Episode 23 recap: Ding Bao Zhen cleaned up the Fu Ma Bureau, and Qi Songru betrayed Ding Bao Zhen.
Song Daren presented the account books, and Ding Bao Zhen wouldn't easily bypass him. Considering him as an important witness, Ding Bao Zhen had Li Pei Rong find a hidden house to protect him. Heng Xun dispatched people everywhere to search for Song Dongkui and found out that he left with the account books. He ordered his men to kill him on the spot if they discovered his whereabouts.
Ding Bao Zhen reviewed the general ledger and confirmed that it matched the discrepancies pointed out by Chen Yun Fei. Lady Zhong brought soup with a deep expression, reproaching Ding Bao Zhen for not taking care of his health. Ding Bao Zhen decided that he must verify all the accounts before Heng Xun became aware.
Song Dongkui, unwilling to accept his current situation after achieving such a foundation as a successful candidate, had his hiding place exposed. Several masked individuals stormed in, and Song Dongkui was killed by one of them. Before his death, Song Dongkui told Li Pei Rong about a piece of evidence hidden in the courtyard, which contained the annual gift list offered by Heng Xun and his signature.
After obtaining the evidence, Li Pei Rong was ambushed halfway and had the evidence taken away. When Heng Xun opened the account books, he found only a note inside, which read "Heng Xun, corrupt official." Feeling lucky at this moment, Heng Xun thought that with Song Dongkui dead, nobody could accuse him. However, Li Pei Rong had anticipated the ambush on the way and deliberately diverted attention. After Ding Bao Zhen saw the gift list, he was shocked to see that most of the officials in the capital were involved. However, there was a transfer of five hundred thousand taels mentioned in the account books, and the recipient was still unknown. Ding Bao Zhen sent Chen Yun Fei to find out who received the five hundred thousand taels from En Cheng.
Chen Yun Fei arrived in the capital and gave Qi Songru some living expenses, assigning him the task. Qi Songru was shocked to hear the details and pretended to be calm, saying that he could find out who was close to En Cheng. The next day, Qi Songru informed En Cheng about Ding Bao Zhen's secret investigation into En Cheng, and En Cheng used Qi Songru to pass on the message that Li Lianying from the Ministry of Internal Affairs was the person he was close to.
Upon hearing that En Cheng was close to Li Lianying, Chen Yun Fei suspected that the Empress Dowager was behind it. En Cheng waited for the Prince Gong in the military affairs office, falsely claiming that he had lost something and came to look for it. He intentionally mentioned that Ding Bao Zhen's investigation into corruption in Sichuan had already implicated the capital. Finally, this case led to Li Lianying from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Prince Gong had turned a blind eye to the salt corruption. Now, the corruption case might cause a major chaos.
Prince Gong used the excuse of busy military affairs to send En Cheng away.
Chen Yufei found Lord Yan, and when Lord Yan learned that Li Lianying was involved, he realized that the situation was serious. There might be more than just Li Lianying behind this. While they were discussing the matter, an envoy from Prince Gong came to invite Chen Yufei for a meeting at his residence. Lord Yan suspected that Prince Gong had something to ask of Chen Yufei.
Chen Yufei returned to the capital and reported the investigation results to Ding Bao Zhen. The 500,000 taels had flowed into the hands of Li Lianying from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Prince Gong also conveyed a message, saying, "The essence of studying lies in performing one's duties." Ding Bao Zhen immediately understood the meaning behind it. With a sudden realization, Ding Bao Zhen went to the kitchen and expressed his intention to eat more chili peppers to relieve his pent-up emotions. Lady Zhong suggested pairing the spicy food with herbal tea, which would help feel the spiciness.
From cooking, Ding Bao Zhen realized that there needs to be a balance in everything one does. He wrote a memorial specifically, which made Chen Yufei worry that it might anger the Empress Dowager. He feared that even Prince Gong would advise Ding Bao Zhen to think twice. However, Ding Bao Zhen was determined to thoroughly rectify the Fu Ma Bureau. He must truthfully report and reduce a portion of the bureau, leaving only eighteen key positions.
Upon reading the memorial, Empress Dowager Cixi became furious. With En Cheng's instigation, she realized that Ding Bao Zhen's intentions were not easily deceived. Although Ding Bao Zhen was reckless, he worked for the people. Disbanding the Fu Ma Bureau alone was insignificant, and Heng Xun was immediately transferred away. While they couldn't deal with Ding Bao Zhen this time, they needed to teach him a lesson. En Cheng took direct control of the matter, willing to help ease the Empress Dowager's burden.
Qi Songru betrayed Ding Bao Zhen this time. He had put all his hopes in En Cheng. At this moment, En Cheng took the initiative to find him and informed him that he would receive an official title. Qi Songru was appointed as a compiler in the Southern Study Room and an examiner for the Autumn Examination. The Empress Dowager sent him to Sichuan, and En Cheng returned his jade pendant, instructing Qi Songru to cooperate secretly in Sichuan. Qi Songru thanked En Cheng for his support.
As the resident examiner, the officials gathered in Chengdu. Education was the foundation of the country, and Chen Yufei was instructed to conduct more inspections. Qi Songru's promotion brought great joy to Ding Bao Zhen. He mistakenly believed that it was Qi Songru's diligence and thirst for knowledge that led to his recommendation and promotion. Ding Bao Zhen even prepared a table full of delicious dishes to celebrate. However, as soon as Qi Songru arrived in Chengdu, he was taken by some people to a restaurant for drinks.
Jin Xiaomei felt a bit disappointed that Qi Songru went to a restaurant instead of returning home immediately. However, Ding Bao Zhen thought it was for the best, as it wouldn't give people any reason to gossip. Chief Examiner Wang toasted Qi Songru, and before long, he was intoxicated by everyone. Zeng Zhaoji looked at the account books of the Sichuan Machinery Bureau and felt that the weapons production there was lagging behind. Ding Bao Zhen ordered him to expand the bureau as quickly as possible.
Qi Songru, in a drunken state, returned to his room and showed off his jade pendant to his father, boasting about his glory that day. However, he felt guilty toward Ding Bao Zhen in his heart. But he also wanted the whole world to see that he was an extraordinary talent. The next day, Qi Songru knelt before Ding Bao Zhen, who he hadn't seen for several months. Ding Bao Zhen expressed concern for his family and repeatedly admonished him about the way of being an official.
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