Free Web NovelChapter 1245: Chapter 1218: Apprehension
Lu Jing’s face was ashen, unable to speak.
Yuan Li realized he had guessed correctly and burst into laughter. He immediately wrote a letter to Zhao Hanzhang, handed over all the evidence to a trusted aide, and sent them back to Luoyang urgently. He also sent a telegraph to Zhao Hanzhang to inform her of the matter, then said, "The Lu Family can be exterminated."
Zhao Hanzhang felt a twinge of regret upon receiving the telegram. If only it hadn’t happened now. It would have been better if the matter had been exposed earlier or later; now... it was not suitable.
Zhao Hanzhang set aside the telegram and waited quietly for the evidence to arrive.
Zhou Qi led the Yangzhou military. Many of the influential families from Jiangnan accompanying him were pleased, as this indicated Zhao Hanzhang acknowledged their status in Jiangnan.
Only Lu Yuan was displeased. "He becomes the Prefectural Governor of Wuxing County, so what about Lu Jing? Shouldn’t there be an explanation for his promotion or transfer? Why suddenly appoint Zhou Qi as the Prefectural Governor of Wuxing County?"
"Could it be an attempt to sow discord between the Zhou and Lu families?"
Lu Yuan retorted, "Hmph, such a petty trick is unworthy of causing discord between our two clans."
"But isn’t Brother Lu quite unhappy now?"
Lu Yuan insisted, "Who says that? I’m not angry at all, just puzzled."
His confusion was quickly resolved.
Yuan Li’s express dispatch reached Luoyang on the third day, just as Zhou Qi and Wang Dao had not left yet. They rarely visited Luoyang and naturally wanted to engage with some of the renowned men of the world. Furthermore, many who accompanied them to Luoyang decided to remain there, and who knew when they would meet again. And Zhao Hanzhang, they wanted to understand the Regent General better to cooperate more effectively in the future court affairs...
For these reasons, neither had left.
Zhou Qi had already met Lu Yuan, expressing that he would mention Lu Jing’s transfer to Zhao Hanzhang. They were both Wu people, and outside, they should unite more and not be swayed by others...
Zhou Qi himself suspected Zhao Hanzhang’s move was to create discord between him and the Lu family, but he couldn’t refuse the position. So he could only appease Lu Yuan and find a good place for Lu Jing.
Yet, every time he met Zhao Hanzhang and tried to bring up the matter, she would change the subject.
It is said that things should not be attempted more than thrice. Today, he planned to bring it up one last time. If Zhao Hanzhang diverted the topic again, it would be inappropriate to mention it again, and he would have to find another way to gather information.
Unexpectedly, today he wasn’t sidetracked from the topic, and he smoothly brought up his query, "...So where is the current Prefectural Governor of Wuxing County, Lu Jing, being transferred? I still need to officially take over from him."
During the chaos of the Eight Princes’ Rebellion, it was common for a state to have two Inspectors or a county to have two Prefectural Governors, often with competing appointments from different factions, or one hadn’t left or been transferred before the next one arrived.
Apart from that, some even assumed their positions without official appointment.
The final control over the area depended on each person’s capability.
For instance, Zhao Hanzhang, when she assumed the role of Yu State Governor, never reported it to the court. She just took over from the previous Inspector. Although the court appointed a new Yu State Governor, none dared to assume the position due to her strong influence, fearing for their lives as soon as they arrived. Hence, she occupied the position of Yu State Governor.
But now was different; Zhao Hanzhang had control over the court, and the weight of court authority was significant. Obviously, he couldn’t compete with Lu Jing for the position of Prefectural Governor of Wuxing County.
Since Zhao Hanzhang appointed him as the Prefectural Governor of Wuxing County, she would have to make the position available for him.
Zhao Hanzhang said, "Rest assured, Lu Jing has been detained and will soon be executed. You can assume the position as soon as you arrive in Wuxing."
Zhou Qi was shocked and asked hurriedly, "Why does the Great General want to execute Lu Jing? Just for me to succeed him?"
Zhao Hanzhang frowned, and Zhao Yunxin, beside her, scolded, "Impudent! Does Sima Zhou think the Great General is such an unreasonable and overbearing person?"
"Was Lu Jing any kind of virtuous official? For personal gain, he forcibly seized the people’s land, imposed private taxes, colluded with powerful and wealthy merchants, and oppressed the village..."
Zhou Qi internally complained that such things were not uncommon in Great Jin.
Moreover, Lu Jing himself was a powerful family; it would be strange if he didn’t collude with himself. Such a person could be demoted, stripped of his position; there were many ways to handle it. How could execution be justified?
Especially executing him on local grounds without even bringing him to Luoyang for trial, not even giving anyone a chance to appeal...
Zhou Qi found Zhao Hanzhang’s actions inappropriate. If officials like Lu Jing were to be executed, how many officials in this world would need beheading?
Oh, most of the officials in Jiangbei had been replaced once, but the officials in Jiangnan largely still followed the old ways.
