Seeing Xing Shangzhi rush out to select his men, Wang Yongji felt like he was about to go crazy. How could there be such a stupid person in the world?
What's in his head?
This guy was not worth his time!
The attendants at the side saw this scene and didn't dare to say anything.
"Bring our men to the Chai family!" Wang Yongji looked at the attendants and said loudly.
Xing Shangzhi had made up his mind this time. As for whether the Chai family was the murderer or not, Xing Shangzhi didn't care that much.
As long as there was evidence to prove that the Chai family was the murderer, it would be fine. As long as the Chai family was arrested, what else couldn't he ask for?
Now, there were witnesses and material evidence. He had also eliminated the murderer and taken down the Chai family. This time, the credit would be in his hands.
Wang Yongji went out with the Imperial Bodyguard. Although he and Xing Shangzhi had a falling out, this matter couldn't develop in an uncontrollable direction.
Thinking about the Chai family being arrested, Wang Yongji felt a sense of fear.
The news of the Imperial Bodyguard and the imperial envoy being mobilized quickly spread throughout the Jinan Prefecture.
The gentry of the Jinan Prefecture were in an uproar, and the officials were also alarmed. Shandong Governor Wang Zongmu also quickly brought his men to the Chai family.
In fact, this matter didn't have much to do with Wang Zongmu. No matter what the Imperial Bodyguard did, he didn't need to be responsible.
According to the rules of the officialdom, it was best to protect oneself at this time.
However, Wang Zongmu didn't allow himself to do so. One had to know that the Chai family was an iconic gentry of Shandong. They had a governor and a prefectural magistrate. They were definitely a family of officials.
Once something happened to the Chai family, the gentry of Shandong would definitely be furious.
If they couldn't even protect the official families, then what about the ordinary gentry?
When that time came, it would be a mess.
If Shandong was in chaos at this time, then there would be big trouble. If the fuse was lit, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Although Wang Zongmu had pretended to be sick before, he definitely couldn't pretend at this time. Sitting in the sedan chair, Wang Zongmu lifted the curtain and said to the people outside, "Take my token and invite Commander Feng. Tell him to bring the troops here."
Even though he was the Imperial Inspector, Wang Zongmu wasn't confident that he could stop the Imperial Bodyguard.
No matter what happened, he wouldn't panic if he had someone in his hands. When the time came, he would try to reason with them. If he couldn't, he would use force.
Wang Zongmu was very clear about this, so he chose to transfer troops over.
Wang Zongmu was the Inspector-General of Shandong. The full title of this official position was "Inspector-General of Shandong and other local areas, overseeing the military affairs of the rivers." He did not have the authority to mobilize an army, but mobilizing a few hundred troops was not a big problem.
When the attendant heard Wang Zongmu's words, he quickly agreed and turned to run.
At this time, the Chai family was already panicking.
However, he was not that nervous. His expression was serious as he tidied up his clothes. Firewood?
Glancing at the panicking butler and servants, he berated, "What are you panicking for? I'm not dead yet!"
Seeing their master's attitude, the butler and servants calmed down.
Firewood?
He strode to the front of the building. Just as he passed through the corridor, the Imperial Bodyguard charged in like wolves and tigers.
Xing Shangzhi pressed down on his saber and sneered at Chai Xiu.
"Firewood?
You've committed a crime. Come with me! "
He stood on the steps. Firewood?
Looking at Xing Shangzhi, he said expressionlessly, "What did I do?
Please tell me! "
"My Chai family is a family of officials. I have never done anything evil. For so many years, we have benefited our neighbors. We have repaired bridges and roads. We have never done anything harmful.
We give porridge in a disaster year and reduce rent in a good year. We have never done anything evil. I don't know what made the Imperial Bodyguard surround my Chai family. "
Xing Shangzhi sneered at Chai Xiu.
He said loudly, "Things have come to this point, and you still dare to quibble!"
At this time, Xing Shangzhi couldn't care less. He directly waved his hand, "Take him down!
As for what you have done, you will naturally confess when you see the means of our Imperial Bodyguard. "
"Let me see who dares!"
After an angry shout, Wang Yongji walked up from behind. He seemed to be in a hurry and was a little out of breath.
Walking angrily to Xing Shangzhi, Wang Yongji said loudly, "Today, I am here. Let me see who dares to arrest people!"
Seeing Wang Yongji, Xing Shangzhi was even angrier. He said loudly, "Sir Wang, are you going to cover up for this traitor who tried to assassinate an official of the imperial court?"
"Whether the assassination of Sir Pi was done by the Chai family has not been determined. I will not let you arrest people!" Wang Yongji looked at Xing Shangzhi and said directly, "I am the Imperial Envoy!" Saying this, Wang Yongji took out a yellow scroll.
