明查暗访

open enquiries and secret search (idiom); to investigate openly and in secret / taking information from all sides

Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) / surname Ming / Ming (c. 2000 BC), fourth of the legendary Flame Emperors, 炎帝[Yan2 di4] descended from Shennong 神農|神农[Shen2 nong2] Farmer God

bright / opposite: dark 暗[an4] / (of meaning) clear / to understand / next / public or open / wise / generic term for a sacrifice to the gods

surname Zha

to research / to check / to investigate / to examine / to refer to / to look up (e.g. a word in a dictionary)

variant of 楂[zha1]

variant of 暗[an4]

dark / gloomy / hidden / secret / muddled / obscure / in the dark

to close (a door) / to eclipse / muddled / stupid / ignorant / variant of 暗[an4]

to make secret inquiries / to investigate in secret

(bound form) to visit / to call on / to seek / to inquire / to investigate