The investigation of the Ministry of Revenue made great progress. The officials of the three departments pressed forward step by step. Seeing that they were digging deeper and deeper, the Crown Prince's expression became more and more boastful. Occasionally, he would reveal a few sighs in his conversation with Hu the Scholar. It was unknown whether he was sighing about the purge the Ministry of Revenue was about to face or the increasingly heavy spring.
The description of a rolling snowball was very appropriate. In Cangzhou, where there was year-round snow in the North, the winter jackets worn by the tens of thousands of soldiers did not bring much cement to the Ministry of Revenue. Starting from this, they searched toward the capital and dug up a few more stories from the past. All of the clues were gathered at the Ministry of Revenue in Jingdou.
The deficit in the discovered accounts grew larger and larger. The wound of the Qing Kingdom that had been carefully hidden by the Ministry of Revenue officials was bloodily torn open and displayed for the officials to admire.
After the investigation group entered the Palace to make a report, they increased the strength of the investigation. Even Hu the Scholar knew that the Ministry of Revenue could no longer be protected. If Fan Jian quickly resigned at this time, the court might give the Fan manor some face for Fan Xian's sake. If they continued to confront each other like this, it would not be as simple as Fan Jian being stripped of his position.
Although Hu the Scholar and the civil officials were also fearful of the Ministry of Revenue's deficit, they did not want the court to make too much of a ruckus. They also did not want the temporarily balanced court to tilt. Thus, through some channels, they conveyed goodwill to the Fan manor.
As long as Minister Fan asked to resign, Hu the Scholar and Shu the Scholar were willing to jointly guarantee his safety.
However, this was only the officials' wishful thinking. For an old official like Fan Jian, who had followed the Emperor for nearly 30 years, once he made up his mind, the response he made was extremely stubborn. The Fan manor expressed gratitude for the goodwill secretly conveyed by the various manors. As for the goodwill itself, Fan Jian himself still did not give a concrete response.
He did not enter the Palace to cry bitterly to the Emperor. He also did not send a letter to ask for his resignation. In fact, he was still sick. His condition did not seem to be improving.
All the officials knew that Minister Fan was not sick, and so did the palace. But this time, the Emperor did not send the royal doctor or Eunuch Hong to Fan Manor to see him. Perhaps the palace also knew that they had wronged the Fan family, and so they tolerated Fan Jian's act of using his illness as an excuse to complain.
For the next few days, the Crown Prince sat in the Ministry of Revenue and stared at the people below him investigating cases. This time, Hu the Scholar also had to personally come to watch. The people investigating and the people being investigated were all having a hard time.
On this day, there was another breakthrough in the investigation of the Ministry of Revenue. The amount of silver in the accounts did not match the amount in the treasury. The enormous deficit pointed in four different directions to four unremarkable officials.
Finally, he found the specific executor and the specific matter of the deficit. When the Crown Prince heard the report, his eyes lit up, but his expression was incomparably calm. He thought to himself, If I dig up from those officials, won't I be able to eat you, Fan Jian? Once I dug all the way to Jiangnan, the court would remember Fan Xian's 20 million liang of silver, but the corresponding crimes would make Fan Xian unable to bear the consequences.
When Hu the Scholar heard the names of the four officials, particularly the last person's name, his eyes also lit up. His expression was also incomparably calm. He thought to himself, Minister Fan's methods were exquisite. It looked like his and Lao Shu's worries these days were unnecessary.
After all, the Crown Prince was young. He did not have Hu the Scholar's meticulous thoughts, nor did he have Hu the Scholar's photographic memory. Thus, he did not see the trap in this. Under the guidance of the idea of pursuing a desperate enemy bravely, he joyfully and without seeking fame, ordered his faction of officials to launch a general attack on this problem.
Although the Minister of Appointments, Yan Hangshu, faintly stood on the side of the Eldest Princess and the Second Prince, in this good situation and with the Crown Prince opening the way, he was happy to help. He held a small flag by the Crown Prince's side and cheered. Although he did not personally draw his knife, his cheers rang out endlessly.
Hu the Scholar watched from the side and smiled to himself.
…
…
The investigation of the Ministry of Revenue had reached a critical moment. In the great hall deep in the courtyard, the Crown Prince's proud laughter rang out. In his hand, he held the official's confession. His body shook, and his royal aura flared. A cold light gradually appeared in his eyes as he interrogated the Ministry of Revenue official kneeling in front of him.
