Chapter 20 Zhao Chuanchen

In the main hall of the Governor's Mansion, Zhao Ji, Di Renjie and Hu Jinghui sent Qiao Tai away and told him a secret.

As the General of the Qianniu Guard, Hu Jinghui was responsible for the arrangement of the imperial guard. He took his leave first and went to deal with military affairs.

Zhao Jize obediently served as Di Renjie's bodyguard and stayed by his side.

Not long after, Li Yuanfang, Di Chun and Zhao Chuanchen returned to the Governor's Mansion.

"Sir, the Sanhe County Magistrate Zhao Chuanchen has arrived." Li Yuanfang and Di Chun reported respectfully.

"Come at the right time. I was just about to see him." Di Renjie gestured to bring Zhao Chuanchen to the main hall.

Afterwards, a middle-aged official with a goatee, a bitter face and wearing seventh-rank court robes was brought to the main hall by the Qianniu Guards.

"I'm Zhao Chuanchen, the magistrate of Sanhe County, and I'm here to see the imperial envoy." When Zhao Chuanchen saw Di Renjie, he bowed down in a hurry.

Di Renjie did not let him stand up, and asked directly: "Do you admit your guilt?"

"This... I don't know." Zhao Chuanchen was a little surprised. Although he said he didn't know, his bitter face seemed to have already foreshadowed his inner fear.

"Where did the court's consolation money go a year ago?" Di Renjie went straight to the point and put enough pressure on Zhao Chuanchen, hoping that he would reveal a flaw.

Zhao Chuanchen's expression was extremely unnatural, but he was very happy and confessed his crime directly: "Sir, this money was... embezzled by me."

Di Renjie raised his eyebrows and continued to ask: "Oh? Why is that?"

Zhao Chuanchen trembled all over and said, "Sir, I was tempted by money and I know I have committed a serious crime. Please punish me, sir."

"Oh? Where has this huge sum of money gone now?" Zhao Ji suddenly interrupted, looking at Zhao Chuanchen with sharp eyes.

"This...this, I have already spent it all." Zhao Chuanchen said casually.

"You spent such a huge sum of money by yourself? What did you spend it on?" Zhao Ji's eyes were fierce and aggressive.

Zhao Chuanchen was sweating profusely when asked this question. He stammered, "I am your humble servant, I am your humble servant... I can't remember clearly."

"Haha, you can't remember? Zhao Chuanchen, this is the crime of the three Yi tribes. I advise you to tell the truth!" Zhao Ji threatened.

Zhao Chuanchen opened and closed his mouth slightly, wanting to say something but not daring to. His face was full of wrinkles, making him look even more bitter.

"Sir, please don't ask any more questions. I really know nothing." He lowered his head, as if accepting his fate.

"County Magistrate Zhao, you and I have the same surname, Zhao. Please listen to my kind advice. Fang Qian has always been vicious and his words cannot be trusted." Zhao Ji advised again.

Zhao Chuanchen knelt on the ground, as if he had heard nothing and was unmoved.

"You have to know that the compensation money is a serious matter. Fang Qian, a small governor, cannot cover it up. He is just using you as a scapegoat." Di Renjie said.

"Tell the truth, I can give you a way out. Otherwise, not only will you be killed to silence you, but your family will also die because of you. You have to think it over carefully." Di Renjie explained the situation with both reason and emotion.

When Zhao Chuanchen heard that his family members were also going to die, he raised his head in shock, but then lowered it again. He didn't say a word, and it seemed that he was determined to stick to the end.

Seeing this, Di Renjie did not make things difficult for him: "You will know tomorrow. Take him to the East Flower Hall and keep him under strict guard. No one is allowed to approach him."

After Zhao received the order, he took people to escort Zhao Chuanchen to Donghua Hall.

He patted Zhao Chuanchen on the shoulder and said, "If you want to speak, just call the guard at the door anytime. Take care of yourself.

The door slammed shut, the last ray of light was locked, the room became dark, and Zhao Chuanchen looked as if he had lost all hope in life.

Those who know the East Wing, East Flower Hall, and East Cross Courtyard in the Detective Di Renjie series know them all. They are usually prepared for villains or traitors, and it will be bad if you get involved with them.
-
In the back hall of the Governor's Mansion, Li Er was lying on the bed, still unconscious.

Di Renjie sat on a stool under the bed and took his pulse himself, with Hu Jinghui, Li Yuanfang and Lu Dayou accompanying him.

After a long while, Di Renjie stroked his beard and smiled with relief: "Well, his life is no longer in danger."

"This is all because of your superb medical skills and your miraculous healing skills." Hu Jinghui also had a smile on his face. No one could tell that he wanted Li Er to die more than anyone else.

"When he wakes up, we will definitely gain a lot." Di Renjie said confidently.

Zhao Ji came in at this time and reported: "Sir, Zhao Chuanchen has been sent to the East Flower Hall for custody."

Di Renjie nodded with satisfaction: "Now that Zhao Chuanchen has been arrested, Fang Qian and Wu Yizhi will surely be restless. They will definitely come to inquire about the news tomorrow. Then we will put on a show for them."

