Yongli Ming Dynasty

Chapter 320 Impeachment
In the lobby of Anlu, Huguang, Pan Shiliang, the governor of Yunxiang of the Qing Dynasty, sat in the upper main seat, and Li Zhigang, the military governor of Yunxiang, sat on the lower left.
Xiangyang General Wang Guangen walked into the hall and spoke respectfully to Pan Shiliang above him.

"I, Wang Guangen, the General of Xiangyang, pay my respects to Governor Pan."

Wang Guangen bowed, but there was no word from above for a long time. Wang Guangen frowned slightly and was about to look up, but at this time Li Zhigang beside him shouted

"Come here, take away the sword of this thief, and don't let him commit a crime."

As soon as Li Zhigang finished speaking, five or six soldiers rushed out from behind the hall and instantly held Wang Guangen down. Several guards searched Wang Guangen and soon found a dagger from his waist.

At the same time, there was a burst of surprise outside the hall door. Wang Guangen's expression changed slightly, knowing that the guards he brought with him were probably disarmed.

When Li Zhigang saw the dagger found on Wang Guangen, he immediately shouted

"Well, you dared to bring a sharp knife into the hall and try to assassinate the governor. You are really a vicious and evil person."

Wang Guangen had a gloomy look on his face. He just glanced at Li Zhigang and ignored him. Instead, he looked directly at Pan Shiliang above and said:

"Since I received the order from the governor to discuss matters, I have been rushing to Anlu day and night, not daring to delay for a single day. I don't know what I have done wrong to deserve such humiliation."

"Pan Futai has just taken office, so he doesn't know the details of Li Zhigang. Li Zhigang is greedy by nature. When he passed through Xiangyang last time, he demanded a large bribe from me."

"Since I have been defending Xiangyang, the government has been providing me with salary intermittently. The little remaining money has already been distributed to the soldiers. How can I give it to Li Zhigang as a gift?"

"After Li Zhigang failed to extort a bribe, he has been holding a grudge against me. Your Excellency, the Governor must not be deceived by this traitor."

Pan Shiliang glanced at the dagger presented by the guards. The dagger found on Wang Guangen was only the length of a palm.

This kind of short sword is only used for self-defense, and can also be used to cut meat in the wild, but it is a bit unrealistic to use this short dagger for stabbing.
"That's nonsense. When will I tell you..."

Li Zhigang was shocked and angry when he heard this, and he shouted immediately, but before he could finish, Pan Shiliang raised his hand to stop him.

Pan Shiliang glanced at the soldiers in the hall and suddenly spoke softly:

"Who told you to break in? Why don't you let go of General Wang? Get out of here immediately."

Upon hearing this, the guards in the hall immediately let go of Wang Guangen, but they did not retreat. Instead, they stepped aside and continued to stand on both sides of the hall.
Although Wang Guangen was released at this time, his heart sank when he saw the armored guards on both sides of the hall. Wang Guangen spoke in a deep voice.

"May I ask, Your Excellency, why did you summon me here this time?"

Pan Shiliang above heard this, but did not speak, but looked at Li Zhigang below
Li Zhigang looked at Wang Guangen opposite him, sneered, and suddenly spoke in a cold voice

"You know best what you did, Wang Guangen, you are guilty!"

After Li Zhigang finished speaking, he didn't care about Wang Guangen's expression, and bowed directly to Pan Shiliang above him, and said in a deep voice

"Your Excellency, I have found out that Wang Guangen is secretly colluding with the false Ming dynasty and is plotting to commit treason and rebellion."

"When I was inspecting Yunyang, I found that a grain store in Yunyang Prefecture continuously supplied grain and money to the pseudo-Ming rebels in Xing'an, Hanzhong, every month."

"After I found out about the situation, I sent someone to investigate secretly, and found out that the owner behind this Xingtai Grain Store was Gao Doushu, the former Huguang Censor of the Pseudo-Ming Dynasty."

"This Gao Doushu, under the banner of Wang Guangen, has been aggressively raising money to buy food and money in Yunyang. Under Wang Guangen's protection, over the past six months, this grain store has sent thousands of dan of food and money to the rebel camp."

