Lin'an Never Night

Chapter 330 The wild goose plucking its feathers
Qiao Wuben was Qiao Zhen's cousin and a military officer in the Liangzhe East Route Transportation Bureau.

The position of Yu Hou, in terms of function, is equivalent to the chief of staff or staff officer in later generations.

In the job hierarchy of Yuhou, Xiangdu Yuhou is the highest official position, and the lowest level is Jiang Yuhou.

The Jiang Yuhou ranked below the Dutou and the Ten Generals, and was only slightly higher than the Chengju and Yaguan, small officials between officials and clerks.

At the end of the Northern Song Dynasty, as long as wealthy businessmen and gentry donated a considerable amount of money to the local army, they could obtain the official position of "Jiang Yu Hou", which shows how cheap it was.

Qiao Zhen is a cautious person. He has previously been a deputy in the Transportation Department, and... he is not very "sociable".

Therefore, although he had some confidants, his cousin was the one who was suppressed and not promoted because of this kinship.

Although Qiao Zhen is now in charge of all affairs of the Transportation Bureau, he still needs to wait for promotion. It is better to be still than to move, so there is no need to rush to promote him.

However, Qiao Wuben came with the Shen family to search their property today, but he had received secret orders from Qiao Zhen.

Qiao Zhen had already promised him that if he could handle this matter well, he would be promoted to the position of captain.

As for commanding, that would require seniority or great achievements, which he couldn't hope for at the moment.

Therefore, as soon as Qiao Wuben arrived at the Shen family, he asked the Shen family's servants who were under custody about the residences of several Shen family members. After finding one, he hurried over.

In this way, he was one step ahead of the officers and soldiers who were searching everywhere.

The places Qiao Wuben went to were all the residences of the outstanding young generation of the Shen family who had the opportunity to pass the imperial examinations.

The Song Dynasty's system of collective responsibility rarely resulted in killings, because for serious crimes or even treason, the relatives of the deceased would be implicated and the result would basically be exile or military service.

Of course, there were also some beautiful young women in the families of serious criminals who would be sent to the Jiaofang to serve as official prostitutes, also known as camp prostitutes.

For example, Liang Hongyu was once a camp prostitute. She was sent to Jingkou as a camp prostitute, that is, an official prostitute in a music school affiliated to a prefecture or county, because her grandfather and father missed the opportunity to suppress the Fang La Rebellion and were convicted and killed after the defeat.

Official prostitutes in the Song Dynasty had a service period, which was generally five years and no longer than ten years.

This ten-year limit is also the maximum limit that those who sell themselves into slavery can stay in their master's house, after which they will be released to freedom.

Moreover, strictly speaking, the Jiaofang in the Song Dynasty only made a living by performing singing and dancing to entertain people and serving wine to guests, with the main purpose of "selling art but not selling oneself".

The problem is, how many people go to the Jiaofang purely for their art?

Moreover, although we cannot force people by force, there are still many ways to force them to submit, right?

Being in the big melting pot of the Jiaofang, where all the girls are in their teens, how many of them can stick to their original intentions without the soft and hard tactics of outsiders?
Therefore, there are actually not many people who can leave this place with a clean record.

Therefore, although it is not a brothel, it is almost the same.

The fate of male family members who committed serious crimes and female family members who were not selected into the Jiaofang was even more miserable. They were basically sent to exile or banished to a remote area.

If you are sent into exile, you will have a criminal record.

But exile is more complicated. Although the situation during exile is similar to that of military exile, there is still hope.

Because those who were exiled did not have the right to hold an official position during their exile and could not take part in the imperial examinations.

But after the exile period expires, he still has these political rights.

What Qiao Zhen asked Qiao Wuben to do was to randomly put some things in the rooms of those younger generations of the Shen family who had outstanding talents, so that they would not be exiled but could only be sent into exile.

Once you are exiled, you will have a criminal record and your family will not be able to take the imperial examinations for three generations.

If he cannot take the imperial examination, he cannot become an official. Then, this person, and even his sons and grandsons, will not be able to pose any threat to Mr. Qiao.

In fact, most of the young children of wealthy families are not innocent and have no problems. Mr. Qiao is worried about the possibility of something happening.

In such a hurry, he couldn't prepare such detailed and conclusive evidence like Yang Yuan, but it was still easy to prepare some small items related to usurpation of power.

……

In the second hall of the Transportation Bureau, Shanyin Tongpan Chen Zining and Chief Justice Fiji each complained to Qiao Zhen, and their words implied that they were trying to force Qiao Zhen to transfer the case back to them for trial.

Once the case is in their hands, it is up to them to decide how to examine and judge it.

As for if the case involves Shen Xi, please ask Mr. Qiao Cao to be flexible and take care of him, so there is no need to bring it up right away.

If Qiao Zhen refuses to let go, then we can just settle for the next best option.

Qiao Zhen listened to the two of them complaining and giving their reasons, nodding from time to time.

This gave Judge Fei and Judge Chen the illusion that they could take over the case if they just tried harder.

However, Qiao Zhen listened for a long time before he sighed and said, "Major Fei, Judge Chen, you know what kind of person Qiao is.

As an official, Qiao has always preferred to keep his hands to himself, but why did Qiao insist on bypassing the two of you and intervening in this case this time?"

Fiji and Chen Zining both looked at Qiao Zhen. They also wanted to know the reason. This was not Qiao Gousheng's usual style. Qiao Zhen smiled and said slowly, "You two must have thought that it was Longshan Wang Er who gave Qiao a condition that was hard to refuse, right?

