Chapter 17 Ancestral
Before Zhu Yuhuan woke up, the news of Princess Shunde's sudden coma could not be concealed from others, especially since Empress Dowager Cihui was also seriously ill.
In addition, the story of Princess Yongqing praying to the gods had also spread to the public, and many officials learned the inside story. At this time, some officials secretly spread the rumor that Princess Shunde's coma was related to the murder of Liu Qiu, and it gradually evolved into "someone used Liu Qiu's death to haunt Princess Shunde."
As for who this "someone" is, the answer is obvious.
Zhu Yuhuan was silent for a moment, then asked, "What's going on with Liu Qiu?"
She expected Liu Qiu to die, but she never imagined that Liu Qiu's death would be related to her coma.
If this matter became connected to me because my sister prayed to God, it wouldn't have developed to this point.
Although Wang Ji did not say it explicitly, Zhu Yuhuan knew very well that for things to develop to this point, there must be someone secretly masterminding it. At this moment, there was only one person who had the most reason to oppose Wang Zhen, and that was Yang Pu.
Wang Ji was silent for a moment after hearing Zhu Yuhuan's question, but finally spoke the truth: "To be honest, Your Highness, Liu Qiu's death... was not entirely handled according to the law."
After hearing Wang Ji's description of Liu Qiu's death, Zhu Yuhuan couldn't help but raise his hand to his forehead and said, "Private punishment is not enough, you still have to do this..."
As expected, "birds of a feather flock together", and Wang Zhen's subordinates are of the same level as him.
Wang Ji was also very clear that Wang Zhen's behavior had exceeded the authority he should have.
Only the emperor has the power of life and death over officials, and using beheading and dismemberment to treat an official who has not made serious mistakes is more than Liu Qiu himself should bear.
Zhu Yuhuan looked up at Wang Ji and asked, "What do you mean by Minister Wang telling me this?"
Wang Ji was impressed by her quick reaction and then asked, "What does Your Highness think of this?"
After hearing his words, Zhu Yuhuan couldn't help but chuckle and said, "Is it my turn to make the decision on this matter? Everything must naturally be based on your majesty's wishes."
Wang Ji certainly knew that it was not Zhu Yuhuan's turn to make the decision on this matter. The only person who could truly control Liu Qiu's death from beginning to end was Zhu Qizhen.
The emperor never intended to let Liu Qiu live, but Wang Zhen's methods were too low-level and extreme, and the consequences were too terrible.
Now that things have developed to this point, some people are taking advantage of the situation to fish in troubled waters. For Wang Zhen, the situation is indeed unfavorable.
"Your Majesty doesn't need me to make decisions for him. What he needs is a sharp knife. Wang Zhen certainly has his faults, but as long as it benefits Your Majesty, Wang Zhen's crimes are nothing more than a small matter." Zhu Yuhuan looked up at Wang Ji and asked with a half-smile, "Isn't that what Minister Wang thinks?"
At this moment, Wang Ji had to admire Princess Shunde for her clear thinking on this matter. After all, they were just ministers and could only follow the emperor's wishes. If they tried to go against the emperor, they would know what the end would be just by looking at Yang Shiqi.
Wang Ji sighed and said to Zhu Yuhuan, "Your Highness is absolutely right. However, if you don't punish Wang Zhen, it will not be good for your Majesty's reputation."
Zhu Yuhuan said with a smile, "In that case, why don't Minister Wang advise His Majesty to demote Wang Zhen?"
Wang Ji simply revealed a reserved expression and said, "To be honest, Your Highness, I share the same thoughts as you."
Zhu Yuhuan sneered inwardly, then said, "For me, the most important thing now is to complete the Yunnan matter. That way, Minister Wang and I can both have a few days of leisure."
Wang Ji heard her say this, and it was obvious that he knew exactly why he stayed in Yunnan. He agreed without changing his expression, "Your Highness is absolutely right."
Zhu Yuhuan then spoke again, "When I visited Wunong Temple earlier, I heard the craftsmen mention the miners. I also asked the miners' leaders in several mines. The quotas for each person are too high and the exploitation is too great. The miners can't bear it, and it will eventually lead to rebellion."
Wang Ji's tone was a bit more cautious. He said, "Your Highness, it might be unfair to just listen to the few words of the craftsmen at Wunong Temple. Why not ask the officials in charge of mining?"
"I understand the principle of open communication, but..." Zhu Yuhuan looked at him, his smile fading a little. "If I don't listen to the miners and craftsmen and listen to the officials instead, how can I expect to hear a single word of truth?"
Nowadays, silver and copper coins have almost replaced treasure notes. The imperial court also turns a blind eye to private transactions, and at the same time gradually increases the mining of silver, copper and other minerals.
On this road of exploitation, officials, eunuchs and even the emperor are a complete connected line. The court's quota is 50,000 taels of silver per area. Someone takes a cut in the middle, and in the end, the 50,000 taels must be collected and handed over. Therefore, the mining quantity and mining intensity must be increased. In the end, the mining quota distributed to the miners far exceeds the standard calculated by the court.
If everyone turns a blind eye, it will only lead to bad consequences in the end.
Wang Ji naturally understood this logic, but he was also very clear that some of them belonged to the emperor, some to Wang Zhen, and some to certain officials. After all, he was not an official of Yunnan, so it was difficult for him to say much.
Seeing Wang Ji remain silent, Zhu Yuhuan continued, "Perhaps Minister Wang feels that these miners and ordinary people don't have such skills and abilities? My ancestors did this, so how could I not know?"
Wang Ji was stunned when he heard this, and then he turned pale with horror.
When Princess Shunde woke up from her illness, she could say anything!
Seeing the panic on his face, Zhu Yuhuan simply smiled and said, "I have already reported this matter to His Majesty. Minister Wang, rest assured, only you and I know what I said today, and no one else will hear it."
Wang Ji heard that there was a hint of sarcasm in her words and was afraid that if he continued talking, the princess would say something "treasonous" again. He said a few words to show his concern for Zhu Yuhuan's health, and then immediately got up and left.
But as soon as Wang Ji walked out of the princess's mansion, his pace slowed down again.
From what Princess Shunde said just now, it seemed that she had submitted a memorial to the capital after she recovered from her illness, and it seemed that it had been written before he visited her.
Wang Ji's original intention was naturally to hope that Princess Shunde would not get involved in this mess.
First, he was responsible for "monitoring" Princess Shunde, and if the princess did anything "inappropriate", he would also be held equally responsible. Second, after observing her for a period of time, Wang Ji had a new understanding of Princess Shunde.
Except for not being the emperor and occasionally making shocking remarks, Princess Shunde has all the other qualities. As long as she is willing to do it and the emperor can share power with her, there is nothing this princess cannot accomplish.
But could these two siblings really continue to get along like this? Wang Ji wasn't sure, or perhaps he simply didn't believe it.
With the example of Yang Shiqi in front of him, Wang Ji absolutely did not believe that the two of them could get along peacefully like this.
As for who will win or lose between the two siblings, Wang Ji would of course choose the emperor first. However, after hearing Princess Shunde's "joking words" today, the answer seemed not so certain.
After all, Wang Zhen is still by the emperor's side. Who knows what will happen in the future?
But for Wang Ji, the only thing he had to do was to be a "loyal minister" of the emperor, nothing else mattered.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
