The poorest member of the Imperial Guard, the Empress begged me to embezzle.

"Minister Chu, I am very pleased that you are so devoted to the country."

"However, even this is by no means an easy task to achieve."

"Just dredging, building, or reinforcing the waterways of our entire Great Zhou Dynasty would require a huge amount of money."

"Such a huge sum of money, the national treasury probably can't come up with it..."

Murong Si was silent for a moment, then sighed and said.

"Your Majesty, since I have investigated the matter of water conservancy construction, I am confident that I can solve the funding problem."

"Your Majesty need not worry about this matter."

"All financial expenditures will be handled by our Embroidered Uniform Guard."

“It will be drawn from our Jinyiwei public welfare special fund.”

"At the same time, in order to ensure that the water conservancy project is carried out without any compromise and to ensure that local officials do not embezzle this money."

"Our Imperial Guards will dispatch their elite officers to supervise this process, ensuring that every tael of silver is used effectively."

Chu Xiu smiled slightly and said to Murong Si.

"Are you sure Minister Chu can resolve the financial issue?"

Murong Si was stunned for a moment, looking at Chu Xiu with a look of astonishment, and said in disbelief.

This sum of money was enough to empty the entire treasury of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Is it possible that the Embroidered Uniform Guard's special funds for public welfare are now greater than the national treasury of the Great Zhou Dynasty?

wrong.

Even if we empty the treasury of the Great Zhou Dynasty, it might not be enough!

Jiang Wan'er and Pei Guanyin also looked at Chu Xiu with shocked expressions.

"Your Majesty, I am certain."

"Although the funds in our Jinyiwei public welfare special fund may not be enough at present."

"But it will be enough soon!"

Chu Xiu smiled calmly and said.

"Does Minister Chu intend to confiscate the property and exterminate the families of those officials who embezzled funds to build water conservancy projects, and then extract large sums of money from their homes to continue the projects?"

Murong Si's heart stirred, and she asked Chu Xiu.

"Your Majesty, since it is not advisable for us to cause a major disturbance at present, we can only focus on the major cases and let the minor ones go, arresting a group of people as a warning to others."

"It's impossible to arrest everyone, confiscate their property, and exterminate their entire families."

Chu Xiu considered for a moment and said, "So, these people may be able to provide us with a large sum of money, but it is far from enough compared to all the money needed for the water conservancy project."

Even adding the funds from our Jinyiwei public welfare special fund wouldn't be enough.

However, this humble servant has another way to make money.

"Other ways to make money?"

Murong Si looked at Chu Xiu with curiosity on her stunningly beautiful face.

That is to say, there are no outsiders here right now.

Otherwise, no one would believe that Murong Si, the usually dignified Empress of the Great Zhou Dynasty, could be so curious.

"Your Majesty should have already guessed that Qin Yu, the master of the number one manor in the world, has died by my sword, right?"

Chu Xiu smiled gently and said.

"guessed."

Murong Si's heart skipped a beat, and she said, "Could it be that Minister Chu intends to make a move against the number one manor in the world?"

Jiang Wan'er and Pei Guanyin were also staring intently at Chu Xiu.

Clearly, they all guessed that this matter was related to Chu Xiu, or that Qin Yu had died by Chu Xiu's sword.

So it’s not strange at all.

"Your Majesty, Qin Yu's eldest disciple became the master of the number one manor in the world after Qin Yu's death."

"We are currently inviting people from all walks of life to prepare for a martial arts conference."

"This martial arts tournament is naturally for the purpose of eliminating this humble subject."

“Since these people have no regard for the law and intend to rebel, I can take this opportunity to eliminate them all.”

"Among these people in the martial arts world, some have considerable wealth. They can use their accumulated wealth to build water conservancy projects and benefit the people of the world."

Chu Xiu pondered for a moment, then explained to Murong Si.

"Minister Chu's move is brilliant!"

"In this way, the problem of funding for water conservancy projects will be completely solved!"

"When does Minister Chu plan to begin the water conservancy project?"

"Is it after the martial arts tournament at the number one manor in the world, or is it starting now?"

Murong Si's eyes lit up, and she slapped the table in admiration.

"Your Majesty, we are not in a hurry to take action at the martial arts tournament of the number one manor in the world. Our Embroidered Uniform Guard's special fund for public welfare has accumulated a sum of money, which can be used to start the water conservancy project."

Chu Xiu said with a serious expression.

"I understand."

"I will instruct the cabinet to entrust the water conservancy project to Minister Chu's Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"The cabinet will issue orders to the officials of all prefectures and counties of our Great Zhou Dynasty, and the officials of each prefecture and county will cooperate."

"At the same time, the Embroidered Uniform Guard will be responsible for supervision!"

"Anyone who dares to touch the money for water conservancy projects will be executed without prior notification by the Embroidered Uniform Guard. No matter who is involved, they will be killed without mercy!"

"Moreover, before the water conservancy project officially began, Minister Chu, based on the list, first investigated and dealt with the officials who had embezzled funds for the project."

"This is to warn officials who want to embezzle funds intended for water conservancy projects."

Murong Si spoke in a deep and powerful voice.

She could focus on the major officials who embezzled funds for water conservancy projects and let the minor ones go, only arresting a portion of them as a warning to others.

But if these people dare to take advantage of the money now being used for water conservancy projects, then don't blame her for being ruthless!

"Yes, I obey your order!"

Chu Xiu stood up, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Murong Si, and said in a firm and resounding voice.

"Minister Chu, what do you think is a reasonable number of officials on the current list who embezzled funds for water conservancy projects to be removed?"

Murong Si pondered for a moment, then looked at Chu Xiu and asked, "And how many of these are from powerful and influential families?"

"Your Majesty, I believe that one-third of the waste should be disposed of."

"And this third of the money was embezzled by the officials who spent the most on water conservancy projects, regardless of their status."

"Whether they come from powerful and influential families, or are officials without any background or status."

"Anyone who is truly corrupt will be taken down and treated equally."

"We'll ignore the remaining two-thirds for now!"

Chu Xiu said with a solemn expression.

Chu Xiu had already considered this issue on his way to the palace to meet the emperor.

"Alright, then let's do it according to Minister Chu's idea."

"I will also order the Imperial Guards and the Beijing Garrison to prepare."

"If anyone dares to take such a risk, we will directly mobilize the Beijing Garrison, or even the Imperial Guards, and suppress them with overwhelming force!"

A glint of shrewdness flashed in Murong Si's eyes as she spoke with chilling murderous intent.

Although Chu Xiu's plan only involved arresting one-third of the corrupt officials, while letting those who were lazy, negligent, or derelict in their duties go unpunished, thus avoiding a major upheaval, Murong Si, as the Empress of the Great Zhou Dynasty, still had to be prepared.

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."

Chu Xiu said respectfully.

"Minister Chu, there is no need to thank me. The person who should be thanking me is me, not you, Minister Chu."

"Minister Chu is doing this for our entire Great Zhou Dynasty, for the eternal prosperity of our Great Zhou Dynasty, and for the millions upon millions of ordinary people of our Great Zhou Dynasty!"

Murong Si waved her hand and said with a sigh, "If our Great Zhou Dynasty had more pillars of the state like Minister Chu, how could our Great Zhou Dynasty not prosper?"