Chapter 85

Zhao Junchen sat in his study, reviewing the memorials from the Ministry of Revenue, but his mind was somewhat distracted, and his pace was slow. (Novel Network)

After a long while, the door to the study was pushed open, and Xu Qingyan came to stand before Zhao Junchen.

"How is it?"

Zhao Junchen looked up and asked.

A hint of regret flashed across Xu Qingyan's face as he said, "Fang Ru has been saved. Following the young master's method, we made her drink soapy water, and she vomited out most of the poison she had ingested. The doctor also said that as long as she rests for a few more days, she will be fine."

Seeing Zhao Junchen nod without speaking, Xu Qingyan could not help but ask, "Young master, are we just going to let her go like this?"

After learning that Fang Ru was safe, Zhao Junchen continued to flip through the memorials from the Ministry of Revenue, saying casually, "Having enmity is a hidden danger, but she is no longer a threat. Since that's the case, why should I kill her?"

Xu Qingyan was not satisfied and muttered, "Who knows if she's just putting on an act? Don't let her deceive you, young master."

"It won't happen," Zhao Junchen sighed lightly and explained, "A dying person speaks the truth. I made her drink that cup of poison to see her true heart. At that moment, she had no reason to hide anything or lie. However, to be on the safe side, you should still keep an eye on her, but do it more discreetly so she doesn't easily discover it."

Hearing Zhao Junchen say this, Xu Qingyan's expression became extremely awkward. Zhao Junchen had already explained to him why Fang Ru had become suspicious and the whole story.

Seeing Xu Qingyan's expression, Zhao Junchen subconsciously shook his head.

Too intelligent people always have restless ambitions, which Zhao Junchen finds unsettling. But those he can trust, like Xu Qingyan, are often not smart enough. People who are both intelligent and loyal are rare, and Zhao Junchen has yet to meet one.

In a way, this situation has become a bottleneck for Zhao Junchen. Sometimes, he can't even find someone to discuss things with and has to bear the burden alone.

Jiang Qian is well-versed and has been promoted by Zhao Junchen, but his abilities are limited to finance and accounting.

Xiao Shan is a genius in indulgence and corrupting people, but that's all.

As for others, like Zuo Lanshan, Zhan Shan, Tong Huan, Chen Dongxiang, Li Lide, and Gu Quan, they are not short of wisdom and ability, but they are not short of ambition and selfishness. Since they betrayed Wen Guanliang for various interests to join Zhao Junchen, they will naturally betray Zhao Junchen for more interests and join others. Zhao Junchen cannot trust them, and there are many things he dares not let them know.

If it comes to being both intelligent and loyal, the most qualified person would be Fang Ru. Unfortunately, Fang Ru is just a concubine and cannot be entrusted with important tasks. Even now, Zhao Junchen still has some reservations about her.

"Talents are hard to find..."

Zhao Junchen muttered to himself.

Suddenly, Zhao Junchen thought of Liu Zimin, whom he met today.

It's not that Liu Zimin is a talent in Zhao Junchen's eyes, but through Liu Zimin, Zhao Junchen thought of the spring examination in March next year.

"Or, the spring examination..."

Zhao Junchen's eyes narrowed slightly, deep in thought.

On the other side, after being awkward for a long time, Xu Qingyan suddenly remembered something and asked, "Young master, since you're not going to kill Fang Ru, what about Wei Ping? Poisoning a government official is no small matter."

Zhao Junchen looked indifferent and said calmly, "Poisoning a government official is indeed a big deal, concerning the dignity of the court and the stability of the country. Even if it doesn't shake the court, it will certainly alarm the emperor. It's indeed difficult to handle. However, if it turns out to be a misunderstanding, not poisoning but suicide, then the matter will be easily resolved."

Hearing Zhao Junchen say this, a puzzled look flashed across Xu Qingyan's face.

At that moment, a servant's voice sounded from outside the door.

"Master, Minister of Punishments Li Lide and Deputy Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate Gu Quan are here to see you."

"..."

"Have you heard about Wei Ping, the magistrate of Shuntian Prefecture, who was poisoned to death outside my residence today?"

After Li Lide and Gu Quan entered the study and sat down, Zhao Junchen asked.

Hearing Zhao Junchen's question, Li Lide and Gu Quan exchanged glances, and Li Lide spoke, "Master, Wei Ping is a government official, and his poisoning is no small matter. It has already spread throughout the court and the people. It is said to be related to your residence, so there is much discussion in both the official and civilian circles."

Gu Quan, observing Zhao Junchen's expression, added, "Indeed, Master, this matter is significant, and all factions in the court are paying attention. Although Wei Ping is dead, he died in an inappropriate place, right outside your residence. If there are villains who deliberately use this to make things difficult, it will be troublesome."

Zhao Junchen nodded and said slowly, "Yes, the poisoning of a government official is a big deal, and the court and the people are paying attention, and rumors are spreading. However, from my perspective, Wei Ping may not have been poisoned but might have committed suicide out of fear of punishment."

Hearing Zhao Junchen say this, Li Lide and Gu Quan were both stunned, their faces showing confusion.

Gu Quan asked, "Why do you think so, Master?"

