Finally, the exposure of this case was far greater than that of a private investigation.
It took only a few days to finish the trial in the disobedience case. Of course, the sentence “she was forgiven” has spread all over the streets and become the most popular derogatory word in and outside the Capital this spring.
However, Sun Shaozong didn't have time to pay attention to this. After the recommendation letter from Imperial Historian Zhao was submitted, he never received a reply from the Imperial Court. Therefore, the position of Assistant Magistrate has remained vacant.
This caused Sun Shaozong to suffer. The job of the Governor and Assistant Magistrate was on his shoulders. In addition, he accumulated official business during the Spring Festival, and he was really busy. He couldn't even pay attention to the routine of one day off after five days of work.
In this way, he was busy until the end of the month and took care of all the things in the Criminal Division.
So without saying a word, Sun Shaozong immediately asked for a three-day rest, ready to recuperate at home.
While Xiangling had been pregnant for more than two months, Ruan Rong was in confinement. Sun Shaozong couldn’t touch either side now and could only sleep alone in the study.
This was precisely what his Big Brother was thinking. Recently, he has been rushing to urge the Rongguo Mansion for marriage. He just changed the invitation letter a few days ago and then went to find a monk and Taoist priest to calculate the marriage date.
On the 29th of the first month, Sun Shaozong slept in his study until the sun was up. He then got up from the soft couch and called the little servant on duty to come in and serve him.
After cleaning up, he was ready to go to the backyard to play with his son.
Unexpectedly, just after walking a few steps, a servant came up behind him. He said that Xu Shouye and Xu Baihu from the patrol camp came to visit. Now, Chamberlain Zhao was talking with them. He has to decide whether to see them or not.
The door-to-door visit of Xu Shouye and Xu Baihu?
Sun Shaozong thought for a while and then suddenly got up. The reason why Xu Shouye came to visit at this time was obviously due to the matters of the same year's party.
After all, the gathering of the same year in the previous two years was scheduled in February, and this year was no exception.
Last year, there was a shit-stirring stick like Zhu Peng, who had to rush to be the host. This year, Sun Shaozong's family was the only powerful one. According to the current practice, it was natural that he should be the initiator.
However, Sun Shaozong has been tired of official business recently and has been busy enjoying family life in his spare time. How could he remember such a thing?
At present, Xu Shouye's visit has woken him up.
With such thinking, Sun Shaozong hurriedly returned to the front hall.
"Brother Sun has three happy news in ten months. You make others envy you!"
As soon as he entered the door, Xu Shouye greeted him with a hearty laugh. It seemed that he was also very concerned about the Sun family. Otherwise, he should only know two happy news like the public, which was being promoted and had a son.
Of course, it was also possible that his Big Brother drank too much and made a noise in the patrol camp.
Sun Shaozong also laughed. Knowing that this man was very outspoken, he was not polite to him. He arched with both hands and said straight to the point, "Brother Xu, you are not here to only congratulate me, right?"
Who knew that Xu Shouye was slightly stunned but lowered his voice and said in a deep voice, "Well, Brother Sun, have you heard the news?"
The news?
What else could be heard from the same year's party?
Besides, even if there was any news, it should be heard from Sun Shaozong, the host.
"What?"
Sun Shaozong motioned for him to head in, took a seat, and asked, "Is Brother Xu coming to me to discuss the reunion next month?"
"Oh right!"
Xu Shouye slapped his head and said, "If you didn’t mention it, I would really forget all about it!"
Sun Shaozong was speechless. Just now, he thought he was here to remind him. Now it seemed that he was the one who reminded him.
"Then what was the matter that you just brought up?"
"Hmm..."
Xu Shouye hesitated a little but said positively, "Brother Sun, do you know that Xu Tai has been ordered to return to the Capital to report to his work, and will arrive at the Central Judicial Office soon?"
As mentioned earlier, Xu Tai was also the same year as Sun Shaozong and also ranked second in the top class.
After Xu Tai moved to civilian service, he worked as a Prefect on the southeast coast for more than a year. Later, he was promoted to a fifth-grade Prefect because of his good command, which caused heavy damage to the Japanese pirates who went ashore and plundered.
Therefore, before Sun Shaozong was promoted to the central government, his official rank was the highest in the same year.
However, it has not been two years since Xu Tai was promoted to Governor of the Prefecture. This time, it was obviously not normal for him to come to the Capital and report his duties.
Sun Shaozong then asked, "Is it a good thing or a bad thing?"
"It is naturally not a good thing."
Xu Shouye shook his head and said, "He just offended Inspector Wang of the Nine Provinces. What good can he get in the Capital this time?"
He offended Wang Ziteng?
Although Wang Ziteng held the title of "Commander of the Nine Provinces" and could mobilize officials of all sizes in the coastal provinces, he was only able to control military power rather than civil affairs. How could Xu Tai, a small local official, have a conflict with him?
"Sigh This Old Xu is also a troublemaker!"
Xu Shouye, half complained and half admired said, "Years ago, he even wrote a letter saying that Commander Wang's anti-Japanese strategy was conservative and was blindly optimistic about the situation. In the long run, it would only waste the national strength and would be difficult to eradicate the Japanese invaders."
Tch!
Xu Tai is really brave!
Since Wang Ziteng held the military power of the nine provinces, although there were not many decent troops on the southeast coast, he could still be regarded as the leader of the officials in the frontier. It was too late for ordinary local officials to ingratiate them. How did he dare denounce them like this?
Hearing this, Sun Shaozong also vaguely guessed Xu Shouye's purpose, he said, "Brother Xu, are you asking me to protect Xu Tai?"
He revealed Xu Shouye's intent. He rubbed his hands and said, "I shouldn't have forced you, but among the people Xu knew, I'm afraid you are the only one who can exert some power."
He paused, then quickly continued, "We have no control over the Court's decision. I just believe that a man like Xu Tai should not be humiliated by those who are attached to power!"
Sun Shaozong naturally understood what he meant. As the saying goes, ”It’s easy to meet the king of hell, but the little devils are difficult to deal with.” Wang Ziteng himself might not care much about this matter. Even if he really has a grudge, he would also put on a good face due to his identity.
However, if some villains knew about it, they would step on Xu Tai to rise in rank.
For example…
People like Jia Yucun!
But even if it was just dealing with those snobbish people, he was afraid that it wouldn't be an idle job…
Sun Shaozong carefully pondered for a while and suddenly laughed aloud. "Brother Xu, when Xu Tai arrives in the Capital, how about you and me head over to meet him outside the city?"
Xu Shouye was immediately overjoyed and hurriedly grabbed his fists and said, "I dare not question, this is my wish too!"