"When Wang Guangen was in the pseudo-Ming Dynasty, he served as a general under Gao Doushu. The two of them colluded with each other and secretly wanted to rebel against the Qing Dynasty. The evidence of their crimes is irrefutable. Please ask the governor to quickly arrest this traitorous general."

Pan Shiliang's face remained calm when he heard this. He looked at Wang Guangen below and said:

"What does Li Daoyuan say? What does General Wang have to say about it?"

When Wang Guangen heard Gao Doushu's name, he secretly felt something was wrong. Half a year ago, Gao Doushu suddenly came to him and said that he was going to give up his official career and go into business, and no longer care about court affairs. He wanted Wang Guangen to change his name and household registration and settle him in Xiangyang.

During the reign of Emperor Chongzhen, Wang Guangen was highly recommended by Gao Doushu, and thus he was promoted from a rebel to the general of Yunyang. After Wang Guangen surrendered to the Qing Dynasty, it was precisely because of this status that he was able to be transferred to Xiangyang to serve as the general.
Wang Guangen could understand Gao Doushu's request. After all, Gao Doushu was a former minister of the Ming Dynasty.

At this time, Hubei Province was already owned by the Qing Dynasty. If Gao Doushu did not change his identity, let alone doing business, he would probably be sent to the government immediately if his background was discovered.
Gao Doushu had been very kind to Wang Guangen and his two brothers. He just wanted to change their household registration, which was nothing to Wang Guangen, so Wang Guangen agreed directly.
After Wang Guangen learned that Gao Doushu wanted to live in seclusion in Yunyang, he issued him a travel permit, giving him the identity of a Xiangyang Green Camp clerk, so that he could avoid being checked along the way.
This matter was originally just a minor episode. After Gao Doushu left, Wang Guangen regarded it as a thing of the past.
But unexpectedly, a few months later, Wang Guangen suddenly received information that someone had opened a grain store in Yunyang under his name. Wang Guangen also discovered that Gao Doushu was secretly transporting grain to Hanzhong.
Wang Guangen was also flustered when he heard what Li Zhigang said, but there was no change in his expression.
Wang Guangen looked at Li Zhigang beside him and suddenly said softly
"Lord Li has really gone to great lengths to slander me. Yunyang has always been under the jurisdiction of Lord Li. Whatever Lord Li wants to say is up to him."

"If Lord Li said that Gao Doushu's grain store was opened in Xiangyang, then I don't know how to explain it, but this so-called grain store is actually opened in Yunyang."

"Since I surrendered to the imperial court, I have been stationed in Xiangyang and have never been to Yunyang. Now you say that I am transporting food to the Ming army in Yunyang. This is really laughable."

"Li Zhigang, you are also a dignified Yunxiang Dao. Why did you do this just for a small amount of silver? It is clear that Li Zhigang wanted to take revenge for personal gain, so he framed me for this matter. Please investigate carefully, Your Excellency the Governor."

Wang Guangen knew very well that it was a fact that Gao Doushu secretly transported grain to the Ming army in Hanzhong, but because it was a fact, he could not have anything to do with it.

At this time, the Ming and Qing dynasties were fighting each other. In the areas occupied by the Qing court, the Ming righteous army was everywhere. The Qing court was extremely taboo about the affairs of the Ming court. If anyone was found out, their property would be confiscated and their head would be beheaded. There was no possibility of turning around.

Li Zhigang heard Wang Guangen's accusation, but he didn't get angry. He just sneered and said

"You are indeed stubborn, but since I asked the governor to bring you to the city, how could I not have evidence?"

"I will let you die clearly. Come, bring the person up here."

Wang Guangen's heart sank when he heard this. If Li Zhigang had only found out about the Xingtai Grain Store, he could still deny it and insist that he knew nothing about it. But if Li Zhigang had caught Gao Doushu, then he would have no choice but to accept the punishment.

The guards in the hall walked down and quickly brought a man in black clothes with bruises all over his body to the hall.

