20 Chapter 020
◎Selection of Auditors (Second Update)◎
"I want to expose Prince An. As the head of the clan, he embezzled the royal family's salary and embezzled it. He also colluded with officials in the court to sell official positions and titles under false pretenses!"
You can hear a pin drop in the Qianqing Palace.
Wu Shanqing fell to his knees with a thud, his body trembling slightly, wishing he didn't have ears.
Prince An is the emperor's uncle. Even if he really did these things, the emperor might, because they are both members of the royal family, dismiss him from his position as the head of the clan and ask him to reflect on his mistakes in seclusion.
He can still live a happy life of luxury.
Zhang Gao said it out loudly, completely disregarding the reputation of the royal family. If the emperor couldn't save face, he would vent his anger on the servants.
The emperor himself, Xie Changfeng, was stunned. He didn't know how to react for a moment and could not help but look at Xie Mingzhuo.
The latter said indifferently, "Zhang Gao, do you know what the crime of falsely accusing the prince is?"
"It's not a false accusation! I overheard it at Xie Ji's birthday party last year, and it's absolutely true!" Zhang Gao was afraid she wouldn't believe him, so he quickly looked up and said, "The person who tried to assassinate me tonight is the evidence!"
"oh?"
On the brink of death, Zhang Gao's mind was extremely clear: "I'm sure the emperor and the princess already know that I sent a servant to secretly visit Prince An's mansion. I originally wanted to use the Prince An's connections, but the servant was poisoned to death, and I was assassinated. Doesn't this prove that Prince An is guilty?"
When the Yulin Guards asked him to put on helmet and armor, he knew that his actions had been exposed, otherwise the Yulin Guards would not be so cautious.
Xie Mingzhuo leaned back in his chair, supporting his chin with one hand, and said, "Just based on this, Prince An would be so desperate as to assassinate you? He's not that stupid."
"But this is all true!" Zhang Gao's face turned pale with anxiety. "They really want to kill me to silence me! The meat pancakes were for me to eat. Xie Ji likes to eat meat pancakes. I agreed with him and lied that I liked them too. He believed it, so he wanted to poison me with the meat pancakes!"
Xie Mingzhuo fell into deep thought. The hall was silent except for the slight crackling sound of the burning candle wick.
Zhang Gao clenched his fists tightly and gritted his teeth. The sound of his violent heartbeat rushed into his eardrums, again and again, like a heavy drumstick, hitting him to the point of almost breaking his liver and gallbladder.
If the emperor and the princess did not believe it, the false accusation against the prince would be enough to punish him with death a hundred times.
He couldn't help but open his mouth to breathe, waiting for the final judgment in fear.
Finally, a clear voice came from above: "You asked the servant to threaten Xie Ji. Repeat everything you said word for word."
Zhang Gao quickly replied, "I asked my servant to tell Xie Ji that if he didn't want the secret of Prince An's Mansion to get out, he would save my life."
"That's it?"
"That's it."
Xie Mingzhuo suddenly smiled: "I understand."
Prince An may have felt guilty, but what he felt guilty about was definitely not the so-called selling of official positions and embezzlement of royal family salaries.
Zhang Gao's words were ambiguous, but they happened to pose a real threat to Prince An.
He didn't know how many secrets Zhang Gao knew, so he couldn't wait to kill him to silence him.
His impatience showed that the secret he was hiding was enough to bring him to eternal damnation.
There is only one thing that can bring a prince to eternal damnation - treason.
"Rong'an, what do you understand?" Xie Changfeng was still confused.
It was just speculation at the moment. Xie Mingzhuo had no evidence, and since there were outsiders present, she didn't say anything directly. She simply said, "The Imperial Clan Affairs Bureau is in charge of the affairs of the imperial family, and the royal family's salaries also pass through it. If Prince An is truly corrupt, unfair to other members of the royal family, and also selling official positions... no matter what, we must investigate thoroughly."
Xie Changfeng nodded: "You are right."
"Then summon Prince An to the palace immediately."
"Huh?" Xie Changfeng was stunned for a moment, then reacted and immediately ordered Wu Shanqing, "Go and call Prince An to the palace."
Xie Mingzhuo added, "I don't want anyone else to know about Zhang Gao's audience with the emperor tonight."
How dare Wu Shanqing gossip about the royal family?
He swore repeatedly, and after getting permission, he hurriedly retreated and walked out of the palace. Only then did he wipe the cold sweat from his forehead in panic.
While waiting for Prince An to enter the palace, Jiang Qing, who had been sent out during the day, happened to return to the palace to report.
Xie Changfeng felt a little sleepy, so he went to the inner hall to take a rest first.
"Have you caught up?" Xie Mingzhuo asked.
Jiang Qing nodded. "Your Highness, your foresight is remarkable. During the day, I found the best shooting spot on the road between Zhang's residence and the palace. After the Imperial Guards quietly leaked the news that Zhang Gao was going to see His Majesty, I hid nearby. At nightfall, I actually encountered the assassin. After firing one arrow, the assassin retreated. I followed him all the way and discovered that he had sneaked into Prince An's residence."
It turned out to be Prince An’s Mansion.