Hu Jinghui and others were all confused, only Zhao Ji showed a knowing smile.
-
In the governor's mansion, Fang Qian paced back and forth in the room, as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.

Sima Wu Yizhi pushed the door open and Fang Qian asked anxiously, "What's the situation?"

Wu Yizheng sighed and said, "Zhao Chuanchen has been detained in the Governor's Mansion by Di Renjie." "It seems that Di Renjie is determined to get rid of the issue of the compensation money and put us to death." Fang Qian said gritting his teeth.

"As long as Zhao Chuanchen refuses to give in, Di Renjie will be unable to do anything to us," Wu Yizheng analyzed.

"Di Renjie is a very capable person. I was well prepared in court, but I was still sweating profusely after hearing his questions. Can Zhao Chuanchen withstand it?" Fang Qian expressed his doubts to Zhao Chuanchen.

"But Zhao Chuanchen was promoted by us. We are all in the same boat. We prosper together and suffer together. He won't betray us, right?" Wu Yizheng thought for a while and said.

"We should be prepared for the worst. Tomorrow morning, we will go to the Governor's Mansion to test the waters and then act accordingly." Fang Qian decided.
-
Early the next morning, Fang Qian and Wu Yizheng rushed to the Governor's Mansion to pay their respects, but were stopped outside the gate by Zhao Ji.

"What brings you here so early, sirs? " Zhao Ji looked at them with a smile.

Fang Qian and Wu Yizhi smiled and said, "Lord Di has just arrived in Youzhou and is exhausted from the journey. We have come to pay our respects to you, Lord."

Zhao Ji looked embarrassed and said, "Greetings? Well... this... I'm afraid it's not very convenient."

Fang Qian and Wu Yizhi looked at each other and felt that something was wrong. "I wonder if there is any inconvenience?"

After the two men finished asking the questions, Zhao Ji looked around with a wandering look and refused to answer.

When Wu Yizheng saw this situation, he understood everything.

He took out a heavy silver ingot, quietly put it into Zhao Ji's hand, and whispered, "General, please do me a favor."

Zhao Ji immediately put on a smiling face and weighed the silver ingot in his hand: "Oh, you two gentlemen are too kind to me. Please follow me."

After saying this, he led the way, and Fang Qian and Wu Yizheng followed closely behind and entered the Governor's Mansion.

On the way, Fang Qian asked cautiously, "I heard that Lord Di met with a county magistrate yesterday. Is it true?"

Zhao Ji also pretended to be soft-hearted and said, "Oh, it is true. It was Sanhe County Magistrate Zhao Chuanchen. Lord Di talked with him all night long. It seems that he admires this County Magistrate Zhao very much."

When Fang Qian and Wu Yizhi heard this, they both felt that something was wrong. They couldn't help but stop and almost wanted to run away.

Zhao Ji noticed the strangeness of the two and turned back to urge them, "My two lords, why don't you leave? The main hall will be here soon."

"Oh, let's go, let's go." Fang Qian forced a smile and quickly followed.

Arriving at the main hall, Zhao Ji pushed open the door and said, "Wait a moment, I'll go in and make the announcement."

At this moment, Fang Qian and Wu Yizheng saw a figure in green official uniform hiding in the inner room.

"What he said is true!" Fang Qian whispered with a pale face.

"I didn't expect Zhao Chuanchen would really betray us." Wu Yizheng felt as if he had fallen into an icy cave, dejected.

Before Fang Qian could speak again, he heard Di Renjie scolding him harshly: "You really acted on your own initiative. Why didn't you inform us in advance..."

Later, Di Renjie lowered his voice intentionally, as if he was trying not to let outsiders hear.

Zhao Ji then walked out in a panic, looking a little embarrassed. He bowed to Fang Qian and Wu Yizheng, said nothing, and walked away.

Afterwards, Di Renjie actually came out with a smile on his face and led Fang Qian and Wu Yizheng into the main hall.

Faced with Di Renjie's sudden enthusiasm, Fang and Wu did not dare to take it lightly and were on guard.

After the three of them exchanged greetings, Fang Qian still wanted to inquire about the news, but was blocked by Di Renjie with the words "Let's talk about friendship, not business".

Di Renjie then suggested going to the Lion Tower to taste the local specialties. However, Fang Qian and Wu Yizheng had ulterior motives and did not dare to stay for long. They just dealt with the situation and left in a hurry.

Zhao Ji played with the silver in his hand, watched the two men go away, and then returned to the main hall of the Governor's Mansion.

In the main hall, Di Chun was showing off in his official uniform, which made people laugh.

"Master, how did I perform?" Di Chun asked.

"It's almost the same, stop playing tricks, change your clothes quickly, accompany Chengyuan, and take people to send Zhao Chuanchen back to Sanhe County." Di Renjie ordered.

Zhao Ji and Di Chun took the order and left, and peace returned to the main hall.

　Yesterday's recommendation votes were better than usual, thank you very much for your support. I have no way to repay you, so I can only work hard to write and keep updating. Thank you again, and I hope you will continue to support me.

(End of this chapter)