King of Han Dynasty of Ming Dynasty

Inside the palace.

As he finished speaking.

Everyone's eyes subconsciously turned to the Minister of Revenue Xia Yuanji, who had been standing aside in silence and had never spoken a word since the start of the court session. A trace of pity and sympathy flashed across the old faces of the ministers.

but
These people have also become smarter.

He knew that the situation was hopeless.

He no longer had the capital to compete with Zhu Gaoxu on this matter.

So he didn't bother to care what Zhu Gaoxu would do next, and acted like a Taoist who would rather die than let his friend die.

Everyone has made up their mind: if they can avoid participating, they will not participate; if they can participate less, they will participate less.

Compared with the petty thoughts of his colleagues, Xia Yuanji, who has been an official for many years and is familiar with the details of officialdom, has a clear mind.

At the same time, he asked Zhu Gaoxu for answers and explanations to his questions.

In fact, all of this was within his expectations.

So when Zhu Gaoxu called him out on this issue, he did not show any fear or surprise.

then.

After a brief silence, Xia Yuanji stretched out his hand and simply straightened his slightly wrinkled official robe, then stepped out of the queue. He looked neither sad nor happy, and calmly and calmly bowed slightly to Zhu Gaoxu who was standing on the high platform, and saluted:
"Go back to your lord."

"Things here."

"I am the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue and the main person in charge of the refined salt plan. I am responsible for regulating the refined salt in various places, cooperating with salt merchants in various places, stabilizing the prices in various places, and allowing the people to eat good salt and cheap refined salt."

"Although I, an old minister, have always been working diligently here, I have never dared to be negligent in the slightest."

"How can heaven not fulfill one's wishes?"

"I have misunderstood human nature and have viewed it too simply. I have overlooked the fact that money can move people's hearts. People die for money, and birds die for food. This is an iron rule from ancient times to the present."

"As a result, the local regulation of refined salt has allowed many people to take advantage of the loopholes and secretly collude with merchants in an attempt to make a lot of money."

"Although I have never been involved in this matter."

"but"

"After all, I am the chief official in this matter. All the personnel have been selected and approved by me one by one."

"So in this matter, I, the old minister, have an unshirkable responsibility."

"I am guilty of this matter. I accept the punishment and have no complaints. Everything is up to Prince Han to decide."

Say it.

Xia Yuanji knelt down straight.

After hearing this, everyone couldn't help but look sideways.

Even Zhu Gaoxu, who was standing on a high platform, couldn't help feeling a little confused for a moment when he saw Xia Yuanji behaving like a bachelor.

but.

A moment of daze.

Zhu Gaoxu came to his senses and looked at Xia Yuanji, who was lowering his head obediently, as if he was ready to be punished. He almost couldn't help but burst into swearing.

Hey!
I thought this old bastard was so honest!
After all, he was too young and thought everything was too simple.

How can this be called honestly admitting one's mistake?
If you savor it carefully, it is not difficult to find that although Xia Yuanji's words reveal an attitude of sincere admission of mistakes, the content of his words, as for his own guilt, is a light-hearted statement of "not knowing people well enough, and not understanding the sinister nature of human beings enough".

Let’s summarize it briefly.

So much has been said and so many twists and turns have been taken.

To put it bluntly, isn't it the most he could be held responsible for?

Zhu Gaoxu reacted and heard the hidden meaning. He raised his eyebrows subconsciously and glanced at Xia Yuanji who was kneeling on the ground with interest. He couldn't help but sigh in his heart:

"This old guy"

"It's really slippery!"

"It really is true. The saying comes true: people become wiser as they get older."

"It seemed like an unfavorable situation, but with just a few words, he turned the passive situation into the active one, and gave people the appearance of being righteous and righteous."

"While giving face to Zhu Gaoxu, he also made plans for himself."

“This is the art of language!”

“It’s really admirable.”

Things here.

Not to mention that Zhu Gaoxu sensed the hidden meaning in Xia Yuanji's words.

All the colleagues who had just looked at him with pity and sympathy, now reacted instantly.

At that moment, everyone's gaze towards Xia Yuanji changed involuntarily, and at the same time, everyone subconsciously gave Xia Yuanji a thumbs up.

"Hard enough!"

"Defeat magic with magic."

"Do the opposite, put yourself in a desperate situation and then survive, backhand general!!"

