My father Zhao Kuangyin

After fulfilling his father's imperial edict, Zhao Dezhao left the palace.

Now, in addition to his titles of Guizhou Defense Commissioner and Vice Chancellor of the Song Dynasty, he also holds the honorary title of Director of the Court of Judicial Review.

The so-called "nominal official" is a titleless position, similar to the Three Dukes. However, in order to investigate the case of Li Shouxin's enormous corruption despite his low rank, he holds this nominal position, which still gives him real power.

Of course, the authority to adjudicate the case rested with Su Xiao, the former Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review of the Later Zhou Dynasty and the Transport Commissioner of Xichuan.

After leaving the inner palace, Zhao Dezhao did not rush to leave the palace. Instead, he went to the Three Departments Office to retrieve the files on last year's grain transport and timber procurement.

Nowadays, paper is no longer a valuable commodity. In the Song Dynasty, county magistrates and treasury officials would compare the "bills" every month and supply them to the Three Departments.

At that time, Emperor Zhao even issued a special edict that anyone who dared to deceive or falsify information would be rewarded with 300,000 coins upon reporting and verification.

This matter was clearly unrealistic for the government. Once the edict was issued, there were no corresponding restrictions, which led to everyone making false accusations and lawsuits. In the end, the government had to withdraw the edict and let the matter drop.

The person who received Zhao Dezhao was Minister Chu Zhaofu, who was fifty-nine years old this year, just one step away from turning sixty.

Although he was not young, he was still in good spirits and energy, at least much more rosy-cheeked than Liu Xigu.

This Minister of Finance was among the first to invest, and his talent earned him the emperor's favor.

In addition, there was the matter of the solar eclipse that replaced the old one with the new.

There are many different opinions on this matter; some people saw it, while others did not. However, after the founding of the Song Dynasty, everyone saw it.

In addition, the late Empress Dowager Du was in the city at the time, feeling anxious and uneasy. It was Chu Zhaofu who entered the city to personally tell her the truth and comfort the old lady.

While Chu Zhaofu's contributions to the founding of the dynasty were undeniable, his ability to become a strategist was also a testament to his exceptional abilities.

The main problem is stinginess.

The amount of money bestowed upon him by the emperor was unknown, but this Minister of State of Chu mostly did not use it. Instead, he hoarded it like wild beasts preparing for winter. When guests came to his residence, he would lead them on a tour, but that was all.

As for why he didn't use it, Chu Jixiang said it was for the emperor's safekeeping, but in reality, he was too poor to bear using it.

It is obviously most appropriate to put such a person in charge of the finances.

"What is Ah Lang looking for?"

After bowing respectfully, Zhao Dezhao said solemnly, "The records of Li Shouxin, the custodian of the supply depot, purchasing timber in Qin and Long last year."

"Biao Dong (Su Zi) came before noon. I had the clerk make a copy. You can take it, Master."

Having said that, before Zhao Dezhao could even go to look for it, Chu Zhaofu took it from the clerk and handed it over himself.

"Thank you for your trouble, my lord."

Chu Zhaofu stroked his beard and examined the situation. After a while, he smiled slightly and asked, "Where do you intend to begin, my lord?"

"The master is still the transport commissioner Su. My father sent me to serve as the military supervisor, which is just a position of supervising the army and overseeing the battle."

Chu Zhaofu remained noncommittal, nodded, and hesitated before saying, "Previously during the reign of Emperor Chuigong, Your Majesty..."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Dezhao feigned hesitation, and after a moment, revealed: "Prime Minister Chu knows that my third uncle is righteous and that Lord Su is powerful. They have already investigated many accomplices involved, but they haven't had time to interrogate them yet, so the number is too small to match the scale. As for Li Shouxin's marriage to his daughter and Right Remonstrance Official Ma Shi, their relatives have not yet been thoroughly investigated..."

While recounting and organizing his thoughts, Zhao Dezhao glanced around and asked softly, "Could you tell me the truth, sir?"

"Oh?"

Chu Zhaofu was pondering when he was interrupted. Just as he was about to politely decline, he blurted out the words.

