Under the West Lake Tower, a press conference is about to be held.
The organizer is the Zhejiang Governor Yamen, and the co-organizers are the Zhejiang Inspector General Yamen and the Hangzhou Magistrate Yamen.
The main content of the press conference was to inform Hangzhou city officials about a bizarre tomb robbery case that recently occurred in Haining, Jiaxing.
Grave robbing is a common case, so why is it so bizarre?
There are two reasons.
First, the person who robbed the tomb was the late Mr. Chen Ge, a bachelor of Wenyuan Pavilion and the Minister of Rites.
Second, after on-site excavation and inventory by the government officials and the Chen family, it was discovered that the tomb robbers only stole the remains of Mr. Chen Ge from the coffin, but did not take away the rest of the buried gold, silver and jade objects.
Since ancient times, tomb robbers have only been able to steal the treasures in tombs. Why do they only steal corpses but not gold and silver today?
Coupled with the identity of the owner of the tomb, this tomb robbery case immediately became the No. 1 major case of the Zhejiang Procuratorate and was reported to the governor's Yamen.
After receiving the report of the case, Zhejiang Governor Wang Danwang took it very seriously and personally ordered relevant units to thoroughly investigate the case.
Why does Wang Futai pay attention to it?
The reason is that there have been rumors among the people that Mr. Chen Ge and the current emperor are actually father and son. This rumor also led to major changes in the capital two years ago, which in turn triggered a series of recurrences in the political situation in the court.
Although the emperor personally went to Tailing afterwards to clarify the rumors with a blood test, there were still many ignorant people who believed in the rumors.
As the founder of the Mutual Aid Association, Wang Futai also went to the capital to attend a meeting of princes and ministers to discuss government affairs. The information he learned through various channels showed that the emperor's visit to the mausoleum was by no means as simple as what was later reported in the court newspapers.
Therefore, if the theft of the old tomb in Chen Pavilion is exploited by someone with intentions, it will definitely cause irreparable consequences to the court and the emperor, and may even trigger a new round of chaos and cause huge losses to the country.
In view of this, Wang Futai immediately suppressed the case and did not report it immediately.
However, the case has spread throughout Zhejiang Province. Even though the province suppressed the case and did not report it to the capital, a nationwide discussion about the emperor's life story has already started among the people.
Public opinion has even spread to surrounding provinces, and many officials in Zhejiang officialdom privately believe that the theft of the old tomb in Chenge is no accident, but inevitable.
Where must it be?
I know it in my heart but cannot express it in words.
Faced with such a situation, all Wang Futai could do as a new official was to solve the case quickly, thereby minimizing the impact of the case.
After the incident, in addition to the local Haining's quick intervention, Jiaxing also sent a capable working group to Haining, and the Procuratorate of the provincial capital Hangzhou also sent people to Haining overnight to investigate.
It is said that Cheng De, the Eight Banners general stationed in Hangzhou, also secretly sent people to Haining.
It can be seen that the tomb robbery case in Haining really touched the heartstrings of everyone in Zhejiang officialdom.
However, after checking for several months, there was no progress.
This case has become the number one unsolved case in Zhejiang this year.
In addition to ongoing discussions among the people, the official level has deliberately downplayed the case and gradually withdrawn from official sight.
However, just a few days ago, an official document came from the governor's Yamen, which surprised Zhejiang's chief envoy Qingge, inspector's envoy Bai Weixin and other officials.
It turned out that the governor who had been trying to suppress the case suddenly changed his attitude and said that because the case of the theft of the old tomb in Chenge had attracted great attention in Zhejiang, it was necessary for the government to hold a press conference to inform the gentry and the people in detail about the case.
.
This can minimize the speculation among the people and provide a strong response to relevant rumors.
As the highest military and political officer of a province, the governor can do whatever he says.
Therefore, in accordance with the request of the governor, Bai Weixin, the inspector-general, began to prepare for the so-called press conference.
This incident has once again triggered a big discussion about the theft of the old tomb of Chen Ge. The officials and gentry in Hangzhou were waiting for the press conference with their heads raised.
With much anticipation, the press conference was held as scheduled and was held next to the Feng Tower of West Lake.
This place is equivalent to a landmark in Hangzhou.
Because so many officials, gentry and common people came, the Hangzhou prefecture's Yamen had to dispatch battalions to maintain order.
But the only people who could actually enter the press conference were the prominent officials and gentry in Hangzhou, while most of the people watched the excitement outside.
There is still a while before the press conference.
The governor who was drinking tea in the Feng Tower looked at the Hangzhou officials and gentry who were already sitting outside. He couldn't help but nodded slightly and said to the accompanying chief envoy Qingge: "Inform the officials, gentry and the people in a public way about the court's major affairs and local administration.
The relevant facts of the case are actually an innovation of our Zhejiang province and a reform of old customs by our Zhejiang officials and gentry. It can be said that this time our Zhejiang province is ahead of the rest of the country."
What the chief minister can say is that he can only continue to echo and praise Mr. Futai's wisdom.
Mr. Futai also talked about some precautions for the press conference. At this time, a staff member came over to ask for instructions and said that the officials and gentry were almost here and everything was ready. Can the press conference be held?
"open it."
Mr. Futai immediately stood up with Mr. Buzheng and went outside the tower. Not far away, Mr. Bai Weixin from the Inspectorate was reviewing manuscripts with the staff.
Because the case report later will be handled by him, the head of the Prosecutor's Office.
The arrival of the governor and chief executive made the officials and gentry at the meeting stand up in unison.
Mr. Futai also took the trouble to greet the officials and gentry. He could even name who this was and who was that, which made all the officials and gentry feel more cordial.
