carefully examined.
Before the city was sealed,
There was a carriage that went directly to the Xuanmu Panxiang Temple on the outskirts of Yangzhou City.
"Sir,
It's not good,
Yangzhou City is sealed. "Tao Yun hurriedly came over to report.
The Minister of Revenue frowned and looked at the Minister of Justice. Did someone leak the news?
The Minister of Justice also frowned,
To be honest, about the account book,
Only the four of them knew,
Last night,
They had just finished checking the account book,
The city was sealed today, so they had no choice but to suspect,
There was a spy among them.
"Ruhai, Ziteng, the two of you come with me,
The rest of you, stay here and wait for orders, "the Minister of Revenue frowned and said.
"Yes," everyone said respectfully,
Tao Yun was proud,
Looking at this situation,
The Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Justice should suspect Lin Ruhai and Wang Ziteng. It seemed that the governor of Yangzhou was still capable. After the city was sealed, it would not be so easy for the account book to be leaked out. However, in order to avoid trouble, they had to get the account book as soon as possible.
"Ruhai, Ziteng, what do you think about today's matter?" the Minister of Revenue asked.
"There are spies among the other people who noticed the account book," Lin Ruhai's expression was a little bad. These country's vermin had actually been drawn into their midst. What made Lin Ruhai even angrier was that they were clearly the imperial envoys personally appointed by His Majesty, but they were in cahoots with Yangzhou's vermin. When they checked the accounts, Lin Ruhai looked at the deficit on the account book. It was simply shocking, but now, one by one, they still did not know how to restrain themselves.
"Since there's a spy, we have to catch this spy," the Minister of Justice's expression was not very good. Contrary to what Tao Yun thought, the Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Justice still trusted Lin Ruhai and Wang Ziteng very much.
"Before that, we have to go and find trouble with this governor of Yangzhou," the Minister of Revenue sneered.
"Yes," Lin Ruhai and Wang Ziteng said respectfully.
The Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Justice brought Wang Ziteng and Lin Ruhai down. They pointed to the other three ministers and said, "You guys come with us to the governor of Yangzhou. The rest of you stay here and wait for orders." Among the people who stayed, Tao Yun.
"Yes," said Tao Yun. The heavens are helping me.
The Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Justice brought people to the governor's residence. Because there were too many people, they used two carriages. The Minister of Revenue, Lin Ruhai, and two other officials sat in one carriage. The Minister of Justice, Wang Ziteng, and another official sat in the other carriage.
After the Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Justice left, Tao Yun also stood up.
"Where are you going?" An adult asked.
"Naturally, I'm going back to my room to rest. My lord asked us to stay here, but he didn't ask us to sit in the hall and wait. Last night, I had a dream. Now, I'm lacking sleep, so I'm going back to make up for it." After Tao Yun explained, he went straight back to his room.
The other officials felt that Tao Yun's words made sense, so they all went back to their rooms to rest.
Through the door of his room, Tao Yun sensed the movements of the other officials. He was proud. As expected, these officials had all gone back. After all, they had been officials for so many years and had their own pride. How could they be like children, sitting in the hall and waiting like idiots? As long as everyone left, the fault of stealing the account book could not be blamed on him. After all, no one had an alibi.
When the movements outside calmed down, Tao Yun slipped out of his room and walked towards the Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Justice's study. When he arrived at the Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Justice's study, Tao Yun saw the soldier guarding the door. Tao Yun was not surprised. He changed direction and walked towards the back door. Tao Yun, who had been in the Ministry of Works, knew the structure of the study very well. It was as if he could find a gap to listen in on the sounds inside the study.
Under the eaves of the east side of the study, there was a small window that was used as an air vent. This was purposely left behind when the room was built. Tao Yun went in through the small window and began to look for the account book.
The Minister of Justice, who was walking at the back, suddenly said: "Tell the coachman to change direction. We are going back to our residence. This old man forgot something."
"Yes." Wang Ziteng did not care about the surprised look of the other official beside him. He knocked on the door of the carriage and told the coachman to change direction.
"Yes." The coachman immediately stopped the carriage and changed direction.
The Minister of Revenue saw that they were about to reach the Yangzhou Provincial Governor's residence. At this time, the soldiers protecting them came back with news that the Minister of Justice's carriage had returned. The Minister of Revenue faintly expressed that he understood. Then, he continued to let the coachman drive the carriage towards the Yangzhou Provincial Governor's residence. He did not mind the Minister of Justice's sudden departure.
Lin Ruhai's expression was normal. However, the other two officials' expressions were somewhat complicated. The Minister of Justice suddenly fled? No way. The Minister of Justice did not seem like the kind of person who would be forced by the Yangzhou Provincial Governor's power. The other two officials' feelings were extremely complicated.