"Speak! Where did the 400,000 liang of silver in this account go? "
It was late in spring, and the weather had become hot. The sixth-level official kneeling miserably in front of the officials was already soaked in sweat. The color of his official robes had become dark red. Hearing the Crown Prince's stern yell, he wanted to cry but had no tears. He thought, I was just a handler. How would I know where the Minister had moved this silver to?
The Crown Prince saw the official's panicked expression and glanced at him with disgust. He immediately thought of his own goal and could only say in a gentle voice, "You were the one who signed the transfer of this silver. You have to explain the way out. The court's silver cannot be used carelessly like this."
The official could not stand the pressure of extorting a confession and stammered, "It was left behind by the vice director of the Jiangzuo Department of Clear Officials."
There were seven departments in the Ministry of Revenue. They were managed by a minister and a vice director. They were fifth-level officials. The vice director of the Jiangzuo Department of Clear Officials was named Fang Li. He was already a relatively high-ranking official in the Ministry of Revenue.
This name, along with the other three ministers of the Ministry of Revenue, were all targets the Crown Prince's investigation officials had already grasped. Today, they were going to be interrogated in court so the Ministry of Revenue could no longer deny it.
The Crown Prince was somewhat satisfied with the sixth-level official's performance, but his face darkened. In a cold voice, he said, "Go and wait to hear the testimony."
The official retreated out of the great hall in a fluster with a sullen face. He didn't know what he was about to face.
"Summon that person called Fang Li in."
The Crown Prince was in high spirits and had no idea that his conduct was already somewhat out of line. As he gave out orders, he did not even ask for the opinion of the nominal leading official, Hu the Scholar.
In a moment, the vice director of the Ministry of Revenue called Fang Li walked in and bowed to the officials of the various departments around him. His manner was arrogant as if he did not know what was about to happen.
The Crown Prince looked at this person's face and his heart suddenly thumped. He felt that this face was somewhat familiar. He thought about it carefully and found that he had heard this official's name before.
However, the person had already been summoned to the court. There was not much time for him to think. Hu the Scholar and Yan Hangshu still maintained their cunning silence. They gave the entire stage to the Crown Prince and let him play by himself.
The Crown Prince looked at the two officials beside him and quietly snorted. He thought that the world was going to be his in the future. What did interrogating a few Ministry of Revenue officials count for? As long as he could connect Fan Jian to the deficit in these four places and the silver in Jiangnan, even if his current appearance was ugly and he lost the dignity of the Eastern Palace, he couldn't care too much.
Thus, he slammed the chopping board and asked in a cold voice, "Report your name and official rank."
The vice director of Jiangzuo Road of the Ministry of Revenue, Fang Li, paused. His lips trembled as he looked at the Crown Prince with a face full of shock. He had not expected the Crown Prince to be so strict with him. His face flushed red. With great difficulty, he raised his hands in a salute and replied, "I am the vice director of Jiangzuo Road of the Ministry of Revenue, Fang Li."
The Crown Prince furrowed his brows and had an Overwatch Council official hand over the files he had found these few days as well as the statement of the earlier official who had signed to transfer the silver. He asked darkly, "Tell me, where did these 400,000 liang of silver go?"
It was like Fang Li had been struck by lightning. He looked at the Crown Prince like an idiot, or perhaps … he looked at the Crown Prince like an idiot?
He trembled for a long time before he said in a trembling voice, "Your Highness, I truly do not know."
The Crown Prince furrowed his brows and looked worried for the country and the people. "Just to say I do not know … I'm afraid … it doesn't make sense …"
Fang Li was truly dumbfounded, particularly when he heard the Crown Prince say the word "I'm afraid" with a twist. His heart dropped into an ice cellar. He understood what he heard and saw. It looked like the Crown Prince had not only forgotten who he was, he had even completely forgotten the 400,000 liang of silver.
His heart was sorrowful, mocking, and helpless. That's right, what was he? He was just a minor official in the Ministry of Revenue. In the past, he had done things for the Crown Prince and drank with him at the same table. Why did the Crown Prince need to remember his ordinary and unremarkable face?
What was that 400,000 liang of silver? The Crown Prince of that time liked women, liked to spend money on women, liked to build gardens for women to play with, and liked to reward his trusted officials. Who was the Crown Prince? The Crown Prince was the future master of the country. All the money in the world would be his in the future. If he used it, then he used it. Why would he waste his noble thoughts to remember where the money had come from?
Fang Li's mouth was dry. He stared at the Crown Prince, dumbfounded. He hoped the Crown Prince would be able to remember something to prevent this absurd and unbelievable situation from continuing to develop to an unmanageable stage.
