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Chapter 712 Cutting the Meat (Part )

The next day was a grand court meeting.

The emperor sat upright on the dragon throne, and Wang Zhongshu Ling held the memorial from Duke Anguo and read it out in court.

The grand court meeting was originally solemn and quiet, but this memorial of apology was like a drop of water falling into a frying pan, which immediately exploded.

The officials who had submitted memorials to impeach the Duke of Anguo came out one after another to curse him. The original party of the Empress Dowager remained silent, and no one stood up to defend the Duke of Anguo.

A huge hole had been dug into the Zheng family's huge ship, and cold river water kept pouring in from the hole. It was barely still on the water, but it was doomed to sink.

It was the Empress Dowager Zheng who did her best to save the Zheng family. Otherwise, the Zheng family would have been dragged to the execution ground, beheaded, and their property confiscated and exterminated.

Duke Anguo resigned from his office and title and donated half of his family property, which was just enough to stop the gossips.

The emperor sat and listened to the officials scolding Duke Anguo for a long time before he spoke: "Duke Anguo confessed his crimes and asked to resign. I have approved it."

"The Zheng family donated half of their property to cover the military expenses of the Yingwei Camp. This can be considered as a way to atone for their sins! I will forgive the Zheng family this time."

"Minister Ji!"

Minister Ji immediately bowed his hands and said, "I am here!"

"Duke An has been a duke for many years, so I have to give him some respect." The emperor said in a light tone, "You go to the Zheng family in person and tell them that everything that happened before is written off. The 50% of the family property donated by the Zheng family must be deposited into the national treasury without a penny less. It will be used specifically as military expenses for the British Guard Camp to quell the rebellion."

What's the point?
The key point is that not a single cent is missing!
This is the money that Duke Anguo used to redeem the lives of the Zheng family. Since it is said to be 50%, it must be the real 50%.

Minister Ji immediately understood what he meant and responded in a deep voice: "I will do my best to carry out my mission."

……

It is not uncommon for the new emperor to purge the court and appoint his own people after the throne changes.

Her Majesty was very calm and restrained, and did not kill people wantonly. However, the number of house searches was indeed frequent. The people of the capital really saw a few excitements, first the Gaoliang Palace, then the Wan family and the Zhang family. The Huaiyang Palace and the Wu'an County Palace were far away, so the scene of the house searches was not seen by everyone. However, the scene of the seizure proceeds of the two palaces being sent to the Ministry of Revenue was also really eye-opening.

Now, it's the Zheng family's turn.

Of course, the Zheng family’s property was not confiscated, but they voluntarily donated 50% of their property.

Minister Ji personally led people into the Zheng family and read out the emperor's edict.

Duke Anguo led the Zheng family to kneel on the ground. No one knew how much blood was in their hearts, but they looked decent. At least they didn't cry bitterly, and maintained their dignity.

After reading the imperial edict, Minister Ji had someone remove the plaque from the Duke's Mansion, and then said to Duke Anguo: "Duke, I came here today to do my duty under the emperor's order. I apologize for any offense."

Duke Anguo looked at the plaque that had been taken down, his heart aching, and he squeezed out a few words obscurely: "When Lord Ji returns to the palace to report, please thank the emperor for my grace."

Having served in the same palace for decades, even if they were not on good terms with each other, there was always some camaraderie. Seeing the desperate Duke of Anguo, Minister Ji felt bad.

He reached out his hand to help Duke Anguo up, and whispered, "The emperor ordered me to take over and count 50% of the Zheng family's assets, and not a penny less."

The warning contained in it does not need to be elaborated, of course, Duke Anguo understands it. Duke Anguo smiled bitterly and said in a low voice: "I know the seriousness of this matter, how dare I play tricks on this matter. Don't worry, the account books are ready. Take the account books to the warehouse and check and count the accounts one by one."

Minister Ji nodded and told Tang Youyin to take the account book. Then, the group went to the Zheng family's warehouse.

The wife of Duke Anguo fainted from crying again.

Duke Anguo dragged one leg and slowly moved forward with the help of his attendant. Without turning his head, he ordered: "Come here, carry the lady back to the house. In the next few days, she should recuperate in the house and don't come out to embarrass herself."

……

How much property does the Zheng family have?
How much is Wucheng's family property?

Every day, people gathered outside Zheng's house to watch the fun.

The officials in Daliang were busy with their duties and had no time to join in the fun during the day. When they left the office, many of them asked their servants to drive their carriages around the gate of the Zheng family.

Every evening, there was a constant stream of carriages and pedestrians outside the Duke of Anguo's mansion, making it three times more lively than a market.

Anyway, when General Zuo led his troops to set off, the officials of the Ministry of Revenue had not finished their work.

Prime Minister Wang never left his house, but he knew everything about the Zheng family.

Wang Jin was busy in the palace until midnight and came back. He was called to the study room with a tired face. The candlelight was bright, and Prime Minister Wang looked strange. He opened his mouth and asked, "Silang, do you know how much gold and silver the Zheng family donated?"

Wang Jin was working in front of the emperor, but he still didn't know as much as Prime Minister Wang: "I only know that it is more than what was seized when the Gaoliang Palace was confiscated that day."

Prime Minister Wang sneered: "More than that! If you add in the assets of the Huaiyang Prince's Mansion and the Wu'an County Prince's Mansion, it would barely be equal."

This is only 50% of the family business!

It is no exaggeration to say that the Zheng family is rich enough to rival a country.

The 50% of the family property donated is enough to supply the military expenses and food for tens of thousands of soldiers in the British Guard Camp for ten years!
After Wang Jin heard this, he was silent for a long time before he whispered, "How is our Wang family compared to the Zheng family?"

This time, it was Prime Minister Wang's turn to be speechless.

The Zheng family is as wealthy as a country. The Wang family, known as the first family in Daliang, is even richer than the Zheng family.

The blood spilled from the Zheng family filled the dry treasury and nourished the financially distressed court. Will the Wang family be the next to be slaughtered?
"Father," Wang Jin sighed, "A new emperor appoints new ministers. Her Majesty has only been on the throne for a few months, but the court has already taken on a brand new look. Father should go to the six ministries and see that the efficiency of the various government offices is now several times higher than before. No one shirks responsibility, no one dares to be lazy, and everyone works hard. The bad habit of officials who used to take advantage of others' work has also been cut off by Her Majesty the Empress."

"Things are different now. It's time for father to recognize the situation!"

Prime Minister Wang was heartbroken and glared at his son with a gloomy face: "I have already promised you to purge the Wang family of its dead branches and dead leaves. What else do you want? Do you want to follow the example of the Zheng family and voluntarily give away 50% of the family property?"

Wang Jin actually said: "Why not! A tall tree attracts the wind. Our Wang family's huge fortune is all earned from the people's blood and sweat. Now we donate a part of it to the court. It's taken from the people and used for the people. It can be regarded as returning the property to its original owner."

Prime Minister Wang was so angry that he pointed his finger at Wang Jin's nose and yelled, "Get out of here!"

"I've retreated and given in again and again for you, and now you want to tear off my face too! Get out!"