On September 28, it was the golden autumn season, and the joy of rice harvest permeated the fields.

However, for Weng Yanguo and those county commanders, this day was full of tension and unease.

Lei Ming escorted nine county orders, all the way to the dust, and finally arrived at Pingjiang Mansion.

Wen Boyuan, who got the news, immediately ordered someone to open the city gate and take the group into the city.

After entering the city, they did not stop for a moment, and were directly taken to the Pingjiang Mansion.

At this time, Zhao Yingluo was sitting high in the hall of the mansion, her eyes were as sharp as a knife, sweeping over everyone in the hall.

Weng Yanguo stood aside, bowing his head, uneasy in his heart.

Although he had been mentally prepared, he still felt a pang of horror when he saw his subordinates now being brought to the lobby.

The magistrates were escorted to the center of the hall, and although they had not yet been convicted, their uniforms had lost their former majesty.

They saluted Zhao respectfully, but the trepidation and uneasiness revealed in their movements could not be concealed.

One of the county magistrates, obviously intimidated by this solemn Tang Wei, actually fell to the ground directly with weak legs.

His hat rolled to the side, his hair was in a bun,

It's not embarrassing. This scene made everyone present feel stunned.

Zhao Yingluo looked at this scene coldly, and the corners of her mouth hooked up a mocking smile.

She slowly spoke: "Ladies and gentlemen, what's wrong with you?" Could it be that the majesty of this palace is so terrible that you can't even stand on your feet? ”

Although her voice was not loud, every word hit the hearts of those county magistrates like a hammer.

They bowed their heads one by one and were silent, but their hearts were overturned.

Weng Yanguo was also in turmoil at the moment, he secretly regretted that he didn't listen to the advice of his subordinates and stopped early.

Fortunately, now not only is he in trouble, but he has also affected these county magistrates.

Although he was very anxious in his heart, he did not dare to show anything on his face.

Zhao Yingluo saw that no one answered, so she continued: "This palace came to Pingjiang Mansion this time to investigate the whereabouts of Ji Yin. The palace received a secret report that some officials were greedy for ink and silver, and filled their pockets. Naturally, Hongu didn't believe it, so he came to check it out in person. Now it seems that this secret report is true. ”

As she spoke, her gaze swept over the county magistrates again.

One by one, the county magistrates wilted like frost-beaten eggplants. They know that this time things may not be good.

Weng Yanguo was also on pins and needles at the moment, and he didn't know how to deal with the situation in front of him.

He knew in his heart that since Zhao Yingluo had already mastered the evidence, the next question was how to convict.

Although he was unwilling in his heart, he also knew that this time he was doomed.

There was a brief silence in the lobby. Zhao Yingluo sat upright, staring at the county commanders below.

Those county commanders bowed their heads one by one and remained silent, waiting for the judgment of fate.

Weng Yanguo stood aside, and his heart was also up and down, uneasy.

Zhao Yingluo sat upright in the lobby, her gaze piercing through the air like a sharp sword, pointing straight to the depths of the hearts of those county commanders.

She spoke slowly, although her voice was soft, but with unquestionable majesty: "Ladies and gentlemen, this palace will give you a chance, if you honestly admit your guilt, this palace can deal with it leniently." ”

Her words were like a bombshell, causing an uproar in the hearts of the county magistrates.

They looked at each other, and for a moment no one dared to speak.

One of the prefectural orders, apparently with poor psychological capacity, began to tremble and want to confess.

However, just as he was about to speak, he inadvertently caught a glimpse of Weng Yanguo's sharp eyes.

Those eyes pierced into his heart like ice, making him shiver involuntarily, and swallowed back the words that came to his mouth.

Seeing this, Weng Yanguo secretly breathed a sigh of relief in his heart.

He knew that at this time, he had to reassure these county magistrates, otherwise once someone relented, the consequences would be unimaginable.

So, he coughed dryly and stood up.

He held his head high and pretended to be calm and said: "Your Royal Highness Princess, the ministers and these county commanders have always been conscientious and self-denying, and they have never been corrupt in giving money. The ledger is clearly written, and the whereabouts of every sum of money are clear. ”

His voice was sonorous and powerful.

When those county magistrates heard this, as if they had found the backbone of the heart, they straightened their backs one after another, and their faces showed a look of stability.

However, Zhao Yingluo was not moved by his words.

She sneered, her eyes revealing a bit of mockery and disdain.

She had long expected Weng Yan to quibble, but she had already prepared.

She turned her head to look at Lei Ming and asked in a low voice, "Lei Ming, have you read the account books seized from the various county offices?" ”

Lei Ming bowed and replied, "Back to Her Royal Highness the Princess, I have already checked it carefully." He paused and continued, "On paper, there doesn't seem to be a problem. Every expenditure of money is clearly recorded, and it seems that it has been used for disaster relief and relief of the people. ”

Zhao Yingluo sneered even more when she heard this: "Hmph! False accounts are the main way they escape responsibility. How could this palace be easily deceived by them? ”

As she spoke, her gaze swept over the county commanders again, and her tone suddenly became stern, "This palace will give you one last chance!" If you don't confess to the crime, the crime will be added to the crime! ”

Her voice exploded in the lobby like thunder, ringing in the ears of the county magistrates.

Their faces were as white as the earth, and their hearts were terrified.

Weng Yanguo was also frightened at the moment, but he still pretended to be calm and stood there.

He knew that he was the leader of these county orders, and if he showed panic and fear at this time, then the others would have even less confidence.

Zhao Yingluo saw that Weng Yanguo and the others were still stubborn and refused to admit their guilt, and sneered in her heart.

She had expected that these people would not let go easily, so she had a backup to prepare.

She waved her hand lightly and motioned for Wen Boyuan to bring Fan Jian to the hall.

After a while, Fan Jian was escorted to the hall by two officials.

He was dressed in prison clothes, unkempt, and had obvious scars on his body, and his whole person looked languishing.

As soon as he saw Zhao Yingluo sitting upright in the hall, he was so frightened that his legs weakened, he fell to his knees, and kowtowed again and again to beg for mercy: "Her Royal Highness the princess spare your life!" The villain knows that he is wrong, and the villain is willing to confess anything! ”

Zhao Yingluo looked at Fan Jian's embarrassed appearance, and felt a burst of happiness in her heart.

She shouted coldly: "Fan Jian, since you know the crime, then recruit it from the truth!" Tell the truth about you, Weng Yanguo and other county orders for corruption and relief of silver! ”

When Fan Jian heard this, he didn't dare to hide it in the slightest, and hurriedly told the story of the incident.

He confessed to the crime of colluding with Weng Yanguo and other county officials to embezzle ink and money.

He also described in detail how Weng Yanguo instructed them to make false accounts and how to divide the spoils.

After listening to Fan Jian's confession, the anger in Zhao Yingluo's heart was even stronger.

She turned her head to look at Weng Yanguo and asked sharply, "Weng Yanguo, what else do you have to say?" Fan Jian has confessed everything, do you still want to deny it? ”

Weng Yanguo still pretended to be calm and quibbled at this moment: "Her Royal Highness the princess knows everything but does not see the public opinion. What Fan Jian said is pure falsehood! The ministers have always been conscientious and self-denying, and have never been corrupt. It is clearly written in the account book that the 10,000 taels of silver that should be issued to Wu County were all paid on time, and there was never any arrears or misappropriation. ”