Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World.

Chapter 226 I'm going to take this to the Cabinet!

Hangzhou, Qiantang River.

As dawn breaks, the bonfire burns ever brighter.

"Boom-"

"Boom-"

"Boom-"

The drumbeats were like thunder, their sound shaking the entire field.

Thirty thousand elite soldiers, clad in armor, lined up in battle formation, long swords drawn, crossbows drawn, a chilling atmosphere filling the sky.

Strong winds would occasionally sweep through the camp, causing the banners to flutter wildly.

Occasionally, a startled crow will take flight, its flight slicing through the silent sky.

Led by Jiang Zhao, nearly ten principal officials stood in a row.

"General Zhongwu and Vice Minister Wang led 5,000 troops to march on Chun'an County."

Jiang Zhao, with his sword on his back, ordered: "Arrest anyone connected to the magistrate of Chun'an County, as a suspect. Arrest all members of the magistrate's family within three generations. Arrest all officials of Chun'an County who have been appointed to their rank."

"Furthermore, the burning of the imperial envoy's inn will certainly warrant an investigation. Ge Lian's grave will also require an exhumation and autopsy to determine whether he died from poison."

Chun'an County, the starting point of the wrongful conviction, is involved in the death of Ge Lian and is also the site of the burning of the imperial envoy.

Based on this alone, the magistrate of Chun'an County was certain to have his entire family wiped out.

Chun'an County is destined to be a key area for investigation, as both exhuming corpses and apprehending suspects are necessary procedures.

However, even so, Jiang Zhao had no intention of personally going to the county to investigate.

Ultimately, from the moment the "burning of the imperial envoy" occurred, the truth of the Yang Wu case became irrelevant, as did whether there was any inside story behind the imperial envoy's death.

Whether it's the truth behind Yang Wu's case or the inside story of burning the imperial envoy, they are essentially related to the truth and lean towards solving the case.

This is something that the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Justice should do, not something that the Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet should do.

For Jiang Zhao, there was only one truly important point—the imperial envoy was dead!
The imperial envoy is dead; that is a fact.

Therefore, Liangzhe Road was subjected to authoritarian trials and political repression.

When Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet inspect the provinces with the imperial sword, their main task is to judge the Liangzhe region from a macro perspective. As for meticulous case handling or revealing the truth, these are merely secondary tasks.

"Yes, sir." Yao Si and Wang Anshi bowed in unison.

"Zichun and Prefect Wang led 10,000 troops and arrested every official of Hangzhou Prefecture, from top to bottom, without exception. They also arrested the entire clan of the Hangzhou Prefectural Magistrate," Jiang Zhao continued.

Regardless of whether there is a serious crime or not, they must be arrested with swift and decisive action to deter others.

The imperial envoy, acting on behalf of Heaven, was the embodiment of the monarch and an extension of imperial power.

Since the heinous act of burning the imperial envoy has occurred, it is imperative to issue a stern warning.

Otherwise, wouldn't that encourage others to follow suit?

"Yes, sir." Wang Shao and Wang Gui bowed in succession.

"The rest of the men will accompany me to the administrative offices of Liangzhe Road," Jiang Zhao said calmly.

In fact, the seat of Liangzhe Road was in Hangzhou, less than ten miles away from the seat of Hangzhou Prefecture.

However, there is a significant difference between a prefecture and a circuit, and it also involves the powerful regional officials.

The administrative center of Liangzhe Circuit was responsible for controlling all military and political affairs in Liangzhe Circuit, and was personally overseen by a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet.

"Yes, sir." The remaining people bowed in unison.

The general marching plan has been finalized, and Jiang Zhao nodded.

"Hey~!"

Suddenly, Jiang Zhao drew his sword and thrust it skyward: "Let's march!"

At a single command, dozens of generals and officers relayed the order.

"Leave!"

"Leave!"

Thirty thousand elite soldiers set out on their march.

The administrative center of Liangzhe Circuit was the Pacification Commissioner's Office.