"This is the imperial edict given to me by the emperor. This time, all the matters in Shandong will be decided by me. Xing Shangzhi, do you want to resist the edict?"
Xing Shangzhi didn't expect Wang Yongji to take out the imperial edict. His expression suddenly changed.
The corner of Xing Shangzhi's mouth twitched for a long time, but he still lowered his head and said, "I don't dare!"
Xing Shangzhi really didn't have the guts. This was an imperial edict that had been approved by the cabinet. Even the civil officials didn't dare to resist the edict, let alone the Imperial Bodyguard.
The civil officials might be able to survive if they resisted the edict, but it depended on the reason. If the Imperial Bodyguard dared to resist the edict, his head would definitely not be his.
"Take your people back. The Imperial Bodyguard is not allowed to participate in this matter!" Wang Yongji said firmly.
Xing Shangzhi raised his head and looked at Wang Yongji. The expression on his face was unusually fierce. He knew that he had been dismissed by Wang Yongji.
"Sir Wang, the imperial edict says that you are the chief official of the trip to Shandong, but it is the duty of the Imperial Bodyguard to detect rebels." Xing Shangzhi was prepared to resist this time. If he retreated at this time, he would lose a lot of face.
The Imperial Bodyguard couldn't lose face, and he couldn't lose face even more!
"You said that I can't arrest him. I can follow your orders and I will write a letter to impeach you."
Xing Shangzhi's attitude was firm as he said, "But you want me to stay out of this matter? That's impossible."
"Chai?
You are involved in a case of assassinating an official of the imperial court. I will bring you back to the Imperial Bodyguard now! "After saying this, Xing Shangzhi ordered the Imperial Bodyguard beside him," Arrest him! "
Wang Yongji didn't expect Xing Shangzhi to be so stubborn. He originally thought that he could use the imperial edict to intimidate Xing Shangzhi, but he didn't expect it to backfire.
Just as Wang Yongji was about to order his people to arrest him, another voice rang out.
"Sir Xing, you arrested him here without informing me. I'm afraid it's not appropriate!"
Wang Zongmu separated the crowd and walked in. On both sides of him was a group of armored soldiers with swords on their waists.
His appearance scared many people. Troops were mobilized!
Once troops were mobilized, it was no small matter.
Xing Shangzhi looked at Wang Zongmu and said, "Imperial Inspector Wang, the Imperial Bodyguard is handling a case. Your Imperial Inspector's Office shouldn't interfere, right?
This has nothing to do with your Imperial Inspector's Office. "
This was a threat!
However, Wang Zongmu's expression didn't change in the slightest. He said calmly, "This is Shandong, and I am the Shandong Imperial Inspector. I am also a person with the Imperial Edict, so there is nothing in Shandong that has nothing to do with me.
"Don't even talk about moving people. Even if you want to touch a blade of grass or a tree in Shandong, you have to ask me first.
"The case of assassinating an official of the imperial court happened in Shandong, in the Jinan Prefecture. This case belongs to the Jinan Prefecture." As he said this, Wang Zongmu ordered, "Where is the Jinan Prefecture Magistrate?"
The Jinan Prefecture Magistrate quickly walked out and said, "This lowly official, Cao Kun, is here!"
"Bring him back!"
Wang Zongmu said calmly, then turned to Xing Shangzhi and said, "Sir Xing, this case belongs to the Jinan Prefecture. There is no need to trouble the Imperial Bodyguard."
Chai?
He knew what the right choice was, so he directly left with the people from the Prefectural Magistrate's Office.
Xing Shangzhi's face was gloomy. He was very sullen, and he wanted nothing more than to arrest Wang Yongji and Wang Zongmu and throw them in prison.
However, Xing Shangzhi knew that he would definitely fail this time.
He couldn't use force, and Wang Zongmu came with troops.
With a flick of his sleeves, Xing Shangzhi directly walked out with his men. He had made up his mind to write a secret report to impeach them when he returned.
Officials protect each other!
Seeing that Xing Shangzhi had left, Wang Yongji let out a sigh of relief. He cupped his fists and said to Wang Zongmu, "Today's matter is all thanks to Imperial Inspector Wang!"
Wang Zongmu also apologized and said with a bitter smile, "I had no choice but to come. If something really happened to the Chai family, Shandong would be in chaos.
As the Shandong Imperial Inspector, I am responsible for protecting the region on behalf of the Emperor. How can I let Shandong fall into chaos? "
"Imperial Inspector Wang is very righteous!"
Wang Yongji praised and said, "The Chai family is now the target of public criticism. Imperial Inspector Wang, please send people to watch over them in case of thieves and thieves."
