Jackie Chan's Son-in-Law

Chapter 164 Capable Ministers and Good Officials
Originally, Chen Qing didn't need to participate in this arrest process personally, or at least not in such a high-profile manner.

However, according to Yan Hu's information, the people from the Zhenfu Division will return to the capital in the next day or two. This means that Chen Qing will soon return to the Zhenfu Division to take up his post. From now on, he will be in charge of both the White Lotus Sect and the Zhenfu Division's investigation in the capital.

The White Lotus Sect is currently progressing smoothly according to Chen Qing's plan. As long as it continues, even if the plan to usurp the throne cannot be perfectly completed, at least it can ensure that the White Lotus Sect in the capital region will not become a major force.

That's already a well-deserved achievement.

Of course, for Chen Qing, eliminating the White Lotus Sect was only the most basic goal; the ideal situation would be to control the White Lotus Sect.

It controlled the White Lotus sect at least to some extent.

In the name of the Zhenfu Division, he began to rectify officialdom. Rectification was a natural thing to do. Sending those corrupt officials to the imperial prison and watching them cry and wail, regardless of whether it was satisfying or not, was a way for Chen Qing to accumulate merit.

After all, since coming into this world, Chen has developed a genuine sense of awe towards ghosts and gods.

Similarly, when it comes to reforming the bureaucracy for the emperor, this reform is the result and the goal for the emperor, but for Chen Qing it is merely a process.

What he needs to achieve is, to some extent, to gain power.

This power does not necessarily have to be the power of the Zhenfu Division; it is best if it comes from Chen Qing himself.

Of course, this is just an ideal goal, and whether it can be achieved depends on the specific circumstances.

Regardless, Chen Qing had to undertake this "project" to rectify official corruption. Since he was going to do it, and wanted to find a way to achieve his own additional goals while fulfilling his superiors' tasks, Chen Qing needed to understand the project process.

His main purpose in bringing Yan Cong with him to arrest people this time was to understand the specific procedures of the Zhenfu Division in handling cases.

Of course, swaggering over in this outfit also served to annoy Master Yang, making things even more difficult for Master Yuanfu, who was already in a difficult position.

Although this was Yan Cong's first time leading a team to arrest someone, he was probably used to it since he was a child. He was not intimidated at all. He just looked at Zhou Pan and said in a deep voice, "Lord Zhou, you are the Prefect of the Capital. You should know that the Zhenfu Division will not usually arrest officials of your rank without authorization."

"What do you want to say?"

Yan Cong said slowly, "Let's talk about it in the imperial prison!"

The Prefect of Jingzhao was already a high-ranking official in the imperial court, and without the emperor's order, the Zhenfu Division would indeed not come to arrest him.

Zhou Pan's face turned ashen. He looked at Yan Cong and gritted his teeth, "My lord, could this humble official perhaps..."

"No."

Yan Cong said coldly, "Today, you must come with us to the Imperial Prison. We'll talk about everything after we're inside. Don't worry, the Zhenfu Division won't wrong you. If Lord Zhou is truly incorruptible, the Zhenfu Division will definitely release you."

"At that time, I, Yan Cong, will kowtow to you and apologize!"

At this point, Yan Cong waved his hand and said, "Take him away!"

Several officers and guards from the Zhenfu Division behind him immediately rushed forward and pinned Zhou Pan down. Zhou Pan's face was pale, but his voice still trembled: "I want to go to the Ministry of Justice prison! I want to go to the Ministry of Justice prison!"

Yan Cong turned to look at Chen Qing, who remained smiling and silent. Without further hesitation, Yan Cong waved his hand and said, "Take him away!"

Several officers from the Zhenfu Division immediately locked Zhou Pan up and forcibly took him away from the Jingzhao Prefecture.

As a local government office in the capital, Jingzhao Prefecture possessed arguably the largest military force among all local government offices. Jingzhao Prefecture alone could mobilize at least several thousand men. However, at this moment, because of the four words "Northern Garrison Command," no one in Jingzhao Prefecture dared to move, and they could only watch helplessly as their commander was taken away by the Garrison Command.

After Zhou Pan was taken away, Chen Qing and Yan Cong left the Jingzhao Prefecture one after the other. Once outside, Chen Qing said with a smile, "Brother Yan, is this your first time becoming a third-rank official? Isn't it exciting?"

Yan Cong smiled and said, "This is indeed my first time, but when I was a child, I saw my father hold the title of Minister."

"After seeing so many, I've come to think of it as nothing special."

Yan Cong looked at Chen Qing and asked, "Boss, are you coming back to the Zhenfu Division with us?"

"Going."

Chen Qing nodded and said, "I can't handle other matters before I return to the Zhenfu Division, but I have to handle this one. I'll have to write a memorial to His Majesty later."

The matter concerning Zhou Pan was an assignment given by the emperor, and it was directly given to Chen Qing. Although the entire Zhenfu Division handled the case in the end, Chen Qing was the one directly in charge.

Even Tang Can couldn't report to the emperor on his behalf.

