Eagle-eyed and wolf-watching

Chapter 1733 Covert War!

Sensing the sarcasm in Yang Tao's words, Zhang Yang also replied with a displeased expression:

"It's not that I'm as steady as a mountain, it's that you don't use your brain!"

Yang Tao snorted coldly upon hearing this:

"Officer Zhang, you do use your brain. You have a reputation for being a brilliant detective, but in the end, you still get scolded just like me."

Faced with Yang Tao's sarcasm, Zhang Yang, instead of retorting like Gang Cai, said somewhat dismissively:

"Officer Yang, if you're just trying to amuse me, then please leave!"

After saying that, Zhang Yang also picked up his teacup. Seeing that the other party was gesturing to see him off, Yang Tao was somewhat surprised and suspicious.

Just now in Bai Changjiu's cell, although the two did not communicate directly, Yang Tao could sense from Zhang Yang's changes in expression and body language that Zhang Yang was just as anxious as he was. However, Zhang Yang's behavior at this moment was really suspicious!

After having this thought in mind, Yang Tao sized up his arch-enemy, then narrowed his eyes and tentatively said:

"Did the Prefect give you some kind of reassurance, Officer Zhang?"

Upon hearing Yang Tao's words, Zhang Yang, who had just picked up his teacup, took a sip of the tea and shook his head slightly with a hint of emotion. It was unclear whether he was moved by the tea or by Yang Tao's question.

Although Zhang Yang didn't answer, judging from his expression, Yang Tao became even more certain that Bai Changjiu had revealed something to Zhang Yang...

Thinking of this, Yang Tao sat down in the chair opposite Zhang Yang and said to him:

"Zhang Yang, I'm not leaving until you tell me what the prefect revealed!"

Seeing Yang Tao acting like a rogue in front of him, Zhang Liang snorted coldly and said:

"Weren't you in jail just now? Don't you understand what the prefect means?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Tao was somewhat taken aback, as if he had realized something, but after careful consideration, he still couldn't figure it out and couldn't help but ask in return:

"What does the Prefect mean?"

Zhang Yang didn't answer, but simply finished his tea in one gulp. Seeing this, Yang Tao's expression changed, but his attitude softened, and he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Zhang Yang, saying:

"Please enlighten me, Officer Zhang!"

Since this matter required Yang Tao's cooperation, Zhang Yang stopped being mysterious and said after Yang Tao softened his attitude:

"You just said that this person had already escaped, but the prefect has told you that he is still in the city and has given you five days to arrest him!"

"Can't you use your brain? What do you think the Prefect means by this?!"

Yang Tao pondered Zhang Yang's words for a long time, and after half a cup of tea, he suddenly had a flash of inspiration and said:
"You mean the prefect is implying we should find a scapegoat to take the blame?"

Zhang Yang did not answer Yang Tao's question; he simply gave Yang Tao a deep look.

Seeing Zhang Yang's reaction, Yang Tao was completely certain of his guess. Just now, during the move, he had been wondering why Bai Changjiu, who always respected professional opinions, was so certain the murderer was still in the city, and why he had given them five days to catch him. He hadn't grasped the deeper meaning behind Bai Changjiu's statement…

The reason Bai Changjiu didn't say it directly but used this indirect approach is actually very simple: he was avoiding risk. If he directly said that Zhang Yang and Yang Tao succeeded, everyone would be happy, and they would all get through the crisis safely. But if the two failed, and the higher-ups asked them why they did it, they would simply say that Bai Changjiu ordered them to do it, and Bai Changjiu himself would be implicated.

Therefore, Bai Changjiu used this suggestive method to let the two of them figure it out on their own. In this way, even if Zhang Yang and Yang Tao failed, Bai Changjiu would not be at great risk. Thinking of this, Yang Tao couldn't help but feel a little emotional. He had always had a bad impression of Bai Changjiu, thinking that this person was a good-for-nothing who got to the top by relying on his sister's connections.

However, what he didn't expect was that today's incident made him see Bai Changjiu's shrewdness beneath his rough exterior, and it also made him realize that no one who could become a third-rank official was an ordinary person.

Just as Yang Tao was silently reflecting, Zhang Yang across from him spoke again:
"I heard you have a good relationship with Zhao Guang, the official in the Ministry of Justice?"

Hearing Zhang Yang mention Zhao Guang's name, Yang Tao was somewhat surprised, and at the same time became wary.