Wang Guangen stared at the skinny man for a while, but suddenly felt relieved. This man was not Gao Doushu at all, but a close follower of Gao Doushu.
Wang Guangen had a blank expression on his face, but his mind was racing. Li Zhigang had brought Gao Doushu's personal attendant to the court, which meant that Li Zhigang had not caught Gao Doushu. And as long as Gao Doushu was not caught, no one could prove that he was related to the grain store incident!
When Li Zhigang saw the prisoner being brought in, he bowed to Pan Shiliang above him and said:

"Sir, this man is called Gao Zhi, and he is a close follower of Gao Doushu. When he was transporting grain from Hanzhong back to Yunyang, I personally captured him at the Yunyang ferry. This man can prove that Wang Guangen and Gao Doushu were secretly connected and had collusion with the false Ming Dynasty."

"Gao Zhi, tell me what you know as soon as possible. If you dare to hide anything, you will be killed without mercy."

Gao Zhi shuddered, and then he explained how Gao Doushu raised money to buy food and money in Zhushan, how he transported it to Yunyang, and how he transported it to Xing'an along the Han River to supply Sun Shoufa and other Ming troops.
"Sun Shoufa and other members of the Hanzhong pseudo-Ming bandit army were trapped in the city. They were able to hold on only because they received food from Yunyang."

"I have told you everything I know, I dare not hide anything, I am just following your orders, please spare my life, sir."

Gao Zhi started to cry out for injustice again, while Li Zhigang at the side said

"Do you recognize this person next to you?"

Gao Zhi glanced at Wang Guangen and said in a trembling voice
"I recognize him. He is General Wang Guangen. When Master Gao was serving in Huguang, General Wang was a general under Master Gao and often visited the Gao Mansion."

Wang Guangen just glanced at Gao Zhi and then looked away, his face expressionless. Li Zhigang then spoke again.

"Do you know about the secret connection between Gao Doushu and Wang Guangen?"

"I know. The master has corresponded with General Wang several times in Zhushan, and all the letters were sent by me."

"When Master Gao went to Xiangyang to pay a visit to General Wang, I accompanied him. When we were transporting grain to Yunyang, we also relied on General Wang's name to avoid inspection by the city officials."

Li Zhigang looked at Wang Guangen who had been silent opposite him, and a hint of satisfaction flashed across his face.

The story of Li Zhigang soliciting bribes was fabricated by Wang Guangen, but Li Zhigang and Wang Guangen did have a personal grudge. Li Zhigang was the military governor of Yunxiang, and Wang Guangen was the general of Xiangyang. According to the court regulations, Wang Guangen had to be supervised by Li Zhigang.
But now the world is in turmoil, and the three Wang Guangen brothers have a large army. How could they really obey the orders of Li Zhigang, a civil official?
Wang Guangen and his two men occupied Xiangyang and ignored Li Zhigang's orders, causing Li Zhigang to lose face in Xiangyang. This also led to the hatred between the two sides.
Pan Shiliang looked at Wang Guangen who had remained silent below and said

"Why did General Wang remain silent? Do you have any explanation?"

Wang Guangen listened to Pan Shiliang's speech, then he bowed and said

"Since Li Zhigang said that Gao Doushu was the mastermind behind the grain transportation, then please ask the governor to order Li Zhigang to bring Gao Doushu here to confront me face to face."

"As for this so-called high integrity, I will not bother to talk about it."

Li Zhigang's expression changed slightly when he heard this. Li Zhigang had previously sent Li Xian and others to capture Gao Doushu, thinking that it was a sure thing. But who would have thought that Gao Doushu had such a strong defense force beside him?
Li Xian and his men were all killed in Zhushan. Gao Doushu was also missing. If he could get Gao Doushu, why would he bring Gao Zhi up?
Li Zhigang's eyes flickered slightly, and he said

"Gao Doushu is currently being escorted. Wang Guangen, the evidence is solid. Since the Xingtai Grain Store has been seized, you should know that your conspiracy has been exposed. I advise you to confess quickly, so that you can reduce your crime."

Wang Guangen stared at Li Zhigang for a long while, but suddenly sneered and said

"Since Gao Doushu is already on the way, let's wait until Gao Doushu arrives."