If Prince An really wanted to rebel, what basis did he have?
It sounds good to be in charge of the Ministry of Clan Affairs, but in fact, he is not allowed to participate in state affairs and does not have much real power.
How did he consolidate his power in the court? How did he raise an army?
Officials who are bribed solely by money are like fragile bubbles that will burst at the slightest poke; how can he train and control the army when he is "trapped" in the capital?
"Your Highness, Commander Yang requests to see you." Feng Caiyu reported from outside.
Xie Mingzhuo immediately collected his thoughts and said, "Come in."
Yang Yunkai walked into the room with a cold look on his face, half-knelt on the ground to pay his respects, and presented two pieces of information.
A letter about Henan Commander-in-Chief Zong Zhen said that after he escorted the grain back to Kaifeng, he immediately followed the court's order and first implemented the wheat harvesting plan in the garrison. After the military households received actual reward grain, some farmers who were still on the sidelines could not help but be tempted.
When the farmers who took the lead in trying it actually received bonus grain and were exempted from this year's agricultural tax, the news spread like ripples.
Most people are willing to obey the court's orders.
Anyway, there won't be much grain left after paying taxes every year. If you harvest it early, not only can you get bonus grain, but you can also keep all the mature wheat for yourself, and sell the unripe ones as silage, and you can also get some money.
Why not?
There were also some stubborn people who had to participate in the wheat harvesting plan under Zong Zhen's strong pressure.
All in all, the wheat harvesting plan went smoothly.
She found Zong Zhen very interesting. In other people's words, he was a man who was not afraid of power and insisted on being himself, but in this secret report, he appeared to be extremely submissive.
It's not that obedience is a bad thing, but he did not comply with the "reasonable and well-founded" military reduction order of the Ministry of War, but strictly implemented the "absurd" order of the court to harvest wheat in advance. No matter how you look at it, it's very interesting.
She asked, "What's the weather like in Henan right now?"
The Jinyiwei's intelligence was quite comprehensive, and Yang Yunkai answered without hesitation: "It's said that the weather is unusual, getting colder day by day, but it's sunny and cloudless every day, so most people don't take it seriously."
"Yeah." Xie Mingzhuo understood.
Those who are good at leading troops in battle are sensitive and alert to the weather and terrain. Perhaps Zong Zhen sensed something was wrong from the increasingly cold weather, which enabled him to understand and obey the court's orders.
She opened the second letter and her expression suddenly froze.
The Jinyiwei tracked the grain-stealing "bandits" who were deliberately let go, all the way south and out of Henan, but they lost them after setting foot in Huguang.
*
"Lost him?" Zong Zhen said vaguely while slurping the noodles in his bowl.
He sent out the most skilled tracking scouts in the army. Could he fail in tracking a low-level "bandit"?
The scout immediately apologized: "I was careless and I am willing to accept the punishment!"
Zong Zhen gulped down his noodle soup, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and said, "Where did you lose me?"
"Near Yingshan Mountain."
"How did you lose me?" He was tall and straight, and he looked very oppressive when he stood up.
The scout became more cautious: "A wedding procession suddenly blocked my path. By the time I got there, they were gone."
"Go get twenty military sticks."
"yes!"
"Master Dutai," the doorman came hurriedly, "the Censor wants to see you and is waiting in the main hall."
Zong Zhen laughed heartily, "I was busy harvesting wheat the past few days and didn't have time to see you. I finally get to see you today."
He strode into the main hall and saw the young man with his back to him, his face full of joy.
"Brother Lian, you've been here for so many days, why haven't you come home to see your aunt? Even if I'm not at home..."
Lu Lian turned around and interrupted him with a bow: "This humble official greets His Excellency the Governor."
"You..." Zong Zhen frowned.
Lu Lian remained businesslike, "Your Excellency, the Governor has recovered the looted grain and strictly implemented the wheat harvesting plan. It's already paying off, and it's a great achievement. I will report this to the court."
"Sharing the emperor's worries is a subject's duty. Censor Lu is too kind." Zong Zhen also changed his attitude. "Please sit down. Someone, bring the tea."
Lu Lian: "No need, I'll just say a few words and leave."
"You say." Zong Zhen sat down with his horse and sword.
Lu Lian said solemnly, "As far as I know, Zongdutai has suppressed bandits over 30 times in the past six months. Logically, Henan should no longer be plagued by bandits. But why do these bandits keep being suppressed?"
"What do you mean?" Zong Zhen said stiffly, "Is Censor Lu implying that I'm using bandits to support my troops?"
"I dare not," Lu Lian said, bowing his hands in a calm and composed manner. "Last year, there was a drought, and refugees were everywhere in Henan. Bandits were rampant. Zongdutai led the troops to suppress the chaos for a reason. But after the chaos was resolved, the Ministry of War issued several letters requesting that you reduce your forces. Why did you refuse?"
Zong Zhen slammed his palm on the table and stood up angrily: "Lu Lian!"
"Why didn't Zongdutai answer?"
"What do I have to answer?!" Zong Zhen roared, shaking the heavens. "I wrote it clearly in the notebook: banditry is rampant in the south, and we simply cannot reduce our troops!"
