You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 146 Drag them out and confiscate their property
The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

After listening to Du Ruhui's suggestions, Zhou Chen looked at Liu Ye.

Liu Ye also offered several suggestions.

The two men were essentially on the same page, and neither recommended taking immediate and large-scale action against the Prime Minister, the Minister of Revenue, and the Minister of Justice at the same time.

Instead, they first break one down, then dismantle the others one by one.

This was exactly what Zhou Chen had in mind.

Without adequate preparation, if the prime minister, the minister of revenue, and the minister of justice are taken down together, it will implicate a large number of officials.

It won't be easy to fill these officials' positions all at once.

This would be extremely detrimental to the stability of the imperial court.

After a moment of contemplation, Zhou Chen looked at Du Ruhui and Liu Ye and asked, "What about the King of Shu?"

"What good advice do you have for the King of Shu?"

Zhou Chen looked at Du Ruhui and Liu Ye and asked.

The suggestions that Du Ruhui and Liu Ye just made were all aimed at the three major families and Prime Minister Yuan Bo and his group.

The most important figure, the King of Shu, was not mentioned at all.

Faced with Zhou Chen's question, Du Ruhui and Liu Ye exchanged a glance.

I smiled bitterly to myself.

The reason their suggestions didn't involve the King of Shu was to avoid this sensitive figure as much as possible and not want to get involved in royal affairs.

In the view of Du Ruhui and Liu Ye, as long as the Prime Minister and the three major families were dealt with, the King of Shu would not be able to cause any major trouble.

How to deal with the Prince of Shu is a matter for Emperor Zhou Chen.

But now, Zhou Chen directly asked the two of them.

Then the two of them could no longer turn a blind eye.

"Your Majesty, the Prince of Shu is Your Majesty's younger brother. This is Your Majesty's family matter, and it is entirely up to Your Majesty to make a wise decision."

Du Ruhui and Liu Ye said in unison.

Their meaning was clear: this was a family matter for Emperor Zhou Chen, and they, as his ministers, had no advice to offer; the decision rested entirely with Emperor Zhou Chen.

Zhou Chen didn't say anything more after hearing what the two were saying.

Zhou Chen understood what the two were thinking; he figured that no smart person would interfere in such a matter.

Therefore, Zhou Chen stopped asking Du Ruhui and Liu Ye for their opinions.

After Du Ruhui and Liu Ye left, Zhou Chen pondered with a flicker in his eyes.

After a while.

"Cao Zhengchun".

"You heard what Du Ruhui and Liu Ye just said, right? Just do as they say."

"Furthermore, send more imperial guards to Shu. I need to know all the information about the King of Shu in Shu."

Zhou Chen glanced at Cao Zhengchun and said.

Since the King of Shu has already colluded with powerful families like the Yuan family and wants to change the world, Zhou Chen doesn't believe that King Zhou Zhi of Shu has no preparations in Shu.

The news that the Imperial Guard had previously sent from Shu was only the most basic information.

This time, Zhou Chen wanted the Imperial Guards to find out everything about Zhou Zhi's situation in Shu.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Cao Zhengchun immediately bowed and said.

……

the next day.

The morning court begins.

Zhou Chen ascended the dragon platform, turned around and sat on the dragon throne, looking down at the civil and military officials below.

"Long live your majesty."

All the civil and military officials knelt down and shouted.

Zhou Chen looked down at the civil and military officials and said calmly, "All of you, rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After receiving Zhou Chen's permission, the civil and military officials stood up one after another.

"When there is something going on, we will start, and when there is nothing going on, we will retreat."

Cao Zhengchun's sharp voice rang out.

"Your Majesty, I have something to report."

As soon as Cao Zhengchun finished speaking, a minister stood up and spoke loudly.

……

An hour later, the ministers finished presenting their reports, and the morning court session was drawing to a close.

Zhou Chen glanced at the civil and military officials; "Do any of you gentlemen have anything else to report?"

The civil and military officials looked at each other and bowed, saying, "We have nothing more to say."

"Since you ministers have nothing more to report, I have some questions for you," Zhou Chen said, looking down at the civil and military officials below.

"The four northern prefectures are suffering from a severe drought. The imperial court has issued an edict to provide disaster relief. If I remember correctly, five million taels of silver have been allocated to provide disaster relief to the four northern prefectures."

"One million taels of it was used for disaster relief in the four prefectures of the Northwest."

"But as far as I know, 200,000 taels were lost as soon as the 1 million taels left the Ministry of Revenue. After it reached the four prefectures in the Northwest, only 500,000 taels of the 1 million taels of disaster relief funds remained."

"My esteemed ministers, can anyone tell me where the missing 500,000 taels of disaster relief funds have gone?"

Zhou Chen calmly looked down at the civil and military officials below.

Upon hearing this, the expressions of all the civil and military officials below changed.

None of them expected that Zhou Chen would suddenly bring up the matter of disaster relief for the severe drought in the four northern prefectures during the morning court session today.

Now, the rebels in the four northern states have been wiped out, and disaster relief is in full swing. The four northern states have gradually stabilized.