It was a pity that the Crown Prince did not seem to notice the flirtatious gaze of this Ministry of Revenue official.
The work of investigating the case continued. The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Fang Li, knew that this matter was too big. Furthermore, it was being investigated in front of all the officials. Once the truth was revealed, it would be impossible to take it back. Thus, he gritted his teeth and refused to say another word.
The Crown Prince had already felt that something was amiss. He frowned and looked at this familiar looking official. He didn't understand where the other party got his courage from. The confession was right in front of him, yet he didn't say a word … could it be that the other party … wanted to take all the blame for Fan Jian? Or rather, there had always been secrets to this matter.
At this moment, the Minister of Appointments, Yan Hangshu, who had been watching silently from the side, suddenly slammed the table and yelled sternly, "This bastard has guts! Someone come! Drag him out and interrogate him properly! "
He turned his head and asked, "Sir Hu, can we use torture?"
Hu the Scholar, who had been staring at the ants fighting in front of his shoes, seemed to finally understand what had happened. He opened a pair of listless eyes and said, "Ah? Use torture? "
There was no tone to the last word of torture. It was not clear whether it was a question or an agreement. Yan Hangshu raised his hands impatiently and said, "I will listen to your arrangements."
The official of the First Bureau of the Overwatch Council accepted the order and prepared to go forward and drag the stubborn Vice Minister of the Ministry of Appointments out. Fang Li, who had been stubborn the entire time, heard that he was going to go into prison and heard the words "use torture." Amidst his fear, he finally couldn't control his nerves. In a shrill voice, he cried out, "I have been wrongly accused. I was a scholar in the first year of the Qing calendar. Four years later, I was promoted to Vice Minister. It is all thanks to the Emperor's vast and mighty grace. How could I do such a perverted thing?"
A string of words sprayed out, but this person had some ability. In such a tense moment, he defended himself. He still only looked at Hu the Scholar and refused to look at the Crown Prince even if he died.
When Yan Hangshu broke his silence and jumped out to suggest using torture, the strange feeling in the Crown Prince's heart grew deeper. When he heard Fang Li's defense, he felt a chill run down his back, piercing deep into his bones.
A scholar in the first year of the Qing calendar? The son of the previous Minister of Rites, Guo Baokun, a Palace editor who had always been on good terms with the Crown Prince, had been born in the first year of the Qing calendar. Fang Li and Guo Baokun were the same year.
The Crown Prince was shocked. Countless things from the past resurfaced in his heart. In an instant, he remembered many things. Back then, because of Guo Baokun's recommendation, he had lowered himself to have a meal with this minor Ministry of Revenue official called Fang Li. Through the Eldest Princess's arrangements, he had been promoted twice in the Ministry of Revenue.
Later, the Crown Prince had hinted to Guo Baokun, and his trusted aide and Fang Li had secretly moved a batch of silver from the Ministry of Revenue for him to use.
However, a few years had passed. That sum of silver had long been spent to an unknown place. Guo Baokun had also long died somewhere unknown. The Crown Prince had originally forgotten about this matter and this minor official called Fang Li. Who would have thought that he would meet this person again when investigating the Ministry of Revenue today?
Had the 400,000 liang of silver flowed into his pocket?
The Crown Prince looked at Fang Li being dragged out of the hall by the Overwatch Council officials with a face full of shock. His mouth began to taste bitter, and his heart began to tighten. He knew that he could not allow this official to be interrogated by the three departments. Otherwise, there would be a big problem. He knew that he had already made the stupidest mistake. He could not allow this mistake to continue.
He glared viciously at the smiling Minister of Appointments Yan Hangshu beside him and shouted angrily, "Wait!"
The manor of the Minister of Rites who had been brought down by Fan Xian was nominally close to the Eastern Palace, but in reality, he was the Eldest Princess's trusted aide. The Crown Prince had discovered this fact the night the Crown Prince had recited poetry. Since the other party was the Eldest Princess's person, then Yan Hangshu would know that he had borrowed money from the Ministry of Revenue through Guo Baokun. The Crown Prince thought hatefully. It would have been fine if this old man didn't remind him, but he actually wanted to kick him when he was down.
"Your Highness, what is it?" Yan Hangshu gazed at him with a slight smile.
The Crown Prince was momentarily speechless. He was already riding a tiger. He had single-handedly created such a large scale investigation. In the end, the investigation had reached him. How was he going to wrap things up?
