Muchuan asked: "Today, the expenses of Zhongshu Province suddenly increased, especially the increase in business expenses. Have you gone to ask what's going on?"
Ouyang Bufan said: "I heard that officials from Zhongshu Province are going to inspect lower-level places."
"What a ghost investigation, there must be something wrong with this!"
The Zhongshu Province is the central administrative agency responsible for drafting documents and issuing decrees. It rarely goes out to inspect lower-level officials, especially when there was a large-scale foreign mission inspection just a month ago?
There must be something wrong with this.
Muchuan smiled faintly: "Bufan, take someone to check the accounts carefully. We should be able to find out something."
"Okay, but I'm afraid it won't be that easy."
The top administrator of Zhongshu Province is Shangguan Jin. He has always been dissatisfied with the Ministry of Revenue and often impeached Muchuan. Even if Ouyang Bufan brings people to investigate, I am afraid Shangguan Jin will not cooperate.
What's more, if there really needs to be a thorough investigation into the distribution of imperial functions, it would be a matter for the Yushitai and not under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Household Affairs at all.
Ouyang Bufan sighed: "Sir, if I run to Zhongshu Province's official residence, I'm afraid someone will kick me out."
"Right."
Muchuan suspected that the minor officials under the Zhongshu Provincial Committee were involved in corruption and bribery, but as the governor of the Zhongshu Provincial Committee, if Shangguan Jin wanted to cover up, it would be difficult for the Ministry of Revenue to intervene.
As for the personal grudge between Shang Guanjin and Muchuan, the other party will definitely cover it up.
"Let's see! First, all the expenses submitted by the Ministry of Education will be reimbursed. If you want to apply, you must make a detailed list to prove it.
The second step is to write a document to the Censor’s Office stating the claim and requesting a thorough investigation.”
"Okay, just do what the adults say."
"Then there's nothing going on next, right?"
After Muchuan put down his Chinese book, he breathed a sigh of relief. After all, he had been busy with business all morning, which made him physically and mentally exhausted.
Just when Muchuan was about to call Temujin to prepare wine and food, Ouyang Bufan tugged on Muchuan's clothes and said that he had something to report.
Recently, the envoy from Goguryeo, Mochizuki Dagong, was visiting the court officials everywhere. People in the court, such as Fang Xuanling, Cheng Yaojing, Duan Zhixuan and others, declined one by one. However, some people met with Mochizuki Dagong privately, seemingly to discuss some confidential matters.
"Sir, do you think Mochizuki Dagong has an agenda?"
"The plot is definitely a conspiracy, and the intention is very obvious."
Muchuan smiled coldly, I can't help but think that Wangyue Dagong was like a clown who couldn't restless all day long.
Now is the time for the peace talks between Goguryeo and the Tang Dynasty. Mochizuki Dagong, who is the envoy of the peace talks, does not stay at the embassy in Chang'an City. Instead, he runs around to meet with court officials, presumably to play a "disturbance tactic".
He used various stick-and-carrot methods to instigate a group of ministers to rebel in order to serve the Goguryeo Kingdom. After all, Mochizuki Dagong had used the same method against Muchuan.
"Bufan, send someone to secretly monitor Mochizuki Dagong and the ministers who interact with him."
"Okay, but let's just watch without interfering?"
"Is there anything to intervene?
Besides, even if you want to intervene, you can’t.”
The Tang Dynasty was the most enlightened dynasty in history. It established permanent trading ports and welcomed envoys from all directions. Therefore, friendly exchanges between foreign envoys and officials of the dynasty were encouraged by the imperial court.
For example, Muchuan itself has opened a foreign language college to encourage private businessmen to communicate more with outsiders, so as to broaden their horizons, activate the economy, and strengthen cultural development.
In this case, even if Muchuan knew that Mochizuki Dagong was up to something evil, he could not do anything to Muchuan. If he intervened, it would violate the Tang Dynasty's principle of "civilized exchanges."
"So, as long as Wangyue Dagong does not commit any crimes, there is no problem for him to contact the officials of the Tang Dynasty privately."
"So that's it. Lord Muchuan's idea is really thoughtful."
While Muchuan and Ouyang Bufan were talking, a shadowy figure suddenly rushed in from outside the mansion. It was Temujin Dali.
"grown ups!"
Temujin vigorously stepped forward and bowed, then whispered to Muchuan.
After hearing what Temujin said vigorously, Muchuan could not help but be shocked: "But is it serious?
Have you thoroughly investigated Xiaorou’s identity?”
"Yes, sir, it is absolutely true, his family members are indeed missing!"
Ouyang Bufan, on the other hand, looked curious and came over to see what was going on.
Ouyang Bufan was not an outsider. Since he wanted to know, Muchuan didn't hide it, so he just told the whole story.
Muchuan had previously suspected that Xiaorou knew the identity of the "mastermind behind the scenes", but she had been unwilling to confess, which meant that the mastermind behind the scenes had held her family hostage. This was indeed the case after Temujin's vigorous investigation.
Moreover, Temujin Dali's identity was also found out. She was a prostitute who was born in the land of fireworks. It was probably the mastermind behind the scenes who paid a lot of money to recruit her to use a "beauty trap" to plot against Muchuan.
"Now that we know Xiaorou's identity, it's easy to tell what happens next!"
Muchuan chuckled, and with a wave of his hand, he sent someone to drive the carriage to the underground prison in Chang'an City.
An hour later, the underground prison in Chang'an City was dimly lit, the air was filled with the smell of blood, and from time to time, the wailing and screaming of the women in the prison could be heard.
Xiaorou was locked in the corner cell, wearing a gray prison uniform, with unkempt hair and a pale face.
However, compared to the last time, Xiaorou's condition was obviously much better. The last time I saw her, she was severely tortured by the jailers, and she was scarred beyond recognition. Now at least she is not dying or will die at any time.
After the jailer opened the wooden door of the cell, Muchuan walked in and sat directly on the cold floor tiles: "How are you, Miss Xiaorou, how are you these days?"
"Master Shangshu, why are you here..." Xiaorou looked stunned and said in a weak voice, "This kind of place is not accessible to someone as noble as your Excellency. Could it be that your Excellency is here to question me again?
But I won’t say anything.”
Xiaorou is still very tough-talking, which is natural. After all, her parents and two younger sisters were captured and held hostage by the evildoers. I am afraid that even if she dies, she will not reveal any information.
"Miss Xiaorou, I know everything about your life experience. You are a poor girl. You have taken on the responsibility of raising your family at a young age and are self-reliant. I admire you very much."
"You...you know about me?"
"Miss Xiaorou, you are so offended. I have ordered someone to investigate you. In addition to your affairs, I also know clearly why you are unwilling to reveal the person behind the scenes."
"Really..." Xiaorou's lips parted slightly, and it seemed like she didn't show much surprise.
After all, she knew that Muchuan had great supernatural powers and a respected status. If he was serious about investigating, he would definitely be able to find out a lot of things.
