Qingyu Case: Female Minister of Dali Temple

Looking at his haggard face and the pile of account books in his arms, Chen Shao said, "Come in."

After entering the study, Lei Dehou handed over the account book: "This is the account book of the shops and farms owned by Luo Zhengxin and Wu Dong. Please take a look."

Quan Shuyu came forward and took it over in two batches.

Chen Shao introduced: "Quan Shuyu is my accountant, so you can give her all the money-related matters in the future."

When Lei Dehou saw her in the accounting office earlier, he knew that she was no ordinary person. When he heard that she had become an accountant, he couldn't help but be surprised.

Quan Shuyu bowed to greet him. Lei Dehou hurriedly returned the greeting and exchanged a few polite words with her before turning back to Chen Shao and saying, "Sir, Lord Hu..."

Chen Shao interrupted him: "You want to save him?"

Lei Dehou quickly denied: "I dare not."

"That's right." Chen Shao said bluntly, "The Hu family's involvement in the affairs of those gardens is already an unforgivable crime. If he had been more diligent, I could have forgiven him a little, but he is not only not diligent, but also perfunctory in everything. He still doesn't change after being warned many times. He has no ambition to make progress, so I will naturally not keep him for long."

Lei Dehou had already thought of the words to plead for him. Hu Qinglu was not lazy or perfunctory. It was just that he was like that. He would never take the initiative and never grasp the key points. He could only act according to instructions and was inflexible. But after hearing her words, Lei Dehou knew that pleading was useless. If he continued to plead, he would only get himself into a quagmire.

"We have almost finished checking the assets of Luo Zhengxin and Wu Dong." Lei Dehou reluctantly changed the subject and said, "Does the young master have any other instructions?"

Chen Shao was very satisfied with his tact. After thinking for a moment, he said, "I remember that when Luo Zhengxin was arrested, he confessed to seven people. One was Shi Chengliang, three were from the academy, and three were from the noble families. Shi Chengliang and the three from the academy are still in jail. The three from the noble families... So, don't worry about Shi Chengliang and the three from the noble families for now. Go check the assets of the three from the academy and Gao Han."

Lei Dehou said he was leaving, but Chen Shao stopped him again, "I am also short of people now. If you are short of manpower, you can pick a few from the students in the academy."

Lei Dehou said yes again and left.

The Wen family had already fallen, and it was clear who the gardens belonged to. Evidence of the murderer was already in hand, and the murderer's strength was almost understood. Chen Shao had no time to explore his thoughts. After watching him leave, he glanced at the pile of account books and asked Quan Shuyu, "How long will it take to check the account books of Fenglong Commercial Bank?"

"Zhang Ruyuan and the others have already checked it once," Quan Shuyu said, "and now they have all been piled up here with me. Let me check it once more and then we'll be done. I've already arranged for them to check the Wen family's account books."

"Well," Chen Shao thought for a moment, "don't check the Wen family's account books for now. After checking the Fenglong Commercial Bank's account books, you take them to clear the Wen family's money vaults first, and then check the Wen family's shops."

Quan Shuyu hesitated and said, "With so much money, isn't it inappropriate to ask them to clean it up?"

Chen Shao pointedly said, "The murderers in those gardens were not only from the nobles, but also from the prefectural governor's mansion. Once all the murderers are arrested, I'm afraid that more than half of the shops in Hongyuan County will be vacant, and there will probably not be many people left in the prefectural governor's mansion. What to do with those shops and who will take up the vacant positions will be a big problem."

Quan Shuyu understood the elegant meaning of the music, "Sir, do you want these students to take over?"

"It's not about letting these students take over," Chen Shao corrected, "but letting the right people take over."

Quan Shuyu nodded in understanding: "Asking them to help clean up the treasury is a test for them. Whether it is suitable or not, words alone cannot count. The truth must be revealed by facts."

Chan Yi was surprised: "I thought the Master asked them to do things because they were obedient and didn't spend much money, but it turns out that he was cultivating them."

Chen Shao corrected again: "It's not cultivation, it's just giving capable people a platform to showcase themselves."

Quan Shuyu was thoughtful. So she was reused because of her ability, not because of pity? After secretly looking at Chen Shao, Quan Shuyu sat down in front of the account book and decided to review all the account books tonight.

Chen Shao did not disturb her. He returned to the main hall, took out Ding Lisheng's note, read it again, and told Fu Jiu, "Go and bring the two boxes of evidence from the Gu and Zhu families."

The evidence of the Zhu and Gu families' evil deeds was half less than that of the Wen family. But compared with the Wen family's simple and crude beating or killing, the Zhu and Gu families were undoubtedly more sinister and vicious.

The Zhu family never deals with people directly, but anyone who offends them will never have a good ending.

The Gu family is similar to the Zhu family.

For example, if a gambler offends them, they will secretly plot to destroy the gambler's family. If a person of integrity offends them, they will use people or things that have conflicts of interest with the person of integrity to force the person of integrity to rebel step by step, eventually leading to despair and destroying the family.

