Eagle-eyed and wolf-watching

Chapter 1709 Deep Affection?

Upon hearing that it was a design blueprint, Ye Mingsheng felt somewhat helpless. Although he couldn't understand the blueprint, as the emperor, Ye Mingsheng was too embarrassed to admit that he couldn't understand it. So he could only take the blueprint and pretend to look at it.

After handing the blueprints to Ye Mingsheng, Zhang Dafu began to explain:
"Your Majesty, the Rao River is the mother river of Rao'an, but it is also a long-standing problem for Rao'an. Whenever there is heavy rain around Rao'an, the Rao River will flood!"

“Hundreds of thousands of people, both inside and outside the city of Rao’an, have suffered greatly from this. As the prefect of Rao’an, I also want to solve this problem for the people of Rao’an!”

“For the past two months, we have been studying how to manage the Rao River. Based on our field visits, our idea is to build a dam on the upper reaches of the Rao River, specifically in the Xiaolu Village area!”

"We anticipate that this dike will effectively help Rao'an withstand floods..."

Listening to Zhang Dafu's eloquent explanation of his ideas for the dam, Ye Mingsheng, who couldn't understand the blueprints, put them down and looked at Zhang Dafu, asking:

How much silver will this dike cost?

Seeing that Ye Mingsheng had brought up the most important issue of money, Zhang Dafu cleared his throat and explained:
"Your Majesty, the entire dike will cost approximately 50,000 taels of silver. My current plan is this: the people of Rao'an are very supportive of building this dike, so I want to mobilize the local gentry and wealthy merchants. I expect we can raise about 10,000 taels of silver!"

"Furthermore, I would like to discuss with banks like Da Dong Sheng to see if we can borrow some silver from them. Of course, the construction of this dike will definitely require the support of the imperial court!"

Looking at Zhang Dafu's earnest face, Ye Mingsheng asked:

"What did the Provincial Administration Commission say?"

Upon hearing Ye Mingsheng ask this, Zhang Dafu said bitterly:

"Provincial Governor Zhang said he is very supportive of my idea, but the Provincial Administration Commission is currently short of funds, so it cannot provide much financial support. It can only provide one thousand taels of silver after the dike construction begins!"

Upon hearing the figure of one thousand taels, Ye Mingsheng was somewhat amused. The dam cost fifty thousand taels of silver, and Zhang Zhiwen was supporting one thousand taels of silver. That was truly very supportive!

Before Ye Mingsheng could finish rejoicing, he saw Zhang Dafu looking at him expectantly. Judging from his expression, he seemed very excited. With a flourish of his pen, he told Zhang Dafu with an air of dominance that the imperial court would cover all 50,000 taels of silver!

Although Ye Mingsheng saw through Zhang Dafu's thoughts, unfortunately, he didn't let him have his way and instead spoke up:
"Give this drawing to the Ministry of Works and have them send someone to check it!"

Hearing Ye Mingsheng say this, Zhang Dafu's eyes showed obvious disappointment, but he did not give up and continued:

"Your Majesty, this dike is something the people of Rao'an urgently need; they need it to protect their safety!"

Upon hearing this, Ye Mingsheng said calmly:
"The Ministry of Works will investigate this matter. Whether or not to build the dike will be discussed after the Ministry of Works has conducted its investigation!"

Seeing that Ye Mingsheng had said so, Zhang Dafu, though still wanting to continue to try, could only bow and agree.

Seeing Zhang Dafu's expression, Ye Mingsheng knew very well that he was only verbally convinced, not truly convinced.

During his recent inspection, Ye Mingsheng had already witnessed the immense impact of the floods on Rao'an, and therefore believed that flood control should indeed be a top priority for Rao'an...

To be honest, Ye Mingsheng didn't know much about flood control, but as the old saying goes, even if you haven't eaten pork, you've seen pigs run. Ye Mingsheng understood that flood control is not just about relying on dikes; it can also be achieved by using canals to divert and release floodwaters.

Over the years as a commander, Ye Mingsheng has come to understand a principle more and more: third-rate actors are on the stage, second-rate actors are in the business world, and first-rate actors are in the imperial court. Therefore, you cannot completely trust what your subordinates say; you must be wary and have your own judgment!

Having spent so many years in the government, Ye Mingsheng had seen many seemingly upright and patriotic Party members who were actually thieves and prostitutes behind the scenes.

Based on what Ye Mingsheng just learned, Zhang Dafu isn't entirely trustworthy either. It's still unclear what's going on between him and that prostitute Liu Qianqian!
Thinking of this, Ye Mingsheng was too lazy to send anyone to investigate further, and directly asked:
Do you know Liu Qianqian, the top courtesan at Chunxiang Pavilion?

