A few days later, the memorials that made Kangxi "think thrice" piled up to almost half a person's height. Only then did Wang Hongxu come over with what he had found out.

It's said that the assets of high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital are difficult to trace, but that's from the perspective of ordinary people. When it comes to a shop, most customers only know the shopkeeper and the employees, and don't pay much attention to the real owner behind the scenes.

However, it wouldn't be difficult for Wang Hongxu to investigate.

The simple thing is that he doesn't need to send anyone to investigate. He just needs to go back and tell his wife, and she'll know pretty much everything in a few days.

Lady Wang's diplomacy was no joke; she was a master of social interaction and could glean a great deal of information without even realizing it.

Lady Wang said some things, and after Wang Hongxu verified them, he wrote a memorial to Emperor Kangxi.

The next day, during the court session, some people were still urging Kangxi to "think it over." Kangxi's face darkened, a stark contrast to his lenient attitude a few days earlier.

"Left Vice Censor-in-Chief, you just said that my large-scale construction projects violate the principles of a benevolent ruler?"

When Kangxi said this, his expression was not good, which startled Chen Zhengxing, the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty is a benevolent ruler. However, I fear that the people of the world may have something to say about your large-scale construction projects, and I also fear that future generations may misunderstand Your Majesty's character."

Kangxi chuckled and said, "I just wanted to build a summer garden, and you all dragged the common people into it. I'm still alive, and you're already thinking about what will happen after I'm gone. It seems that Minister Chen is very concerned about the livelihood of the people and my life or death."

By the way, I heard that Minister Chen recently took two concubines and hosted a banquet for many people. The neighbors all say that you are very generous and made quite a fuss. Not long ago, I saw the loan note from the Ministry of Revenue. Minister Chen said that his family was poor and he borrowed 20,000 taels of silver for working capital.

"I don't quite understand, my dear minister. Explain to me why someone so poor can still marry two concubines at once. The national treasury is filled with the people's tax revenue. Why can't I build a garden, but instead use it to fund your concubine-taking? You certainly know how to scheme."

Emperor Kangxi showed Chen Zhengxing no mercy with these words. Chen Zhengxing was also stunned, not expecting that Emperor Kangxi knew everything about him.

Kangxi continued, "Who told you that I used money from the national treasury to build the garden? I used my own private treasury to build the garden. You all believe whatever you hear. You don't care about the safety and livelihood of the people. You just keep talking about my little family affairs. Do you think I support you to eat for free?"

Many people were stunned. Apart from the officials from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works, not many people knew that Kangxi used his own private treasury to build the garden. In fact, Kangxi did a pretty good job in this regard compared to other emperors.

In the past, when emperors built private palaces or other imperial residences, they almost always used silver from the national treasury, which was due to ingrained thinking.

Without conducting an investigation, they directly "impeached" Emperor Kangxi.

Chen Zhengxing knew he was finished and knelt on the ground begging for mercy. Kangxi looked at him like that but didn't soften his heart. He continued, "The Censorate is supposed to have a supervisory duty. If you were truly concerned about the people, I would feel somewhat comforted. But what have you all done? You didn't investigate what you should have investigated. You said I shouldn't have undertaken such large-scale construction projects, but I only built a garden, and I used my own money. What, do you expect me to take money from my private treasury to help you take concubines?"

These words were quite serious, and everyone in the court knelt down, saying in unison, "Your humble servants dare not."

"Dare not? I see you dare quite a bit. What is it that you dare not do?"

Then Kangxi named several ministers, all of whom were well-known figures in the court. He told them exactly how much silver they had borrowed and how much property they owned.

Everyone then realized that Kangxi had come prepared today.

"...I see that you ministers are living much happier and more enjoyable lives than I am. Minister Mu, I heard that your villa in Jiangnan cost nearly a million taels of silver to build. So, are you quite proud of borrowing money from the national treasury to build your own villa?"

Upon hearing this, Minister Mu immediately begged for forgiveness: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. That villa was built by my wife and daughter-in-law with their dowry. I will repay double the amount of silver borrowed from the national treasury when I return. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Paying back double the amount? That's acceptable.

Then Kangxi glanced at the court officials below.

"I allowed you to borrow money from the Ministry of Revenue because I was afraid you would live in poverty. But you took my kindness for granted and indulged me. Look at the good things you've done. I hereby order that everyone must repay all debts within one month. If there are any hidden reasons, you can report them and I will send someone to verify and deal with them. If there are no special hidden reasons and you still do not repay, then you can only come back to work and attend court when you have repaid the debt. If you delay for too long, you will not be allowed to work in the future."

After the court session, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.

what to do?

What could they do? They all rushed home to sell their wares and raise money.

It's only the 26th year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign. Compared to the later years of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, when the national treasury was almost emptied by loans, and some of those loans were made by the Jiangnan region to welcome the Kangxi Emperor, things are much better now. At least the Kangxi Emperor hasn't made many trips to the Jiangnan region yet.

Moreover, it hasn't been long since Kangxi captured Oboi, quelled the Rebellion of the Three Feudatories, and recovered Taiwan. Kangxi is still in his prime and doesn't care as much about face as he does in his later years, nor does he insist on benevolent governance.

As for that Vice Censor-in-Chief Chen, he saved his head, but he lost his official hat.

When Emperor Kangxi ordered the money to be returned, these officials dared not openly comply but secretly disobey.

To dare to "impeach" the emperor without verification—whoever was fooled has the audacity.

As soon as they left the palace, many officials couldn't help but gather around them, including people from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!