"This old guy"

"That's bad enough."

While feeling emotional.

Everyone at the same time looked cautiously at Zhu Gaoxu standing on the high platform, wanting to see how this gentleman would deal with Xia Yuanji's hedgehog look, or to say, they wanted to take a good look and appreciate Zhu Gaoxu's frustrated look.

Zhu Gaoxu, holding the railing with both hands, had a clear view of the expressions of the ministers below.

He smiled without commenting on this.

Even though this old fellow Xia Yuanji was playing tricks on him and had some small thoughts.

But he was clear about the matter and knew that it would be difficult to hold anyone accountable.

Moreover, he had no real intention of dealing with Xia Yuanji.

After all, Old Man Xia is the favorite of Emperor Yongle!

For so many years, Yu Daming has been in charge of the purse strings in the Ming Dynasty, working diligently and without doing anything excessive.

A great contribution.

It is no exaggeration to say that he single-handedly supported the entire Ming Dynasty's finances.

Its ability is really beyond words.

He is many times better than some people in the court.

For him, if he really dealt with Xia Yuanji, even Emperor Yongle, who was far away in the north, would go crazy.

There might even be several imperial edicts reprimanding him!
And as far as this matter is concerned, if Xia Yuanji had not noticed the abnormality, he would have submitted it early in the morning and reported it to him immediately.

God knows.

When will this bomb explode?

And how much damage would the court's credibility suffer as a result?

In this regard.

He was too lazy to pay attention to the old guy.

Then, after a brief thought, Zhu Gaoxu smiled, glanced at him with interest, and said:
"Old man Xia..."

"Stop playing tricks on me."

"Stop talking about these nonsense and put away your little thoughts."

"You know this is not the answer I want."

After hearing this.

Xia Yuanji, who was kneeling on the ground, slowly straightened up. His wrinkled old face flushed slightly and a hint of embarrassment flashed across his face. He smiled awkwardly, then reached out and took out a memorial that he had prepared long ago from his arms.

In the stunned eyes of the ministers behind him, he raised it high above his head and said in a deep voice:
"Reply to Prince Han..."

"This is what happened to me when I was in Wenxijiang."

"For us, internal review of all personnel involved in the preparation of refined salt."

"I have listed all the problematic personnel here above."

"Everyone, the old minister has also taken control of them all."

"Please take a look at it, Your Majesty."

So replied.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu nodded with satisfaction and waved to the eunuch who was waiting beside him, indicating him to bring it up.

The eunuch who received the order stepped forward without any hesitation, took the memorial from Xia Yuanji's hand, then returned to Zhu Gaoxu and presented it to him.

then.

Zhu Gaoxu slowly opened the memorial and carefully read the contents recorded in it.

Zhu Gaoxu's face became visibly gloomy, his half-closed eyes suddenly opened, and murderous intent emanated from his body. As a result, the atmosphere in the hall, which had finally recovered its normal temperature, became extremely solemn and depressing again.

See this situation.

The ministers below, who were originally gloating, subconsciously trembled at the sudden change and buried their heads unconsciously.

"call……"

After a while.

After Zhu Gaoxu finished reading the memorial, he slammed it shut with a bang, looked around at the people in the audience with a cold gaze, and then fixed his eyes on the crown prince sitting in the front.

Afterwards, he handed the memorial to the eunuch beside him and instructed:

"This memorial is for the Crown Prince to review."

Zhu Gaochi, who was standing below, was stunned when he heard the words. He raised his head and looked over in surprise. Then he reached out to take the memorial handed to him by the eunuch and looked at the contents above with a little doubt.

As the content comes into view.

Zhu Pangpang's fat face also became gloomy and seemed to be dripping with water without him noticing.

After a cup of tea, he finished reading the memorial in his hand. His fat face was gloomy, his eyes were sharp and murderous, and then he couldn't help but let out a long roar and shouted:
"Okay! Okay! It's really good!"

"You are indeed a loyal minister in the court."

"He takes the imperial salary but does nothing for the people, and always says that the imperial court cannot compete with the people for profits."

"In the end... I ended up doing something so dirty and disgusting."

“It’s really abominable.”

"It really opened our eyes. It really opened our eyes!"

Say it.

He looked up and exchanged glances with Zhu Gaoxu, and they had a subtle exchange of words.

