Bei Lin did not expect that she just wanted to educate this ignorant magistrate, but it would lead to such an incident.
As a result, things seem to have become a little serious.
"The two hundred thousand yuan for river management turned into fifty thousand, where did the other one hundred and fifty thousand go?"
Liang Ke smiled bitterly and said: "Master Bei, you have lived in the capital for a long time, and the Qintian Prison is independent of the six departments. This kind of thing... I can only say that the water inside is very deep, so don't ask. This is not what you should do."
It’s my business.”
Bei Lin's face changed and she asked: "I was ordered to go to Huai'an Mansion to assist in river control. Now the accounts for river control are unclear, how can I ignore it?"
Liang Ke raised his head and said: "Since we have talked about this superior, I might as well say a few more words. Although the young master of the Gao family is only a member of the imperial family, how many people in the court rely on Mr. Gao Ge? Tonight you will
If you beat me, it will hit Mr. Gaoge’s face. Even if he doesn’t come forward to cause trouble for you due to his status, how can those officials in the court just let it go? I would like to advise you, it is better to make preparations in advance and settle the matter in peace." p>
Beilin shook her head and said: "I dare to beat him, so I won't worry about others causing trouble. Now I ask you about the money for river management, is there someone embezzling?"
"If someone really wants to commit corruption, it's easy to handle. The key is... most of this kind of thing is just a complete misunderstanding. In short, you don't have to worry about it. The official is the most benevolent person. The matter of Mr. Bei holding the official hostage tonight is just a matter of course.
I won’t pursue it any further. As a colleague, I would like to give you a piece of advice: No matter you are a human being or an official, it’s better to do something wrong when it’s time to do something wrong.”
"No, what happened today must be explained clearly. Where did the other 150,000 taels of river management money go?"
Liang Ke stood up, bowed his hands, and said, "I have already said what I should say and what I shouldn't say, so I'll take my leave!"
"Stop!"
Bei Lin stopped him and asked: "Let me ask you, where did the 150,000 taels of river control money go?"
Liang Ke also changed his expression and said: "Mr. Bei, I have done my utmost to show my kindness to you. If you insist on checking the accounts, then go back to the capital and check them layer by layer, from the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Household Affairs to the officials at all levels below, and then
Or, go find the magistrate of Huai'an, you can't talk to the official about this kind of thing!"
Beilin was not willing to let him go, so she immediately grabbed him by the collar and said, "You won't even be able to take a step out of this room tonight until you tell me clearly!"
"Master Bei, please don't go too far!"
Liang Ke struggled to walk out, but was pushed back by Beilin.
"The accounts of the river control funds are unclear. Now I suspect you of embezzling the river control funds. If you don't make it clear, then don't blame me for doing official business!"
Liang Ke suddenly became anxious and said angrily: "Bei, please stop spitting here. Who are you and what qualifications do you have to interfere in local affairs?"
"You say I am not qualified?"
Bei Lin took out the documents and official seals that she carried with her and said: "I was ordered to go to Huai'an Mansion to assist Yu Qian, the cabinet scholar, and Wang Yonghe, the left minister of the Ministry of Industry, in regulating the river. Do you think I am qualified to interfere with the money for river regulation?
?"
Liang Ke turned his face away and said, "Then you go to Huai'an Prefecture. This county is only managed by Huai'an Prefecture. No matter who sends you, you have nothing to do with this county!"
This is not bad. Even if you want to handle official business, according to the procedures, you have to contact Huai'an Prefecture. If Suqian County does not cooperate, there is really nothing you can do.
Beilin had no choice but to look at Yuan Bin.
Yuan Bin understood, took out a waist badge from his body and handed it over.
Liang Ke looked confused, took the badge and took a look, almost jumping up in fright.
He quickly took the waistband in front of his eyes and looked over it carefully. His face became paler and his back was covered in cold sweat.
Yuan Bin hugged his shoulders and asked with a smile: "Master Bei is not qualified, is he? I wonder if I am qualified?"
Liang Ke stretched out his hand to wipe the sweat on his forehead and said carefully, "Are you...Jinyiwei...Commander Yuan?"
"Why, this badge doesn't look real?"
"No, no..."
Liang Ke waved his hands again and again, respectfully returned the badge, and said: "This official is too blind to see the truth. Please forgive me for any offense I may have caused..."
He felt uneasy now. He thought this person was Beilin's bodyguard, but he didn't expect that he turned out to be the commander of the royal guards!
It’s now difficult to handle, everyone is seeing everything, and it’s impossible to hide it.
What to do, what to do...
Yuan Bin took back his badge and said, "Tell me, what happened to the money for river control?"
"River management money..."
Liang Ke was sweating profusely on his forehead, and he hesitated, not knowing what to do.