"Don't worry, Imperial Inspector Wang. I will ask Commander Feng to arrange for people to be stationed there."
Wang Zongmu nodded and said with a smile, "I'm still a mess about today's matter. I wonder if Imperial Inspector Wang can clear up my doubts?"
Wang Yongji nodded and said, "Of course. It's just that this matter can't be explained in a few words. Let's go back to the Imperial Envoy Residence and talk!"
"That's good!" Wang Zongmu nodded.
The two of them returned to the Imperial Envoy Residence together. Wang Yongji told Wang Zongmu in detail what happened. After he finished, Wang Yongji sighed and said, "I still feel that things aren't that simple. All of this seems too strange!"
Wang Zongmu also nodded and said, "It's indeed strange. In fact, the Chai family has a very good reputation locally."
"They strictly restrain their servants, and they don't take advantage of their power to bully others."
Wang Zongmu said up to this point, then said, "As for buying land during a disaster year and borrowing money to repay with land, I also know a little about it."
"This kind of thing is common. If you don't sell land during a disaster year, you won't be able to survive!
Speaking of which, this is still my responsibility. Borrowing money to repay with land! "Wang Zongmu said with a sigh," I have failed the emperor's grace! "
Wang Yongji was silent. He couldn't say anything about this kind of thing. Strictly speaking, it wasn't against the law.
Although it was very immoral to suppress the price of land during a disaster year, unless there was a decree from the imperial court, it was just immoral.
Borrowing money to buy land later couldn't even be considered immoral. It was only right and proper to repay debts.
If the imperial court's disaster relief was in place, the commoners wouldn't sell their land. If the commoners were well-off, they wouldn't borrow money to repay with land. This was why Wang Zongmu felt that he had failed the emperor's grace.
Wang Yongji also felt the same way. It was too complicated to solve the problem of commoners selling land during a disaster year and borrowing money to repay with land.
Zhu Yijun didn't have the guts to punish the Chai family just because of this.
Unless Zhu Yijun rebelled and directly started a land revolution, there was no need to even think about it.
"Other than this, the Chai family repaired bridges and roads, and donated money to education. They can be considered a good family."
Wang Zongmu sighed and said, "I also know a little about the concubine and the teacher you mentioned."
Wang Yongji was stunned. "Really?"
"What I've heard is different from what you've heard. What I've heard is wood?
In order to fulfill the two of them, I gave them some money and sent them away. "Wang Zongmu said with a bitter smile," After all, it wasn't something glorious. "
"In addition, the concubine didn't keep the virtue of a woman. If people found out, she probably wouldn't have the face to live."
Wang Yongji nodded. He understood this point, but now he had a bigger headache.
According to Wang Zongmu, the Chai family was considered a good family, a model gentry. Although it was immoral to occupy the land, everyone did it.
Daming all over the world, which family didn't do this?
No, this was the universal value of this era.
Hiding land and not paying taxes were two different things. If the Chai family was punished because of hiding land and not paying taxes, the world would be in chaos.
The tax department only fined them, and other than setting up a model gentry, they also took the initiative to pay the rest, only paying 30%.
It was to minimize the intensification of the conflict, and at the same time to push the government and gentry to pay taxes and settle accounts.
"Lord Wang, Chai?
I've protected you, but this matter is very troublesome. "Wang Zongmu thought for a moment and continued," About Chai?
This official only heard about the concubine. There's no evidence to prove the truth. "
"That Chen Liang is undoubtedly the assassin who assassinated Lord Pi. As for Chai?
Whether he's the mastermind, we can't prove his innocence! "
This couldn't prove his innocence. The key was not the case itself, but Xing Shangzhi. Otherwise, he would impeach both of them.
Once the emperor thought that they were civil officials, then it would be big trouble.
"Let's jointly submit a memorial!"
Wang Zongmu didn't make things difficult for Wang Yongji. At this time, he couldn't get away with it.
"Don't impeach Xing Shangzhi, and don't mention the case. Just say that the case is too big, and there is something fishy or hidden. We have controlled Chai.
Ask the imperial court to send a special envoy to deal with it. "
Wang Yongji glanced at Wang Zongmu and sighed in his heart. He was still too inexperienced!
He just wanted to impeach Xing Shangzhi, but he didn't expect Wang Zongmu to do this.
Compared to Wang Zongmu's idea, his idea was far worse. Although Shandong wasn't far from the capital, it wasn't close either.
When his and Xing Shangzhi's memorial reached the capital, it would inevitably become a dog biting dog, and no one could say for sure.
At that time, it would be hard to say who the emperor would believe. The civil officials and the Imperial Bodyguard had always been at a disadvantage in terms of favor.