Are you crazy? Trying to trick him into military service? He's the number one dragon on the fro

"Father, isn't it always been your teaching to put public affairs first and private matters second?"

In just a few words, Zhou Qi revealed his true colors, casually sitting down in the seat next to him, taking a sip of tea before continuing to speak slowly:

"I performed the subordinate's salute just now to let Father know that I am acting on the orders of the Marquis of Champion, representing the officials and people of Yun County, to expose Wu Zeliang's evil deeds!"

"Now, as a family member, I also urge my father to severely punish Wu Zeliang!"

In any case, he had already reported all the information he and Lu Xiao had gathered, thus completing his mission.

"That was official business. Now, let me tell you something personal."

"Wu Zeliang is truly a wicked man!"

"When he was in the capital, he was very respectful to you and my sister. Outsiders praised him, saying that although he came from humble beginnings, he was ambitious and understood the greater good. Wasn't it because of this that you and my sister brought him into the family?"

"But after investigating, I discovered that this scoundrel has two completely different faces, one in public and one in private!"

Boom!

As he spoke, Zhou Qi slammed his teacup down heavily, his eyes filled with indignation:

"After this scoundrel arrived in Yun County, he took three concubines almost on his second day in office. He spent most of his day frolicking and flirting with them, and even boasted to them that he would never have married my sister if it weren't for his father's powerful connections!"

"After torturing and killing one of his concubines, he simply dumped her body in the wilderness and, on some pretext, imprisoned her entire family. Now, the concubine's only remaining relative is her seven-year-old sister!"

"In addition, Wu Zeliang abused his position to engage in corrupt practices both openly and covertly within and outside the prefecture, amassing a staggering million taels of silver in just a few years in office!"

"From the prefectural magistrate to the common people, almost everyone hated him and feared him!"

"Such a depraved and insane person deserves to be executed!"

In the hall, Zhou Kang's brows furrowed tightly upon hearing these words.

He glanced casually at the memorials and evidence his son had presented, his eyes practically spitting fire.

During Wu Zeliang's tenure as the prefect of Yun County, he was immoral and unscrupulous in both public and private affairs, causing great suffering to the entire county. Everyone wanted to tear him apart, but because his father-in-law was the prime minister of the court, they dared not say a word.

"presumptuous!"

When Zhou Kang saw that Wu Zeliang had been extorting money and supplies from the Zemeng camp since taking office, he could no longer hold back.

He slammed his hand on the table, almost roaring:

"This scoundrel is truly audacious, lawless, and utterly arrogant!"

"With such corrupt officials in our Great Zhou, no wonder we can't defeat the Chu army!"

"Zhou Qi!"

After saying that, he looked at his son:

"Go home and rest for a while. Tomorrow morning, immediately head south with the Ministry of Justice officials. You are ordered to capture this scoundrel. He can be apprehended without trial!"

"There's no need to rush back; instead, put that fellow in heavy shackles and chains, and walk from Yun County through the city to the capital!"

"Anyone who disobeys may be executed on the spot!"

"promise!"

After Zhou Qi left, Zhou Kang thought for a moment and then returned to the Hall of Diligent Governance.

Emperor Dehong was quite puzzled when he saw him arrive.

Zhou Kang didn't waste any more words and said directly:

"Your Majesty, it has now been confirmed that Wu Zeliang, the Prefect of Yun County, has committed heinous crimes of embezzlement and corruption. After verifying the facts, this old minister has dispatched men to Yun County to arrest this scoundrel."

"Now that this matter has passed, in addition to requesting Your Majesty's imperial decree, I also request Your Majesty to expedite the transfer of Fan Changxin to his post as Prefect, to take charge of all affairs in Yun County!"

"Prime Minister, what about the Prefect of Wu Commandery...?"

Emperor Dehong was greatly alarmed and immediately pressed for details, after all, he was the prime minister's son-in-law.

How did they suddenly become enemies?

Upon learning of Wu Zeliang's actions in Yun County, he was furious and agreed without hesitation.

The resentment that had arisen from Zhou Kang's unilateral decision to act first and report later vanished without a trace in an instant.

Then, he asked curiously:

"This Fan Changxin..."

"Your Majesty, Fan Changxin is the brother-in-law of the Marquis of Champion. He is a wealthy merchant in Yuyang County. He once used his family fortune to fully support the Marquis of Champion's northern expedition against the Hu. Later, he served as the magistrate of Bai County."

"When the Marquis of Champion went south, Fan Changxin resigned his post and followed the Marquis south."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Dehong finally remembered that when the court couldn't keep up with the White Wolf Camp's expansion speed and had to let Lu Xiao act on his own, there was indeed such a person helping Lu Xiao.

However, he had some reservations about Fan Changxin being appointed as the prefect:

"Prime Minister, Fan Changxin is a merchant by birth. He was able to become a county magistrate entirely because of his marriage ties with the Marquis of Champion. Now he has been directly promoted from a commoner to a prefect. Even if you and I are fighting against Chu for the Marquis of Champion, the civil and military officials in the court will absolutely not agree to it."

"Shouldn't this matter be discussed further?"

"Your Majesty, in this urgent situation, it's best to act expediently; making an exception this once wouldn't hurt!"

Zhou Kang shook his head, sticking to his opinion:

"Moreover, the Northern Hu people now submit to our Great Zhou precisely because they were granted the Marquis of Champion the power to act expediently, and the speed at which he was promoted and granted titles was unprecedented."

"In fact, a precedent has already been set. Moreover, Fan Changxin is genuinely assisting the Marquis of Champion, and he and the Marquis of Champion work together seamlessly. With him as the prefect, Zemeng's camp can rest easy!"

"As for the other officials, I will handle them directly."

As he spoke, a hint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes:

"Recently, some officials in the capital have seen that the Northern Hu have lost their ability to cause trouble, and some have criticized the Marquis of Champion for being too young and not worthy of His Majesty's favor. Some have even impeached the Marquis of Champion for acting on his own initiative at the White Wolf Camp, which was an act of disregard for discipline, and hope that His Majesty will punish him."

"It's time to teach them a lesson."

……

The next morning, as Zhou Qi led Jiang Xun, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, south to arrest serious criminals, Wang Xingren, who had just been promoted two ranks, also left the capital through the south gate with an imperial edict and headed straight for Yun County.

Because he was traveling at full speed, he arrived at the county town in just seven or eight days.

Without a moment's rest, he went straight to a small town north of the Zemeng camp, found Fan Changxin who was loading and unloading goods there, and directly stated his purpose:

"Lord Fan, the Emperor has issued a decree!"

Fan Changxin was very surprised that the court had issued an imperial edict to him alone. Noticing Wang Xingren's expression, he quickly set up an incense table and performed a grand ceremony to receive the edict.

However, Wang Xingren didn't let him be so polite. He quickly pulled the man up and said with a smile:

"Lord Fan, there's no need for such formalities. Given the urgency of the situation, let's skip these small gestures."

"His Majesty's intention is for Lord Fan to arrange his affairs as soon as possible and proceed to the prefectural city to assume his post!"

"Lord Wang, what...what is the reason for this?"

Fan Changxin was startled.

After following Lu Xiao south from Yuyang County, he basically ran a business in the towns near the camp, trying his best to solve the logistical problems for Lu Xiao.

Wang Xingren also looked at him with great emotion.

Who would have thought that a businessman could become a powerful regional official in just one year!