The Minister of Revenue thought that he alone was enough to cause trouble for the Yangzhou Provincial Governor. The other person naturally had other missions, such as catching the spy. If he was a spy, he would definitely not let him go. The matter had just been exposed and no one had reacted yet. During this period of panic, as long as they had the account book in their hands, they would not be able to cause any big waves. After all, no one was willing to take the risk and give them the account book again.
Thus, in the study, the four of them had discussed. When they were halfway there, the Minister of Justice would go back to catch the spy. He would continue to go to the Yangzhou Provincial Governor's residence and cause trouble for the Yangzhou Provincial Governor. After all, the show had to be completed.
"What wind has blown Official He here? These days, this old man has invited Official He countless times, but Official He always said that he did not have time. I did not expect that you would take the initiative to come today. What a rare guest." Xu Zhao said with a smile.
"Official Xu, why are you sealing the city?" The Minister of Revenue asked coldly.
"So Official He has come to denounce us? Recently, bandits have appeared in Yangzhou City. Quite a few large families have been robbed. Although they are all merchants, these merchants pay quite a bit of tax to the Great Qian Dynasty every year. I can't just ignore them. Don't worry, I won't seal the city for a few days. Once I catch them, I'll naturally release them. "Xu Zhao smiled.
"Official Xu has good methods. I want to see how long you can hold them off. Let's go." The Minister of Revenue had come aggressively and then left exasperatedly.
Xu Zhao looked at the Minister of Revenue's back indifferently. He had done everything he could. He hoped that this time, he would still be able to win.
The Minister of Justice brought Wang Ziteng and the other official back to their residence. As expected, there were no other officials in the main hall. The Minister of Justice directly brought Wang Ziteng and the other official to the study where he and the Minister of Revenue worked.
"Sir, why have you returned?" The soldier guarding the door was curious.
"It's nothing. I just came back to get something."
"Oh, I'll open the door for you."
Tao Yun, who had been rummaging through the room, suddenly heard the Minister of Justice's voice. He turned pale with fright. He hadn't found anything yet. Furthermore, it was too late to leave now. Tao Yun hastily hid behind the Bountiful Treasures Pavilion and tried to find another way out.
The Minister of Justice entered the study and looked around. He raised his eyebrows. As the Minister of Justice, it was easy for him to find small clues. It was obvious that the room had been tampered with. He then looked at the open skylight and couldn't help but smile. "Come out. There are only two or three places that can hide people. Come out yourself and I won't have to do anything."
Wang Ziteng's expression didn't change. However, the other official was extremely surprised.
Tao Yun was anxious and angry. He didn't want to do anything. He felt that the Minister of Justice was trying to trick him.
"Heh, I came back in a hurry. You haven't found anything yet, and the skylight hasn't been closed yet. I think you're still in this room. After all, I've been the Minister of Justice for so many years, so I have some common sense. Do you want to come out yourself, or do you want me to invite you out?" The Minister of Justice said coldly.
The Minister of Justice waited for a while, but there was still no movement. The Minister of Justice said to Wang Ziteng, "Go look for them. There are only a few places."
"Yes." Wang Ziteng directly walked towards the Bountiful Treasures Pavilion.
Opening the cabinet below the Bountiful Treasures Pavilion, he didn't find anyone. Wang Ziteng then looked behind the Bountiful Treasures Pavilion and saw Tao Yun hiding behind it. "Lord Tao, how have you been?" Wang Ziteng said coldly.
Tao Yun walked out hatefully. Seeing the Minister of Justice's confident expression, he suddenly realized, "You did it on purpose. You purposely went out with Lord He and then came back."
"Yesterday, the governor of Yangzhou just returned, and today, he ordered the city to be sealed. We understood that there was a spy among us, and since we have joined the governor of Yangzhou, it means that someone knows about the account book. I am very curious, we did it secretly, so how did you know about the account book?" The Minister of Justice didn't understand. Only the four of them knew about this matter. The four of them weren't spies, so how did Tao Yun know?
Yangzhou had already been sealed off. Even if the two ministers of the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Justice obtained the account book, they wouldn't be able to send it out. Tao Yun had the urge to break the jar. "This official has been in the Ministry of Works before, so I am very clear about the structure of the house. There is a gap in the corner of this house. Although it is blocked by a flower pot, I can still hear the conversation inside the house by hiding in that gap."
"So that's how it is." The Minister of Justice nodded. No wonder.
"Sir, why don't you suspect Lin Ruhai and Wang Ziteng? Instead, you suspect the people among us? You did the account book so secretly, why don't you suspect the two of them? "Tao Yun couldn't understand.
"You will know in the future. Ziteng, suppress him. When we return to the capital, let His Majesty punish him," said the Minister of Justice.