"clatter--"

"clatter--"

The sound of marching footsteps rose and fell, the clashing of armor and the clash of weapons growing ever louder.

Even the earth trembled as if it were an earthquake.

The Office of the Pacification Commissioner.

Led by the Pacification Commissioner Chen Ji, more than thirty officials from the Pacification Office gathered here.

At the head of the table, Chen Ji was about to say something.

Just then, the earth trembled and shook.

"coming!"

Chen Ji was startled and suddenly stood up, his eyes filled with unspeakable fear.

The remaining dozens of people all looked worried and at a loss.

"I wonder who will be in charge of this thorough investigation?" A glimmer of hope flashed in Chen Ji's eyes as he clasped his hands together and prayed silently.

Whether the emperor intends to impose a severe punishment or a lenient one can glean some insight simply from thoroughly investigating the official ranks of the presiding officials of Liangzhe Circuit.

Just like the "impersonating an imperial envoy" case during the reign of Emperor Taizong, which was investigated by a high-ranking official of the second rank, the case involved the continuous extermination of ethnic minorities and was a typical example of severe punishment.

According to conventional wisdom, the upper limit of the Imperial Censorate is the Left or Right Vice Censor-in-Chief, which are of the second rank, or the Minister of Justice.

Once a high-ranking official of the second rank is dispatched to investigate, it almost certainly means that the imperial court will impose a severe punishment.

I wonder who the Emperor has assigned to conduct this imperial investigation?
If it is a second-rank official who is personally investigating, it means that the regional governor is also subject to severe punishment, at least a significant demotion, or even losing his or her post.

If it is a third-rank official who is personally investigating, it means that the higher authorities do not intend to seriously investigate the regional officials. Counties and prefectures may be affected, but for regional officials, it is estimated that they will only be demoted.

"Hopefully, it's a third-rank official!" Chen Ji sighed, his face covered in cold sweat, and sat down again.

In just a moment, his legs went weak and his heart pounded.

The remaining officials did similar things.

The sheer fear of facing trial is enough to make one unable to move.

In their panic, they could only hope for the best.

The marching pace grew heavier and heavier.

More than a thousand guards from the Pacification Commissioner's Office, armed with spears, stood ready for battle.

until
"Shut up!"

"Who dares to trespass on this important territory?" a lieutenant asked loudly.

There was a hint of tension and fear in his voice.

There was no way around it, there were just too many people on the other side!

"drive!"

With one hand holding the reins and the other pulling out six official documents from the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Justice, the Censorate, the Kaifeng Prefecture, the Privy Council, and the Grand Secretariat, Gu Tingye shouted, "The imperial envoy of Liangzhe Circuit has been burned! The court has ordered a thorough investigation. You shall all immediately lay down your weapons and surrender!"

"Anyone who dares to resist will be executed!"

"promise!"

The lieutenant nodded hurriedly and loudly ordered, "Discard your helmets and armor!"

He was just going through the motions.

Are you really expecting a thousand people to deal with tens of thousands?
"Zhonghuai, send a thousand men into the Pacification Commission and arrest everyone in the Commission," Jiang Zhao said, holding the reins.

The primary tasks of the imperial inspection of Liangzhe Circuit were nothing more than two things:
First, he gained control of the military power in the Liangzhe region.

Second, control the government of Liangzhe Road.

Once they had control of both military and political power, the Kipchak mission was at least 70% complete.

Next came sentencing and appeasement of the people.

"Yes, sir." Gu Tingye clasped his hands in a salute and gave the order.

Before long, more than a thousand people abandoned their swords and rushed into the yamen.

The Office of the Pacification Commissioner.

"Da da da!"

The sound of armor being put on grew louder and louder, and faint cries of terror could even be heard.

A hundred paces away, soldiers were seen escorting officials.

"this--"

Chen Ji was taken aback, his face showing surprise: "You ordered Bing Luzi to openly arrest people?"

He originally thought that the Imperial Guards would surround the administrative center, and the officials in charge of the center would hand over power one after another.

