Chapter 767: Sword pointed at Murong!

The next day, at noon.

Huo San came to the coordination office in Dongning with dark circles under his eyes. He thought about the case until the second watch last night before he could barely fall asleep. When he woke up this morning, he heard that Zhang Qiankun had brought Lu Chaogui back to the government office, so he immediately rushed here to prepare for the interrogation of Lu Chaogui...
Huo San believed that he could find some useful clues from Lu Chaogui!

As soon as he entered the government office, Huo San wanted to find Zhang Qiankun to ask about the interrogation, but he didn't expect that he would be greeted with bad news.

"What? Lu Chaogui is dead?" Huo San immediately slammed the table and shouted angrily after hearing Zhang Qiankun's words:
Facing Huo San's angry glare, Zhang Qiankun could only bite the bullet and say:
"Yes, when I was interrogating him today, he suddenly died!"

Listening to Zhang Qiankun's story, Huo San seemed to realize something and said coldly:

"Did you torture him?"

Zhang Qiankun hesitated for a moment, but still nodded and said:
"Director, I don't know what's wrong with this guy. He was as timid as a mouse last night and was so scared that he almost peed his pants. But when we interrogated him today, he turned into a stubborn person, insisting that he was wronged and that the incident had nothing to do with him. We saw that he was stubborn and we used some tricks on him!"

"But we were very careful in our attack, we only gave him two lashes, but we didn't expect that he would die suddenly!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Huo San looked deeply at Zhang Qiankun. Facing Huo San's gaze, Zhang Qiankun did not dodge at all, and his expression was full of confusion and helplessness.

Seeing this, Huo San hesitated for a moment and ordered:

"Where is Lu Chaogui now? Take me to see him!"

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After a cup of tea, Huo San came to the cell of the Coordination Office, where Lu Chaogui's body was lying quietly. After carefully examining Lu Chaogui's body, Huo San couldn't help but show a hint of doubt in his eyes. He had suspected that Zhang Qiankun had used too harsh a method on Lu Chaogui and killed this guy directly.

But judging from the current state of the corpse, Zhang Qiankun was very sensible. He just gave him two lashes and poured a few basins of cold water, just as he had just said. He did not impose any severe punishment. Could it be that Lu Chaogui really died suddenly by coincidence?
After thinking carefully for a while, Huo San asked again:

"Tell me everything that happened when you arrested Lu Chaogui yesterday!"

Although he didn't know Huo San's intention, Zhang Qiankun still recounted the process of last night's arrest. After hearing this, Huo San asked again:
"After arresting Lu Chaogui, did he contact those people again?"

Zhang Qiankun heard this and said:

"Director, after I arrested him and locked him up in the cell yesterday, I specifically ordered that no one be allowed to contact him, give him food or water, or talk to him, so no one should be able to contact him!"

Huo San nodded slightly and ordered:
"Give Lu Chaogui's body to Zhao Dafei and let him check it out!"

Hearing what Huo San said, Zhang Qiankun breathed a sigh of relief and nodded quickly. At this time, Huo San continued to ask:
“Although Lu Chaogui is dead, we still cannot relax regarding his affairs. You must continue to investigate and find out every illegal act of his…”

Seeing Huo San say this, Zhang Qiankun was moved and said:

"Sir, we found out that Lu Chaogui might have some kind of interest relationship with Fang Peng!"

Hearing the name "Fang Peng", Huo San felt a little unfamiliar and couldn't help but ask:

"Who is this Fang Peng?"

Zhang Qiankun explained:
"This Fang Peng was previously the assistant governor of Liaoyang. At the beginning of the year, he was transferred to the Hebei-Henan Governorate as a councilor!"

After hearing Fang Peng's resume from Zhang Qiankun, Huo San also understood what was going on and asked in a deep voice:
"He is Murong Yuliang's man?"

Zhang Qiankun nodded and said:
"Yes, Fang Peng was promoted by Murong Yuliang when he was the Liaoyang Censor. Later, Murong Yuliang succeeded Mr. Cui as Liaoyang Governor. Fang Peng followed Murong Yuliang to the Governor's Office to serve as a deputy. Later, when Murong Yuliang went to Hebei and Henan, he also took Fang Peng with him!"

