Chapter 265 Zhao Yingluo’s internal divisions
On September 28, it was the golden autumn season, and the joy of rice harvest filled the fields.
However, for Weng Yanguo and the county magistrates, this day was full of tension and uneasiness.
Lei Ming escorted the nine county magistrates, and finally arrived at Pingjiang Mansion after a long and dusty journey.
After receiving the news, Wen Boyuan immediately ordered people to open the city gate and escort the group into the city.
After entering the city, they were taken directly to the Pingjiang government office without stopping for a moment.
At this time, Zhao Yingluo was sitting in the lobby of the government office. Her eyes were as sharp as a knife, scanning everyone in the hall.
Weng Yanguo stood aside, bowing his head and feeling uneasy.
Although he had been mentally prepared, he still felt a panic when he saw his subordinates being brought to the lobby.
The county magistrates were escorted to the center of the hall. Although they had not yet been convicted, their official uniforms had lost their former dignity.
They saluted Zhao Yingluo respectfully, but the fear and uneasiness revealed in their actions could not be concealed.
One of the county magistrates, obviously frightened by this solemn intimidation, actually lost his legs and fell directly to the ground.
His official hat rolled aside, his bun was messy,
How embarrassing. This scene made everyone present feel stunned.
Zhao Yingluo looked at this scene coldly, with a mocking smile on her lips.
She slowly said: "My Lords, magistrates, what's wrong with you? Is the power of this palace so terrifying that you can't even stand still?"
Although her voice was not loud, every word she said was like a hammer hitting the hearts of the county magistrates.
They all bowed their heads and said nothing, but their hearts were in turmoil.
Weng Yanguo was also in a state of confusion at the moment. He secretly regretted not listening to his subordinates' advice and stopping earlier.
Fortunately, not only was he in trouble, but he also implicated these county magistrates.
Although he was extremely anxious in his heart, he did not dare to show it on his face.
When Zhao Yingluo saw no one answered, she continued: "I came to Pingjiang Mansion this time to investigate the whereabouts of the relief money. I received a secret report that some officials were embezzling the money and enriching their own pockets. Naturally, I didn't believe it. So I came to check it out in person. Now it seems that the secret report is true."
As she spoke, her eyes glanced at the county magistrates again.
The county magistrates wilted like eggplants beaten by frost. They knew that things might be difficult to resolve this time.
Weng Yanguo was also on pins and needles at this moment. He didn't know how to deal with the situation in front of him.
He knew in his heart that since Zhao Yingluo had obtained the evidence, the next step was how to convict him.
Although he was unwilling to give in, he also knew that he was doomed this time.
There was a brief silence in the lobby. Zhao Yingluo sat at the top, staring at the county magistrates below with burning eyes.
The county magistrates all bowed their heads in silence, waiting for their fate to be judged.
Weng Yanguo stood aside, feeling anxious and uneasy.
Zhao Yingluo sat in the lobby, her gaze penetrating the air like a sharp sword, pointing directly into the hearts of the county magistrates.
She spoke slowly, and although her voice was soft, it was filled with unquestionable majesty: "My fellow county magistrates, I will give you a chance. If you honestly plead guilty, I will give you leniency."
Her words were like a bombshell, causing an uproar in the hearts of the county magistrates.
They looked at each other, and for a moment no one dared to speak.
One of the county magistrates, obviously with poor mental endurance, began to tremble and want to confess. However, just when he was about to speak, he accidentally caught a glimpse of Weng Yanguo's sharp eyes.
Those eyes pierced into his heart like ice, making him shiver involuntarily, and he swallowed back the words that came to his lips.
When Weng Yanguo saw this, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
He knew that these county magistrates must be reassured at this time, otherwise once someone lets go, the consequences will be disastrous.
So, he coughed dryly and stood up.
He held his head high and pretended to be calm and said: "Your Royal Highness, I and these county magistrates have always been conscientious and dedicated to the public service, and have never engaged in corruption or charity. The account books are clearly written, and the whereabouts of every sum of money are clearly recorded. clear and direct."
His voice was sonorous and powerful.
After hearing this, the county magistrates straightened their backs, as if they had found a backbone, with a look of stability on their faces.
However, Zhao Yingluo was not moved by his words.
She sneered, with a bit of ridicule and disdain in her eyes.
She had expected that Weng Yan would be so quibbling, but she was also prepared.
She turned to look at Lei Ming and asked in a low voice: "Lei Ming, have you read all the account books seized from various county offices?"
Lei Ming bowed and replied: "Your Highness, Princess, I have checked everything carefully." He paused and continued, "From the books, there seems to be no problem. Every expenditure of money is clearly recorded. , it seems they are all used for disaster relief and relief for the people.”
Zhao Yingluo sneered even more when she heard this: "Humph! Falsifying accounts is their main way to evade responsibility. How can I be easily deceived by them?"
As she spoke, her eyes glanced at the county magistrates again, and her tone suddenly became stern, "I will give you one last chance! If you don't confess your crime again, your crime will be increased!"
Her voice exploded in the lobby like thunder, causing the ears of the county magistrates to ring.
All of their faces were earth-colored, and their hearts were filled with fear.
Weng Yanguo was also frightened at this moment, but he still stood there pretending to be calm.
He knew that he was the leader of these county magistrates. If he showed panic and fear at this time, then others would have even less confidence.
Zhao Yingluo sneered in her heart when she saw that Weng Yanguo and others were still stubborn and refused to plead guilty.
She had already expected that these people would not let go easily, so she had backup plans.
She waved her hand gently, signaling Wen Boyuan to bring Fan Jian to the court.
After a while, Fan Jian was escorted into the hall by two government officials.
He was wearing prison uniform, unkempt, with obvious scars on his body, and he looked depressed.
As soon as he saw Zhao Yingluo sitting in the hall, he was so frightened that his legs weakened and he knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly and begging for mercy: "Your Highness, please spare your life! I know I was wrong, and I am willing to confess anything!"
Zhao Yingluo looked at Fan Jian's embarrassed look and felt happy in her heart.
She shouted in a cold voice: "Fan Jian, since you have confessed your crime, then you must bring the truth! Tell the truth about you, Weng Yanguo and other county magistrates' corruption in aiding the bank!"
When Fan Jian heard this, he didn't dare to hide anything and quickly told what happened.
He admitted that he, Weng Yanguo and other county magistrates colluded with each other to embezzle money and donate money.
He also described in detail how Weng Yanguo instructed them to make false accounts and the entire process of dividing the spoils.
After listening to Fan Jian's confession, Zhao Yingluo became even more angry.
She turned to look at Weng Yanguo and asked sternly: "Weng Yanguo, what else do you have to say? Fan Jian has confessed everything, do you still want to deny it?"
At this moment, Weng Yanguo still pretended to be calm and sophistry: "Her Royal Highness the Princess knows the truth without seeing the truth. What Fan Jian said is purely a false accusation! I have always been conscientious and dedicated to the public, and have never been corrupt. It is clearly written in the account book. It is clear that the 10,000 taels of silver that should be distributed to Wu County were paid on time, and there was never any default or misappropriation. "