As for the officials in charge of the provincial government, almost all of them were implicated and likely only demoted, not imprisoned. But who would have thought that the chief inspector of Zhejiang and Jiangsu would order Bing Luzi to directly arrest all the officials in charge of the provincial government?

With this kind of approach, wouldn't the first step be a punishment or even dismissal?

The remaining dozens of people exchanged glances silently, not daring to utter a sound.

"Zi Gui." Chen Ji quickly winked at a low-ranking official of the ninth rank.

Because the imperial court had cut off his sources of information, he still didn't even know the identity of the chief investigator.

Now, perhaps we can take this opportunity to investigate.

The young official in the green robe understood what he meant and took a few steps forward, almost reaching the entrance of the courtroom.

"Da da da!"

Led by Gu Tingye, dozens of heavily armored soldiers approached.

"Arrest them," Gu Tingye ordered, waving his hand.

The next moment, the young official in the green robe standing at the entrance of the court was pinned to the ground and his hands were tied.

"How dare you!" the young official in the green robe shouted. "I am a dignified ninth-rank official. How dare you arrest me in the courtroom?"

"How dare you, a mere soldier, be so disrespectful!"

Chen Ji looked at him and nodded to himself.

If they resist even slightly and make a big fuss, they will definitely have a chance to find out the identity of the chief inspector.

Although this move is dangerous, the chance of winning is high.

Ninth grade?

Gu Tingye waved his hand dismissively and said, "Arrest them all."

Dozens of soldiers exchanged glances, then suddenly stepped forward, grabbed people, kicked them a few times, and started grabbing them.

"I'm going to take this to the cabinet!" the young official in the green robe shouted angrily.

next moment.
"Who's going to complain to the cabinet?"

A calm voice rang out, and dozens of soldiers made way for them.

Led by Jiang Zhao, several officials in purple robes slowly stepped over the threshold.

"this--"

Upon taking the seat of honor, Chen Ji's expression changed drastically, and he was greatly alarmed.

Is this matter being investigated by the Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion?

"This humble official greets Grand Secretary Jiang." Chen Ji bowed deeply and respectfully.

Grand Secretary?
The remaining dozens of officials from the Pacification Commission were all greatly alarmed and hurriedly bowed.

"This humble official greets Grand Secretary Jiang!"

"Oh!" Jiang Zhao exclaimed in surprise, "I didn't expect that someone would recognize me."

"In the third year of the Jiayou era, Grand Secretary Jiang outwitted Grand Secretary Liu Hang. His strategic planning and maneuvering were truly masterful. At that time, I was a fourth-rank official and had the privilege of witnessing it," Chen Ji said respectfully.

"That's it!"

Jiang Zhao nodded and explained, unusually, "The Emperor is furious and wants to severely punish the Liangzhe Circuit, including the Pacification Commissioner."

Chen Ji was shocked and exclaimed, "Even the Pacification Commissioner is going to be imprisoned?"

“The Emperor is furious; even the Pacification Commissioner will be imprisoned,” Jiang Zhao confirmed.

As a pacification commissioner, Chen Ji must have had the support of a certain Grand Secretary behind him; otherwise, he would never have become a powerful regional official.

However, this does not affect the overall situation.

With this incident, he will definitely be removed from his position as pacification commissioner.

Chen Ji understood, sighed dejectedly, and was not surprised.

In fact, from the moment he saw Grand Secretary Jiang, he already knew the answer, but he was just a little unwilling to accept it.

After decades of navigating the treacherous waters of officialdom, he was implicated and implicated in the burning of the imperial envoy's residence.

What an injustice!
"This humble official has found the true culprit behind the burning of the Imperial Envoy in Chun'an County. I humbly request Your Excellency to review the case file," said Liu Li, the Chief Clerk of the Judicial Bureau.

"Oh?"

Jiang Zhao pondered for a moment, then said, "No rush, let them all go to prison first. The Ministry of Justice will come to question them then."

"Yes." Liu Li nodded quickly.

He mentioned it specifically to seek a "reduction in sentence".

Now that Elder Jiang has spoken, someone will definitely ask him questions.

