The prince is more stable

Chapter 176 The So-called Good and Evil

In the five thousand years of Chinese history (it is said to be eight thousand years already), there are not many examples of late bloomers left to the world.

Jiang Ziya, who is over seventy years old, Guo Ziyi, who is over sixty years old, and this Zong Ze.

Zong Ze did not really come to prominence until the Jingkang Incident. Before that, although he had been in the officialdom for decades, he had never been given a high position.

The most brilliant achievement of his life was that he recognized heroes and promoted and reused the national hero Yue Fei.

Yes, a national hero.

Yue Fei was, and so was Zong Ze.

A thousand years later, the so-called experts, out of some unknown standpoint and with some ulterior motive, removed Yue Fei from the textbooks, saying that he "destroyed national unity." This is simply ridiculous, and the reason is really laughable.

No matter what era, anyone who fights to the death to save the Han dynasty, to defend his country, and to prevent the Han people from becoming slaves of foreign races is a hero.

Even if there are countless changes of dynasties, a hero is still a hero. The definition of a hero can never be changed because of the changing times. That would be a blasphemy to the hero.

The middle-aged man in front of him was actually Zong Ze.

Zhao Xiaoqian was shocked.

She stared at him with her eyes wide open, as if she had discovered a priceless treasure. The smile on her face gradually became perverted, which made Zong Ze feel creepy.

Zhao Xiaoqian bowed and blurted out subconsciously: "Grandpa Zong..."

This time it was Zong Ze's turn to jump up. He hurriedly bowed and returned the greeting, saying repeatedly, "This humble official is only in his thirties. It's not possible. It's not possible! You, the county lord, are embarrassing this humble official!"

Zhao Xiaoqian also came to his senses at this time and felt that he was too enthusiastic.

There is nothing wrong with calling him grandpa. Later generations respectfully called him "Grandpa Zong" because they respected him as a hero and also respected him for promoting and reusing Yue Fei.

But he couldn't yell now. Zhao Xiaoqian didn't mind, but he was afraid Zhao Hao wouldn't be happy about it...

"So you are Zong Ze. I've heard of you for a long time." Zhao Xiaoqian was still very normal after he recovered.

Zong Ze was completely confused by Zhao Xiaoqian's attitude, but he still said humbly, "I dare not, I dare not. I am a nobody, how can I be worthy of the title of a county marquis?"

Zhao Xiaoqian said seriously, "Do you think I'm being polite? Zongze, I've really admired you for a long time."

Zong Ze looked puzzled and asked, "Have you ever heard of my story before?"

"Not at all, but your face is full of stories." Zhao Xiaoqian replied seriously.

Zong Ze: “…………”

This young marquis seems to have some mental problems. It is better to leave early after finishing the business.

Taking out a thick list and account book from his arms, Zong Ze handed it to Zhao Xiaoqian with both hands.

"Please review this, Lord County Lord. This is evidence of Wang Zao, the Water Commissioner, colluding with court officials and accepting bribes since taking office. It involves one Vice Minister, one Vice Minister of Works, one official from the Ministry of Personnel, and two officials from the Water Conservancy Bureau..."

Zhao Xiaoqian took the list and account book in surprise and asked curiously, "How did you get this evidence?"

Zong Ze said, "I am the Inspector of the Capital's Rivers, responsible for investigating illegal activities. A few months ago, a large number of river officials were questioned, and the Ministry of Personnel appointed a new batch. I was recommended by Lü Huiqing to fill the position of Inspector of the Capital's Rivers."

"Since taking office, I have inspected the riverbank construction sites day and night, living and eating with the river workers. I have discovered that the wages they receive are far from what is stipulated in the imperial court. They toil day and night, yet they struggle to even support their families. I believe some officials are withholding their wages."

"So, I secretly investigated and identified Wang Zao, the Water Commissioner, and several of his subordinates and supervisors as suspects of corruption."

"These lists and account books were collected slowly over several months by this humble official. Wang Zao was cautious, but his account books were very clear. The false accounts submitted to the court were perfectly balanced, but the real accounts were hidden in an empty tomb not far from the riverbank construction site."

"I secretly followed Wang Zao in the middle of the night and only then did I uncover the truth."

Zhao Xiaoqian said admiringly, "You dare to dig graves in the middle of the night, Zongze, you are a talent!"

"Now that you have the list and account books, why didn't you report it to the court earlier, instead of waiting until now?"

