"Tomorrow's morning court will definitely be a bloody affair." Li Xingye sighed.

Fu Chengwang tugged at his beard and said, "Why don't we petition together and ask His Majesty to change Zhao Lin's position?"

"I think so too." Li Xingye said.

Fu Wenqi smiled and said, "Father, Lord Li, I think Zhao Lin is a very suitable person for the position of National River Governor."

"Oh? What do you mean?" Fu Chengwang asked.

Fu Wenqi asked, "Dad and Lord Li, do you know how much grain is lost every year when it's transported?"

Fu Chengwang and Li Xingye both shook their heads.

Fu Wenqi raised a finger: "One third, or even more."

"absurd!"

Fu Chengwang immediately objected: "How could there be so many?"

Fu Wenqi said, "That's all. There's losses from shipping due to storms and sinking, losses from theft and robbery, losses from food consumed by humans and animals, and many other things. At best, it can reach one-third."

"Then the Cao army is doomed to fail?" Li Xingye couldn't help asking.

According to the Daqi Law, the grain transported by the grain transport army must be delivered in full, and any shortage must be made up by the grain transport army themselves, otherwise they will be punished.

With such heavy losses, how can the grain transport troops make up for it?

Fu Wenqi said, "So some of the grain transport troops would smuggle goods and sell them to make up for their losses. Over time, some of the grain transport ships became cargo ships for southern merchants. Because the grain transport ships didn't have to pay taxes, they could sell the goods in the local area and make up for the grain tax."

Zhao Lin said, "This will not be a problem with the grain tax, but it will reduce a lot of tax revenue. Overall, the loss outweighs the gain."

"Yes," Fu Wenqi said. "I heard about these things while investigating the salt administration in the south. Unfortunately, with the connections between officials now, many officials have become representatives of those merchants, making it difficult to get them to regulate grain transportation. Now that Zhao Lin has become the governor of the national waterways, it's a good opportunity, but I'm afraid Zhao Lin wouldn't dare."

Zhao Lin smiled and said, "Why not? It's just a small amount of grain. Killing one person is a warning to the rest."

Fu Chengwang said seriously, "We can rectify the situation, but we cannot kill people indiscriminately."

Zhao Lin quickly said, "My father-in-law is right. I will definitely abide by the law and punish them according to the Daqi Law."

While several people were discussing, Zhao Chenhan found Zhou Shian.

"It was all your good idea! I was demoted to work under Zhao Lin, and I will never be able to make a name for myself in my life." Zhao Chenhan said angrily.

Zhou Shian smiled slightly and said, "Has the Emperor discovered it?"

Zhao Chenhan said angrily: "You know?"

"If you don't want others to know, then don't do it yourself." Zhou Shi'an said, "This kind of thing will be exposed sooner or later."

"Then why do you let me do it?" Zhao Chenhan wanted to kill Zhou Shian.

Zhou Shian waved his hand and said, "Calm down, my prince. The emperor didn't kill you for this. Do you know why?"

"Of course it's because my father has an army of 200,000 and he doesn't dare to kill me." Zhao Chenhan said proudly.

"Yes. You are the Marquis's only son. If you are killed, the Marquis will definitely feel resentful, and then the emperor's position will be unstable." Zhou Shi'an said.

"But what use is this to me?" Zhao Chenhan said angrily.

Zhou Shian said, "I told you not to worry, why are you so anxious? The emperor doesn't have much time left to live anyway, so what's there to be afraid of? Killing Zhao Lin this time is also a win. Wait, what is the emperor punishing you for?"

Zhao Chenhan finally reacted: "He asked me to go find Zhao Lin to get an errand. But isn't Zhao Lin dead?"

Zhou Shian's face was gloomy, and he uttered two words: "Fake death!"

"Fake death? That's impossible? Why would he fake his death? Even if he faked his death on purpose, why would the emperor cooperate with him?" Zhao Chenhan asked questions repeatedly.

Zhou Shian glanced at Zhao Chenhan and said, "How would I know? Maybe it's another official named Zhao Lin."

Zhao Chenhan shook his head.

Emperor Chengping only told him to go find Zhao Lin to get an assignment, but didn't mention the official position. Isn't that Zhao Lin?

"Is he really not dead?" Zhao Chenhan doubted in his heart.