Is His Majesty about to settle scores later?
The thought arose, and the hearts of all the officials sank.

The Minister of Revenue and other officials in the Ministry of Revenue, in particular, felt a sense of foreboding.

His Majesty directly pointed out that 200,000 taels of the one million taels of disaster relief funds were shorted from the Ministry of Revenue. What does this imply?
Could this be an indication that they're going to take action against their Ministry of Revenue?

Just as the officials were lost in thought, Zhou Chen's voice rang out again.

"Of the other four million taels of disaster relief funds, as far as I know, less than two million taels were actually used for disaster relief and helping the people."

"My beloved ministers, can anyone tell me where the other two million taels have gone?"

Zhou Chen looked down at the civil and military officials below, his expression gradually turning cold.

"Disaster relief silver is silver used to provide disaster relief and relief to the people of our Great Zhou. It is money that can save lives. One tael of disaster relief silver can save several lives."

"I never imagined that the officials of my Great Zhou Dynasty could be so corrupt that they would even dare to take this life-saving money."

"I have always believed that the officials of my Great Zhou are honest and upright. Even if they have some selfish motives, they will prioritize the well-being of the Great Zhou and will not disregard the lives of the people."

Zhou Chen's voice was low and suppressed, like the calm before a volcano erupts, the stillness before a storm.

"But now, I realize I was wrong."

"My Great Zhou has honest and upright ministers, but it is also not lacking in those who disregard the fate of my Great Zhou, treat the lives of the people as nothing, and are corrupt parasites."

Zhou Chen's voice reverberated in the hall, echoing in the ears of all the civil and military officials.

“These corrupt officials who disregard the fate of the Great Zhou Dynasty and the lives of its people are ruining my Great Zhou Dynasty. I cannot tolerate them.”

"We can't tolerate that either."

Zhou Chen's sharp gaze swept over the civil and military officials below, and his imperial majesty erupted instantly; "Will you step forward and confess your crimes yourselves, or shall I drag you out one by one?"

"I am giving you a choice."

"If you don't choose, I will have the Eastern Depot choose for you."

Zhou Chen's voice was calm, but his tone was chilling.

The sight sent a chill down the spines of all the civil and military officials in the hall.

At this moment, the atmosphere inside the hall became extremely oppressive.

Some officials were already sweating profusely.

In particular, when they heard Zhou Chen say, "Let the Eastern Depot help you choose," some officials' legs trembled.

"Pfft."

An official lost his balance and fell to the ground. The dense beads of sweat on his forehead testified to the official's inner struggle and tension.

"Drag it out."

"Copy the house."

Zhou Chen gave the official a cold look and waved his hand dismissively.

Two guards entered, grabbed the official, and dragged him outside.

"Your Majesty, I am wronged!"

"My legs are just numb. I did not embezzle any disaster relief funds."

No matter how much the official shouted, he was dragged out of the Golden Palace by the Imperial Guards.

Only the official's shouts remained, still echoing within the Golden Palace.

Seeing the official being dragged out and his home ransacked, the atmosphere in the main hall suddenly became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The officials lowered their heads in fear, not daring to make the slightest move.

After a while.

Zhou Chen's chilling voice rang in the ears of the assembled officials once more.

"It seems that some of my ministers are not planning to step forward and confess their crimes."

"He wants me to have the Eastern Depot choose for him."

As Zhou Chen spoke, he looked at the Minister of Revenue; "Minister of Revenue, don't you have anything to say to me?"

"As the Minister of Revenue, you are in charge of the national treasury. As a result, out of the one million taels of disaster relief funds, two hundred thousand taels were missing as soon as you left the Ministry of Revenue."

"Do the rats in your Ministry of Revenue even eat silver?"

Zhou Chen looked at the Minister of Revenue with a blank expression and said.

When the Minister of Revenue heard Zhou Chen's words and saw that Zhou Chen was pointing directly at him, his heart sank to the bottom.

"Your Majesty, I am guilty."

"As the Minister of Revenue, I was completely unaware of such a matter occurring within the Ministry."

"Your Majesty, I am guilty of oversight and beg your forgiveness."

"But I can guarantee that I have absolutely not embezzled a single tael of disaster relief funds."

"I implore Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly."

The Minister of Revenue knelt down on the ground with a thud and said...

The Minister of Revenue was puzzled as to why Emperor Zhou Chen had singled him out so suddenly.

Logically speaking, the Minister of Revenue had already dealt with the Ministry of Revenue's affairs, so it was impossible for him to be implicated.

But now, Emperor Zhou Chen's demeanor clearly suggests that he has investigated this Minister of Revenue.

This made the Minister of Revenue's heart tighten, and his heart jumped into his throat.

is it?

Zhou Chen sneered.

"Cao Zhengchun, read aloud what your Eastern Depot found for my Minister of State."

Zhou Chen glanced at Cao Zhengchun, who was standing beside him, and said.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Cao Zhengchun stepped forward, glanced at the assembled officials, and announced loudly, "According to the investigation by the Eastern Depot, Fan Yongdou, the Minister of Revenue, has embezzled 580,000 taels of silver intended for disaster relief in the four northern prefectures."