When Yuan Bin saw this, his face darkened and he said coldly: "If Mr. Liang doesn't want to talk here, we can change the place."
"Change... to where?"
"Zhao Yu!"
Liang Ke's knees went weak and he slumped down on the stool, muttering: "No... no need, my official... my official will tell you everything he knows, and he will tell you everything..."
"Stop talking nonsense, just talk about the money for river control, and explain everything you know clearly!"
"Actually... I don't know much..."
"You know what to say, and if you hide something, you know the consequences!"
Liang Ke's face turned pale with fright. Once Jin Yiwei intervened, his little county magistrate might be in trouble...
"Yes, yes..."
He swallowed his saliva and said truthfully: "To be honest, for example, the money specially allocated by the court for the treatment of Heyin is allocated layer by layer. In the end, if it can be put into practice, I will be grateful if I can get half of it."<
/p>
"You mean, there are layers of exploitation, and there is corruption at every level?"
"It's not considered corruption. For example, the government office has been in disrepair and needs some repairs. The government's finances have been tight and they can't come up with money. Therefore, such expenditures can only be made after the river bank or disaster relief bank comes down.
Take part of it. Also, river management is a major matter, and funding needs to be reviewed and approved at all levels. Relevant personnel at all levels will try their best to withhold some, such as replacing a sedan chair, buying a horse, and other small expenses. The total is not a small amount.
."
Yuan Bin continued to ask: "This expenditure is barely reasonable, but how much money can it cost to repair a yamen and replace a sedan chair? You just said that it would be good if you can save half of it. Where did the rest go?"
"Others..."
At this time, Liang Ke no longer dared to hide anything, so he had to say: "For example... the ice and charcoal tributes and various regular tributes given to Shangguan and Jingshi Zhongda every year are hard to explain.
..."
Bei Lin said with a dark face: "What's Bing Jing Tan Jing? After all, it's not corruption!"
"Mr. Bei, that's not what you said. The officialdom is like this. Everyone submits. If you don't submit, there will be no future. For a small magistrate like Xiguan, there is no backer in the court. If you don't curry favor with the superior, there will be no promotion.
I hope? Your Majesty, please open your mouth and keep your mouth shut. Your Majesty, when you are an official in the capital, the Emperor can still see whether you are doing well or not. But when you get to the local government, your achievements as a subordinate are all based on a memorial from the prefect. How does the Emperor know the secrets of these people?" After hearing this, Beilin was very angry, but there was nothing she could do.
As Liang Ke said, if it is really corruption, it would be easy to handle, but with so many misunderstandings, how can we investigate?
He raised his eyes and took a peek at Zhu Qizhen. Zhu Qizhen was also worried. The water inside was really deep.
Officials are not economical. They will try every means to create a clever name when they withhold money. There must be legitimate reasons in the books. If you really want to check each item, it may not be that easy.
What's even more frightening is that this phenomenon has become commonplace in the Ming Dynasty. Everyone is doing things according to the unspoken rules. Even if a few examples are killed, it may not be completely eradicated.
I never thought that being an emperor would have such a headache...
At this point, Suqian County must not move, otherwise it will alert the snake, so he gave Beilin a look and waved his hand gently.
Beilin then said: "The man named Gao will be beaten by me. You don't have to worry about how to deal with it later. As for the conversation I am waiting for here tonight, you must not disclose it to anyone, otherwise, you will be responsible for the consequences!"<
/p>
Liang Ke nodded repeatedly and said, "I understand!"
You're just kidding, I wouldn't tell you even if you beat me to death!
Otherwise, if my colleagues find out, they won’t eat me...
Bei Lin stood up and said: "Yi Cheng, please go and explain it to Mr. Liang himself."
"Don't worry, I know what to do!"
Liang Ke finally breathed a sigh of relief. He just wants to leave this place as soon as possible. As for Mr. Gao... forget it, don't care, do whatever you want!
Yi Cheng and a group of officers could not wait for a long time. The magistrate was held hostage. What is going on?
Although the other party is also an official, this is not in accordance with the procedures...
Seeing the door open and Liang Ke walking out safe and sound, everyone let out a long breath. Fortunately, nothing happened. I was scared to death!
"My lord..."
Just as Yi Cheng was about to step forward, he saw Liang Ke waving his hand at him and said, "Master Bei just had a chat with the county about official matters, and there were some misunderstandings along the way. Don't make a fuss."
"Then... Mr. Gao..."
"Master Bei will handle this matter on his own. This county does not want to get too involved. Since the matter happened at the inn, you will be solely responsible for it. From now on, you can just follow Master Bei's instructions."
Yi Cheng was stunned for a moment, don't you care?
How can I, a little Yi Cheng, take charge of such a big thing?
