Episode 12 recap: Ding Bao Zhen was framed and falsely accused by Wen Da Ren
Despite having conducted the account investigation accurately and flawlessly, Ding Bao Zhen intended to continue the investigation Although his reputation remained intact, there were underlying issues The accounts were sealed, and Shao Da Ren claimed that Ding Bao Zhen had found nothing in this investigation and that there were no problems with the accounts They planned to retaliate against Ding Bao Zhen
Ding Bao Zhen realized that the situation had become more complicated. He recalled that Li Afu had mentioned that Fan Yi was involved in suspicious activities, and Fan Yi had been present during the embankment construction. Ding Bao Zhen ordered the people involved in procurement and related transactions to be brought in, denying them the opportunity to manipulate the accounts. At this point, it was discovered that Wu Da Ren, the head clerk, had been silenced. Pei Rong found that Wu Da Ren had been killed and then hung up. There were two marks on his neck. Ding Bao Zhen suddenly realized that Liu Yubai had died in the same manner, suggesting the involvement of the same group of people.
Ding Bao Zhen summoned all the officials and brought the accounts to the court. He ordered the doors to be sealed because Wu Da Ren had died, and the accounts in his possession had disappeared. The accounts of each official and the general accounts had to be cross-checked. Shao Yuxiao panicked and claimed that both the general accounts and his own accounts were accurate. At that moment, Ding Da Ren left, and the officials realized that the accounts in the yamen did not match those in their possession.
Ding Bao Zhen personally inspected the incorrect accounts and questioned Wen Da Ren about the same amount of money appearing twice for the same sand and gravel in different account books. Wen Da Ren, in a panic, confessed to embezzling public funds and attempted to commit suicide out of fear. Ding Bao Zhen revealed that Wu Da Ren had been murdered and did not die by suicide. Wen Da Ren was terrified and was placed under house arrest because of his involvement.
Ding Bao Zhen ordered Li Pei Rong to protect Wen Da Ren, and even his outings were restricted. Ding Bao Zhen did not suspect Wen Da Ren. In the current corrupt environment of the officialdom, Wen Da Ren being framed was a grave matter. Collusion in taking lives and eroding the foundation of the Qing Dynasty had to be eradicated. Ding Bao Zhen felt increasingly cold-hearted and pained. He had to eliminate these parasites for the sake of the country and the people. He seized this opportunity to thoroughly investigate and rectify the situation.
Wen Da Ren sent a memorial letter through his steward to Liu Da Ren in the capital city. Li Pei Rong, concerned for Ding Bao Zhen's safety, secretly returned home. He had a question that needed clarification. He discovered that Wen Da Ren, who had been obedient, was now under house arrest. After Ding Bao Zhen explained the reasons, Li Pei Rong instructed Guo Zhong to closely monitor Shao Yuxiao and others.
The Prince Gong received four memorial letters simultaneously, and Ding Bao Zhen's was the most objective. He was a discerning person, and he supported Ding Bao Zhen in this matter. The corruption case had to be thoroughly investigated, and the Empress Dowager would inquire about it the next day. If the Empress Dowager closed the case soon, Wen Bin would not escape death. The Prince Gong took advantage of the Empress Dowager's interest in the theatrical performance. Yan Da Ren analyzed that Lu Su was upright and honest, similar to Ding Bao Zhen. The Empress Dowager understood his meaning. The Prince Gong suggested that Ding Bao Zhen continue the investigation. At this point, En Cheng proposed that Wen Bin had embezzled and killed to cover up his actions, which was widely known among the people in Shandong. Yan Da Ren openly refuted the claim, stating that there was insufficient evidence. However, the Empress Dowager insisted on severe punishment for corruption and demanded that Ding Bao Zhen present evidence. With nearly a million embezzled in a year, the matter had to be thoroughly investigated. Such wrongdoing would not be tolerated in the Qing Dynasty.
En Cheng suggested appointing Wang Tingyi to oversee the case, and the Empress Dowager approved.
Wang Tingyi seized this opportunity to express his determination not to fulfill En Cheng's request. En Cheng entrusted Wang Tingyi with the task of investigating, while Ding Bao Zhen was only there to assist. Wang Tingyi understood the underlying meaning and suggested that Wen Bin, who was scheduled to go to the capital for an interview, should take the blame. Wang Tingyi arrived in Shandong and proposed dealing with Wen Da Ren, who appeared to be at odds with Ding Bao Zhen. This directly instigated a rift between Ding Bao Zhen and Wen Da Ren. Seeing Ding Bao Zhen's stubbornness, Wang Tingyi left in anger. Wang Tingyi then went to Wen Da Ren's residence and informed him that the evidence against him was solid, putting his own life at risk. He claimed that his purpose in coming was to help Wen Da Ren, and he instructed Wen Bin to turn against Ding Bao Zhen, accusing him of corruption and framing Wen Da Ren. Wang Tingyi assured Wen Da Ren that he would take care of the situation.
Wen Bin understood the gravity of the situation but hesitated. Yan Da Ren sent a letter to Ding Bao Zhen, which only mentioned the situation in the palace, clearly indicating that Ding Bao Zhen should handle the corruption case himself. Ding Bao Zhen guessed that Wang Tingyi had gone to Wen Da Ren's residence but was not worried that Wen Da Ren would cooperate with him.
At this point, Wen Bin asked Wang Tingyi about the second method. Wang Tingyi mentioned that Prince Gong enjoyed archery and that Wen Da Ren's family had an ancestral treasure bow. Wen Bin understood his words and immediately offered the treasure bow to Prince Gong as a bribe. Wang Tingyi disclosed the recent findings to the officials, firmly stating that Wen Da Ren had serious suspicions against him. He presented the treasure bow as evidence of bribery and accused Wen Da Ren of implicating his colleagues.
Falsely accused, Wen Da Ren fell ill due to anxiety, but Wang Tingyi prevented him from seeing the physician and insisted on taking him to the capital immediately. Ding Bao Zhen directly ordered the physician to be brought in and assigned Li Pei Rong to closely guard the backyard, prohibiting anyone from visiting the suspect. Wang Tingyi, witnessing this, intended to report Ding Bao Zhen to higher authorities, but Ding Bao Zhen clarified that Wang Tingyi was there to investigate the case, not to have authority over him.
Chen Yun Fei discovered that the foreman at Wu Da Ren's house had disappeared. Ding Bao Zhen stated that they must find this person. Qi Songru mentioned that he knew some of the personnel involved in supplying materials during the embankment construction in Jia Village. Ding Bao Zhen decided to start the investigation from there.
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