After listening to the shopkeeper, Du Qi more or less understood the situation.
Guan Zhilan was indeed making money in a clever way, but his methods were also within a certain limit. The businessman could bear it, so he didn't complain and chose to endure. Guan Yi was a parental official. Angering him was equivalent to angering the local tyrant of Puchang County.
It was definitely not worth it.
So even now, Guan Zhilan was still running amuck in Puchang County.
Du Qi changed the topic and said, "Shopkeeper, Guan Yi dotes on his son and allows his son to run amok. So it seems that Guan Yi, the county magistrate, is not a good person. He must be a corrupt official. "
The shopkeeper shook his head, "If you want to talk about this, he is not. As the county magistrate, Guan Yi is in charge of the government and loves the people. He is also honest and upright. Our Puchang County can be what it is today because of the county magistrate's efforts. It's just that his son is somewhat unworthy. Whether it is Guan Yi's official style or his ability, they are all excellent. "
After a pause, the shopkeeper continued, "Just like what I just said, I called him by his name. In other places, daring to call the county magistrate by his name is a big crime. Maybe you will be punished. As for our Master Guan, as long as you don't break the law, even if you call him by his name, he won't pursue it. "
Du Qi asked, "How do you know?"
The shopkeeper said, "There was once someone who called Guan Yi by his name, but he was caught by a businessman who wanted to curry favor with Guan Yi. Unfortunately, the businessman was reprimanded by Guan Yi. At that time, Guan Yi said that the name is just a code. It's okay to call him by his name, as long as you don't break the law. "
"Since then, everyone knows."
Speaking of the county magistrate, the shopkeeper's interest was piqued. After all, there wasn't much business now, so the shopkeeper continued, "But our county magistrate Guan isn't a mediocre person. He has a very hot temper."
"He is extremely strict in handling government affairs. But if you don't follow the rules or break the law, you will be severely punished. You can call him by his name, but if you want to break the law, that is absolutely not allowed. "
"Otherwise, you will be severely punished."
The shopkeeper said, "It's just his son. There's nothing we can do about it. After all, no one is perfect, and Guan Zhilan also kept it a secret from Guan Yi. No one told Guan Yi the news, so naturally, Guan Yi didn't know. "
Du Qi said, "In that case, I would like to meet this Magistrate Guan."
The shopkeeper said, "This young master has come from afar. If you are a merchant and want to see County Magistrate Guan, you only need to send an invitation and you will be able to see him. This was because County Magistrate Guan had always supported merchants and hoped that merchants could do business in the city. Everyone knew about this. As long as you ask around a little, you will find out. "
Du Qi laughed when he heard that.
This was a good thing.
Du Qi and the shopkeeper chatted for a while. After getting a clear understanding of Guan Yi's situation, the shopkeeper finally left while Du Qi's group also left. The group wandered around the city and continued to understand the situation in Puchang County. Finally, they found an inn in the city and settled down.
If they wanted to inquire about the situation, they had to stay.
In the room, the guests and the host took their seats.
Du Qi looked at Shangguan Yi, Ma Zhou, and Lai Ji and asked, "What do you think of Guan Yi?"
Shangguan Yi said, "Your Majesty, according to the information we have gathered, the people's evaluation of Guan Yi is very good. As for Guan Zhilan's situation, we also have a clear understanding. There's nothing to say about Guan Zhilan. He is just a rich playboy, but he is quite smart. "
After a pause, Shangguan Yi said, "Guan Yi has the ability to govern the place, but he can't control his son. I think that Guan Yi is either a truly capable minister or a corrupt official. He is either a traitor or a scheming and corrupt official. He is either a great loyal or a great traitor. "
Lai Ji thought for a while and said, "Your Majesty, I am partial to Guan Yi. The people's evaluation of Guan Yi is very good. As the saying goes, there is no such thing as an impenetrable wall. Guan Yi is an official, as long as there is any movement, there will definitely be news. Now that we have gone around, there is no negative news about Guan Yi at all. No one is criticizing Guan Yi. Therefore, I am inclined to think that Guan Yi is a capable minister. "
Shangguan Yi said without hesitation, "Lai Ji, you think too highly of things. We are your Majesty's strategists. Our suggestions must be comprehensive. According to your inference, there is a problem, which is equivalent to covering up for Guan Yi. "
Although Lai Ji was led by Shangguan Yi, their opinions might not be the same. He said, "What I have explained is my inclination, not my conclusion. Moreover, we are just combining the information from all sides. There is no real investigation. Therefore, the argument that Guan Yi is a loyal minister or a traitor is not useful. We are just giving a general direction. "
Ma Zhou stood at the side and did not say anything.
He allowed Shangguan Yi and Lai Ji to argue, because this was the first time there was such an argument.
Du Qi did not stop them. The more they argued, the clearer it became. Moreover, having an argument was a good thing. It did not mean that the cabinet would always have the same opinion. After a long while, the two argued until their faces were red, but they did not come to a conclusion.
Because each side was right, and the other side was right.
Du Qi said, "Stop!"
With that, the two of them did not speak.
Du Qi said, "There is no need to argue. What is Guan Yi's situation? Let's talk about it after we get in touch with him. Also, since there is an argument, let's focus on the actual investigation. The two of you, do your own investigation in the city. From the county magistrate, to the merchants in the city, to the ordinary people, to the soldiers stationed in the city, etc. Investigate everything and come to a conclusion. Without investigation, there is no right to speak. As long as the investigation is clear, there will naturally be an answer. Your argument is actually based on your own inclination. Both sides have their own reasons. However, to determine a winner, let's look at the results of your investigations. "
"Yes!"
Shangguan Yi and Lai Ji replied at the same time.
The two of them did not have any objections to Du Qi's arrangement. After all, Du Qi had already agreed.
Du Qi looked at Ma Zhou and said, "Ma Zhou."
"This subject is here!"
Ma Zhou replied immediately.
Du Qi ordered, "Take this prince's token and go to the county yamen. Summon Guan Yi to the county yamen to see me."
"Yes!"
Ma Zhou replied immediately.
Du Qi waved his hand and the three of them went to do their own things.
The three of them got up and walked out of the study. At this time, Shangguan Yi and Lai Ji were a little angry because of their argument, so they left first. Ma Zhou took Du Qi's token and went straight to the county yamen.
From the inn to the county yamen, Ma Zhou took less than a quarter of an hour because the inn was also in the north of the city. He walked to the steps of the county yamen and looked at the yamen runner who was standing guard at the door. He flashed the token and said, "Inform Guan Yi to receive the imperial edict from Emperor Xia."
"Yes!"
The yamen runner did not dare to delay and immediately went to inform him.
The yamen runner did not suspect the authenticity of the edict because it could not be fake. Who would dare to impersonate Emperor Xia? Was he tired of living? Therefore, after the yamen runner went to inform him, a man in his forties with white hair came out. He looked quite old.
This man was the county magistrate of Puchang, Guan Yi.
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