Chapter 556: An honest man can actually become a close confidant of the Queen Mother?
"Divine Doctor Xue...Divine Doctor Xue...how could it be like this...ahhh!"
In the Funing Palace, Empress Dowager Xiang lay on the couch, howled for a while, then lay down weakly, her face turned gray.
The palace maids and chamberlains around me burst into tears: "Saint! A saint must take care of his body!"
This crying used to be due to loyalty to the master, but now it is due to worry about one's own situation.
They were all old men in the former palace of Empress Dowager Xiang, who had been with her since her days as empress. As Empress Dowager Xiang came to power, their status naturally increased and they became more prestigious in the palace.
Unfortunately, the good times did not last long. In just half a year, the situation took a turn for the worse. Not only were the two princes killed, but now there was bad news from the Imperial Hospital about Dr. Xue. It was said that he died of a headache due to a head attack.
This was a huge blow to the Queen Mother, not only because she believed in the medical skills of the imperial doctor the most, but also because people close to her left one after another, and she couldn't help but have an idea: "Could it be that... God is going to take me away?"
The nearest palace maid almost collapsed to the ground when she heard these words. Anyone who has this idea is really not far from death.
At this time, a report came from outside the palace: "Kaifeng Mansion Government Office Gongsun Zhao requested to see the Queen Mother."
Empress Dowager Xiang suddenly became angry: "I don't want to see that Kaifeng judge... Anyone who can't catch the murderer is a waste... Fortunately, I gave him a fifth-grade service... Waste! Waste!"
The personal chamberlain rolled his eyes and said: "Sage, this is the first time that Judge Gongsun has asked for an audience. You might as well call him in and listen to what he has to say. If he talks nonsense again, just take off his official robe!"
Empress Dowager Xiang cried out again: "I have wanted to do this for a long time...but they all obeyed and refused...unwilling to obey..."
The chamberlain did not dare to say anything, because the people the Queen Mother mentioned were all high-ranking officials, especially the four important ministers headed by Zhang Dun, Han Zhongyan, Zeng Bu, and Cai Bian.
Nowadays, there are endless debates in the court about the Wuyou Cave. The old and new parties refuse to give in to each other, spitting is flying everywhere, but the number of visits to Funing Palace is getting less and less.
The prestige of the Empress Dowager Xiang has suffered an unprecedented blow, and the power has become very obvious. Therefore, even the chamberlain knows that when facing a courtier who takes the initiative to approach, he should at least meet him.
But Empress Dowager Xiang mainly listened to the second half of the sentence before she agreed to meet him. She managed to pull herself together and spoke coherently: "Let him in. If he keeps talking evasive words, the Kaifeng government office will not need a judge!"
After a while, Gongsun Zhao followed the chamberlain into the palace and bowed: "I pay my respects to the Queen Mother!"
Empress Dowager Xiang stood up slowly with the help of her maid, and looked directly at this young official who was promoted entirely by herself: "Judge Gongsun, I have been so kind to you, but you have repeatedly disappointed me. What new excuse have you thought of today?
Speak, I listen!"
Regarding these words, Gongsun Zhao argued with reason at first, but was scolded even more harshly. At this time, he stopped explaining and said directly: "Reporting to the Queen Mother, I have caught the murderer of Wuyou Cave."
Empress Dowager Xiang was displeased and angry: "How dare you do what Han Xiu did, where he caught an idle guy in front of the prince's palace, took him to prison, beat him up, and then pretended to identify the murderer?"
Gongsun Zhao said categorically: "Since I have been the judge of Kaifeng for eight years, I have always been cautious when apprehending criminals, and never resorted to beatings to win. I hope the Queen Mother will learn from it!"
He knew that the Queen Mother would not know clearly, so he continued without pausing: "The criminal identified by me is Mei Qian, the manager of Tiexue Tower."
Queen Mother Xiang was stunned: "Tiexue Tower? I seem to have heard of this name before..."
The palace maid beside her whispered a reminder, and then Queen Mother Xiang realized: "How could the shopkeeper of Bianjing Zhengdian be a thief from Wuyou Cave?"
Gongsun Zhao did not let the Queen Mother read the case file anymore, but took out the case file himself and listed the testimonies on it: "Since the third year of Shaosheng, Tie Xuelou has successively provided tens of thousands of shi of food to Wuyou Cave. The shopkeeper Mei Qian is very serious about the crime.
He confessed, and identified the waiters and waiters in the building, and nineteen informed participants, including three other shopkeepers. It can be seen that this was not an individual act, but a collusion involving everyone in the building."
Queen Mother Xiang was puzzled: "Why would Tie Xuelou do such a thing?"
Gongsun Zhaodao: "According to the account given by shopkeeper Mei Qian, they were ordered by the Houjiang Guild. The reserve of grain cannot be managed by a regular shop. There are many people involved in this matter. I dare not alert the enemy, so I reported it to the Queen Mother Ming and asked the Queen Mother to make a decision!"
"
The Empress Dowager liked the ministers very much and asked her to make a decision for herself, but she was wary of this matter. There were inextricably linked relationships behind the seventy-two main stores, not to mention the top-ranked Tiexuelou and the six major guilds.
, she looked ugly and murmured: "But these people are not the murderers of the county king!"
Gongsun Zhao felt cold in his heart.
How many innocent people are killed in Wuyou Cave every year? Shouldn't we arrest the murderer of your brother if he is not the one who killed him?
He took a deep breath, suppressed his emotions, and began to strictly follow his brother's instructions to deal with the Queen Mother: "Report to the Queen Mother, although these thieves did not directly murder the prince, it was their support that made the murderers in Wuyou Cave even more arrogant.
