"I'm sure that Young Master Mu has seen that the people of the Spiritual State are in dire straits after entering the Spiritual State.”
Father Liu said.
Li Zhi nodded.
"This is the Inner Pass after all. Although it's thousands of miles away from the capital, such a big matter shouldn't be covered up!”
"Moreover, refugees are everywhere. With the prosperity of the capital, how can there not be refugees entering the capital? But in the capital, other than beggars in twos and threes, I didn't see a large number of refugees!”
Li Zhi said. After all, he had not seen any refugees from the Spiritual State along the way.
This was very abnormal. The Spiritual State had always been suffering from famine. Since the people could not eat enough, they would naturally go to prosperous places.
How could the entire Inner Pass Road compare to the capital?
However, why was it that there was not a single refugee in the capital or even the state capitals around the capital?
Mr. Liu sighed.
"One hand covers the sky!"
His words were filled with a helpless sigh.
Li Zhi's eyes flashed.
"What do you mean?"
"Young Master Mu, do you really think that a magistrate of the Spiritual State can hide such a big matter from us?" Father Liu continued.”
"Since ancient times, officials have always protected each other. The magistrate of the Spiritual State could get a lot of money from the commoners, but most of it would be handed over to the higher ups.”
"This layer of transmission finally constructed the largest protective umbrella for them.”
"To tell you the truth, I left home for more than half a month before I rushed to the capital to report this matter to the emperor.”
Li Zhi nodded. If that was the case, Liu Xin `er's father was really righteous! However, as a businessman, he actually had such a heart for fame. Not bad.
At this point, Father Liu's face was instantly filled with anger.
"However, no matter where I go, I will always encounter unfair treatment. All kinds of officials would use all kinds of reasons to find trouble with me.”
"Even when I reached the capital, I couldn't even enter the Public Order Department.”
"I'm really angry! In the entire capital, all the major departments seemed to have been greeted. I didn't even get to see the real executives, such as the High Duke.”
"As for those judicial yamen, this old man couldn't even enter the main gate, and was even threatened to leave the capital.”
Hearing this, Li Zhi was completely stunned.
That was impossible! This was the golden age of Zhenguan! One had to know that his father, Li Shiming, was a famous emperor.
Under his rule, there was actually such a thing as officials protecting each other?
It could only be said that Li Zhi had underestimated people's greed.
"Uncle, do you know who is the superior of the magistrate of the Spiritual State?”
Li Zhi asked. He believed that after three years of investigation, Father Liu would definitely know something.
Mr. Liu's expression froze. He looked around and was in a dilemma.
"Forget it. In this life, we should say whether he dares to say it or not!”
Li Zhi secretly nodded. Father Liu was once a High Scholar. If he took a step forward, he could enter the officialdom. However, it was precisely because he was not dissatisfied with the darkness of officialdom that he chose to do business. It seemed that his heart was indeed shining!
"The reason why I can be sure who the Shang family is because that family's butler personally appeared and threatened me without hiding it!”
Mr. Liu said angrily.
Li Zhi's interest was piqued. Who was it? He was actually so daring?
"Young Master Mu, since you're from the capital, I'm sure you've heard of this person!”
"No, it can even be said that the entire Great Tang has heard of this man like thunder!”
"Who is it?" Li Zhi asked.”
Mr. Liu's expression was serious as he said,"Duke Kui, Liu Hongji!"
Li Zhi's pupils instantly constricted!
It was actually him!
Kui Duke Liu Hongji, one of the twenty-four meritorious officials of Lingyan Pavilion! Lingyan Pavilion's annotation was: Founding General, First Merit in the Capital! This person had never been a law-abiding person since he was young. He often interacted with some frivolous children, which was also known as loafers.
However, he was indeed smart and cunning. Back then, in order to avoid military service, he actually thought of deliberately committing a crime and entering prison!
After the Taiyuan uprising, he followed Li Zhi's grandfather, Li Yuan. He had good eyesight and could see Li Shiming's future with a single glance, which was why he had always been on good terms with Li Shiming and could be considered a loyal subject.
In history, there was a record of him being impeached for corruption many times during the Zhenguan period.
However, Li Shimin remembered their old friendship. After all, Liu Hongji had made countless contributions and was a loyal minister. Therefore, he avoided the important matters and dealt with the trivial matters. Only demoted officials to civilians.
However, when the Tang Dynasty attacked Koryo, he was promoted to the position of the former army chief.
From this, it could be seen how much Li Shi Min valued this person.
It was no wonder that he could suppress this matter. Because of Li Shimin's trust, Liu Hongji was fearless. Even if some high-ranking officials in the capital knew about this, they would not dare to say anything.
Because the Emperor's thoughts were the hardest to guess, perhaps Li Shimin would punish Liu Hongji. However, Li Shiming would definitely feel estranged from the person who destroyed his trusted general.
Therefore, for the past three years, the incident in the Spiritual State had never been exposed.
"Young Master Mu, the magistrate of the Spiritual State was once a lieutenant under Liu Hongji. It is said that he married Liu Hongji's daughter.”
Father Liu said.
Li Zhi suddenly realized that there was such a relationship. This could be explained. Otherwise, the small Spiritual State wouldn't have much profit. Moreover, with the disasters that had occurred in the past few years, there wouldn't be much profit even if they plundered the people!
Perhaps Liu Hongji was protecting the magistrate of Lingzhou because of this relationship.
Killing two birds with one stone. He was going to cover up the famine in the Spiritual State and his incompetence. Why not just forge a fake version of the Wind and Rain Regulations in the Spiritual State to create a promotion opportunity for his son-in-law?
Li Zhi was furious! This Liu Hongji was too bold! For the sake of his son-in-law's promotion, he could actually disregard the lives of the people! Three years! Three years of famine had caused tens of thousands of people to lose their homes and countless people had starved to death.
After all, if a famine was reported to the Imperial Court, no matter how poor the Great Tang was, it would still be able to provide relief money and grain! How many people would die less then!
"This Liu Hongji and his henchmen can't be left alive!”
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