He furrowed his brows and narrowed his eyes. "It looks like this official has something to say. There's no harm in asking first."
Yan Hangshu smiled and nodded. Naturally, Hu the Scholar had no objections.
Fang Li had escaped death and knew that the Crown Prince had finally remembered him. He let out a big breath. However, when he met the Crown Prince's worried gaze, they both knew that the matter today was truly difficult to deal with.
Ruthlessness flashed through the Crown Prince's heart. He suddenly remembered that Guo Baokun had long disappeared. As long as he refused to admit it and then thought of a way to make this Fang Li shut his mouth, he would be able to clear his name.
Having thought this through, he said with a gentle expression, "Fang Li, you have to think carefully about where this silver will go. I have come to investigate a case under the imperial edict. Of course, I will not let a corrupt official go, but … I will not wrongly accuse any good official."
A glimmer of hope flashed through Fang Li's eyes. He knew that the Crown Prince was hinting at him to randomly accuse others. Since this 400,000 liang of silver had been dug up, in front of Hu the Scholar, Minister Yan, and the officials of the Supreme Court and Overwatch Council, it could not be shut up again. Fang Li knew that this was the only way. He lowered his head and his eyes darted around. He made up his mind, but for a moment, he didn't know who to push it onto. Back then, after he took the money, he had secretly destroyed the account books. However, for such a large amount of silver, it would be difficult to find another name.
Yan Hangshu glanced at the Crown Prince and sighed in his heart. He knew that the other party was prepared to sacrifice a pawn, and this pawn also seemed to be prepared to be sacrificed. He couldn't help but be surprised. How could such an incompetent person like the Crown Prince make this minor official, Fang Li, so convinced? Earlier, the Crown Prince had clearly forgotten this person.
He didn't understand that in Fang Li's heart, the Crown Prince was going to inherit the throne. As long as he didn't die in this matter, then there would come a day when he could turn things around. But … for 400,000 liang of silver, how could the Emperor spare the life of a minor Minister Counsellor? It was clear that Fang Li had not thought of this.
…
…
Without letting Fang Li think for too long under the scrutinizing gazes of all the officials, a slightly tired voice had already helped him answer and helped him out of his predicament. At the same time, it put a rope around the Crown Prince's body.
"I remember this debt."
"Back then, the Ministry of Rites sent out an order. Because the Emperor had ordered the repairs to the various Roads for the autumn examinations and the schools, silver had to be transferred from the Ministry. In total, it was transferred 14 times. In total, it was 400,700 liang of silver."
"The silver has already been sent to the Ministry of Rites. The Ministry of Rites should have a receipt. However, I did not personally take care of these matters. I will find out in a moment. All matters are carried out according to the laws of the Qing court. Everyone, please do not make things difficult for these pitiful officials under my command. "
"As for whether or not there is a problem with this sum of silver, we only need to send an order to the various provinces to see the status of the repairs to the schools these two years, and we will know for sure."
Minister Fan, who had been sick for many days, finally forced his weak and sick body to the Ministry of Revenue yamen that he had not seen for many days. He leaned against the door and weakly explained each stroke to the officials in the hall.
An official of the First Bureau of the Overwatch Council quickly went forward to support him. Hu the Scholar led Yan Hangshu and a group of investigating officials to quickly stand and bow. Although they were investigating officials, no one dared to show any disrespect.
This was the first time this Minister of Revenue, who had led the Ministry of Revenue for nine years, had arrived at the yamen. As soon as he opened his mouth, he spoke on behalf of his subordinates. However, he also pointed out the whereabouts of the silver. As long as it was investigated, the truth would come to light. As a result, the Crown Prince's face paled and his eyes began to wander.
…
…
Of course, I still have a strong desire to retrieve it. I won't be stingy on this matter. The things inside are too important to me. Only today did I remember that my dad's diary and notes are also inside … Three black lines. (Looking at the book review section, I'm really grateful for everyone's comfort and suggestions. I'm sure the hard drive's wounded heart is also very comforted. If I can't get it done today, he'll really be eternally dead and can rest in peace in the netherworld. Of course, I still have a strong desire to retrieve it.
Then, he discovered that there were a lot of people from the same hometown and was pleasantly surprised. He didn't have time to greet them one by one, so he cupped his hands and said, "Let's eat noodles together when you're free. There will be a time for me to eat with you, hehe."
PS: I just went to take a look. There seemed to be some bad omens.
(To be continued, if you want to know what happened next, please log on to WWW. CMFU. com. There are more chapters. Support the author. Support original reading!)
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