he Xizheng Hall with his hands behind his back. He looked up at the pitch-black sky, there was not a single star, only the heavy snow that continued to fall tirelessly.Thinking about the miserable sta...Chapter 1764: Background Check

Li Chen's last words left Zou Qingyuan as if his backbone had been pulled out, kneeling on the ground.

Right now, Zou Qingyuan's heart is filled with a myriad of emotions, but when it comes to expressing them, not a single word can come out.

At this very moment, Xu Wei's messenger returned and told Xu Wei a few words. After listening, Xu Wei glanced meaningfully at Zou Qingyuan who was kneeling on the ground, then walked to Li Chen's ear and whispered softly, "Your Highness, it has been investigated. That old man went into the city from another gate after leaving, and went straight to the magistrate's office..."

Li Chen smiled ambiguously, looking at Zou Qingyuan and said: "You even arranged an actor to act for you, Zou sir is indeed very thoughtful."

Zou Qingyuan's lips trembled, thousands of words turning into a single sentence: "Your humble servant knows his guilt, please punish him as you see fit, Your Highness."

"A crime is always a crime, but it doesn't necessarily mean you have to be punished for it."

Li Chen said calmly, "What you have done is all for Yulin Prefecture. It is out of justice, with no selfishness involved. Otherwise, Xu Wei would not have brought the imperial edict, but a three-foot white silk from this palace as a reward for your death."

"The magistrate in the story I told you is, at his core, no different from you. The only difference is that he has caused irreversible consequences, while you still have a chance to rectify things. For instance, this actor and today's performance outside the city went very well."

After glancing at Zou Qingyuan, Li Chen said indifferently: "He can be considered a half-competent minister, with some talent, but he hasn't used it for the right cause. It's because his vision and ambition are insufficient, he's always been a little shortsighted."

This sentence, even if it is Li Chen's evaluation of Zou Qingyuan.

From now on, no matter where Zou Qingyuan is transferred to, unless he resigns and ends his political career, this evaluation will inevitably follow him for life.

"Zou Qingyuan let out a long sigh and said, 'Your Highness is perceptive. I indeed did not consider the situation of other gathering points throughout Gansu and Shaanxi provinces. After all, I am only the magistrate of Yulin County. I can barely protect myself, let alone concern myself with others. I only knew to solve the problems in my own territory. I never expected this would cause trouble for Your Highness. I beg Your Highness to punish me.'"

"Alright, that's enough for now."

Li Chen did not respond to Zou Qingyuan's words. He got up and said, "This palace still has a lot of business to attend to. Today's meeting is just to remind you. I hope that in a while, the court will not have another case similar to what happened during the reign of the previous emperor. This palace does not want to give you a verdict that would end your lifelong hard work."

< Zou Qingyuan hurriedly kowtowed in thanks and then asked, "Your Highness, what should your humble servant do next" >

"Just as it is."

Li Chen glanced at Zou Qingyuan and said, "This palace has only one requirement for you: don't cause trouble."

After finishing his words, Li Chen had already walked out of the guest pavilion, mounted his horse, and then, under the protection of Xu Wei and others, set off again on the road.

Zou Qingyuan knelt inside the gazebo, turned to face Li Chen's departing direction, bowed deeply, and said aloud: "Your humble servant kneels to see you off, Your Highness."

The clatter of horses' hooves never ceased. Li Chen called Xu Wei over, "Send someone to ask Cheng Fuzhao to copy Zou Qingyuan's resume in two copies. Send one copy to me here and the other to the capital for the Ministry of Civil Affairs to evaluate. If he is qualified, have the Ministry of Civil Affairs draft a memorial for promotion and send it up."er at hand is of great importance, and the Crown Prince does not inquire. He has no right to speak.“Who else has seen this” Li Chen asked."Besides the two Jinyiwei officers responsible for torturing L...