Seeing Yang Tao like this, Zhang Yang also spoke up:
"Officer Yang, although we don't usually get along, you understand the situation now. We're in this together. If this matter isn't handled properly, we're both finished!"

"Therefore, I hope that at this time we can be honest with each other, work together sincerely, and cooperate well..."

Although Zhang Yang's expression seemed very sincere and his attitude very earnest when he said this, the two had a deep-seated grudge, so Yang Tao still lacked sufficient trust in Zhang Yang. However, due to the situation, he hesitated for a moment and then said:
"Officer Zhang, what do you plan to do?"

"We'll definitely frame Sun Wenheng. Actually, it's not really framing him. Sun Wenheng is the prime suspect, but we just haven't found any evidence yet. That old bastard has been corrupt for a long time, so taking him down this time is like doing justice for God!"

"I have no objection to framing Sun Wenheng, but with the Ministry of Justice keeping such a close watch, it will be very difficult for us to take any measures!"

Yang Tao looked at Zhang Yang seriously. In fact, if it were so easy to frame someone, Zhang Yang wouldn't have needed to say it now; he would have done it long ago and wouldn't have waited until now.

Meeting Yang Tao's gaze, Zhang Yang spoke with equal seriousness:
That's why I'm asking Constable Yang, what's your relationship with that Ministry of Justice official, Zhao Guang?

"Right now, we just want to take some action. The best way is to have an inside man in the Ministry of Justice to help us. I don't have any good helpers in the Ministry of Justice!"

Hearing Zhang Yang say this, Yang Tao frowned slightly, quickly reviewed his interactions with Zhao Guang in his mind, and after careful consideration, reluctantly replied:

"I can only say I have a sliver of acquaintance with him!" Hearing Yang Tao's cautious tone, Zhang Yang became even more serious, and after a moment's thought, he said:
"Well, since things have come to this, let's just try anything!"

After saying that, he whispered his plan to Yang Tao, whose face showed surprise and uncertainty.

After Zhang Yang finished speaking, Yang Tao said with some doubt:

"Can Zhang Yang really pull this off?"

Do you have a better idea?

Faced with Zhang Yang's question, Yang Tao fell silent. Although he had some doubts about the feasibility of Zhang Yang's plan, he had no better solution at the moment due to the tight schedule and heavy workload.

So after hesitating for a moment, Yang Tao gritted his teeth and said without further hesitation:

"Okay! Let's do it that way..."

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Yijing Ancient Mansion
As Gu Sansi looked at the files in his study, his expression turned somewhat melancholy. Just then, the door was pushed open, and a graceful woman walked in. This woman was none other than Gu Sansi's concubine, Chen Wanting.

Seeing her husband's worried expression, Chen Wanting couldn't help but ask:
"What did the Ministry of Justice say?"

Gu Sansi shook his head and said:

"Still no progress!"

Chen Wanting was somewhat disappointed by the answer, but still held onto a sliver of hope and asked:
"What about the Yijing Prefectural Government?"

“They are just a bunch of incompetent fools. They are only interested in targeting Da Dechang Trading Company and making trouble for Sun Wenheng. If I hadn’t put pressure on them, they probably would have already found a scapegoat to take the blame for the case!”

At this point, a hint of mockery and disdain appeared on Gu Sansi's face.

Seeing this, Chen Wanting also comforted her:

"That's normal. After all, if it really was the Murong family who did it, they would have done it very cleanly. It's normal that the government can't catch them."

Hearing Chen Wanting say that, Gu Sansi didn't say anything, but just sighed again...
Seeing this, Chen Wanting could only ask:

"Didn't that old fox Cui Shao ask anything?"

Gu Sansi said with a wry smile:

“That old fox Cui Shao is cunning and shrewd. What I can think of, he can naturally think of as well. That’s why he’s holding back and acting like it’s none of his business.”

Hearing her husband say this, Chen Wanting couldn't help but ask in return:

"Does Cui Shao want you to make a move?"

Gu Sansi nodded with a wry smile. Cui Shao's health was continuing to decline, and the fact that he was no longer serving in the cabinet already spoke volumes. Based on Gu Sansi's understanding of His Majesty, after this inspection, His Majesty would likely formally appoint Cui Shao as the Grand Secretary upon returning to Yijing. This would signify that Cui Shao had become the head of all officials, and at the same time, it would mean that Cui Shao was about to leave the political stage of the Great Qian Dynasty.

