Chapter 134: Carrying a ball of heavy snowballs

The work of the Ministry of Revenue has made great progress. The officials of the Third Division have made progress step by step. As they see digging deeper and deeper, the Crown Prince's expression has become more and more proud. Occasionally, they will sigh in conversations with Grand Secretary Hu. I wonder if he is sighing about the cleaning that the Ministry of Revenue is about to face, or this increasingly heavy spring.

The description of snowball is very appropriate. In Cangzhou, where snow is always snowy in the north, the winter jackets worn by tens of thousands of soldiers did not bring too much wall cement to the Ministry of Revenue. However, from this, I started to search for it in the capital and then found several stories about the old year, and all the clues were conveyed to the Ministry of Revenue.

The deficit in the account found was getting bigger and bigger. The wounds of Qingguo, which had been carefully covered by officials of the Ministry of Revenue, were torn apart in blood and revealed to the officials for appreciation.

After the investigation team entered the palace to report, it strengthened the investigation. Now even Grand Secretary Hu knew that the Ministry of Revenue could no longer guarantee it. If Fan Jian resigned immediately at this time, the court might have left some face to the Fan Mansion for Fan Xian's sake. If this confrontation continues, Fan Jian would not be as simple as being seized.

Although Grand Secretary Hu and civil servants were also frightened by the deficit of the Ministry of Revenue, they did not want the court to cause too much turmoil, nor did they want the court to temporarily balanced, so through some channels, they conveyed a kindness to the Fan Mansion.

As long as Shangshu Fan resigns, Grand Secretary Hu and Grand Secretary Shu are willing to work together to protect him and ensure his safety.

But this is just the wishful intention of these ministers. For an old minister like Fan Jian who has been following the emperor for nearly 30 years, once he made up his mind and made a response, he was stubborn. The Fan Mansion expressed his gratitude to the kindness he secretly conveyed, but Fan Jian himself never gave a specific response to the kindness itself.

He did not enter the palace and cried bitterly to His Majesty. He did not write a letter to resign. He was even sick and his condition did not seem to improve.

All the officials knew that Fan Shangshu was not sick, and the palace knew, but this time the emperor did not send the imperial physician and Eunuch Hong to visit Fan's mansion. It was probably because the palace knew that the palace was sorry for the Fan family, so he tolerated Fan Jian's behavior of complaining about his illness.

For several days, the prince was sitting upright in the Ministry of Revenue and staring at the people below to investigate the case. This made Grand Secretary Hu also have to come and watch it personally. Those who investigate the case and those who are investigated are actually a bit hard.

On this day, the work of the Ministry of Revenue has made another breakthrough. The account did not match the silver number in the warehouse, and the huge number of deficits pointed in four directions, four inconspicuous officials.

Finally, he caught the specific executor and the specific deficit. His Royal Highness heard the reward, his eyes lit up, but his face was extremely calm, thinking to himself. Follow the officials to dig up, and yet he still ate you Fan Jian tightly? When he digs to Jiangnan, the court will remember the 20 million taels of silver, but the corresponding charges will also make Fan Xian unable to take care of it!

When Grand Secretary Hu heard the name of the four officials, especially the last one, his eyes lit up, his face was extremely calm, and he thought to himself. Mr. Fan's methods were so exquisite. It seemed that his worries and Lao Shu were a little unnecessary these days.

After all, the prince was young, not as meticulous as Grand Secretary Hu, nor did he have the ability to remember him, so he did not see the trap here. Under the guidance of Yi Jiang Sheng bravely chasing the enemy, he was happy and ordered his officials to launch a general attack on this issue without any fame.

Although Yan Xingshu, the Minister of Personnel, stood faintly with the eldest prince and the second prince, when this was a good situation, the prince was the pioneer. Of course, he was happy to help. He held a small flag and shouted beside the prince, but he did not pull out his sword himself. However, the shouts kept ringing.

Grand Secretary Hu watched and smiled secretly.