Zhang Dafu, who was immersed in disappointment, was stunned when he heard the name Liu Qianqian. He looked at Ye Mingsheng with some surprise.

Seeing that Zhang Dafu did not speak, Ye Mingsheng pressed on:

"Whether you know me or not, answer quickly and don't beat around the bush!"

Under Ye Mingsheng's persistent questioning, Zhang Dafu's expression changed rapidly. A second later, he nodded and said:

"know!"

Seeing that Zhang Dafu was relatively honest, Ye Mingsheng continued to ask:

Where did you meet?

"At the drinking party at Chunxiang Pavilion!"

"What were you doing at Chunxiang Pavilion? How did you meet Liu Qianqian?"

"At that time, several wealthy businessmen came to Rao'an. In order to encourage them to invest and do business in Rao'an, I took the initiative to entertain them. We ate at Chunxiang Restaurant, and Liu Qianqian accompanied them at the banquet..."

Seeing that Zhang Dafu seemed to be trying to downplay the issue, Ye Mingsheng went straight to the heart of the matter:

Did you spend the night at Chunxiang Pavilion?

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dafu's face flushed slightly. Although he instinctively wanted to argue, reason told him that since Ye Mingsheng was able to ask such a question, it meant that Ye Mingsheng understood the matter. Even if he argued, it would be difficult to change anything!
Therefore, instead of putting up a stubborn resistance, it would be better to cooperate properly, which would at least win you some leniency!
Thinking of this, Zhang Dafu said in a low voice:
"Your humble servant spent the night at Chunxiang Pavilion!"

"Was it you who redeemed Liu Qianqian and kept her as a mistress?"

Having laid the groundwork, Zhang Dafu wasn't so surprised that Ye Mingsheng knew this. He said with some self-reproach:
"Yes!"

"Where did you get the money?" "Liu Qianqian's ransom was three hundred taels. Over the years, as a county magistrate and prefect, I've accumulated some money through my salary and performance bonuses. I haven't accepted any bribes from others!"

Upon hearing this, Ye Mingsheng sneered:
"As the top courtesan of Chunxiang Pavilion, do you really think Liu Qianqian could only have received three hundred taels of silver to redeem herself?"

"Zhang Dafu, you'd better think before you speak! I'm giving you a chance, but if you don't know what's good for you, then forget it!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dafu quickly said:

"Your Majesty, it really was my own money. The owner of Chunxiang Pavilion, Mr. Cao, saw how deeply Qianqian and I loved each other, so he kindly granted our wish, only asking for three hundred taels of silver from me. This three hundred taels was my savings..."

Before Zhang Dafu could finish speaking, Ye Mingsheng slapped him hard across the face, then said with exasperation:
"Zhang Dafu, listen to what you're saying. You two are so deeply in love? Aren't you ashamed to say that?"

Ye Mingsheng's sudden slap stunned Zhang Dafu, while Rao An covered his face and looked at Ye Mingsheng in a daze.

Ye Mingsheng continued to rebuke;
"Do you even know your place? You are the Prefect of Rao'an, a high-ranking official of the imperial court. You brazenly go to brothels to drink and carouse with people. Do you know that this is forbidden by the laws of the Great Qian Dynasty?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dafu finally reacted and hurriedly knelt down before Ye Mingsheng, saying:
"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong, and I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"

"That's fine, but why are you talking about deep feelings for a prostitute? Do you really think she has feelings for you?"

Hearing Ye Mingsheng say this, Zhang Dafu hesitated for a moment, but still couldn't help but defend himself:

"Your Majesty, Qianqian and I fell in love at first sight. We are truly in love..."

Before Zhang Dafu could finish speaking, Ye Mingsheng kicked him again and angrily said:

"True love? You really think she loves you?"

"Zhang Dafu, you look to be in your thirties or forties, how can you still be so naive?"

"You brat, why don't you take a piss and look in the mirror? See what kind of person you are! Look at your big belly, like a woman who's been pregnant for ten months! What do you think Liu Qianqian saw in you...?"

Hearing Ye Mingsheng speak so bluntly, Zhang Dafu's face flushed red and then turned pale.

At this moment, Ye Mingsheng was genuinely angry. To be honest, although Ye Mingsheng hadn't had much contact with Zhang Dafu, he really admired him. Ye Mingsheng felt that Zhang Dafu, who came from a merchant family, was quick-witted and not rigid in his thinking, which was the type of person Ye Mingsheng admired!
Compared to those traditional GLs who are rigid in their work and like to study where PG sits all day, Ye Mingsheng really likes these quick-witted people. Ye Mingsheng believes that these people are better able to promote reform!

