Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 111

Chapter 111 The Capable Work More Than the Capable
“Alright! Then I’ll tell you!” Qin Mubai said, “Although the Emperor is wise and wise, he has the temperament of an ordinary person. For example, he also wants to be a good father, so he especially hopes that his children can be healthy and happy and get along well with each other. Your Highness agrees with me on this point, right?”

“That’s right.” Li Ke nodded, “Ever since I was very young, I have always felt that even though Father Emperor is full of opportunities, he always finds time to accompany his family.” We have a lot of brothers and sisters, but he likes them very much. And more than once, we have been taught to live in mutual respect, love, and harmony with each other. Therefore, when he saw the Crown Prince and King Wei fighting over the storage, he was extremely angry and helpless. That’s why I didn’t dare to report this matter so easily. That way, Father Emperor will think that I am also intentionally attacking the Crown Prince and coveting the Eastern Palace. That would be a big taboo for him! ”

“Your Highness is indeed wise! Looks like I didn’t say those words to you in vain.” Qin Mubai said, “Forgive me for risking the world’s condemnation. Ever since the Black Warrior Sect’s change, His Majesty the Emperor has always had a shadow in his heart.” He was afraid that his sons would fight endlessly with each other and end up in a bloody case. He would also be afraid that one day, he would be forced to surrender his throne to the harem like the High Ancestor Emperor … Your Highness, these words are enough for me to be beheaded. “But tell me the truth, am I right?”

Li Ke took a long breath and nodded heavily, “I don’t deny that what you said is very likely correct. When we were young, if there was a dispute or a fight between our brothers, Father Emperor would always reprimand us very harshly. He is the one he hates the most and even hates the most!”

“Therefore, you absolutely cannot personally report the case of Jiangzhou to the Emperor!” Qin Mubai said resolutely, “On the surface, you seem to be loyal and impartial, but in reality, you will leave an extremely bad impression in the Emperor’s heart.” In the Emperor’s mind, there was no crime more serious than his sons attacking each other and killing each other! “In comparison, although the Jiangzhou case can be described as’shocking ‘, it’s actually a small matter for you, King Wu.”

“That’s right. But, am I really going to appease these corrupt officials and evil officials of Jiang Zhou so that these vengeful souls can obtain unclear blood and let the wealth of the Great Tang flow into their pockets endlessly?” Li Ke was a little angry.

“Of course not. Your Highness, do you think that I, someone from the Qin Empire, do not have a sense of justice? Isn’t this better than a pig or a dog? I wish I could personally cut off the heads of these beasts!” After Qin Mubai finished speaking, he smiled and said, “Your Highness, there is no need to be anxious. You may not have to personally perform this matter to let the Emperor know.”

“What?” Li Ke was stunned, and then his eyes flashed with wisdom. Suddenly, he smiled, “Mubai, you’re such a smart person!”

“It seems that His Highness understands.” Qin Mubai chuckled.

“Of course, you and I are tacit!” Li Ke laughed heartily, “Quan Wanji will be back from Jiangzhou in a few days. At that time, if you investigate this case with him, I won’t interfere in his affairs. Afterwards, I will hide it from the Emperor. With Quan Wanji’s character, he will definitely not agree. He will report it to the Emperor without my invitation!”

“Your Highness is wise.” Qin Mubai nodded and smiled, “In this way, you will appear guilty of’sheltering and conniving ‘. Perhaps the Emperor will punish you, but he will definitely appreciate you in his heart.” At that time, the emperor would think that you would not betray the Crown Prince out of brotherhood, or that you would not dare to report this matter because you were too sensitive and afraid of causing trouble. Anyway, that’s a good thing. It’s better than a sharp fight. Actually, his heart was like a mirror. Since he had already thought that the Jiangzhou case might have something to do with the Crown Prince, he still wanted to send you here. Perhaps it was because he wanted to inspect you. Your Highness, you must carefully step over this stage! ”

“Mubai, you really are my brain!” Li Ke excitedly grabbed Qin Mubai’s hand and smiled gratefully, “Whoever knows me, Mubai Ye! Whoever helps me, Mubai Ye! I have Mubai, nothing worries me!”

“Your Highness is too ridiculous. Actually, I didn’t do anything. As an outsider, I can’t participate too much in the affairs of the royal family, let alone being a close minister of His Majesty.” Qin Mubai said, “I definitely don’t want to let go of these corrupt officials in Jiangzhou. At the same time, I also don’t want His Highness to cause trouble by doing something wrong, so I have to say a few more words. Please don’t take it to heart, Your Highness.”

Li Ke let go of Qin Mubai’s hand and smiled knowingly, “I understand your difficulties. As a subject, interfering in the affairs of the royal family is a big taboo. But you are not. You are helping your friend escape. A gentleman is seeking good fortune and avoiding evil. It is human nature. You have done nothing wrong.”

Qin Mubai smiled at him knowingly, “If it weren’t for His Highness’s wisdom and magnanimity, I wouldn’t have dared to say so much to you. As you said, I was helping my friend. That’s all.”

A few days later, Quan Wanji returned from Jiangzhou with a batch of grain, blankets, and other relief supplies.

Li Ke still presided over the overall situation, leading the state and county officials and military officials in busy disaster relief, settling the victims. Qin Mubai secretly found Quan Wanji and took him to the county government of Jishan County and the morgue.

“Why did General Qin suddenly call this lowly position to this place?” Quan Wanji frowned and covered his nose. There were several corpses in the morgue. Although the corpses had already been treated by the coroner, due to the hot weather, there was still a stench of corpses.