Dozens of people were successively pulled out.

June 23, Pacification Commission.

In the main seat, Jiang Zhao held the dossier and watched silently.

Below the Chief Censor, Teng Fu, the Left Censor-in-Chief, Wang Gui, the Acting Prefect of Kaifeng, Chen Jian, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Wang Anshi, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Gu Tingye, the Marquis of Ningyuan, and Wang Shao, the Earl of Zhennan, were seated on the left and right respectively.

Apart from General Yao Si, who was still stationed in Chun'an County, all the other major officials were gathered here.

"Hi~!"

After reading for a while, Jiang Zhao frowned and asked in surprise, "So, the burning of the imperial envoy was really just a coincidence, something that the young man did on a whim, and not at someone's behest?"

"After interrogation and investigation, it was found that the county magistrate's son, Zhong You, and the local ruffians' statements were consistent."

Wang Anshi reported: "The two remaining surviving imperial envoys also recognized the others as the real arsonists."

“Wang specifically ordered an interrogation of Chun’an County Magistrate Zhong Shen, who was indeed unaware of Zhong You’s arson and murder beforehand.”

"Judging solely from the motive, only an ignorant fool would dare to set fire to the imperial envoy."

The officers exchanged glances, all surprised.

The ignorant brat, fearing his father would lose his official position, set fire to the house and committed the crime.
This reason is actually quite valid!
After all, almost no high-ranking official would have the motive to kill an imperial envoy.

Even the pacification commissioner Chen Ji was the same.

Ultimately, even if the nine imperial envoys had indeed discovered the collusion between officials in Liangzhe Circuit, Chen Ji would only have been demoted.

A high-ranking official who had been stationed in a remote region was protected by a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, so he definitely had a certain "tolerance for mistakes".

In contrast, the burning of the imperial envoy resulted in demotion as the lower limit, with virtually no upper limit.

"What about Yang Wu's case?" Jiang Zhao asked.

Compared to the burning of the imperial envoy, the Yang Wu case was merely an afterthought; he hadn't even had a chance to read the case file yet.

"Yang Wu and Bi were actually forced to confess under torture."

"The coroner examined the body of the deceased Ge Lian and found no signs of poisoning; the cause of death was more likely an onset of illness."

"Some medical officials believe it may be cholera." Wang Anshi bowed and reported, "Coincidentally, there have been more than a dozen cases of cholera in Chun'an County."

"Cholera?" Jiang Zhao understood.

Cholera is also known as plague.

Drinking dirty water during hot weather can lead to illness.

Initially, the main symptom is diarrhea, which gradually turns into vomiting, accompanied by both vomiting and diarrhea, muscle spasms, convulsions, and death. This is a typical case of short-term exhaustion leading to death.

After pondering for a moment, Jiang Zhao shook his head and didn't delve into it further.

In any case, the Yang Wu case must be a "wrongful conviction," which is the result of public opinion.

"If that's the case, how should the crime be determined?"

Jiang Zhaoping smiled and looked down.

Finally, attention turned to Teng Fu, the Left Censor-in-Chief.

The emperor specifically sent people from Liangzhe to Liangzhe Road to handle cases, either to appease the people or to make them wield knives.

To appease the people is to be a "good person," while to wield a knife is to be a "bad person."

With a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet serving as the presiding judge, it is immediately clear who is the good guy and who is the bad guy.

Teng Fu sighed inwardly.

Ever since Jiang Zhao singled him out last time, he has known his "position".

But what can be done?

There's no way to resist!
Moreover, not everyone has the opportunity to be the knife.

If you do dirty or hard work, you definitely need to be compensated.

“The case of impersonating an imperial envoy during the reign of Emperor Taizu should be taken as the standard, and the punishment should be even more severe,” Teng Fu replied.

"Okay, draft the charter."

Jiang Zhao nodded in satisfaction and said, "The trial will be held in three days. Whatever Lord Teng says, then it is."

"Yes, sir," Teng Fu replied, bowing.

(End of this chapter)