Zhang Jingwen, Shangshu of the Ministry of Justice, came to Minshi with his men.
Seeing the officials, Qiancheng people's reaction was the same as before. Those who bought things ran away, and those who sold things knelt down and begged for mercy.
Zhang Jingwen hurried forward, helped the vendor who was kneeling on the ground, and bowed deeply to everyone: "The day before yesterday, several officials from the Ministry of Punishment came here to do evil and disturb the villagers. Zhang has been dismissed from his post for such a villain.
, and punish them severely to serve as a warning to others,
Zaoli is rampant and evil, but he blames Zhang for his lax governance. I am here today to apologize to all the villagers."
Zhang Jingwen took the cash and led the yamen to identify the vendors who had been bullied before and compensated them one by one.
He did this to protect himself. As for his son who could not be fished out, the Shenji Division had already sentenced him to eighty years of cane punishment, five years of imprisonment, and a fine of five hundred silver.
Zhang Jingwen made a round of losses and was about to leave Minshi when the Minister of Household Affairs arrived shortly afterwards.
Looking at those Zhao Mo who had bruises and swollen faces in the Ministry of Finance, Zhang Jingwen understood that the Minister of the Ministry of Finance was also here to apologize. He smiled awkwardly and did not dare to say another word.
With the precedents set by the Ministry of Punishment and the Ministry of Household Affairs, the ministers no longer dared to take the initiative from the people.
Xu Zhiqiong went to Shenjisi to have a drink, and the chief minister Hua Hongxiao accompanied him.
Looking at the pivot building, Xu Zhiqiong felt quite emotional.
When he pretended to be Shan Zhongming and served as the chief of the Shenji Department, he also lived in the chief building.
The pivot building had been burned down long ago, and the pivot building where Hua Hongxiao lives now belonged to Ge Junxin, the former deputy chief.
Xu Zhiqiong drank a glass of wine and said with a smile: "Is this job easy for the Lord?"
Hua Hongxiao moved her shoulders and neck and rubbed her chest: "The errand is not difficult, but I wear men's clothes every day, which makes it a little more restrictive."
Hua Hongxiao is broad-minded and always wears men's clothes, which does put a lot of restrictions on her.
The so-called Hua Hongxiao is Hong Huaxiao.
Although they had not seen each other for many years, and although Hong Huaxiao was no longer a man, when Xu Zhiqiong introduced her to Hong Huaheng, Hong Huaheng could tell at a glance that this was his eldest brother.
Hong Huaheng did not hesitate at all, and immediately wrote a memorial recommending Hong Huaxiao as the chief minister of the Shenji Division.
Looking at the furnishings in the main building, Xu Zhiqiong was about to express his feelings when he saw Hong Huaxiao taking out a list: "The ministers on this list have done too many deeds that are harmful to nature, and I have all the evidence.
I want to arrest them and put them in jail, but this matter is still waiting for you to decide."
Xu Zhiqiong flipped it over casually, handed it to Hong Huaxiao and said, "I don't need to make a decision on this matter. You are the head of the Divine Machinery Department. You should only make your own decisions without asking others."
Hong Huaxiao smiled: "Can you trust me?"
"If you can't trust me, how can I hand over the God Machine to you?"
"Since you are trustworthy, why don't you take me with you in the decisive battle with that faint king?"
Hong Huaxiao has never let go of this matter.
Xu Zhiqiong did not inform Hong Huaxiao during the decisive battle with Hong Juncheng.
Among the people around Xu Zhiqiong, Hong Huaxiao had the highest cultivation level and the strongest combat power, but Xu Zhiqiong seemed to have ignored her.
There are two reasons for this. The first reason is that Xu Zhiqiong had no intention of fighting with Hong Juncheng. Once Hong Juncheng was allowed to use his full strength, plus Hong Huaxiao, he would not be his match.
Second, Hong Juncheng is Hong Huaxiao’s father after all.
Hong Huaxiao saw through this concern and asked Xu Zhiqiong: "Are you worried that I will show mercy to that faint king? After all, you still can't trust me."
Xu Zhiqiong smiled and said: "I trust you, but after all, we can't go against human nature. We have worked so hard and worked so hard, isn't it just to make people live like human beings? How can I force you to do things against human nature?"
Hong Huaxiao lowered his head and took a sip of wine.
Although his face looked unconvinced, he was very grateful to Xu Zhiqiong in his heart.
When Hong Juncheng really met Hong Juncheng on the battlefield, Hong Huaxiao really didn't know what to do.
Putting down his wine glass, Hong Huaxiao sighed softly and said, "I haven't wandered around Shenlin City for a long time. When I walked on the street today, I saw many people smiling. I have never seen Qiancheng people laugh so much before."
"It's good to love to laugh," Xu Zhiqiong ate a plum, "Look how beautiful you look when you smile."
Hong Huaxiao lowered his head slightly and said with a blush, "Are you really good-looking?"