"Gao Doushu followed the order of the Pseudo-Ming Dynasty and went to Hanzhong to serve as the governor in the Jiashen year. Since then, even I have not heard any news about Gao Doushu."

"At that time, Hanzhong had already been occupied by the rebels, and Gao Doushu took up the post alone. There was chaos and war along the way, and it is possible that Gao Doushu had already died somewhere unknown. Yet you said that you suddenly found Gao Doushu."

"I want to see how you, Li Zhigang, can conjure up a Gao Doushu to frame me."

Pan Shiliang looked at Li Zhigang below, whose expression changed slightly, and frowned slightly, and said

"What's going on, Li Zhigang, have you really captured Gao Doushu?"

Li Zhigang's face was silent. After a while, he said in a deep voice:

"Half a month ago, I sent my captain Li Xian to lead people to Zhushan to capture that thief Gao Doushu. However, yesterday, Yunyang suddenly reported that Li Xian and others were killed in Zhushan County, and Gao Doushu escaped from Zhushan County and his whereabouts are unknown."

"Your Excellency, the people led by Li Xian are all good fighters in the army. This must be..."

When Wang Guangen heard what Li Zhigang said, he was instantly certain in his heart that Gao Doushu had indeed escaped. Since Gao Doushu had already escaped, what was there for him to fear!

Wang Guangen's eyes flashed with a fierce look, and he interrupted Li Zhigang and shouted:

"Still talking nonsense here!"

"First you said Gao Doushu was already being escorted, and now you say Gao Doushu resisted arrest and escaped. Li Zhigang, are you telling the truth?"

"You made up such a lie to frame me. Do you really think the governor would believe your clumsy words?"

When Li Zhigang heard Wang Guangen's shout, he became angry and shouted:

"The accounts of Xingtai Grain Company and the crew of the grain ship have been seized by this official. Gao Doushu's personal attendant has also been captured by this official. The evidence is all there. It is proven that Wang Guangen has secretly communicated with the Ming court. Wang Guangen, you..."

Before Li Zhigang could finish his words, he was interrupted again. Wang Guangen sneered and said directly

"I am the general of Xiangyang, a second-rank military official personally appointed by the imperial court. Li Zhigang, you dare to casually accuse a second-rank official of the imperial court with a servant of unknown origin. You are really crazy!"

"Witness?"

"If this kind of bastard can be used as a witness, then I can find ten so-called witnesses within one day to prove that you, Li Zhigang, secretly colluded with the traitors and plotted to rebel against the court!"

Li Zhigang's face was furious, and he couldn't help but shout

"Don't talk nonsense here. Everyone in Yunyang Prefecture knows that you, Wang Guangtai, were once a general under Gao Doushu. Xingtai Grain Store secretly transported grain to the Ming army for half a year under your name, Wang Guangen. Everyone in Yunyang Prefecture, including officials and grain merchants, can testify to this. How can you deny it?"

Wang Guangen looked at the anger on Li Zhigang's face, but his heart became calmer. He sneered and said

"I used to be a general under Gao Doushu, so I colluded with Gao Doushu? Then you, Li Zhigang, are a traitor. Can I also say that you, Li Zhigang, secretly communicated with Li Guo and sold out intelligence to the court, causing Jingzhou to be besieged?"

"As for the so-called Yunyang officials, everyone knows about it, which is even more ridiculous. You are the governor of Yunxiang and have been stationed in Yunyang for a long time. Whatever you, Li Zhigang, want the officials in the government to say, it is just a matter of a word."

"If you go to Xiangyang, I can also let the soldiers in the army identify you, Li Zhigang, as having colluded with the traitors."

"Let's not talk about whether the so-called Xingtai Grain Company was established by Gao Doushu. Even if it was established by Gao Doushu, what does it have to do with me?"

"Gao Doushu has been in charge of Yunxiang for many years, and he has many students and old friends. Now there are countless officials in Yunxiang who were once Gao Doushu's subordinates. Just because these people used to be officials under Gao Doushu, they all colluded with Gao Doushu to plot rebellion. It's ridiculous."

