Li Yuan rode a fast horse and took Wang Jingyao with him. After entering the city, they went straight to the Governor's Mansion. After all, Chuzhou City is a state government. Unless there is an emergency military situation or someone coming from Jinling, Pegasus is not allowed on the streets.

However, many of the soldiers patrolling along the street clearly saw the purple official robe on Li Yuan, and they knew that a big shot from the capital was visiting, and no one dared to stop him.

When they got off their horses at the Governor's Mansion, the guards in front of the mansion came forward to inquire. Li Yuan sullenly took out his badge of "Dianzhidu Yuhou". The guards were so surprised that they hurriedly bowed to Li Yuan and then trotted in to report.

After a while, the two of them were respectfully led into the house and sat down to have tea.

Wang Jingyao held on to Li Yuan's clothes the whole time, just as she held Li Yuan's hands when she was a child, as if she would feel much more at ease as long as this man was by her side. But she could never have predicted that Li Yuan would develop today.

To this extent, even the governor's office can be entered at will! At this moment, thinking about what happened to him, he couldn't help but lower his head in shame...

In the back hall, a middle-aged man wearing simple clothes came slowly with vigorous steps. At the same time, he cupped his hands and said with a cheerful smile: "This must be Li Yuhou! He is indeed an extraordinary young man as rumored.

, What a talent! I once led an army into Chu in the past. I heard what Li Yuhou did in Tanzhou. I am so passionate that I wish I could no longer be young and go to the battlefield with Yuhou!"

Li Yuan also stood up, returned the salute, and looked around. Sure enough, as recorded in the history books, He was a down-to-earth official with a martial spirit.

On the way here, Li Yuan had already recalled that He Jingzhu, the governor of Chuzhou, was considered a famous general in the Southern Tang Dynasty. He played an important role in the first battle of the Southern Tang Dynasty to destroy Fujian. Later, he was ordered to lead an army to assist Ma Xi'e in winning the throne, and his military exploits were outstanding.

After that, the emperor asked him to guard Chuzhou. During this period, he often traveled incognito, inquired about the sufferings of the people, and built water conservancy projects. He had a good reputation and was regarded as a responsible local official.

Therefore, Li Yuan only hoped at this time that the He governor would be as fair as recorded in the history books. As long as he was fair, he would have some certainty.

Since He Jingzhu was so enthusiastic, Li Yuan felt much better, and he replied with the same humility: "He Governor, there is no need to be humble. In the past, you led the army to capture Tanzhou in a bloody battle, which was a great achievement! In comparison, I was just lucky.

, how can they be compared!”

However, this sentence can be regarded as a high compliment. When He Jingzhu led his army to attack Tanzhou, at most it was supported by foreign aid. The main force of the Chu State's civil war was of course Ma Xihe's Langzhou soldiers and barbarians. The so-called bloody battle actually resulted in less than a few casualties.

ten people.

As a military general, when someone praised his military exploits, even if it was an excessive compliment, He Jingzhu was of course willing to accept it, and his favorable impression of Li Yuan also skyrocketed: "I heard that Li Yuhou and his entourage returned to his hometown to visit relatives a few days ago. I am really filial and sincere! It's a pity that I was the same officer that day.

I was busy with official duties and could not welcome him. Today I heard that Li Yuhou had returned south, so I thought of going to Jinling to make amends in the future. I never thought that Yuhou would go and come back. I am really flattered to come to my humble residence!"

Wang Jingyao beside him was uneasy until the point was made. Li Yuan stopped being polite and said: "The governor is guarding a state for your majesty. Naturally, he is busy with official duties, so there is no need to be polite! The reason for visiting today is for my sister.

, please forgive me if there is anything presumptuous!”

He Jingzhu waved his hand and said generously: "Where can I start? Li Yuhou can just say it!"

The Wang Jingguo case occurred in Chuzhou, and it was considered a major case. How could He Jingzhu not know about it? Li Yuan saved his time and gave a rough description with sincere words.

"It turns out to be a case of smuggled salt."

He Jingzhu's face darkened, he touched his beard, and after thinking for a moment, he whispered: "Li Yuhou, this matter is difficult to handle. You and I are officials in the same dynasty. We should know the laws of our dynasty and deal with those who traffic in illicit salt.

The sentence is very severe. Mr. Li must be aware of it.

When this little brother of the Wang family was arrested by the state government, five carts of smuggled salt were confiscated, along with stolen goods and complete physical evidence. After the five criminals were brought to justice, I had already written a letter to the Third Division. News also came from Jinling

, this case is of great concern and must be severely punished! Even if I were the governor of a state, I would not be able to show favoritism..."

Wang Jingyao only listened to these words and couldn't control her tears again. Then she knelt down and begged: "Master Governor, I kneel down for you on behalf of my unfulfilled brother! My brother is only fourteen years old. He is uneasy."

Yes, but how dare we ordinary people commit such a serious crime? We must have been tricked, please be careful!"

"Miss, you are Li Yuhou's sister, how can this happen? Alas! It's not that I don't want to help you, it's because the law is ruthless and my heart is weak!"

After saying that, He Jingzhu turned his head and narrowed his eyes. He ignored Wang Jingyao in front of him and let her kneel in front of him. The meaning behind this was hard to understand.

At this time, he began to feel dissatisfied with Li Yuan. Could it be that Li Yuhou was deceived by this woman and lost his mind? Selling illegal salt is such a crime, and many officials are avoiding it. This Li Yuhou doesn't know how high the sky is, how dare he

Intervene rashly? You are young after all!

