After listening to his brother's advice, Zhang Yanling immediately found someone to contact Empress Dowager Zhang.

Afterwards, Empress Dowager Zhang sent an envoy to contact Chen Xi, and the specific person in charge was Li Xing, who was sent by Zhu Houzhao to supervise the case.

Li Xing is now considered to be the Queen Mother Zhang, but the relationship between Li Xing and the Queen Mother's faction is far less close than that of Gao Feng and his relatives before.

Li Xing came to Chen Xi on the grounds of routine inquiry of the case.

In the courtyard of Chang'an Street, the two of them exchanged greetings and even had lunch together.

After drinking and eating, Li Xing explained his purpose.

"...The Empress Dowager hopes that Lord Shen can settle the Jiangnan case soon."

Chen Xi frowned slightly: "What is the connection between this case and the inner curtain? Is it necessary for the Empress Dowager to issue an edict to instruct the case?"

Li Xing replied awkwardly: "It's nothing special, it's just that the Empress Dowager is concerned about the stability of the court and hopes to settle the case as soon as possible to calm the criticism of the court and the opposition."

Chen Xi nodded: "I have said before that the case will be closed before the New Year."

"Mr. Shen, your ability to do things is unquestionable, but the problem is that there are only five days left before New Year's Eve. Thousands of households are preparing for the New Year, and all the government offices in the court are finishing the year's errands. Why does this case have no progress at all?"

Li Xing looked at Chen Xi with a bitter face, hoping to get a reasonable explanation.

Chen Xidao: "Eunuch Li, are you worried that the case before the New Year will not end?"

Li Xing asked tentatively: "Mr. Shen has been slow to move this case. Is it related to the case in the case? I'll guess so, do you see if this case will have an affair with... other people in the court?"

Seeing that Chen Xi did not answer, Li Xing continued to ask: "It is possible to have relatives with them, such as... Zhang's family?"

Chen Xi shook his head and said, "One case will come to one case."

"Is it possible that the two cases will be tried together?" Li Xing continued to ask.

Chen Xi said angrily: "Eunuch Li, is it you who came to investigate the case or me?"

“…of course it’s you.”

Li Xing replied with a smile, "But since I came here at the emperor's order, I must ask many things clearly so that I can report to Your Majesty."

Chen Xidao: "Since I am the chief judge, I have to follow my rhythm. It is futile to say that the case was closed before the New Year and the New Year. If it were others, I would not disclose any details. But since Eunuch Li came to the emperor's order, I would also kindly remind you that I will never touch the case that Your Majesty did not give in to Kaifeng."

Li Xing breathed a sigh of relief: "It means it has nothing to do with the Zhang family? Haha, you also know why the Empress Dowager would ask about this case... If she has nothing to do with her, what should she pay attention to?"

Chen Xi nodded, but said nothing.

Li Xing suddenly remembered something, took out a piece of stuff from his arms and handed it to Chen Xi: "This is the evidence collected. It is all confidential about Duke Wei and Wei Bin's corruption and abuse of power... Lord Shen, don't ask the source, in fact, you should be very clear about it."

"What the Queen Mother gave it to you?" Chen Xi asked.

Li Xing waved his hand, looking very mysterious.

Chen Xi frowned: "Since we can't say it, then this evidence cannot be adopted at all... How can something of unknown origin be presented to the court during the trial?"

Li Xing said helplessly: "Mr. Shen, you are really a ruler. It's unpleasant. These evidences are all for nothing, and they are ironclad evidence... With these evidences, it can better make the two of them plead guilty!"

Chen Xi directly handed back the "evidence" pushed by Li Xing and said, "What kind of rules should be used to examine the case? Eunuch Li doesn't need to teach you."

Xiao Taozi felt very upset when he thought that Zhu Houzhao was going out to hunt with Jiang Bin, and Jiang Bin might be favored again.

However, he was really helpless and had to say unhappy: "Your Majesty asked you to prepare, saying that you might go to the city in the afternoon... and wait for the order."

"Okay."

Jiang Bin was very excited, and was full of energy. He was guarding the gate of the bedroom and refused to leave.

