After exchanging pleasantries, the three of them sat down, and the atmosphere became awkward.
Before Sun Piyang had come in, the two of them had been able to chat. Dongchang and the Imperial Bodyguard were quite close.
Zhang Hong, the eunuch in charge of the Rites Department, did not care much about internal affairs, so the most powerful eunuch in the palace was the Dongchang Factory Official, Zhang Jing.
However, Zhang Jing was also facing challenges from a large group of people. Just Zhang Cheng alone was more than enough.
Liu Shouyou of the Imperial Bodyguard had relied on Zhang Juzheng in the past. Now that Zhang Juzheng was dead, he had no one to rely on. Naturally, he had to find someone he could get along with among the eunuchs, so he hit it off with Zhang Jing.
This kind of cooperation was also reflected in the subordinates, so Xing Shangzhi and Wang Zhong got along well.
Sun Piyang was not on the same side as these two people. After he came in, Xing Shangzhi and Wang Zhong could not chat anymore, so the atmosphere between the three of them became awkward.
It was only when the fourth person came in that the atmosphere became better.
This time, it was Imperial Censor Cao Yikui. Although Sun Piyang was nominally the leader, everyone knew that Cao Yikui was the most important.
This could be seen from Xing Shangzhi and Wang Zhong's attitudes. The two of them were much friendlier to Cao Yikui, even more so than to Sun Piyang.
However, Cao Yikui did not bother with the two of them, so they did not care.
When the fourth person entered the room, the three of them were stunned. They did not recognize this person. Who was this person?
This person was in his thirties and wore a third-rank civil official's robe. He looked travel-worn.
"Greetings, Commissar Sun!"
The person first bowed to Sun Piyang and then said, "I am Nanjing's Assistant Minister of Revenue, Wang Yongji. I have come to Commissar Sun by imperial edict. Please advise me, Commissar Sun."
Both of them were third-rank officials, but compared to the Imperial Censorate's Deputy Imperial Censor, the Nanjing Minister of Revenue was somewhat lacking.
However, Wang Yongji lowered his attitude because Sun Piyang was his senior. Whether it was in the bureaucracy or the imperial examinations, it was taboo to disrespect one's senior.
Hearing Wang Yongji's words, the few of them were stunned. Where did this guy come from?
Sun Piyang's heart skipped a beat. His two assistants were the hothead Cao Yikui and the inexplicable Wang Yongji. In addition to Dongchang and the Imperial Bodyguard, his task this time … Hehe.
Soon, the people from the Ministry of Appointments and the Ministry of Revenue also arrived. However, the two yamens only sent a doctor and a few attendants.
"Everyone is here. His Majesty's order is urgent. Let's set off tomorrow morning!"
Sun Piyang said directly, "If there's anything you want to say, just say it. Don't hide it. This time, we have to do it well."
"It's the imperial court and the emperor's trust in us to investigate this case. We can't betray this trust."
The few of them listened to Sun Piyang's high-sounding words with serious expressions. However, everyone could hear the perfunctory tone in Sun Piyang's words.
Compared to Cao Yikui's calm expression, Wang Yongji could not help but raise his eyebrows from time to time.
It could be said that Wang Yongji had been very bored these past few years in Nanjing!
Although the water in Nanjing was warm, the scenery on both sides of the Qinhuai River was beautiful, and it was a place of luxury, Wang Yongji was not a person who only wanted to enjoy life. He had ambitions in his heart, but things did not go as he wished, so he could only waste his time in Nanjing.
However, Wang Yongji's promotion was very fast. When he first went to Nanjing, Wang Yongji was only a doctor. Now, he was the assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue.
This time, Wang Yongji came to the capital with the idea of showing off his talent. When he heard that it was to investigate the salt policy, Wang Yongji was even more delighted. This time, it was a chance for him to show off his talent.
Who would have thought that he would meet such a superior on the first day? For Wang Yongji, it was like a bucket of cold water!
After Sun Piyang finished speaking, he picked up the teacup and took a sip. He said slowly, "Imperial Messenger Cao, have you chosen our destination?"
Everyone knew that Sun Piyang was putting on a show, but there was nothing they could do. After all, he was the chief official!
Cao Yikui said, "This lowly official has already chosen. Our first destination is Hebei's Cang County. This lowly official found out that officials were selling illicit salt here. After a secret investigation, this lowly official found out that this is a distribution center for illicit salt. Most of the illicit salt in the north comes from here."
Xing Shangzhi and Wang Zhong looked at each other. A hint of joy flashed in their eyes, but of course, it was more serious.
Wang Yongji turned his head to look at Cao Yikui. Was it really okay for you to say such important information so casually?
What kind of people did the imperial court choose?
Sun Piyang, who was putting on a show, and Cao Yikui, the big and big Cao Yikui. Could they really find out anything by relying on them?
Could all the people here believe it?
Wang Yongji did not believe it!
Once the news was spread, someone would immediately send a messenger pigeon to Hebei's Cang County. By the time we slowly make our way there, the person would have already disappeared. Who would have the chance to catch him and investigate?
Wang Yongji felt extremely bitter in his heart. His ambition was probably going to be over!
No one cared about what Wang Yongji was thinking. After Cao Yikui finished speaking, Sun Piyang said some nonsense in his accent. After that, the meeting was adjourned.
They only requested to set off early the next morning and were not allowed to be late.
After leaving the yamen, Xing Shangzhi and Wang Zhong gathered together. Xing Shangzhi smiled and said, "Eunuch Wang, I know a good place where the taste of fish is superb. I heard that Eunuch Wang likes to eat fish the most. Why don't I treat Eunuch Wang to some fish and wine?"
Fish?
Fish my a * s! Wang Zhong cursed in his heart. Who didn't know that he hated to eat fish the most?
However, looking at Xing Shangzhi's expression, Wang Zhong smiled and nodded. "Sure!
Then I'll have to trouble you. Children, lead the way. Captain Xing is treating us. Let's eat fish and drink wine tonight! "
The corner of Xing Shangzhi's mouth twitched. He wanted to pressure the old eunuch, which was why he offered to treat them to fish. He didn't expect the old eunuch to dig a hole for him.
Treating the people of Dongchang to fish? How much money would that cost? More importantly, you're treating the people of Dongchang. You can't not treat your own Imperial Bodyguard brothers, right?
If you don't treat them, how will your brothers look at you? But if you treat them all, that's money!
However, at this point, Xing Shangzhi could only pinch his nose and accept it.
"That's right, I'll treat everyone to wine today. Brothers, let's go!" Although he had to swallow his pride, Xing Shangzhi still spoke in a heroic manner.
Seeing this scene, Wang Yongji frowned. An unreliable superior, an unreliable colleague, and now two Imperial Bodyguards and an unreliable man from Dongchang. He was definitely going to fail this mission.