“One month ago, the silver obtained from the confiscation of the Wujin faction was put into the Ministry of Revenue’s treasury. Minister of Revenue Fan Yongdou embezzled 1.42 million taels.”

"He accepted bribes of 2.34 million taels of silver."

……

"Fan Yongdou, the Minister of Revenue, owns twenty-eight mansions, over a hundred properties, and numerous farmlands..."

As Cao Zhengchun read out the list one by one, Fan Yongdou, the Minister of Revenue, changed his expression immediately.

With each item Cao Zhengchun read out, Fan Yongdou, the Minister of Revenue, turned a shade paler.

Because Fan Yongdou, the Minister of Revenue, knew all too well the charges Cao Zhengchun had read aloud.

After Cao Zhengchun finished reading, Fan Yongdou, the Minister of Revenue, was completely pale.

Fan Yongdou, the Minister of Revenue, never expected that the Eastern Depot would uncover these crimes against him.

How can this be?

He has already dealt with it very thoroughly, how could the Eastern Depot possibly still be able to find out?

What Fan Yongdou, the Minister of Revenue, did not expect was that the Eastern Depot not only discovered his crimes, but also seized his property.

Although this fortune is not all of his wealth, but only a part of it, it is still astonishing.

When the officials in the hall heard Cao Zhengchun read out these charges, and saw the pale face of Fan Yongdou, the Minister of Revenue, they understood that the charges Cao Zhengchun had read out were probably all correct.

Most officials immediately felt worried.

If the Eastern Depot could find so much information about the Minister of Revenue, couldn't they find out about them?
Chancellor Yuan Bo's expression also changed slightly, and he cursed Minister of Revenue Fan Yongdou in his heart: "Fool."

He had already warned Fan Yongdou, the Minister of Revenue, that Emperor Zhou Chen might try to take action from this angle.

Tell Minister of Revenue Fan Yongdou to clean up everything that needs cleaning up, leaving no trace, and not to touch any money in the near future. Just keep quiet.

However, Fan Yongdou, the Minister of Revenue, was more trouble than he was worth, and he actually ignored his words.

Now that the Eastern Depot has found out, is there any way for them to escape?
After Cao Zhengchun finished reading out the charges, Zhou Chen looked at Fan Yongdou, the Minister of Revenue, once again.

"My Minister, is this what you just told me about not embezzling a single tael of disaster relief funds?"

"The Eastern Depot only investigated a portion of your assets, and they are already equivalent to two years' worth of taxes from my Great Zhou Dynasty."

"You can't possibly tell me that all your family's wealth comes from the salary I, the Great Zhou, give you!"

Zhou Chen looked at Fan Yongdou, the Minister of Revenue, and said with a sneer.

You wouldn't believe it until you looked it up; what I found was quite shocking.

The wealth of a Minister of Revenue alone is equivalent to two years' worth of taxes from the Great Zhou Dynasty. Who knows how much all of his wealth would amount to!
Zhou Chen knew these officials were corrupt, but he never imagined how corrupt they would be.

The wealth of this Minister of Revenue is estimated to be equivalent to five years of tax revenue during the Great Zhou Dynasty, and is even greater than that of the previous Grand General Wu Jin.

"Your Majesty, I am wronged!"

“I come from the Fan family of Jiexiu. These family assets were all distributed by the clan and were not embezzled by me.”

"As for the disaster relief funds and the silver in the Ministry of Revenue's treasury, I certainly did not embezzle any. This is definitely a frame-up!"

"I beg Your Majesty to see the truth."

Minister of Revenue Fan Yongdou was startled, immediately realized what was happening, regained his composure, and loudly defended himself.

wronged?

"Even now, you're still protesting your innocence to me?"

"Drag it out."

"Throw him into the Eastern Depot prison and interrogate him properly. I want to see how wronged he really is."

Zhou Chen's cold voice fell.

Two guards walked in and immediately seized Fan Yongdou, the Minister of Revenue.

"boom……"

Fan Yongdou's aura changed instantly, directly sending two guards flying.

"Hunjun."

"First, you killed the Grand Tutor and the General-in-Chief under various pretexts, and then you wiped out the Minister of Works and the Minister of Personnel, these important officials of the court."

"Now, you want to force a confession out of me and frame me, the Minister of Revenue."

"You have wronged the emperors of the Great Zhou Dynasty by harming loyal and virtuous people like this."

"For the sake of the Great Zhou dynasty, I will kill you, you tyrant, first."

After knocking away two imperial guards, Minister of Revenue Fan Yongdou flew directly towards Zhou Chen on the dragon throne.

Because Fan Yongdou had already seen the current situation: no matter what, he was doomed.

Since that's the case, then Fan Yongdou has nothing to worry about anymore.

Since I'm going to die anyway, I might as well do my part before I die.

Most importantly, Fan Yongdou didn't want to go to the Eastern Depot's prison.

He feared he wouldn't be able to withstand the torture inflicted by the Eastern Depot and might say something he shouldn't have.

(End of this chapter)