Little did they know that Mr. Futai didn't even know how much money they had.
The press conference officially began. Mr. Futai and the Chief Minister took their seats on the stage. Mr. Bai came to the stage a little uncomfortable and read the manuscript prepared by the staff in front of the public.
Since Mr. Bai is from Guangxi, his accent is very awkward, which makes the officials and gentry below very interesting.
Soon, Lord Bai's briefing on the case ended. However, the officials and gentry below all frowned, and many of them were whispering. The reason was that there was nothing of concern to them in Lord Inspector's official report.
Who stole Mr. Chen Ge's body, where was it taken, and what connection does this case have with the capital thousands of miles away?
However, if the government doesn’t talk about these issues, who dares to ask them?
At this time, a man in his thirties stood up boldly and asked Master Bai, who was sorting out the draft of the report: "Excuse me, sir, when was the tomb of the late scholar Chen Gelao stolen?"
"Hmm? This question... um."
Mr. Bai was stunned. He subconsciously turned over the manuscript in his hand, as if he was looking at something, but he still didn't answer.
The governor next to him couldn't help but frown slightly when he saw this. He took a pen and wrote a line of small words and ordered the staff to hand it to Master Bai.
It says: "Just tell the truth."
Seeing the governor's approval note, Mr. Bai coughed lightly and answered the judge: "Based on the on-site inspection, as well as the Chen family and the testimony of local villagers, it is preliminarily concluded that the tomb of Chen Pavilion was stolen from the end of the 39th to the 40th year of Qianlong's reign.
This period of time at the beginning of the year.”
After hearing this, the officials and gentry in the audience were in an uproar. It turned out that the tomb had been stolen two years ago.
The judge was very surprised and said: "Since the old tomb of Chen Ge has been stolen for more than two years, why has no one discovered it for so long?"
"This matter is beyond my ability to answer."
Mr. Bai's answer is not to be official, but in fact the responsibility for this matter lies with the Chen family.
If the people don't promote it, the officials won't investigate it.
Your Chen family didn't find out until a year later that the tomb was stolen, and then reported it to the officials. The responsibility was never placed on the officials.
The judge seemed to understand this point, so he asked instead, apart from the theft of the remains of the great scholar Chen, what else was lost in the tomb?
"As far as I know, there shouldn't be any."
Master Bai answered quite affirmatively.
After hearing this, the judge couldn't help but wonder: "Does it mean that the tomb robbers only stole the body of Academician Chen?"
Master Bai hesitated for a moment, nodded and said, "You can say that."
Unexpectedly, Na Juren then asked: "Sir, there are rumors among the people that the current emperor is the son of Mr. Chen Ge. In order to clarify the rumors, the emperor went to the Tailing Mausoleum of the late emperor to visit him. If the student remembers correctly, the time when the emperor visited Tailing Mausoleum happened to be
It was not long after the old tomb of Chen Ge was stolen. So, can it be said that there is a relationship between the two?"
As soon as these words came out, the entire venue exploded, and everyone changed their color.
Mr. Bai was also frightened in his heart, and he blurted out and asked the person: "Which unit are you from?"
Without waiting for a reply, he ordered the staff: "This person is disturbing the meeting place and is arrogant in his words and deeds. Get him out immediately!"
"嗻!"
Several staff members from the Public Security Bureau rushed forward and forcibly dragged the young man out.
Still dissatisfied, Juren struggled and shouted: "Since the Yamen holds a public press conference, of course the people have the right to know and the right to ask questions. I am Juren, you can't do this to me."
Just like that, in front of hundreds of officials and gentry, the man was forcibly dragged away. Everyone present was dumbfounded, and then everyone's heart was filled with huge waves.
Is the emperor really the son of Mr. Chen Ge?!
Some people even thought that the person who stole the remains of Mr. Chen Ge was the current emperor. The reason was that the emperor must never let the world know that he was not the son of the late emperor.
It is further speculated that there may be others in the Tailing Underground Palace.
Seeing that the officials and gentry were full of doubts, the Chief Envoy Qingge quickly stood up and said, fearing that someone would ask such treasonous questions again: "Everyone, today's press conference ends here. If you have any questions, you can follow the procedures and ask the Chief Envoy
, according to the invitation sent by the Inspector General, the staff will reply to you within seven days."
The press conference ended abruptly.
However, there was something strange in the eyes of the governor. After the crowd at the scene was gone, the governor once again saw the judge in the front tower who dared to ask questions in public.
"grown ups!"
Song An hurriedly wanted to salute Futai, but Master Futai stopped him. He looked him up and down carefully, showed a satisfied look, nodded and said: "The magistrate of Dongyang has suffered a stroke. The post of county magistrate is now vacant. I will report to the official department."
I recommend you."
"Thank you, sir!"
Song An was overjoyed and was quietly taken out by the staff with a huge thank you to Mr. Futai.
Another person flashed over from the compartment, it was Master Futai's confidant, Lieutenant General Wan Hui of Zhejiang Green Camp.
After looking at Vice General Wan lightly, Wang Futai's eyes flashed with a cold look: "Immediately send people to closely monitor the whole city. I will know Chengde's every move immediately."
"嗻!"
Wan Hui responded with clasped fists.
Inside the tower, Mr. Futai looked at the extremely calm West Lake under the spring breeze.
Capital, Yangxin Hall.
Yuan Shoudong, the minister of military affairs with a sad look on his face, bit the bullet and said to the ashen-faced emperor: "I and my men searched several times inside and outside the Ministry of Internal Affairs but could not find the entire map. I had no choice but to have someone hand-draw a map based on their impressions.