People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

"Governor Wei, the Dali Temple inspectors have ordered that entry is now prohibited."

Suddenly, Jie Zhen's voice rang out. Tai He looked up and saw Wei Yanwu rushing towards them.

It's hard to imagine that he, a central government official and a Dali Temple official who came here for inspection, would feel so close to this person.

I used to avoid him like the plague.

Wei Yanwu glanced at Taihe, then turned his sharp gaze to Jiezhen:

"The Dali Temple doesn't seem to have the authority to block the Longmen Governor's Office. Or does Vice Minister Xie have some evidence of Wei's crimes that he wants to isolate and investigate me?"

“The Court of Judicial Review does not have this authority.”

Jie Zhen nodded, and Wei Yanwu's lips curled into a slight smile. He was about to walk past Jie Zhen when he was stopped by him:

"But the supervising censors of the Censorate of the Censorate have this qualification."

The name "Yan State's Imperial Censorate" is relatively easy to understand.

Anti-corruption and integrity building, remonstrances to the court, and even reporting on the execution of eight officials—these were all within their power. When inspecting local areas, they also indeed had the power to conduct undisturbed, private interrogations of individuals.

Having a right doesn't mean you have to use it. Moreover, rights and obligations are always reciprocal; using this power means paying a price, especially when dealing with certain special individuals.

Wei Yanwu was a person of this special status; any direct accusation against him was tantamount to a deathbed remonstrance.

If you can produce solid evidence and force the true dragon to execute Wei Yanwu, then you're awesome, but you'll definitely die in the end too.

If you can't produce solid evidence, then skip the middle and just die.

He died for his principles; there's nothing wrong with that.

Wei Yanwu frowned deeply.

He hadn't expected Jie Zhen to be so hostile today. He thought the other party was just symbolically blocking his way to fulfill an obligation, and that if he played along and acted a little more forcefully, the other party would simply back down and say, "Governor Wei insisted on breaking through, and his subordinates were powerless to stop him," thus letting the matter drop.

Wei Yanwu should take responsibility for this himself.

After all, given his strength, if he really wanted to break through, Jie Zhen really couldn't stop him, and no one would dwell on this too much.

But judging from his expression, he really wanted to stop him!

Moreover, judging from his appearance, he had made advance preparations, having been promoted to the Censorate as an Inspector at some unknown time, in order to ensure that the procedures were reasonable and legal.

Impressive.

Although he maintained a calm expression, Wei Yanwu had already vaguely sensed the approaching storm that had started in Baizhao and was sweeping towards Longmen.

"Sigh, with such a tense atmosphere, I thought Governor Wei was some kind of traitor!"

Taihe suddenly slapped Jiezhen on the shoulder and glared at him.

Although he didn't know what had gotten into Jie Zhen this time, he knew that if things continued like this, his entire family would be doomed!

Taihe and Jiezhen had some friendship, and they knew that this person was fair and just, not a bad person, so they stepped in to stop the conversation and protect him.

“Governor Wei is the Governor of Longmen. Even if he can’t force his way into the venue, since he’s here, it’s only right and proper that we inform Vice Minister Lin, isn’t it?”

Jie Zhen gave Tai He a deep look, then nodded and took a step back.

Taihe breathed a sigh of relief and nodded to Wei Yanwu:

"Governor Wei, please wait a moment."

Wei Yanwu remained silent.

Taihe turned around and knocked on the door. He didn't get a response right away, but he didn't care and pushed the door open.

Inside the room, Lin Qingyan and Chen Huijie sat facing each other at the table. Lin Qingyan's eyebrows were furrowed, and his eyes seemed to burn with anger, while Chen Huijie looked on with agreement, as if she had finally found a kindred spirit.

Lin Qingyan: "I never imagined that Governor Wei, who has such a good reputation outside, would do such despicable things in private! Infected people, civilian areas, running a gang as a protector, accepting bribes, disregarding the laws of Great Yan, and even privately forming local forces, trying to create a political clique in the area! I will definitely report these crimes truthfully and impeach him!"

"These crimes alone, according to the laws of the Great Yan, warrant execution without pardon!"

"By the way, Chen Huijie, what was that important matter you mentioned earlier? Tell me the truth!"

Chen Huijie said with a serious expression, "Compared to this matter, all the previous ones are minor."

"This matter involves my mother, my sister, and Mr. Ernst."

"Young Master Lin!"

Taihe suddenly shouted, interrupting the two of them!