Zhao Junchen glanced at Gu Quan and smiled lightly, saying, "Why do you ask, Deputy Censor Gu? Wei Ping is just a magistrate of Shuntian Prefecture, but he has always lived extravagantly and spent recklessly. As Deputy Censor-in-Chief, you are known for your integrity and cannot tolerate corrupt officials. Seeing suspicious points, you would naturally investigate thoroughly. Recently, you have found evidence of Wei Ping's corruption and bribery and are gathering evidence to impeach him before the emperor."

Hearing Zhao Junchen say this, Gu Quan was stunned again.

Gu Quan knew very well that in recent days, he had been busy opposing the crown prince's faction in the Censorate and had no time or energy to investigate whether a minor official like Wei Ping was corrupt.

On the contrary, Li Lide, who worked in the Ministry of Punishments, was quicker-witted. Hearing Zhao Junchen's words, he nodded repeatedly, his face showing understanding, and said, "I see. If Wei Ping was caught by Deputy Censor Gu and had no way out, then he had a motive to commit suicide."

Zhao Junchen looked at Li Lide approvingly and continued, "Actually, I am not very clear about these matters. Who would have thought that Wei Ping, in his desperation, would come to see me today, hoping to find a way out through me and asking me to protect him? But how could I protect a corrupt official like Wei Ping? I naturally refused him on the spot. I didn't expect that after losing hope, he would be so desperate that he would take his own life right after leaving my residence. Truly tragic and lamentable..."

As he spoke, Zhao Junchen sighed deeply.

Hearing this, Gu Quan also reacted, his eyes showing understanding, and he nodded, saying, "Indeed, I didn't expect that my investigation over the past few days would drive him to suicide. However, Wei Ping has been corrupt and harmful to the country and the people for years. His death is not to be pitied. Committing suicide by poisoning himself is actually a mercy for him!"

Pausing for a moment, Gu Quan added, "Please rest assured, Master. I will prepare the relevant memorials and evidence before the morning court session."

Zhao Junchen smiled and nodded, then looked at Li Lide and asked, "Minister Li, is the case of Wei Ping being investigated by the Six Ministries together?"

Li Lide nodded and said, "The poisoning of a government official is a major matter. According to the rules, it is investigated by the Six Ministries together."

In ancient times, the "Six Ministries" did not refer to a specific department but was a collective term for the three judicial departments. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, it referred to the Ministry of Punishments, the Grand Court of Justice, and the Censorate, the three major judicial institutions.

Among them, the Ministry of Punishments was the foundation. The constables and bailiffs who investigated the case outside Zhao Junchen's residence today were all from the Ministry of Punishments.

Zhao Junchen nodded and, with a wave of his hand, Xu Qingyan, who had been waiting on the side, presented a handkerchief to Li Lide.

"Minister Li, it's like this." Seeing Li Lide's puzzled look at the handkerchief, Xu Qingyan explained softly, "After Wei Ping left our residence today, some servants saw him with a look of despair and took out this handkerchief from his pocket. At the time, the handkerchief was folded, and it was unclear what was inside. After Wei Ping was poisoned to death, this handkerchief was picked up by our servants. The yellow particles on the handkerchief looked like arsenic. Thinking it might be an important piece of evidence, the servant handed it to our master, who now gives it to you. Please see if it can be of any use."

After a moment of thought, Li Lide asked, "I see. Can the servants who saw this come to the Ministry of Punishments tonight to give their statements?"

Before Xu Qingyan could speak, Zhao Junchen nodded and said, "Of course. As a government official, it is my duty to cooperate with the Ministry of Punishments and contribute to the case."

Li Lide smiled and said, "Since that's the case, with both the evidence and witnesses, and with the support of Master Zhao and Deputy Censor Gu, when the emperor asks tomorrow, it will be clear that Wei Ping committed suicide."

Gu Quan nodded repeatedly and said, "Yes, yes! It seems that Wei Ping must have committed suicide out of fear of punishment. After Minister Li reports to the emperor tomorrow, the rumors will end."

...

Thus, through their conversation, the poisoning of Wei Ping was determined to be a suicide out of fear of punishment. Poor Wei Ping, even in death, his reputation was tarnished.

Of course, he was not a good person in life either.

After seeing off Gu Quan and Li Lide, Zhao Junchen returned to his study. Seeing Xu Qingyan's admiring face, he smiled lightly, then his expression became more serious, and he asked softly, "How is Zhang Daoquan's Tongji Temple developing in the capital?"

Not knowing why Zhao Junchen was asking about this, Xu Qingyan still answered, "It's going well. With the methods you taught him, Tongji Temple has gained many believers in the capital and is gradually gaining influence."

Zhao Junchen nodded and asked, "Is he making progress in recruiting believers in the government? Are there any believers in the Shuntian Prefecture office?"

Initially, when Zhao Junchen supported Zhang Daoquan to develop in the capital, he also gave him a list of officials and instructed him to do his best to recruit the officials on the list as believers. Although these officials were mostly of low rank and had little power, they held key positions in various government departments, and any slight movement could not escape their notice.

Xu Qingyan answered, "It's not going very smoothly, but he has gained some believers in the government, more in the Shuntian Prefecture office."

Zhao Junchen said coldly, "Since that's the case, have Zhang Daoquan use those believers to investigate Wei Ping's actions in recent days. I have a feeling that Wei Ping's actions this time are not that simple!"