Li Zhigang's face was filled with anger when he heard this, and his body couldn't help but tremble slightly.

Li Zhigang no longer cared about Wang Guangen, but turned around and said to Pan Shiliang above him:

"The accounts of Xingtai Grain Company transporting grain to Xing'an have all been seized. Gao Zhi has followed Gao Doushu for many years. Many officials in Yunyang can confirm his identity. The magistrate of Zhushan County has also submitted a written report on the murder of Li Xian. The evidence is irrefutable and Wang Guangen will not be allowed to argue."

"Wang Guangen and Gao Doushu have communicated privately many times. Please ask the governor to immediately order a search of Wang Guangen's residence. Evidence of treason will surely be found."

"Li Zhigang, you are looking for death"

Wang Guangen was furious when he heard that Li Zhigang wanted to confiscate his family's property. How many people in this world could stand this? Once their property was confiscated, even if they were innocent, they would be in trouble.
Wang Guangen stared at Li Zhigang opposite him, a hint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes, and he was about to walk towards Li Zhigang.

But at this time, the soldiers on both sides of the hall took a step forward. Wang Guangen saw the soldiers' movements and had to stop.

The two sides in the hall were on the verge of a fight, but Pan Shiliang seemed unaware and just looked at the evidence presented by Li Zhigang.
Pan Shiliang glanced at Gao Zhi's confession, and then carefully read the report sent by Zhushan County. Pan Shiliang put down the document in his hand, but his brows were slightly frowned.

The evidence submitted by Li Zhigang was very sufficient, and all the speculations were very reasonable, but the most critical person, Gao Doushu, was missing. Without Gao Doushu, the evidence collected by Li Zhigang would be greatly discounted.

As Wang Guangen said, Li Zhigang had been stationed in Yunyang for a long time. Who knows how those testimonies were obtained?
At this time, Pan Shiliang could either use Li Zhigang's evidence to arrest Wang Guangen, or he could let Wang Guangen go on the grounds of insufficient evidence.

Pan Shiliang pondered for a moment and suddenly said

"Although the testimony of the witnesses provided by Li Daoyuan is sufficient, it is difficult to conclude that General Wang has anything to do with this matter now that Gao Doushu has left. However, this is a serious crime after all, and I dare not deal with it lightly."

"I have decided to submit this case to the Huguang Governor's Office, and let the Governor's Office investigate the case."

Li Zhigang and Wang Guangen had already torn their faces apart at this time. Wang Guangen held the Xiangyang army and could not be moved lightly. However, if Wang Guangen was let go at this time, Li Zhigang would definitely not let it go later.

If it is discovered that Wang Guangen secretly communicated with the Ming court, Pan Shiliang would be implicated. Instead of doing that, it would be better to throw the matter to the higher-ups so that he would not have to get involved.

Moreover, this matter had another benefit for Pan Shiliang. Li Zhigang had a grudge against Wang Guangen because of the soldiers, but Pan Shiliang was also keeping an eye on the soldiers under Wang Guangen.
Although Pan Shiliang was the governor, he only had 400 to 500 soldiers under his command since he took office.

Most of the soldiers in Yunxiang were in the hands of Wang Guangen and his brother. While the two were fighting, he was trying to find a way to capture the soldiers under Wang Guangen.

Li Zhigang was overjoyed when he heard this. He had already determined that Wang Guangen must have been secretly colluding with the Ming court. If he continued to investigate, he would surely find more evidence.
Wang Guangen's expression suddenly changed at this time. Not to mention that he really had contact with Gao Doushu, even if he really had no contact with Gao Doushu, he would never let the governor's office intervene in this matter.
Once this matter was reported to the Governor's Office, no matter whether there was evidence or not, he would inevitably be suspected by the Qing court. The Governor's Office of Huguang would most likely take this opportunity to seize the military power of the three Wang family members.
Wang Guangen was about to protest, but Pan Shiliang no longer cared about the two of them. Pan Shiliang waved his hand, and the guards in the hall immediately stepped forward and escorted the two of them out of the hall.

(End of this chapter)