Chapter 324 Your Majesty Has a Plan
Yun Qi sized up Luo Zicheng, and seeing that he did not show any resentment, he continued to speak.
"The matter of the Prince of Yue ultimately involves the face of the royal family. Minister Luo has cultivated so many talents for the Great Zhou Dynasty."
This matter cannot be left unresolved, but the North is currently embroiled in a fierce war.
"If the Prince of Yue is punished for this matter, I fear that General Zhenyuan will be unable to concentrate on the battle."
He looked troubled, and the guilt he showed made it seem to anyone who didn't know better that he was caught in a dilemma.
However, Luo Zicheng already had a countermeasure.
His eyes reddened, and he kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty! I am willing to go through fire and water for the sake of the nation, but I hope..."
"Your Majesty, could you please grant my granddaughter a divorce from the Prince of Yue and allow her to return to the Shu family with her child?"
"I naturally approve of this. If the Shu family has any concerns, they should tell me. I will stand up for the Shu family."
They were willing to take a step back and see the bigger picture, which naturally pleased Yunqi the most.
Just as he was about to issue the decree, a eunuch entered from outside the hall.
"Your Majesty, Lord Ding requests an audience."
"Ding Yan? What's he doing here at this time?"
Yun Qi frowned, feeling somewhat displeased.
Ding Yan never brings good news whenever he comes.
Last time, he killed Ningqianhou as soon as he came. Luckily, the Yan family sent people.
Otherwise, the military power in the Northwest would be in even more trouble.
What is he planning to do this time?
"Your Majesty, this matter is not urgent. Why don't you summon Lord Ding first?"
Luo Zicheng immediately offered his advice.
"You may go back now. After I have seen Ding Yan, I will give you an imperial edict."
"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!"
I've been waiting for you to say that.
Luo Zicheng thanked him profusely and left.
When they met Ding Yan, the two simply nodded to each other without exchanging any words.
Ding Yan entered the imperial study, took out the memorial in his hand, knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to report!"
Eunuch Li stepped forward and took the memorial. Yun Qi opened it without changing his expression and casually asked a question.
Why didn't you report this at the morning court session?
"Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance, and it is inconvenient for me to speak of it openly in court."
Ding Yan raised her eyes slightly and saw his expression gradually turn ugly before continuing to speak.
"Your Majesty, I discovered from last year's case of the Marquis of Ningqian's embezzlement that the Prefect of Yangling Prefecture colluded with the Prince of Yue."
This involved hoarding and speculation, and privately trading iron ore, salt, silk, and other goods with Yanbei.
Among them, the Misty Rain Pavilion was his private property, which he used openly to collude with Yanbei.
Your Majesty, I have also discovered that the Yuan family of Liuxianlou in Jiangnan has a secret relationship with the Prince of Yue, which includes human trafficking.
Xu Yangzhou Prefect Yuan Shuchang not only allowed officials to patronize prostitutes, but also murdered witnesses and massacred his own clan.
"Your Majesty, these are some of the account books seized during the medicinal herb case. Please take a look!"
After saying that, Ding Yan took out several account books from his sleeve.
Yun Qi already knew what the King of Yue was doing, but it was difficult to investigate openly.
Unexpectedly, Ding Yan had been investigating all along and even had concrete evidence!
He was overjoyed inside, but his face still showed anger.
He opened the ledger, confirmed that it contained all the evidence, and slammed his hand on the table.
"Outrageous! I trusted General Zhenyuan so much, yet he colluded with the Prince of Yue in Yanbei!"
"Your Majesty, I also suspect that Yanbei and Beixun's sudden alliance to attack the northern border is a treacherous act!"
Upon hearing Ding Yan's words, Yun Qi instantly calmed down.
"Does Minister Ding mean that General Zhenyuan is colluding with Yanbei and Beixun, feigning war but actually trying to empty the treasury of our Great Zhou?"
Yun Qi thought about it more and more and found it believable, his chest heaving violently.
"Summon all members of the cabinet and the Minister of War to an audience!"
"yes!"
Eunuch Li quickly withdrew.
In no time, the entire Imperial Study was packed with people.
The cabinet members and the Minister of War discussed the matter back and forth, and ultimately held two different opinions.
One view is that we should not blindly trust others and must focus all our efforts on external threats.
Another view is that the King of Yue was wicked and deserved to be punished.
However, no one has yet offered a reasonable solution.
At this time, another report arrived.
It was news of the death of the third prince of Bei Xun.
It turns out that a snow disaster occurred in Beixun during the winter. The third prince, who was incompetent in his disaster relief efforts, caused the disaster to escalate, resulting in countless deaths and injuries among the people.
Strangely enough, the second prince, who was also a strong contender for the throne, happened to go to meet him at that very moment.
He quickly replaced the third prince, distributed disaster relief funds and grain, and won the people's praise.
"Your Majesty, this sudden relief silver and grain, could it be...?"
The Minister of War was so frightened in early spring that he broke out in a cold sweat.
As the Minister of War, he naturally knew how much silver had been allocated to the northern border last year.
Is it really such a coincidence that they just allocated silver to the Northern Army?
The snow disaster in Beixun has dragged on for so long without subsiding. Once the money arrives, they'll have money.
Could it be that all the money that Da Zhou painstakingly earned from maritime trade has ended up in Bei Xun's pocket?
Yun Qi's face was so gloomy it could drip water.
"You've all been standing here for so long, and not one of you can offer me any useful advice?"
The entire imperial study was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Yun Qi sneered.
"What use are you to me?!"
After a long silence, Li Chen, the newly appointed cabinet member, bowed and offered his advice.
"Your Majesty, I have a plan, but it is too dangerous."
"explain."
At this point, who cares about danger?
"In my opinion, if this battle in the northern border was indeed the work of General Zhenyuan..."
So what he's after, besides military power, is money. We can confidently declare that...
Due to the impact of last year's floods and epidemics, the national treasury is empty, and more silver has been supplied to the Northern Army.
The subsequent military pay will be decided after maritime trade resumes.
Let General Zhenyuan use the silver already sent to overcome the difficulties.
After saying that, Li Chen slightly raised his eyes to observe Yun Qi's reaction.
Seeing that he did not respond, they continued.
"If it really was General Zhenyuan who did it, we won't get the silver."
He will definitely force Yanbei and Beixun to retreat, end the war, and only divide up the silver he has obtained for his own use.
However, if this battle materializes, the Northern Army will likely face numerous difficulties.
This statement was immediately opposed by two other cabinet members.
"This is too dangerous. If this war really happens, wouldn't the people of the North be in great danger?"
Even if reinforcements are sent immediately, many innocent people will likely die or be injured!
Li Chen immediately fell silent.
A moment later.
As he expected, Yun Qi agreed.
"Minister Li, you are in charge of this matter. Immediately stop the Ministry of Revenue's funds. Also, this matter must be kept secret from Prince Yue."
Ding Qingjia, send men to keep a close eye on the King of Yue. Once there is any news, capture him immediately!
As for the Ministry of War, they should draft a regulation if this matter was indeed the work of General Zhenyuan.
He was immediately summoned back to the capital to report on his duties, and the Yunbei Army was dispatched to control the northern border!
"yes!"
Everyone left with solemn expressions.
Only Yun Qi looked excited.
Finally, we can reclaim military control in the North!
After leaving the palace, everyone went about their respective duties.
Li Chen was ordered to go to the Ministry of Revenue and successfully intercepted the second batch of silver that was about to be sent out.
at night.
Li Mansion.
"Master, the matter has been taken care of."
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