I embezzled 100,000 taels at the beginning, and the empress begged me to be more greedy

At this time, another official also said: "I heard that a thief was arrested by the government recently, and he claimed to be a relative of Prime Minister Jiang. I think this is also a fabrication. Given Prime Minister Jiang's character, how could he have such a relative?"

This sentence was an explicit praise but a hidden criticism, forcibly linking the Liang Maoshi incident with Jiangzuo.

After hearing the reports from these officials, Chen Qingyun looked even more uneasy, thinking, "Talking about this kind of thing at this time is clearly meant to put pressure on Jiang Zuo."

At this time, all we can do is wait and see how Jiang Zuo explains it clearly, and the empress can't say much.

But at this moment, Jiang Zuo still had a calm expression and remained silent, as if he did not want to respond to the officials' wishes.

If he really had to explain, Jiang Zuo would definitely fall into the trap of self-proof. Regardless of whether this matter had anything to do with him or not, Jiang Zuo would not be able to explain it clearly.

And the most important point now is that Liang Maoshi is indeed related to him.

"There are many people with ulterior motives in the capital who have falsely accused Prime Minister Jiang of bending the law for personal gain. This is truly despicable. Your Majesty must order these people to be severely punished."

An official said excitedly.

In their hearts, they did not want to vent their anger for Jiang Zuo, but actually wanted to point out the fact that Jiang Zuo was being criticized so much.

The news that Prime Minister Jiang's relative was in trouble has caused quite a stir due to the instigation of some busybodies.

This incident itself is a slander, but it is targeted at Jiang Zuo.

What Chen Qingyun was worried about finally happened.

If those people can't find Jiang Zuo's flaws, they will start with the people around him.

"You said Prime Minister Jiang's relatives were arrested by the government. What's going on?"

Chen Qingyun could only ask for details before making a decision.

At this time, the official in charge of this matter stepped forward and informed the empress of the general situation.

But what this person said was obviously not the truth.

"This matter is too strange. I am afraid someone is instigating and framing it."

Chen Qingyun's eyes were serious and his voice was low.

Her words were already very clear.

Even if Jiang Zuo is wrong, Chen Qingyun will definitely protect him.

"Call the magistrate of the West City Yamen." Chen Qingyun ordered.

No matter what, Jiang Zuo must be cleared of all charges today.

On the contrary, Jiang Zuo was calm and did not make any explanation.

Now, every word he doesn't say may be used as an article.

After a while, the West City Yamen Commander came to the court, knelt down and said, "Your Highness."

Chen Qingyun said, "I heard that your Xicheng Yamen recently arrested a man for stealing government supplies. Is this true?"

"Go back to the emperor, this is indeed the case."

The yamen commander nodded and said that as the highest person in charge of the Xicheng Yamen, this matter must be related to him.

"Have you investigated clearly? Is he really guilty?"

Chen Qingyun asked.

The yamen commander said, "That person broke into the government warehouse without permission. He most likely wanted to steal government supplies."

Chen Qingyun frowned and said, "So you don't have all the evidence to prove that he went there to steal."

This question really stumped the yamen commander. He turned his head and looked at someone unknown. After a moment, he said, "Your Majesty, the thief confessed his crime in prison. We are not wrongly accusing him."

"My cousin admitted his guilt?" Jiang Zuo sneered in his heart.

As for his cousin, the old farmer from the same village, he must have been tortured into confessing under the interrogation of these yamen officials.

Jiang Zuo was not panicking at this moment, but was observing the situation quietly.

The yamen official said, "It's just that the man claimed to be Prime Minister Jiang's cousin, so our yamen dare not punish him easily. Your Majesty, please make the decision."

This threw the problem onto the Empress and Jiang Zuo.

"This so-called relative of Prime Minister Jiang may just be a forced relationship and cannot be trusted."

The Empress said.

Chen Qingyun has been with Jiang Zuo for such a long time, but he has never heard of any of his relatives coming to the capital.

Deep down in her heart, she still trusts Jiang Zuo quite a bit.

At this moment, everyone in the court had their own thoughts.

Seeing that Jiangzuo was in trouble, many people were actually secretly happy.

As the biggest potential enemy of Jiangzuo, the right prime minister Lu Jun remained silent at this moment.

For this kind of thing, there is no need for him to show up. All he needs is for his subordinates to speak up and he can create trouble for Jiang Zuo.

"Your Majesty, why don't you bring that man to the palace and interrogate him in court? After all, this concerns Prime Minister Jiang's reputation, and we must not be careless."

An official suggested.

From their words, it seemed that they cared a lot about Jiang Zuo, but their real purpose was to embarrass Jiang Zuo.

Jiang Zuo was completely impeached for the crime of condoning and shielding others' crimes.

"No need for that. We can let the government in the capital handle this matter."

Chen Qingyun flatly refused, saying how could she know the little thoughts of these officials.

But Jiang Zuo didn't give any explanation now, which made Chen Qingyun quite anxious.

"But now many people in the capital are discussing this matter. I am afraid it will have a great impact on Prime Minister Jiang's reputation."

Someone else said that they simply didn't want this matter to pass.

Chen Qingyun already knew that this was clearly a false accusation. Even though it was not openly directed at Jiang Zuo, the real purpose of all this was to embarrass Jiang Zuo.

Chen Qingyun calmed down a little and said, "That person can't be a relative of Prime Minister Jiang, right, Prime Minister Jiang?"

As long as Jiang Zuo denies it himself, all problems can still be solved.

At this moment in the court, it seemed that everyone's eyes were on Jiang Zuo, expecting him to give a reasonable explanation.

"The man you are talking about is indeed my cousin. This is not false." Jiang Zuo admitted.

Hearing this, Chen Qingyun couldn't help but frowned, and said anxiously: "Jiang Zuo, you fool, why do you admit it?"

If Jiang Zuo didn't admit it, Chen Qingyun would have a thousand ways to help Jiang Zuo. But now Jiang Zuo took the initiative to acknowledge that relative. Isn't he falling into someone else's trap?

At this time, many officials in the court had expressions of gloating in their eyes.

Many people were dissatisfied with Jiang Zuo, the chief minister of the cabinet, especially the right prime minister's party.

Now that Jiangzuo is in trouble, let's ignore them and try to take advantage of the situation.

"Stealing government supplies is a capital crime... Your Majesty, since that person is really a relative of Prime Minister Jiang, how should we deal with him?"

An official said.

"If he is really a relative of Prime Minister Jiang, then we can let him off the hook."

Someone suggested.

These words were not helping Jiang Zuo, but were leading Jiang Zuo into a trap.

You know, the empress has enacted very strict laws, and whoever breaks the law will be punished.

If we let that man off just because he is a relative of Jiang Zuo, wouldn't that be a slap in the face of the empress?

After hearing what these officials said, Chen Qingyun felt even angrier.

"I will replace all these officials who pretend to obey but actually disobey my orders sooner or later," she said secretly in her heart.