As for Zhang Dafu's drinking and carousing, spending the night at Chunxiang Tower, redeeming prostitutes and keeping them as mistresses, Ye Mingsheng honestly didn't care much. Such things happened all the time in the gay scene!
Party members are the elite in Daqian, their word is law. Otherwise, so many scholars wouldn't be racking their brains to get a party member position. Although they speak eloquently on the surface, everyone knows what they're really thinking!
In the G field, the county magistrate and the prefect are local tyrants, wielding almost unchecked power of life and death. Few of these people can remain clean-living; drinking and womanizing is not an isolated case, but a common phenomenon. Those who do not do so are the exceptions!
Ye Mingsheng had seen and heard of many double Fs, MNs, and sisters, so for Ye Mingsheng, Zhang Dafu's matter was not a matter of principle, and it was even less of a big deal compared to Wang Chong!
What truly angered Ye Mingsheng was that Zhang Dafu actually believed he and Liu Qianqian were deeply in love and mutually in love...
Ye Mingsheng felt that this statement was an insult to his intelligence. At the same time, Ye Mingsheng was also angry that Zhang Dafu, whom he admired, was so naive. This was really disappointing for Ye Mingsheng!

Seeing Zhang Dafu kneeling on the ground without saying a word, Ye Mingsheng knew that this guy wouldn't admit defeat until he was faced with a fatal mistake. Ye Mingsheng, too lazy to waste any more words, directly gave the order:

"Put Zhang Dafu in jail!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dafu looked up at Ye Mingsheng in disbelief, seemingly unable to believe that these words came from Ye Mingsheng's mouth. However, all he saw was Ye Mingsheng's cold expression.

"Your Majesty! I am innocent!"

"I am wronged!"

Amid Zhang Dafu's desperate pleas, a squad of Imperial Guards soldiers took him away.

After Zhang Dafu was taken away, Ye Mingsheng's anger subsided somewhat. After pondering for a moment, he instructed Zhang Hu:
"Tell Liu Qianqian that Zhang Dafu is in trouble. Tell her that Zhang Dafu is doomed this time, and that as someone involved in the case, she will also be implicated. If she voluntarily confesses to Zhang Dafu's crimes, she may receive a lighter sentence!"

Hearing Ye Mingsheng say this, Zhang Hu hesitated for a moment but still couldn't help asking:

"Your Majesty, are you really going to punish Zhang Dafu?"

Although Ye Mingsheng didn't say it directly, Zhang Hu, who was close to Ye Mingsheng, could clearly sense that Ye Mingsheng still appreciated this Prefect Zhang.

Ye Mingsheng said in a deep voice:
"Let's see what Liu Qianqian confesses first..."

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Yijing Provincial Surveillance Office

"What? You're saying Zhao Jian is dead?"

Looking at Zhang Mang, the Vice Minister of Justice, in front of him, Chu Zhiyi stood up from his seat and said incredulously:
Meeting Chu Zhiyi's gaze, Zhang Mang nodded slightly and said:

"Zhao Jian committed suicide out of fear of punishment! The people sent by the Ministry of Justice brought back Zhao Jian's body, and they have just verified that it is indeed Zhao Jian. Lord Chu, would you like to verify his identity yourself?"

Faced with Zhang Mang's question, Chu Zhiyi still felt somewhat confused.

When his house was set on fire that day, he first suspected the clerk who had come during the day, and then turned his suspicions to Zhao Jian, the prefect of Yuyang, and Zhang Zhiwen, the governor of Youyan.

Because Chu Zhiyi himself was the Inspector General of Youyan, and because this matter was likely to involve some disputes in the court, the court attached great importance to it. After discussions among several Grand Secretaries, they unanimously decided that the investigation should not be conducted by the Inspector General of Youyan, but should be upgraded to be conducted by the Ministry of Justice.

Minister of Justice Liu Ning personally deployed and arranged the operation. After continuous investigation and evidence collection by the Ministry of Justice personnel, the suspect was finally identified as Zhao Jian, the prefect of Yuyang.

Chu Zhiyi had no objection to this. He himself suspected that this was Zhao Jian's revenge against him for investigating his behavior as a BHS (Best Seller) for the Hu family.

After identifying the suspect, the Ministry of Justice immediately dispatched people to arrest Zhao Jian, intending to bring him back to Yijing for a joint trial by the three judicial departments to give the public an explanation!