Sensing her unease, Fu Zhun pursed his lips and gently comforted her from the side:
"Now that you've taken on this task, go ahead and do it. No matter whose interests this might affect, you just need to focus on the investigation and handling. I'll take care of everything else."
These words deeply moved Su An.
With Fu Zhun's words, Su An no longer hesitated. He gave himself a pep talk and nodded, saying, "Alright, then let's work together to catch all the corrupt officials in the Imperial Household Department!"
Over the next three days, she led all the accountants to search through the various documents of the Imperial Household Department and found many missing accounts. Working day and night, they finally managed to sort out all the accounts.
In comparison, she discovered that the original accounts of the Imperial Household Department had been tampered with, which explained the continuous deficits.
Su An sat in the main seat of the main hall, with a row of trembling officials kneeling in front of him.
She glanced down at them condescendingly and questioned them irritably.
"You falsified accounts and embezzled state funds. The evidence is now irrefutable. What else do you have to say?"
As she spoke, she slammed the neatly organized ledger onto the table.
They initially thought this female official was just a figurehead and that even if they investigated, they wouldn't find anything. However, in just three days, she managed to uncover all of the Imperial Household Department's accounts from previous years.
They couldn't help but feel remorse.
I should have handled things more cleanly.
But at this point, things have already progressed to this stage, and it's no use in regretting it now.
They all hung their heads, quickly searching their minds for words to defend themselves.
But some, unconvinced by Su An, stubbornly snorted and said:
"What evidence? I don't know anything about it. You think you can convict me so easily with some fabricated evidence? Even if you are a lady-in-waiting appointed by His Majesty, you can't be so arrogant and unreasonable, can you?"
The more he talked, the more excited he became.
He even cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, looking righteous and awe-inspiring.
"You dare to slander me so openly today; who knows what other heinous things you might do tomorrow? I will definitely report this to the Empress Dowager and ask her to give me justice."
They really are the Empress Dowager's people.
Su An narrowed his eyes, a flash of anger crossing them.
During the few days she spent with the Empress Dowager, she thought the Empress Dowager had a pitiful past and must be a good person.
In retrospect, she was too naive.
The women in this palace are all cunning and scheming, vying for power and influence. Which one of them hasn't done some shameful things?
It's fair to say there are no truly good people at all.
"Whether this evidence is true or false, His Majesty and the Empress Dowager will know at a glance. I also want to see whether the Empress Dowager will protect you or deal with the matter impartially when this matter is reported to her. Guards, take him to the Dali Temple to await his judgment."
As she spoke, she slammed her hand on the table and gave an order to the sword guard beside her.
Fu Zhun, fearing that the Imperial Household Department might collude with Su An and disobey her, specifically left the sword guards with Su An to ensure her safety.
Upon receiving the order, the guards immediately stepped forward and took the man away.
With this tactic of making an example of someone to scare others, everyone witnessed Su An's methods and dared not boast anymore.
They all kowtowed to Su An, begging for mercy.
"Your Excellency, we made a mistake in a moment of confusion. Please forgive us this time! I promise you that I will do my job well in the future and make amends for my crime!"
Su An's tone softened, and he sighed regretfully, "Every family has its rules, and every country has its regulations. You should have thought about the consequences before you did what you did. However, considering your good attitude in admitting your mistakes, I can consider being lenient with you."
It's good that they've been dealt with leniently, that's good.
Upon hearing this, everyone wiped away a bead of sweat and rushed to offer their compliments.
"Thank you for your leniency, Your Excellency. You are truly a magnanimous person."
"Yes, Lady, you are so magnanimous. You will surely achieve great things in the future. We are willing to follow you for life and serve you like dogs and horses."
...
Amidst a chorus of compliments, Su An rested his arm on the table, propped his chin up, and gently tapped the surface with his other hand.
Her eyes curved into crescents, concealing a hint of cunning within, as she smiled.
"I have thought it over carefully. The Imperial Household Department is full of trivial tasks. You gentlemen can't even do the most basic bookkeeping. I'm afraid you are not suitable for the Imperial Household Department. So I have decided to set you free. Go back and pack your things and leave as soon as possible!"
"As for the hard and tiring work in the Imperial Household Department, I have people to choose for me."
Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned and stood there in place.
Didn't we agree to a lenient punishment?
Seeing their astonished expressions, Su An frowned and asked innocently, "What? Do you still have any questions? Then I'll proceed according to the law. Give each of you thirty strokes of the cane and expel you from the Imperial Household Department."
The corners of everyone's mouths twitched for a moment, and they waved their hands repeatedly.
"No, no, no, thank you for your leniency, Lady. We will pack our things right away."
After he finished speaking, the people in front of him scattered in all directions.
Since they were going to be expelled from the Imperial Household Department anyway, why should they suffer an extra thirty strokes of the cane?
Watching them disappear from sight, Su An raised an eyebrow and continued examining the ledger in his hand.
Although the Imperial Household Department had many corrupt officials, it also had some promising talents.
Now that these parasites have been removed, many positions have become available. Su An then compiled a list and promoted the capable people one by one, giving the Imperial Household Department a complete overhaul.
When Fu Zhun returned from his business, he heard about Su An's deeds and his eyes showed admiration, expressing his heartfelt gratitude.
"Her actions are so decisive and efficient; she is indeed cut out to be a female official."
"However, although the people from the Imperial Household Department have been purged, the deficit in the accounts still exists. How do you plan to fill it?"
Changing the subject, he asked Su An with concern about her plans.
He did have some money on hand, but the Imperial Household Department's accounts always had income and expenditure, so he couldn't just use his private funds to cover them up.
As Su An organized the account books in her hands, she smiled at him.
"Ten thousand taels of silver is nothing; I have a clever plan."
As she spoke, she winked at him, her eyes brimming with confidence.
Seeing her like this, Fu Zhun couldn't help but feel a little expectant.
After all, the capital city is not like Fuyou County. Those who can settle down in the capital city all have the capital city household registration. The methods used in Fuyou County are definitely not going to work. He really can't think of any better way.
But Su An had other plans in mind.
It is important to know that the Imperial Household Department was in charge of all affairs within the palace, including the daily lives of the emperor and his concubines, the country's financial revenue and expenditure, and etiquette regulations.
To put it bluntly, all the food, clothing, and daily necessities in the palace were purchased by the Imperial Household Department.
So she planned to use this to not only fill the deficit but also make the national treasury full.
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