In short, most of the people who offended them would lose their families.

They treat others as worthless and play with human nature.

Chen Shao clasped his hands, tapped the armrests of the chair twice, and suddenly an idea came to him.

Those who play with human nature have the least trust in human hearts.

and so……

Take a look at the sky outside.

Chen Shao put the evidence back into the box, stood up and told Fu Jiu, "Prepare the carriage and go to Gu's house!"

Then he told Chan Yi, "Prepare the chess pieces I brought with me."

Chess pieces? Li Tianliu glanced at the dark sky and said, "Now? Go to Gu's house to play chess?"

"Yes, right now," Chen Shao said without questioning, "Twenty Yulin Guards will be enough."

Li Tianliu looked at her, then at the two boxes of evidence beside her hands, and turned around to make arrangements.

Gu family.

Upon hearing the news that Chen Shao had come to the Gu family, Second Master Gu, who was discussing matters with Gu Yingzhao, the current head of the Gu family, was startled. Almost instinctively, he called out, "Big Brother."

Gu Yingzhao's heart skipped a beat, but he didn't show it on his face. He tilted his head to look at the night outside, guessed twice about Chen Shao's purpose, and then looked at the vigilant Gu Erye, pretending to be calm and said, "Why are you panicking? Didn't I hear that he only brought more than 20 Yulin Guards?"

Master Gu suddenly came to his senses, but he still asked the messenger again: "Are you sure you only brought more than 20 Yulin Guards?"

The steward confirmed: "I looked through the crack in the door, and it is true that they only brought that many people."

Master Gu was still worried, "What about the dark place? Are there other people hiding in the dark place?"

The steward patiently said, "If you have brought other people, just surround the Gu Mansion. Why put yourself in danger?"

That's right. Second Master Gu stood up and said, "Brother, wait a moment. I will go and invite Master Chen Liu in."

"Go ahead." Gu Yingzhao reminded, "Remember to be respectful."

"I know." Master Gu trotted all the way to the gate, stopped in a hurry, straightened his clothes, and then strode out, bowing respectfully and saying, "I didn't know you were coming, so I didn't come to greet you. I hope you will forgive me."

"I came here without any prior notice, and I disturbed you without any hesitation," Chen Shao said politely, "I hope you don't mind me disturbing your peace and quiet."

"It is a great honor for our Gu family that you can come to our house. Not to mention that it is only midnight, it would not be considered a bother even if it was midnight." After respectfully ushering him in and then to Guangren Courtyard, Gu Yingzhao also hurried out to greet him, "Greetings, sir. Please come in."

Chen Shao returned the greeting and said, "I hope I didn't disturb Master Gu by coming here so late at night?"

"No, no, how can it be considered as disturbing you, young master?" Gu Yingzhao smiled and bowed slightly, humbly welcoming Chen Shao to the main hall, "Wanli, go and brew the jar of Shouzhou Huangya that I treasure!"

Wanli is the name of Mr. Gu.

Mr. Gu nodded repeatedly and went to make tea quickly.

Gu Yingzhao said politely, "Sir, please sit here."

"No hurry." Chen Shao stood in front of the wall where the painting was hung, admiring it for a moment in the dim candlelight, and asked uncertainly, "Is this Li Sixun's painting of Jiang Fan Pavilion?"

Gu Yingzhao said in surprise: "Young Master, you have good eyesight!"

Chen Shao walked to several other paintings and said, "It seems that Mr. Gu likes Li Sixun's paintings very much."

Gu Yingzhao stroked his beard gently and praised generously: "Li Sixun mainly learned the blue-green landscape painting of Zhan Ziqian of the previous dynasty, and developed and expanded on this basis, forming a unique style with magnificent artistic conception, vigorous brushwork, rugged style and uniform color. He can be called the first person in landscape painting."

"It seems that Master Gu and my third brother are close friends," Chen Shao said with a smile, "My third brother also often calls Li Sixun the best landscape painter in the country."

Gu Yingzhao immediately bowed and said, "Mr. Chen San died on the battlefield at the age of 27 to protect our country. He is truly the most outstanding person in our country. How dare I compare myself with him? If you don't mind, I have a few landscape paintings by Li Sixun in my collection. I will give them to you to honor Mr. Gu San's dedication to the country."

"Then thank you, Master Gu." Chen Shao turned back and sat down, slowly explaining his purpose. "Since I came to Hongyuan County, I have been busy all the time. Today I finally have some free time. I heard that Master Gu is the best at playing chess, so I came here to ask for advice. I wonder if Master Gu would do me the honor?"

Gu Yingzhao said quickly: "Since you are so interested, I will accompany you to the end."

"I knew Master Gu was a straightforward person," Chen Shao gestured to Chan Yi, "Why don't you go and set up the chessboard."

