NABC Chapter 228 Not a Tyrant
Chapter 228 Not a Tyrant
In Yangzhou, the Song Mansion was decorated with lanterns and was magnificent. Today, Song Changjue summoned all officials of all levels in Yangzhou City. The officials were dressed in gorgeous clothes, showing their wealth and nobility.
After everyone was seated, one of the officials spoke first and asked, "Your Excellency summoned us today. What important matter do you want to discuss?" Song Changjue looked around and saw that all the officials were dressed in bright and beautiful clothes. He couldn't help but sigh in his heart, "Yangzhou is really a prosperous place. Even the officials are so impressive!" He smiled and replied, "My Excellencies, Yangzhou can be prosperous today because of your great help. Song has specially hosted a banquet to entertain you to express his gratitude."
At the banquet, there were a dazzling array of delicacies and the aroma of fine wines. Everyone was toasting each other and chatting happily. After three rounds of wine and five dishes, several adults became increasingly drunk and stood up.
One of them said bluntly: "Sir Song, in fact, we like you as the prefect very much. It's a pity... you are too close to the Guangping Marquisate. The current emperor is incompetent and cannot distinguish right from wrong. He can even let go of those who collaborate with the enemy and commit treason easily." At this point, the man snorted indignantly.
Song Changjue could not fail to understand the meaning of their words. He knew that the "traitor" they were talking about was Li Ziyan. At the same time, he also understood that these words must have come from Qin Zhuo far away. After all, the officials in Yangzhou were used to enjoying wealth and glory here, so how could they be willing to leave Yangzhou to find out the truth? So what they knew was nothing more than one-sided words exaggerated by others.
Song Changjue picked up the wine glass, raised his head and drank it all, then turned his eyes to Song Ciqiu. Song Ciqiu stood up, walked to the governor, handed him the confession in his hand, and said, "My lords, please circulate this confession."
Everyone present took the confession and read it carefully. This confession was the testimony brought by Zhao Junning about Chen Gao and Du Lin. After everyone finished reading it, no one spoke for a while. The whole scene became unusually quiet, as if time had frozen.
Then, Song Changjue took out another confession and distributed it to the officials present. After everyone finished reading it, one of the officials looked up at Song Changjue, as if he wanted to say something. Seeing this, Song Changjue smiled slightly and spoke first: "The reason why your majesty was able to ascend to the throne is because of his extraordinary wisdom and strategy. The ministers he values are all loyal and dedicated to the country and the people. Our majesty is definitely not a foolish and unjust person!"
Hearing this, all the officials nodded in agreement. These old-timers in the officialdom were clear-headed and naturally knew what to do. So, they handed the confessions back to Song Changjue, raised their glasses, drank them all, and saluted to show their respect for Song Changjue.
At this moment, Zhao Junning, who was in the back room, watched everything that happened in front of her, and the stone in her heart finally fell to the ground. She knew that most of the officials in Yangzhou came from merchant families, and naturally had a clear judgment of gains and losses. Seeing the officials leave one after another, Zhao Junning walked out of the room, came to Song Changjue, knelt on both knees, bowed deeply, and said gratefully: "Junning thanks Uncle Song for your help."
Song Changjue quickly helped Zhao Junning up and said with a gentle smile, "Child, please get up quickly. This is our job, no need to be so polite." After saying that, he patted Zhao Junning's shoulder, his eyes full of kindness.