Linghu Lan read softly, "It's still the early years of the Zhengyuan era, humph! Minister Lin, His Majesty has only been on the throne for a few months, yet you're already quite active."
Minister Lin dared not utter a word. It was freezing cold outside, yet sweat kept dripping down her forehead.
Linghu Lan continued reading: "On September 21st, at Minister Lin's home, Sun Zihe, the prefect of Jinzhou, came to Minister Lin's residence and gave him 10,000 taels of silver, asking Minister Lin to let him stay in office for another three years. Minister Lin happily accepted it."
Sure enough, Sun Zihe continued to serve as prefect, but was transferred from Jinzhou to Shanzhou. Shanzhou was a land of plenty, so it seemed that Sun Zihe would have another opportunity to embezzle during his tenure. The original prefect of Shanzhou, Jia Fengming, was transferred to Qinghe under some pretext. Qinghe was a poor place that hadn't produced a single top scholar in decades.
I heard that when Jia Fengming passed away, he received a "ten thousand people's umbrella" (a symbol of righteousness and integrity). Minister Lin, you truly served the court with utmost dedication, even unto death. Should I thank you?
After Linghu Lan finished speaking, the entire hall fell silent.
Everyone held their breath, afraid of attracting the regent's attention.
Minister Lin was stunned!
She collapsed to the ground, unable to even kneel.
His whole body began to tremble uncontrollably.
The Regent knew; she knew everything!
At this moment, she had no doubt that if the Regent continued speaking, he would expose all her secrets!
Her lips trembled, and she couldn't utter a complete sentence.
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty... I am guilty! Please... Regent, spare my life!"
After saying just one sentence, tears of fear streamed down her face.
"Spare my life? Too late! I did want to spare your life, but unfortunately, my national debt issuance is not going well, and I can hardly sleep at night. As a subject, I should share the burden of my sovereign. I think that by confiscating your property, I can sleep more soundly."
"Rest assured, I will only confiscate your property. If your entire family is found to be without criminals, I will spare their lives. If so, they will join you in the underworld. Guards! Take them away! Investigate their crimes and execute them on a chosen day!"
"Yes!" Immediately, two guards dragged Minister Lin, who was lying paralyzed on the ground, away.
At the critical moment of life and death, Minister Lin's will to live surged, and he suddenly shouted:
"Your Majesty, spare my life! I am willing to donate all my wealth, just please spare my life, Your Majesty, spare my life!"
Linghu Lan closed her eyes, her heart completely unmoved.
Too late!
Too late!
The ministers were terrified.
The Regent is clearly taking revenge, taking revenge on them for not buying government bonds.
Immediately, a minister stepped forward from the crowd.
"Your Majesty, I have a report to submit. The issuance of national bonds has not been successful, and we also bear responsibility. I am willing to devote all my wealth to purchasing national bonds to share the burden for Your Majesty and the Regent."
"I am also willing to buy government bonds. When the country is in trouble, we should bravely step forward without hesitation."
"Although I am poor, I am still better off than the common people. I am willing to serve the country, so I will sell my property to buy national bonds."
"I am willing too!"
"Your subject is willing!"
All the civil and military officials knelt on the ground.
A fleeting look of disdain and delight crossed Jiang Wujiang's eyes.
Linghu Lan smiled slightly and said, "Since you are willing to share the burden of the emperor, I am pleased. I will read this memorial another day! I just don't know when the money you used to buy the national bonds will be delivered. If it is late, I'm afraid I will want to read the memorial again when I have some free time."
"Tomorrow, it will definitely be sent to the Ministry of Revenue!"
"I can deliver it tomorrow!"
"I will take care of it immediately after court!"
"Alright! I'll be waiting for you!"
Linghu Lan clapped her hands and said, "Court is adjourned!"
The officials breathed a sigh of relief; they had finally passed this hurdle for the time being. Time to go back and make some money!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com