When Xiao Twist turned around and walked inside, he kept muttering: "I really fought for the sake of the Saint. I thought I was like before, I was always worried about His Majesty and relying on him everywhere? Bah, you deserve it too!?"

...

...

Zhang Yong was always concerned about the situation in Xuanfu in the capital.

On the 27th day of the twelfth lunar month, he received a letter from Xiao Guozi, and was told that Zhu Houzhao was preparing to travel these days and showed signs of re-respecting Jiang Bin.

Zhang Yong was very worried and wanted to go to Xuanfu immediately, but unfortunately he was not summoned by the emperor. He was confused for a moment and had no plans.

That night, Zhang Yong took the opportunity to ask about Jiangnan's case and went to Chen's mansion to ask for a meeting. Chen Xi met him in the study.

After the meeting, Zhang Yong did not hide at all and directly explained the purpose.

"... Your Majesty reuses Jiang Bin again. Once this person comes to power, he may have an unfavorable situation when His Majesty went to Jianggan... He covers the sky with one hand and blinds the holy hearing!"

Chen Xi looked at Zhang Yong and asked, "Are you afraid of Eunuch Zhang?"

Zhang Yongdao: "If you want to say that, there is still a little bit of fear. After all, Jiang Bin is a close minister with His Majesty and his previous minister. If you exaggerate your eyes, it may affect Your Majesty's perception and judgment of things... Lord Shen, you should also be more or less careful. Once he slanders in front of Your Majesty, it will more or less hinder your work."

Chen Xi said carelessly: "A mere Jiang Bin can't cause any big storm in the court. Some things are more stressful."

"What's the matter?"

Zhang Yong looked puzzled. He could tell from Chen Xi's expression that it seemed to have something to do with him.

Chen Xi was silent, as if he was unintentional to explain, but Zhang Yong was so anxious that he asked: "Mr. Shen, if you have something to say, we are our own people, why should we hide it? If you have a big deal and need a man in urgent need of staff, just tell us that our family will go through fire and water, and we will do whatever we want."

Chen Xidao: "Eunuch Zhang, I heard that you have been a servant in the Sili Supervisory Commission recently. I have met many people and received a lot of gifts?"

"this……"

Zhang Yong's face was extremely embarrassed, "It's just some normal social engagements in officialdom."

Chen Xi said again: "Eunuch Xiao has been returning to the court for a long time. What do you think he is doing? Is he fair and righteous, outstanding ability, or is he aged and stupid, and has no use?"

Zhang Yong was not good at commenting for a moment, that was his boss, and there was no direct conflict between him and Xiao Jing.

But in order to get to power, Zhang Yong gritted his teeth and said, "Eunuch Xiao used to be a capable person, but after all, he was too old and seemed unable to do many things. If others were asked to sit in his position, they might not be worse than him. Of course... our family is not saying that we do better than him."

Chen Xi smiled: "Eunuch Zhang is so flawless to speak. Didn't you just say something just now?"

Zhang Yong said distressedly: "Mr. Shen, we are indeed our own people, and there is nothing to hide. You should know how much hope our family can go further, right? However, Your Majesty always doesn't give you a chance. There are rumors outside that even if Eunuch Xiao retreats, the next person to the throne will not be me, Zhang. Now the eunuchs with qualifications do not take me seriously at all and often ridicule them behind their backs."

"So, our family thought that if we don't take the opportunity to receive more gifts now, and if we have a solid capital, we may not have a chance in the future... In this officialdom, it's easier to do things with money!"

Chen Xi said coldly: "Do you know what you are talking about?"

Zhang Yong sighed, "Mr. Shen, our family knows that you are very careful and can't rub sand in your eyes, but what we say is true. It's not that our family collects money alone. Who has the right to make a fortune if you have the right to make an opportunity? The end of the year is coming, and many officials stranded in the capital waiting for the Ministry of Personnel are walking around. If you hadn't been to your strict orders, you would probably have to break the threshold, right?"

Zhang Yong looked aggrieved when he spoke, as if he was doing something natural and did not violate the laws and regulations of the Ming Dynasty.

