Lord Ouyang was the Salt and Iron Transport Commissioner, a third-rank official position in Daze Kingdom. His duties included overseeing the official salt and iron monopoly, supervising the minting of coins, and managing the canal transport.
With the salt and iron monopoly being closely monitored by the authorities, no one dared to make any major moves, so Master Ouyang focused his efforts on the canal transport system.
These canal transport laborers were all conscripted civilians. The canal transport was very hard, but they could be paid in silver. Over the past ten years, Master Ouyang had squeezed countless amounts of hard-earned money from thousands of conscripted laborers. But even if these people paid, Master Ouyang would not let them go. Instead, he would drive them to more secluded sections of the canal, gather them together to work, and use up their last bit of remaining value until they were worn down to death.
In this way, his deeds will not be exposed, but his hands are stained with blood, and he can be said to be utterly wicked.
In addition, there were instances where, during the minting of coins and silver, the coins and silver were recycled under the pretext of poor purity or quality, with the money going to the individuals who then embezzled the money.
Most of this tainted silver was used to curry favor with the eldest prince, Chu Yaozhao.
The imperial court focused its investigation on the salt and iron monopoly, and since there were no problems in that area, they didn't keep a close eye on Master Ouyang. Little did they know that Master Ouyang was committing heinous acts in other areas under his jurisdiction.
Qiao Lian'er printed a copy of these private accounts, letters, and booklets in her spatial storage and took it out of the Ouyang family's residence.
She couldn't help but sigh, wondering how many of these grand mansions in the capital were truly clean.
However, as long as you don't provoke her, she won't actively expose people's private matters. Since she's involved with the Qiao family, don't blame her for revealing those filthy things.
After dinner, Qiao Zhizhi came to find her and pointed out various suspicious signs in the Ouyang family.
Qiao Lian'er said, "It's just that the Ouyang family has something on the First Prince's hands, and they are being blackmailed by the First Prince."
"That's why Ouyang Yi wants to get close to you. If our Qiao family and the Ouyang family form a marriage alliance, the Ouyang family will have plenty of opportunities to take advantage of you in the future."
She took those things out of her spatial storage and placed a large stack on the table.
When Qiao Zhizhi saw it, she was shocked.
"So many lives lost, so much embezzlement, Master Ouyang, who seems so upright and honest, is actually so heartless and insane."
"This is just common in the capital. Few families who have climbed up and maintained their position are truly naive; they are all involved in various conflicts of interest."
Qiao Zhizhi felt suffocated and put it down after reading less than half of it.
"Lian'er, are you going to take these things to see the Emperor?"
Qiao Lian'er looked at Qiao Zhizhi: "Sister Zhizhi, do you think this is appropriate?"
Qiao Zhizhi thought for a moment and shook her head: "No, we can't do that."
“Lian’er must have obtained this evidence from a very secretive place. If he submits it directly, it’s tantamount to admitting his ability to the Emperor. How can the Emperor sleep soundly at night? Won’t he be afraid that his deeds will be investigated one by one while he’s not looking?”
High-ranking noble families are almost never clean, let alone emperors who have secured their rule.
“Yes, if we want to put pressure on the Ouyang family, we can’t just report these things directly. This is just providing a direction,” Qiao Lian’er said.
"Pei Er has already gone out to investigate matters related to the canal transport and coinage. After the First Prince arrived in Da Nu Kingdom, the Ouyang family did not restrain themselves at all, and new secret books continued to be deposited."
Therefore, the Ouyang family was not forced into this situation, but rather did so willingly.
Qiao Zhizhi sneered: "The Ouyang family thinks too highly of themselves. Even if our Qiao family doesn't form a marriage alliance with the Lin family, we won't have any connection with the Ouyang family. What makes them think that just because it's not the Lin family, it must be the Ouyang family? They have such great confidence."
"So I suspect that Ouyang Yi is desperate and might do something rash. I don't know what she might do next. Sister Zhizhi, you should be careful."
"Yes, I will do my best to avoid causing any more trouble for the Qiao family," Qiao Zhizhi said.
The next day after school, Ouyang Yi came to ask for advice again.
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