If you're made a fake emperor, why did you change the country's name?

The atmosphere inside the Prime Minister's residence was somber.

The civil officials sat together, discussing how many retainers they had arranged to disguise themselves and infiltrate the common people.

Tap tap tap...

Just as the discussion was in full swing, hurried footsteps came from outside the door.

"Good news! Good news! Good news, Prime Minister!"

A young civil official rushed in, his face full of excitement.

Everyone stood up in unison, their eyes turning to the newcomer.

The young civil official was panting heavily, and it took him several breaths before he could speak.

"Prime Minister, we have just received news that the young emperor has personally visited the Dong residence to oversee the confiscation of property!"

Prime Minister Gan's eyes lit up.

"Oh? That's good news."

He stood up and began to pace back and forth, leaning on his cane.

"If the Dong family doesn't find anything good when they seize it, Zhao Yu will also find it difficult to back down."

"In that case, perhaps if we press them again at court tomorrow, the peace negotiations can be approved."

The young civil official quickly waved his hand.

No, not only that!

The Empress Dowager just sent Qian Miao with an imperial edict to the young emperor. The order is that if it's proven Dong Zuo is not a treacherous minister, the young emperor must issue an edict of self-reproach and apologize to us, and the Meng family must be severely punished!

"What! There's actually such a thing!" Prime Minister Gan's eyes lit up.

He slammed his cane on the ground and burst into laughter.

"That's right, that's right, Empress Dowager Qian was also from one of the five surnames."

Although the Qian family had not been in private contact with the royal family for a long time after they were listed as members of the royal family, this time it finally touched the very foundation of the five major families.

How could the Qian family simply ignore their responsibilities?

Other civil officials also became excited.

"Doesn't that mean we can keep our positions?"

Prime Minister Gan stroked his white beard, nodded, and smiled:

"After we make peace with the Liao army, although our Great Liang may be reduced to the bottom of the Seven Kingdoms, our five families will still be the sky of Great Liang."

Everyone echoed this sentiment.

"The Prime Minister is wise!"

"May the five surnames prosper forever!"

Prime Minister Gan waved his hand, stopping the crowd from praising him.

"Quickly, come with me to the palace gate."

We must witness this confiscation of property with our own eyes to prevent that young emperor from using his silver tongue to escape this calamity.

Everyone responded enthusiastically.

They each boarded a carriage and headed towards the square in front of the palace.

As for the possibility that a large amount of money and grain might actually be found, they had long since put that aside.

That possibility is too slim.

Inside the Dong residence.

Meng Qianshan ordered the others to search the house, and after they left, he quickly went to Zhao Yu's side.

"Your Majesty, everyone is watching this raid. What if nothing is found?"

Zhao Yu waved his hand.

"Does the Dong family mansion have any large secret rooms?"

Meng Qianshan was taken aback, but still pointed towards the backyard.

"Below Dong Zuo's bedroom, there is a huge secret room."

There were many imprisoned little girls inside, but I have already rescued them.

girl?

Zhao Yu frowned slightly.

That's one of the downsides of feudal dynasties: human trafficking was rampant everywhere.

Now that even the Minister of Revenue is involved, how could it not become prevalent?

Meng Qianshan continued, "I intend to use these girls as the grand finale, to let the people know just how despicable Dong Zuo truly is!"

Zhao Yu shook his head.

"it's useless."

Meng Qianshan was taken aback.

"Your Majesty, why isn't it working...?"

"What if someone says these are children Dong Zuo just adopted out of pity?"

Meng Qianshan's eyes widened.

"This...this, who can adopt almost a hundred girls?"

Zhao Yu chuckled.

"Can't a great philanthropist do it?"

Meng Qianshan was speechless.

What can't those disciples of the Shi family say?

He was getting a little anxious.

"Your Majesty, what should we do?"

Zhao Yu chuckled.

"Your arrangements will remain the same, except that after the girl, you will arrange for someone to escort another batch of goods."

Meng Qianshan was puzzled.

"Is there anything else?"

Zhao Yu didn't answer, but just patted him on the shoulder.

You'll find out then.

Meng Qianshan could only nod.

Soon, led by Meng Qianshan, Zhao Yu arrived at the entrance to the secret chamber.

A dimly lit staircase leads underground.

"Alright, you can just wait outside."

"Your Majesty, the secret chamber has only been roughly explored; there may be danger."

Zhao Yu glanced at Meng Qianshan, who tactfully bowed. "Your subject obeys the decree."

Meng Qianshan stepped aside and watched Zhao Yu walk away alone.

Tap tap tap...

