The doctor suffers from amnesia, but not complete amnesia.

Qiao Yelan said modestly.

"Next, we just need to wait for this news to ferment for a couple of days, to give that Vice Minister Wang of the Ministry of Revenue some time to make some small moves, so that the matter can become more and more uncertain. After that, we can let the Celestial Masters of the Court of Judicial Review get involved."

"Won't there be any unexpected problems if we involve the Celestial Master?"

“Your Majesty, Celestial Masters are not immortal masters. They are also human beings, not gods who can reverse time or see through everything. It’s just that their status allows them to investigate cases without any taboos, so in the eyes of others, these people seem to have the ability to understand the secrets of Yin and Yang.”

The man lowered his eyes and smiled faintly.

"The privilege of the Celestial Master is always a double-edged sword, but a double-edged sword also has its uses—one strike with the forehand, one strike with the backhand. As long as the blade doesn't fall on your own body, then it is Your Majesty's good sword."

"Very well, so be it, my dear minister's method—three days from now, let's see how you use this sword."

----------------------------------------------------------

three days later.

The emperor sat on the dragon throne, looking at the assembled officials before him.

"Gentlemen, do you have any important matters to report?"

"Your subject, Qiao Yelan, the Director of the Imperial Household Department, has a memorial to present."

"Accurate."

Qiao Yelan pushed his wheelchair to the center of the assembled officials.

"Since I took office as the Director of the Imperial Household Department, I have been working day and night to fulfill His Majesty's orders. However, just three days ago, a merchant I visited suddenly had his entire family brutally murdered. This is shocking and known throughout the city. As a result, many merchants believe that I was the one who did it, and they have come to my door wanting to sell their employees and caravans at a low price."

"His Majesty once decreed that the Imperial Household Department must not compete with the people for profit, so I naturally dared not make such acquisitions. Afterwards, I was unable to move an inch, and the expansion of the Imperial Household Department was merely stagnant—I beg for forgiveness!"

A hush fell over the room, and the ministers' perception of Qiao Yelan changed drastically in an instant.

He kept citing the emperor's orders in every sentence, ostensibly to apologize, but actually to shift the blame.

Good heavens, this rhetoric, this train of thought—is this some kind of white-clad figure?

Sure enough, the emperor on the dragon throne frowned.

"Prefect of the Capital Region".

The Prefect of Jingzhao trembled. He realized that something was wrong as soon as he heard Qiao Yelan's words. He was now completely blamed. But he could only walk out with a pale face and kneel down on the ground.

"The minister is here."

"Regarding the case reported by the Director of the Imperial Household Department, has there been any result yet regarding the massacre of the shopkeeper's entire family?"

The Prefect of Jingzhao kowtowed with a loud thud.

"I am incompetent. In three days, I have not been able to find a single clue. I only know that the group of assassins are extremely professional and skilled. Their purpose is only to kill. They did not take any gold, silver, jewelry, antiques, paintings, land deeds, or banknotes. It seems that they only seek revenge and not wealth."

"With the year-end approaching and this being a crucial area around the capital, such a thing has happened, and you've come up empty-handed in three days?"

The emperor's voice was devoid of emotion, but the Prefect of the Capital Prefecture seemed to wish he could bury his head in the ground.

"My lord is guilty!"

"Hmph—this matter has caused quite a stir now, and we must solve it quickly. Do you have any ideas?"

"My lord...my lord..."

"waste!"

The emperor's anger resounded powerfully.

No one dared to say a word at this moment, for fear of getting themselves into trouble.

"Since you can't do it, let's find someone else."

With a single sentence, the Prefect of Jingzhao was replaced.

"The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review".

"The minister is here."

A composed middle-aged man stepped forward.

"This case is bizarre; it's up to your Dali Temple to take responsibility."

"I accept the decree."

"Since the Director of the Imperial Household Department says that this matter involves the Imperial Household Department, you don't need to hold back if you want to investigate the Imperial Household Department. What I want is to solve this case as quickly as possible, understand?"

"Your Majesty, I understand. Thank you."

At this point, the emperor glanced at the assembled officials and immediately noticed the unusual expression on Vice Minister Wang's face.

really.

