Daming: I can’t kill such a greedy prince-in-law?

As the land for railway stations was successfully auctioned one after another, new cities for railway stations were successively approved, and various investment promotion work was carried out smoothly, merchants from the Ming Dynasty as well as foreign merchants joined in. The Ming Dynasty's economy developed, and money flowed into the Ministry of Revenue.

The copper lock of the Ministry of Revenue opened with a click, and more than a dozen clerks filed in. They were stunned by the scene before them. In the warehouse, silver ingots piled up like a mountain, shining coldly in the morning light; gold bars were neatly stacked like a dazzling wall; various jewels were placed in sandalwood boxes, dazzling and dazzling. The air was filled with a strange smell of metal and sandalwood.

"How much is this?" A young clerk's voice trembled and he almost dropped the account book in his hand.

The official from the Ministry of Revenue took a deep breath and twisted his beard unconsciously with his fingers: "According to preliminary estimates, the silver alone is no less than 80 million taels, plus gold and jewelry, the total value exceeds 1 billion taels." When he said this number, he felt his throat tighten.

"One billion?!" The officials gasped. This number was equivalent to the total tax revenue of the Ming Dynasty for five years.

The news spread like wildfire throughout Yingtian Prefecture in less than half a day. In the streets and alleys, in teahouses and taverns, everyone was discussing this astonishing number.

"Have you heard? The Prince Consort Ouyang Lun received 1 billion taels of silver from merchants this time!"

"A billion? Good God, that's going to be a tall pile!"

"What's even more frightening is that I heard that the businessman even gave the prince consort a 'tribute' in private! The amount was as high as 200 million!"

Inside the palace, Zhu Biao was reviewing memorials when his personal eunuch, Little Li, ran in in a panic and knelt on the ground, "Your Majesty! Big news! The Ministry of Revenue..."

Zhu Biao frowned: "Why are you so panicked?"

Little Li swallowed his saliva and said, "Master Ouyang raised a total of 1 billion taels of silver this time, and the merchants also gave Master Ouyang 200 million in private!"

"What?" Zhu Biao's red pen fell on the memorial with a "smack", staining a large area red. "Two hundred million private silver? Is the news true?"

"It's absolutely true! Now all the civil and military officials in the court know about it." Little Li rested his forehead on the ground, "The Censorate has been in an uproar, saying that the prince consort is... this is..."

"What is it? Tell me!"

"It is said that the greatest corrupt official since the founding of the Ming Dynasty!"

Zhu Biao's face turned pale in an instant.

He stood up suddenly, and the belt of his dragon robe overturned the teacup on the table, spilling hot tea on his bright yellow robe, but he was completely unaware of it.

"Immediately summon Ouyang Lun to the palace!" Zhu Biao's voice was more severe than ever before. "Also, invite the emperor to the Fengtian Palace and tell him that there is something important to discuss."

In the mansion of the Duke of Han, Li Shanchang was drinking tea and discussing matters with several of his former subordinates from Huaixi. The housekeeper came in hurriedly and whispered something in his ear. Li Shanchang paused with the teacup in his hand, and a gleam of light flashed in his eyes.

"Everyone," he slowly put down the teacup, his voice filled with suppressed excitement, "I just got the news that Ouyang Lun privately received 200 million taels of silver from merchants during this investment promotion."

"Two hundred million?!" Huang Zicheng, the Minister of Rites, almost jumped up from his chair. "This is really too bold!"

Lan Yu sneered, his fingers unconsciously stroking the golden knife at his waist: "This kid finally showed his fox tail. Two hundred million private silver is enough to chop off his head ten times!"

Li Shanchang narrowed his eyes and tapped the table with his fingers: "Don't be too happy too soon. Ouyang Lun is not a reckless person. There must be something fishy about this matter."

"Your Majesty is too cautious," Huang Zicheng said anxiously, "The evidence is irrefutable. The 200 million private silver is in the Ministry of Revenue's treasury. Everyone in the court knows about it. If we don't impeach him this time, when will we do so?"

Li Shanchang pondered for a moment and suddenly asked, "Have the silver been registered?"

The housekeeper bowed and replied: "I heard that they are all recorded in the "Investment Supplement", and every penny has a source."

Li Shanchang's eyes gleamed, "That's right. Ouyang Lun has always been very careful in his actions. Since he dared to accept money openly and register it in the register, he must have something to rely on." He stood up and walked to the window, "I'm afraid this matter is not that simple."

Lan Yu slammed the table impatiently and stood up: "No matter what he relies on! The 200 million private money is a fact. I will report him to the court tomorrow morning!"

Li Shanchang turned around, his eyes sharp as a knife: "General Lan, please be patient. If you want to impeach, you have to find the key points." He sneered, "Go and check those merchants who gave 'tributes' to see if they have any connection with Ouyang Lun. Especially the Prince of Yan's Mansion."

Inside the Fengtian Hall, Zhu Yuanzhang was playing with a piece of fine Hetian jade. After listening to Zhu Biao's report, his face showed no emotion.

"Father, what do you think about this matter?" Zhu Biao asked cautiously.