With the echoing footsteps, Zhao Yu quickly reached the bottom.

A spacious area of ​​about 200 square meters and about 3 meters high.

Zhao Yu looked around and nodded.

"It's alright, it should be big enough."

He opened the system space.

Inside were fifty red-coated cannons, the Imperial Weapon - the Human Emperor Sword, and... one million shi of grain!

Zhao Yu smiled.

"It's a pity the treasury only has so much; otherwise, we might have been able to lead the people to fight against the landlords!"

With a thought, the food in his system space began to pour out.

The grain poured down like sand, quickly filling most of the secret room.

Looking at the mountain of grain in front of him, Zhao Yu nodded in satisfaction and turned back to the entrance of the secret chamber.

"His Majesty......"

"Remember to bring plenty of carts when moving things from the secret room."

Meng Qianshan paused for a moment, but still responded.

"yes!"

He summoned several guards and ordered them to prepare a cart.

Seeing that everything was arranged, Zhao Yu turned and walked out.

"Let's go, it's time to wait at the palace gate."

Meng Qianshan quickly followed.

"Your Majesty, are you truly confident?"

Zhao Yu did not answer, but the corners of his mouth turned up.

..........................

The square in front of the palace was crowded with people.

A large area in the center of the square was cordoned off by the Imperial Guards, and the eyes of the surrounding people were focused on the streets and open spaces.

"Look, the Prime Minister and the others are here!"

Someone in the crowd shouted.

Prime Minister Gan, accompanied by a group of civil officials, slowly walked to the edge of the square.

He glanced at the people around him, a smile playing on his lips.

"Fellow villagers, today we are all witnesses."

Prime Minister Gan's voice was loud and clear, echoing throughout the entire square.

"Witness what? Witness His Majesty being deceived by treacherous officials?"

Among the crowd, several disciples of the Shi family started a commotion.

The people looked at each other, not daring to say anything.

Behind Prime Minister Gan, a young civil official leaned close to his ear.

"Prime Minister, His Majesty should have begun. The Empress Dowager has also sent word that as long as we can give a plausible explanation, His Majesty will issue an edict of self-reproach."

Prime Minister Gan stroked his beard, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.

"Let's see how that little emperor gets off the stage later."

Just then, the sound of horses' hooves came from afar.

A group of guards escorted several carriages as they slowly approached.

"It's a convoy of Imperial Guards!"

"It's starting! It's starting!"

The people became excited and stood on tiptoe to look.

The first carriage stopped, and several guards jumped down and opened the carriage doors.

Boxes of jewelry, calligraphy and paintings were brought out.

Then twenty, thirty... then ten more, and then it stopped.

The people's expressions began to change.

"That's it, there are only ten planes left, I might not even get a bowl of porridge."

"What should we do tonight? I promised my grandson that I could sleep warmly tonight."

A chorus of mournful cries rose and fell.

"I knew it! How could Lord Dong possibly be a corrupt official?"

"His Majesty is likely to lose face this time."

The disciples of the Shi family, who were mixed in with the crowd, began to stir up trouble.

"His Majesty is young and has been deceived by treacherous people!"

"Yes! It must be Meng Qianshan framing loyal officials!"

"The Meng family deserves to die!"

The voices grew louder and louder, gradually forming a public opinion.

Prime Minister Gan nodded in satisfaction.

"The time is almost right."

Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly heard the sound of wheels rolling in the distance again.

It's not a horse-drawn carriage.

It's a handcart.

A dozen or so carts, pushed by guards, slowly drove up.

On each cart sat several little girls in tattered clothes.

The girls huddled in the car, their eyes vacant, their bodies covered in wounds.

The square fell silent instantly.

The people stared wide-eyed, unable to believe what they were seeing.

"This, this is..."

"My God, these children..."

A woman rushed forward, saw the girl's face clearly, and suddenly burst into tears.

"Cui'er! My Cui'er!"

She hugged one of the girls and wept uncontrollably.

"Your mother thought you were dead half a year ago, but it turns out you were here..."

The crowd erupted.

Anger, like a flame, instantly ignited the entire square.

"That beast Dong Zuo!"

"They arrested so many children!"

"Worse than a beast!"

Prime Minister Gan's expression changed.

He hadn't expected this situation.

But he quickly regained his composure.

"Gentlemen, please listen to what this old minister has to say. At this moment, I know a thing or two!"

He shouted loudly, drawing the crowd's attention.

When Prime Minister Gan saw the crowd, his gaze was drawn to them, so he walked over to a cart.

"These were not purchased by Minister Dong, but rather saved by Minister Dong."