At the beginning of the civil castle, the Ming God of War was a little panicked

Chapter 163 Official Rules

Bellin didn't expect that she just wanted to educate this ignorant county magistrate, but such a thing would lead to it.

As a result, things seem to have become a little serious.

"The 20 river treatment fund has become 15, where did the other [-] go?"

Liang Ke said with a wry smile: "Master Bei, you have lived in the capital for a long time, and the Qin Tianjian is independent from the six ministries. This kind of thing... I can only say that the water inside is very deep, so don't ask, it's not your responsibility." It's up to you."

Bellin's face changed, and she asked: "I was ordered to go to Huai'an Mansion to assist in the river control. Now that the account of the river control funds is unclear, how can I ignore it?"

Liang Ke raised his head and said: "Since we are talking about this matter, I might as well say a few more words. Although the young master of the Gao family is only a juror, how many people in the court rely on the elder Gao Ge, you will send him tonight. I beat you, it was Old Gao Ge's face, even if he didn't come forward to trouble you because of his status, how could those officials in the court give up? I would like to advise you, it's better to make preparations early and let things go in peace."

Belin shook her head and said, "If I dare to beat him up, I'm not afraid of other people making trouble. Now I'm asking you about the money for the river management. Is there someone embezzled?"

"If someone really wants to embezzle, it's easy to handle. The key is... this kind of thing is mostly a mess. In a word, you don't care about it. The officials are as benevolent as possible. Tonight, Mr. Bei hijacked the officials. As a colleague, I would like to advise you, whether you are a person or an official, it is better to be confused when you should be confused."

"No, today's matter must be clarified. Where did the other 15 taels of river control funds go?"

But Liang Ke stood up, bowed his hands, and said: "What should be said, what should not be said, I have said everything, take my leave!"

"stop!"

Beilen stopped him and asked, "I'm asking you something, where did the 15 taels of money go?"

Liang Ke also changed his face, and said: "My lord, the officials have done their best. If you insist on checking the accounts, then go back to the capital and check the officials from the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Households to the lower levels. Or, go to find the magistrate of Huai'an, you can't talk to the officials about this kind of thing!"

Belin would not let him go, she immediately grabbed his skirt and said, "If you don't make it clear, you don't want to take half a step out of this room tonight!"

"Master Bei, don't go too far!"

Liang Ke struggled to go out, but was pushed back by Belin.

"The account of the river control fund is unclear. Now I suspect that you have embezzled the river control fund. If you don't make it clear, then don't blame the official for doing business!"

Liang Ke suddenly became anxious, and said angrily, "Your surname is Bei, don't spout blood here. What kind of thing are you? What qualifications do you have to meddle in local affairs?"

"You said I'm not qualified?"

Bei Lin took out the documents and official seals she carried with her, and said: "I am ordered to go to Huai'an Mansion to assist Yu Qian, a cabinet scholar, and Wang Yonghe, the left servant of the Ministry of Industry, to control the river. Do you think I am qualified to ask about the funds for river control? ?”

But Liang Ke turned his face away and said: "Then you go to Huai'an Mansion, this county is only under the management of Huai'an Mansion, no matter who you are sent here, you have nothing to do with this county!"

That's not bad, even if you want to do business, according to the procedure, you still have to connect with Huai'an Prefecture, if Suqian County doesn't cooperate, there's really nothing you can do.

Bellin had no choice but to look at Yuan Bin.

Yuan Bin understood, and took out a waist card from his body and handed it over.

Liang Ke looked puzzled, took a look at the waist badge, and almost jumped up in fright.

He hurriedly brought the waist card in front of his eyes, turned it over and over to examine it carefully, his face became paler, and his back was covered with cold sweat.

Yuan Bin hugged his shoulders and asked with a smile: "Master Bei is not qualified, is he? I wonder if I have the qualifications?"

Liang Ke wiped the sweat from his forehead with his hand, and said cautiously, "Are you... Jin Yiwei... Commander Yuan?"

"Why, this waist card doesn't seem real?"

"no no……"

Liang Ke waved his hands again and again, returned the badge respectfully, and said: "I don't know Taishan with my eyes, please forgive me for any offense..."

He was feeling uneasy now, he thought this person was Belin's bodyguard, but he didn't expect that he was the commander of the dignified Jinyiwei!

Now it's difficult, everyone can see it, and it's impossible to hide it.

What to do, what to do...

Yuan Bin took back his waist badge and said, "Tell me, what is the money for river control?"

"The funds for river control..."

Liang Ke was sweating profusely on his forehead, and he hesitated, not knowing what to do.

Seeing this, Yuan Bin lowered his face and said coldly: "If Mr. Liang doesn't want to talk here, we can change the place."