Liang Ke waved his hands and left with all the government servants.
After much thought, Yi Cheng had no choice but to go to the residence of Bei Lin and others and asked: "Master Bei, may I ask..."
"Come, I'm looking for you!"
Beilin waved to him and said, "That Gao...by the way, what's his name?"
Yi Cheng's face twitched and he beat the person like this, but he didn't even know his name...
"Sir, Mr. Gao's last name is "Xu".
"As for Gao Xu, please make a list of the money for tonight's food and drinks, the money for the restaurant, and the broken tables, chairs and benches. If he pays the money honestly, that's all. If not, I will personally take it to Gao Ge.
Laofu, go up!"
Yi Cheng opened his mouth wide, not knowing what to do.
It was just a meal, and the county magistrate didn’t say anything. Are you so serious about it...
"Why, do you need me to repeat it again?"
"No, no need..."
Okay, let’s do whatever you say, why are we just a little postmaster!
"Okay, nothing happens, you can go down!"
Yi Cheng sighed helplessly, turned around and exited.
Gao Xu was going crazy at this time. He was beaten like this, and he didn't care when the county magistrate came. Now this Yi Cheng is still asking for money from him. Is there still king's law? Is there still law?
At this moment, he wanted to rush over and fight with the opponent, but when he saw a dozen servants with bruises and swollen faces behind him, he immediately gave up this idea.
A good man doesn't suffer any immediate losses, so he swallowed his resentment today first, Beilin from Qintian Prison, right? Just wait!
So, he ordered someone to pay the money and stopped staying at the inn. He went to the city to find an inn overnight.
I don’t care what Qin Tianjian you are, if you offend my Gao family, you will definitely look good!
Yi Cheng came to Beilin's room cautiously and said: "Sir, Mr. Gao has already paid the money. You see..."
"I know, you go down!"
"Yes!"
Bei Lin was not in the mood to care about Yinzi. What he wanted to care about now was where Zhihe Yin went.
Zhu Qizhen said with a dark face: "Is my Ming Dynasty court like this? Not even half of the money allocated by the court has been spent on the people! Yuan Bin, I leave this matter to you, first of all
Start the investigation from the Zhihe Bank in Huai'an Prefecture. No matter what the cost, we must find out!"
Yuan Bin replied: "I obey your order!"
Zhu Qizhen still looked angry and said: "Forget it, let's do it secretly. The top priority is to figure out the affairs of the Japanese pirates and the White Lotus Sect. When I am free, I will settle the accounts with them one by one!"<
/p>
But Gao Xu, after leaving the inn, came to the county town, walked around and searched, and finally came to a brothel.
Although my nose was bruised and my face was swollen, it was just a skin injury and nothing serious.
"Isn't this Mr. Gao? What kind of wind has brought you here?"
The Gao family's house is in Huai'an Prefecture, and they are familiar with these brothels in Linxian County, so the old madam will naturally recognize them.
Gao Xu said angrily: "Prepare a table of wine and food, call a few girls, and drink with me!"
"No problem...Hey, you are..."
The old bustard couldn't help but be a little confused when he saw the bruises on Gao Xu's face and the big dark circles under his eyes.
"What nonsense are you talking about? Go quickly!"
Gao Xu was in a bad mood and acted very impatient.
"Okay, please come upstairs!"
Late at night, a beautifully dressed woman came to a secret room.
Inside, the madam has been waiting for a long time.
"I've met the helmsman!"
The old bustard no longer had the smile on his face, but asked with a serious face: "What did you ask?"
"It is said that an official came from the capital and went to Huai'an Prefecture on orders. It should be related to river management."
"Here from the capital? How many people did he bring with him?"
"It is said that the man only brought three followers."
The old bustard pondered for a moment and then asked: "What's the matter with the injury on his face?"
"It was the official who beat me."
"The imperial envoy... still beats people?"
"Yes, it is said that Mr. Gao had a meal at the inn and was bumped into by that man. He asked Mr. Gao for money, and then they started fighting."
The old madam asked in confusion: "What kind of meal money? Do you still need money for meals at the inn?"
"That's it... Mr. Gao has no official position and should not go to the inn to eat. It is against the rules."
"There are more than a dozen of them, but they can't beat three of them?"
"I don't know, Mr. Gao refuses to say."
It’s no wonder that no one wants to publicize their embarrassing stories.
The old bustard thought for a while and said, "Go down and try to find a way to talk about it tomorrow. Remember not to alert the snake."
"Yes, I am resigning!"
The old bustard thought carefully for a long time, then wrote a letter and called a man dressed as a turtle.
"Go to Nanjing, give the letter to the leader, and say that this person's identity is suspicious. I wonder if he is here to teach me. It's best to send someone to check this person's background."