The grass in the factory should be plucked

Zhang Yu was horrified, and hurriedly stepped out of the line, prostrating himself on the ground, his face filled with fear: "Your Majesty, I don't know what crime I have committed. Could it be that someone has framed me..."

The emperor's face was full of disgust. He took the account book from Liao Wuyong and threw it in front of Zhang Yu with a bang.

"The evidence is here, and you still want to quibble?"

As soon as Zhang Yu saw the familiar account book, he collapsed to the ground.

It turned out that someone from the East Factory really came last night! They actually found the account book!

Liang Shoufu stepped forward, picked up the account book, opened it and was horrified: "Zhang Yu, how dare you embezzle the taxes!"

Minister of Revenue Gao Fan was already uneasy when he saw Zhang Yu being questioned by the emperor. When he heard these words, he was struck by lightning.

He broke out in a cold sweat, crawled out of the line, prostrated himself, and cried, "Your Majesty, I failed to supervise you, I am guilty!"

He would rather be charged with negligence than be considered by the emperor to be in cahoots with the emperor.

The emperor said coldly, "Zhang Yu colluded with Zhejiang Provincial Administration Secretary Li Heng and Criminal Procurator Zhao Weiming to embezzle taxes, enrich himself, and make up excuses to levy heavy taxes. The Dali Temple, Jinyiwei, and Dongchang are ordered to jointly investigate this case. All the people in the Ministry of Revenue are suspended from their posts and detained."

He remembered that there was an "honest official" in the Ministry of Revenue, and said, "Zou Liang, the Right Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, will temporarily take over the position of Shangshu and assist the Dali Temple in investigating this case."

The officials of the Ministry of Revenue were immediately horrified and knelt down one after another: "We are innocent!"

Zou Liang was stunned by the pie in the sky again, and hurried forward and shouted: "I obey your order, Your Majesty is very perceptive!"

At this time, the Duke of Zhenguo Zhang Zhao stepped out and said, "Your Majesty, I want to impeach the Minister of Revenue Gao Fan and the Minister of War Zhu Dayong for embezzling military rations and passing inferior food off as good food!"

Minister of War Zhu Dayong's face turned pale: "Duke Zhenguo, when will I..."

The emperor laughed in anger: "Good, good! All of you... come here, take down Zhu Dayong as well!"

Minister of War Zhu Dayong fell to the ground and cried, "Your Majesty, I am innocent!"

The emperor coughed violently and suddenly felt a fishy and sweet taste in his throat. He quickly covered his mouth with a handkerchief.

"Your Majesty..." Liao Wuyong stepped forward worriedly and supported him.

The emperor put down the handkerchief and saw that it was stained with blood. His face turned pale.

He calmly put the handkerchief into Liao Wuyong's hand and glanced coldly at the chaotic court.

"Retreat."

The capital was suddenly in turmoil, and every official felt insecure.

The Jinyiwei and the Eastern Depot raided homes and arrested people every day, and the Dali Temple’s cells were almost full.

The emperor also fell ill, and the harem was filled with gloom and sorrow.

Former Prime Minister Zheng Shoucheng was in his study, pacing back and forth with a frown on his face.

The Second Prince's Consort Zheng sat on the chair with a nervous expression.

Zheng Shoucheng sighed, "Tell the Second Prince that those people in the Ministry of Revenue can no longer be saved. Cut off all ties with them as soon as possible and save your life!"

Zheng said anxiously: "Grandfather..."

"Don't worry, as long as the Second Prince stays dormant for the time being and does not interfere in this matter, he will not be implicated."

"The emperor is ill, and has asked the second prince to come to the palace to take care of him. Now is the time for him to show his filial piety!"

It's just a pity that the Ministry of Revenue had been in control for many years, but now all the efforts have been wasted and the second prince's main source of income has been cut off!

During this turbulent time, everyone in the Second Prince's party was in danger.

Zheng Shoucheng told them not to gather to discuss, not to pass information to each other, and to try not to meet.

It is advisable to lie dormant temporarily and protect yourself at this time. Save as many people as possible to avoid being caught in one fell swoop.

Zheng was a female member of the family, so it was legitimate for her to return to her parents' home to visit her relatives, which was a good opportunity for her to pass on the message to the Second Prince.