Yan Cong smiled and said, "Then let's go back to the Zhenfu Division. Judging by the time, it will only be a few days before you return to the Zhenfu Division, sir."

Chen Qing said with a smile, "When I get back to the Zhenfu Division, I'll book the Manxiang Restaurant for the whole day, and all the brothers in our unit will go and have a good meal together."

…………

The next day, in the imperial study.

Having just received the imperial edict appointing him to an official position, Zhao Mengjing knelt respectfully before His Majesty the Emperor, bowing his head and saying, "Your subject Zhao Mengjing pays his respects to Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty, I am ashamed of the honor of being promoted and have come to express my gratitude." The emperor glanced at Zhao Mengjing kneeling before him, turned around twice with his hands behind his back, and then said, "Rise and speak."

Zhao Mengjing rose respectfully and bowed to the emperor once again: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

The emperor looked at him with his hands behind his back and asked, "Having been imprisoned for several years, does Minister Zhao harbor any resentment?"

Zhao Zongxian lowered his head slightly and said, "Your Majesty, if it weren't for Your Majesty's protection over the past few years, even if I hadn't died in the imperial prison, I would probably have been targeted for revenge. In my heart, I have no resentment towards the emperor or father."

The emperor narrowed his eyes and asked, "Really?"

"There are no outsiders here, so Minister Zhao need not say anything against his conscience. I prefer to hear the truth."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Mengjing looked up at the emperor, then lowered his head again, without speaking immediately.

But this silence alone is enough to say a lot.

You like to hear the truth, but why didn't you like to hear the truth from more than three years ago?
If it were the Zhao Mengjing of the past, he would probably have already asked this question by now. But since he has already bowed his head and admitted defeat, for the sake of his family, Zhao Zongxian would not directly offend the emperor. Instead, he bowed his head slightly and said, "Your Majesty, since ancient times, when the emperor commands the subject to die, the subject has no choice but to die. Moreover, Your Majesty has not killed me, and I am already grateful."

The emperor carefully examined Zhao Mengjing's expression and then looked at his gray hair before withdrawing his probing gaze and saying, "If that's really the case, then so be it."

"Having been away from the court for several years, how long will it take for Minister Zhao to take over the Censorate?"

"tomorrow."

Zhao Mengjing lowered his head slightly, his tone resolute: "Later today, I will pay a visit to Chief Censor Ji. Tomorrow I will go to the Censorate to assume my duties. Your Majesty, rest assured, I will be able to take over the general affairs of the Censorate in three or four days."

The emperor clapped his hands and said with a smile, "As expected of a Hanlin scholar who passed the imperial examinations twice, you have plenty of confidence."

Becoming a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) is merely the starting point for becoming an official.

However, this starting point is quite important; it is like an academic qualification and will stay with a civil servant for life.

It's not just about his political career, but about his entire life.

Zhao Mengjing ranked fourth in the second class back then, a true graduate of the Hanlin Academy, and was quite distinguished.

With his background, as long as he is appointed by the imperial court, he has the confidence to immediately issue orders in any government office.

Moreover, his qualifications speak for themselves.

The emperor then spoke with Zhao Mengjing about the Censorate. After they had finished talking, the emperor said, "That's all for today. Minister Zhao, go and pay your respects to Minister Ji."

Zhao Mengjing bowed first, then said, "Your Majesty, I heard that yesterday the Zhenfu Division went to the Jingzhao Prefecture and arrested Zhou Pan, the Prefect of Jingzhao, and imprisoned him in the imperial prison."

Yesterday, the Zhenfu Division arrested people, causing quite a stir and sparking much discussion throughout the capital.

After all, from any perspective, Magistrate Zhou of the Capital was a very important figure, especially since he was a protégé of Minister Yang…

It was still quite shocking that the Zhenfu Division took them away from the government office without any mercy.

The emperor raised an eyebrow: "You want to meddle in this matter, Minister Zhao?"

"It's not that I want to interfere."

Zhao Mengjing lowered his head and said, "It should be said that the Censorate should be in charge. Supervising all officials is one of the responsibilities of the Censorate. Moreover, Zhou Pan has been the Prefect of the Capital for five years. He has connections with many people in the capital. His case may involve the entire court in the capital. I would like to represent the Censorate and cooperate with the Zhenfu Division in handling this case."

"From now on, starting with Zhou Pan, we can pull out the radish and find the mud along with it. His Majesty's reform of the bureaucracy will have a starting point."

The emperor was taken aback, then said in a daze, "Minister Zhao really holds a grudge. Very well, then you two departments will cooperate in handling Zhou Pan's case."

Zhao Mengjing bowed deeply: "Your subject obeys."

"My minister retire."

Just as he was about to leave, the emperor suddenly called him back and asked, "Minister Zhao, you are upright and incorruptible. I would like to ask you a question."

Zhao Mengjing lowered his head: "Your subject will speak frankly and without reservation."

"You have frequent contact with Chen Qing. What do you think of Chen Qing as a person?"

"Your Majesty, this man Chen Qing..."

Zhao Zongxian thought about it carefully, then lowered his head.

He will be a capable and efficient official.

(End of this chapter)