After all, there's no benefit in stepping onto a hot plate.

Why take the risk of making things difficult for the owner of a trading company?

Liu Yanzong was very excited, and the first person he found was Zhang Qingyuan.

On the third day after Ye Chong was imprisoned in the Kaifeng government office, Zhang Qingyuan held a banquet at his home.

Among those who came to offer their congratulations to the Zhang family were Zhu Qing, the head of the Zhu family; Pan Qishan, the head of the Pan family; Wang Wenshen, the head of the Wang family; and Liu Wei from the Liu family.

As newly wealthy merchants in Tokyo who rose to prominence with the backing of the imperial court, these people all had connections within the court. Perhaps the ordinary people of Tokyo were not concerned about the Zhang Family Cloth Shop and the Li Family Cloth Shop case, but these people were very clear about it.

That Huaxing spinning wheel is no ordinary item. Regardless of whether it belongs to the Zhang family or not, now that the Zhang family has obtained it, Zhang Qingyuan will have a place in the business world of Tokyo and even the Song Dynasty.

After that, there will naturally be times when everyone will cooperate.

When the group arrived at the Zhang family's residence, they didn't mention the Huaxing spinning wheel incident. Instead, they exchanged pleasantries and compliments and presented valuable gifts.

On this day, Zhang Qingyuan couldn't stop smiling.

Seeing that Zhang's Cloth Shop had grown rapidly, while Li's Cloth Shop had already closed down.

The steward Zhang, who had visited Li Qiu'e some time ago, whispered in Zhang Qingyuan's ear: "Master, I saw her. Li Qiu'e is quite beautiful. Once this matter is over, I will find someone to get Li Qiu'e out of the prison in Kaifeng Prefecture and present her to you."

Zhang Qingyuan was incredibly happy.

A servant suddenly rushed in, looking flustered: "Master! Master!"

"What's the matter that you're in such a hurry?"

Steward Zhang angrily shouted at the servant, "Can't you see we have distinguished guests?"

The servant panicked even more: "Outside... someone outside is looking for the master."

"We have an important guest today, so please see him and let him go home."

"But...but they said they were from the Inspectorate!"

Zhang Qingyuan's expression froze, and he suddenly stood up: "What did you say! The Inspectorate! Did you hear me wrong?"

"It's absolutely true, they are people from the Inspectorate, and they are wearing official uniforms."

Before Zhang Qingyuan could say anything, several people swaggered in. The leader was a woman in a long black dress, whose expression was stern: "Who is Zhang Qingyuan?"

"Who...who are you, and how dare you trespass into my home..."

"You must be Zhang Qingyuan. We are Inspector Wei from the Inspectorate. We suspect you are involved in a corruption case involving an official. Please come with us to the Inspectorate."

Zhang Qingyuan was shocked, and Zhu Qing's expression changed drastically. Pan Qishan and Wang Wenshen exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise and intent in each other's eyes. Liu Wei was the first to stand up and said to Zhang Qingyuan, "Brother Zhang, I have an urgent matter at home and cannot disturb you. I will take my leave now."

Everyone else also got up, not daring to linger for even a moment.

The woman said, "Everyone, please come with me back to the Censorate for a cup of tea."

Zhu Qing exclaimed in surprise, "Shangguan, we were just passing by and have nothing to do with Zhang Qingyuan."

"take away!"

...

Zhu Qing and the others were taken to the Inspectorate, but were quickly released.

After all, these wealthy businessmen all have powerful backers. After giving some statements to the Inspectorate, they were fine.

But Zhang Qingyuan was different; he was locked in a small, dark room.

After that, Zhang Qingyuan lost his mind; who knows what he went through.

At the morning court session the following day, after Xu Churen finished reporting on the grain and population migration, as well as the paving of cement roads, Tang Ke began to proudly recount the development of commerce in the Song Dynasty during this period, and all the tax items that might be collected in the first quarter.

Many officials were astonished when they heard the numbers Tang Ke mentioned.

In the first quarter alone, the imperial court's commercial tax revenue may exceed 40 million strings of cash!

In the first year of the Jingkang era, the total commercial tax revenue for the entire year was only 60 million strings of cash.