Zhu Yuanzhang threw the jade onto the table, making a crisp sound: "Biao'er, do you think Ouyang Lun would embezzle money?"

Zhu Biao hesitated for a moment: "Your son, I dare not make a rash judgment. But two hundred million private silver is a staggering amount."

"Before, my brother-in-law mentioned to me that he would collect some funds privately, but I didn't expect the amount to be so large. For a moment, I was a little unsure."

"A staggering number?" Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly laughed, but his laughter was a little cold. "When we were conquering the world, the gold, silver and jewelry offered by those surrendered generals were much more than this! The key is not the number, but where it came from and where it went."

Zhu Biao's eyes lit up: "Father means"

"Go ask your good brother-in-law," Zhu Yuanzhang stood up, with his hands behind his back, looking outside the hall, "what he plans to do with the two hundred million taels. If you can't give a clear idea..." He snorted coldly and said nothing more.

At this time, the eunuch came to report: "Your Majesty, the consort Ouyang Lun wants to see you."

Zhu Biao and Zhu Yuanzhang looked at each other and said, "Announce."

Ouyang Lun walked into the palace with a normal look and performed the formal ceremony: "I pay my respects to your majesty and the emperor."

Zhu Biao stared at him and said straight to the point: "Brother-in-law, what's the matter with the 200 million private money?"

Ouyang Lun took out a thick booklet from his sleeve calmly: "Your Majesty, what you are asking about must be the amount of money that merchants "voluntarily offered" as recorded in the "Appendix to Merchant Recruitment". These 203,720,000 taels of silver have been registered in the booklet, and each amount has been signed and sealed by the merchant."

"I explained this to Your Majesty at the beginning. I didn't expect the effect to be so good. This money is indeed a bit too much."

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly interrupted: "Ouyang Lun, do you know what crime is imposed according to the Ming Dynasty Law for accepting money from merchants privately?"

Ouyang Lun looked directly at Zhu Yuanzhang and said in a steady voice: "Your Majesty, according to the law, he should be executed. But what I received was not a bribe, but a 'good faith deposit' voluntarily paid by the businessman."

"Deposit?" Zhu Biao repeated in confusion. "Exactly." Ouyang Lun flipped open the booklet. "Most of these merchants are foreigners or new merchants. They don't have enough assets to pledge, but they are eager to participate in the investment promotion. I will ask them to pay a deposit to ensure their honest business. This money will not go into the national treasury, but will be used exclusively for the construction of the new station city and risk compensation. If the merchants abide by the law, the principal and interest will be returned after five years; if they violate the law, the money will be confiscated and dealt with."

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes flashed with admiration, but he quickly turned stern again: "That's a nice thing to say! You're just leaving 200 million silver coins in the Ministry of Revenue. Aren't you afraid that someone will get it?"

Ouyang Lun smiled slightly and said, "Your Majesty, I have asked Your Majesty to divide this money into three parts: 100 million taels for the Northwest Army, 50 million taels for the relief of the victims in Henan, and the remaining 50 million taels for the emergency needs of the station construction." Then he took out another memorial and said, "Please review the specific distribution plan, Your Majesty."

Zhu Biao took the memorial, glanced through it quickly, and his expression gradually eased: "So that's how it is. My brother-in-law has already made arrangements, and I was worrying too much."

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly slammed the table and said, "Ouyang Lun! You are so bold!" This angry shout shook the candlelight in the hall. "Military pay in the northwest and disaster relief in Henan are all important matters of the court. How dare you make decisions on your own? Why don't you report it!"

Ouyang Lun said in a neither humble nor arrogant manner: "I dare not. I am now the Prime Minister of the Cabinet and the General of the Military Cabinet. I have the power to make decisions on military and political affairs. I have discussed this matter with the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue, but I have not yet reported it to Your Majesty. If there is anything wrong, I am willing to take the blame."

After saying that, he muttered, "It was the Emperor himself who told me to do it boldly."

There was silence in the hall for a moment.

Zhu Biao looked at his father, then at his brother-in-law, and suddenly understood something, and the corners of his mouth rose slightly.

Zhu Yuanzhang stared at Ouyang Lun for a long time, and suddenly laughed out loud: "Great! Great Ouyang Lun! This trick of 'openly repairing the plank road, secretly crossing Chencang' is played beautifully!" He turned to Zhu Biao, "Biao'er, your brother-in-law is more cunning than we thought."

Zhu Biao also laughed: "Father means"

"There will be a good show at the court tomorrow morning." Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes, "Let's see who can't wait to jump out."

The next morning, all officials gathered in front of the Fengtian Hall, and the atmosphere was extremely tense.

People gathered in twos and threes, talking in low voices, and occasionally glancing at Ouyang Lun who was standing in the queue of civil servants.

Ouyang Lun, however, looked calm as he discussed the planning of the new city with the Minister of Revenue Guo Zi beside him, as if he was completely unaware that he had become the target of public criticism.

"Prince Consort Ouyang is in such a refined mood." Lan Yu came closer at some point, and his voice was so loud that everyone could hear it. "With 200 million private money in hand, he can still remain so calm. I admire you!"