These thieves must be caught in one fell swoop and executed!"
Empress Dowager Xiang accepted this statement, her eyes were red, showing deep sadness and hatred: "Yes, if they did not supply food, the thieves in Wuyou Cave would not be able to survive. How could they murder my poor brother? He should be killed.
!They all deserve to be killed!”
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Gongsun Zhao added: "The Tie Xue Tower case is also related to the murder of Doctor Xue."
Queen Mother Xiang was shocked: "Dr. Xue was also killed? But didn't it come out from the Tai Hospital that Dr. Xue died of brain disease?"
"The other doctors at the Queen Mother Hospital were indeed very dissatisfied with Dr. Xue. Fortunately, my brother did not take action to treat the Queen Mother, otherwise the disaster would be endless..."
Gongsun Zhao changed his mind and began to explain: "I have arrested the murderer, who is Xue Yuyi's concubine Xinu. This woman was born in Xiaotianshui Lane. She is ungrateful and murders her benefactor. God cannot tolerate it!"
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "What's more important is that Taoyaofang where she is located has also been confessed by the shopkeeper Mei Qian to have a connection with Wuyou Cave, and there are also thick generals behind it.
The guild supports it!”
Queen Mother Xiang clarified the connection and slowly straightened her waist: "Judge Gongsun, what do you mean?"
Gongsun Zhaodao: "The reason why Doctor Xue was killed was the Queen Mother. Wuyoudong does not want a Queen Mother who insists on getting rid of thieves to reign!"
Empress Dowager Xiang's body trembled and she let out an angry voice: "A group of thieves killed the prince and the imperial doctor, and now even I...what else can they not dare to do! Rebellion! Rebellion!! Cough cough!!"
Seeing that the Queen Mother was coughing repeatedly with excitement, the maids hurriedly stepped forward to give the Queen Mother some relief. Gongsun Zhao continued: "Wouyou Cave has not been cleared for many years. It has long been careless. However, all the ministers in the court only fight for the party and have been slow to stop."
Taking action actually fueled their arrogance, not to mention the thieves who were greedy for profit and colluded with Wuyou Cave..."
The chamberlains and maidservants in the palace were horrified by what they heard. They had also seen many courtiers, but except for Mr. Zhang Dunzhang, which courtier dared to be like this. Every word he said was to severely offend others!
But Gongsun Zhao has never been afraid of offending people. Didn't his previous actions offend more people?
But at that time, he simply offended others, and all parties did not like him, a military official who did not give face to anyone, so he was repeatedly ostracized. Now, Gongsun Zhao has offended others and gained corresponding support: "
Compared with all the ministers in the court, only the Queen Mother really wants to destroy the thieves, Wuyoudong naturally regards the Queen Mother as a thorn in the flesh, and we regard the Queen Mother as the nemesis of the thieves!"
Empress Dowager Xiang suddenly said with hatred: "That's right! A bunch of thieves treat the imperial court as if it were nothing. Even if I go to the Worry-free Cave, I won't close my eyes, let alone see my ancestors!"
As soon as these words came out, she became more assertive and prepared to use Wuyou Cave as an entry point to regain control of the government.
When people live in this world, they must have one thought. Not long ago, Queen Mother Xiang had given up all her thoughts and was not far away from death. At this moment, she regained her fighting spirit, and her energy and energy suddenly changed. When she looked at Gongsun Zhao, her face relaxed, and her attitude
He was greatly changed: "Judge Gongsun, I did not misjudge you. You are indeed a true loyal minister!"
Gongsun Zhao pursed his lips, feeling sad instead of happy. Deep down, he hated this selfish, stupid and incompetent Queen Mother, but in order to run the country well, she had to rely on the power of those in power.
Fortunately, both sides had the same views on the extermination of Wuyou Cave. He made up his mind and said: "Please rest assured, Queen Mother, I will not be afraid of hardships and dangers, sweep away the bandits, and restore real peace to Bianjing!"
He said to the Queen Mother: "Okay! I will give you an edict to search Tiexue Tower and Taoyao Square. Once the evidence is conclusive, immediately attack the Houjiang Guild and eliminate all the thieves who colluded with Wuyoudong!"
Gongsun Zhao said loudly: "Yes! I have one more request!"
He said kindly to the Queen Mother: "Say it!"
Gongsun Zhaodao: "I invite internal officials to accompany me and report what I see about the case to the Queen Mother in a timely manner."
Empress Dowager Xiang was a little surprised. Since the deaths of Yongyang County Prince and Yongjia County Prince, she had no completely trustworthy ministers in the outer court. She had just come up with the idea of asking her servants to follow her, but she was hesitant to say it out immediately.
Unexpectedly, the other party took the initiative to propose it, and he was immediately delighted: "Judge Gongsun has thought carefully, and I will do as you say!"
The chamberlains in the Funing Palace were bright and kind-hearted, and took the initiative to give them the opportunity to make contributions and gain power. Who wouldn't like such officials? They would have to say more good things to the Queen Mother later.
When the edict was drafted to the Queen Mother, stamped with a seal, and given to Empress Gongsun Zhao, a familiar chamberlain also followed him out of the palace. It was the chamberlain who had gone to the Kaifeng government office to take away Judge Han: "Young Prisoner Guo Kai"
, I have met Judge Gongsun! Judge Gongsun is just silent, he has become a blockbuster, and his future will be far and far away. I hope you will take care of him!"
Gongsun Zhao was noncommittal, but when he took Guo Kai out of the imperial city and fell into the eyes of interested people, he soon discovered that everything was different again.
The news spread quickly.
The officials were shocked.
This notoriously honest man who only immersed himself in work and did not know how to be an official became a close confidant of the Queen Mother?