Chapter 319 Choosing a side

Qizhou Governor’s Office.

Governor Suzi was checking official documents with a frown on his face.

Qizhou is different from Huangzhou. In Huangzhou, he can still exercise the power of a governor, but in Qizhou, he faces great constraints from many aristocratic families.

Only when I arrived in Shandong did I realize how terrifying the power of the Shandong families is.

Almost the entire provincial governor’s office and about 70% of the officials in the six counties under Qizhou have close ties with the Shandong families.

It’s good that he wants to implement the court’s national policy. He has a righteous cause in his hands. Even if the people below him pretend to obey and drag their feet, they are still doing it.

But if it is a matter related to the Shandong family, there will be different objections and even opposition to him.

Suzi was transferred here directly, and he knew that a strong dragon could not defeat a local snake.

He doesn’t have any powerful backing in the court.

He was able to become the governor of a higher state, a third-rank official post, half due to the influence of his local family and half entirely due to his seniority, which he had climbed up step by step.

Therefore, during the time he served as the governor of Qizhou, he did not want to cause trouble, and even more so did not want to offend the Shandong families.

Unfortunately.

He thought of a hidden danger under his rule that could cause a huge disaster at any time.

I couldn’t sleep or eat well and couldn’t feel at ease.

Once it breaks out, he won’t know what to do, and whether he can escape from this vortex unscathed.

“It would be good if you can suppress it, but if you can’t.”

“Why……!”

Su Zi shook his head secretly. It’s not like he hadn’t submitted a memorial before, but the memorial appeared in his study again not long after.

At that moment, he finally understood.

His memorial might have been intercepted when it arrived in Chang’an, and then returned to him intact.

The purpose was to warn him.

In Chang’an, they are still powerful and can return to you a memorial from a third-rank provincial governor.

“Ming Gong!”

“Ming Gong…”

His officials rushed in rashly, gasping for breath and saying, “Something big has happened.”

“What’s the big deal?”

Suzi’s heart skipped a beat, and he had a bad feeling, so he immediately asked.

“Two censors came to Qizhou secretly and are now at the Qizhou Censorate. They said they were ordered by the Grand Censor to investigate the family of the hero’s widow.”

“The man called Fang Qian has also been reinstated and is personally in charge of the investigation.”

Before he could finish, Suzi’s expression was dazed. What was supposed to happen had finally come.

You still couldn’t hold it in.

“Let’s go to the State Censorate right away.”

“Yes!”

Since Li Chengqian had repeatedly criticized the Censorate, Ma Zhou did so with the approval of Li Shimin.

At the state level, he expanded the censorship agency.

It was called the Provincial Censorate.

But there are not many people and the number of vacancies is not certain. There are usually three to five provincial censors, and the rest are assisting clerks without official ranks.

Their power is considerable, and they supervise all officials, big and small, in a state.

Even the governor Suzi was within their supervision scope, but they only had the power to supervise him, but not the power to conduct law enforcement investigations.

If the governor grants permission, they can investigate and bring to justice officials below the state level.

When Suzi arrived at the Provincial Censorate.

The place is already crowded with people, and all the main officials of Qizhou are present.

There’s no way not to come.

Chang’an Censorate, people sent by the Grand Censor.

It is not an exaggeration to say that she is an angel.

However, everyone present was silent.

“Greetings to Governor Su!”

Zhou Bin and the other man bowed and saluted, and Fang Qian also bowed but did not speak.

“You’re welcome.”

Suzi’s heart was beating fast, but he said calmly on the surface: “I wonder why the two imperial censors are here?”

“Reporting to Governor Su, I and Censor Wen have issued an order to the Grand Censor to investigate Censor Fang’s impeachment report. Qizhou has not seriously implemented the policy of preferential treatment for heroes and martyrs.”

Zhou Bin said neither humbly nor arrogantly.

Hear the words.

Everyone present became nervous.

Su Zi’s face slightly changed, and he asked with a smile, “Has Censor Fang been reinstated this time?”

Fang Qian showed hesitation.

Zhou Bin said for him: “Not yet, but it will be soon.”

“Why?”

“After hearing about the incident in Qizhou, the Imperial Censor was furious and ordered me and Imperial Censor Wen to go there first and start an investigation.”

Zhou Bin said: “At the same time, report to the Holy Emperor and give the next instructions.”

“According to the time calculation, the envoy sent by the Censorate should arrive in Qizhou in the next few days.”

He revealed so much information in just a few words.

One is that the Imperial Censor reported to the Holy Emperor.

One is that this matter has reached the ears of heaven.

A real angel is coming.

Several people present could no longer sit still.

They know the inside story. Once the angel comes, nothing can be covered up and everything will be exposed.

“It should also include the appointment of Fang Yushi.”

“According to the news from the station, the person in charge of leading the investigation this time is Censor Fang.”

Zhou Bin’s tone was light, but it was as powerful as thunder.

Many people were so scared that they couldn’t sit still.

Fang Qian.

Many of them are old acquaintances.

Last year there was a big commotion in Qizhou, and the disturbance even spread to Chang’an.

Finally, he was dismissed from office in disgrace, and people thought he would stop causing trouble.

