Chapter 306: One Person Overpowers All Officials

Chapter 306: One Person Overpowers All Officials

Chapter 306: One Person Overpowers All Officials
"How dare I say I'm teaching you? I just understand a little bit."

Gao Lian smiled slightly, his calm demeanor fully demonstrating the composure of a top leader:
"The silver mine case is extremely serious. As a provincial governor, I also take it very seriously. Haha, even from a selfish motive, I want to find out the truth as soon as possible, so as to clear myself, Liu Ancha, Sun Zhifu, and even the officials and gentry of the entire Taicang Prefecture."

Just a few words, but it encompassed everyone present as a whole.

Zhao Duan also took out the silk beside him, wiped his hands, and said slowly:

"Since Gao Fantai is looking forward to it, he should avoid suspicion."

Gao Lian sighed:
"I know that, too. However, although the two Lords Liu and Sun and I have been unable to intervene in the affairs these days, we have heard some rumors and changes in the city. Some rumors and slanderous words against the imperial envoy are nothing to worry about.

However, it has reached the point where the people are asking for mercy, and as a prefecture-level official, I cannot turn a blind eye."

What a sight that cannot be ignored!
First, I gathered the local officials present as a whole, pointed out their hostile relationship with me, and then attacked them on the pretext of the people... I have made the rhetoric clear to you...

The smile on Zhao Duan's face faded, and he said calmly:
"Master Gao, there is no need to be so vague. I don't like beating around the bush. Just tell me what you want to say. I am also curious about how these people had the courage to surround the post station."

Gao Lian pretended to be helpless and spoke earnestly, but he pressed on:
"Master Zhao has misunderstood. Gao has no other thoughts. He is only concerned about the country and the people of His Majesty. Master Zhao wants to open up, so let's just make it clear.

The case of the mine silver was committed by the county magistrate Wang Chusheng. This matter has already been judged. Gao believes that the most urgent task is to search for Wang Chusheng. However, Lord Zhao has not taken any action in recent days. Instead, he has launched an investigation into the various government offices in Taicang Prefecture, causing panic among the people and the officials to be unsettled.

Even a fair-minded person like Prefect Sun was suspended due to suspicion, so the people under his jurisdiction came to his defense... Lord Zhao, this is inappropriate!"

As soon as these words were spoken, it was like turning on a switch.

For a moment, all the officials in the hall spoke up to second the motion as if they had made an appointment.

"Your Excellency the Governor is absolutely right. Wang Chusheng has escaped, so we should arrest him instead of targeting us."

"The behavior of Magistrate Sun as an official is obvious to all. When the news of his suspension came out, the people below were in chaos."

"…People in the city are worried. We can't continue…"

It looked like a vegetable market, a mess.

Officials from different government offices spoke one after another, complaining bitterly, all of which revolved around the two points of "the people's spontaneity" and "the officials' uneasy morale".

Even many gentry expressed their dissatisfaction.

There seems to be an intention to blame Zhao Duan for the recent unrest in the city.

Amidst the clamor, only Zhao Duan had a blank expression on his face.

Xu Junling, who was sitting next to him, glanced at him with a look of pity and a bit of "gloating", as if to say:

I warned you before that the other party would fight back.

This scene in the hall seemed to have been planned in advance. Zhao Duan used the crab feast as an opportunity to clarify the rumors and speak openly.

Local officials took the opportunity to launch a counterattack.

Carrying with them the emotions that had been brewing for days, these people were ready to attack in unison after Gao Lian fired the first shot today.

It looks like:
If you keep holding on to me, you'll be forcing us to expose the entire Taicang Prefecture to the elements!

If the imperial structure collapsed in one prefecture, Zhao Duan would not be able to bear the responsibility.

Conspiracy!

Forcing the palace!

At this moment, although it was far inferior, Zhao Duan actually felt as if he was like the former empress at Xuanwu Gate, facing thousands of rebels.

Forcing abdication... is not just a coup d'état involving swords, knives, blood and fire. It can also be a drama without smoke and blood, just verbal attacks, but it is also very powerful.

"grown ups……"

Next to him, even though the imperial censor Chen Hong had seen a lot of storms, he still had some sweat on his forehead.
——He was worried that Zhao Duan would insist on his own way and cause chaos in the area. When he returned to Beijing, facing the impeachment of the whole court, the empress would most likely throw him out as the "deputy imperial envoy" to protect her lover and calm the anger of the court officials.

Even the Jinyi captains who were standing behind Zhao Duan and acting as guards but did not take a seat became nervous.

However, facing the wind and waves, Zhao Duan was like a dark reef, standing still despite the turbulent sea.

His right hand, placed on the table, was tapping lightly, as if he was calculating the time silently.

Suddenly, outside the Chrysanthemum Terrace, the sound of a horse neighing was heard.

Then, a minor official came running in in a panic, his face pale, sweat on his forehead, and he almost kicked off his boots:
"No...it's not good..."

In an instant, the siege on Zhao Duan in the hall was briefly suppressed.

Gao Lian turned his head and frowned, feeling a strong sense of uneasiness:
"What happened? Panic?"

The clerk almost shrieked:
"The soldiers... those soldiers are arresting people in the city!... The guards at the city gates and the officials at the government office have also been taken under control!"

what?
Like a stone, it smashed into the lake.

