dkrc Chapter 336 Cooperation
Chapter 336 Cooperation
Wen Zongji became famous in Beijing with the Beijing Daily, and no one knew better than him how to manipulate public opinion.
The second phase of the legal education competition proceeded as scheduled the following day.
As the candidates entered the examination hall one after another, seeing that everything was calm outside, someone breathed a long sigh of relief: "I thought there would be people blocking the gate today."
After all, yesterday's case involving chrysanthemum caused a stir in Beijing, with the criticism directed at the legal education competition.
These candidates, who had finally stood out from thousands of applicants, did not want to miss this opportunity.
Many people were waiting for Shuntian Prefecture to step forward and control public opinion, but after a day, there was still no movement from Shuntian Prefecture.
Some pessimists doubt that the legal education competition will continue.
As a result, Shuntian Prefecture seemed unaffected and arranged for the candidates to enter the examination hall as usual.
Upon hearing this, the person next to him glanced at him and said, "Brother, didn't you read this morning's Beijing News?"
"Wha...what's wrong?"
He had been living in fear all day and had no interest in reading the Beijing News.
"Today, the Beijing Daily published an article, written by the editor-in-chief of the Beijing Daily himself, commenting on yesterday's case. It pointed out that the examinee who was slapped yesterday was originally a fisherman. If it weren't for the legal education competition, he wouldn't have read any law books. If he didn't understand the law, he wouldn't have thought to report it to the authorities immediately."
"With this article, public opinion in Beijing has been completely reversed. A malicious person will not become a good person just because they know the law, but the vulnerable can find ways to protect themselves because they know the law. This is the significance of the legal education competition."
"As expected of the editor of the Beijing Daily, I have read this article. It is very well written and every word is precious. No wonder it was able to turn public opinion around."
"I remember that the Beijing Gazette Bureau was founded several years ago by Lord Wen, the Prefectural Magistrate of Shuntian Prefecture. Do you think this article today might have been written by Lord Wen?"
Upon hearing this, someone immediately affirmed, "Absolutely. This legal education competition was organized by Shuntian Prefecture and has nothing to do with the Beijing Gazette Bureau. Even if the Beijing Gazette Bureau intended to speak for Shuntian Prefecture, it would be impossible for them to react so quickly. Only Lord Wen could get the Beijing Gazette Bureau to publish such an article."
"Lord Wen is truly remarkable."
The group eventually reached this consensus.
The people who come to participate in the legal education competition are not ordinary people, but scholars with average education and family background. They come to the legal education competition to try their luck because they cannot even become minor officials with their abilities and family circumstances.
Wen Zongji was the organizer of the legal education competition. It was because of his proposal that the legal education competition came into being. The candidates who participated in the competition were generally grateful to Wen Zongji for giving them this opportunity.
Now that Wen Zongji has resolved the public opinion storm in the capital, the candidates respect him even more.
Separated by a wall, Wen Zongji and Chai Dingchong sat here, watching the candidates enter the examination hall.
Hearing the discussion among the candidates outside, Chai Dingchong laughed and said, "Zongji, you have quite a high standing among the candidates."
Wen Zongji poured tea for Chai Dingchong: "You flatter me, sir. The legal education competition was originally organized by Shuntian Prefecture, and it is only my duty to resolve this matter."
Chai Dingchong sighed: "It's our duty. If everyone in the court and among the people could do their duty well, the Great Chu would be even more prosperous."
Wen Zongji took a sip of tea: "My lord, such is the way of the world. There is a good side and a bad side. The Emperor is wise and mighty. Overall, the good side of our Great Chu outweighs the bad."
Where there is light, there is darkness; often, light and darkness coexist.
No place is entirely light without darkness.
When they entered the court as officials, their task was to maximize the positive aspects and minimize the space for the negative aspects to exist.
Chai Dingchong looked at him: "I intend to dispatch all the yamen runners of Shuntian Prefecture to clean up the underground casinos, brothels, and other dens of iniquity in the capital. What do you think?"
Wen Zongji naturally agreed, saying that some people should be constantly reminded and put on a leash so that they will have some scruples when they do things.
"Sir, should we cooperate with the Infantry Commander's Office?"
There were quite a few yamen runners in Shuntian Prefecture, but that wasn't a lot compared to the rest of the capital.
Of course, one could also seek out constables from Xing'an County and Wanqing County to act together, but these constables would certainly not be as elite as the soldiers of the Infantry Commander's Office.
Chai Dingchong smiled and said, "It would be good to have more people. Our Shuntian Prefecture will be responsible for providing intelligence. As long as the Infantry Commander's Office is willing to join, they can choose the mission location."
Chai Dingchong was a good official who was wholeheartedly devoted to the people. He wanted to clean up the filth and corruption in the capital, but he only wanted to make the capital clean and tidy, not for personal gain.
Therefore, he didn't mind if the Infantry Commander's Office came in and got a share of the profits.
"You will be in charge of negotiating this matter with the Infantry Commander's Office."
Chai Dingchong handed the task over to Wen Zongji.
Wen Zongji readily agreed: "Okay."
This matter really needs to be handled by him, because Pei Shirong is in the Infantry Commander's office. This matter is beneficial to the people, and if done well, it will indeed be a great achievement. Naturally, he should think of his own family.
......
Princess's Residence
Today is the eldest princess's birthday, and Pei Rujing and her siblings have come together to wish her a happy birthday. Wen Zongji took this opportunity to explain the actions of Shuntian Prefecture.
Pei Shirong agreed without hesitation: "The brothers are getting bored out of their minds. It's good to let them get some exercise."
Wen Zongji cautioned, "Those underground worms must have connections to establish themselves in the capital. To avoid leaks, Second Brother, please keep quiet for now."
Pei Shirong nodded: "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
He knew that things were done in secrecy.
Pei Shizhao advised him, "Listen to Zongji and don't act rashly."
Although Pei Shirong was older than Wen Zongji, no one thought he was more reliable than Wen Zongji.
Of course, Pei Shirong himself felt the same way.
Upon hearing Pei Shizhao's words, he agreed without hesitation: "Of course, I will do whatever Zongji says."
Wen Zongji said, "My two elder brothers overestimate me. This operation is overseen by Prefect Chai, and Second Brother is definitely more skilled at making arrests. We are only responsible for providing intelligence. Second Brother can arrange how to make the arrests himself."
The Infantry Commander's Office was staffed with elite troops, and they were experts in how to coordinate operations. Wen Zongji did not want an outsider to instruct an expert.
"I just acted as a go-between."
He still has the legal education competition to attend to, and he doesn't have the energy to spare for this matter.
Pei Shirong did not refuse upon hearing this: "Alright, I'll make the arrangements then, and I guarantee that no one will escape."
Under the emperor's nose, no force can compare to the government.
Pei Rujing said, "Alright, today is Mother's birthday. We can talk about it another day."
Upon hearing this, Wen Zongji and the others immediately fell silent and began to make some funny remarks to amuse the princess.
The eldest princess was happy to see that they were safe and sound and that the family could be together.