Who would have thought that Fang Qian, who had no official position, would still come to Qizhou to report. Now, he wanted to personally lead the investigation of the matter that he failed to report.

Doesn’t this mean that if one gets what they want, many people will surely suffer great misfortune?

“Since he hasn’t been appointed yet, calling him the Imperial Censor so early is a bit inappropriate for the occasion.”

An official said.

“I think that before he is officially reinstated, Fang Qian has no right to participate in the affairs of the state council.”

“It’s not legitimate.”

Another official echoed this.

Suzi didn’t say anything. He was also anxious, but not as anxious as the local officials.

Zhou Bin and Wen He didn’t care and said, “That’s true.”

“It’s just that we informed you in advance to avoid any misunderstandings.”

“It won’t look good then.”

Zhou Bin said with a bad look: “A few days ago, before Wen Yushi and I arrived, Fang Qian was beaten severely and almost died.”

“Because of the heroic widow.”

“Provincial Governor Su.”

He said: “In broad daylight, not to mention Fang Qian, even ordinary people were beaten and abused. The government should arrest the murderer and interrogate him.”

“The government has not responded, and I have not yet questioned too much, but now, in the name of the State Censorate, I ask Governor Su to issue an order.”

“Take all the thugs, led by Xu Man, and bring them to the provincial capital for detention.”

“The state commissioner must strictly interrogate Xu Man and his group…”

He showed a fierce look and said, “Who instructed him to do this? Who is his backer? How dare he be so lawless and domineering?”

Suzi hadn’t spoken yet, she was in a dilemma, wondering whether to do it or not.

Then the censor of the original state office objected, “Censor Zhou, how the state office does things and how to ask the governor for orders is not up to you.”

“You only said that you were following the orders of the Imperial Censor, but you didn’t say that the prefecture was under the control of the two Imperial Censors.”

“So, you are overstepping your authority by asking Governor Su to issue an order in the name of the prefecture governor.”

“It’s very inappropriate and not in compliance with the charter.”

Normally, when someone follows the order of the Grand Censor to go to the local Censorate, the officials would tacitly regard him as the Censor-in-Chief, and the provincial censors would have to obey the Censor-in-Chief.

Now the provincial censor has jumped out to oppose and make the matter clear.

It can be said that this did not give any face to Zhou and Wen, and even challenged the authority of the Chief Censor.

It is completely reckless opposition.

It is conceivable that there are reasons that force them to do this.

“Oh?”

Zhou Bin said: “In this case, Censor Zhao wants to disobey the order of the Imperial Censor.”

“Or do you have another opinion?”

Censor Zhao said, “No matter what, let’s wait until the angel Censor Zhou mentioned arrives.”

“Whether Fang Qian was beaten or not still needs to be investigated.”

He said gently: “I saw it with my own eyes, how could it be false?”

“What if there is some misunderstanding here, and it has nothing to do with what the two censors are investigating?”

Zhou Bin and Wen He were a little angry and laughed.

The matter was very clear. They were following the orders of the Chief Censor to investigate first.

But if the state agency does not cooperate, then there is no way to really push it forward.

They really have no power.

“Well, let’s just follow what Censor Zhao said.”

“It’s only a few days anyway.”

Everyone left in a hurry. They would clean up the mess in a few days.

“Censor Fang, you will stay here temporarily.”

“I’m worried they’ll get desperate.”

Zhou Bin said, “Censor Wen, go find Governor Su and ask him to secretly monitor Xu Man.”

Fang Qian couldn’t help but ask, “Will Governor Su agree?”

He chuckled gently and said, “He will agree.”

Zhou Bin patted Fang Qian on the shoulder and said, “The main reason why we made such a fuss is to protect you and the Ning family’s mother and daughter.”

“What about Xu Man? He is the breakthrough point…”

“Don’t worry, they won’t move that fast.”

Zhou Bin said disdainfully: “I said a few days, is it really just a few days?”

……

“The angel will arrive tomorrow!”

Wen He said so.

Suzi sat up in shock and asked, “Really?”

“Absolutely no lies.”

Wen He said: “Today we are just trying to confuse them.”

“Governor Su, I suspected you before, but I learned from the people around Censor Fang that it was all thanks to you who secretly looked after him.”

“Now, the angel is about to arrive. It’s time for you to set things right and uphold justice.”

Suzi was still hesitant.

“I would like to remind the governor that you are in no way unconnected with this matter.”

“If there is a real reckoning, demotion is inevitable.”

Wen He advised: “Please come forward as soon as possible. In the future, Chang’an will think that you have made contributions.”

Suz paced back and forth, feeling uneasy and torn between conscience and desire.

Wen He was not in a hurry. After waiting for a long time, Su Zi said, “Don’t worry, Censor Wen. I will order someone to do it right away.”

“When the time comes, please give me more good words, Censor Wen.”

“Don’t worry, Governor. This matter will be led by Censor Fang. You saved his life, how can he not repay you?”

Su Zi was completely relieved. After Wen He left, he called his confidants and gave them instructions.

“What was supposed to come finally came.”

“You think it will take a few days, and people will arrive tomorrow.”

“It’s too late.”

Suz now has to choose a side, and he hopes he has made the right choice.

(End of this chapter)