“This person is the former county magistrate of Jishan County, Zhu Chengwen.” Qin Mubai uncovered a cloth and said, “I’m not going in circles. I’ll tell you frankly. I suspect that he was murdered!”

“What?!”

Qin Mubai simply examined the corpse and told Quan Wanji the doubts. Quan Wanji suddenly nodded, “Sure enough, it’s suspicious!”

After that, Qin Mubai told Quan Wanji all the doubts he had discovered, but he never mentioned the Emperor’s secret order.

“General Qin, are you saying that someone took advantage of this flood to make a fortune?” Quan Wanji said in shock.

“That’s right.” Qin Mubai said, “I’ve heard for a long time that Mr. Quan is proficient in the administration of officials. He has always been in charge of all matters related to money matters in the Wu Palace, right?”

“That’s right. I’ve always been in charge of the income and expenditure of the Wu Palace. Although I’m not proficient in the financial affairs books, I know a little about them.” Quan Wanji said.

“Excellent. That’s why I invited you here.” Qin Mubai took Quan Wanji to the morgue and went to a secret room. He took out a pile of account books that had been soaked by the flood and said, “These are some of the account books found in the county government of Jishan County. I suspect that there is something wrong with them. However, I do not understand the money books, so I would like to ask you to help me check if there is anything wrong with them.”

“Alright! I’m willing to help! If someone really takes this opportunity to make a fortune, I, Quan Wanji, will not stand apart from him!” Quan Wanji let out a few angry shouts and immediately sat down to flip through the ledger.

“Then I’ll have to trouble you, sir.” Qin Mubai cupped his hands and thanked him, but he secretly laughed in his heart, “These ledgers are definitely not a problem.” If those corrupt officials weren’t idiots, they would have destroyed this kind of evidence at the same time as killing Zhu Chengwen. The reason why I asked you, Quan Wanji, to help me with the audit … is simply an excuse for me to involve you in this case!

I’m sorry, Mr. Quan Wanji. I told a white lie to you and laid a harmless trap for you. Please forgive me! If you report to the emperor, nothing will happen. Instead, the emperor will reward you for being honest and upright. However, neither Li Ke nor I can do that, so I can only trouble you to “work harder for those who are capable”! …

Quan Wanji was indeed meticulous and diligent in his work. He sat in his room and didn’t even take a sip of tea. He concentrated on studying the account book for more than an hour. He blinked at Qin Mubai blankly and said, “General Qin, there’s no problem with this account book!”

“Really? That’s really strange!” Qin Mubai rolled her eyes. “Am I too sensitive and wrong?”

“No, although there is no doubt about this account book, the possibility that Zhu Chengwen died because of him is extremely high! The murder of a county magistrate is already a big case, and we must continue to investigate it!” Quan Wanji said with a serious expression, “Moreover, since someone wants to kill Zhu Chengwen, then the murderer must have some kind of secret that he knows.” Since he had killed someone and extinguished his mouth, it was very likely that he would be able to transfer it together with the ledger and other items that might reveal their secrets at the first possible moment. Therefore, General Qin’s suspicions were correct. However, I’m afraid that the real evidence has long since disappeared! ”

“Mr. Quan is indeed shrewd, but I am stupid.” Qin Mubai nodded her head in a daze and asked, “Now that the clue is broken, where should I start when Sir says he wants to investigate?”

“This … although Zhu Chengwen was killed, there are still other insiders.” Quan Wanji said, “Therefore, we can start with Zhu Chengwen’s death and find the culprit behind the scenes!”

“Other insiders … must be Zhu Chengwen’s confidants or relatives?” Qin Mubai rubbed his chin and muttered, “But Zhu Chengwen is from the south. He went north alone as an official, without any family. He didn’t take a concubine or have children after coming here. He didn’t come for a long time, and he usually didn’t have any other hobbies. He always stuffed himself at home to study poems, songs, and prose. He probably doesn’t have many friends. Then who would be closest to him?”

“He lives in the county government. He must have servants, maids, officials, and the like to take care of him.” Quan Wanji followed Qin Mubai’s train of thought and guessed.

Qin Mubai secretly laughed in his heart, “Alright, I’m about to say it out loud. Continue to work hard, Quan Wanji!”

“Zhu Chengwen is at least a county magistrate. Officials know how to prioritize matters. He probably won’t tell any maids about some private and important matters, right?” Qin Mubai said, “Then he can only talk to his most trusted friend, or his closest colleague.”

“Yes, colleague!” Quan Wanji suddenly slammed the table, “The first time I saw Liao Lirong, the county commandant of Jishan County, I felt suspicious!” As soon as the county magistrate died, he immediately came together with the governor. Obviously, he had a close relationship with the governor before. Moreover, the county commandant and Zhu Bo had always been the county magistrate’s closest adjutants. Master Bo Guanwen, county commandant Li Wu, one on the left and one on the right, was quite intimate. “Jishan County is a small county. There is no Lord Bob. Apart from the county magistrate, there is only one county commandant, Liao Lirong, in the county government. He is the closest to the county magistrate, Zhu Chengwen!”

“Mr. Quan is indeed smart, and he knows the administration of Tang officials like a chest. I admire him!” Qin Mubai bowed and said, “Hearing Mr. Quan’s words, I also remembered one thing, which proves that this Liao Lirong is suspicious! His hometown is dozens of miles away, so he usually lives in the county government like Zhu Chengwen! These two people are both superiors and subordinates, and they live and eat together. It is very likely that they will become good friends without saying a word!”

“Then what are you waiting for? Investigate Liao Lirong thoroughly immediately. Starting from him, we must clean up all the dirt on this piece of land in Jiangzhou!” Quan Wanji furrowed his eyebrows and shouted angrily.