sjar Chapter 50 Lin Shiming rolled around on the bed, overjoyed.
Chapter 50 Lin Shiming rolled around on the bed, overjoyed.
At Shenshi (3-5 PM), Lin Shiming and Lu Yuxi rode together in the Crown Prince's imperial carriage to the Six Ministries in the outer court of the palace. The Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Justice were not far apart, but Lu Yuxi still made sure to take the person safely to the Ministry of Justice before turning around and going to the Ministry of Personnel, which was not far away.
Actually, this time is already quite late for officials. In Changping, the morning court session is usually held every three days, but it may be postponed earlier or later if there are celebrations, festivals, or events.
Officials also had time restrictions for their shifts. During the Changping era, "dianmao" meant that officials had to be on duty before the end of the Mao hour (5-7 AM). Lunch was provided by the palace, but officials could also bring their own. There was no lunch break, and they worked until the beginning of the You hour (5-7 PM) in the afternoon before they could leave.
Generally, each official is entitled to one day off every five days, the specific day of which they can choose, but not on the day of court assembly. They must also ensure that each department has sufficient personnel on duty each day. However, this applies to most officials; those with special responsibilities may have different working hours.
Lu Yuxi has been grading papers at the Ministry of Personnel recently and hasn't taken a lunch break. It was only today, feeling guilty, that she specifically stayed up with Lin Shiming for a nap.
Therefore, Lin Shiming arriving at the Ministry of Justice at Shenshi (3-5 PM) was indeed quite late; in another hour, everyone else would have finished their shifts.
Even so, the people from the Ministry of Justice still rushed forward to greet him upon his arrival. There was nothing they could do; their former minister had been sent home by the Crown Princess half a month ago, and Prince An hadn't done anything to him. Seeing that Prince An was unreliable, what could these lowly underlings do to resist? They might as well obediently follow orders!
Thus, Lin Shiming entered the Ministry of Justice amidst a grand welcome from a group of people. He was astonished by the obsequious, fawning officials along the way; it seemed the favor had vanished once the person left!
"Alright, enough with the fuss, let's get down to business." Lin Shiming strode into the main room and took his seat at the head of the table.
The highest-ranking official among them, An Shiquan, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, took the lead in expressing his loyalty.
"Your Highness, please give your orders, and we will do our utmost."
Lin Shiming chuckled and took a sip of tea.
Who can tell whether what they're saying is true or false?
The group of people below instantly broke out in a cold sweat.
"I've always been straightforward, so let's not beat around the bush. Which of you is Prince An's... no, which of you has a master behind you? Step forward so I can see."
???
Is this something I can ask directly?
"Hurry up, I'm only giving you this one chance. If you don't come out, after today, if you can hide, fine, but if you can't," Lin Shiming looked at the group of officials with a half-smile, "I'll have no choice but to return you to your rightful owner."
It means dismissing people from their posts and sending them to serve as servants in the mansions of their masters.
However, these officials did not know Lin Shiming's meaning. Based on the style of their superior, they unanimously believed that "returning the object to its rightful owner" meant killing the person and dumping the body at the residence of the master behind them.
And that's how this strange misunderstanding came about!
So for a moment, many of the people in the group below were trembling with fear, almost to the point of losing control of their bladders.
This scene made Lin Shiming frown deeply, utterly bewildered. When did being a servant become so terrifying?
But it doesn't matter, as long as it works!
Lin Shiming slammed the teacup down on the table. "This is your last chance. I'll count to three. Three, two..."
"Your Highness, please spare my life! I used to be Prince An's man, but from now on I will follow Your Highness's lead!"
Wow! One actually came out!
But why spare his life? Lin Shiming blinked in confusion.
But he had no time to doubt after that. After the first warrior came out to surrender, many more of Prince An's men came out one after another, weeping and declaring that they would "have no ulterior motives" towards Lin Shiming in the future.
Hearing the bizarre confession, Lin Shiming shuddered with disgust.
After the last official in charge came out and pledged his loyalty, Lin Shiming looked around and saw that only about ten of the nearly thirty main officials of the Ministry of Justice were still standing. This was before the remaining one hundred and seventy clerks and their ilk had been thoroughly investigated.
"This proportion," Lin Shiming clicked his tongue. "Mu Xiaoguang is really something else!"
"Wilderness".
"My subordinate is here."
"Where are the people His Highness the Crown Prince gave me?"
"They're already waiting outside."
Lin Shiming nodded. It was now 3:45 PM, and there were still 6:45 AM before his shift ended.
"Divide into three groups and interrogate everyone one by one. After the interrogation, they are not allowed to leave. They are all gathered together in one place and kept under guard. From now on, no one is allowed to talk to each other privately at any time."
