The work of checking the household department has made great progress. The officials of the third department are pressing forward step by step. Seeing that they are digging deeper and deeper, His Highness the Crown Prince's expression is becoming more and more self-confident. Occasionally, in the conversation with Hu Dashi Sighing a bit, I don't know if he is sighing about the upcoming cleansing of the household department, or this increasingly dense spring.
The description of snowballing is very appropriate. In Cangzhou, where there is snow all the year round, the winter jackets worn by tens of thousands of soldiers did not bring too much plastering cement to the household department. , and found several old stories one after another, and all the clues were remitted to the Kyoto household department.
And the deficit in the account that was found out was getting bigger and bigger, and Qingguo's wound, which had been carefully covered up by the officials of the household department, was torn open bloodily and exposed to the officials' appreciation.
After the investigation team went to the palace to report once, they intensified their investigation. Now even Master Hu is clear that the household department can no longer be guaranteed. If Fan Jian resigns quickly at this time, the court may save some face for the Fan family for Fan Xian's sake. If he persists like this Going on, Fan Jian is not just as simple as being deprived of office.
Although Hu Dashi and the civil servants were also terrified by the deficit of the household department, after all, they did not want the court to cause too much trouble, and they did not want the temporarily balanced court to have some kind of tilt, so through some channels , They conveyed a wave of goodwill to Fan Mansion.
As long as Fan Shangshu asks to resign, Hu Dashi and Shu Dashi are willing to jointly guarantee his safety.
But this was just the wishful thinking of these ministers. For a veteran minister like Fan Jian who had followed the emperor for nearly 30 years, once he made up his mind, the response he made was really stubborn. The Fan Mansion expressed its gratitude for the kindness secretly conveyed by the various governments, but Fan Jian himself never gave a specific response to the goodwill itself.
He did not enter the palace to cry bitterly to His Majesty, nor did he write a letter to resign, and even he was still ill, and his condition did not seem to improve.
All the officials knew that Fan Shangshu was not sick, and the palace also knew, but this time the emperor did not send the imperial physician and Eunuch Hong to visit Fan's mansion, probably the palace also knew that the matter was because the palace was sorry for the Fan family, so they treated him Fan Jian tolerated his behavior of expressing complaints on the pretext of illness.
For several days in succession, the crown prince sat in the household department and watched the people below investigate the case. As a result, Master Hu had to come and watch in person. Those who investigated the case and those who were investigated were actually a bit hard.
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On this day, there was another breakthrough in the work of the accounting department. The amount of silver in the account and the treasury did not match, and the huge deficit amounted to four directions, four inconspicuous officials.
Finally, the specific executor was found, and the specific deficit matters were found. His Royal Highness heard the reward, his eyes lit up, but his face was extremely calm. Eat like hell? After digging all the way to the south of the Yangtze River, the imperial court will remember Fan Xian's contribution of 20 million taels of silver, but the corresponding charges will also make Fan Xian unable to bear it!
And Hu Dashi's eyes lit up when he heard the names of the four officials, especially the name of the last one, and his expression was extremely calm. Old Shu's worry was a bit unnecessary.
After all, the prince was young, not as thoughtful as Master Hu Dashi, and he didn't have the ability to remember with a photograph, so he didn't see the trap inside. Under the guidance of Yi Jiang's thought of chasing the poor bandits bravely, he rejoiced and ordered the officials of his faction to launch a general attack on this issue without any pretense.
As for the Minister of the Ministry of Officials, Yan Xingshu, although he was vaguely standing on the side of the eldest princess and the second prince, but when the situation was good, and the prince was the pioneer, of course he was happy to help, holding a small flag beside the prince and shouting, although he did not draw his sword himself. , but the shouts kept ringing.
Hu Dashi watched from the sidelines, secretly smiling.
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…
The investigation of the household department was at a critical moment. In the lobby of the deep courtyard, the prince's triumphant laughter rang out, holding the official's confession in his hand. Mang gradually appeared, and forced to ask the household official who was kneeling in front of him:
"Tell me! Where did the four hundred thousand taels of silver in this account go?"
In late spring, the weather was already hot, and the sixth-rank head of the household department, who was kneeling miserably in front of the ministers, was drenched in sweat, and the color of his official uniform turned crimson black. This person listened to His Royal Highness's stern voice , Want to cry but have no tears, thinking that I am just a handyman, how do I know where the money was transferred by Lord Shangshu
Seeing the panicked look on the official's face, the crown prince gave him a disgusted look, but then he thought of his own purpose, so he said softly: "You signed the transfer of this money, and the way out will always be Confess it, the money of the imperial court cannot be used indiscriminately like this."
The official couldn't stand the pressure to extract a confession, so he murmured, "It's Jiang Zuo's Qing official Wai Lang... who confessed."