After getting the promise, he turned to look at the ministers behind him who had their heads bowed, and announced the contents of the memorial aloud without concealing anything.

After hearing the contents of the memorial, all the ministers were so frightened that they were stunned.

At this moment, everyone finally understood why Zhu Gaoxu and the Crown Prince were so angry.

At the same time, everyone couldn't help cursing in their hearts:
"grass!"

"A bunch of bastards."

"How dare you be so bold."

"It's absolutely audacious, absolutely audacious!"

"It's not a pity to die!"

"Deserve it!"

But I hate those people in my heart.

However, none of the court officials took the initiative to speak, and instead waited for the decision of the two brothers Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaochi.

No one took the initiative to speak.

Standing on the high platform, Zhu Gaoxu and the Crown Prince looked at each other, and then he was the first to speak, breaking the silence, and shouted angrily:

"Everyone."

"Let's talk about it and discuss it!"

"These are the daring, reckless traitors."

"How should we deal with those bastards who attempt to undermine the reputation of the Ming Dynasty?"

Listen to the questions.

Everyone in the court couldn't help but frown and look at each other.

Everyone knew that Zhu Gaoxu was ruthless and tough, and the words that seemed to be asking for their opinions were just a formality. No matter what they said or what opinions they had, it didn't matter, and their opinions might not be adopted.

And those who were involved in this matter will surely suffer the wrath of the imperial court.

There is no doubt that their property will be confiscated and their entire family will be exterminated.

For this reason, everyone knelt down without the slightest hesitation, with expressions of great respect, and spoke with anger and resentment, united in their hatred of the enemy:

"This is how it is done."

"Ignoring the laws of the Ming Dynasty, pretending to obey them but secretly violating them."

"According to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, all of them will have their property confiscated and their clans exterminated."

"I beg Your Majesty to let the three courts intervene and the Jinyiwei supervise to catch all these traitors in one fell swoop, so as to eliminate this bad atmosphere and restore the reputation and dignity of the court."

Such decisive and affirmative words.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu looked at everyone with interest, a smile appeared on the corners of his slightly raised mouth. Seeing that everyone was so understanding, he nodded with great satisfaction and shouted:

"it is good!"

"My dear ministers, this is indeed true."

"It coincides with what the king thought."

"Such a noble act is truly worthy of praise and admiration."

Having said this, he paused, a hint of coldness flashed across his half-closed eyes, and he suddenly changed the subject and continued:
"Very good."

"I will do as you say, my dear ministers."

"Give them a heavy blow, purge these traitors, rectify the style of the court, and kill one to warn the rest."

"Gu Xin, Chief Censor of the Supervisory Office, Lü Zhen, Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and the Minister of the Supreme Court."

"You three officials are in charge of this case, and the Royal Guards will be involved in the supervision."

"Do you have any objection to this?"

Ministers: "."

This question was asked.

Isn't it unnecessary?

Still need to ask?

Who dares to object?
"I have no objection."

"Everything is up to Prince Han."

Everything is settled.

With today's events, Zhu Gaoxu has achieved his goal.

"Well"

"Then this matter is settled."

"My dear ministers, do you have anything else to report?"

After hearing this, the people in the cars below shook their heads like rattles. How could they dare to report anything? What happened today was enough for them to digest thoroughly. How could they dare to make trouble for themselves or make themselves uncomfortable?

See this situation.

Zhu Gaoxu nodded with satisfaction, waved his hand at everyone and said:

"Very good."

"If you have nothing else to report, then I will adjourn the court."

"My dear ministers, please take this opportunity to implement today's decision as quickly as possible."

Say it.

The ministers in the Hall of Supreme Harmony bowed respectfully to Zhu Gaoxu, and then retreated in an orderly manner.

Wait until everyone has left.

Only the two brothers Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaochi were left in the hall.

Seeing the prince not leaving with the crowd, Zhu Gaoxu was stunned for a moment, looked at him with interest, and asked:

"Boss"

"What's going on with you? Is there something you want to say?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaochi half-closed his eyes and stared at Zhu Gaoxu who was approaching him. He chuckled and gave him a thumbs-up, saying with emotion:

"Second brother! Second child!"

"sure!"

"Their methods are becoming more sophisticated and more skilled."

"It's amazing that these people are speechless."

"You have tricked me, your eldest brother." (End of this chapter)