Chapter 1010: Chapter 846: Recklessly Bold

The grain in this granary cannot be opened without the court’s permission, so Yang Chaoying is also in a bit of a dilemma right now.

A few days ago, he had already sent a message to the Capital, providing a rough description of the situation in Hangtian Prefecture. He had previously inspected the river embankment and found that while the embankment appeared sturdy from the outside, there was much more beneath the surface.

After the reinforcement of the embankment was completed, the court sent people from the Ministry of Industry to inspect it. Why hadn’t these people noticed the problem with the materials inside the embankment? Who would believe there weren’t some dirty dealings involved?

Yang Chaoying only took office at the end of last year, and he originally thought that Hangtian Prefecture was prosperous, making it an easy and lucrative position.

He wasn’t such a pedantic person; three years as a Qing Prefect could earn ten thousand pieces of silver. He wasn’t that greedy, but neither was he that incorruptible—after all, who in the court doesn’t reach out for benefits?

If he didn’t reach out, he would appear quite out of place.

What he is now worried and hesitant about is that the court’s reinforcement of the embankment happened not long after he took office as a major duty.

Yang Chaoying was previously unfamiliar with this embankment issue, and so he now realizes that the officials sent by the court and his subordinates had misled him.

How could he have known that these people would be so audacious as to embezzle such silver?

Now that the embankment has shown issues, he too will not get away without being implicated. Thinking of this, Yang Chaoying’s face turned even grimmer.

Even if this matter would implicate him, he must report it. Otherwise, if a breach occurs, losing his official’s hat is a minor concern compared to the lives of his whole family!

He hoped that his actions over the past few days would have some effect, allowing the embankment to withstand the surging river waters.

"Sir! The court has sent an imperial envoy, and they have already reached Changtian Prefecture. This is an urgent letter from the imperial envoy, please take a look quickly!"

A government official walked quickly through the mud towards Yang Chaoying.

Yang Chaoying was shaken—finally, the imperial envoy had arrived. He hurriedly stepped forward to take the letter and quickly scanned it.

The more he read, the grimmer his face became, until his hands holding the letter began to tremble.

He lifted the letter, instructing the government official, "Quick! Quickly return to the mansion!"

Having already changed clothes and rested for most of the day, Chen Zhao was standing in the study at the back of Yingnan Prefecture Government’s mansion.

Sitting at the head, Li Taixing frowned and then said to Chen Zhao, "I have already sent a letter to the imperial envoy dispatched by the court regarding this matter. This is a serious affair, and we must report it to the imperial envoy immediately. Why did you not prevent Qian Hui Chun’s suicide?"

Li Taixing’s eyes emitted a cold glint, causing Chen Zhao’s heart to skip a beat.

"In response to Mr. Li, Mr. Qian was resolute in his decision. Despite my earnest persuasion, Mr. Qian remained unmoved. Finally, he took advantage of my momentary distraction and jumped off the cliff. This is indeed my dereliction of duty; please punish me, Mr. Li."

Chen Zhao’s heart was filled with bitterness—this matter could not be entirely blamed on him. Qian Hui Chun had resolved to die; how could he stop someone determined to seek death?

Moreover, since Qian Hui Chun had chosen to take his own life, it must have been a well-thought-out decision. If he did not die, he would eventually face retribution from the Emperor, not to mention the people would not spare him.

Why were the embankments in other Lijiang state prefectures intact, while theirs in Changtian Prefecture breached? The people did not know the reasons behind it; they would only think it was Qian Hui Chun’s inaction that led to countless deaths and injuries, leaving the survivors homeless.

Though such a thought wasn’t entirely wrong, as Qian Hui Chun’s failure to take precautions was indeed his incompetence, which could not be denied.

Yet, how many officials in other Lijiang state prefectures were genuinely preparing for future troubles? They only began reinforcing defenses after the lesson learned from Changtian Prefecture’s experience, didn’t they?

No matter how Qian Hui Chun’s life ended, it was a dead end either way. It would be better to commit suicide and atone for his sins; the Emperor might even spare his surviving family.

The reputation of atoning through suicide was better than being executed by the Emperor, wasn’t it?

Li Taixing sneered, "I will not handle your negligence; the court will naturally punish you severely afterward."

Li Taixing was about to continue speaking when unexpectedly, the steward outside suddenly came in to report.

"Sir! It’s an urgent letter from Mr. Hu."

"Quickly bring it!" Upon hearing it was an urgent letter from Hu Maoshen, Li Taixing immediately sat up straight.

Chen Zhao’s heart was not at ease at the moment, knowing well that he would ultimately be dismissed and investigated, but he was not too concerned about his own safety.

Several days had passed, and he didn’t know how his family was doing. He decided to head to Changtian Prefecture, both to do his bit for the people and to search for his family.

"What? Hmm!" Li Taixing was furious as he clutched the letter in his hand. He slammed the desk, startling Chen Zhao out of his deep thought.

"What utter nonsense! Hu Maoshen really has thought this through." Li Taixing, in frustration, started addressing him by name.

Hu Maoshen actually set his sights on their Yingnan Mansion. How could he allow that? If he took on this matter, it would be endless trouble afterward.

No, absolutely not!

Li Taixing glanced at the fearful Chen Zhao and asked coldly, "Are you from Changtian Prefecture?"

Chen Zhao quickly nodded, "In response to the officer, that is correct!"

"You, a government official of Changtian Prefecture, fled before the flood. What should your punishment be?" Li Taixing pointed at Chen Zhao and shouted angrily.

Chen Zhao’s heart skipped a beat; he hadn’t expected Li Taixing to suddenly put him in a difficult position. But how could he dare show any disrespect now?

He hurriedly replied respectfully, "Sir! I am aware of my guilt and am willing to head to Changtian Prefecture immediately to make amends for my mistakes."

Li Taixing was quite satisfied with Chen Zhao’s discernment. Now that Qian Hui Chun was dead, someone had to take the fall for the embankment incident.

The dead couldn’t speak, making them perfect scapegoats, though finding the culprit would pose some challenges.

Chen Zhao had been a trusted associate of Qian Hui Chun and should know some inside stories. Perhaps he could be used in some way.

Having Chen Zhao take the fall wasn’t exactly what Li Taixing had planned. After all, Chen Zhao was still just a government official, not a prominent figure, unable to bear the heavy responsibility. This matter had to be on Qian Hui Chun.

Having Qian Hui Chun take the fall had been planned, but his suicide was unforeseen.

However, a dead person wasn’t much of an obstacle; in fact, it made the proceedings more convenient.

"Of course you must go to Changtian Prefecture; you’re a government official there, how can you be cowardly?"

Li Taixing stroked his beard, and within moments, a plan took shape in his mind.

"Your superior regarded you so highly that calling you his confidant is not an exaggeration, am I right?"

Li Taixing looked at Chen Zhao with a gaze full of threat, a cold smile playing on his lips.

Chen Zhao repeatedly nodded, "A confidant might be overstating it, but Mr. Qian did have several tasks that he asked me to carry out."

His mind raced, and he began to understand Li Taixing’s intentions at this moment.