You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 15 They All Deserve to Die

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

Zhou Chen put down the memorial in his hand and rubbed his temples.

Since Empress Wu Ying's power to rule as regent was abolished, the power to approve memorials has returned to Emperor Zhou Chen.

Looking at the pile of memorials that were taller than his head, Zhou Chen felt somewhat exhausted.

Everyone says it's good to be an emperor, but once you actually sit on that throne, you realize how difficult it is.

Take these memorials in front of us, for example. Emperor Zhou Chen alone has to review and approve them in a very short time.

This is not an easy task.

And there can be no mistakes.

otherwise.

A single mistake by the emperor could result in the execution of millions.

Of course, this excludes incompetent rulers.

This is only a small part of the memorials.

"It seems I'll have to find a way to set up a special agency to handle government affairs," Zhou Chen thought to himself.

He didn't want to be overwhelmed by so many memorials every day, unable to get anything done.

However, the selection of candidates can only be determined by the system's check-in system.

Apart from Grand Tutor Wen Zhong, Zhou Chen trusted no one in the imperial court.

"Your Majesty, Eunuch Zhao requests an audience with Your Majesty."

Just then, a palace eunuch entered and bowed to report.

Zhao Gao?

Zhou Chen's eyes flashed.

"Let him in."

Three days have passed, and he wants to see what results Zhao Gao has found out.
"This old servant greets Your Majesty." Zhao Gao knelt down and bowed as soon as he entered.

Zhou Chen waved his hand: "Get up!"

"Zhao Gao, I gave you three days. Now that the three days have passed, what is the result I want?" Zhou Chen asked directly.

"Your Majesty, this is the result of my investigation over the past three days. Please take a look."

Zhao Gao took out a small folded document and handed it over.

Zhou Chen took the small folded document handed to him by Zhao Gao, which contained dozens of messages.

Zhou Chen glanced at it.

"Of the three million in disaster relief funds, two million eight hundred thousand were taken from the Ministry of Revenue's national treasury."

"After approval by various government departments, 2.5 million taels of silver were released from Luoyang."

"The disaster relief funds for the four prefectures in the northwest amounted to one million taels, but the actual amount delivered to the local areas was only five hundred thousand taels."

……

Zhou Chen looked at the messages on the folded booklet, his face turning grim.

OK!

Two hundred thousand taels of the three million taels of disaster relief funds were lost just as the money left the house.

He lost 500,000 taels of silver the moment he was discharged from the hospital.

Where did all that money go?

Could it be that they were all damaged during transportation?

Zhou Chen's anger surged to his head.

In particular, in the four northwestern prefectures, the imperial court had allocated one million taels of silver for disaster relief, but only five hundred thousand taels were delivered to the local areas.

Five hundred thousand taels may seem like a lot, but how much can each of the four prefectures receive for disaster relief?
Zhou Chen now understands why the situation in the four northwestern prefectures has deteriorated to such an extent.

however.

When Zhou Chen saw the remaining messages, he became even more furious and slammed the small folded document hard onto the imperial table.

"The imperial court allocated one million taels of silver for disaster relief to the four northwestern prefectures, but only 500,000 taels actually reached the local areas, leaving less than 100,000 taels for actual disaster relief and relief for the victims."

"The government office only sets up a soup kitchen in front of the gate for two hours each day. Those who arrive first can get half a bowl of plain soup, while those who arrive later will not receive any."

“Disaster victims gathered at the entrance of the government office, begging for their lives. The government officials forcibly drove them away and suppressed them, which aroused public unrest.”

……

Less than 100,000 taels?
In the four prefectures, the actual amount of silver used for disaster relief was less than 100,000 taels.
In other words, each prefecture received less than 30,000 in disaster relief funds.

How terrible this is.

Zhou Chen was furious. He knew that the four prefectures in the northwest were the hardest-hit areas, and each prefecture contained many counties.

A mere 100,000 taels of silver for disaster relief is probably not even enough for one prefecture, let alone the entire four prefectures of the Northwest.

and also.

The government office only opens its congee shop for two hours a day. You have to be there first to get half a bowl of plain congee. Those who come later don't get any.

What kind of disaster relief is this?
If it were Zhou Chen, he would have killed these corrupt officials and rebelled.

"Damn it."

They all deserve to die.

Zhou Chen slammed his fist on the table and angrily threw the small folded document onto the dragon-shaped desk.

Of the one million in disaster relief funds, only less than one hundred thousand were actually used for disaster relief.

Where did the rest of the disaster relief funds go?

Zhou Chen knew without even thinking.

Officials who travel thousands of miles just for money—this kind of corrupt official has never been lacking in any dynasty.

The Great Zhou Dynasty naturally had no shortage of such resources.

Although Zhou Chen had expected this, he never imagined that these people would have such big appetites, and weren't they afraid of overeating?

"Your Majesty, rest your anger."

"Your Majesty, rest your anger."

The palace maids and eunuchs in the main hall were so frightened that they knelt down.

Even Zhao Gao was no exception.

When Zhao Gao handed over this memorial, he had already anticipated that the emperor would be furious.

But it's unknown whether the Emperor, in a fit of rage, will take up the sword at this moment and launch a thorough and large-scale investigation into the matter.

"Zhao Gao, I ask you, are all of these true?"

"Has it been found out exactly who embezzled this batch of disaster relief funds?"

Zhou Chen stared directly at Zhao Gao, his eyes blazing with anger.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Gao immediately replied, "Your Majesty, it is all true. As for who exactly they are, this old servant has not yet found out."

No results were found?

Zhou Chen's gaze sharpened, making Zhao Gao feel uneasy.

Zhou Chen only withdrew his gaze and sat back on the dragon throne when Zhao Gao was about to collapse.

Whether Zhao Gao genuinely failed to uncover the truth or not, it doesn't matter.

Zhou Chen knew that none of that mattered.

The important thing is that now is not the time to deal with this.

Corruption has always been a major issue in every dynasty. Once it is investigated, it will inevitably implicate a large number of people.

At this critical juncture of disaster relief and civil unrest, this is not a good time.

If not handled properly, it could cause internal and external turmoil.

Therefore, it is not too late to settle scores after the disaster relief is completed and the civil unrest in the four northwestern prefectures is quelled.

Having figured this out, Zhou Chen suppressed his anger, glanced at Zhao Gao, and asked again, "How's the investigation into Zhang De going? Any results?"

Zhou Chen did not find any information about Zhang De in Zhao Gao's memorial.

He couldn't help but wonder if Zhao Gao truly didn't understand his thoughts, or if Zhao Gao had ulterior motives.

"Your Majesty, the investigation into Zhang De has led to a physician in the Imperial Medical Academy."

"However, the imperial physician committed suicide, and all leads have been lost."

Zhao Gao said, forcing himself to speak.

Committed suicide?
Zhou Chen narrowed his eyes upon hearing Zhao Gao's words.

Zhao Gao had been unable to find any clues about Zhang De's background, but now he had discovered a royal physician, who was now dead.

Was this a coincidence or intentional?

Zhou Chen pondered for a moment, then looked at Zhao Gao and said, "Keep the token I gave you with you!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Gao was visibly taken aback, then nodded; "Your Majesty, this old servant has always carried it with me."

Zhao Gao was a little puzzled. Wasn't he supposed to be asking about Zhang De? Why was he suddenly asking about the token?

"Now, take that token and go to Qingfeng Palace to deliver the imperial decree. The Empress has a grudge against Zhang De and has placed him under house arrest in Qingfeng Palace. He is not to step out of Qingfeng Palace without the decree." Zhou Chen did not give Zhao Gao time to think and said directly.

(End of this chapter)