Are you really here to play chess? After nodding to the steward, Gu Yingzhao felt nervous as he watched Chan Yi follow the steward to the couch and take out the chessboard from the wooden box.

When Mr. Gu came back after making tea, he saw two people sitting on both sides of the couch playing chess, and his heart tightened.

No matter what the two of them thought, Chen Shao said he was here to play chess, and he was just going to play chess all night. It was not until the sunlight came through the window and fell on the couch, and then slowly moved to the chessboard, that Chen Shao raised his eyes in surprise and said, "How come it's daybreak so soon?"

Chan Yi cooperated by covering her lips and yawning, saying, "Young Master always says this every time he plays chess. I have heard it happen at least eighty times, if not a hundred times. Young Master is good, he becomes more and more energetic every time he plays chess, but the people who play chess with him..."

Chen Shao looked at Gu Yingzhao and Gu Erye at the right time. Seeing the fatigue on their faces, he quickly took back the chess piece in his hand and said, "I'm sorry to have embarrassed you, Gu Ye and Gu Erye. Let's stop here today."

Gu Yingzhao and Gu Erye had been on edge all night and were already exhausted. However, after hearing her words, they couldn't help but tighten their nerves a little more. Gu Yingzhao smiled and said, "Young Master, you are a great chess player. I have to admit that you are better than me. Wanli, go and tell the servants to prepare breakfast."

"Thanks to Master Gu for being so modest." Chen Shao stood up and asked Chan Yi to pack up the chess pieces. "Master Gu, please stop being busy. I have always heard from the students how rich and delicious the breakfast in Hongyuan County is, but I never find the time to taste it. It's a rare opportunity today, so let me go and take a look."

Gu Yingzhao and Mr. Gu kept her twice, and when they saw that she was determined to leave, they sent her out of the Gu family's gate.

He stood at the gate, and only slowly put away the smile on his face when her carriage disappeared from view.

He winked at the steward, and after the steward arranged for someone to follow him from a distance, the two returned to Guangren Courtyard in silence, and drank two cups of tea each in silence. Then Second Master Gu spoke up, "What is this Sixth Master Chen up to? He can't really be here to play chess, right?"

Gu Yingzhao glanced at the couch and was a little confused about her intentions. "Have you dealt with the matters at the farm?"

Master Gu nodded: "All the fields and land that should be returned have been returned."

Gu Yingzhao asked again: "Where is Mr. Luo? We still can't get in touch with him?"

Master Gu sighed: "He lives in the courtyard of the Imperial Guards. Our people can't get in at all."

Gu Yingzhao frowned, "What about the thirty people in the small kitchen? Didn't they capture any of them?"

"No," Master Gu was also helpless. "I don't know how Liu Yi found these people. The thirty people he found were all stubborn. No matter how our people threatened or lured them, they were all unwilling to give in."

Gu Yingzhao frowned even more, "Where's Ding Lisheng?"

"He..." Second Master Gu was even more helpless, "He was beaten with a stick by Sixth Master Chen yesterday, and it was done by the Imperial Guards. I'm afraid he won't recover in half a month."

Gu Yingzhao said dissatisfiedly: "Acting on impulse will not be worth the loss!"

Who said it wasn't? Gu Erye also regretted that he had taught Ding Lisheng a lesson, which led to him being completely blind in the process of understanding the prefectural government. But it had already happened, and there was no point in regretting it.

Gu Yingzhao ordered: "Later, have someone deliver two ginseng roots to Ding Lisheng."

Mr. Gu said yes.

While the two were talking, the servant who had been following Chen Shao came back.

After leaving Gu's house, Chen Shao ate a bowl of wontons, two steamed buns, and a bowl of Hu pancake soup at a breakfast stall, and then returned to the prefectural government. During the process, he only interacted with the stall owner and the people who were also eating breakfast.

Are you really here to play chess? Gu Yingzhao and Gu Erye frowned at the same time.

"Master," before the two of them could figure out what was going on, the steward suddenly came into the room and said, "Master Zhu and Master Zhu II are here."

They arrived just in time. Gu Yingzhao hurriedly said, "Please invite them in!"

Master Zhu and Master Zhu Er followed the steward in and subconsciously glanced at every corner of the room. After not finding anything different from usual, Master Zhu Er directly asked, "I heard that Master Chen Liu came to the Gu Mansion last night and left this morning?"

Master Gu nodded towards the couch and said, "Yes, I'm here to play chess with my brother."

Play chess?

Master Zhu and Master Zhu II looked at the couch at the same time.

There was nothing on the couch.

Gu Yingzhao said: "Mr. Chen Liu brought his own chessboard and chess pieces."

Master Zhu didn't say whether he believed it or not. He just sat on the couch with a smile, looked at him and asked, "You just came over to play chess with Brother Gu, and didn't say anything else?"

Mr. Gu's heart sank suddenly. It was at this moment that he suddenly understood Chen Shao's intention of coming to Gu's house to play chess.