AWB Chapter 248 Too numerous to record
Chapter 248 Too numerous to record
The operation to capture Liu Chengyun went smoothly.
Since Wen Zongji arrived in Jiangnan, the cautious Huang Yecai has ceased all his activities, both overt and covert.
Even if Wen Zongji was only ostensibly there to inspect the branch of the Beijing Gazette Office.
Even though Wen Zongji had little contact with local government offices along the way, aside from his branch offices in various places.
Huang Yecai still maintained the highest level of vigilance towards Wen Zongji.
As a result, Liu Chengyun, who had been doing odd jobs for Huang Yecai, became idle.
Aside from going to the yamen every day to report for duty, he would attend various banquets and stay overnight in brothels.
Therefore, Liu Chengyun's whereabouts were easy to trace.
He had just left a dinner party and was about to take a carriage to a brothel to meet his lover when he was arrested by Yu Jiacheng's men, along with his entourage and carriage.
The streets were deserted late at night, so no one noticed what was happening.
……
Tongzhou Branch
Liu Chengyun lay on the ground, waking up groggily. The first thing he saw was Wen Zongji sitting in the main seat. His eyes widened in shock, and he was so frightened that he almost lost his mind.
Wen Zongji raised an eyebrow: "Am I that frightening to look at? Why does Lord Liu look at me like I've seen a ghost?"
Yu Jiacheng said, "Perhaps this is what they mean by 'If you have a clear conscience, you have nothing to fear.'"
Liu Chengyun forcibly suppressed his palpitations and deliberately feigned anger: "Lord Wen, what do you mean by this? Although you are an imperial envoy from the capital, the Capital Gazette Office and the Prefectural Government are not subordinate to each other. Even if I have done something wrong, it should be dealt with by Lord Huang. Are you perhaps going to resort to private torture?"
"Huang Yecai?" Wen Zongji said quietly, "Do you think he can still protect you?"
Liu Chengyun's heart skipped a beat.
Oh no, they're here for Huang Yecai.
However, Liu Chengyun was not so easily fooled: "I do not understand what you mean by that, Lord Wen. I have been an official for many years and have always been conscientious and dutiful, never overstepping my bounds."
Wen Zongji glanced at him calmly: "Whether it's true or not, we'll know by daybreak... Jiacheng, everything's been arranged at Tongzhou Garrison, right?"
Yu Jiacheng nodded: "After dawn tomorrow, once everyone in the prefectural government office is on duty, Commander Xiao of Tongzhou Guard will lead his troops to surround the prefectural government office and ensure that no one is allowed to leave."
Liu Chengyun's heart sank further, and he couldn't help but feel a little flustered.
Wen Zongji had been watching Liu Chengyun's expression closely. Seeing the hint of panic in his eyes, he felt reassured.
His biggest worry was that Tongzhouwei and Huang Yecai were colluding.
It now appears that Tongzhou Guard and the Prefectural Government are not of one mind, which makes the Crown Prince's letter and token useful.
With this thought in mind, Wen Zongji felt much more relaxed and had more patience to trick Liu Chengyun: "His Majesty is wise and mighty, a sage ruler in the world. I thought that the Great Chu was a place of political integrity, but now that I have come to Tongzhou, I have learned that there are such filthy and corrupt places."
"Lord Liu, if you don't want people to know, then don't do it in the first place. Do you really think you can cover up everything in Tongzhou?"
"The Imperial Gazette Office and the Prefectural Government Office are indeed not subordinate to each other, but before I left the capital, I received a letter from the Crown Prince, which gives me the authority to mobilize the local garrison to suppress any criminals I discover during my inspections."
"Lord Liu, you don't really think I went through all this trouble just to inspect the branch offices, do you?"
Liu Chengyun hung his head, feeling utterly hopeless.
Huang Yecai suspected that Wen Zongji had other missions, which is why he cautiously stopped all operations, but he didn't expect that Wen Zongji would still find out.
Could it be—
Liu Chengyun's heart skipped a beat, and he abruptly looked up and asked, "You came here for Tongzhou from the very beginning?"
Wen Zongji smiled: "Lord Liu, you are indeed clever after so many years in office."
really!
Liu Chengyun's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, was completely dead.