When Li Yuan witnessed this, his face was gloomy. He quickly helped Wang Jingyao up and said softly: "Sister Yao, kneeling is useless. Get up quickly! I have everything."

Then he forced a smile and said to the seemingly calm He Jingzhu: "He Jingshi, my girl is worried day and night. After all, it is her brother who is in jail. Although her words are urgent, it is humane. But what she said is not unreasonable.

Reason. As far as I know, in the salt-producing area of ​​Chuzhou, since the Wei and Jin Dynasties, illegal salt trafficking has been banned many times, and most of them are desperadoes who despise the king's law.

The laws of our dynasty are very strict, and such a big deal as selling smuggled salt must be carefully planned. Wang Jingguo is from a good background and is still young. How can he plan this? There must be someone behind the scenes to deceive and drive him! May I ask who the master is? These smuggled salts are from

Where did it come from? Where is it going to be transported? There is no conclusion yet on this. Since the case is unknown, how can it be submitted to the Third Division? Please think twice about the relationship between this!"

Li Yuan's words are either light or serious. After all, He Jingzhu has been immersed in officialdom for many years. How could he not hear it? He has now convicted Wang Jingguo of death, and he also stated in the letter sent to Jinling that these five people were the principal and accomplices.

The imperial court also replied to the letter and commended him. Now Li Yuan said that Wang Jingguo was not the main culprit. Doesn't the implication mean that he wronged the people and closed the case in a hurry?

I can’t afford this big hat!

So he calmed down and said righteously: "What Li Yuhou said is wrong! Evidence is needed to resolve the case! Even if Wang Jingguo is not the person in charge, his trafficking is a fact. There are both personal and material evidence. How can he be excused?

Responsibility? The three departments in this case have responded to the letter, and there is nothing wrong. Since Li Yuhou is favored by His Majesty, he should abide by the laws of the imperial court——"

"Does the governor think that I don't understand the laws of the court?"

Li Yuan continued to say coldly: "The person who secretly sells a stone of salt will die. What is buying and selling? Making profit from something is called selling. But Wang Jingguo was just transporting it, and it was taken by officials on the way. The private salt was also confiscated, without any profit.

He is not the mastermind, so even if he is sentenced, he will be sentenced to exile at most. Why was the Qiu Jue directly decided? Why did the governor directly regard him as the mastermind and convict him? Do the three ministers know the truth? I am afraid it is inappropriate to be so arbitrary!"

Now that Li Yuan has changed his face, He Jingzhu is not a soft-hearted person and no longer deals with it. He also said sternly: "I had known that Li Yuhou's sharp tongue could even convince the King of Chu. Today, I have learned the lesson!"

What a person who sells things for profit! The case has been concluded for a long time. The third division has already replied to the letter. The main culprits are Wang Jingguo and others. If he is really asked to sell the private salt powder, I am afraid it is Yu Hou’s sister.

I have to sit down!

I respect Li Yuhou and will not argue with you. I would like to ask Li Yuhou, since you are sure that Wang Jingguo is not the mastermind, do you have any real evidence? If so, I will report it truthfully!"

He Jingzhu is very confident. If you, Li Yuan, have evidence, can you sue me? And even if there is an envoy, how can you afford it? Now that we are at odds, let's see who suffers.

Li Yuan was startled inwardly. To be honest, his answer was just making loopholes in the words of the law, but he did not expect He Jingzhu to be so tough. It seems normal to think that cracking the illegal salt case was a great achievement. He Jingzhu had arrested several current criminals, how could he let him go?

Exactly? Moreover, behind this kind of illicit business of licking blood at the tip of a knife, there must be someone from the DPRK and the Central Government as a backer. He Jingzhu may not dare to investigate, and he might be involved...

The most important thing is that I really don’t have any evidence, everything is just empty talk, and if I continue to argue, it will be useless. I can only take one step at a time...

Hiding the disappointment in his heart, Li Yuan softened his expression and said with a wink: "There is indeed no evidence now, but as the father-in-law of Chuzhou, He Governor should have dealt with many criminals in illegal salt cases before. He must know in his heart whether Wang Jingguo is the mastermind.

.Although I am on duty in the military, it is not difficult to inquire."

Seeing Li Yuan's meaningful look, He Jingzhu asked in his heart, are they trying to use their superiors to suppress me? As expected, as the outside world said, this Li Yuan is just a stooge who wants to get in touch with Ambassador Chen. That's true! But my superiors are trying to suppress me.

There are still people!

So he showed a look of disdain and responded coldly: "Of course I know what I know! Now that Li Yuhou has been favored by His Majesty, he has a way. How can I dare to stop him? He just wants me to deceive the court and let him go privately.

It’s impossible to commit a crime!”

Li Yuan felt helpless, he forced himself to hand over his scalp and said: "If you let him go privately, you will be punished as an accomplice. Naturally, I cannot force He Jishi to do such a rebellious act. In this case, I will first take my sister to visit her brother in prison.

how?"

Seeing that He Jingzhu still looked cold and didn't reply, Li Yuan could only say sincerely: "He Jingzhu can rest assured that I am also an official and I will abide by the laws of the court. At this time, all the imperial troops accompanying me are stationed outside the city.

We haven't entered the city yet, so Wang Jingguo will definitely make no mistakes."
Chapter completed!