The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 344 - 292, how the case is judged depends on the performance of all the esteemed officials

Imperial Commissioner Zhao and his entourage were arranged to stay at the posthouse within the Prefecture.

In the afternoon, all the local officials came to the event and arranged a banquet to welcome and cleanse the dust of travel for the imperial envoy.

At the banquet, Gao Lian and others tried several times to bring up the case, but were interrupted by Zhao Douan each time, his attitude ambiguous and without giving any opinion on the case.

After the banquet had ended, the imperial envoy, citing exhaustion from the journey, returned to his room to rest, only stating that the case could be discussed the next day.

Those in the city from the scholarly families who had been paying close attention and had sent people to gather information were greatly puzzled.

They didn't understand what kind of approach this imperial envoy was taking.

…

After the banquet outside the posthouse.

Imperial Censor Chen Hong personally saw the local officials out, but the atmosphere was far from harmonious.

"Imperial Censor Chen, what exactly is the imperial envoy's attitude? Can you give us some guidance? We would be greatly grateful," said the governor, dignified and Confucian, who intentionally lagged behind as the head of Linfeng Road.

When they approached the posthouse gate, he intentionally waited for the other officials to leave before staying behind and asking bitterly.

The autumn wind brushed past.

An old sweet osmanthus tree planted for many years at the entrance of the posthouse cast dancing shadows.

The green-robed Imperial Censor stood alongside the red-robed governor, with no one else around.

"The governor jests. I cannot possibly provide any guidance, as I am but a secondary officer. On this trip to Taicang, it is Imperial Commissioner Zhao who makes the decisions; I can only guess at most."

The middle-aged Imperial Censor, who had lost two teeth and drank quite a bit at the welcome banquet, had a flushed face and waved his hands repeatedly.

"Pan Platform" is a title of respect for the governor, "Inspector" for the imperial inspector, and "Prefecture" for the magistrate.

These "three platforms" were the three pillars of Taicang City's civil administration.

Yet at this moment, Gao Lian of the Secondary Second Rank, faced with this minor Imperial Censor, still did not dare to act arrogantly.

Although Gao Lian had also drunk quite a bit, his eyes now moved as he said,

"We who have long been stationed in the locality do not understand the temperament of Imperial Commissioner Zhao. Imperial Censor Chen, if you would venture a guess, it would help us to coordinate and finalise the Saint's orders sooner."

The middle-aged Imperial Censor glanced at him and sighed,

"It's no wonder the imperial envoy is displeased. How do you officials conduct business?

Some time ago, a decree was issued from the capital instructing you to take action, yet what is the result? Both the criminals and witnesses are missing. If Your Majesty finds out, he would probably want to strip off the official hats from your heads."

Gao Lian's face was full of worry as he responded bitterly,

"Indeed, it was a lapse on our part, but by the time we acted, the people had already disappeared.

For this matter, we sincerely hope Imperial Censor Chen will report truthfully to His Majesty; it is not that we did not put in effort, but truly that we were one step too late."

The middle-aged Imperial Censor neither agreed nor refused, but just clasped his sleeves and sighed,

"Speaking of these matters now is still premature. The immediate priority is to recapture the suspects. Furthermore, what you say to me, Sir, carries no weight. How His Majesty regards you will depend on how Imperial Commissioner Zhao reports back."

Gao Lian said with gravity, "We just cannot ascertain the intentions of the imperial envoy…"

Chen Hong, the Imperial Censor who served as the deputy to the imperial envoy, pondered for a moment without looking at the governor, instead glancing at a falling osmanthus flower above.

The rich fragrance of the osmanthus tree in autumn lingered.

With a gust of wind, the petals descended one by one, evenly scattering upon the shoulders of their official robes.

The Imperial Censor, with his hands tucked in his sleeves, said softly,

"As I see it, the imperial envoy's intentions are generally twofold.

First, since the letter of accusation has reached the Imperial Court of Supervision and alarmed the Saint, now that we have also come with great fanfare, whether the Taicang County Magistrate can be found or whether he has committed the crime of stealing from the nation and engaging in corruption... the imperial envoy cannot have come for nothing.

We must find out something and catch a few offending officials in order to justify ourselves to His Majesty. Does the governor understand?"

Understand?

Only too well…

Gao Lian, who had risen to governor of Linfeng from a Jiangnan scholarly family, could hardly be considered foolish.

