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Chapter 504: Means (I)

Minister Wang's jaw was broken! He can no longer speak nonsense!

Jiang Yi was stunned, his mouth opened wide unconsciously.

Is it still possible to do things this way?

Deliberately picking quarrels and provoking Wang to speak rudely, and then arresting him for disrespecting the emperor. This whole set of actions was extremely smooth. It was like a trap had been dug in advance, and Wang cooperated very well, jumping into the trap neatly... This method was really powerful.

"Please calm down, my princess!" Minister Ding finally came back to his senses from the shock, and hurriedly took two steps forward, bowed and apologized on behalf of Minister Wang: "Minister Wang was anxious today and said something he shouldn't have said. However, Minister Wang was only doing his job and did nothing wrong. Please forgive him this time, my princess."

A minister like him would lose all his dignity if he was taken to the Ministry of Justice.

Jiang Shaohua said calmly, "Minister Ding saw everything that happened today. This princess wants to look at the military records and account books, but Minister Wang kept shirking responsibility and said he didn't know, and his words were disrespectful to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. This princess can bear some grievances, but she will not tolerate anyone offending the Emperor or being disrespectful to the Empress Dowager."

"Minister Ding, there is no need to say anything. Minister Wang must go to the Ministry of Justice and wait for the emperor's decision."

After saying that, he waved his hand.

Qin Hu, Meng Sanbao and other personal guards immediately "escorted" Minister Wang out.

Minister Wang's eyes were bulging and his face was red. Unfortunately, his jaw was broken and he couldn't speak. His arms were also tightly twisted. Only his legs could move. He struggled to stop.

Qin Hu was a little impatient, so he simply struck Wang Shilang unconscious with a palm strike. Then he and Meng Sanbao "supported" Wang Shilang and walked away easily.

Minister Ding was so anxious that beads of sweat appeared on his forehead: "Princess..."

Jiang Shaohua looked over and said, "Minister Ding, this princess wants to ask you, why did the border army's military expenditure increase instead of decrease this year?"

Minister Ding was in charge of the account books and did not dare to say he did not know. He hesitated for a moment and then whispered, "General Zuo was questioned, and General Fan took over the border army. Minister Zheng specially allocated 10% more military funds, so that General Fan could pay the border army the full amount, and there would be less resistance in the army."

It was indeed the idea of ​​Duke Anguo.

No one knows whether the frontier troops have been paid in full. But General Fan can make a fortune as soon as he takes office. This is a huge favor.

Jiang Shaohua curled his lips sarcastically: "I heard that the Anguo Mansion and the Fan family are discussing marriage. Minister Zheng is very generous."

Minister Ding pretended not to hear the sarcasm and continued to stand respectfully, waiting for the princess to ask questions.

Jiang Shaohua continued to look through the account books, asking from time to time: "Has the military expenditure for the garrison generally only been paid 50% this year?"

"Yes."

"Of this 50% of military pay, how much will be left after it is actually distributed to the soldiers?"

Minister Ding was also a clever man. He answered in a low voice, "Each commander has a different temperament and style. In my opinion, there must be 30% or 40% of it. After all, there is the precedent of the rebellion in Pingzhou. We can't deduct too much."

Jiang Shaohua glanced at Minister Ding.

Nanyang Palace also had a selective approach to making friends with court officials. The six ministers each had their own factions, and their official positions were too high to be easily won over. Those with too low official positions were useless. Therefore, Nanyang Palace focused on making friends with officials between the fifth and third ranks. For example, Dong Shilang of the Ministry of Rites was the highest-ranking official among them. According to court practice, when Minister Li retired, Dong Shilang, who was the left minister, would be the best candidate to succeed the Minister of Rites.

Yang Shilang of the Ministry of Justice was slightly weaker, being the third in command of the Ministry of Justice. However, he could be quite useful at critical moments.

As for the Minister Ding in front of him, he could be said to be low-key or cautious. His dealings with the Nanyang Palace have always been well hidden, and very few people know about it. This also means that Minister Ding rarely speaks for the Nanyang Palace in front of others.

It can also be said that Minister Ding is a wavering fence-sitter. It is possible for him to help the Nanyang Palace without damaging his own interests. Once he encounters any storm, he may not be able to rely on him.

Minister Ding was also secretly amazed in his heart.

A teenage girl, full of power, a glance from her could make people dare not look up. If she were a man, it would be no problem for her to stir up the court and dominate the world. Fortunately, she was a woman, otherwise, how could the emperor rest in peace!

……

Less than half an hour later, Yang Shilang from the Ministry of Justice came in person.

"My Lady," Minister Yang bowed and saluted, "Minister Wang's words were disrespectful and offended the Emperor, and a formal case has been filed. However, there is a convention in the court that officials above the third rank will not be punished for their crimes, and their punishment must be decided by the Emperor himself."

Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly: "You are responsible for filing the case. This princess will report this matter to the emperor in the palace, and the emperor will deal with it. Remember to pick a clean cell for Minister Wang to live in, and provide him with food and clothing."

The princess wanted to use Minister Wang to establish her authority and rectify the atmosphere in the Ministry of War. She also wanted to use this incident to vent the anger of Minister Zheng. Empress Dowager Zheng would be happy if she knew about it. It can be said that she achieved three goals with one stone!
Minister Yang understood what he meant and agreed, and reported: "There is another matter. The eight corpses brought into the Ministry of Justice last night all had mottled and old knife marks on their faces, and their faces could not be identified."

These were the real death warriors. Regardless of whether the assassination was successful or not, they would die as soon as they showed up.

Jiang Shaohua hummed, and glanced at Jiang Yi, whether intentionally or unintentionally: "Since the assassin's face cannot be identified, we should start with their clothes and weapons and examine them carefully."

Jiang Yi had been copying for half a day, and his wrists were sore, so he was rubbing them to rest. Suddenly, Jiang Shaohua asked him, "Cousin Yi, in your opinion, how many people in the capital can afford so many assassins and quietly ambush them outside the Ministry of Works?"

Jiang Yi looked innocent: "It's hard to say. Cousin Shaohua, please don't embarrass me."

It's not too many, but at least there are a few. If you say it out loud, you will seriously offend people.

Jiang Shaohua looked at Jiang Yi and said, "Needless to say, the Wang family and the Zheng family both have this ability. The military commander's mansion can also pick out a few families. As for the royal family, you are much more familiar with it than I am."

Jiang Yi was pushed to a corner and had to answer: "Among the royal family, there are five princes. Prince of Dongping, Prince of Huaiyang, Prince of Wu'an, Prince of Nanyang, and Prince of Gaoliang."

Jiang Shaohua said with a half-smile, "It's not like I would assassinate myself. The Nanyang Palace can be ruled out. Then there are only four families left."

Jiang Yi immediately said, "Cousin Shaohua, you are joking. You can't write two Jiang characters with one stroke. How can family members do evil to each other?"

Jiang Shaohua pulled the corner of his mouth, turned to Yang Shilang and said: "This princess just said that casually. Yang Shilang is investigating the case normally, there is no need to specifically investigate the Imperial Clan Court and several princes."

Minister Yang responded respectfully.

Jiang Yi: “…”