"It's beautiful!" Xu Zhiqiong drank another glass of wine, seemingly not understanding Hong Huaxiao's meaning correctly.
Hong Huaxiao's face felt hot. He didn't know what to say, so he changed the subject and said, "The Shenji Department still lacks a lot of manpower."
"I'll think of a way to deal with the manpower issue. Someone will come soon."
After drinking two more drinks, Xu Zhiqiong stood up to say goodbye. Hong Huaxiao sent him downstairs. Looking at Xu Zhiqiong's retreating back, he sighed and said, "This is such a good boy."
Returning to the Evil Punishment Department, Xu Zhiqiong called Jiang Shengqun and others over.
These people were all former members of the Shenji Division, and now that Hong Juncheng was dead, Hong Huaxiao only needed to write a memorial saying that they had been anonymous and carried out confidential tasks, and now that the tasks have been completed, he could resume his identity.
This matter is entirely voluntary. Those who want to rejoin the Shenji Division can just come to Xu Zhiqiong to sign up. Working as an errand in the Shenji Division will not affect their position as a judge, just like Xu Zhiqiong's situation in Zhang Deng Yamen.
If he wanted to leave the Judge's Path and completely return to his previous life, Xu Zhiqiong would not stop him. However, one thing was that he could not reveal the secrets of the Judge's Path in the future, and his training as a Judge would be ruined.
After the conditions were explained clearly, no one wanted to leave the Judge's Road, but some did want to return to the Shenji Division.
Shen Shuliang is a man who not only wants to return to Shenji Division, he also wants to go home.
But his son Shen Weiyi didn't want to return to Shenji Company, so he didn't want to stay with Shen Shuliang.
Zhang Shifeng wanted to return to Shenji Division, but Chen Zhengming was still hesitant.
Bao Huailuo said that he was getting old and did not want to go back to work as a errand. He just wanted to go home and visit occasionally.
Jiang Shengqun had no family, so Xu Zhiqiong persuaded him to go back. Now the Shenji Division employs people based on their true abilities. With Jiang Shengqun's cultivation, he can become the deputy chief.
Jiang Shengqun declined: "I am a laid-back person. I am always ostracized in the Divine Machine Division. How can I have such a happy life in the Evil Punishment Division?"
Xu Zhiqiong asked in surprise: "You don't feel lonely in the Department of Punishing Evil?"
Jiang Shengqun smiled and said: "I just bought two servants from the underworld a few days ago. One is more handsome than the other. I can hardly cope with it. How can I still feel lonely?"
Xu Zhiqiong was stunned: "Did Shi Cheng tell you not to do it more than ten times a month?"
Jiang Shengqun was stunned for a while, then stretched out his fingers to count: "Yesterday, it was nine times, and the day before yesterday was..."
After only two days of counting, Jiang Shengqun's face turned pale: "What will happen if it exceeds the limit?"
…
At nightfall, Xu Zhiqiong came to stroll on the street.
The day before yesterday, he asked Hong Huaheng to write a memorial to cancel the night ban in Qiancheng Kingdom.
I thought Shenlin City would be very lively at night, but maybe the people are not used to it yet, and there are not many businesses at night, so the streets are still deserted.
There is no need to worry about this matter. When wine shops and teahouses open in a few days, the prosperity at night will follow.
Walking near the north gate, a group of people, wearing rags and unkempt hair, entered the city gate.
They wore wooden shackles on their bodies and iron shackles on their feet, which made a clanging sound with every step they took.
Escorting prisoners into the city late at night?
When did the Ministry of Punishment officers become so diligent?
Xu Zhiqiong took a closer look and saw that the people escorting the prisoners were not officers from the Ministry of Punishment. They were wearing special official robes and were Jinxiu pen officials.
"Go faster!" Jinxiu pen official Wu Yaosan swung his whip and hit a woman.
The woman sobbed, not daring to cry out.
"Do you still want this girl? Tell her to go faster, can't you hear me?" Xiao Guohan, the Jinxiu pen clerk, kicked the child.
The father felt sorry for the child and wanted to pick him up, but he was shackled and could only cry secretly.
Xu Zhiqiong wanted to kill these bastards, but he had to find out first.
He followed behind, quietly listening to the words of the Jinxiu penman.
"This God is in the city, why don't you close the city gate at night?"
"This is also my first time here. Maybe you are at the feet of the emperor, and this is the rule."
"Did you just see that? The sergeants guarding the door were not wearing mourning clothes."
"Isn't it late at night? Maybe someone secretly took off their clothes for a while."
"Can I take it off at night? This is against the rules!"
"If you think they are violating the rules, just arrest them."
"How dare I do this? What is their identity? But I don't think it's just them. There are also many scoundrels who are not wearing mourning clothes. Shouldn't they be arrested?"
"It's not your turn to arrest someone who should be arrested. Everyone has his own territory. Don't take away other people's business."
Xu Zhiqiong looked at the group of people dragging their shackles and silently disappeared into the night.
