Eagle-eyed and wolf-watching

Chapter 1770 Are you trying to rebel now?
The basic hierarchy of the Z region of the Great Qian Dynasty is Provincial Administration Commission, Prefecture, and County.

Among them, the Provincial Administration Commissioner was basically a second-rank official, but the officials of the prefectures and counties in various places were divided into upper, middle and lower ranks, so the ranks of the prefects and magistrates in various places were also different.

Under normal circumstances, the magistrate of a superior county is a sixth-rank official, the magistrate of a medium-rank county is a sixth-rank official, and the magistrate of a inferior county is a seventh-rank official.

Under normal circumstances, the prefect of a superior prefecture is of the fourth rank, the prefect of a middle prefecture is of the fifth rank, and the prefect of a lower prefecture is of the fifth rank.

The vast majority of officials in the prefectures and counties of Daxian are ranked according to this rule, but there are two cities that are not included in this order: Yijing and Lin'an!

As the capital and political center of the Great Qian Dynasty, Yijing was a high-ranking official, and the Prefect of Yijing was a second-rank official. This is an important reason why the former Prefect of Yijing, Liu Ning, was able to be promoted to the first-rank Minister of Justice and enter the cabinet without much controversy.

Although Lin'an is not the capital, it is the city with the best economic development in the Great Qian Dynasty and is the undisputed economic center of the Great Qian Dynasty. Therefore, the prefect of Lin'an is also a high-ranking official of the third rank, which is three ranks higher than the prefect of the upper prefecture and only two ranks lower than the provincial governor.

The six ministries directly under the Daqian court, with five ministers and the chief of staff all holding the first rank, had different ranks for their vice ministers, some holding the second rank and others the third rank.

The main reason for this situation is that the vice ministers appointed by Ye Mingsheng after the founding of the Great Qian Dynasty were generally founding heroes and veterans of the Fengwu Army. However, recently, due to various reasons, some of these original vice ministers have left their posts, and Ye Mingsheng has newly promoted some vice ministers. Compared to the group of people at the beginning of the founding, these people have relatively less seniority and merit...

The idea of ​​these newly promoted officials being placed on equal footing with the former vice ministers from the early days of the dynasty made those officials uncomfortable, especially since the newly promoted vice ministers might have been subordinates of the older ones, which created a complex mix of feelings for them.

Therefore, Ye Mingsheng also took their wishes into consideration for several vice ministers who had made great contributions and had deep experience, but had no hope of being promoted to minister in a short period of time, and promoted them one rank. The most representative of these were Zhang Juning, vice minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and Shen Changhong, vice minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

Zhang Mang, a newly promoted vice minister, was a third-rank official. Therefore, Zhang Baoping, the prefect of Lin'an, and Zhang Mang, the vice minister of the Ministry of Justice, were both third-rank officials. According to the rules of the Daqian government, if a government official visited and his rank was higher than yours, you should go out to greet him at the main gate. If his rank was much higher than yours, you should not only go out to greet him at the main gate, but also go out of the city to greet him as a sign of respect.

However, when facing officials of the same rank, you don't need to go out to greet them; in many cases, you can greet them inside the government office.

However, when faced with the visit of Zhang Mang, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, who was of equal rank, Zhang Baoping adopted a very humble posture. As the Prefect of Lin'an, he led officials of all ranks from the Lin'an Prefectural Government out of the gate, greeted with a beaming smile and a cupped-hand salute:
"Your Excellency, we are deeply sorry for not welcoming you properly. We humbly request your forgiveness..."

Faced with Zhang Baoping's humble attitude, Zhang Mang acted as if it were perfectly natural. After exchanging a few simple pleasantries with Zhang Baoping, he took the lead and headed towards the Lin'an Prefectural Government Office.

Although Zhang Baoping still had a smile on his face, he felt a little uncomfortable. The reason he greeted Zhang Mang with such humility was that Zhang Meng was the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, a Beijing official. According to the rules of officialdom, officials of the same rank in the capital were half a rank higher than local officials.

On the other hand, Zhang Mang is now an imperial envoy representing His Majesty in Jiangnan, so not to mention him, even Murong Yuliang, the governor of Jianghuai and a first-rank official, dares not underestimate Zhang.

Despite this, Zhang Baoping was somewhat indignant to see Zhang Mang acting so arrogantly on his own territory, but he did not make a scene and followed Zhang Mang into the government office.