"After more than thirty campaigns, the bandit problem is still rampant?"
Back to the original question.
Zong Zhen stared at him and said nothing for a long time.
"What else do you have to say, Zongdutai?" Lu Lian did not give in at all.
Zong Zhen came back to his senses and suddenly sneered: "You are just a scholar, what do you know about suppressing bandits?"
Without waiting for Lu Lian to reply, he continued, "I am exhausted today. Censor Lu, please go back. Come, show the guest away!"
Immediately, his men entered the room and half-forced and half-threatened Lu Lian to leave the Dutai Mansion.
Zong Zhen was the only one left in the room.
He sat back in his chair, picked up the teacup, and after a moment he chuckled, "This brat."
*
Prince An knelt on the floor of the Qianqing Palace. The coldness of the floor tiles penetrated his knees into his whole body, and he shivered suddenly.
The emperor was sitting right in front of him, and Princess Rong'an was leaning against his side, flipping through a book with her head down.
The emperor didn't ask him to get up, so he could only continue kneeling.
But he didn't know that Xie Changfeng was woken up from his sleep and was in a daze. He just sat there to make up the scene and had no idea what to say at all.
Xie Mingzhuo flipped through a few pages, put them down, looked up, and said in surprise, "Why is Prince An still kneeling? Get up quickly."
Prince An: “…”
What’s the point of you, a princess, saying this? The emperor has to speak!
"Father."
"Ah? Oh, Prince An, please get up and take a seat." Xie Changfeng tried hard to open his eyes. Usually at this time of the day, he would have played several rounds of hand-to-hand with Zhou Gong.
Only then did Prince An stand up and sit aside.
Zhang Gao had been taken away by the Yulin Guards. There were only three people in the hall, and even Wu Shanqing had been sent out.
Xie Mingzhuo said slowly, "The Imperial Clan House has always been in charge of Prince An. Prince An, do you know how many members of the Imperial Clan there are in Daqi?"
Prince An replied, "At the beginning of the year, the number was 28,375."
This number is of course not accurate. Some members of the royal family live far away, and the information from the Ministry of Clan Affairs is delayed, so statistics on recent births and deaths of royal family members are not kept.
"How much is the annual salary paid to them from the national treasury?"
"About ten million stones."
"Did you give all the money?"
"That's natural. Some that are not issued in time will usually be reissued next year."
"But I don't see that's what the account book says." Xie Mingzhuo raised the account book in her hand, which she had just sent the Jinyiwei to get from the clan house.
Prince An couldn't help but stand up straight: "Impossible!"
"How is it impossible?"
Prince An smiled and said, "You haven't studied general affairs, so perhaps you saw it wrongly."
Xie Mingzhuo is not a professional auditor, so of course he can't understand it. He just uses it to deceive him.
Princess An looked determined and very confident. She believed that there was really no problem with the account book in her hand, or in other words, ordinary people could not easily find the loopholes.
"Someone wrote to your father to complain, saying that you withheld the royal family's salaries. They are so poor that they are almost starving." Xie Mingzhuo casually put down the account book. "Your Majesty must give them an explanation."
Prince An immediately knelt on the ground and cried out in innocence: "Your Majesty, please understand! I have never done this!"
Xie Changfeng shuddered, his soul nearly flying away at his shouting. He said angrily, "But it's true that they came crying to me. I can't just turn a blind eye. Do you want me to show you their complaint letter?"
It is true that the royal family cried poor, but they had no time to care about it before. Now that Prince An’s incident has happened, they can use it as a scapegoat.
Prince An said aggrievedly, "Your Majesty, I am sorry for the humiliation. I dare not question your majesty, but I have been diligently managing the affairs of the royal family for many years. I never expected to end up being criticized like this."
"How about I call those who wrote the letter to confront you?"
Prince An: "...How dare I trouble Your Majesty?"
"This won't work, and that won't work either. What do you want me to do?" Xie Changfeng snorted coldly. "In my opinion, if you're not happy with this job, then don't do it."
Prince An was stunned for a moment, then quickly said, "I am willing to share your Majesty's worries. I was anxious just now and spoke without restraint. I hope your Majesty will calm down."
"Prince An, the Emperor sent you secretly to the palace late at night to prevent this matter from getting out," Xie Mingzhuo reminded him. "But this matter can't be put on hold forever. We must give an answer to the other members of the royal family."
"You are right, Princess." Prince An walked down the stairs. "I wonder what you think, Princess?"
Xie Mingzhuo acted uninterested and said lazily, "Isn't it enough to prove your innocence?"
Prince An: “…”
He was still kneeling on the ground, his hands supporting his knees, and asked, "How do you prove it?"
The rest of the royal family are out of town, so it is unrealistic to ask them to return to Beijing; it is also inappropriate to ask someone in the court to check the accounts, as it will damage the reputation of the royal family.
You can't ask the King of Qi and the King of Jin to investigate, right? What do those two idiots know?
"We should solve our own problems ourselves." Xie Mingzhuo looked at Xie Changfeng, "Father, I do have a candidate."
【Author’s words】
Turn down, there is more~
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