Listening to Zhang Qiankun's introduction, Huo San narrowed his eyes. After a moment, he asked again:
"Are you sure there is a connection between Lu Chaogui and Fang Peng?"

Facing Huo San's question, Zhang Qiankun was a little hesitant. He organized his words and said very carefully:

“Sir, the more detailed investigation has just begun, so it is not possible to confirm with complete certainty that there is a conflict of interest between the two of them. However, if I continue investigating, I believe I will be able to find evidence and the truth of the matter…”

After getting Zhang Qiankun's answer, Huo San patted him on the shoulder and said:

"I'll leave this matter to you. Do your best! I'll be your solid backing!"

Hearing what Huo San said, Zhang Qiankun's eyes suddenly lit up and he bowed to Huo San:

"Thank you for your support, Director! Qiankun will definitely live up to your trust!"

As a centurion investigating this case, Zhang Qiankun can feel more and more that this case is very complicated as the investigation goes deeper. Although Huo San told him that the commander-in-chief must get to the bottom of it and asked him to be the pawn that has crossed the river and rush forward, Zhang Qiankun can't help but feel a little nervous, worrying that he may be sacrificed at any time.

Now with Huo San's reassurance, he felt much more at ease!

After explaining Zhang Qiankun a few more words, Huo San went to a quiet room to think. He wanted to digest the information he had just received from Zhang Qiankun. Although Zhang Qiankun had just spoken very cautiously and was not completely sure about the relationship between Lu Chaogui and Fang Peng, Huo San, who was familiar with Zhang Qiankun's character, knew that Zhang Qiankun was a very stable person. He must have found some solid evidence to tell him so.

In this case, let's make a bold assumption that there is some shady interest exchange between Lu Chaogui and Fang Peng, and Fang Peng was promoted by Murong Yuliang. In this case, this matter involves Murong Yuliang...

Thinking of this, Huo San couldn't help but frown. Since the establishment of Fengwu Army, there have been cases of corruption almost every month because of the crackdown on corruption. But so far, Ye Zhanpeng's case is the one with the largest amount of money, the most people involved, and the greatest impact! No one else!

The amount of money involved in the case has now been found to be close to 300,000 taels of silver, and the number of Fengwu Army officials involved has now exceeded one hundred, and it can be predicted that more people will be investigated in this case in the future!
Therefore, although this case is currently in the stage of secret investigation, because the case involves too many people, it has also caused an uproar in the Fengwu Army. Because the main scope of the case is in Liaoyang, many people in the Fengwu Army believe that the Liaoyang Governor has an unshirkable responsibility for this!
However, the current Liaoyang governor, Gu Zhongshi, has only been in office for half a year, and the Ye Zhanpeng case started a few years ago, so a lot of criticism is directed at the former governor of Liaoyang and the current governor of Hebei and Henan - Murong Yuliang!
However, the Marshal now trusts Murong Yuliang, and has suppressed all the voices directed at Murong Yuliang. However, if it is really confirmed that Fang Peng, who was promoted by Murong Yuliang, is related to this case, then even if the Marshal continues to trust Murong Yuliang, it will be difficult for Murong Yuliang to get away easily!
What's worse is that if Fang Peng has problems, then would Murong Yuliang who promoted him also have problems?

Although he has always been sure that Ye Zhanpeng has no boss, and that he was able to weave such a large network of interests by himself, but now that he has realized this, Huo San is not as sure as he was at the beginning. After all, if Murong Yuliang is really Ye Zhanpeng's boss and Ye Zhanpeng's umbrella in Liaoyang, then everything can be explained!

Continuing to think along this line, Huo San began to feel that perhaps Lu Chaogui's death might not be that simple. Although from the current evidence, Lu Chaogui's death was an accident, the timing of his death was really too critical.

Thinking carefully about what Zhang Qiankun had just said, Huo San also remembered one thing. Zhang Qiankun just said that Lu Chaogui was very scared when he was arrested last night, but when he was interrogated today, he became stiff and insisted that the matter had nothing to do with him!

