The Ming Dynasty: The most ruthless imperial grandson, Old Zhu begged me not to kill him.

Chapter 696 How dare they discuss state affairs in the imperial court?

Zhu Xiong Ying looked up from the scroll and rubbed his sore eyes. He glanced around; the civil and military officials were all bowing their heads, some writing furiously, others whispering amongst themselves. The post-war reconstruction work was a hundred times more complicated than he had imagined, making even this young emperor feel somewhat overwhelmed.

"My esteemed ministers, is there anything else important to report?" Zhu Xiong Ying's voice was slightly weary, yet still authoritative.

A thin official with a mustache stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to report. The Jiangnan region has suffered severe disasters, and many people have been displaced. Relief supplies are urgently needed..."

Zhu Xiong Ying frowned. He had heard about the disaster in Jiangnan, but the national treasury was empty, and it would be difficult to allocate enough funds in a short time. Just as he was about to speak, a clear voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Your Majesty, I have a plan that can solve this urgent problem."

The speaker was Ye Qingzhou. He was no longer a spy infiltrating behind enemy lines, but had been promoted by Zhu Xiong Ying to the position of Imperial Bodyguard, enjoying the Emperor's deep trust. More importantly, he had somehow become the Emperor's... "confidante."

All eyes of the court officials turned to Ye Qingzhou, their eyes filled with surprise and doubt. A mere spy dared to speak ill of state affairs in court?

Zhu Xiong Ying ignored these stares and asked with great interest, "What brilliant plan do you have, my dear minister?"

Ye Qingzhou smiled slightly, stepped forward, and whispered a few words in Zhu Xiong Ying's ear.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes lit up, and he slammed his hand on the table, exclaiming in admiration, "Excellent plan! Excellent plan! My dear minister, you are truly my most trusted and capable advisor!"

The officials were completely baffled, and they all wondered what Ye Qingzhou had said.

"Issue the imperial decree: immediately confiscate the property of corrupt officials in Jiangnan and use it for disaster relief!" Zhu Xiong Ying's voice resounded throughout the hall.

These words immediately caused an uproar in the imperial court.

"Your Majesty, this is absolutely not allowed! Wouldn't this discourage all officials in the land?"

"Your Majesty, confiscating property and putting it to the public is perhaps inappropriate..."

Opposition arose one after another, but Zhu Xiong Ying sneered: "Corrupt officials and clerks who prey on the people are guilty of crimes that cannot be punished! I want to see who dares to plead for them!"

His gaze swept over the assembled officials like a blade, and those officials who had been shouting earlier immediately fell silent, daring not to say another word.

Ye Qingzhou stood beside Zhu Xiong Ying, a barely perceptible smile playing on his lips. He knew that this "killing the chicken to scare the monkey" tactic would not only solve Jiangnan's immediate crisis but also deter those officials with ulterior motives.

Over the next few days, the raids proceeded in full swing. Those corrupt officials who had previously wielded power and influence were now prisoners, their assets confiscated and used for disaster relief and reconstruction.

The people were overjoyed and spread the news, praising the emperor's wisdom and Ye Qingzhou's achievements.

However, the matter did not end there. Just as the search of the house was nearing its end, shocking news reached Zhu Xiong Ying's ears.

"Your Majesty, the Governor-General of Jiangnan... committed suicide out of fear of punishment!"

Upon hearing this news, Zhu Xiong Ying's expression changed drastically. The Governor-General of Jiangnan held a high position and wielded great power; his death was far more serious than a simple suicide out of fear of punishment.

Ye Qingzhou also realized the seriousness of the matter. He walked up to Zhu Xiong Ying and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, there must be something fishy about this. I request to go to Jiangnan to investigate personally."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded: "Granted! My dear minister, you must go and find out the truth and bring the mastermind behind this to justice!"

Ye Qingzhou accepted the order and left. He knew in his heart that this trip to Jiangnan was destined to be a dangerous journey.

Meanwhile, in a secluded manor in Jiangnan, several men in black sat around a round table, the atmosphere heavy. "The Governor is dead. Our plan... has failed," one of the men in black said in a somber voice.

"Hmph, a useless piece of trash! It's better that you're dead, saving us the trouble." Another man in black sneered.

"What should we do next?"

"Don't forget our ultimate goal..." a chilling voice rang out, "Zhu Xiong Ying... must die!"

Upon arriving in Jiangnan, Ye Qingzhou immediately launched an investigation. He visited local people, reviewed case files, and searched everywhere for clues.

He discovered that the Governor-General of Jiangnan's death was not a simple suicide out of fear of punishment, but a murder! Moreover, it seemed that a much larger conspiracy was hidden behind this...

One evening, Ye Qingzhou was studying a case in his room when he suddenly heard a strange noise outside the window. He got up alertly, went to the window, and looked out through the crack.

Several men in black were seen lurking suspiciously outside the manor, seemingly searching for something.

Ye Qingzhou was startled. Could these people be the murderers who plotted to assassinate the governor? He held his breath and quietly opened the door...

Ye Qingzhou pushed open the door and, under the cover of darkness, silently followed the men in black. They crossed the garden and arrived at a secluded corner in the backyard of the manor. Ye Qingzhou hid behind a large tree, carefully observing their actions.

One of the men in black pulled a slip of paper from his pocket. By the dim moonlight, Ye Qingzhou could vaguely make out a few words written on it: "Zhu Xiong Ying... die!"

Ye Qingzhou's heart skipped a beat. It seemed these people were indeed after the Emperor! He had to get this news back to the capital as soon as possible!
Just as he was about to turn and leave, he accidentally stepped on a dry branch, making a crisp "crack" sound that startled the man in black.

"Who's there?!" a man in black shouted sharply.

Ye Qingzhou realized he was in trouble; he had been exposed! He decided to stop hiding and leaped out from behind the tree.

"You audacious scoundrel, how dare you trespass on private property!" Ye Qingzhou shouted sternly, drawing his sword from his waist.

Upon seeing this, the men in black drew their weapons and surrounded Ye Qingzhou.

"Hmph, you have a path to heaven but choose to barge into hell!" a man in black sneered. "Since you're here, don't even think about leaving alive!"

A fierce battle ensued. Ye Qingzhou fought against multiple opponents, holding his own in no way. His swordsmanship was sharp and deadly, and although the men in black outnumbered him, they could not defeat him.

However, there seemed to be a highly skilled martial artist among the men in black. He moved with ghostly grace and used tricky moves, making it difficult for Ye Qingzhou to defeat him for the time being.

Just then, shouts of killing suddenly rang out from inside the manor.

"Oh no, the soldiers are here!" a man in black exclaimed.

It turned out that Ye Qingzhou had already made arrangements before setting off. He sent someone to notify the local government and asked them to come and provide support.

Seeing the situation was dire, the men in black fled. Ye Qingzhou seized the opportunity to pursue them, cutting down several of them with his sword.

However, the highly skilled man in black managed to escape in the chaos.

Ye Qingzhou returned to his room, carefully considering everything that had happened that night. He knew this was just the beginning, and a much larger conspiracy awaited him.

He must find out the truth as soon as possible, bring the mastermind to justice, and protect the Emperor's safety!
(End of this chapter)