Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

Gao Zhao was in a great mood as he looked at the group of people with bruised and swollen faces, who looked resentful but had no choice but to bow their heads in respect!

The young master loves this kind of expression—he can't stand me but can't do anything about it!

Since you've come here to ask for someone back, you should first know your place. How dare you yell at me like that? You really don't know your own limitations!

Who spoiled your bad habits!

Fortunately, this young master is a Confucian disciple and is most skilled at educating others. This method of winning people over with virtue was very effective, and in an instant, they all became polite!

Alas, the world is now a dangerous place, and people's morals have declined. If I were not the only person in the world, I wonder how many people would be in such a state of moral decay and how many would be in despair!

"Gentlemen, you flatter me. We're all just trying to make a living in the capital, and we see each other all the time. We all have connections, so there's no need to ask for favors. If there's anything I can do, I'll certainly do my duty. Just ask!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions relaxed; it was clearly a message being delivered to them.

The steward who was first spoke up quickly, "Thank you for your magnanimity, Master Gao. I have come here only to plead for your mercy and to forgive my young master. He is young and impetuous, and in a moment of carelessness, he was implicated in the Ghost Fanlou case. He did not intend to commit treason or evil. I hope you will show compassion and grant him leniency."

Seeing this, the other managers quickly echoed, all wanting to get the person out. The group of people had bruises on their faces, and every movement aggravated their wounds, causing them to gasp in pain. However, they dared not utter a single complaint and remained extremely respectful.

After hearing everyone's requests, Gao Zhao's face suddenly darkened. He shook his head with a cold smile and said, "Your masters are not as simple as just wandering into the Worry-Free Cave by mistake. They are very bold. They did not just go to play, but also got involved in the case of counterfeiting coins. The evidence is conclusive, and I am about to report it to the Emperor."

The group's expressions changed drastically. If this matter were reported to the Emperor, the consequences would be unimaginable. Why did the Emperor trust Cai Jing so much?

It's all because the emperor spends money recklessly, and Cai Jing is good at accumulating wealth; the emperor can't do without him!

To mint coins privately is tantamount to robbing money from the government's pocket. If the government finds out, your family's money will be gone, and you won't get away with it!

In the first year of the Daguan era, Cai Jing used the case of Zhang Yan's illegal casting to bring down Liu Kui, the Vice Minister of the Chancellery, arresting thousands of families, subjecting them to severe torture, and causing many to die unjustly in prison.

Even though the case was full of doubts, a large number of scholars and officials were still implicated, exiled to the frontier, and their families were destroyed.

This clearly demonstrates the imperial court's attitude towards the counterfeiting of copper coins!

Although my family is a powerful and influential family in the capital, can we really defeat the top-ranking Vice Minister of the Chancellery in the two ministries?

Is it true that the law does not punish the masses?

This is completely inapplicable in this situation!

If the authorities dare to pull out the radish and bring out the mud, it could very well turn into a major case with a huge number of heads rolling!

However, amidst their panic, everyone also noticed Gao Zhao's words, "I was just about to report to the Emperor!"

They are all intelligent people, so they naturally understood immediately. This clearly implies that they still have room for maneuver.

If he really wanted to report them regardless of the consequences, why bother saying this unnecessary thing?

Upon realizing this, the anger that had been directed at the managers vanished instantly, and they all approached with smiles, pleading with them.

"Don't try to frighten me, Master Gao. My young master is someone I've watched grow up. He may be a bit playful, but he's not a bad person at heart and would never do something so rebellious!"

"Indeed, my lord is not that kind of person. There must be a misunderstanding. I implore Your Excellency to investigate thoroughly and clear my lord's name!"

"My master would never do such a thing. Our family is related to the imperial family, and we have been favored by the emperor for generations. We share weal and woe with the Song Dynasty. How could we do something that would destroy our own walls?"

……

The managers all protested and defended themselves, and the scene became chaotic.

