Jiang Wanli looked at the gold ingots one by one and said: "These gold ingots are very new and must have been minted not long ago. If you go to the Department of Household Affairs to retrieve the account books, you should be able to find the source."
So Jiang Wanli immediately came to the Ministry of Household Affairs, found Zhen Dexiu, the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, and explained to him the purpose of his visit.
Zhen Dexiu did not dare to neglect, and immediately summoned Qiao Zhou, the chief officer of the Coin Mining Department, to ask him about the relevant matters.
Qiao Zhou took an ingot of gold ingot from Jiang Wanli. After just one look, he said: "This gold ingot was cast by our money casting department three months ago. A total of five hundred ingots were cast, making a total of two thousand five hundred ingots."
Two pieces of gold."
Jiang Wanli was a little surprised by Qiao Zhou's affirmative words. He asked, "Why are you so sure?"
Qiao Zhou said: "The Coin Mining Department mainly casts copper coins. There are very few gold ingots and silver ingots. In addition, now that the government is promoting paper money, the number of gold ingots is even smaller. Moreover, these gold ingots were minted in the fourth year of Hengsheng."
, Batch is B, and this year only two batches A and B have been cast. Looking at the quality and craftsmanship, they must be Batch B gold ingots that were recently cast three months ago, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with them."
Jiang Wanli nodded, and then continued to ask: "Does the envoy have any records of where this batch of gold ingots went?"
"Gold and silver are precious things. Every cent and cent of every coin made by the minter can be traced. Please wait a moment while your subordinates go to look up the accounts. You will know at a glance."
"Then I'll have you, Mr. Lao Shi."
"Don't dare, don't dare."
Qiao Zhou went down to look for the accounts. Zhen Dexiu looked solemn and asked Jiang Wanli: "I heard that Ambassador Zhao Shanxiang was invited to the Ministry of Punishment, but I don't know the reason?"
Jiang Wanli hesitated for a moment, then said: "Nothing, it's just something I don't understand. I need to ask Ambassador Zhao for advice. There is no other reason."
"Oh, that's very good. Zhao Shijun is indifferent to fame and fortune. If it weren't for the government's repeated efforts to persuade him to stay, he would have resigned and returned to his hometown to entertain his grandchildren. If he encounters an unreasonable disaster, it will be really chilling."
Zhen Dexiu said something vague, which immediately made Jiang Wanli feel troubled and the pressure increased sharply.
At this time, Qiao Zhou left and returned. He took an account book and said to Jiang Wanli: "This is the account book of gold ingots cast by the September Coin Mining Department. Please let me have a look at it."
Jiang Wanli raised his hand and said, "Thank you for your efforts."
After that, Jiang Wanli took the account book and looked through it carefully. Each line on it recorded the whereabouts of these gold ingots. When he saw a record on it, it was on October 13th, the fourth year of Hengsheng.
When the Budu branch exchanged twenty gold ingots, five taels each, and a total of one hundred taels of gold ingots to "Dingsheng Bank", Jiang Wanli was shocked and could not speak for a long time.
Dingsheng Bank is the property of Zhao Shanxiang’s second son, Zhao Ruquan!
Zhen Dexiu saw Jiang Wanli stunned for a long time. He turned his head curiously and looked at the account book. When he saw a line on it that recorded Dingsheng Bank, his heart skipped a beat, and the worried look on his face could no longer be concealed.
Jiang Wanli raised his hand to Qiao Zhou and said, "Your Majesty, this account book involves an incident. I need to take it back to the Ministry of Justice for investigation. Please don't be offended."
Now Jiang Wanli, Zhu Zhu, and Li Zongmian are in charge of the Three Bureaus' meeting to try and conspire to rebel against Da Yu. Everyone in the civil and military affairs of the Manchu Dynasty knows it, so Qiao Zhou naturally dare not refuse to agree.
[By the way, the best app for reading and listening to books is currently Yeguo Reading, install the latest version on yeguoyuedu.]
Qiao Zhou said to Jiang Wanli: "Since the envoy is investigating and handling the case, it is natural for him to temporarily lend it to you. However, the account books are of great importance, so you still need to write a loan document to the subordinate as the young minister of Dali Temple.
In this way, if someone from above asks questions in the future, the lower officials will be able to give an explanation."
"Okay, I will write it now."
After that, Jiang Wanli borrowed paper and pen, splashed ink with brushes, signed and stamped the account book, and borrowed it.
After Jiang Wanli and Qiao Zhou left, Zhen Dexiu immediately ordered someone to summon his student Song Ci.
When Song Ci came, Zhende Xiu said: "Zhao Shanxiang is involved in the conspiracy, and I believe him. Just now, Jiang Wanli borrowed the account book from the Money Making Department to investigate the exchange of 100 taels of gold by Zhao Shijun.
This matter is very likely to be the key, and my master hopes that you will investigate it secretly and restore Zhao's innocence."
Song Ci looked solemn and said nothing.
Zhen Dexiu couldn't help but look disappointed and said, "Are you worried that your life will be in danger if you get involved?"
"No, no."
Song Ci quickly waved his hand to deny it, then considered his thoughts, and then said: "Teacher, you always teach students who are officials to report their kindness to the emperor and comfort the people. If it involves human lives, they must be treated with caution as human lives are at stake. Teacher's
If you teach students not to forget for a moment, how can they sacrifice their lives for public service?"
"Then what do you mean?"
"Teacher, it's not because the students are unwilling to investigate. In fact, the conspiracy is an unusual case. If it is an ordinary case, the evidence is crucial. However, the conspiracy never looks at the evidence.
Good and evil are all decided by officials.
Teacher, didn’t you hear about Yue Fei’s incident? Is there evidence that General Yue Fei rebelled? In such cases, the more people who help, the more likely it is that bad things will happen. Standing back and watching may be the best help to each other. Please also ask
Teacher, think twice.”
With just one sentence, Song Ci rendered Zhen Dexiu speechless.
In the end, Zhen Dexiu sighed heavily and said: "All that can only depend on God's will. I only hope that the official's holy heart will be wise and will not let injustice, falsehood and mistakes happen again."
However, Jiang Wanli returned to the Ministry of Justice and handed the account books to Zhu Zhu and Li Zongmian for review. When they looked at them, they both had gloomy faces and serious expressions.
It was Zhu Zhu who broke the silence and said: "Since Ambassador Zhao is so highly suspected and we cannot shield him, we will take all his family documents and interrogate them one by one. Let's see what they say."
Jiang Wanli and Li Zongmian were noncommittal. Zhu Zhu was about to order someone to fetch him, but Jiang Wanli finally stopped him.
Jiang Wanli said: "Zhao Shijun came to the Ministry of Punishment to inquire. This matter has already made everyone in the imperial court panic. If his family papers are also brought, Zhao Shijun will be found guilty among hundreds of officials, and the people will also be guilty.
The public opinion will be fierce and it will get out of control. If the situation gets out of control and a big prison breaks out, it will be a catastrophe."
Zhu Zhu didn't know that the situation was getting out of control step by step, but it happened that such an incident couldn't be careless in the slightest, let alone selfish. He also felt troubled.
Jiang Wanli said: "The officials are the wise kings. This matter should be decided by the officials, so as not to violate the officials' wishes and we cannot afford to suffer."
Li Zongmian also nodded and said: "Yes, people talk a lot. If Zhao Shijun's family papers are brought, who knows what they will say when they are frightened, and it will be even more difficult to end it."
While Zhu Zhu was hesitating, a jailer came to report that Zhao Shanxiang requested to see him.
Zhu Zhu nodded, then stood up and went to Zhao Shanxiang's place.