Chapter 19 Knocking on the mountain and shaking the tiger
In the main hall of Wu Garden, Di Renjie, Zhao Ji, Hu Jinghui, Li Yuanfang, Qiao Tai and others sat down in order of importance, while Di Chun stood by.

Just now, Di Renjie and Fang Qian had been confronting each other in the court, and the atmosphere was inevitably tense. But when they arrived at the Governor's Mansion, everyone was obviously much more relaxed.

Zhao Ji was the first to step forward and take credit for Qiao Tai, saying, "Sir, we were able to rescue the elders of Daliushu Village from the execution platform thanks to your help."

Di Renjie smiled and nodded, saying, "Chief Qiao cares about the people, and I am very pleased."

"Mr. Di, you are too kind. General Zhao has done the most in this matter, and I am only doing my part."

Qiao Tai was quite a good person and he did not forget to support Zhao Ji.

Hearing Qiao Tai's flattery, Zhao Ji naturally returned the favor: "Your Excellency, the Chief Secretary, are too modest. I was alone at the time. Without your help, how could I have succeeded? Fang Qian was so arrogant, and you were not afraid of his power and stood up for him. It is really precious."

When Di Renjie heard this, he thought of the scene in the court today and praised: "That's right. Many officials in Youzhou are in cahoots with Fang Qian. Not only did you save yourself, you also saved others. You are really brave."

"Mr. Di, you are too kind to me. I am ashamed to accept this position."

Qiao Tai was humble for a moment, then changed the subject and tried to test him, "It's just that Fang Qian has all the power in Youzhou, and he has many lackeys. He has been acting recklessly for a long time. Today, you couldn't do anything to him in court, and I don't know what to do."

Qiao Tai had originally agreed with Zhao Ji to bring down Fang Qian in one fell swoop in court.

Unexpectedly, Di Renjie made much of a noise but did little today and let Fang Qian off lightly, which made him a little confused.

Zhao Ji heard the hidden meaning in Qiao Tai's words and explained, "Your Excellency's action today is intended to shock the enemy, not to let Fang Qian go easily."

"The imperial guards haven't arrived yet, and we are outnumbered. And Fang Qian has the support of hundreds of people in Youzhou. If we push him too hard, it might backfire." Zhao Ji told Di Renjie about his difficulties.

Di Renjie also comforted him, "Yes, now that the imperial guards have arrived, we can act with confidence."

Qiao Tai suddenly realized and said, "Since you said so, I feel relieved. But I don't know where you plan to start to deal with Fang Qian?"

Di Renjie did not answer, but asked Qiao Tai: "Which county in Youzhou is Daliushu Village under the jurisdiction of? Who is the county magistrate?"

Although Qiao Tai didn't understand what he meant, he answered truthfully: "Daliushu Village is under the jurisdiction of Sanhe County, and the county magistrate is Zhao Chuanchen."

Upon hearing this, Di Renjie immediately made arrangements: "Yuan Fang, take Di Chun and my imperial sword with you to Sanhe County immediately and summon Zhao Chuanchen to come to the government immediately."

"Yes." Li Yuanfang and Di Chun both accepted the order and set off for Sanhe County.

Zhao Ji saw Di Renjie's intention and asked, "Are you still planning to start with the consolation money?"

Di Renjie nodded: "The villagers have already testified about the compensation money. If we also get Zhao Chuanchen's testimony, it will be ironclad evidence. Fang Qian will not be able to deny it."

Qiao Tai looked at Di Renjie with admiration, but he didn't know whether it was sincere or fake.

Hu Jinghui's acting skills burst out: "Your Excellency is too kind-hearted. In my opinion, Fang Qian was so rampant in the court. I will just punish him for disrespect. I don't think he will be able to say anything."

Di Renjie just laughed and didn't take it seriously, thinking that Hu Jinghui was still angry about being beaten.

He looked at Hu Jinghui with deep eyes and said, "You forgot that we didn't come to Youzhou to investigate Fangqian."

"Sir, I don't understand what you are saying." Hu Jinghui pretended to be honest, but his heart was already turbulent.

Di Renjie looked at Hu Jinghui, with a sharp light in his eyes, as if he wanted to see through his disguise. Then, he calmly asked Qiao Tai to go down and continue to investigate Fang Qian's violation of the rules, leaving Zhao Ji and Hu Jinghui alone.