He rushed up, his bones practically melting with fear.

My goodness, what are you talking about?!

Stop talking! Stop talking! If you keep going, Wei Yanwu will sound like he's plotting a rebellion!

Treason is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family. Are you implying that the true dragon's brother is also plotting a rebellion?

He was truly terrified and, disregarding Lin Qingyan's displeased expression, hurriedly said: —

"Minister Lin, Governor Wei has returned and is waiting outside the door."

Lin Qingyan sneered and nodded:

"I see."

She turned her head and, taking advantage of Taihe's inattention, exchanged a glance with Chen, who nodded slightly.

They've been talking for so long, it's impossible that they're only bringing up this issue now; this is just for show for Taihe and Wei Yanwu.

Lin Qingyan wasn't stupid. Just as Wei Yanwu had thought, as a rising star promoted by a powerful family, someone who had risen to the position of Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review at such a young age, she had already sensed the strangeness and danger in this matter through Chen's brief description. She even suspected that this matter was connected to another major event.

She certainly heard Taihe knocking on the door.

The two were actually silent at that time. Lin Qingyan was pondering the key points, while Chen Huijie was thinking about the issues of inflammation and procedures that Lin Qingyan had given in order to solve the problem of infected people in Longmen.

When Taihe knocked on the door, Lin Qingyan hurriedly spoke, instructing Chen Huijie to utter these words.

It was as if Chen Huijie had just brought up the topic, and then Taihe interrupted, which was just a little trick to cover up the truth.

Whether she knew what Chen Huijie said, or whether Chen Huijie said it or not, was not important. What was important was that this matter was quite serious, and she needed to prevent others from immediately assuming that they knew something.

This way, the safety of the two men and the Dali Temple officials who accompanied him can be guaranteed, and Wei Yanwu or other parties involved can be prevented from jumping over the wall and exploding with them.

This isn't just unfounded worry; if Lin Qingyan's intuition is correct, then they really did do such a thing. Moreover, every single person who died because of this back then was far more powerful and influential than her!

This matter needs to be investigated, but we'll have to wait until he returns to Baizao and gathers more information. For now, let's put it aside for the time being and secretly gather intelligence.

With a mind as clear as a mirror, Lin Qingyan raised his head, his face still fair and dignified:

"Inspector Chen, you may leave now. Let Governor Wei in; I need to see him."

Chapter 948 The Difference Between Chen Huijie and Lin Qingyan

The exchange between Lin Qingyan and Wei Yanwu did not last long.

One of them harbored doubts, while the other was extremely wary. Their exchanges were far more probing and tentative than frank and open, and most of what they said was rather pointless.

Lin Qingyan inquired about the existence of illegal gathering areas for infected individuals in Longmen, and Wei Yanwu's answer was exactly the same as when he faced Ernst: "Absolutely not!"

Lin Qingyan then inquired about some issues concerning the rapid development of Longmen in recent years, and Wei Yanwu answered them quite well:

"Firstly, this depends on the correct leadership of the Great Yan Dynasty. The future of Longmen depends on the Great Yan Dynasty. Without the Great Yan Dynasty pointing out the direction and creating opportunities, Longmen will only be a lost pack beast in the wilderness, working itself to death without ever making a name for itself!"

"Secondly, Lungmen does indeed have a very unique locational advantage. It is close to Chernobog, a newly emerging mobile city in the Ursus Empire. The two emerging economies have close exchanges, creating many new jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities. They cooperate and win together, which has injected abundant momentum into Lungmen's development and released its economic vitality!"

"Thirdly, it is thanks to the unremitting efforts of all the citizens of Longmen and the hard work of the people of our Great Yan that Longmen has achieved what it is today!"

In short, it has nothing to do with Wei Yanwu.

Lin Qingyan was initially serious and listened attentively. After all, this was Wei Yanwu, a man who had built a large mobile city called "Longmen" that the entire Great Yan Dynasty could not ignore in just a few decades. Regardless of what kind of person he was, his experience in governance was still worth listening to and learning from.

But after listening to every word, she had only one feeling—

Said a lot of nonsense.

It's just like an exam question from a private school, specifically a geography question from a lower-grade school. The point is that if you remove the name in front of the question, you can just put any template on it and it will fit.

The Great Yan is not Victoria; navigating this wilderness requires a skilled helmsman! Everyone knows that the Great Yan's rapid development is due to His Majesty the True Dragon's innate intelligence and wise decisions! The rapid development of local areas is due to the prefects' dedication and unwavering loyalty! Even if a village develops into a renowned place, the credit must first go to the village chief who led the way!

