The Lucky Farmgirl-Chapter 2111 - 2086: Inquiry

In early spring, there were many matters to handle. After the emperor dealt with them one by one, he summoned Governor Niu and Yang Heshu waiting in the side hall to meet him.

Manbao and County Magistrate Tang straightened up simultaneously, looking ahead with concern.

Yang Heshu followed behind Governor Niu and entered the hall, kneeling down to salute.

The emperor sat at the head, gazing deeply at the two and asked, "With smallpox raging in Xiazhou, what do you two have to say?"

Governor Niu paused. Before the officials from the Ministry of Justice and Punishments arrived in Xiazhou, he had thought of pinning Yang Heshu’s insubordination against his own equal share of the blame.

But when the officials from the Ministry of Justice and Punishments personally arrived in Xiazhou, purportedly to investigate, it was actually to escort him and his son. He vaguely sensed the capital’s attitude.

Perhaps the Yang Family was at play in the court.

In terms of connections and relationships before the emperor, naturally, Ms. Yang had the upper hand, so Governor Niu remained quiet along the way. He wasn’t foolish enough not to understand such things, having attained the position of governor.

He was just accustomed to being far from imperial power; Xiazhou was desolate, not close to the capital, nor did he expect to encounter someone like Yang Heshu, who had solid backing and was earnest about the matter.

Kneeling here now and thinking of his son still detained in the Ministry of Justice and Punishments, he knew there was no way to avoid it. Moreover, he understood the emperor somewhat and knew that shirking responsibility would only make him angrier.

So Governor Niu promptly kowtowed and confessed, indicating that it was his failure to manage the household and educate his son properly, leading to smallpox ravaging Xiazhou.

Lord Tang couldn’t help but snort at his evasion and asked on behalf of the emperor, "Governor Niu, when did Niu Kang’s concubine, the foreign girl, call for a doctor?"

He was an expert in criminal cases, unwilling to argue, directly questioning key points to clarify things for the officials gathered at the grand court assembly.

Governor Niu hesitated, unable to answer immediately.

Lord Tang snorted again, got up, walked to the hall, and asked Yang Heshu, "County Magistrate Yang, what do you say?"

Yang Heshu replied, "A doctor was called on September 18th."

"When did the foreign girl die?"

"The night of September 20th."

Lord Tang then asked Governor Niu, "Governor Niu, when did your son develop a fever and rash and call for a doctor? Surely you know this?"

Governor Niu paused again before replying, "Morning of September 22nd."

"When did the doctor suspect it was smallpox?"

Governor Niu clenched his fist in his sleeve and replied, "On that day."

"After knowing the doctor’s words, did you isolate your son? Did you report to the County Governmental Office? Did you prohibit him from contacting others, and did you check and restrain those who had contact with him at home?"

Governor Niu lowered his head, remained silent for a moment, and then pressed his head to the ground, "I am guilty. I should not have had the wishful thinking by pitying my young son..."

"Governor Niu, Niu Kang left the house on the evening of September 23rd to go to the Spring Breeze Pavilion and did not return home until lunchtime on the 24th. He spent an entire night and half a day there associating with people. Why did the Niu Jia not send someone to find him?"

Governor Niu’s face turned slightly pale.

The emperor, infuriated, slapped the table, and Governor Niu immediately said, "I admit my fault, Your Majesty, please pass your judgment."

"Punishment will be meted out, but it must also let the officials understand why," Wei Zhi interjected calmly, "Your Majesty, Yang Heshu and the Imperial Hospital were not wrong in what they said. After the incident, lessons should be summarized so that such mistakes are not repeated in the future, thereby giving some value to the deceased 2,289 people."

The emperor then looked at Lord Tang, "Courtier Tang, continue asking."

Lord Tang acknowledged, and continued to interrogate Governor Niu and Yang Heshu. From when Niu Kang fell ill, to when the doctor first thought it was smallpox, to when a doctor went to the County Governmental Office to inform, and afterwards, Yang Heshu’s series of responses, he asked everything in detail.

Additionally, there were other Censorate officials checking for omissions during the questioning, and the interrogation lasted over an hour.

In the end, the emperor and officials did not directly pronounce a sentence on the two, but first adjourned the court session.

The emperor summoned Wei Zhi, Lord Tang, and other senior officials to the study for further discussions. The others left the court, while Yang Heshu and Governor Niu remained in the palace to await orders.

Manbao went to Yang Heshu’s side, gave him the snacks she had placed in her pouch in the morning, and whispered, "Eat some if you’re hungry."

County Magistrate Tang also offered his own snacks to him, whispering, "It seems from the emperor’s demeanor towards you that he isn’t too angry. If luck holds, the results should be out within today or tomorrow."

Yang Heshu accepted their offerings with a slight nod, "I know. You don’t need to worry."

Indeed, results came quickly. After having lunch in the Imperial Hospital, applying for leave with Imperial Doctor Liu, Manbao went into the harem to see Mingda and Changyu, then took them to visit the Crown Princess and the imperial grandson. Before even leaving the palace, a well-informed eunuch reported, "Governor Niu has been sent to the Ministry of Justice and Punishments’ prison, while Lord Yang has been admonished, but word is he might be promoted to Xiazhou Governor."

In fact, the emperor was hesitant because he currently couldn’t find a suitable successor for Xiazhou.

Xiazhou was heavily damaged and would take a considerable time to recover, and capable officials could only be transferred from elsewhere, affecting other places as well. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

He discussed with Wei Zhi and others for half a day, yet couldn’t find a suitable candidate; there were simply too few talents.

Eventually, it was Lord Tang who proposed Yang Heshu.

The emperor said, "I’ve heard that many local gentry in Xiazhou harbor resentment against him for sealing the city, cutting off their way. If he continues to remain in Xiazhou, I’m afraid it won’t be favorable for him."

Appointing someone whom Xiazhou resents as governor wouldn’t be conducive to the region’s construction and development; the emperor didn’t wish for this.

Furthermore, he had heard about attempts to harm Yang Heshu and his family during the city’s closure, so even if just for protection, he leaned towards transferring him.

Yang Heshu was still young. Although he committed the offense of disrespecting superiors, it was done for greater good. The emperor trusted his personal ability and moral character and wanted to cultivate him.

Lord Tang, sensing the emperor’s inclination to nurture talents, paused and then suggested, "Your Majesty, why not ask County Magistrate Yang."

He said, "The resentment in Xiazhou is actually easy to resolve; the main culprit was the Niu Jia. As long as they are directed slightly, public sentiment is not difficult to guide. And County Magistrate Yang is familiar with Xiazhou’s affairs. Over the past four months, he has been acting as the governing official, making him the most suitable candidate."

Wei Zhi also suggested, "Your Majesty might as well ask him. If he is willing, this experience will yield future rewards comparable to those in the Jiangnan area. Though desolate, Xiazhou is under Fengzhou, but as the most crucial pass in all directions, it won’t undermine Yang Heshu’s talents."

He knew the emperor previously intended to transfer Yang Heshu to Jiangnan to handle loose ends of various aristocratic families there, where illicit salt dealings were rampant and similarly difficult to manage.

Yet Wei Zhi also felt Yang Heshu suited Xiazhou better at this time.