"In the past, Lord Zhao also purchased timber from Guanzhong. At that time, the imperial court prohibited private trade, but I know that many high-ranking officials crossed the line to build their mansions... Why did it cause such a big fuss?"

The Emperor's punishment for Zhao Pu was not dismissal from his post as prime minister, but exile.

There is an element of protest involved, but it is not very reasonable.

"The imperial court's prestige rests on your shoulders, and you, sir, should set an example. If you break the law, your punishment will be incomparable to that of ordinary people."

It seems fair and reasonable, but it's actually an irrelevant answer.

Zhao Dezhao then asked, "The newly appointed warehouse keeper, Chen Congxin, is a former official from Kaifeng. Do you recognize him, sir?"

These words were practically spoken openly in front of everyone. Chu Zhaofu was taken aback and shook his head without answering.

Not answering is also an answer. Seeing this, Zhao Dezhao made a judgment and smiled.

"I've disturbed you, my lord."

Chu Zhaofu still did not respond until after he left, at which point he couldn't help but sigh and murmur.

"A new offense on an old precedent—what is the Emperor thinking, sending Erlang here?"

………………

Zhongmu County, post station.

The night was dark and windy, with the incessant chirping of cicadas. Li Shouxin lay on a hard couch.

Perhaps it was due to prolonged insomnia, but my eyes were swollen and stinging, and I tossed and turned several times, unable to fall asleep.

With a creak, the door was gently pushed open.

Li Shouxin was already sensitive, and upon hearing the sound, he sat up abruptly, his legs trembling uncontrollably.

"who!"

As soon as the words were spoken, thanks to the bright moonlight, two or three figures appeared behind the door, tall and strong, standing side by side, like a pass blocking the way.

Upon seeing this, Li Shouxin didn't even think twice. He pounded his knee and prepared to jump out of the window.

Those heroes were no fools. They looked at him by candlelight, strode forward, and instantly pulled him back.

A sharp hissing sound came from the drawing of a sword.

In the blink of an eye, the blade pierced through the flesh, as if stitched together with silk thread.

Soon, the heroes tidied up a bit, and the room returned to silence.

A quarter of an hour later, the sound of horses' hooves rose again, and the small post station was brightly lit once more.

"Gentlemen...Generals."

"Will the newly appointed judge of Qin Prefecture stay here?"

"But is it Judge Li?"

Which one?

"The first room on the second floor, around the corner, is..."

"Bang!" The door was pushed open heavily, and the leading knight glanced inside and was immediately stunned.

………………

Dali Temple, Shen Tang.

Su Xiao frowned as she watched the executioners grope the straw mat.

The body was brought over at dawn, shortly after he had fallen asleep. Now, further provoked by Li Shouxin's suicide, his thoughts were in disarray, and he felt inexplicably irritable.

It must be understood that a high case-solving rate by a cruel official does not equate to him being a truly upright official. For example, if someone were to undergo a period of time to recover their memories, let alone an ordinary person, even a veteran soldier on the frontier would not be able to withstand it.

Arresting those corrupt accomplices would not yield any fundamental progress. Even if the various councils agreed, the government... probably wouldn't.

"Have you found out?"

"Reporting to Lord Su, Li Shouxin committed suicide in the middle of the night."

"And you say it was suicide?" Chu Xiao looked at him with one eye bigger than the other.

The executioner was somewhat frightened and said, "The short dagger in the house is extremely sharp. The Ministry of Justice also found a white silk ribbon in the bundle. They all say that Li Shouxin heard rumors and committed suicide out of fear."

Zhongmu County was not far away, it was under the jurisdiction of Kaifeng, and a light cavalryman could travel back and forth in less than half a day. However, Li Shouxin knew that the whole world belonged to the Song Dynasty and he could not escape. Therefore, he did not stay at an official post station. The pursuing Iron Cavalry soldiers searched and searched for a long time for this reason.

While listening to the group discuss the case, Zhao Dezhao had been sitting respectfully to the side for a long time without saying a word.

Why didn't Su Shi arrest Ma Shi?

"We've checked Ma Shi's residence and his position in the Secretariat..."

Before Su Xiaofang could finish speaking, a minor official rushed in from outside the hall.

"Lord Su! Right Remonstrator Ma Shi has arrived!"