Taihao, who was in the prison, witnessed the scene of Yu Hong and Hou Feng being escorted through the iron window of the cell. He knew that in addition to the orders of the imperial court, who else had the ability to dare to put these two people in prison? However, which official came on behalf of the imperial court? Just as Taihao was in thought, Shui Liang, the warden of the prison, appeared in front of the door of his cell.

Shui Liang instructed the two jailers behind him: "Quick, quickly open the cell door, and ask Vice Admiral Taihao to come out." The two jailers did not dare to slack off, and hurriedly stepped forward to open the cell door.

Tai Hao asked suspiciously, "Is it the holy decree of the imperial court?" ”

Shui Liang replied respectfully: "Vice General Taihao, the emperor has sent a minister to order the minister to release you, and ask you to go to the 'People's Academy' to receive the order. ”

Taihao breathed a long sigh of relief and said, "The emperor really hasn't forgotten me. He turned his eyes to Ugly's cell, and Ugly looked at him as well. Tai Hao said firmly: "Ah Chou, you wait here, I will come back soon and release you too." ”

Stepping out of the cold prison, Shui Liang carefully proposed: "Vice Admiral Taihao, do you need to change clothes?" This prison suit may damage your identity. ”

Tai Hao smiled slightly, his eyes were deep: "It happened suddenly, Lord Qincha already knew that I had become a prisoner in the prison. He doesn't care about me in prison clothes to take orders. ”

In the People's Academy, Tai Hao recognized the dusty minister at a glance-Yu Zhen.

"Lord Yuzhen!" Tai Hao was full of emotion, "It's really unexpected that the emperor sent you to Jiutu City." ”

Yu Zhen looked at Taihao, and a trace of unbearability flashed in his eyes: "Deputy General, you have been wronged." ”

He took out the holy decree and solemnly unfolded it, and his voice resounded through the academy: "Taihao takes the decree!" ”

The officers and soldiers around knelt down in unison and waited for the emperor's orders. Yu Zhen slowly read out: "Fengtian carrier, the emperor's edict said: Taihao, I was shocked by Wener's actions in Jiutu City. Now Tefenger is the lord of Jiutu City, and he ordered Er to govern Jiutu City to pacify the people. Chin this! ”

Taihao's voice was solemn: "Minister, thank you!" The words are full of respect for the emperor's mandate and expectations for the future.

Yu Zhen smiled and handed over the holy decree, and his tone was gentle: "Taihao City Lord, please get up." ”

Tai Hao stood up steadily, and Yu Zhen's eyes turned to the officials who were still kneeling on the ground, and asked, "Is the judicial election for joining the army?" ”

Kui Xuan hurriedly responded: "Minister, Kui Xuan, here!" ”

Yu Zhen unfolded another oracle and conveyed clearly: "I heard that Mr. Yanfang recommended that the emperor specially selected Kui to act as the general of Jiutu City to govern Jiutu City, and fully assist Taihao in governing Jiutu City. ”

Kui Xuan was also solemn: "Minister, thank you!" ”

Yu Zhen spoke again and made his position clear to everyone: "In the future, Lord Taihao will be the city lord of Jiutu City. For the governance of Jiutu City, you need to unconditionally follow the decisions and arrangements of the Taihao City Lord! ”

All the officials replied in unison: "The ministers must follow the instructions of the Taihao City Lord!" ”

Yu Zhen looked around and waved for the rest of the officials to leave, leaving only Taihao and Kuixuan. Just as they were about to leave for the yamen, several scholars who were waiting outside the academy for the list to be announced came into view.

Yu Zhen asked curiously: "Everyone, are you waiting for the candidates to see the list?" ”

One of the scholars replied, "Exactly, my lord." ”

Tai Hao looked at them carefully, and his tone was serious: "Which one are you all doing for the test?" ”

In the face of this sudden question, the scholars were silent and lowered their heads.