That night, he called Qin Yan and asked about the Jinxiu pen official.
Qin Yan said: "I am about to report to you that every time the divine king dies and a new king ascends the throne, the Jinxiu pen officials from all over the country will take this opportunity to arrest criminals and earn some merit."
"How do you earn this merit?"
"They all make money on the pretext of funerals. Anyone who is caught without mourning clothes, without setting up a burial place at home, who is holding a funeral, who doesn't cry with all his heart, or who laughs without a care will be arrested."
Xu Zhiqiong frowned and said, "Isn't the funeral over long ago?"
Qin Yan sighed: "The funeral ceremony in Shenlin City is over, but the situation in various states and counties is completely different.
The Jinxiu penman may only have this opportunity for promotion in his life, so he is not willing to let it go easily.
According to the old rules of Qiancheng, when they arrived at Shenlin City, they could meet the Lord of God, and as long as they brought prisoners, they would be promoted at least one level.
If you catch more people, you will naturally be appreciated by the God Lord. There have been cases where you have been promoted to the third level in a row.
Hundreds of Jinxiu pen officials had already come to the palace with prisoners, insisting on meeting the new king and waiting to receive their reward.
I advised them to let him go and go back quickly, but they didn't listen. I was also worried about this matter. I really couldn't do it, so I had to leave it to the Shenji Division."
Xu Zhiqiong thought for a moment and said: "How many brocade pen officials are there in Qiancheng Kingdom?"
Qin Yan thought for a moment and said, "About three thousand people."
"There are more than 3,000 people, and the Shenji Division's prison can't even accommodate them."
Qin Yan said: "Just capture a few and scare them, and the rest will leave naturally."
Xu Zhiqiong shook his head and said: "This is not appropriate. After all, they have to come all the way to be rewarded. Let them stay and become officials in the capital."
"Beijing official?" Qin Yan was puzzled.
"Yes, Jingguan, you will handle this matter without disturbing the Lord God."
…
At noon the next day, hundreds of Jinxiu pen officials entered the palace and stood in order in Yunzhengyuan.
Qin Yan called the names one by one: "Wu Yaosan, Xiao Guohan..."
Qin Yan selected twenty people in succession and gave an order: "Everyone, go ahead and change your clothes and wait for me to meet you."
Wu Yaosan was very excited to meet his new king.
He brought more than thirty prisoners this time, and he was considered the best among the Jinxiu pen officials.
Xiao Guohan also arrested about twenty people. It seems that he has been appreciated by the god and will be put to important use in the future.
Everyone followed the chamberlain to Xinzhong Pavilion. Wu Yaosan and Xiao Guohan were from the same hometown. They lowered their heads and whispered on the way: "I heard that our group can stay in Shenlin City and serve as capital officials."
Xiao Guohan was surprised and happy: "Are you serious? Don't play tricks on me."
"Why am I teasing you? We will all be colleagues in the future and we have to take care of each other."
Everyone heard some vague noises and knew that he was going to be a Beijing official, and everyone looked happy.
After entering the Xinzhong Pavilion, Yue Liusheng had been waiting in the pavilion for a long time. When he saw everyone had arrived, he ordered: "Everyone, please change your clothes."
Seeing many servants standing in the attic, Xiao Guohan was very happy: "Are you here to help us change our clothes?"
Wu Yaosan also said a few polite words, clasped his fists at the servants and said: "If you don't bother me, we can do it ourselves."
"No," Yue Liusheng waved his hands and said, "You can't do things yourself if your life is at stake."
Lives at stake?
Everyone was puzzled.
Yue Liusheng waved his hand, and the servants came forward one after another, held down the group of splendid pen clerks, and tied them up one by one.
Wu Yaosan struggled desperately and shouted: "What are you doing?"
Yue Liusheng took a rag, blocked Wu Yaosan's mouth, and said with a smile: "You will serve in the palace from now on, and you will all be colleagues from now on."
Xiao Guohan was still struggling aside, and Yue Liusheng became angry and peeled off a piece of skin the size of his paw from his chest.
After losing the piece of skin, Yue Liusheng ordered to take action. Each of the chamberlains took a delicate knife and stepped forward to remove the foundation of the Jinxiu penman.
Wu Yaosan was rolling on the ground in pain and wanted to hit him to death, but he didn't have the courage.
Xiao Guohan's eyes were bloodshot, and he kept whining in his throat as he remembered that he had just married a concubine.
A large number of Jinxiu pen officials entered the palace one after another. Qin Yan checked the roster and said to Li Quangen: "How many of your men did the late emperor kill?"
Li Quangen made an estimate: "There are more than 600 people."
Qin Yan nodded: "The direct supervisor is the hardest worker, I will help you fill up the manpower later."
Li Quangen frowned and said, "Brother Qin, I'm not in a hurry about this matter. I still haven't thought of that matter. Please help me think about it, Brother Qin."