Chapter 89 Zeng Tai
The next morning, the magistrates of several counties in Huzhou arrived in the state capital one after another to listen to the teachings of the governor Qiao Tai.

Among them, Changcheng Order Zeng Tai was the most active. Although Changcheng County was not the closest to the state capital, he was the first to arrive.

Moreover, Zeng Tai took the initiative to prepare a series of documents on the county's household registration, taxes, prisons, land, water conservancy, education, etc., waiting for inspection, which was more detailed than that of other county magistrates.

Qiao Tai was very pleased and praised: "If all my officials were as careful and conscientious as Mr. Zeng, it would be easier for me to be the governor."

Zeng Tai remained calm after hearing the praise, and said in a neither humble nor arrogant manner: "Your Excellency the Governor is too kind to praise me. This is all the result of listening to your teachings. How dare I take credit for it?"

"Mr. Zeng, there is no need to be modest. You have a very good reputation among the people of Changcheng County, and you have really done a lot for the people." Qiao Tai said as he motioned Zeng Tai to follow him.

"This time, my mentor Di Gong has been appointed as the governor of Jiangnan. He loves to select talents, especially capable officials like you who care about the people. I have Mr. Zeng in Huzhou, and I am honored to be in front of my mentor."

Zeng Tai's surprise was beyond words. He cupped his hands and complimented, "I never thought that you were Di Gong's student. No wonder you are so diligent and caring for the people. It is true that a good teacher produces good students."

Qiao Tai smiled implicitly, stroked his beard and said, "No, no. Some time ago, when I was the Chief Clerk of Youzhou, I listened to Di Gong's teachings. I was able to be promoted to the Governor of Huzhou thanks to his recommendation."

"Now that Lord Di is coming to Huzhou, he should be welcomed in person, but Lord Di likes to travel incognito, so I have specially called you to the state to give you some instructions, so as not to offend him."

Zeng Tai suddenly realized, "Oh, so that's how it is. The governor is really thoughtful."

The two of them walked and talked, and unknowingly arrived at the side hall in the back hall.

"We're here, Mr. Zeng, please come in." Qiao Tai extended his hand and invited Zeng Tai to come in.

"Please come in first, Governor." Zeng Tai stretched out his hand and bowed.

"I won't go in. There's a good friend inside who I worked with when I was in Youzhou. He wants to meet Lord Zeng." Qiao Tai declined.

Zeng Tai hesitated: "This..."

"Don't worry, Lord Zeng. Please come in," Qiao Tai urged.

Zeng Tai had no choice but to go in on his own.

There was a table with food and wine in the room, and Zhao Ji was already waiting at the table.

Zhao Ji followed Yingyu's group of black-clad men until midnight last night, found their base, and then returned.

That's why he was in a bad mood today and had some dark circles under his eyes.

When Qiao Tai saw that Zhao Ji did not come back all night and was in such a state after he came back, he concluded that he had had a good time the night before, which made Zhao Ji laugh and cry.

But when Zhao Ji saw an unprepossessing middle-aged man cautiously stepping into the room, he knew that this man was Zeng Tai.

He pointed to the seat and said, "Master Zeng, please take a seat."

Zeng Tai did not dare to sit down, but asked first: "Sir, are you the good friend of Governor Qiao? What is your name?"

Zhao Ji showed Zeng Tai the fish token and introduced himself: "My name is Zhao Ji, with the courtesy name Chengyuan, and I am currently the Inspector General of the Right Thousand Oxen Guards."

Zeng Tai glanced at the words on the fish symbol, then looked at the young man in front of him, and bowed quickly.

"Greetings, General Zhao! I did not know your identity, and I have offended you just now. I hope you will forgive me."

Zhao Ji quickly stopped Zeng Tai and helped him to his seat: "Master Zeng, there is no need to be polite. Please take a seat quickly."

Zeng Tai was very uncomfortable and only sat half of his butt on the chair, waiting for Zhao Ji to speak.

Seeing this, Zhao Ji smiled and said, "Master Zeng, why are you so reserved? Relax a little."

Zeng Tai forced a smile, nodded, and relaxed a little.

Zhao Ji poured a glass of wine for Zeng Tai and asked, "I heard that Mr. Zeng was transferred to Huzhou a year ago?"

Zeng Tai bowed solemnly and said, "In reply to General Zhao, I was transferred to Changcheng County as the county magistrate a year ago." Zhao nodded and asked, "Then Lord Zeng, do you know why I want to see you?"

"I don't know." Zeng Tai shook his head.

