Eagle-eyed and wolf-watching

Chapter 1715 Deserves to Die!

Hearing Ye Mingsheng's ultimatum-like words, Zhang Zhiwen's heart tightened. Although he was still very uneasy, Zhang Zhiwen steeled himself and said:
“Your Majesty, I only know that Wang Chong did engage in some violent and illegal activities while recruiting workers in Z area. He forcibly destroyed some houses and farmland. I know these things, but I don’t know anything else. Wang Chong has never reported these things to me!”

Upon hearing this, Ye Mingsheng gave Zhang Zhiwen a deep look. Wang Chong's case was still under investigation. Wang Chong knew he was going to die, so he was now focused on dying, which made the investigation slower.

Ye Mingsheng also did not receive the investigation report for the case, so he does not know how credible Zhang Zhiwen's words are.

However, based on his personal experience, Ye Mingsheng felt that Zhang Zhiwen's words were relatively credible.

Zhang Zhiwen treated Zhuoxian as his top achievement and paid close attention to its development. He even personally pulled strings with Yi Jing to bring some factory owners to Zhuoxian and appointed his confidant Wang Chong as the county magistrate. So, to say that Zhang Zhiwen knew nothing about what was happening in Zhuoxian is to treat people like fools.

But if you say Zhang Zhiwen knew everything, Ye Mingsheng doesn't think so!

After all, Zhang Zhiwen was the Provincial Governor of Youyan, responsible for the affairs of the entire Youyan region. His work was usually very busy, so he couldn't possibly handle everything personally in Zhuoxian. It was already quite good if he could occasionally inquire about the situation there…

Therefore, under such circumstances, it's possible that Zhang Zhiwen was unaware of some details. So Ye Mingsheng didn't dwell on this point but instead asked:

"Since you know what wrong things Wang Chong has done, why do you condone and indulge him?"

Having anticipated Ye Mingsheng's question, Zhang Zhiwen hesitated briefly before replying with a self-reproachful expression:

"Your Majesty, I did make a mistake in this matter. I was blinded by greed and only wanted to improve the economy of Zhuo County, collect more taxes for the court, and contribute to easing the court's financial strain. Therefore, I neglected the feelings of the people and made them suffer so much injustice!"

"This is my dereliction of duty as the Provincial Governor of Youyan. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"

Looking at Zhang Zhiwen, whose face was filled with grief, Ye Mingsheng immediately gave the order:

"Someone, summon Jingren!"

"Yes!"

Upon hearing that Ye Mingsheng wanted the Crown Prince to come, Zhang Zhiwen, who was filled with grief, was also stunned for a moment, not knowing what Ye Mingsheng meant.

Although he couldn't understand it, Zhang Zhiwen had no choice but to accept it in front of Ye Mingsheng. A moment later, Ye Jingren came to the room, and Zhang Zhiwen bowed to Jingren.

After doing all this, Ye Mingsheng spoke again:

"Zhang Zhiwen, repeat what you just said!"

Zhang Zhiwen reacted quickly, his eyes seeming to realize something. He had long heard that their Crown Prince was honest and kind, which was a nice way of putting it. In reality, he was a bit slow and playful, completely lacking the shrewdness and ambition of His Majesty and Empress. He was in stark contrast to His Majesty's fourth son, Prince Jingxuan!
That is why His Majesty brought His Highness the Crown Prince along on this inspection tour, intending to impart knowledge and guidance to him through personal example…

So His Majesty has summoned His Highness the Crown Prince, most likely to take this opportunity to teach him a lesson!
After thinking about this, Zhang Zhiwen became even more careful and cautious as he repeated what he had just said, while also considering whether there was anything wrong with what he said.

After listening to Zhang Zhiwen's account, Ye Mingsheng asked in return:

"Zhang Zhiwen, are you finished speaking?"

"Your Majesty has finished speaking!"

"That's not what I want to hear. I want to hear your true feelings, your innermost thoughts. Don't pretend to be loyal to the emperor and the government here. You know perfectly well what you're really thinking!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhiwen was startled and immediately bowed deeply, saying:

"Your humble servant is guilty! Your humble servant is guilty!"

Seeing this, Ye Mingsheng glanced at Jing Ren beside him. Jing Ren seemed detached, watching the spectacle from the sidelines. Ye Mingsheng, somewhat annoyed, asked:

"Jingren, do you know what Governor Zhang is thinking?"