Wei Yanwu never speaks a word from the heart; he's just treating her like a child!

Lin Qingyan had been involved in the officialdom of the Great Yan Dynasty, so she understood many things, but she still insisted on doing it this way!

If everyone blindly follows unspoken rules, then the laws on the table become mere empty words; if everyone blindly promotes unspoken rules, then the morality we talk about becomes nothing more than a hollow slogan.

Legal justice and public order and good morals are the only two things Lin Qingyan wants to uphold. She knows that officialdom is dark, and she is not completely ignorant of human relationships. However, she is still young and wants to take a chance.

The matter of Wei Yanwu is probably the first, and possibly the biggest, challenge she has encountered since entering the officialdom of Yan State!

After all, if her speculation is correct, the only person in the entire Great Yan Dynasty who could give her the real answer would probably be one person.

"Governor Wei, let's stop here for now."

With a heavy heart, Lin Qingyan took a deep breath and nodded to Wei Yanwu.

Wei Yanwu's smile remained unchanged, but he picked up the pipe on the table, put it to his lips, and waved it at Lin Qingyan:

"Young Master Lin, I can now."

"Governor Wei, please make yourself at home."

Lin Qingyan nodded.

But Wei Yanwu showed no intention of getting up and leaving.

Lin Qingyan was stunned for a moment, then looked at Wei Yanwu. The old dragon's smile was meaningful, and his eyes seemed to contain a hint of coldness.

He held his pipe with one hand and gently tapped the armrest of the sofa with the other. As he exhaled smoke, the swirling smoke gradually blurred his face.

Lin Qingyan then realized a problem.

She is the one who should do as she pleases.

This is Longmen, and this room belongs to the Longmen Governor's Mansion. Wei Yanwu can do as he pleases here, while Lin Qingyan...

Wei Yanwu was silently reminding her: "You are the one who came here."

Lin Qingyan slowly stood up, feeling an invisible pressure.

As a promising young man of the Lin clan and a junior minister of the Dali Temple, she rarely experienced such undisguised pressure from those in power, but Wei Yanwu achieved this simply through silence.

You can say he has bad character, you can say he lacks humanity, you can even say he deliberately breathes on people close to him, harming one family member after another.

But after all, he had been the crown prince for decades. Although no one could say for sure what his affair with the current emperor was, theoretically, the emperor should want to get rid of him as soon as possible! But in the Great Yan court, after so many years of open and covert struggles, has anyone actually submitted a memorial to impeach Wei Yanwu?

No.

Wei Yanwu never received any reprimand from the imperial court.

This speaks volumes.

Wei Yanwu was an extraordinary person.

Lin Qingyan straightened his back and gave Wei Yanwu a respectful but not servile bow:

"Well then, Governor Wei, I'll be going now. I'll contact you again if needed."

"Young Master Lin, are you leaving already? Why don't you stay a little longer? Is it because you can't stand the smell of my cigarettes?"

Wei Yanwu smiled, as if mocking himself.

"Oh dear, I know that many people from the Dalingli Temple in the past couldn't stand my smell either, but I just can't quit. But it's good that you're not here for long. You can leave as soon as you're done, without having to put up with this old smoker every day, and without having to persuade me to quit like my wife does."

Lin Qingyan nodded, smiled, and didn't reply.

She was very clever; she could hear the unspoken meaning in Wei Yanwu's words.

These words clearly imply that I have many, complicated, and difficult matters to handle! You are all outsiders, why bother with these trivial matters? Once you wade into this murky water, it will be difficult to clean yourself up!

If you don't want to run into trouble, just finish what you need to do and leave. No one will get hurt!

This is both a warning and a piece of advice.

Lin Qingyan suddenly remembered Chen Huijie, with whom she had chatted for a long time and who was quite agreeable to her temperament.

No wonder she disliked and even loathed Wei Yanwu so much.

She probably wouldn't even understand what Wei Yanwu was saying. She might even decide to have Madam Wenyue and Wei Yanwu sleep in separate rooms to avoid her getting sick from inhaling secondhand smoke every day.

Chen Huijie doesn't understand many languages, so she uses her own eyes to distinguish right from wrong and then puts into practice what seems to be "just".

Lin Qingyan felt that she had great potential to become an official in the Court of Judicial Review or the Ministry of Justice.

And herself.