kingnovel Chapter 1139 Witness 11 Emerges
Chapter 1139 Witness 11 Emerges
As Shen Zheng's questioning fell, many people began to consider leaving.
Someone whispered, "Lord Shen, you misunderstand. We were just thinking... our wives, children, and parents are still at home, and we haven't sent anyone to tell them not to wait in vain..."
"Yes, yes, yes." Several people immediately echoed, "This is also my opinion, and I am not questioning Lord Shen's decision."
It's said that those who understand the times are wise, but the prefectural school is currently in a precarious situation, so it's best for them to avoid causing unnecessary trouble...
Shen Zheng's gaze swept over their faces once more. "Gentlemen, please rest assured. I have already sent someone to inform your families of the current situation in the yamen, and they have expressed their understanding. The matter of Lord Huai accepting bribes is still under investigation. Please be patient and wait in the yamen for two days. If you have any needs, just tell the guards directly. There is no need for formalities."
Some people breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, while others looked tense, as if they were even more nervous than before.
Shen Zheng's gaze fell on one person, and she asked, "This official observes that Lord Zhang's complexion is not good. Is he feeling unwell?"
This person was named Zhang Mo, and like Wu Shun, he was an educational official.
According to Wu Shun's confession, Zhang Mo was a confidant of Huai Gongwang. When the court session was held today, he went to the government office, hid in the crowd for a while, and then left.
At this moment, Shen Zheng suddenly asked a question, and Zhang Mo's hair stood on end when he heard it.
He didn't know what Shen Zheng knew, so he could only force a smile and say, "This humble official is used to going to bed early, and at this moment... I'm just a little sleepy. Thank you for your concern, Lord Shen."
Shen Zheng nodded knowingly, then looked at another person: "Where is Lord Wang? Is he also sleepy?"
This person was named Wang Yueqian, and he was also an educational official. According to Wu Shun's confession, he was very close to Zhang Mo.
All eyes were on Wang Yueqian, including Zhang Mo's.
Wang Yueqian was greatly shocked and subconsciously turned to look at Zhang Mo.
It wasn't until he met Zhang Mo's sharp gaze that he snapped back to reality, stiffly raising his hand to rub his eyes and saying, "This humble official seems... to be a little sleepy. I'm sorry to trouble Lord Shen with his concern."
Shen Zheng smiled at him and said to everyone, "Then you gentlemen should rest early. I have other matters to attend to, so I will not chat with you any longer."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you for your concern, Lord Shen. Please take care, Lord Shen!"
Shen Zheng's robe swept across the threshold, her figure gradually blending into the darkness and disappearing at the end of the corridor.
After she left, the hall was quiet for a moment, but everyone's eyes kept glancing at Zhang Mo and the other person, intentionally or unintentionally.
Anyone who can secure a place in the prefectural academy administration is a shrewd and capable individual.
They knew it perfectly well.
Lord Shen publicly named these two men, which means he already suspects them and may already have evidence, just waiting for them to confess...
Thinking it over, the officials chuckled and left the main hall, heading towards their quarters, afraid of getting into trouble.
But what no one noticed was that one person deliberately lagged behind them, stood there hesitating for a moment, and then chased after Shen Zheng in the direction she had left.
......
Shen Zheng returned to the government office to rest at the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), and got up at the hour of Mao (5-7 AM) to go to the prison and interrogate Wu Shun again.
Wu Shun didn't actually know much about Huai Gongwang's bribery, since Huai Gongwang only used him as a tool and wouldn't tell him many things.
Seeing that she couldn't get any useful information, Shen Zheng got up and left the prison.
Wu Shun was very reluctant to see her leave, and clung to the wooden door, asking her expectantly, "Lord Shen, the court session is in two days. Are you confident you can convict Huai Gongwang...?"
Shen Zheng turned her head to the side, looked up at him and asked, "Are you very afraid of death?"
"Who in this world isn't afraid of death? Anyone who says they aren't is lying..." Wu Shun understood Shen Zheng's unspoken meaning and shrank back, saying, "Lord Shen, I know I did something wrong, and I accept the punishment, but you absolutely cannot let Huai Gongwang go, you can't let him get away with it..."
This time, he had already given up all hope. If Huai Gongwang really escaped this calamity, the fate of him and his family was predictable.
Shen Zheng smiled without saying a word and walked outside.
"Lord Shen, you must succeed this time..." Wu Shun's voice was locked inside the prison gate.
At Chen Shi (7-9 AM), Constable Sun and Su Yan arrived one after the other to report.
Constable Sun said, "Sir, just as you predicted, rumors have started circulating again today. Some say you're abusing your power, taking action against the prefectural school administrators right after arriving at your post. There are also rumors that you'll strip those who recently passed the imperial examinations of their titles, turning them back into ordinary citizens. Some students in the prefecture have heard these rumors and have gathered together; they might cause trouble..."
"Strip them of their titles and honors?" Shen Zheng laughed. "Ignore them. Just investigate the person who spread the rumors."
Those who spread rumors must be connected with Huai Gongwang, and may even be the ones who offered bribes.
They were afraid that the government would continue its investigation and find them, so they chose to spread rumors and incite public opinion in order to stop the government from continuing its investigation.
After Constable Sun left to carry out his orders, Su Yan immediately reported, "Sir, we've found out who Huai Zhizhen went to see yesterday."
He took out the portrait from his pocket and handed it to Shen Zheng, saying, "This man is named Lao Quan. He is the owner of a flower and bird shop. Three years ago, he was just a broker in the bird market. Later, he opened a shop with money from who knows where. In these short three years, the shop he runs has become the largest flower and bird shop in Liuyang Prefecture."
Upon hearing this, Shen Zheng knew that the evidence they wanted had arrived.
"Where is he now?" Shen Zheng asked.
“He’s at home,” Su Yan said. “According to the neighbors, he seemed to have had a big argument with his family after returning home yesterday afternoon, and even broke things… Sir, Xiang He and his men are guarding the Lao residence right now. Should I bring him here directly?”
After pondering for a moment, Shen Zheng decided to go there herself.
......
Si hour.
The sky is overcast today, and rain is likely.
Laborer at home.
"Snapped--"
The sound of shattering porcelain echoed from inside the house again. Neighbors gathered around the wall, whispering among themselves, "How many has this been? Five or six already?"
"Not just that!" someone counted on their fingers. "You smashed three before you came, so this is the ninth one now!"
"Wow, nine?! Are they starving?"
"What kind of life is this? Have you forgotten what his family does?"
"He runs a flower and bird shop! Everyone knows Lao Quan has made money these past two years; he's even bought a horse-drawn carriage!"
"Right! Then think again, how did Wu Shun accuse Huai Gongwang of accepting bribes?"
"Parrot...parrot? You mean, Lao Quan also bribed Huai Gongwang? He's just a flower and bird seller, and his daughter has only just learned to read; she has no ability to take the imperial examinations. Why would he bribe the prefectural school official?!"