The Ministry of Revenue was at a critical moment. In the lobby in the courtyard, the prince laughed proudly, holding the official's confession in his hand, his body was shocked, and his kingly aroused aroused, and his eyes gradually appeared. He asked the official of the Ministry of Revenue kneeling in front of him:

"Say! Where did the 400,000 taels of silver in this account go?"

In the late spring, the weather was already hot. The sixth-rank chief of the Ministry of Revenue who was kneeling miserably before the ministers was already sweating all over. The color of the official uniform turned into black. He listened to the prince's harsh yell, and wanted to cry without tears. He thought that he was just a manager, but how could he know where the money had been transferred by Lord Shangshu?

Seeing the official's chaotic expression, the prince looked at him with disgust, but immediately thought of his purpose, he had to say softly: "You signed the transfer of this money. The way out of the future must be explained. The money from the court cannot be used randomly like this."

The official could not bear the pressure of forcing confession and the pressure, and said stutteringly: "It was the instructions of the Qing official of Jiangzuo, the official of the Qing Dynasty...."

There are seven departments under the Ministry of Revenue, including the Langzhong and Juwailang, who are officials of the fifth rank. The official of the Qing official of Jiangzuo, named Fang Li, was already a relatively senior official of the Ministry of Revenue.

This name, along with the other three doctors of the Ministry of Revenue, are all the objects that the prince and the investigative officials have already obtained. Today, they will only be tried in court, so that everyone in the Ministry of Revenue can no longer deny it.

The prince was a little satisfied with the performance of the sixth rank chief, but he sank his face and said coldly: "Go down and wait for the ginseng."

The chief left the lobby in panic, crying and wondering what he was going to face.

"Speak that person named Fang Li comes in."

The prince was in high spirits and did not feel that his behavior was a little beyond the rules at this time. While giving orders, he never asked the nominal general and Grand Secretary Hu's opinions.

After a moment, the Ministry of Revenue, Fang Li, walked in and saluted the officials of various departments around him, with a proud attitude, as if he didn't know what was going to happen soon.

The prince looked at the man's face and suddenly felt a little familiar. He felt that he looked familiar and carefully savored the name of the official. It seemed that he had heard of it at some point.

But at this time, the people had already arrived, and there was not much time for him to think more. Grand Secretary Hu and Yan Xingshu still maintained cunning silence, giving the entire stage to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, just letting him play alone.

The prince looked at the two officials beside him and snorted, thinking that the world will be his own in the future. What is the point of reviewing a few officials of the Ministry of Revenue? As long as he can connect these deficiencies with the Jiangnan land and silver, even if he looks ugly at this time and loses the decency of the Eastern Palace, he will not be able to take care of so much.

So he slapped the chopping board and asked coldly: "Report your name and official rank."

Fang Li, the Jiangzuo Road Officer of the Ministry of Revenue, was stunned. His lips trembled twice, and he looked at His Highness the Prince in shock. He had never expected that His Highness the Prince would be so strict with him. His face turned red and he bowed his hand in great difficulty and said, "Secretary of the Jiangzuo Road Officer of the Ministry of Revenue, Fang Li."

The prince frowned and asked the official of the Supervision Bureau to hand over the documents found in the past few days and the confession of the official who signed the bank transfer. He asked gloomyly: "Tell me, where did the 400,000 taels of silver go?"

Fang Liru was struck by lightning and looked at the prince like an idiot, or maybe... she looked at the prince like an idiot?

He trembled for a long time before he said in a trembling voice: "Your Highness, the emperor really doesn't know."

The prince frowned, looking worried about the country and the people: "I just don't know these two words... I'm afraid... it's unreasonable..."

Fang Li was really stunned now, especially when he heard the word "just afraid" that the Crown Prince said was still turning, his heart fell into the ice cellar, and he understood this master clearly and understood this... It seems that the Crown Prince not only forgot who he was, but even forgot the 400,000 taels of silver!

He felt sad and mocked. He was helpless, right, what was he? He was just a small official from the Ministry of Revenue. He had done things for the prince in the past and drank with the prince at the same table. Why did the prince still remember his ordinary face now?