Upon entering the government office, both sides took their seats according to the distinction between host and guest. To show respect to the imperial envoy, Zhang Baoping offered the main seat to Zhang Mang. Zhang Baoping originally thought that Zhang Mang would be humble and that everyone would show some courtesy to each other. However, Zhang Mang only made a polite remark, but sat down in the main seat without any hesitation.

Thus, Zhang Baoping, who was originally the host, also took a seat as a guest. The clerk served them fragrant tea. Zhang Mang took a sip of the tea and then looked at Zhang Baoping and said bluntly:

"Prefect Zhang, you know that I have come to Jiangnan on His Majesty's orders to investigate the Wanfu Bank case! So the main purpose of my visit today is to ask you about the details of the case!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Baoping's heart tightened, but remembering what Murong Yuliang had told him earlier, he felt a surge of confidence and immediately said:
"If the Imperial Envoy has any questions, I will certainly cooperate! I will answer them without reservation..."

"Very good! My first question is, are you acquainted with Sun Wenheng, the general manager of Wanfu Bank?"

To be honest, ever since the Wanfu Bank incident, Zhang Baoping, as the prefect of Lin'an, knew that he would definitely be questioned. The difference was whether he would be questioned in the prefectural government office or in the prison of the Ministry of Justice or the Ministry of Justice. After realizing this, he began to prepare and put himself in others' shoes, thinking about what questions he would be asked.

At this moment, Zhang Mang's question was exactly what Zhang Baoping had expected, so the answer he had already thought of immediately came to mind. But even so, facing Zhang's somewhat sharp gaze, Zhang Baoping still felt a little nervous and guilty.

However, as a seasoned veteran of the political arena with twenty years of experience, Zhang Baoping quickly regained his composure and calmly addressed Zhang Mang:

"Your Excellency, I am the Prefect of Lin'an. Sun Wenheng is the General Manager of Wanfu Bank. According to the regulations of the Imperial Court, the savings of Wanfu Bank, besides being lent to those merchants, are also used to support local infrastructure construction. Therefore, I have a lot of interaction with Sun Wenheng in our work. From this point of view, I am definitely familiar with Sun Wenheng. In a month, we have seen each other for half a month..."

"But my relationship with Sun Wenheng is only professional. Apart from work, we are not close and have no interaction in private!"

After saying this, in order to make Zhang Mang believe him, Zhang Baoping deliberately looked at Zhang Mang with a sincere expression, trying to express his innocence in this way.

Despite Zhang Baoping's best efforts to express that he had no relationship with Sun Wenheng, Zhang Mang clearly did not believe him and then asked in return:

"Prefect Zhang, are you saying that you and Sun Wenheng don't have any private dealings?"

"Yes!"

Hearing Zhang Baoping's affirmative answer, Zhang Mang also asked:
"Prefect Zhang, I've heard that you and Sun Wenheng have attended quite a few dinners in private? Someone even saw the two of you go to Tingyu Pavilion?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Baoping frowned slightly and looked at Zhang Meng with some suspicion. Didn't Murong Yuliang say that Zhang Mang was one of their own? Why was this question so pointed?

Although he had some doubts, he had no choice but to answer Zhang Mang's question as the imperial envoy.

"Your Majesty, His Majesty has always advocated for the prosperity of the nation through industry and commerce, requiring prefects and magistrates in all regions to prioritize economic development. Furthermore, economic development is inseparable from attracting investment, and our merchants from various regions often enjoy a meal and a few drinks together after discussing official business!" "As the prefect of Lin'an, I inevitably have some social engagements every day. Sun Heng, as the general manager of Wanfu Bank, also participates in these meals. We do sometimes attend meals with colleagues, but I believe these are not private interactions, but rather part of our work. As I just mentioned, we do have some interactions during the course of our work..."

Hearing Zhang Baoping explain away his private drinking and dining as part of his job, Zhang Mang couldn't help but sneer inwardly, but he still asked aloud:
"Then how do you explain what happened at Tingyu Pavilion?"

Seeing that Zhang Mang kept pressing the matter of Tingyu Pavilion, Zhang Baoping was somewhat annoyed. However, he didn't lash out because of Zhang Mang's status. "What's wrong with that? I forgot!"

"It doesn't matter if you've forgotten. I can send people to Tingyu Pavilion right now to bring everyone back and check them one by one to help you remember!"