Ouyang Lun smiled slightly: "Duke Liang is joking. The two hundred million taels are the merchant's deposit, which is used for a specific purpose. How can it be called 'private money'?"

"Deposit?" Lan Yu sneered, "Does the Ming Dynasty law say this? Taking money from merchants privately is corruption!"

At this time, Li Shanchang walked slowly, and the officials made way. He looked at Ouyang Lun and said meaningfully: "My Lord, some money is too hot to handle."

Just as Ouyang Lun was about to respond, a eunuch's shrill voice came from inside the palace: "The Emperor has arrived!"

The officials quickly filed into the palace. Zhu Biao sat on the dragon throne, his eyes swept over the officials, and lingered on Ouyang Lun for a moment.

"If you have a document, please submit it. If you don't, please leave the court."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lan Yu strode out and said, "I have a memorial to report!" He held up the memorial and said in a loud voice, "I impeach the son-in-law of the emperor, Ouyang Lun, for taking advantage of the opportunity to attract businessmen to accept bribes of 200 million taels. He is indeed the biggest corrupt official since the founding of our dynasty! Your Majesty, please investigate!"

There was an uproar in the hall. Although everyone had known about this matter for a long time, they still caused a commotion when they heard Lan Yu impeaching him in court.

Zhu Biao's face darkened: "General Lan, is there any witness or evidence for this matter?"

Lan Yu was full of confidence: "Your Majesty, the 200 million private silver is now stored in the Ministry of Revenue's warehouse, and all the civil and military officials in the court can testify! Ouyang Lun privately accepted money from merchants, which violated Article 324 of the Ming Dynasty Law. He should be executed according to the law!"

Several Huaixi Party officials came out to second the motion: "I second the motion!" "The evidence of Ouyang Lun's guilt is irrefutable, please punish him severely!"

Zhu Biao looked at Ouyang Lun and asked, "Does the Prince Consort have anything to say?"

Ouyang Lun stepped out calmly and took out the booklet from yesterday from his sleeve: "Your Majesty, this is the 'Appendix to Merchant Recruitment', which records in detail the amount of money each merchant 'voluntarily donated' and its purpose. I collected this money, firstly to constrain merchants to operate with integrity, and secondly to enrich the national treasury. All the money is accounted for, so how can there be corruption?"

Lan Yu interrupted sharply: "Sweet words and flattering appearances! The Ming Dynasty Law clearly stipulates that officials are not allowed to accept money from merchants. Those who violate this will be punished for corruption!"

Ouyang Lun said calmly, "Duke Liang is right. But the law also stipulates that if it is necessary for official business, specific funds can be collected with the approval of the court. This move has been jointly signed by the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works, and it is in accordance with the procedures."

Li Shanchang suddenly stepped out and said, "Your Majesty, I have something that I don't understand. Of the 200 million taels, 50 million taels were marked as being used for disaster relief in Henan. But as far as I know, there was no major disaster in Henan, so the whereabouts of this money is questionable."

Ouyang Lun's eyes flashed with a sharpness, and then he regained his composure: "Duke Han is well-informed, but a little behind. Three days ago, Henan sent an urgent report of the Yellow River bursting its banks and flooding three counties. These 50 million taels are for the relief of the victims."

Li Shanchang's face changed, obviously he had not expected this.

Zhu Biao spoke at the right time: "It is true. I have ordered the Ministry of Revenue to allocate silver for disaster relief. Your move is just what we need."

There was a moment of silence in the court. The Huaixi Party members looked at each other in bewilderment, not expecting Ouyang Lun to have been prepared.

At this time, Ouyang Lun suddenly took out a document from his bosom: "Your Majesty, I have something else to report. When checking the background of merchants, I found that some people used the name of attracting investment to bribe." He looked at Li Shanchang meaningfully, "Especially this Li Jin, who claimed to be the distant nephew of the Duke of Korea, and asked for money from merchants in the name of the Duke, promising to guarantee their qualification to attract investment."

Li Shanchang's face changed drastically: "Nonsense! I don't even know any Li Jin!"

Ouyang Lun said calmly: "This man is currently being held in the Ministry of Justice. If the Duke does not believe me, you can confront him face to face. According to his confession, 30% of the stolen money was sent to the Duke's Mansion."

"You are slandering me!" Li Shanchang was so angry that his beard was shaking. "Your Majesty, please understand. Someone is framing me!"

Zhu Biao's face was gloomy: "I will investigate this matter thoroughly. If it is true, I will not let you off easily!"

The situation in the court was reversed in an instant. The Huaixi Party, which had been so aggressive, was now on pins and needles.

Ouyang Lun took advantage of the victory and continued: "Your Majesty, I was indeed not considerate enough about the merchants' voluntary contribution, and I am willing to accept the punishment. But all the money has been used for state affairs, and not a single cent has flowed into private pockets. If Your Majesty is worried, you can send someone to check."

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment and said, "The matter will be investigated by the Metropolitan Procuratorate. As for the son-in-law, although he did something wrong, his original intention was to serve the country. His merits and demerits offset each other, so he will not be held accountable."

Lan Yu was unwilling to say something, but was stopped by Li Shanchang's eyes. (End of this chapter)