Just by listening, he understood Chen Hong's message:

You officials of Linfeng should not expect that just because the criminals have vanished, you can play the game of "dead men tell no tales."

Mr. Zhao has made the effort to come all this way; if he finds nothing, how can he justify himself to the Emperor upon returning to the capital?

"Mr. Imperial Commissioner can rest assured on this matter. Since the County Magistrate of Taicang County has already fled out of fear of his crimes, there is no need to investigate any further evidence. All the Imperial Commissioner needs to do is report to the Saint and issue a sea arrest warrant to capture the criminal.

As for us, as the local officials of Linfeng, we have committed the crime of dereliction of duty by failing to inspect properly. It is only right that we be punished. Liu the Inspector, Governor Sun, and I will personally plead guilty to His Majesty and will not implicate the Imperial Commissioner," Gao Lian said gravely, offering his assurance.

This had been prearranged.

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The Imperial Commissioner had arrived, expecting to escape responsibility, which was wishful thinking.

Gao Lian and the others would shoulder the blame for dereliction of duty.

Although painful, it was not fatal, it was an acceptable outcome.

In this way, the Imperial Commissioner need not trouble himself and could simply tour and then return to the capital to fulfill his royal command with ease.

The local officials like Gao Lian would collectively take responsibility for the issue, providing an explanation to all parties involved.

Gao Lian spoke these words with the hope of forming an unspoken agreement with Zhao Douan, adopting this mutually satisfactory solution.

By taking on certain punishments as local officials of Linfeng, they aimed to frame the case as an individual act of the County Magistrate of Taicang.

"Governor, I must remind you that the Imperial Commissioner has yet to conduct an investigation. What is the meaning of you all predetermining the case?"

Imperial Censor Chen glanced at him.

Gao Lian's eyelid twitched, and he responded with composure:

"The Imperial Censor misunderstands. I merely feel that since the County Magistrate of Taicang has already fled, it is equivalent to him admitting his guilt and accepting punishment."

Imperial Censor Chen spoke in a deep voice:

"The County Magistrate admitting his guilt is not a problem, but regarding the corruption of the silver mine, is it just him, or are there accomplices? Which people are the accomplices, which are not... this will be revealed by the performance of the various officials."

Watch our performance?

Gao Lian hesitated, suspecting a possibility, his expression odd:

"There are only the two of us here, the Imperial Censor might as well speak plainly. Does the Imperial Commissioner wish to..."

Chen Hong had a look that said, 'do you take me for a fool?'

He brushed off the osmanthus on his shoulder and spoke off-topic:

"The Imperial Commissioner is very dissatisfied with you all, dissatisfied with the lodging, the food, and especially with the lack of effort in handling affairs... Reflect on this well."

After speaking, the Imperial Censor in the green official robe with silver teeth turned and went back to the post house.

After a couple of steps, as if remembering something, he added:

"Of course, these words of mine are merely personal conjectures about the Imperial Commissioner's thoughts and by no means a message on his behalf. Governor, please do not misunderstand."

"..." Gao Lian fell into silence for a moment, then bowed slightly:

"Safe travels, Imperial Censor."

...

In the Taicang Prefecture government office, the three of them were in the council hall.

"What? Did that Chen Hong really say that?"

The lean and iron-like Governor Sun widened his eyes, staring at the composed, mountain-like chief official of Linfeng at the head of the table.

Gao Lian did not utter a sound but merely lifted his teacup to moisten his throat.

Liu the Inspector, who was well into his sixties and had reached the age of understanding, had an unsightly expression:

"Could it be that this Mr. Zhao, the Imperial Commissioner... in his words, he is not satisfied with the reception we have provided?"

That was an understatement.

The three present could clearly discern Zhao Douan's intent in sending Imperial Censor Chen to deliver a message; it was evidently a demand for a bribe!

The conversation under the osmanthus tree translated to one thing:

You local officials want to push all the blame onto a County Magistrate who fled out of fear of his crimes, while you only take responsibility for a lack of inspection?

That can be arranged, but what's in it for the Imperial Commissioner?

If you want the Imperial Commissioner to help you 'minimize the issue,' a mere word exchange won't suffice, there will be an additional cost!

Openly demanding a bribe... was somewhat beyond everyone's expectation.

Certainly, to prevent Zhao Douan from finding any fault to assert his authority, today's reception was strictly in accordance with court regulations without exceeding the standard... it indeed seemed a bit modest.

But to so blatantly ask for money was indeed...

"Heh, it seems we are being treated as fat sheep."