Zhao Ji heard the music and understood the meaning, so he asked, "Does your Excellency intend to send Qiao Changshi away?"

"Yes, there are some things that he cannot hear." Di Renjie was still very cautious and did not completely trust Qiao Tai.

Hu Jinghui was a little confused and didn't know what Di Renjie wanted to say.

Di Renjie suddenly turned around and looked at Hu Jinghui: "Jinghui, remember you repeatedly reminded me to investigate the diplomatic corps case before, why are you not in a hurry now?"

"The more you talk, the more confused I get. Aren't we investigating Fang Qian? How did it get to the diplomatic mission case again?" Hu Jinghui pretended to be dumb.

Zhao Ji watched Hu Jinghui's performance and couldn't help asking, "General Hu, what do you think of Fang Qian's ability?" Although Hu Jinghui knew something was wrong, he still pretended to be calm and answered, "Fang Qian's ability is average, and I don't see anything outstanding about him."

"But according to Qiao Tai's statement and our experience, this Fang Qian not only controls the state politics, he even interferes in the military. I'm afraid he can't be said to be mediocre in ability." Zhao Ji retorted meaningfully.

"Maybe, maybe he has some unknown strengths?" Hu Jinghui continued to play dumb.

Di Renjie shook his head: "It is impossible to control the military and political affairs of a state by one person alone. He must have helpers behind him."

"Yes, according to Qiao Tai, all the officials in the state who were against Fang Qian were either transferred or died mysteriously. The county magistrates in Youzhou alone have been replaced by seven or eight people. This is really incredible and cannot be done by one person alone." Zhao Ji analyzed.

"Chengyuan is right. I have a feeling that the real culprit of the diplomatic mission case is standing behind Fang Qian." Di Renjie suddenly said.

After seeing the viper in Daliushu Village, he was certain that the real culprit in the diplomatic mission case was in Youzhou.

The consolation money was swallowed up, the people of Xiaolianzi Village disappeared, the ghost town Yaojiapu, the government closed the mountain, and Li Er was poisoned. Countless strange events all proved Di Renjie's judgment.

Fang Qian, the governor of Youzhou, happened to monopolize military and political power. Most of the officials in the state were willing to be his minions, and he could command the Youzhou troops at will.

This is a dangerous signal. If Fang Qian is connected with the real murderer of the diplomatic mission case, then it means that the enemy has big plans.

Hu Jinghui's heart tightened, but he still pretended to be confused on the surface: "Sir, is this too far-fetched?"

Di Renjie showed a mysterious smile: "You will know in the future, let us wait and see."

"Oh, then I'll just have to wait and see the show." Hu Jinghui smiled with interest.

Although he appeared calm and composed on the surface, his heart was actually already in turmoil.

Hu Jinghui couldn't help but be afraid when he heard Di Renjie link Fang Qian to the diplomatic mission case. After only a few days of searching, Di Renjie was close to the truth.

At this rate of investigation, his and Jin Mulan's plan would be completely exposed in a few days.

Hu Jinghui suddenly remembered Jin Mulan's message: "Kill Li Er at all costs."

There was a hint of ferocity in his eyes. Perhaps this was the only way to have a chance of survival.

Zhao Ji glanced at Di Renjie and Hu Jinghui, hoping to find some clues from their expressions.

He was puzzled as to why Di Renjie suddenly mentioned the connection between the diplomatic mission case and Fang Qian in front of Hu Jinghui.

It is true that Fang Qian is Jin Mulan's subordinate, but Di Renjie has no real evidence to prove this at the moment, it is just hearsay.

According to Di Renjie's habit, the suspense is usually left until the end.

He would not easily express his judgment, especially without evidence.

Zhao Ji thought: "Why did Di Gong do this? Maybe after I left, something happened in Daliushu Village that I don't know about."

His guess was correct. Ever since Di Renjie found the knockout drug and the poisonous snake in Daliushu Village, he knew that the traitor was right beside him.

So Di Renjie began to test Li Yuanfang and Hu Jinghui, ordering them to act separately to test their respective reactions.

Today, Di Renjie suddenly brought up the connection between Fang Qian and the diplomatic mission case to Hu Jinghui, just like he questioned Fang Qian about the compensation in court.

That is to make a show of force to scare the tiger.

Make the enemy feel threatened and start moving, and they will naturally reveal their weaknesses.

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(End of this chapter)