"Change...to what place?"

"Zhao prison!"

Liang Ke's knees went limp, he slumped on the stool, and murmured: "No...no need, my subordinate...your subordinate knows everything you want to say, and you can talk endlessly..."

"Don't talk nonsense, just talk about the river control fund, and explain everything you know!"

"Actually... the lower officials don't know much..."

"Know what to say, if you hide anything, you know the consequences!"

Liang Ke was so scared that his face turned pale. Once Jin Yiwei intervened, he, a little county magistrate, might have made it to the top...

"Yes Yes……"

He swallowed his saliva and said truthfully: "To be honest, if the money specially allocated by the imperial court such as Zhiheyin is allocated layer by layer, if it can finally be implemented, half of it will be thankful."

"You mean, there are layers of exploitation, and people are corrupted at every level?"

"It's not considered corruption. For example, the yamen has been in disrepair for a long time and needs to be repaired. The finances of the imperial court have been tight and they can't pay any money. Therefore, such expenses can only wait for river governance or disaster relief. Take out some of it. Also, river control is a major event, and the appropriation is subject to approval at various levels. Relevant personnel at all levels will try their best to retain some, such as changing the sedan chair, buying a horse, and other small expenses. The sum is not a small amount. .”

Yuan Bin continued to ask: "This expenditure is barely justified, but how much money can it cost to repair a yamen and replace a sedan chair? You said just now that it is good if you can drop half of it. Where did the rest go?"

"others……"

At this point, Liang Ke no longer dared to hide anything, so he could only say: "For example... the ice and charcoal tributes that are given to Shangguan and the masters of the capital every year, as well as various constant tributes, the money is hard to tell. ..."

Beilen said with a dark face: "What kind of respect is it? After all, it's not corruption!"

"Lord Bei, that's not what you said. The officialdom is like this. Everyone is sent. If you don't send it, you will have no future. A small county magistrate like the lower official has no backer in the court. If you don't curry favor with the chief, how can you get promoted?" Hope? You open your mouth, Your Majesty, and keep your mouth shut, Your Majesty, you are an official in the capital, and the Majesty can still see whether you are good or bad, but when you go to the local area, the merits of the subordinate officials are all based on the memorabilia of the magistrate, how does the Majesty know these secrets?"

After hearing this, Belin was very angry, but there was nothing she could do.

As Liang Ke said, if it is really corruption, then it is easy to deal with, but with so many muddled accounts, how to investigate?
He raised his eyes and peeked at Zhu Qizhen, Zhu Qizhen was also worried, the water here was really deep.

Officials are not fuel-efficient lamps. They withhold money, and they will try every means to set up a name. There must be legitimate reasons on the books. If it is really necessary to check the money one by one, I am afraid it will not be so easy.

What's even more frightening is that this phenomenon has become commonplace in the Ming Dynasty. Everyone is following the unspoken rules. Even if a few typical people are killed, it may not be completely eradicated.

Unexpectedly, being an emperor would be such a headache...

At this point, Suqian County must not move, otherwise it will startle the snake, so he gave Beilin a look, and waved his hand lightly.

Belin then said: "The one surnamed Gao will be beaten up by the official. You don't have to worry about how to deal with it later. As for the conversation I am waiting here tonight, I must not disclose it to anyone, otherwise, I will bear the consequences!"

Liang Ke nodded again and again, and said, "Your official understands!"

Just kidding, I won't even tell you if you kill me!

Otherwise, let your colleagues know and don't eat me...

Bei Lin stood up and said, "Over there, Mr. Liang, please explain it yourself."

"Don't worry, I know what to do!"

Liang Ke finally heaved a sigh of relief, he just wanted to leave this place as soon as possible, as for Mr. Gao... Forget it, don't care, what the heck!

Yi Cheng and the rest of the guards couldn't wait long ago, the magistrate was kidnapped, what's going on?

Although the other party is also an official, but this is not in line with the procedure...

Seeing that the door opened and Liang Ke walked out unharmed, everyone heaved a sigh of relief. Fortunately, nothing happened, and everyone was scared to death!

"grown ups……"

Just as Yi Cheng was about to step forward, Liang Ke waved his hand at him and said, "Master Bei just had a chat with the county about official business, and there was some misunderstanding on the way, so don't make a fuss."

"Then... Mr. Gao..."

"Master Bei will deal with this matter on his own. The county doesn't want to get involved too much. Since the matter happened at the post station, you are fully responsible. From now on, you can just follow Lord Bei's instructions."

Yicheng was stunned for a moment, don't you care?
Such a big matter, how can I, a little postman, be the master?