What is that 400,000 taels of silver? The prince liked women that year, liked to spend money on women, liked to build gardens for women to play with. He liked to reward confidant officials. Who is the prince? The prince is the master of the country's future, and the money in the world will be his land in the future. He used it as soon as he used it, and it would not only consume his noble mind to remember the origin of this money?

Fang Li was speechless and looked at the prince in a daze, hoping that the other party would remember something so that the absurd situation would continue to develop and to an uncontrollable level.

Unfortunately, the prince did not seem to notice the emotions of the Ministry of Revenue official.

The trial work is still continuing. Fang Li, the Ministry of Revenue, knew that the matter was too big and that the trial was held in front of the various departments. Once he was disgusted, he would never take it back. So he insisted on gritting his teeth and refused to say anything more.

The prince had already felt something strange. He frowned and looked at the familiar official. He didn't understand where the other party got the courage. He confessed in front of him, but he didn't say a word... Could it be that the other party... wanted to take everything for Fan Jian? Or, there was a hidden story in this matter.

At this moment, Yan Xingshu, the Minister of Personnel who had been watching silently, slammed the table and shouted loudly: "This guy is so brave! Come on! Drag it down for me and ask carefully!"

He turned around and asked for instructions: "Mr. Hu, can you use torture?"

Mr. Hu, who had been staring at the ants fighting in front of his shoes, seemed to understand what was going on at this time. He opened his eyes that were somewhat unsightly and said, "Ah? Torturing?"

The word "正" used to torture did not have any tone, nor did he hear clearly whether it was a question or an agreement. However, Yan Xingshu was already anxious and bowed and said, "I will follow the arrangements of the Lord."

An official from the Supervision Bureau received the order and was about to step forward to drag the Ministry of Personnel, Wailang, who was stubborn, out. At this time, Fang Li, who had been stubborn, heard the word "slaughter". He heard the word "stoppable" and was frightened. He could not control his nerves anymore and shouted shrillly: "I am wronged. I am a Jinshi in the first year of Qingli. He became a Guanwailang in four years. He was completely defeated by the emperor's grace. How dare he do such a blundering thing?"

A series of words spurted out, but this person was really capable. At such a nervous moment, he still only looked at Grand Secretary Hu and refused to look at the prince if he died.

When Yan Xingshu was silent and jumped out and suggested torture, the strangeness in the prince's heart became deeper and deeper. When he heard Fang Li's self-dispute, he felt a chill on his back, thrusting deep in his bones!

A Jinshi in the first year of Qingli? The son of the former Minister of Rites Guo, the palace editor Guo Baokun, who had always been friends with the prince, was born in the first year of Qingli. Fang Li and Guo Baokun were in the same year!

The prince was shocked and shocked. Countless things from previous years came back to his heart. In an instant, he remembered many things. Because of Guo Baokun's recommendation, he condescended to have a meal with this small official from the Ministry of Revenue named Fang Li. Through the arrangement of the eldest princess, the other party was promoted to the Ministry of Revenue twice.

Later, the prince hinted to Guo Baokun that his confidant secretly transferred a batch of silver from the Ministry of Revenue for him to use.

But several years have passed, and the money has been spent so much that it is unknown. Guo Baokun has long known where he died. The prince has forgotten about this incident and forgot about this little official named Fang Li. However, he thought that he would meet this person again after investigating the Ministry of Revenue today.

Could it be...that 400,000 taels of silver flowed to his purse?

The prince looked at the prisoner who was pulled out of the hall with shock, and his mouth began to feel bitter. His heart began to tighten. He knew that he must not let the official be interrogated by the Third Department, otherwise there would be a big problem! He understood that he had already made a stupid mistake and could not allow the mistake to continue.

He stared at Yan Xingshu, the Minister of Personnel who was smiling beside him, and shouted angrily: "Slow down!"