Gao Zhao waved his hand to interrupt everyone's explanations, then slowly paced back and forth, his voice no longer sharp, but each word carrying a heavy weight into everyone's ears:

"I presume you all know about Zhang Yan's past deeds, and you will understand that counterfeiting coins is an act of plundering the foundation of the nation, equivalent to stealing from the imperial treasury."

"Back then, the Zhang family was a powerful military family with high-ranking relatives by marriage. Their father, Zhang Jie, was a decorated military leader. Yet, the family fell from grace in a single day. Their sons were tattooed and exiled to Shamen Island, and countless relatives and friends were implicated. How much more so for you all!"

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Your sons were not falsely accused. They wrote their own confessions and signed them themselves. The account books, coin molds, and counterfeit coins are all complete pieces of evidence."

"If I immediately compile the case file and send it to the palace, it will be the second Zhang Yan prison. At that time, not only will the children of each family be convicted, but even the master of the household will be held accountable."

A deathly silence fell over the tent, broken only by the heavy breathing of the men. The gray-robed steward swallowed hard, suppressing his fear, and bowed deeply, asking in a low voice, "Since Master Gao is willing to speak so frankly, it seems... there is still a way to turn things around. Please enlighten us, Master. We will return and report to our lord."

"Alas!" Gao Zhao sighed deeply, shaking his head. "My Gao family has always been kind to others and never caused trouble. My father was a kind and benevolent man who often taught me to only remember kindness shown to me and not to hold grudges. I have kept this in mind and dare not forget it!"

"Moreover, they have learned the Confucian principles of benevolence and righteousness in the Imperial Academy. How could they possibly incite chaos and bring disaster upon everyone without cause?"

"What you say is absolutely right!"

The crowd quickly echoed his words, bowing and scraping, ignoring his boastful remarks and bowing respectfully with expectant eyes.

"We are all one family, sharing joys and sorrows. We beg you, sir, to have mercy and spare our lives. We will be eternally grateful for your kindness!"

"Alas!" Gao Zhao sighed again, a sigh that sent shivers down everyone's spines and filled them with fear.

"It's not that I'm deliberately making things difficult, but now that the major case is solved, the soldiers are all hoping to gain merit and receive rewards. Although I am the commander in charge here, if I were to erase the soldiers' achievements without cause, I'm afraid it would be difficult to gain their respect and would inevitably lead to trouble!"

The crowd looked at each other, bewildered. What was so great about a bunch of thieves and convicts that could command respect?

However, since Gao Zhao has said so, then there must be something even if there isn't. But with so many people, how to convince them is a difficult problem.

The gray-robed steward wiped the blood from his nose, then suddenly had a flash of inspiration. He raised his voice and said, "My family is willing to pay to redeem the young master. The palace can also distribute this money to the soldiers as a reward. What do you say?"

Upon hearing this, everyone thought it was a great idea. If something can be solved with money, then it's not a problem. So they all turned to look at Gao Zhao, their faces full of hope.

"Well... I've never done this before... I don't know if it's appropriate?" Gao Zhao looked hesitant and indecisive.

The steward was the first to shout, "I am willing to contribute two thousand strings of cash to the two thousand men under the command of the Pavilion."

Gao Zhao seemed not to hear, pacing back and forth, lost in thought and remaining silent.

"Three thousand strings of cash!"

"Five thousand strings of cash!"

"Eight thousand strings of cash!"

……

By this point, the bidding had reached its limit, and no one dared to bid any further, feeling that Gao Zhao was being somewhat greedy.

The steward in the lead hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "Ten thousand strings of cash! If the gate agrees, I will go back and inform my master, and send the money over immediately! If it's more, then we'll have to wait for my master to make the decision himself!"

Gao Zhao only came to his senses at this moment, as if he had just heard their words, and hurriedly exclaimed, "Oh dear, this isn't about the money! You...you're putting me in a difficult position! But since you're so sincere, I can only reluctantly give it a try!"

"Thank you so much for your leniency!" the group thanked them again before leaving to prepare their money at home.