But Liang Ke waved his hands away and left with a group of yamen servants.

After thinking about it, Yicheng had no choice but to bite the bullet and come to the residence of Bei Lin and the others, and asked: "Master Bei, may I ask..."

"Come on, I'm looking for you!"

Belin waved at him and said, "That Gao... by the way, what's his name?"

Yi Cheng's face twitched, he beat him like this, but he didn't even know his name...

"Return to my lord, Mr. Gao's single name is Xu."

"As for Gao Xu, tonight's food and drink money, hall money, and broken tables, chairs and benches, you make a list. If he pays the money honestly, that's all. If not, I will take it to Gaoge myself. Go to the old mansion!"

Yi Cheng opened his mouth wide, not knowing what to do.

It's just a meal, and the county magistrate didn't say anything, are you so serious...

"Why, do I need to repeat it again?"

"No, no need..."

Well, you can do whatever you want, we are just a little postman!
"Okay, it's okay, you go down!"

Yicheng sighed helplessly, turned around and withdrew.

Gao Xu was going crazy at this time, he was beaten like this, and he didn't care when the county magistrate came, and now this postman still asks him for money, is there still a king's law, is there still a law?

At this moment, he really wanted to rush over to fight with the opponent, but when he saw a dozen servants with bruised noses and swollen faces behind him, he immediately dismissed this idea.

A hero doesn't suffer from the immediate loss, swallow the grievance first today, Belin of the Qin Tianjian, right, wait!
So he ordered people to pay the money, and the inn was not allowed to stay, so he went to the city overnight to find the inn.

I don't care what Qin Tianjian you are, if you offend my Gao family, you will definitely make you look good!

Yi Cheng cautiously came to Beilin's room, and said: "My lord, Mr. Gao has already paid the silver, you see..."

"Understood, you go down!"

"Yes!"

Belin is not in the mood to care about Yin Zi, what he has to worry about now is where Zhi He Yin is going.

Zhu Qizhen said with a dark face, "My Ming court looks like this bird? Not even half of the money allocated by the court was spent on the people! Yuan Bin, I leave this matter to you. Starting from the Zhihe Bank in Huai'an Mansion, no matter what the price is, we must investigate clearly!"

Yuan Bin replied: "I obey the order!"

Zhu Qizhen still looked angry, and said: "Forget it, let's do it secretly. The most urgent thing is to find out about the Japanese pirates and the White Lotus Sect. When I am free, I will settle accounts with them one by one!"

But Gao Xu, after leaving the post station, came to the county town, went around and searched around, and finally came to a brothel.

Although his nose was bruised and his face was swollen, it was only a skin trauma, so it was nothing serious.

"Isn't this Mr. Gao, what wind brought you here!"

The Gao family's house is in Huai'an Mansion, and they are familiar with these brothels in Lin County, so the old bustard naturally recognizes them.

Gao Xu said angrily: "Prepare a table of wine and food, and ask some girls to drink with me!"

"No problem... ouch, you are..."

Seeing the bruises on Gao Xu's face and the big dark circles under his eyes, the old bustard couldn't help being a little puzzled.

"What nonsense, go!"

Gao Xu was in a bad mood and acted very impatient.

"Alright, please go upstairs!"

Late at night, a beautifully dressed woman came to a secret room.

Inside, the old bustard had been waiting for a long time.

"Meet the helmsman!"

The old bustard no longer had the smile just now, but asked with a serious face: "What did you ask?"

"It is said that an official came from the capital and went to Huai'an Mansion under orders. It should be related to river control."

"The capital is here? How many people did you bring?"

"It is said that the man only brought three followers."

The old bustard pondered for a moment, then asked again: "What's the matter with the wound on his face?"

"It was the officer who hit it."

"The imperial envoy... is still beating people?"

"Yes, it is said that Mr. Gao had dinner at the post station, and when he was hit by that man, he asked Mr. Gao for food money, and then they started fighting."

The old bustard asked suspiciously, "What kind of meal fee? The post station still needs money?"

"It's just... Mr. Gao has no official or job, so he shouldn't go to the post station for dinner. It's against the rules."

"There are more than a dozen of them, but they can't beat three of them?"

"I don't know, Mr. Gao refuses to say."

It's no wonder that no one wants to show their embarrassing things to the public.

The old bustard thought for a while, and said, "Go down, and try to get some words out tomorrow, don't startle the snake."

"Yes, my subordinates retire!"

The old bustard pondered for a long time, then wrote a letter and called a man dressed as a turtle.

"Go to Nanjing, hand over the letter to the leader, and say that this person's identity is suspicious. I don't know if he came here for my teaching. It's best to send someone to check the details of this person."

(End of this chapter)