So, Qiao did not hesitate to offend the two colleagues in the Ministry of Justice and Shanyin Prefecture, and did not hesitate to offend the local gentry of Shanyin, and acted beyond his authority, right? "

Qiao Zhen smiled and picked up the tea, wiped the tea leaves with the tea lid, and said leisurely: "So...what conditions does he have to give me to impress Qiao?
Money? Qiao just needs enough. Sex? Qiao is not a greedy person, just enough is enough.

Future? You two should know that Qiao has always been a person who goes with the flow, is free and easy, and is happy with just enough. So..., what can he give Qiao to impress Qiao?"

These words truly came from his heart, and Fiji and Chen Zining had no doubt about it.

Fiji couldn't help but ask, "As Brother Qiao said, what did he give you, Brother Qiao?"

He? He didn't give me anything, he threatened me!

This bastard is not a human being!

Qiao Zhen cursed fiercely in his heart, and said calmly: "He just showed me a badge."

Fiji and Chen Zining were stunned at first, and then their faces slowly changed color.

Chen Zining hesitated and asked, "Badge? What badge?"

Qiao Zhen sighed and said, "You two, do you really think he is a merchant from Longshan?"

Fiji and Chen Zining's faces began to turn blue.

Fiji said in a low voice: "Brother Qiao means..."

Qiao Zhen asked, "Do you think that the fire at Jinghu Lake was just a revenge for Master Shenxi's failure in competing with Wang Er for the young nun?"

Chen Zining's face changed and he said, "Brother Qiao, please be careful with your words. This matter has not been concluded yet. It may not be that Master Shen Xi ordered the arson. As judges, we value witnesses and evidence the most. How can we make arbitrary assumptions?"

Qiao Zhen looked at Chen Zining and shook his head gently: "Some time ago, almost all the officials in my Transportation Department were cleared out. The reason was that officials colluded with businessmen and trafficked in contraband. I believe both of you are aware of this matter."

Chen Zining and Fiji nodded.

Qiao Zhen said: "But do you know that among the goods that were seized and intended to be sold to the Kingdom of Jin, the court also found a 'Mahuang Crossbow' that our Song Dynasty had just developed and had not yet equipped the entire army."

Fiji and Chen Zining were startled. They stood up suddenly. Fiji asked in a lost voice, "They stole and sold military weapons?"

Qiao Zhen said slowly: "Longshan Wang Er is actually an official in the Privy Council's Mechanical Speed ​​Office. His name is Yang Yuan."

Chen Tongpan and Fei Tixing were both officials and judges, so they were very meticulous.

When Qiao Zhen said this, the two of them realized something and felt a chill down their spines.

Judge Chen said in a trembling voice: "Could it be... Could it be the Shen family?"

Qiao Zhen nodded slightly: "Yang Yuan was sent by the court to Shanyin to investigate the case, and he has now found out that it is the Shen family.

The Shen family realized something was wrong, so they brazenly set fire to the house, with the intention of burning Yang Yuan to death and silencing him."

When Fiji heard this, he was already thinking, what kind of dealings have I had with the Shen family over the years? Is there anything that can be used as a handle by others?
Qiao Zhen said: "Yang Yuan discovered that the Shen family had already noticed something, so he decided to take action in advance.

Yang Yuan then revealed his identity to Qiao and asked me to cooperate with the Transportation Department and send troops to arrest and confiscate the Shen family. "

Qiao Zhen sighed, spread his hands and said, “You two, in this situation, there are always spies from the Privy Council around me, what can I do?

Yesterday, Qiao avoided meeting the two of you because he was protecting you. He was afraid that you two would be used by the Shen family if you didn't know the truth. If you were considered as an accomplice of the Shen family by the Speed ​​​​Room, you would be investigated again..."

The two officials felt scared after hearing what they heard. Of course, they had nothing to do with "stealing and selling military weapons", but who wants to be investigated?

Qiao Zhen said: "Just now, everything was arranged properly. Yang Yuan has already led my troops to the Shen family, so Qiao was able to escape and rushed here to warn you two. You must not get involved in the Shen family's mess."

Fei Tixing and Chen Tongpan were shocked. Chen Tongpan was a disciple of the old master of the Shen Mansion and was particularly concerned. He asked anxiously, "Brother Qiao, do you mean that they have already gone to search the Shen Mansion?"

Qiao Zhen nodded and said, "That's right! If their people hadn't gone to the Shen family, Qiao would not have their eyes and ears around him. Even if I wanted to take care of you two, I wouldn't be able to say it. They are already at the Shen family now."

Judge Chen took a deep breath, clasped his hands, and said gratefully: "I see, I understand. I will remember Brother Qiao's protective heart. I will repay you for your kindness. I will take my leave."

Judge Chen bowed to Qiao Zhen and left.

He said he was going back home, which was true. He was just busy staying indoors and drawing a line between himself and the Shen family. It was hard to say whether he was busy destroying the evidence of his dealings with the Shen family.

Fei Tixing was also on pins and needles, and hurriedly bowed and said, "Brother Qiao, your kindness is great, and I will remember it in my heart. When this matter is settled, I will hold a family dinner to thank Brother Qiao. Bye now!"

After saying this, without waiting for Qiao Zhen to see him off, Fei Tixing lifted up the hem of his robe and walked away at the speed of lightning.

Qiao Zhen had just stood up, and then slowly sat back down.

He picked up the tea again, took a sip slowly, and sighed softly: "That bastard took advantage of me, but at least I can get back two favors..."

(End of this chapter)