Zhao Ji's tone suddenly changed, and he threatened: "Don't you know? In your Changcheng County, there are remnants of the King of Yue plotting rebellion, and there are also people who deceive the emperor and abuse their power for personal gain. Lord Zeng has been governing Changcheng County for more than a year, don't you notice anything?"

Zeng Tai's face turned pale and he quickly knelt on the ground: "General, please understand, I really didn't know anything about it. It was my fault. General, just tell me where the thieves are, and I will definitely cooperate with you to wipe them out."

Zhao Ji said aggressively: "Master Zeng, what you said is wrong. You clearly knew about it and were involved in it!"

Zeng Tai was so shocked that he couldn't close his mouth when he heard this, and he almost cried: "This...what are you talking about? How have I ever participated in a rebellion? How have I ever deceived the emperor? I hope the general can see clearly!"

"You are deceiving the emperor now. I am asking you questions in accordance with the imperial edict, and you were lying just now. Isn't this deceiving the emperor?" Zhao Ji shouted sternly.

"It's unfair, General. How could I have lied?" Zeng Tai cried out in injustice.

"Li Gui, the rebellious son of King Yue, is in Huzhou, in Changcheng County. You know your own identity very well, and you say you don't know? If that's not a lie, what is it?" Zhao Ji pressed on.

When Zeng Tai heard this, sweat started pouring down his head. He suddenly thought of something, crawled forward two steps, and bowed.

"General, General, please allow me to report. I am a member of the Outer Guard. One and a half years ago, I was ordered to relocate to Huzhou. My mission is to cooperate with the Practical Guard to monitor Changcheng County. As for the matter of Li Gui, the rebellious son of the King of Yue, maybe, maybe the Practical Guard is investigating. I really don't know."

Zhao Ji looked at Zeng Tai suspiciously, not quite believing this statement. You have been working in Changcheng County for a year, do you really know nothing?
In the original drama, Zeng Tai manipulated the mechanism of Liujiazhuang to kill Liu Da, which proved that he might know the secret of Liujiazhuang, and Li Gui was once imprisoned in Liujiazhuang.

Di Renjie's words, Zeng Tai got the "permission" from his superior to use the agency, are also worth pondering. Maybe his superior told Zeng Tai about the existence of the agency temporarily, or maybe he already knew about it.

Later, Zeng Tai was found out by Di Renjie to be an internal guard, and he said that he "did not have access to core secrets." This was probably to protect himself, conceal some information, and pass on some blame.

Moreover, Zeng Tai killed Liu Da with a mechanism himself. At the crime scene, he even had the nerve to ask Di Renjie "What is a mechanism?" and lied without blinking an eye.

It can be seen that this person is a master at pretending to be confused, and is not as honest as he appears to be.

But none of this matters anymore. Zhao Ji just wants to scare Zeng Tai and force him to admit his identity as an internal guard.

Zeng Tai was a smart man. Since Zhao acted like this, he knew that the internal guards of Changcheng County were going to do something bad.

Low salary, high risk, bad reputation, no future. This is not even a core position, not even a formal employee, who will work hard for you?

Zhao Ji thought about this and quickly helped Zeng Tai up: "I see, I was impatient and wrongly blamed Lord Zeng. But when such a thing happened under Lord Zeng's rule, it is inevitable that there will be some shortcomings in supervision."

"You and I must work together to find out the truth. Only then can we clear your suspicion and report to His Majesty."

Zeng Tai wiped the sweat from his forehead and agreed hurriedly: "I will do my best to cooperate with the general!"

"Okay! I heard from Governor Qiao that Lord Zeng is an official who loves the people. Now Di Gong will arrive in Huzhou soon. I still have some favors with Di Gong, and we will talk about it then." Zhao Ji shamelessly used Di Renjie as a favor.

Zeng Tai felt relieved when he heard that Zhao Ji had a backer. "I am ashamed, ashamed. How could I be so favored by General Zhao? I will definitely follow the general's lead!"

Zeng Tai hesitated for a moment, and finally asked, "I just don't know what the general is going to ask me to do specifically?"

Zhao Ji smiled and said, "I am here for no other reason than to follow the imperial decree and come here for Li Gui and the inner guards. You don't have to do anything, just inform me of the news of the inner guards. I will stay with you for many days to come. I will tell you what I need you to do."

Zeng Tai looked a little unnatural when he heard this, but he quickly agreed: "With the general here, naturally everything will be fine. I can rest assured."

Zhao Ji smiled and said, "Mr. Zeng, you are too kind. We are all loyal to Your Majesty, and it is you who should work hard. Come, let's drink this cup to the full!"

Zeng Tai also smiled, picked up the wine glass and said, "General, please."

The two drank it all in one gulp and smiled at each other.

(End of this chapter)