Upon hearing this, Jing Ren glanced at Zhang Zhiwen, shook his head, and said:
"do not know!"

Although he had anticipated Jingren's words, hearing them still ignited a nameless anger within Ye Mingsheng. However, he knew that Jingren wouldn't understand unless he pointed it out directly, so he immediately said:
"The performance evaluations of officials in the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue focus on the economy and taxation. So, our Provincial Governor Zhang is going to great lengths to develop Zhuo County simply to boost the economy, collect more taxes, and make his government look better, so that he can have a better chance of advancing further!"

Hearing Ye Mingsheng say this so directly, Zhang Zhiwen was extremely embarrassed and terrified. He dared not refute Ye Mingsheng's words and could only repeatedly kowtow:
"Your humble servant deserves to die ten thousand times over, deserves to die ten thousand times over, deserves to die ten thousand times over..."

Looking at Zhang Zhiwen kneeling on the ground, Ye Mingsheng said slowly:
"Actually, there's nothing wrong with your idea. Which G doesn't want to get promoted? What you're really doing is what you're doing!"

"You say you ignored it, but ask yourself honestly, did you really ignore it?"

These words were a direct attack on his conscience, and Zhang Zhiwen immediately broke out in a cold sweat.

Seeing this, Ye Mingsheng continued calmly:

“You didn’t ignore it; you knew perfectly well, but you didn’t care. After all, you are the provincial governor, and in your eyes, these things can be completely sacrificed. Even so, what can they do to you?”

Upon hearing Ye Mingsheng's words, Zhang Zhiwen trembled uncontrollably. He never expected that His Majesty would see right through his thoughts!
Although he was extremely shocked, Zhang Zhiwen knew that he could not let His Majesty continue speaking. If he did, his crime would be too great, and he would have to defend himself!
Taking a deep breath, Zhang Zhiwen, who was kneeling on the ground, raised his head and looked at Ye Mingsheng, saying:

"Your Majesty, I have indeed erred this time, but I swear to Heaven, I have not been indifferent to the suffering of the people..."

"Since Your Majesty personally appointed me as the Provincial Governor of Youyan, I have been aware of the great responsibility I bear. I am filled with trepidation every day and have devoted myself to the development of Youyan. Apart from the impact of this year's disaster, Youyan has a full treasury, and the taxes paid have increased year after year. Most people are able to live and work in peace and contentment!"

"What a peaceful and prosperous life! What's the story behind Zhao Jian and the Hu family in Yuyang?"

When Ye Mingsheng asked about this, Zhang Zhiwen said with genuine helplessness:
“Your Majesty, that Zhao Jian is arrogant because he is a veteran of the Fengwu Army from Liaoyang. Even though I am the Provincial Administration Commissioner, he doesn’t respect me at all. I previously submitted a memorial to the Ministry of Personnel requesting that Zhao Jian be transferred, but the Ministry of Personnel said that there was no suitable place to arrange for Zhao Jian. So I am powerless to help him with this matter!”

After saying this, Zhang Zhiwen paused for a moment, then looked at Ye Mingsheng and said with a sincere expression:

"Of course, as the Provincial Governor of Youyan, I am also responsible for such a major incident in Yuyang. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!" Hearing this, Ye Mingsheng was somewhat surprised. He did not know that Zhang Zhiwen had requested the Ministry of Personnel to transfer Zhao Jian, but he believed that what Zhang Zhiwen said was true. After all, such work leaves a record, and as long as the Ministry of Personnel investigates, they will be able to find out the truth of the matter.

Therefore, it is impossible for Zhang Zhiwen to lie and commit the crime of deceiving the emperor in this matter. According to this logic, although Zhang Zhiwen bears unshirkable responsibility in the Wang Chong incident, his responsibility in the Zhao Jian incident is much less.

After a moment of contemplation, Ye Mingsheng asked again:
"What are you going to do next?"

Zhang Zhiwen, who had already devised a plan along the way, immediately replied upon hearing this:

"Next, I plan to go to Zhuoxian County to investigate the harm suffered by the local people. Firstly, I will severely punish those responsible and make all perpetrators pay the corresponding price and receive the punishment they deserve. Secondly, I will immediately take steps to compensate these people in various ways!"

"Compensate the people? How do you plan to compensate these people?"

"Firstly, regarding the government, although the government currently lacks funds, we can provide tax and fee reductions. We can offer these reductions to the affected people for three, five, or ten years, or even 30%, 50%, or the entire amount of their taxes!"