As for Cui Shao's successor, the entire Daqian court believed that there were two possible candidates: Gu Sansi, the Minister of Personnel, and Murong Yuliang, the Governor of Jianghuai.
On the day the cabinet was on duty, Gu Sansi received a memorial from Murong Yuliang. Upon seeing the memorial, he realized that Wanfu Bank was indeed in trouble. He immediately had the idea of ​​using this matter to his advantage, to smear Murong Yuliang, and to reduce Murong Yuliang's standing in the emperor's eyes, so as to gain an advantage in the battle for the position of chief minister.

Although he had this idea, Gu Sansi felt that taking direct action would seem somewhat deliberate and risk backfiring. Therefore, to avoid this risk, he originally wanted to observe the situation and wait for Cui Shao to make a move. After all, Murong Yuliang and Cui Shao had a strained relationship. The key reason why Murong Yuliang, as a veteran of the Fengwu Army, had not yet entered the central government was Cui Shao's presence there. Therefore, Murong Yuliang could only avoid direct confrontation...
However, Gu Sansi did not expect that Cui Shao seemed unaware that this was an opportunity to attack Murong Yuliang. So, seeing that Cui Shao was hesitant to make a move, Gu Sansi was unwilling to give up such a golden opportunity. Therefore, he had no choice but to put pressure on the Ministry of Justice himself.

Gu Sansi originally hoped that, under his guidance, the Ministry of Justice would direct its investigation at Murong Yuliang, thoroughly dig up the Murong family's dirty secrets, and make Murong Yuling look bad and disgraced. In this way, Murong Yuliang would be unable to compete with him for the position of Grand Secretary!

However, the people in the Ministry of Justice and the Yijing Prefecture government always targeted Sun Wenheng and Da Dechang as the subjects of their investigation. Although Sun Wenheng was recommended by Murong Yuliang, investigating Sun Wenheng would indirectly drag Murong Yuliang into the mess. But doing so was not as effective as directly investigating the Murong family.
Gu Sansi also did not want to directly instruct the Ministry of Justice to investigate the Murong family, as doing so would be too deliberate and easily draw criticism.

Now that things have come to this point, Gu Sansi is willing to push things forward, but he doesn't have any leverage, so the situation has reached a dilemma.

Now, in this awkward situation, Gu Sansi finally understood why Cui Shao had been hesitant to make a move.

First, Cui Shao knew that there wasn't a good leverage point in this matter, making it difficult to achieve his desired goal.
Secondly, and most importantly, Cui Shao understood his own thoughts; he knew he was even more restless, which is why he remained calm...

Thinking about this, Gu Sansi regretted that he had been too attached to appearances and had acted hastily without careful consideration.

At this moment, Chen Wanting also noticed Gu Sansi's regret and immediately comforted him:

"Think twice. There's no going back in this world. No one can predict the future. We can only take it one step at a time!"

"No matter what, Sun Wenheng was recommended by Murong Yuliang. Now that such a big thing has happened at Wanfu Bank, Murong Yuliang is also to blame. In my opinion, Murong Yuliang will have a hard time getting through this!"

Hearing Chen Wanting's words, Gu Sansi shook his head and said:
“Murong Yuliang understands His Majesty very well. He knows what His Majesty values ​​most. Although Sun Wenheng has not been captured yet, I think he should have already made up for the deficit of Wanfu Bank. This gives us a lot of room to maneuver. Moreover, Murong Yuliang is very good at managing the economy. He has done very well in the Jianghuai region in recent years, and the taxes he pays to the court every year are increasing. This is his greatest advantage!”

Hearing her husband say this, Chen Wanting asked hesitantly:

"Did Zhao Dahai say that Wanfu Bank has a deficit of one million taels of silver?"

"Zhao Dahai and Sun Wenheng have a tense relationship. It's normal for him to exaggerate the amount of the deficit in order to make the situation seem more serious. Of course, it's also highly likely that Murong Yuliang is lying when he says the deficit is only 300,000 taels of silver. If I'm not mistaken, the deficit of Wanfu Piaohao should be around 500,000 to 600,000 taels of silver!"

"Five or six hundred thousand taels is a considerable sum, but given Murong Yuliang's power in Jianghuai, it's not impossible for him to raise it if he really wanted to..."