The disgraced official I took care of was actually Zhu Houcong's childhood friend.

Chapter 616

That night, the Northern Garrison Command began arresting people in the latter half of the night and continued until dawn. The officials who colluded with the Salt Gang were basically all rounded up by the Northern Garrison Command.

As soon as it was light, Lu Wanshan went to Zhou Chu to report back.

"Sir, everyone on the list has been arrested. Shall we begin the interrogation now?"

Lu Wanshan said respectfully.

"Go ahead with the interrogation, but be mindful of your methods. Avoid using torture if possible."

Zhou Chu looked at Lu Wanshan in front of him and said.

Zhou Chu's words put Lu Wanshan in a difficult position. What kind of place was the Northern Garrison Command? The Northern Garrison Command had never had the rule that "no punishment is allowed for high-ranking officials." The interrogation process of the Northern Garrison Command had always been simple and brutal, and Lu Wanshan himself was a veteran of torture.

Zhou Chu said to try not to use torture, which made Lu Wanshan a little confused and unsure of what to do.

However, Lu Wanshan didn't dare to ask his superior, as that would make him seem incompetent.

When Lu Wanshan left Zhou Chu's study and saw Shen Lian in the courtyard, his eyes lit up immediately. If you were to ask who had followed Zhou Chu the longest, it would undoubtedly be Shen Lian. And if you were to ask who was most familiar with Zhou Chu's style of handling affairs, it would also be Shen Lian.

Previously, Lu Wanshan would privately ask Shen Lian for his opinion on many things he didn't understand.

"Brother Shen, may I have a word with you in private?"

Lu Wanshan approached Shen Lian and said solicitously.

Seeing his expression, Shen Lian knew that the adult's orders had left him at a loss, and that he had something to ask him.

However, Shen Lian did not put on airs and followed Lu Wanshan to the outer courtyard of the Zhou residence.

“Brother, Lord Zhou told me to avoid torture if possible, isn’t that making things difficult for me? Those officials are all old foxes, they won’t shed tears until they see the coffin. If it were an ordinary person, a little scare would usually make them confess, but this trick won’t work on them.”

Facing Shen Lian, Lu Wanshan poured out his grievances.

"That's because you're not capable enough. I've followed you for so long and have seen all kinds of methods you've used. Let alone these officials, what about those unscrupulous merchants in Shanxi? You don't even need to show your face in person. With just a word, you can bring them to a complete collapse."

Shen Lian looked at Lu Wanshan with some disdain.

In Shen Lian's eyes, the garrison commander of the Northern Garrison was a complete brute who only knew how to act recklessly and never considered methods or approaches. However, this was understandable, since Lu Wanshan was promoted to garrison commander during the Zhengde era, when the Embroidered Uniform Guard was in decline and officials preferred to have some brainless people in high positions within the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Lu Wanshan wasn't entirely brainless; he had some brains, but not many.

When Lu Wanshan heard Shen Lian say this, his eyes lit up immediately. Sure enough, if there was a problem that couldn't be solved, asking Shen Lian would surely provide a solution.

"Brother, tell me quickly, what should I do?"

If it were anyone else, Lu Wanshan would have already given him the jade pendant hanging from his waist. But Shen Lian was different from others. Shen Lian was an honest and upright official, and he never accepted anything from others. Lu Wanshan only realized this after being rejected a few times.

Therefore, Lu Wanshan did not give Shen Lian anything at this time. He knew very well that Shen Lian would do his best to help him solve any problems that could be solved, as long as it was for the Ming Dynasty and the court.

"This kind of thing is difficult in some ways and easy in others. Are these people a monolithic group? They are definitely afraid that others will betray them and lock them up in solitary confinement. They won't know what others have said. Whether others have said it or not, it doesn't matter what you say. The adults call this the prisoner's dilemma."

Shen Lian offered some advice.

Lu Wanshan was no fool to have reached this position, and Shen Lian's words were like a sudden awakening for him.

"Great! I know what to do now. Thanks, brother. Come over for dinner sometime. Your sister-in-law is an excellent cook."