From last night to this morning, it was only seven or eight hours at most. What caused such a huge contrast in Lu Chaogui's behavior?
What if his death was not an accident?

But is it that someone wants to silence him?
Realizing this, Huo San's eyes couldn't help but flicker. He felt that he was getting closer and closer to the truth of the matter. However, he still needed Lu Chaogui's autopsy report to support his point of view...
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Yijing, the governor's office.

Cui Shao was processing official documents one by one. His rich experience and profound knowledge enabled him to solve the problems before him faster and better.

"The tax reduction requested by Jizhou Prefect Qi Dechao should be sent to the Governor's Office for the Marshal to handle!"

"Regarding the grain price in Yijing, tell the granaries in various places to take as much qualified grain as they can. Make sure to stabilize the grain price at two coins per stone. Remember that low grain prices hurt farmers!"

"Now that the year is drawing to a close, the inspection team should prepare to organize inspections in various parts of Youyan to see what the actual situation is in each place!"

As Cui Shao skillfully issued each order, the memorials in front of him disappeared quickly. Just as he was about to deal with the last few things on hand and go home to spend the day, a minor official came to his side and reported:

"Sir, Master Gu is here to see you!"

Cui Shao was somewhat surprised when he heard this and asked back:
"Are you talking about Gu Sansi?"

The clerk nodded and said:

"That's him! He's in the side room now! Would you like to see him, sir?"

Cui Shao's eyes became deep when he heard this. Seeing that Cui Shao didn't say anything, the clerk guessed Cui Shao's intention and said tentatively:

"Sir, if you don't want to see him, I will find a reason to send him away..."

After saying this, Cui Shao smiled slightly and then stood up and said;
"You bastard, since Lord Gu is here, how can I not see him?"

"You lead the way, I want to greet Master Gu in person!"

"Yes!"

A moment later, Cui Shao arrived at the side room. Seeing Cui Shao coming out to greet him personally, Gu Sansi was a little surprised and immediately bowed to Cui Shao and said:

"Your humble servant Gu Sansi pays respect to Lord Cui!"

Facing Gu Sansi's salute, Cui Shao said with a smile:

"Think carefully, why are you so polite when you come to my place?"

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two sides entered the main house. Cui Shao dismissed all his men and stayed alone with Gu Sansi.

Seeing Cui Shao doing this, Gu Sansi also spoke:
"I came here mainly to report some of my recent work results to you, Master Cui!"

After hearing what Gu Sansi said, Cui Shao became more cautious. It’s not that the work results reported by Gu Sansi were so important, but he knew that this was just an excuse from Gu Sansi.

Although Gu Sansi had the title of councilor of Youyan Provincial Government, he was the second in command of Youyan Provincial Government and a subordinate of Cui Shao!
However, Ye Mingsheng handed over the full authority of the reform to Gu Sansi, and Gu Sansi was directly responsible to Ye Mingsheng himself. Therefore, in fact, the power in the hands of Gu Sansi was no less than that of Cui Shao...
According to the rules, Gu Sansi, who was directly responsible to Ye Mingsheng, did not need to come to report his work results specifically. In the previous few times, it was Gu Sansi who sent people to deliver the documents to notify the Governor. But now Gu Sansi actually went against his usual behavior and came to report his work results to him. This was absolutely abnormal!
Therefore, in Cui Shao's eyes, reporting work was just an excuse of Gu Sansi. His real purpose of coming to him this time might be something else!

Although he guessed what Gu Sansi did, Cui Shao did not point it out. He met Gu Sansi's gaze and nodded with a smile.

With Cui Shao's permission, Gu Sansi carefully reported his work results, such as encouraging commercial development, building more schools, and redeeming land.

After listening to Gu Sansi's report for an incense stick of time, Cui Shao nodded with satisfaction and said:

“Sansi, you have really done a lot of good things for the people during this period! Your advanced experiences are worthy of learning from your colleagues in the Chief Secretary…”

(End of this chapter)