At this moment, an emotion of disbelief surged from the hearts of all the officials.

Accompanied by strong doubts.

"What soldiers? Where do they come from?!"

Censor Liu Ji stood up suddenly:
"By whose orders? Who told them to—"

The old man was halfway through his words when he seemed to suddenly wake up, turned his head abruptly and looked at someone in the hall.

The soldiers in the city...except for a small number of guards in charge of the city gates, there were only some yamen runners who could not be considered "official servants"...the rest were only the two hundred cavalrymen stationed at the post station who were transferred by Zhao Duan.

"It's you!"

At this moment, Gao Lian and others also reacted and looked towards the main seat in horror.

Zhao Duan, who had been silent and accepting the criticism from everyone, was calm and composed, with the corners of his mouth curled up slowly, and was about to say something. Suddenly, someone else broke in from outside the courtyard.

This time, it was the servants that Gao Lian brought from home.

The Gao family servant rushed in in a panic, almost crying:
"Master, a group of soldiers broke into our house and sealed it off. The maids and servants were all tied up and the door was sealed. I was lucky enough to escape the disaster by staying outside..."

Gao Lian was horrified, and genuine anger surged on his elegant and fair face, as if he had torn off his refined and refined outer coat, and stared at him intently:

"Mr. Zhao!"

These three words were almost uttered by someone.

"what do you mean?!"

Gao Lian shouted angrily, raised his finger and pointed at him, angrily saying:

"You mobilized troops without any notice and even arrested me at my home. What happened? What did I do wrong? Although you are an imperial envoy, I am also a temporary governor! According to Dayu law, how can you have such power?!"

At this moment, he seemed extremely angry and out of control.

The others were not much better. The Censor Liu Ji had a gloomy face and said:

"Sir Zhao, I am in charge of the inspection. I will report your actions today to the court and to His Majesty! If you cannot come up with a convincing explanation, even if you are an imperial envoy, the court will not tolerate your actions!"

Sun Xiaozhun, who had been exceptionally silent since the beginning of the banquet and whose usual explosive personality was completely different, stood up, stared at Zhao Duan meaningfully, and said:

"Sir Zhao, Taicang is under the jurisdiction of this government. Please give me an explanation."

explain!

At this moment, the Taicang officials who had just besieged and pressured the emperor and almost forced him to abdicate were all filled with shock and anger.

To be more precise, they were using anger to cover up their inner fear.

A group of civil servants, no matter how sharp their bloodless knives are, they cannot help but be cowardly when facing real iron cavalry and the violent threats from the soldiers in the army.

Along with this, there is also a strong sense of confusion.

Wang Chusheng has disappeared and all clues have been cut off. Do you really want to use the unwritten "gray income" in the officialdom as evidence to convict us?
Even Censor Chen and Xu Junling looked over in astonishment; neither of them had known about this move.

"My Lords, please be patient."

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Zhao Duan's face was as cheerful as spring breeze. He slowly stood up and wiped his fingers that were covered with crab roe.

He took a step forward, slowly stepped out of his seat, and came to the center of the banquet where everyone was gathered.

Wonderful.

As he moved, all the noise stopped.

People closed their mouths and breathed heavily, with all eyes fixed on this famous, powerful upstart.

The situation is reversed.

From being attacked by a group of people just now to now suppressing the whole place by himself.

He didn't even do anything, just waited for the news from outside.

"You want an explanation, and I will give you one." Zhao Duan paced slowly, his voice steady and powerful.

After saying this, he suddenly looked outside the open lobby.

In an instant, everyone's eyes followed him and were cast towards the golden, brilliant autumn chrysanthemums in the yard.

Then, the sound of iron hooves was heard in the wind, and someone with sharp eyes saw that a flag at a corner of the yard that was higher than the wall was getting closer.

"Open the door!"

A low shout was heard, followed by the exclamations of the gatekeepers.

"boom!"

The gate of Juhuatai Garden was torn open in the middle by a huge force, and the autumn wind blew in.

There were three people standing outside the door. The last one was Yuan Xingjun, who was standing as a background, carrying a flag and riding a horse.

In the front, there is a scholar who covers his face with a silk scarf. He looks frail and just stands there with his hands behind his back, looking quite inconspicuous.

Further ahead was a Royal Gold Medal Shadow Guard dressed as a gangster, wearing a bamboo hat, with a long sword on his back and most of his face covered by a bronze visor.

The armored woman was carrying a heavy bag in her hand. In full view of everyone, she walked straight through the sea of ​​chrysanthemums and came in front of Zhao Duan.

She looked up at Zhao Duan, who was standing with his hands behind his back, examining her with curiosity. She compared the portrait with Zhao Duan and clasped her hands together.

"Master Zhao, I have brought the prisoner to you."

Pfft!
As he spoke, the sack in his hand fell to the ground and the opening of the sack loosened by itself.

A wealthy middle-aged man rolled out from inside, his body covered with bloody wounds, his face pale from torture, and he was tied up like a dumpling with cowhide ropes.

Wang Chusheng, the magistrate of Taicang County, was originally unconscious, but he woke up suddenly after falling down. He looked ahead in confusion and fear, and his pupils suddenly narrowed.

"This is my explanation to you,"

Zhao Duan looked around at everyone, smiling:

"But is it enough?"

There was silence.

(End of this chapter)