Wen Zongji added fuel to the fire: "If Lord Liu still cares about his descendants, he should confess as soon as possible. This will save me from torture. Lord Liu can atone for his sins by doing good deeds, which will be a way out for his descendants."
Liu Chengyun pursed his lips; he was tempted.
If Wen Zongji had promised to let him go, he certainly wouldn't have believed it, but Wen Zongji was guaranteeing the safety of his descendants, so Liu Chengyun had no choice but to take it seriously.
However, given Wen Zongji's position, he was indeed capable of doing so.
However, Liu Chengyun was still conflicted. Although Huang Yecai was the mastermind, he had been working for Huang Yecai for so many years that he could not get rid of the criminals. Even if he tried to atone for his crimes, he could not clear his name. He still hoped that Wen Zongji had not found out too much, and that if he did not confess, he would still have a chance to save his life.
Wen Zongji saw his hesitation and said calmly, "Lord Liu, don't take any chances. I have been ordered to inspect various places, and I cannot return empty-handed. Even if I cannot find evidence against Huang Yecai, you will still have to return to the capital with me."
Wen Zongji's words were quite clear.
He couldn't leave Tongzhou empty-handed. If he couldn't deal with Huang Yecai, he had to deal with Liu Chengyun to make it his record of achievements.
Upon hearing this, Liu Chengyun collapsed to the ground: "You officials in the capital are truly arrogant and condescending."
They openly and frankly admitted their desire for credit, showing no regard for him whatsoever.
Wen Zongji looked down at them: "If you behave yourselves, what are you afraid of my methods?"
Liu Chengyun smiled bitterly: "What you say is true, sir. We have committed too many sins."
Taking a deep breath, Liu Chengyun said, "The owners behind several famous brothels in Tongzhou are all Huang Yecai. Since he became the prefect of Tongzhou, he has used various means to buy or kidnap many women from all over the country and send them to brothels."
Just one sentence made Wen Zongji clench his fist, but his expression remained unchanged.
Yu Jiacheng's eyes were practically spitting fire.
"There are also cases in Tongzhou. Over the years, countless disappearances have become unsolved mysteries. It's not that no one has noticed, after all, those girls, once trained, are always required to entertain customers."
"But anyone who discovers this will be dealt with privately by Lord Huang as long as they report it to the yamen. Over the years, not only the Tongzhou yamen, but also the county yamen below it are all under his control."
"The only exception is Tongzhou Guard. The current Tongzhou Guard, Xiao Linggao, is a brute who only knows how to dance and wield a sword and has no interest in women at all. Lord Huang has invited him many times, but he has always turned him down, saying that Tongzhou Guard and the Prefectural Government should check and balance each other and not get too close."
"Because of Xiao Linggao, we haven't dared to take any major actions this year."
Wen Zongji interjected, "What qualifies as a major operation?"
Liu Chengyun pursed his lips: "Invite some officials and wealthy merchants to Tongzhou for entertainment, and the girls who serve them are all newly trained."
Wen Zongji closed his eyes slightly and took a deep breath: "Continue."
"Lord Huang has been trying to transfer Xiao Linggao, but Xiao Linggao has powerful backers in the capital, so it won't be easy to do. Fortunately, many of the middle-ranking officers in Tongzhou Guard have been bribed by Lord Huang... We haven't received any news about Tongzhou Guard's plan to surround the government office. It seems that Lord Huang has already taken control of those who have been bribed by him."
Liu Chengyun felt even more bitter: "The lord came prepared; we were all caught off guard."
He had been arrogant in Tongzhou because of Huang Yecai's power, but now that he was a prisoner, he had become more sober.
Wen Zongji looked at him coldly: "Since you dare to identify Huang Yecai, you should have evidence to prove it, right?"
Liu Chengyun nodded: "Over the years, I have been in charge of handling the people sent from various places and arranging banquets. I have the account books... as well as the list of people who will attend the banquets."
"Where is it hidden?"
Liu Chengyun hesitated and looked at Wen Zongji, wanting to make some more requests, but when he saw Wen Zongji's cold eyes, he was so frightened that he dared not say anything and honestly gave the location.
He's now at the mercy of the butcher; it's pointless for him to make demands.