Zong Ze sighed, "If Wang Zao doesn't fall, even if the evidence is true, it will become false when it reaches the higher-ups. I haven't been an official for nothing all these years, and I naturally understand the dark side of the officialdom."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled and said, "So, only after Wang Zao and his son were questioned did you dare to bring out the evidence you had to confirm the case?"

"Yes, only when Wang Zao and his son are questioned will it be clear that the Wang family is doomed, and only then will the evidence be convincing."

After saying this, Zong Ze suddenly bowed deeply to Zhao Xiaoqian and said, "On behalf of tens of thousands of poor river workers, I thank the Marquis for upholding justice, punishing evildoers for the Song Dynasty, and fighting for the well-being of tens of thousands of river workers." Zhao Xiaoqian hurriedly shook his head, "No, don't flatter me. I'm not that great. You praise me so highly. When you asked to borrow money from me, I couldn't bring myself to refuse..."

Zong Ze smiled bitterly and said, "You are joking, Lord. I would like to ask, with this evidence, can you capture all the officials on the list?"

Zhao Xiaoqian blinked: "You want me to take them all down?"

"The evidence is irrefutable. These scum who suck the blood and sweat of the people must be taken down." Zong Ze said sternly and righteously.

"Then the question arises: if we arrest this group of officials, and the court replaces them with another group, what will happen if the next group of officials continues to embezzle and withhold the hard-earned money of the river workers? Will the Imperial City Bureau continue to arrest people?"

Zong Ze was shocked by the question. The correct answer that originally popped up in his mind didn't seem so correct when he thought about it carefully.

After thinking for a long time, Zong Ze bowed deeply and said, "Your humble servant asks for your guidance, Lord."

"I'm only eighteen, and you're over thirty. What can you teach me?"

Zhao Xiaoqian called Wei Jie and told him to carefully preserve the evidence provided by Zong Ze, then stretched.

"Okay, we're done. Let's go. I'll treat you to a drink."

Zong Ze was stunned: "Is it done?"

Zhao Xiaoqian sighed, "You righteous people, you can't tolerate any injustice. When you see corrupt officials, you are ready to kill them all. If you really want to deal with corrupt officials, you can kill all the civil and military officials in the court. I guarantee that none of them are innocent. Can you do that?"

Zong Ze said anxiously, "But tens of thousands of river workers are still suffering day and night, being exploited and deducted by officials..."

Zhao Xiaoqian blinked. "Did I say to ignore them? Don't be impatient. Honest officials have their ways, and corrupt officials have their ways. When the water is too clear, there will be no fish."

The boundary between good and evil is not so clear-cut. Most of the time, things in the world are often mixed together, making it difficult to distinguish between good and evil.

Only simple-minded people will easily define others as good or bad.

In their world, there seem to be only good guys and bad guys.

Zhao Xiaoqian didn't want Zong Ze to be that kind of person. Everyone in the world is corrupt, but I am the only one who is pure. Such a noble character is likely to lead to a short life.

"Come on, I'll treat you to a drink. By the way, have you ever been to a brothel? Have you ever hugged a girl there?"

"Well, I have dabbled in it occasionally, but my salary is so low that I can't afford the expenses..."

"You just have the desire but not the courage?"

"It's that I don't have money, not that I don't have the courage to do it." Zong Ze corrected seriously.

Visiting brothels is not a shameful thing these days, and Zong Ze has nothing to be embarrassed about admitting.

"I'm treating you today, and you don't have to treat me back. You're poor anyway. Go!"

Zhao Xiaoqian was very enthusiastic. After all, he was Zong Ze, so no matter how enthusiastic he was, it was not excessive.

This attitude made Zong Ze very uncomfortable. He still didn't understand why this legendary county marquis was so friendly to him. They had just met today, and this county marquis seemed to have some kind of social acumen. He was so enthusiastic...

The two of them quietly left the back door of the Imperial City Administration. Zong Ze was still covered with a black scarf, looking furtive.

Zhao Xiaoqian invited him to get on the carriage, and the carriage moved slowly forward.

Zong Ze felt quite uncomfortable sitting in the carriage, twisting his body again and again, and seemed to want to say something but stopped himself several times.

Zhao Xiaoqian said with understanding: "You sit at your desk for a long time all year round, I understand you."

Zong Ze: “?”

"If you have hemorrhoids, you can stick your butt out. Don't be too formal."

Zong Ze smiled bitterly and said, "I don't have hemorrhoids. I just want to ask..."

"Want to ask why I'm so passionate about you?"

"……Yes."

Zhao Xiaoqian avoided answering and only sighed leisurely: "Zong Ze, your world should not be in the officialdom, but on the battlefield."

(End of this chapter)