Yu Zhen conveyed the emperor's will: "The emperor has a will, in view of the suspicion of fraud in the imperial examination in Jiutu City, this year's examination will be canceled." ”

Tai Hao added: "As for your substitute exam, this official will not investigate it deeply for the time being. I hope that when you go back, you will study hard and use your real identity to take the exam next year, instead of taking the exam as a substitute. ”

Hearing this, the scholars were relieved, nodded their heads, and then left in a hurry.

Before Tai Hao went to the Yamen, he first returned to the Deputy General's Mansion to change his clothes. When he stepped into the lieutenant general's mansion, Qian Zhi stepped forward, holding four delicate invitations in her hands.

"This is just received." Coriander handed over the invitation.

Tai Hao opened them one by one and found that the four invitations were all from the "four major families", and each family had different reasons: some celebrated the birthday of the principal, some were full moon for the sake of their children, and the children of the two families were about to enter the palace of marriage.

Tai Hao smiled slightly: "It seems that they are quite well-informed." He understood that the families had been informed of his release from prison and his promotion.

He decided to go to the Yamen and discuss the next strategy with Yu Zhen and Kui Xuan. The struggle against the "four major families" requires careful planning.

The front hall of the yamen has a solemn atmosphere. Yu Zhen and Kui Xuan sat opposite each other, talking heartily.

Suddenly, they sensed that Taihao had arrived, and hurriedly got up to greet them.

Tai Hao sighed with emotion: "Thanks to Lord Yuzhen's timely arrival, otherwise, I might have spent a long time in prison." ”

Yu Zhen responded with a smile: "Taihao City Lord, you are really a hero who can bend and stretch. has such superb martial arts, but chooses not to resist and willingly goes to prison. This kind of mind and wisdom is beyond my expectations. ”

Tai Hao smiled indifferently: "If I resist, it will be tantamount to self-incrimination." After all, I was wronged and had to go with the flow. I firmly believe that the imperial court will show me the snow, in broad daylight, how can I let corrupt officials run rampant? ”

He paused and continued, "Today, I am discussing with the two adults how to deal with the challenges of the 'Four Great Families'. ”

Kui Xuan frowned: "A few days ago, I ordered my subordinates to investigate the power of the 'Four Great Families' in the court. If you want to truly shake these 'four families', you first need to dismantle their background in the imperial court. ”

Yu Zhen nodded lightly: "I also know something about their background. But we can't act rashly without hard evidence. Although the relationship between the 'four major families' and certain officials in the DPRK and China has aroused our suspicions, there is no direct evidence at present. ”

He paused slightly, his eyes deep: "If you want to eradicate the 'Four Great Families' in one fell swoop, the power of the imperial court alone is not enough. Their power in Nine Earth City is deeply ingrained and cannot be shaken overnight. ”

Tai Hao's eyes were firm: "Since the emperor has asked me to be the lord of the city, I vow to rectify the officialdom of Jiutu City and never tolerate the 'four major families' to continue to run rampant." ”

Yu Zhen nodded in agreement: "It is really a wise move for the emperor to appoint the Taihao City Lord to Jiutu City. He must know that you have the courage and wisdom to lead Nine Earth City on the right track. ”

Tai Hao asked curiously, "Lord Yuzhen, I don't know why the emperor sent you to Jiutu City?" ”

Yu Zhen replied calmly: "Specifically, Lord Ran Zhang sent me here. According to Mr. Yan Fang, the emperor's original plan was for you to return from Tibet and start to rectify the corruption in the East. But due to Prince Xuanbao's affairs, this task had to find another candidate. As a veteran of the Three Dynasties, Lord Ran Zhang was named the Inspector of History, responsible for rectifying corrupt officials in the court. Although he was nearly 90 years old, he could not accomplish this important task on his own, so he chose me to assist him in the court. ”

Tai Hao asked puzzledly: "Why don't you directly hand it over to the Imperial Historical Observatory to supervise the hundred officials?" ”

Yu Zhen sighed: "Maybe the emperor has already noticed the actions of the imperial doctor. It only took us half a month to find out that Zi Dish was suspected of corruption and bribery. After asking the emperor for instructions, he was quickly arrested. However, the news has not yet been released, and many officials still offer him bribes. We have arrested a number of officials involved in the case. ”