Thinking of this, he stood up and flicked his sleeve.

"Retreat from court!"

Eunuch Zheng's voice brought this specially arranged court assembly to a close.

----------------------------------------------------------

"What did you say? Say it again!"

Minister of Revenue Chen Fanteng stood up and walked a few steps to Vice Minister Wang, his face full of shock.

"I didn't expect the Emperor to let the Dali Temple get involved so quickly. I've only just started transferring Manager Wang's assets. I haven't even finished cleaning up the mess yet, and I've only transferred half of the things."

Vice Minister Wang was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.

He had already informed everyone in the Jingzhao Prefecture that the matter would be delayed until the New Year—the Great Yan Dynasty would have a 15-day holiday for the New Year, and the court would not reopen until the 16th of the first lunar month. During this period, even if the government arrested people, they would have to wait until midnight on the 15th night.

By then, the matter will have been dragged on and no one will be talking about it anymore; it will simply end abruptly.

Even when this happened, he was secretly pleased – he was undecided about whether to spare Manager Wang's life, but someone else did it for him without touching the money.

You're a really nice person.

As a result, today, the Junior Supervisor of the Imperial Household Department, fearing punishment from His Majesty for his own poor performance, chose to expose the matter to the Emperor in order to avoid being caught in the crossfire.

The Imperial Household Department was the emperor's private treasury. Now that the treasury was saying that this case was the obstacle, the emperor was naturally furious. He dismissed the Prefect of the Capital and handed the case over to the Court of Judicial Review.

The Dali Temple is full of celestial masters, each with a keen sense of smell, they can catch anyone on sight—and this group of people never shows any mercy when investigating cases, no matter who goes there, it won't work.

Manager Wang died under mysterious circumstances. If the Celestial Master finds out that he was transferring Manager Wang's assets, wouldn't that be like getting mud on his pants?

It's either death or death!

"Your Excellency, the Wang Family Trading Company is practically a front for our Ministry of Revenue. They're not just involved in trade; they're also involved in Longmen..."

"Shut up!"

Chen Fan glared at him angrily. Wang Shilang realized he had said the wrong thing and immediately fell silent, though his hands and feet were still trembling.

"This matter...this matter..."

He paced back and forth, but ultimately could not make a decision.

"Alright! Stop shaking! Change your clothes right now and come with me to see someone!"

"Whom are you going to see?"

Although Wang Shilang was bewildered, he didn't rush and immediately followed Chen Fan.

"Naturally, it's the people who get a share of the money."

Although Chen Fan was the Minister of Revenue, he could not shake the Dali Temple's determination to investigate the case. However, while he could not do it, others might.

A carriage quietly left through the back gate of the Chen residence, and a vendor nearby glanced at it and reached out to take a hairpin.

News began to circulate in the shadows.

A servant pushed open the door and handed a prescription to Qiao Yelan.

Qiao Yelan casually handed it to Wang Zhi, who then took out a book and translated the text.

[When Vice Minister Wang entered the Chen residence, before he left, another carriage exited through the back gate and entered the Prime Minister's residence.]

"Lord Qiao—it seems we've caught a big fish this time!"

Unable to contain his emotions, Grandpa Wang's deep voice was still filled with excitement.

"Yes, we're really lucky."

Qiao Yelan picked up a cup of tea and slowly sipped it.

After all, he couldn't help but be wary of the caravans that had been doing business in Longmen and Babel for the past few years, especially those with such enormous appetites.

Chapter 84 Cutting Grass

"Prime Minister, that's how it is."

Inside the main hall, three people, each with a different expression.

Wang Shilang was hunched over, his head hanging low; he was completely dejected.

Minister of Revenue Chen Fan remained calm, but he stared intently at the Prime Minister's face, clearly trying to discern something.

Prime Minister Cai Yan simply picked up his teacup and took a small sip.

"This is not a big deal. His Majesty only transferred this case to the Court of Judicial Review during the court meeting today. The people from the Court of Judicial Review will not begin a formal investigation of this case until at least tomorrow. Also, doesn't His Majesty have another decree?"