Chapter 72: The Emperor's Mind is Hard to Fathom

  Kala and Shi Yide led the two town water forces on the sea for half a month, but didn't find any valuable clues. Knowing it was hopeless, they had no choice but to withdraw their troops. Shi Yide led the Langshan Town Water Force back to Langshan, while Kala also returned along the river to Jiangning with his troops, only reporting to Zhang Bohang. Zhang Bohang knew that the two of them had returned without success and also returned to Suzhou.

  Yin Zhen received the news and learned that all three of them had returned empty-handed. He couldn't help but laugh at their slow reaction speed, wondering how they could catch thieves with such a pace. Knowing that the three were unsuccessful, he ordered his men to send each of them a copy of Zheng Jin Xin's pirate gang's detailed information. For Gai Li and Shi Yi De, this information was a lifeline. This effortless act was a timely help, and Yin Zhen was more than happy to do so.

  The documents were sent to Suzhou, Zhenjiang and Jiangning. The three of them were overjoyed, although they didn't catch the thief, but at least they knew who did it, which was somewhat comforting. Gali and Shiyide were extremely grateful to Yinzheng and immediately prepared a heavy gift to be sent to Shanghai. Later, the two communicated with each other, unified their tone, and each wrote a report on the case. However, Zhang Bohang also wrote a memorial impeaching Gali for accepting bribes, being corrupt and lawless, colluding with merchants, and using naval warships to sell rice for profit.

  Regarding the dispute over the two rivers' governorship, Yinzeng was not interested at all. He wrote a secret letter to Kangxi, detailing the situation of the maritime trade fleet being hijacked, and briefly mentioned the interdependent relationship between merchants and pirates in order to exonerate Zhang Yuanlong. He also mentioned the progress of Zhang's shipyard construction. After sending out the secret letter, Yinzeng put the matter aside and turned his attention back to his own affairs.

  The weather is getting hotter and hotter, and the uniform of the Qing army is becoming more and more unbearable to look at. Especially when they march in formation, it's awkward no matter how you look at it. The factory was still far from producing them, so he couldn't wait any longer and drew out all the designs for the sailor shirt, military pants, shorts, vest, and cap that he remembered, and had Hai Feng find a tailor to make prototypes.

  For the task entrusted by Yinzhen himself, Haifeng naturally did not dare to slack off and immediately went to Shanghai County to invite the most famous tailor. Upon seeing these patterns, the tailor also felt uncertain, and Haifeng had no choice but to take him to find Yinzhen. Under Yinzhen's patient explanation, the first set of samples was finally made, and after trying it on, Yinzhen pointed out the places that needed to be changed. It wasn't until Yinzhen was satisfied that it was already July.

  During this period, Kangxi also approved the impeachment of Chen Pengnian, Governor of Suzhou Prefecture, Jia Pu, Grain Intendant of Suzhou and Songjiang, and Zhang Tingcai, Vice-Prefect of Suzhou Prefecture. He ordered Zhang Penghui, who was still in Jiangning, to investigate and handle the case together.

  Zhang Penghui's actions were swift, and he immediately submitted a memorial to the throne, "Grain Road Jia Pu supervised the repair of the river gate, advocated for withholding grain money for future maintenance and repair, and forged an official seal to report the expenditure. The dismissed Governor of the Ministry of Revenue Yi Si Gong, the dismissed Governor Yu Zhun did not thoroughly investigate and did not truthfully report to the imperial court. Except for Yi Si Gong who was already sentenced to death by hanging, Jia Pu and Yu Zhun should be punished according to the law with flogging and exile, and also be required to make up for the shortage within a limited time. The officials in charge of the repair work, including Zhang Tingcai, the Vice Prefect of Suzhou Prefecture, should all be dismissed. The silver that Prefect Chen Pengnian had issued and stored was all carried out under the orders of the Governor, and he was not guilty."

  "This time, Kangxi replied quickly, 'All officials discussed the disposal of Chen Pengnian's case, but why did he escape punishment? Chen Pengnian was originally a criminal who should have been put to death, but I spared his life and allowed him to temporarily take over as Governor. He should have been grateful and reported the truth, but instead, he let his subordinates embezzle silver from the treasury and fill their own pockets. Not only did he not stop them, but he also didn't report it to me. Since this matter was handled by Chen Pengnian himself, it is clear that they colluded in the crime. If we let him off without punishment, people will not be satisfied. In handling official matters, even if it involves friends or classmates, one must still follow the law and reason. Zhang Pengshou's handling of this case was biased and partial, so I am handing it over to the Nine Ministers for re-examination and discussion. The scholars who participated in the trial, including Gemin Tuhai and Governor Sang E, should also reconsider how to handle the matter and submit their reports separately."