The Minister of Rites, who was beaten by Fan Xian, was nominally a close friend of the Eastern Palace, but in fact he was the princess's confidant. The prince had discovered this fact the night His Highness recited his poems. Since the other party was the princess's person, Yan Xingshu could naturally know that he had borrowed silver from the Ministry of Revenue through Guo Baokun... His Highness hated that it would be fine if this old man didn't remind him. He had wanted to take the blame before!

"Your Highness, what's wrong?" Yan Xingshu looked at him with a smile.

The prince was speechless for a moment. He was already in power at this time. He was responsible for investigating the case with such a big fanfare. Finally, he found himself, but how did he end up?

He frowned, narrowed his eyes and said, "It seems that this official has something to say. It's okay to ask clearly first."

Yan Xingshu nodded with a smile. Sir Hu naturally had no objection.

Fang Li escaped from death and knew that His Royal Highness had finally remembered him. He breathed a sigh of relief, but when he was paired with His Royal Highness's worried eyes, they realized that things are really difficult to deal with today.

The prince's heart flashed with ruthlessness, and suddenly he thought that Guo Baokun had already disappeared. As long as he refused to admit his death, he would find a way to make this person named Fang Li shut up and he would be able to clear him.

After figuring this out, he said with a gentle expression: "Fang Li, you have to think carefully about where this silver will go before you can talk about it. This palace came to investigate the case with the sage edict. Of course, it will not let a corrupt official go, but... it will not wrongly accuse any good official."

A trace of hope flashed in Fang Li's eyes, knowing that the prince was hinting that he was biting others randomly. Since the account of 400,000 taels of silver was turned out, there was no way to close it in front of Grand Secretary Hu, Shangshu Yan and the officials of the Dali Temple Supervision Office. Fang Li knew that there was only this. He lowered his head and turned around and made up his mind. For a moment, he didn't know who to rude to. After leaving the account, he secretly destroyed the account book, but it was extremely difficult to find another name for such a large amount of silver.

Yan Xingshu glanced at the prince and sighed in his heart. He knew that the other party was preparing to sack the soldiers, and the soldiers seemed to be prepared to sacrifice. He was a little surprised. How could such an incompetent person as the prince make this little official named Fang Lidi so convinced? It was obvious that the prince could not remember this person before.

He didn't understand that in Fang Li's heart, the prince would take over the throne in the future. As long as he could not die in this incident, he would have a day to turn around in the future. But... for 400,000 taels of silver, how could His Majesty be willing to take the life of a little Yuanwailang? Fang Li obviously didn't expect this.

Without letting Fang Li think too long in the scrutiny of the officials in the hall, a slightly tired voice had already answered him, helped him to clear the siege, and at the same time put a rope on His Royal Highness the Prince.

"I remember this account."

"The Ministry of Rites issued a document that because the emperor issued an order to repair various autumn examinations and school halls, it was necessary to transfer silver from the Ministry. It was transferred fourteen times in total, totaling 400,700 taels of silver."

"The money has been sent to the Ministry of Rites, and the Ministry of Rites should have a receipt. However, I did not take care of these things personally. I will be clear after a while. All matters are done according to the rules of the Qing Dynasty. Please do not make it difficult for me to be the poor officials under my officer."

"As for whether there is any problem with this money, you only need to publish a document to go to various states and take a look at the completion status of the Qiuwei Academy in the past two years, and you will know it clearly."

Shangshu Fan, who had been sick for many days, finally forced his weak body to come to the Ministry of Revenue Department, which had been away for many days. He stood by the door and explained weakly to the adults in the hall.

An official from the Supervision Bureau quickly stepped forward to support him. Grand Secretary Hu led Yan Xingshu and a group of investigative officials to get up and salute. Although he was an official waiting to be investigated, no one dared to express his slightest resentment.

The Shangshu, who had been in charge of the Ministry of Revenue for nine years, first arrived at the yamen. As soon as he spoke, he would argue for his subordinates, but he pointed out the whereabouts of the money in every word. As soon as he checked it, the matter would be revealed. So the prince's face turned pale and his eyes became wandering.
Chapter completed!