Southern Ming Rebel Army

Chapter 619 Inspection System

After arresting Yang Zhongliang, Meng Jun ordered the overnight interrogation of Zhou Wentong and the arrest of all the people he had confessed. The people Zhou Wentong confessed were all officials at all levels in Songjiang Prefecture, so that in a short period of time, Songjiang Prefecture changed drastically and the entire Songjiang officialdom was almost wiped out.

Later, Lu Ping interrogated Yang Zhongliang personally. After only two whippings, Yang Zhongliang told everything he knew. Yang Zhongliang also kept track of each official's preferences and the amount of the bribe.

The case went deeper and deeper, and in the end, even Lu Ping was a little frightened. The network of relationships that Yang Zhongliang had built under the banner of Yang En was getting bigger and bigger, and more and more officials were involved.

Not only Songjiang Prefecture, but also other counties in Jiangnan, and even several prefectures in Shandong, and officials in the capital were involved. Of course, Songjiang Prefecture was the worst hit, and even the yamen runners were favored by Yang Zhongliang.

In the backyard of the county government office, Meng Jun stood with his hands behind his back, brows furrowed. He had stayed in Songjiang Prefecture for more than ten days. He was no longer in Jinling. The news that he was in Songjiang had long been known to everyone, but no one had come to plead for him during this time.

The more they investigated, the more officials were involved. The account books copied from Yang Zhongliang's house showed that the number of people who had received money from Yang Zhongliang had exceeded 120. Under the protection of so many officials, both big and small, if Meng Jun had not suddenly come to Songjiang, I am afraid that these situations would not have reached Meng Jun's ears even if he waited another ten years.

At this time, a burst of hurried footsteps was heard. Meng Jun turned around and saw Shen Congwen.

Shen Congwen came to Meng Jun, bowed to him and said, "Your Majesty, Yang Zhongliang's account books have all been recorded. No gifts for Lord Yang have been found in them, and Yang Zhongliang has always denied that Lord Yang knew about him."

Hearing this, Meng Jun sighed and said, "Congwen, why do corrupt officials persist despite repeated bans? Can't these people survive without taking ill-gotten gains? The salaries given to officials in our dynasty are not enough to make them rich, but they are enough for their families to live a decent life. Less than ten years after the founding of the country, Songjiang has become so rotten. If Songjiang is like this, are there no other places like it?"

When Shen Congwen heard this, he said in a low voice: "Your Majesty's question really stumps me. Throughout the dynasties, corrupt officials are as numerous as the sands of the Yellow River, while honest officials are rare."

After Shen Congwen finished speaking, he looked up at Meng Jun's back and said hesitantly, "Your Majesty, I do have some different ideas. If there are any mistakes or omissions, I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

Hearing this, Meng Jun turned around and asked, "Congwen, you can say whatever you want. Even if it's a big mistake, I won't blame you."

Shen Congwen pondered for a moment, then said: "Your Majesty, Jiangnan was richer than the north in the Ming Dynasty. Now that Your Majesty has opened up maritime trade, Jiangnan's business has flourished, and workshops have sprung up everywhere. Officials in Jiangnan are indeed more tempted. In my opinion, a permanent inspection team should be set up. Every prefecture in the world, especially the wealthy areas of Jiangnan, should be inspected and investigated every year."

In fact, there were also touring censors during the Ming Dynasty, but most of them were sent by the imperial court. The number of touring censors sent out each year in the Ming Dynasty decreased, and there was usually only one in a province. Although they had subordinates and bodyguards, the organization was relatively small and their deterrent effect on officials was relatively weak.

Meng Jun felt that this was reasonable. The officials dared to take risks simply because the benefits were great and the risks were small. Although there were Qingluan Guards spies in various places, the longer the peace lasted, the sooner or later the Qingluan Guards' spy system would be corrupted by those with ulterior motives. Qin Yunwei, a Qingluan Guard from Songjiang Prefecture, was an example of this.

Meng Jun decided that not only should a permanent inspection team be set up in the imperial court, but a similar system should also be established within the Qingluan Guard.

The inspection team must avoid places where team members have served, and at the same time, they must be divided according to their native places, that is, southerners do not inspect the north, and northerners do not inspect the south.

As for the inspection standards, Meng Jun wanted to use ten people as the basic number and assign subordinates to them. This way, there should be no concern about the inspectors being bribed. Of course, if all ten people, including their subordinates, were infiltrated, it would also mean that the Qian Dynasty was rotten to the core, and Meng Jun would be powerless to do anything about it hundreds of years later.

………………

At this time, the fat shopkeeper was in a state of panic. He thought that Master Yang, who was as tall as the sky, was arrested for no reason, and all the yamen runners and officials who were familiar with him were thrown into jail one by one.

Moreover, many of Mr. Yang’s properties have been sealed. The fat shopkeeper doesn’t know if this pawnshop will be affected. He doesn’t dare to run away now. The inspection at the city gate is very strict. It is said that the emperor has come to Songjiang. The fat shopkeeper doesn’t know how big a deal this will cause, but what is certain is that it will definitely not be small.

Just when the fat shopkeeper was worried, Lu Ping came to the pawnshop again in a rage. Lu Ping was still concerned about His Majesty's jade ring.

Seeing that it was this person again, the fat shopkeeper had no intention of entangled with him at all. He just said casually: "I was wondering why you came again. I told you that it was a pawn. I have already sold the ring."

Lu Ping was stunned, pointed at the fat shopkeeper and said, "Say it again, I didn't hear it clearly just now!"

"It's sold. The ring has been sold. Get out of here now."

"You...you...you're dead!" Lu Ping was so angry that the corners of his mouth trembled and he couldn't speak clearly.

The fat shopkeeper didn't take Lu Ping's threat seriously at all. He had so many things to worry about that he had long forgotten about the ring incident.

Lu Ping walked out and waved his hand. In an instant, more than ten Qingluan Guards with swords on their waists surrounded him. Lu Ping pointed at the shopkeeper and said in a deep voice: "Catch him and interrogate him. Your Majesty's ring is still in his hand."

Before the fat shopkeeper could react, he was pinned to the ground by a group of people. The push was quite rough and his hands were twisted upside down. He cried out in pain.

Lu Ping walked up to him, squatted down, and asked again: "Where's the ring?"

"It's gone, it's gone... I've already presented the ring to Master Yang."

Lu Ping was shocked. Something was wrong. When the Yang family's house was searched, no jade ring was found. Lu Ping slapped the fat shopkeeper and cursed, "At this point, you still don't tell the truth. You really won't cry until you see the coffin. Take him away. I will personally treat you well today!"

After returning to the cell, Lu Ping personally interrogated him. After going through the whole process, the fat shopkeeper was already shitting and pissing all over the place, but no matter how he was asked, he said that the ring had been presented to Master Yang.

Lu Ping looked at him and said coldly, "Just wait, if Yang Zhongliang says he has never seen a ring, humph!"

After Lu Ping finished speaking, he turned and left. He wanted to interrogate Yang Zhongliang and ask him where the ring was.