He also knew that saying this in front of Shen Xi was like revealing his own truth, but this attitude made him feel that handing over the handle would be more trustworthy than Chen Xi.

Zhang Yong said again: "You have a high position and power, and you don't lack that little money, and you don't lack fame and status. Everyone wants to give you face. But our family is different. Our family is a deacon in the palace. We will not bring money and things to life and death. Why is the hard work in this life? Isn't it that the glory of my life? What I fear most is that I have half a piece of loess, and I lament that I have an unfulfilled wish in this life... Lord Shen won't let our family fulfill it, right?"

Chen Xi narrowed his eyes and said, "Are you here to complain?"

"well!"

Zhang Yong sighed heavily, "Mr. Shen, after hearing that Your Majesty arrived at Xuan Mansion, he was dissatisfied with Eunuch Xiao, and he always scolded him on the grounds that he was old and stupid. Many court affairs did not have your votes, and Your Majesty was not satisfied with the handling method. It may not take long before the personnel changes in the Silijian again. You... can't help?"

Chen Xi shook his head: "I can't help."

Zhang Yong said anxiously: "Don't rush to keep people from thousands of miles away... As long as our family ascends this position, they will give you generous gifts at any time. And our family is in charge of the Secretariat for a day, and everything is subject to Lord Shen's opinion. Whether you can help is second. Today, our family will leave here. You should consider the candidates for the Secretariat and seals on weekdays to see who is more suitable than our family. Say goodbye!"

...

...

Zhang Yong felt that he had the opportunity to take office and frequently walked around the officialdom in the capital. He was not restricted much in the capital. In addition, he was in charge of the East Factory, which gave him more room for activities.

Since Chen Xi saw these situations, it is naturally impossible to completely hide them from Zhu Houzhao's eyes and ears.

Chen Xi saw Zhang Yonghou away and thought about this matter carefully. He felt a little angry, but he could do nothing.

"grown ups."

Yun Liu appeared in front of Shen Xi in men's clothing.

Yun Liu came to Shen's house, and he had to go out after night. He changed into men's clothing and disappeared, doing everything in business without any private relationships between children.

Chen Xi asked, "How is it? Have you investigated the matter in Jiangnan thoroughly?"

Chen Xi did not send others to investigate the case about Jiangnan, but used the intelligence system he controlled. In fact, Chen Xi had already understood many things, just asked Yun Liu to add details.

Yun Liu said: "Sir Hui, as you expected, after Duke Wei stepped down as the garrison nobleman, he did not stop. Many people continued to bribe him, and he was still doing some shameful transactions... The property of Duke Wei's mansion exceeded five million taels, and if fixed assets were added, it might exceed ten million taels!"

Chen Xi sighed and said, "I have been honored for many generations, guarding Jiangnan, and I am really rich enough to compete with the country! No wonder others want to climb up to this position."

Yun Liu said again: "As for Eunuch Wei, after arriving in Nanjing, the income from embezzlement and bribery was more than 50,000 taels, but not more than 100,000 taels, and some accounts cannot be checked."

Chen Xi nodded: "Even if this is the case, he deserves to die!"

Yunliu asked for instructions: "Sir, is this case decided? With the existing evidence, it can be tried in court. There are only two days before the New Year, so I am afraid that there will be no time..."

"It's the day after tomorrow."

Chenxidao, "Take an hour to review the case, and then submit the case to Xuanfu with a quick horse. The promise to close the case before the New Year is considered to be completed."

Yun Liu seemed a little puzzled: "Sir, why should I press until the last one or two days of the year? Or is there insufficient evidence? Please tell me."

Chen Xi shook his head and said, "If you want to try a case, it is not necessary to fight quickly. Sometimes this is also a psychological warfare. The time should not be too fast, but it should not be too fast. You need to grasp the standard."

"The next day is exactly the last moment before the Gyeonggiya government closes. The rest period at the beginning of the year will block the news in the capital, and this is exactly what I need... Following this process, it is absolutely correct!"

...
To be continued...