As is customary, after Tang Ke finished his report, Shi Xun from the Hanlin Academy began to report on matters concerning the school.

Then came the Privy Council's discussion of military and political matters, followed by the Central Government's report on the war zones.

Undoubtedly, the State Council is now very confident, and the Song Dynasty's commerce has entered an unprecedented period of prosperity.

Just as Tang Ke was feeling smug, Liu Yanzong stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I want to impeach Tang Ke, the Vice Chancellor and Minister of Commerce. He has abused his power, indulged his subordinates, and framed loyal officials!"

Holy crap! Liu Yanzong, what the hell are you doing now?! I don't think I've done anything to you lately!

Tang Ke was somewhat bewildered, his heart burning with anger, but his face remained calm: "Liu Yusi, do not speak nonsense and slander me in front of His Majesty!"

Liu Yanzong took out Zhang Qingyuan's confession and presented it to him: "Your Majesty, Zhang Qingyuan of Zhangji Cloth Shop has confessed that it was Gu Yuanwailang of the Ministry of Commerce who instructed him to find someone to give false testimony, accusing Huaxing Trading Company of stealing Zhangji Cloth Shop's spinning wheel, and then canceling Huaxing Trading Company's spinning wheel patent. Zhang Qingyuan then presented Huaxing spinning wheel to Tang Ke."

Upon hearing this, Tang Ke's expression changed drastically: "You're talking nonsense!"

“Master Tang, Zhang Qingyuan himself admitted that you summoned him, and said that you orchestrated this whole thing to seize the spinning wheel patent registered by Huaxing Trading Company for yourself.”

"Nonsense! I am the Minister of Commerce of the Great Song Dynasty, a high-ranking official of the Emperor. How could I possibly collude with private merchants and do something to corrupt the court over a mere patent on spinning wheels! Liu Yanzong, what are your intentions in framing me like this!"

Liu Yanzong presented the confession to Zhao Huan: "Please take a look, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Huan took the confession, skimmed through it, and his expression immediately changed: "This is outrageous!"

Tang Ke was so frightened that he immediately knelt on the ground. It wasn't that he had really colluded with Zhang Qingyuan, but rather that half of the story was true; he did indeed want Zhang Qingyuan to give him the patent rights to the spinning wheel.

Of course, it wasn't given to him personally, but rather placed under the Ministry of Commerce's name.

In this way, the Ministry of Commerce can collect a lot of patent fees from the people by promoting this spinning wheel extensively in the Song Dynasty.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. I have absolutely no collusion with Zhang Qingyuan!"

Li Daochen, the acting prefect of Kaifeng, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, this case is under my jurisdiction. Based on the evidence from various witnesses and sources, it is clear that Huaxing Spinning Wheel was indeed stolen from Zhang's Cloth Shop."

Liu Yanzong sneered, "But now that Zhang Qingyuan has confessed, all the witnesses and evidence are fake."

Li Daochen said, "Liu Yusi, investigating civil cases does not seem to be within your jurisdiction. You have overstepped your authority and used your methods of coercing confessions to treat an ordinary citizen. Your intentions are despicable!"

Liu Yanzong, however, declared righteously, "My arrest of Zhang Qingyuan is not to investigate the Zhangji Cloth Shop and Li's Cloth Shop cases, but to investigate the corruption case in the Ministry of Commerce!"

"Gu, the Assistant Minister of Commerce, owns one-tenth of Zhang's Cloth Shop. Li's Cloth Shop, with the help of Huaxing Trading Company, has recently been thriving in Tokyo. Gu feels that Li's Cloth Shop is hindering his path to wealth, so he has joined forces with Tang Ke to suppress Huaxing Trading Company! This is not a civil case, but an official case, involving the current prime minister!"

"And you, the acting prefect of Kaifeng, turned this matter into a miscarriage of justice. How can you be sure you're not in cahoots with Gu Yongzhi?"

"Liu Yusi, you need to provide evidence for your statements!"

"The evidence is in His Majesty's hands right now. You have colluded with unscrupulous merchants for your own selfish interests, corrupted the imperial court, and still have the nerve to stand in the court!"