Given the current situation, Zhang Yu and others can only take the blame and cut off their responsibility to survive.

He wrote down the names of "Zou Liang", "Liao Wuyong" and "Xie Changan" on the paper, and then circled the name "Zou Liang".

Zou Liang was promoted twice before, so he must have joined Liao Wuyong. This time Zhang Yu got into trouble, needless to say, he must have informed the East Factory.

Zheng Shoucheng snorted. Zou Liang actually clung to the East Factory. If he were to become the Minister of Revenue, it would be tantamount to handing the Ministry of Revenue to the East Factory.

This person can't be kept!

The Duke of Zhenguo suddenly jumped out to impeach the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War, which also made him feel suspicious. Why did the Duke of Zhenguo come forward?

The Queen's faction was about to be eliminated? Were they going to support the eldest prince?

Nanyang.

Several heads of prominent families were gathering at the Xiao clan's site at this time.

Xiao Yunwang, the head of the Xiao family, was very proud: "The East Factory really helped us a lot this time! The Second Prince's faction was seriously injured after this incident. I heard that the emperor is ill again. It's just around the corner for our eldest prince to take over the East Palace!"

"I'm here to congratulate Brother Xiao and Brother Li in advance!" said the patriarch of the Wang family in Taiyuan flatteringly.

The eldest prince's wife was from the Longxi Li family. At this time, the Li family leader was also twirling his long beard, smiling, with an expression of pride.

The head of the Zheng family in Xingyang said, "There will be many vacancies in the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War, as well as the Zhejiang Provincial Administration and the Provincial Procuratorate. Why don't we discuss who will fill these vacancies?"

Xiao Yunwang asked, "Didn't the Cui family of Qinghe and the Lu family of Fanyang send anyone?"

The Qinghe Cui family and the Fanyang Lu family are first-class aristocratic families. They have stood firm for several dynasties and have always disdained to associate with the Xiao family. This time, Xiao Yunwang sent an invitation, and the patriarchs of the Cui and Lu families could not refuse.

The Wang clan leader said disdainfully, "They think they are noble and look down on us, the second-rate families."

Xiao Yunwang said proudly: "When our eldest prince takes the throne, no matter whether they are first-class or second-class families, they will still have to bow down to him!"

The Li clan leader smiled and said, "Brother Xiao is absolutely right."

Several clan leaders had already regarded the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of War and the entire Zhejiang Province as their own, and began to divide up the "fruits of victory."

When Cui Guangrui, the head of the Qinghe Cui clan, heard that the few people had met at the Xiao clan's territory, he sneered: "A bunch of idiots! They don't even think about why the Duke of Zhenguo would personally step down and impeach the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War?"

His grandson Cui Jue asked, "What do you think, grandfather?"

Cui Guangrui said nothing. He unfolded the rice paper and wrote "Eldest Prince" and "Second Prince". Then he wrote the three big characters "Third Prince".

Cui Jue asked in surprise: "The Third Prince?"

I heard that the third prince's mother's family was of humble origin and was not valued by the emperor. In the palace, he was just an invisible figure. Why did his grandfather mention him specifically?

Cui Guangrui smiled slightly: "Do you think the Queen's faction will support the eldest prince or the second prince?"

Cui Jue thought about it and shook his head: "The Queen will not choose them."

Cui Guangrui smiled and said, "The third prince's mother died early."

Cui Jue was surprised: "The Queen chose the Third Prince?"

Cui Guangrui said: "At present, this seems to be the best choice for Her Majesty the Queen."

He pondered for a moment, "Jue'er, it's time for you to enter the government."

Cui Jue was surprised. Were they planning to send him to the Third Prince?

He said solemnly: "I will follow Grandfather's arrangements."

Cui Guangrui thought for a moment and said, "Take your sister to the capital as well."

Cui Jue was even more surprised: "Jin'er?"

Cui Jin is his biological sister, a daughter of the Qinghe Cui family who was carefully raised. Grandfather wants to...

Cui Guangrui smiled slightly, saying meaningfully: "The third prince has not yet married."

Perhaps, Qinghe Cui family can produce a queen?