"Yes, sir." Wang Ziteng looked at Tao Yun mockingly. Why didn't he suspect the two of them? Because last night, Lin Ruhai and the Minister of Revenue had already finished checking the account book. To prevent any more accidents, they had sent the account book out in the middle of the night. How could they leave the city when the gate was closed? Weren't there people who sent the account book out? It could only be said that the Heavens were helping them. Yangzhou was bound to collapse. However, the Minister of Justice didn't intend to explain this matter for the time being, which meant that he had to do something else.
The Minister of Justice said that he didn't explain it for the time being because he wanted to hide it from the public. He wanted these people to think that the account book was still in Yangzhou, so they let their guard down. Then it would be easier for the Xue family to escort the account book to the capital. After all, they were in Yangzhou now, which was Xu Zhao's territory. If Tao Yun was rescued and told Xu Zhao about it, the Xue family would encounter many obstacles along the way.
When the Master of the Xue family received the account book from Yangzhou, he immediately urged his men to escort it to the capital. He didn't expect the Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Justice to be so efficient. It didn't take long for them to get the account book. When he thought about it, a few days ago, the Governor of Yangzhou came to win him over. Xue Zhuo was glad that he hadn't been blinded by benefits.
Jia Jing quickly received the things sent by the Xue family from Jinling. He didn't dare to delay and immediately sent them to the palace.
When Tu Chen saw the account book sent by Jia Jing, she didn't even need to discuss it with the officials. She directly issued an imperial edict to the general of the Jiangnan garrison army and ordered him to send the Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Justice to arrest all the people involved in the case and escort them back to the capital.
As soon as the imperial edict was issued, everyone knew that Tu Chen was going to make a move on Jiangnan. Some people started to think about it.
The Mid-Autumn Festival was released, but only the house arrest was lifted. Naturally, Prince Zhongshun, who didn't hold any other position in the imperial court, also received the news. "Teacher, didn't Jia Zheng say that he wants to be transferred to another place?"
"Your Highness, do you mean to let him go to Jiangnan?" Zhang Yunqing immediately understood what Prince Zhongshun meant.
"What do you think, Teacher?" Prince Zhongshun asked.
"Is Jia Zheng willing to do that? Local officials, even those in Jiangnan, are half a level lower than those in the capital. Although it's easier for local officials to gain experience, it's still faster for those in the capital to be promoted. I don't think that Master Jia has the courage and foresight to do that. "Zhang Yunqing didn't think that Master Jia had good taste. If he was sent to another place, he might think that it was harmful to him.
"Tell him what's at stake. He'll agree." Prince Zhongshun wasn't worried about that.
"Since Your Highness has already made up your mind, what are you worried about?" Zhang Yunqing asked.
"Jia Zheng's position was granted by my father, the Emperor. Under normal circumstances, he can't be transferred without the Emperor's permission. However, because of what happened to Duke Rongguo, my father is obviously angry with Jia Zheng. It's easier said than done to make him go to Jiangnan." Prince Zhongshun shook his head.
"I think it's quite simple," Zhang Yunqing said with a smile.
"Oh? Tell me about it. "Prince Zhongshun was curious.
"The one who started it needs to untie it. The Retired Emperor is angry because of Duke Rongguo. If Duke Rongguo begs him, the Retired Emperor will definitely allow it," Zhang Yunqing said.
"But will Duke Rongguo beg him? When I went to Jia Zheng's housewarming banquet, he was so angry that he almost died. I've never met such a pedantic person. If something happens this time, my father will skin me alive. "Prince Zhongshun shook his head. Thinking about this matter made him angry. The Jia Daishan was just an outsider, but his father treated him like that. Even though he was his son, he didn't give him any face. He now understood that he was nothing compared to the Jia Daishan in his father's heart.
"I think that you just need to persuade Jia Zheng. As for how to persuade Duke Rongguo, Your Highness, you have to believe that Jia Zheng will have his own way. When the time comes, whether it succeeds or not has nothing to do with Your Highness. Your Highness only needs to make suggestions," Zhang Yunqing said.
Prince Zhongshun raised his eyebrows and said, "Teacher is right." Prince Zhongshun was pleased.
On the first of September, Jia Min came to Ningguo Province to visit Lin Jinyu as usual.
"The imperial court has already decreed that Uncle Lin will be back soon. Aunt Min, you don't have to worry anymore." Xia Lu looked at Jia Min. Compared to before, there was less worry on her face. Sure enough, a beauty was more beautiful when she was happy.
"Sigh, I just hope that this matter will be settled soon. It's already September. In another month or two, the weather will be even colder. When that time comes, the lake will freeze. It won't be easy to take a boat back from Jiangnan." As long as Lin Ruhai hadn't returned from Jiangnan, Jia Min was still worried.
At this time, Lin Jinyu ran over and hugged Jia Min's leg with a smile on his face.
"Jinyu, you've finished school?" Jia Min bent down and patted Lin Jinyu's head.
