"Tell me, why did the emperor resort to such tough measures this time and show no mercy to the people involved in the case in the Ministry of Household Affairs?"
"Nonsense! These households have colluded with merchants for a long time. How many benefits have they received over the years, and how much tax has been reduced to the national treasury!"
"If Your Majesty doesn't investigate this matter thoroughly, it would seem abnormal."
"In my opinion, it's abnormal enough that that old fox Liu Delin only had his property confiscated!"
"Why is it abnormal? Liu Delin is a student of the Grand Master. If such a big thing happens, the Grand Master still doesn't do anything to protect Liu Delin?"
"Shh! You don't want your life! Keep your voice down! Don't let anyone hear you..."
"Don't you think that the Prime Minister's behavior yesterday was even more unexpected?"
"Yes, yes, I heard that yesterday the Prime Minister led a group of people to the residence of the grain merchant Fu, who was so frightened... that she couldn't even speak on the spot!"
"The old profiteer surnamed Fu deserves to die! There was a drought a few years ago. Insects were released into the grain in the Fu family's granary, and he refused to sell it to the people cheaply. What a sin!"
"Yes, this old profiteer has made a lot of money over the years, and I don't know how much tax he has evaded! The Prime Minister's iron-blooded tactics are to scare the monkeys. Let's see who dares to follow this unhealthy trend in the future..."
"I just didn't expect that the Prime Minister, who has always been low-key, would actually show such a decisive and killing side!"
"..."
At the same time, in the Taishi Mansion.
After returning home from the next court, Shangguan Yi locked himself in his study, announced that he was ill, and stopped seeing visitors behind closed doors.
In fact, Shangguan Yi had already sent someone to contact Liu Delin secretly.
At this moment, Liu Delin was standing in the study with his head lowered, not daring to raise his head and make eye contact with Shangguan Yi.
Shangguan Yi just read the books and ignored Liu Delin, who was always standing in front of him.
I don't know how much time passed, until Liu Delin felt exhausted and almost fell to one side, Shangguan Yi slowly closed the book in his hand.
"Master Liu, what are you doing standing here?"
"sit down."
"Thank you, Master!"
If Liu Delin was granted amnesty, he dragged his numb legs and reluctantly sat down.
Shangguan Yi's expression was calm, showing no signs of sadness or joy, as if the fact that the Household Department was ordered to rectify today had nothing to do with him.
"Didn't I just hear yesterday that Mr. Liu does not have enough account books on hand, and it will take several months to collect them and hand them over to the Prime Minister."
"Why is it that in the court today, the account book in the Emperor's hand was recorded neatly and accurately?"
Liu Delin's heart trembled, knowing that Shangguan Yi had already doubted him.
"Grand Master, this is all because the minister, Zhou Quan'an, is eager to make up for his mistakes in front of the emperor. He did not discuss with the ministers and submitted the accounts privately!"
"It's a pity that Zhou Quan'an had a lot of calculations. I didn't expect that His Majesty would hate this matter so much that he would be so determined to kill."
"You really shot yourself in the foot!"
When he entered the palace to meet the emperor last night, Liu Delin had already reported everything to Emperor Liang in detail.
Since the eminent monk mentioned by his son is so good at calculating, then according to what he said, he might actually be able to save his life!
Sure enough, although Emperor Liang was furious, he still listened to Liu Delin's suggestion and asked him to continue secretly collecting evidence that the grand master had stolen money.
At the same time, he also told Liu Delin that if the grand master was held accountable afterwards, all the crimes would be placed on the head of the minister Zhou Quanan.
A dead person is naturally the best person to take the blame!
Faced with Liu Delin's remarks, Shangguan Yi was obviously skeptical.
"oh?"
"Although Zhou Quan'an has worked in the household department for many years like you, he is still your subordinate."
"How come something happened to him, but you only fined the family property and were not affected at all?"
Liu Delin suppressed his pounding heart and said calmly: "Wei Chen was promoted by you, so he naturally knows how to do things without leaving any trace!"
"Although Zhou Quan'an submitted the account book, all the records related to Wei Chen have been erased by Wei Chen."
"Even if the emperor is suspicious, there is no evidence, so he only punishes the minister for mismanagement!"
"Besides, the wealth that I have accumulated through hard work for most of my life... is not a small amount of money!"
Speaking of the tens of millions of confiscated properties, Liu Delin's heartache was really not an act.
That was the family fortune that I had finally saved after working hard for most of my life!
In order to protect Mingzhe, all the money had to be donated to the national treasury.
This can be regarded as a way to save money and eliminate disaster!
Although it hurts, it is better than being beheaded by the emperor!
Shangguan Yi glanced at Liu Delin and saw that his face was full of pain and sorrow, and it didn't look like he was pretending.
"That's all. I've been keeping a low profile recently. You don't have to come to me to discuss matters often."
"The emperor has ordered a thorough investigation this time. I'm afraid it will last for a while."
"After waiting for a while, let's make a long-term plan."
Hearing what Shangguan Yi said, Liu Delin finally felt relieved.
It seems that the grand master believed his words and no longer intends to discuss the matter with him further!
"Yes, I understand!"
"I have spent so much money as a low-ranking official. How can I still hope that the Grand Master will continue to support me in the future..."
Shangguan Yi's face was expressionless, but she slightly raised her chin at him.
After Liu Delin left, housekeeper Jiang Lin quickly appeared in the study.
"My lord, Liu Delin was still sent out through the back door."
Shangguan Yi said thoughtfully: "Send someone to keep an eye on him. If there is any movement, report to me immediately."
Jiang Lin nodded: "Are you suspicious of Mr. Liu?"
"This matter was settled too quickly, so we had to guard against it."
Shangguan Yi's eyes were deep and he played with the jade ring in his hand with great interest.
"The emperor has been turning a blind eye to the accounts of the Ministry of Accounts for many years, but this time he suddenly investigated thoroughly."
"Jiang Lin, why do you think the emperor suddenly wanted to conduct a thorough investigation of the household department?"
Jiang Lin tilted his head and pondered for a moment: "I remember that you accidentally mentioned before, my lord, that the fourth prince once talked nonsense in the court, saying something about asking merchants to exchange money for "imperial merchants"..."
"If the fourth prince hadn't intentionally brought up the tax issues of merchants, the emperor probably wouldn't have paid much attention to this matter!"
"Do you think it was the Fourth Prince who was secretly giving advice..."
Hearing Jiang Lin's words, Shangguan Yi couldn't help but chuckle.
"Jiang Lin, Jiang Lin, no one will care about a idiot like the Fourth Prince."
"In my opinion, the second and third princes are probably going to take action."
Jiang Lin's eyes lit up: "That's true!"
"The general has returned from his service this time, and the backing behind the second prince has become stronger."
"It is reasonable that he would take advantage of this momentum to attack you!"
"If that's the case, how do you plan to deal with it?"
Shangguan Yi still had a faint smile on his face, but his eyes were endlessly cold.
"I seem to have heard that the third prince has a little unknown hobby?"