Hearing Zhang Mang's provocative words, Zhang Baoping's gaze gradually turned cold as he stared at Zhang Mang in front of him.

Seeing this, Zhang Mang smiled and said:

"Prefect Zhang, you'd better cooperate with me and say whatever you have to say!"

"Your Excellency, are you interrogating a prisoner?"

“Prefect Zhang, you are definitely not a criminal now. If you were a criminal, you wouldn’t be sitting here unharmed. But His Majesty still has suspicions about you, otherwise I wouldn’t be here!”

"In short, my idea is that Prefect Zhang, you'd better cooperate with me and say everything that needs to be said. This would be a good thing for both of us!"

"Let me tell you something behind closed doors: His Majesty is aware of some things happening in the localities, but he's just too lazy to bother with everyone. So, these are just minor issues, nothing serious at all!"

Hearing Zhang Mang say this, Zhang Baoping was somewhat surprised. After his expression shifted between light and dark, he changed his words and said:

“Sun Wenheng and I did go to Tingyu Pavilion together. We drank tea and listened to music there. He wanted me to help his family's Dadechang Trading Company obtain some permits, but I didn't agree…”

Seeing that Zhang Baoping was still trying to use such rhetoric to evade the real issue and brush him off, Zhang Mang knew that this guy wouldn't admit defeat until he saw the coffin, so he immediately sneered and looked at Zhang Baoping, saying:
"Do you have any connection with that mansion at No. 17 Dongshan Street, or with Prefect Zhang?"

Upon hearing this address, Zhang Baoping, who had initially remained relatively composed, immediately showed a hint of panic in his eyes. At this moment, Zhang Mang continued:
"Oh, right, there's also Miss Su Qianqian inside. This young lady is from Tingyu Pavilion, right? I heard she's seven months pregnant now. Prefect Zhang, who do you think is the father of this child?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Baoping realized that Zhang Mang had come prepared this time, and he could no longer pretend. He took a deep breath and looked at Zhang Mang, saying:

"Your Excellency, please don't make things difficult for me!"

"How am I making things difficult for you? Is asking you to confess honestly making things difficult for you? Prefect Zhang, although you are a high-ranking official of the third rank, you should know that as an imperial envoy, I have the right to act first and report later. If I didn't give you any face, do you think you would still be sitting across from me and talking to me properly?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Mang's smile vanished completely, and his expression turned cold.

Upon seeing this, Zhang Baoping hesitated for a moment before saying:

"Your Excellency, how about this? I'll arrange a dinner tonight and invite Lord Murong over. I'll answer any questions you may have, Your Excellency, without holding anything back..."

Seeing Zhang Baoping bring up Murong Yuliang, Zhang Mang was immediately filled with disappointment, but he still stood up and said:
"Guards, invite Prefect Zhang back for tea!"

As soon as Zhang Mang finished speaking, several guards rushed into the room. Upon seeing this, Zhang Baoping, somewhat lecherous but actually cowardly, said:

"Minister Zhang, what are you doing?"

"This is the Lin'an Prefectural Government Office. Even if you are an imperial envoy, you cannot act recklessly!"

Hearing Zhang Baoping's words, Zhang Mang replied calmly:
"Since Prefect Zhang is unwilling to speak here, then I can only ask you to speak somewhere else!"

Just then, officials from the Lin'an Prefectural Government, along with a group of guards, surrounded them. The guards from both sides immediately confronted each other, and the officials looked at Zhang Baoping, as if they would teach Zhang and his men a lesson if he nodded.

Just then, Zhang Mang took out a token from his pocket, and those who followed him also took out their waist tokens.

“Prefect Zhang, these guards are the Imperial Guards around His Majesty, and this token was also bestowed by His Majesty. Seeing the token is equivalent to His Majesty’s personal presence. So, are you planning a rebellion? Is this still the Lin’an Prefectural Government of the Great Qian Dynasty?”

Upon hearing such hurtful words, Zhang Baoping's subordinates immediately panicked. Seeing this, Zhang Baoping angrily rebuked his men, saying:
"Why aren't you all going back to your work? What are you doing here causing trouble? Get back home now!"

Upon hearing this, the officials scattered like birds and beasts, as if granted a pardon. Seeing this, Zhang Baoping also raised his head and looked at Zhang Mang, saying:

"Your Excellency, I'll go with you..."

Zhang Mang gave Zhang Baoping a deep look, then without saying anything more, he led Zhang Baoping away from the Yijing government office.