  Zhang Bohang impeached Gali, but Kangxi did not say a word, only letting the Six Ministries copy and publish the original text in the Gazette. The case of the Shanghai Maritime Trade Fleet being robbed was also met with no response from Kangxi, nor was it published in the Gazette.

  With the arrival of the imperial edict and the official gazette, the entire Jiangnan region was thrown into chaos. Jia Pu and Yu Zhun were first subjected to corporal punishment, then exiled. Zhang Tingcai was dismissed from office, while Chen Pengnian was ordered to be strictly investigated by the nine ministers, which he could not escape. Zhang Penghui was severely reprimanded by imperial edict, and even the victorious general, who should have been rewarded, was made anxious by Zhang Bohang's impeachment and had to hastily submit a memorial to defend himself. The Jiangnan Provincial Military Commander, Shi Yide, also had to submit a memorial to defend himself due to Zhang Bohang's impeachment regarding the sale of grain from warships.

  Although Zhang Bohang was not mentioned, he had a very good relationship with Chen Pengnian. Many things relied on him, and Chen Pengnian's handling of the money and grain also received many instructions from him. Now that his old friend has met with this outcome, he couldn't help but feel uneasy in his heart, and could only write a memorial to explain the situation. What made him even more uneasy was Kangxi's attitude towards the impeachment of Gali, which did not utter a word, yet was published in the official gazette, making it really impossible for people to guess or grasp his thoughts.

  Regarding the shocking case of the Shanghai Maritime Trade Fleet being hijacked, Kangxi didn't even mention it, making many informed officials anxious in their hearts. This stone was thrown into the sky and hasn't fallen yet, these days are even harder to get through, heaven knows when Kangxi will erupt again? What kind of stormy weather will follow?

  Zhang Mengjiao was implicated in the Gaoli case because of her father's affairs, and she also paid special attention to Jiangnan's affairs during this period. After seeing Zhang Bohang's memorial on the official gazette, she felt very strange in her heart. What did Kangxi mean? Why only post it on the official gazette but not send someone to investigate? If you want to suppress this matter, why publish it on the official gazette?

  When Yongzheng returned to the garden, Zhang Mengjiao served him after dinner and then dismissed the servants. She personally made a cup of clear tea for him before asking, "Master, what is the relationship between Zhang Penghui and Chen Pengnian? The emperor said they were either teacher and student or friends from the same year, which one do they belong to?"

  "Have you seen Zhang Penghui's information?" Yin Zhen picked up his teacup, blew on it, and then spoke fluently: "He is a capable minister. The Emperor has praised him many times as 'a good official, a clean official, and one of the most honest officials in the country.' He was born into a family of imperial scholars and has served as a Langzhong in the Ministry of Rites, Governor of Yanzhou and Suzhou, Educational Commissioner of Jiangnan, Governor of Zhejiang, Director-General of River Conservation, Governor-General of the Two Rivers, Minister of Justice, and Minister of Revenue. He is very familiar with Jiangnan. The Emperor sent him to Jiangning, probably because he valued this aspect of his experience. During his tenure as Director-General of River Conservation, he repeatedly recommended Chen Pengnian, and the two men should have a mentor-mentee relationship. Chen Pengnian is also an able official, known for being clean and efficient in governance, skilled in practical matters. Unfortunately, he was implicated in this case and will be strictly investigated by the Nine Ministers. Another thing to note is that Zhang Bohang was also recommended by Zhang Penghui. Although they do not have a mentor-mentee relationship, their relationship is still good."

  Zhang Mengjiao furrowed her brow and said, "This is interesting. The relationship between them, the Emperor must be aware of it, so why did he still send Zhang Penghui to Jiangning to investigate this case?"

  "This question, next time you see Emperor Ama, just ask him yourself." Yongzheng said with a sneer.

  Zhang Mengjiao gave him a white eye, "The Shanghai sea ship hijacking case, the emperor did not mention it at all, but was it to prevent public discussion and shocking rumors? Or is he afraid of causing panic among coastal residents?"

  "This is called public opinion control, understand? Yi Zhēn smiled lazily and stretched his waist, "Before catching Zheng Jin Xin, this case will not be made public."

  "It seems that not only the officials below, but the entire court from top to bottom, have this tradition." Zhang Mengjiao sighed lightly, "Your Majesty, what is the Emperor's attitude towards Zhang Bohang's impeachment of Gao Lü?"

  "I was going to ask you about this, but you're the one who turned it around on me." Yongzheng leaned back in his chair, "Tell Grandfather about your recent insights."