"The second point is about the factories. These factories have already been built, and it would be too wasteful to demolish them and return them to the fields. So I plan to let these affected people become shareholders of the factories by contributing their land as shares. In addition to receiving wages from the factories, they can also receive dividends from the factories!"

"Of course, if any people wish to receive cash compensation, I will urge the factory owners to do so!"

"Finally, I also intentionally organized a meeting of the Youyan Provincial Administration Office and even the various prefectural and county offices below it to clarify the people-oriented approach, resolutely learn from this painful lesson, and avoid making such mistakes again in subsequent work!"

Despite Zhang Zhiwen's eloquent speech, Ye Mingsheng's expression remained unchanged, but he was inwardly quite approving. Although Zhang Zhiwen was driven by greed, his work approach was clear, and the methods he proposed were practical and feasible.

Looking at Ye Mingsheng, who remained unfazed, Zhang Zhiwen felt incredibly uneasy, but he could only quietly await Ye Mingsheng's judgment of his fate.

After considering for a moment, Ye Mingsheng said calmly:

"Now that you have an idea, go ahead and do it..."

Upon hearing Ye Mingsheng's words, Zhang Zhiwen was first stunned, then overjoyed. He had been terrified when he heard Ye Mingsheng's words, thinking that Ye Mingsheng would take his head.

Unexpectedly, Ye Mingsheng agreed to his follow-up plan so easily. Does this mean that His Majesty is taking this matter lightly and letting it go easily?

Thinking of this, Zhang Zhiwen relaxed and then solemnly assured Ye Mingsheng:

"Your Majesty, please rest assured! I guarantee that I will handle the follow-up compensation work well and appease the people of Zhuo County!"

Ye Mingsheng nodded slightly in response, and Zhang Zhiwen tactfully took his leave.

After Zhang Zhiwen left, Ye Mingsheng looked at his son beside him and asked:
"Jingren, is there anything you want to say?"

Jingren hesitated for a moment and then said:
"Father, the other day when we went to visit the people, we saw how badly they were being bullied. I thought you would punish them severely!"

Ye Mingsheng smiled and said upon hearing this:
"Jingren, what kind of punishment do you consider severe? If you were to punish Zhang Zhiwen, how would you do it?"

Jingren pondered for a moment before slowly saying:

"I think even if Zhang Zhiwen compensates those people, he should at least be fined for six months and forced to make a public apology and deeply reflect on his actions!"

Hearing this, Ye Mingsheng shook his head. Seeing this, Jing Ren scratched his head and said:
"Father, am I wrong?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Mingsheng said solemnly:
"Even if Zhang Zhiwen doesn't bear direct responsibility for the events in Zhuoxian, he does bear jurisdictional responsibility. Therefore, in principle, the lightest punishment he should receive is dismissal and investigation..."

Upon hearing this, Jingren asked with some doubt:

"Then why don't you punish him, Father? Are you just going to let him go like this?"

"When did I say I wouldn't punish him?"

"Just now, Father, you didn't punish me at all!"

"I was just giving him a chance to clean up his mess. The case isn't finished yet, and the division of responsibility isn't clear. How can we draw conclusions so easily? So, I'm just having Zhang Zhiwen compensate the people and calm their emotions."

Upon hearing this, Jingren suddenly realized and said:
"Father, so you're still going to punish Zhang Zhiwen?"

"Of course! Such a big thing happened under his watch, so he should be punished. However, the specific punishment should be based on his guilt. We'll have to wait until the investigation is over before making a decision. Making a decision before the investigation is complete would be too frivolous, or even a disregard for human life!"

"Dad, if Zhang Zhiwen handles the follow-up work well, how should we deal with him?"

"If he handles the follow-up work well, then his punishment will naturally be lenient. Let's see how he handles it!"

Jingren nodded upon hearing this and said:
"Father, do you think there are many people like Zhang Zhiwen in the imperial court?"

"not much!"

Upon hearing this answer, a glimmer of hope immediately appeared in Jingren's eyes, and he asked again with some anticipation:

"So, does that mean there are still more good people than bad people in the imperial court?"

Ye Mingsheng began by explaining:

"I told you before that defining a person as good or bad in politics is superficial, or even wishful thinking!"

"However, in the general public, there are very few truly good people, and very few truly bad people; there are many people who are neither good nor bad. The key is an organizational structure. A good organizational structure can transform these people who are neither good nor bad into good people, and vice versa..."