Tai Hao sighed: "I see, Zi Cai finally got the punishment he deserved." ”

Yu Zhen shook his head: "In the process of investigating and dealing with the sub-vessels, we encountered a lot of obstacles. You and I both know that there is a strong umbrella behind the sub-dish. ”

Tai Hao said: "Is Shaoling secretly obstructing?" ”

Yu Zhen nodded: "That's right." But in the end, we still found the key evidence and completely exposed Zizai's crimes. Do you know? The decisive evidence for us is a woman who is destined for you. ”

Taihao was curious: "Is it me who knows?" ”

Yu Zhen replied: "Her name is Jiayu. ”

Tai Hao was surprised: "Juyu? She went to the capital? ”

Yu Zhen explained: "Yes, Miss Juyu is currently in the capital. She once served as a dart master in the dart bureau of Jichuan City, and was responsible for escorting the belongings of the city lord of Jichuan to the mansion of Zi Dish and Shaoling Horse many times. She keeps a detailed breakdown every time. When she told us that information, we had the key evidence to capture the sub-vessel. ”

Tai Hao said: "I have also heard about Shaoling. What did the emperor do with him? ”

Yu Zhen said: "Because Shaoling is a concubine, the emperor did not put him in prison. However, he was dismissed from all his positions, and he was only allowed to operate in the capital as a colt, and was no longer allowed to participate in any political affairs. ”

Tai Hao sighed: "Shao Ling must be unwilling in his heart. ”

Yu Zhen said: "What can he be unwilling? What he did was heinous. The emperor is already tolerant, and he is already very merciful if he does not exile him to Lingnan. ”

Tai Hao asked with concern, "Lord Yuzhen, how long can you stay in Jiutu City?" ”

Yu Zhen replied: "This time I came to Jiutu City, it was a sudden arrangement by Lord Ran Zhang. The storm of corruption punishment in the imperial court continues, and the corruption of local officials will also be strictly investigated. Originally, Lord Ran Zhang planned to start with Thousand Winds City, but considering that the corruption of local officials in Jichuan City was particularly serious, it was decided to start the investigation from Jichuan City. The previous lords of Jichuan City have all been arrested, and Jiutu City is the second city to be investigated. Therefore, Lord Ran Zhang only asked me to stay in Jiutu City for half a month. ”

Tai Hao said: "Qi Guang, the former city lord of Jichuan City, has he also been arrested?" ”

Yu Zhen said: "Yes, he has been arrested. Not only that, but he also confessed to several officials of the former Jichuan City, and they were all arrested one by one. ”

Kui Xuan pondered: "Not long after I came to Jiutu City from the capital, I heard that many officials were investigated, which shows the firmness of the imperial court's determination to punish corruption this time. Lord Yuzhen, if I had learned of Zizai's arrest while I was in the capital, perhaps ......"

Yu Zhen answered: "If the news leaks in advance, those officials who still bribe him will not continue to give gifts." ”

Tai Hao exclaimed: "That Lord Ran Zhang is really thoughtful. ”

Kui Xuan turned to Tai Hao: "Then how should we deal with the 'four families' next?" ”

A sharp look flashed in Taihao's eyes: "At present, Yuhong and Houfeng have been disposed of, and there are fewer obstacles to our investigation." I would like to meet these 'four families' in person and get to know them better. He took out four delicate invitations from his bosom and placed them on the table, "Each of them invited me to the feast for different reasons. I'm going to use this as an opportunity to dig deep into their family. What do you guys think? ”

Yu Zhen nodded: "This plan is very good. If you don't enter the tiger's den, you can get the tiger. To completely defeat the 'Four Great Families', we must first understand them thoroughly. ”

Kui Xuan still has concerns: "Lord Yuzhen, their power in the court ......"

Yu Zhen said categorically: "You don't have to worry too much. Now that the storm of punishment of corruption in the imperial court is so fierce, no official will dare to cover up their illegal acts. ”