"Yes."
"I'll write down the specific questions I need to ask you right away. Remember to record the entire interrogation process. Also, record their personal information, and whether they stepped forward just now."
"Yes."
No matter how capable Mu Xiaoguang is, it's impossible for the Ministry of Justice to be completely without any of Prince Ping's or the Sixth Prince's people. But now everyone who's come forward claims to be Prince An's people, so there must be someone still hiding inside.
Moreover, even if these people switched sides due to Prince An's inaction, it would be almost impossible to thoroughly investigate everyone in one go. However, since the Ministry of Justice is Prince An's stronghold, it's likely that these people wouldn't be too secretive when they're working, and colleagues interacting daily will inevitably leave loopholes.
Investigating each person individually is too time-consuming and not worthwhile. Separate questioning and comparing the results is the best method Lin Shiming can think of in the short term.
First, do a general cleaning, then replace the key areas with your own people, and proceed gradually from there.
After writing down the questions he wanted Yuan Ye and the others to ask, Lin Shiming had someone move a chair to the outer corridor. He leisurely drank tea and looked at the information on the Southern Region tax case while occasionally observing the expressions of the people in the courtyard.
And so, under Lin Shiming's arrangement, this sudden interrogation proceeded in an orderly manner. Because there were quite a few people involved, it wasn't until 1:15 PM, when Lu Yuxi had come to pick them up, that Yuan Ye delivered twenty-seven interrogation records.
Lin Shiming casually shoved the item into Lu Yuxi's hand, then clapped his hands and stood up.
"That's all for today. We'll start the investigation tomorrow, so remember not to be late. Alright, everyone go back now."
Lin Shiming and Lu Yuxi strode out of the Ministry of Justice, boarded the imperial carriage, and rode away. Only then did the rest of the Ministry of Justice wipe the sweat from their brows and stand up one after another.
*
In the East Palace, the two, having finished their dinner, were leading Lin Ha and Lin Qi for a stroll in the East Palace's small garden.
It's already late February, and many plum blossoms, camellias, forsythia, apricot blossoms, and other flowers have already bloomed, making this little garden finally look more pleasing to the eye.
Lin Shiming casually tossed a ball, watching the two wolves scramble and frantically try to grab it.
Tsk, it's getting more and more like a dog!
Is it really because he doesn't know how to raise a pet?
Forget it, it'll be safer to keep it in the palace.
Lin Shiming gave up on the question and turned to look at Lu Yuxi, who was quietly accompanying him on his walk.
"My brother told me that you made him a promise about me today."
Lu Yuxi paused for a moment, then turned around and picked a camellia and placed it in Lin Shiming's hand.
Lin Shiming took the flower and turned it around to admire it, even bringing it to his nose to smell its fragrance.
"Prefer not to say?"
After thinking for a moment, Lu Yuxi gave an honest but vague answer.
"Yes. He hopes you can live a peaceful and happy life, and so do I."
Lin Shiming nodded as expected, "I can understand that, and I don't mind."
"What I care about is that you actually dared to refuse me from going in with you today!"
"...It was my elder brother who called me."
"I don't care! Are you going to listen to him or me?"
Lu Yuxi took a deep breath and nodded helplessly, "I'll listen to you."
Lin Shiming was extremely smug. "I want you to apologize to me for lying to me about approving the memorials!"
"it is good."
Seeing that Lu Yuxi agreed so easily, Lin Shiming immediately revealed a wicked smile.
*
At the Eastern Palace, at the third quarter of Hai hour.
Lin Shiming rolled around on the bed, overjoyed.
Lu Yuxi walked briskly to the bedside and sat down. She reached out and grabbed Lin Shiming, who was rolling around, and held him still, then pushed him inside.
"Are you satisfied?"
"okokokok!"
Hehe, of course I'm very pleased with myself!
The Crown Prince was kneeling down to wash his feet! If it weren't for the sake of Crown Prince Lu Yuxi's reputation, he would have already rushed out and spread rumors everywhere. Why would he be here rolling around to vent his joy?
Lu Yuxi was amused by him. It's not like she hasn't given this person a bath before, she's washed his whole body, why is he so happy to just wash his feet?
So easy to coax! Much easier than Father coaxing Mother. Lu Yuxi chuckled, raising her hand to ruffle Lin Shiming's hair. "You're satisfied now, how about I get satisfied too?"
Lin Shiming stared at him with wide eyes, teasing him, but his hand had already moved towards Lu Yuxi's chest in a roguish manner.
Lu Yuxi chuckled softly and leaned down to press against him.