"Yes." Lin Jinyu smiled and allowed Jia Min to pat his head.
"Father will be back soon. Jinyu, are you happy?" Jia Min asked.
"Happy." Lin Jinyu nodded his little head.
"Jinyu, where are your Brother Yao and Brother Lian?" Xia Lu asked.
"Brother Yao and Brother Lian went to visit my nephew." Lin Jinyu's eyes had a trace of envy. He also wanted to go, but his mother had finally come over. He wanted to accompany her first and visit his nephew tomorrow. Lin Jinyu was a little sad. His nephew was so fun now. He would snatch things from his hands and cry loudly. However, no matter how hard he cried, there wasn't a single tear in his eyes. Sister-in-law said that his nephew was faking it on purpose.
"Then Jinyu, stay here with your mother and talk." Xia Lu gave Jia Min and Lin Jinyu some space to let the two of them cultivate their relationship.
"Okay." Lin Jinyu nodded. Big Brother said that a man had to protect his woman. He had to protect his mother and sister-in-law well. It was just that Big Brother often snatched sister-in-law from them. This wasn't very good.
Xia Lu gave Jia Min a look and walked out. Her son now had two small teeth and could crawl. He was especially arrogant now. In his house, the floor was covered with fur. His house was his territory. Then, he was like an animal territory, taking the whole house into his territory. Everything in the territory, including people, belonged to him. As long as someone said that they wanted to take this thing away or take that person away, he would start crying loudly.
After Xia Lu left, Jia Min wanted to carry Lin Jinyu to sit on her lap, but she was rejected by Lin Jinyu righteously. "I'm already a man. I can't be carried by others. Only children let others carry them."
Lin Jinyu's childish voice made Jia Min's heart burst with joy. "But, in Mother's eyes, you're just a child. Moreover, you're only three years old. You're a child to begin with."
"Sigh, you women always like to spoil your children. You have to know that children who are spoiled and grow up are useless in the future. You have to be strict with your own children. This way, the children can be successful in the future." Lin Jinyu shook his head. His way of teaching was really too bad.
"But Mother really, really misses Jinyu. Can't Jinyu let Mother carry you?" Jia Min pretended to be hurt.
"Sigh, you women are really troublesome. Okay, just this once." Lin Jinyu reached out his hand, indicating that he would let it go this time. There wouldn't be such a good opportunity next time.
Jia Min saw this and smiled. She hugged Lin Jinyu in her arms. It was said that teaching by word and example. Jinyu must have learned from Zheng 'er. It turned out that Zheng' er was actually like this in private. These years, under Brother Jing's guidance, Zheng 'er looked more and more mature. She didn't expect that there was such a side to him.
Jia Zhen was still frowning in his study, writing a policy paper. Because he was going to participate in the provincial examination next year, Jia Jing would give him a policy paper in less than three days. It had to be backed up, otherwise, he would have to go back and rewrite it. Jia Zhen, who was thinking about how to write the latest policy paper, was completely unaware that he had already revealed his true colors in front of Jia Min.
Xia Lu came to Jia Rong's room and saw Jia Yao and Jia Lian each holding a doll of Jia Rong and teasing him.
"An 'an, how about this for Uncle Lian?" Jia Lian teased him with Jia Rong's things.
"Ah, ah, ah …" Jia Rong, who still didn't know how to speak, was expressing his refusal. He even stretched out his clumsy hands, wanting to snatch the things back. Xia Lu looked at Jia Rong's appearance and could read Jia Rong's thoughts. Why should I give my things to you? Give it back to me. This is mine.
"An 'an, do you agree? Then give it to Uncle Lian. Then give one to Uncle Yao. This is for Uncle Yao. "Jia Yao held another doll and teased Jia Rong, the smile on her face was very bright.
"Ah, ah, ah …" Jia Rong's attention was attracted by Jia Yao again. He crawled two steps with his hands and feet and directly climbed on top of Jia Yao, wanting to snatch his things back.
The nanny at the side looked at Jia Yao and Jia Lian teasing Jia Rong and felt sorry for Jia Rong. She thought to herself, "This is also because the madams in their mansion are generous. If it were the madams in other manors, they would be heartbroken to see this scene. Don't talk about the two young masters teasing him with his things. Even if he wanted something from the two young masters, other madams would also ask the two young masters to give it to him."
"An 'an is still so stingy?" Xia Lu looked for a while and couldn't help but ask.
Jia Yao and Jia Lian turned around and saw Xia Lu. Their eyes lit up and directly ran to Xia Lu, each of them hugging one of Xia Lu's thighs.
Because Jia Yao suddenly pulled away, Jia Rong lost his support and fell to the ground. Jia Rong was a little dazed from the fall. After sitting up, he looked around for a while and then burst into tears.
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