There are seven divisions under the household department, which are managed by Langzhong and Juwailang respectively, who are officials of the fifth rank. Fang Mingli, a member of the Jiangzuo Qing Officials Division, was already a relatively senior official of the Ministry of Household Affairs.
This name, together with the other three Hubu Langzhong, are all objects that the prince's group of investigation officials have already grasped. Today, they are only going to be tried in court so that everyone in the Hubu can no longer deny it.
The crown prince was somewhat satisfied with the performance of the sixth-rank principal, but his face sank, and he said in a cold voice: "Go down and wait for the ginseng."
The principal exited the lobby in a panic, with a mournful face, not knowing what he was about to face.
"Tell that person named Fang Li to come in."
The crown prince was at a high-spirited time, and he didn't feel that his behavior at this time was a bit out of bounds. When he gave orders, he didn't even ask the nominal chief minister, Grand Master Hu, for his opinion.
After a while, the member of the household department called Fang Li, Wailang, came in and saluted the officials from various departments around him, with a proud attitude, as if he didn't know what was about to happen.
The prince looked at this person's face, and suddenly felt a thump in his heart. He felt that the face was familiar, and after a closer look, he found that the official's name seemed to have been heard before.
But at this time, the person had already come to the court, and there was not much time for him to think more. Hu Dashi and Yan Xingshu still kept a cunning silence, and gave the whole stage to His Royal Highness, just letting him play alone.
The prince looked at the two senior officials beside him, and snorted secretly, thinking that the world will be his own in the future, so what's the point of interrogating a few officials from the household department? As long as he can relate to Fan Jian and connect the deficits in these four places with the silver in the south of the Yangtze River, even if he looks ugly at this time and loses the dignity of the East Palace, he can't care so much.
So he clapped the chopping board and asked in a cold voice, "Report your name and rank."
Fang Li, a member of the Hubu Jiangzuo Road, was taken aback for a moment, his lips trembled twice, and he looked at His Highness the Crown Prince in astonishment, never expecting that His Highness the Crown Prince would be so harsh on him, his face flushed red, and he gave a very difficult look. He clasped his hands and replied, "Fang Li, a member of the Jiangzuo Road of the lower official household department, Wai Lang."
The crown prince frowned, and asked the Overwatch Council officials to hand over the dossiers they had found in the past few days and the statement of the previous signing transfer official, and asked darkly, "Tell me, where did the four hundred thousand taels of silver go?"
Fang Liru was struck by lightning and looked at the prince like an idiot, or maybe... looked at the prince like an idiot
He shivered for a long time before saying in a trembling voice: "Your Highness, I really don't know."
The prince frowned, with a look of concern for the country and the people: "I don't know these two words... I'm afraid... I can't justify it..."
Fang Li is really dumbfounded now, especially when he heard the word "I'm afraid" that His Highness said with a twist, his heart fell into the ice cellar. ... It seems that His Royal Highness has not only forgotten who he is, but even the four hundred thousand taels of silver!
He was sad in his heart, laughed, and felt helpless, yes, what is he? It's just a small official from the household department. He has done business for the prince in the past, and had a drink at the same table with the prince. Why does the prince need to remember his plain face now
What is the four hundred thousand taels of silver? The prince of that year liked women, spent money on women, built gardens for women to play with, and liked to reward officials with confidantes. Who is the prince? The crown prince is the future master of the country, and all the money in the world will be his in the future, so he can use it as he wants, so why waste his noble mind to remember where the money came from
Fang Li's mouth was dry, and he stared at the prince dumbfounded, hoping that the other party could think of something, so that this ridiculous and unbelievable situation would not continue to develop until it became uncontrollable.
It's a pity that the crown prince didn't seem to notice the eye contact of this household official.
The work of trial is still going on. Fang Li, a member of the household department, knows that the matter is too big, and he will never take it back once he tells the truth in front of the joint trial of various divisions, so he insists on gritting his teeth and refuses to say anything more .
The prince already felt a little strange, frowned and looked at this somewhat familiar official, not knowing where the other party got the courage, but he didn't say a word... Could it be that the other party... wanted to take care of everything for Fan Jian stand up? In other words, there was something hidden in this matter.
At this moment, Yan Xingshu, the Minister of the Ministry of Officials who had been watching silently, suddenly slapped the table and shouted: "This guy is so courageous! Come on! Hold me down and ask a good question!"
He turned his head and asked for instructions: "Master Hu, can we use torture?"
Hu Dashi, who had been staring at the ants fighting in front of his shoes, seemed to understand what happened at this time. He opened a pair of dull eyes and said, "Ah? Torture?"
The last word of torture didn't have any tone, and he didn't hear clearly whether it was a question or a promise, but Yan Xingshu already folded his hands impatiently and said: "It's all up to your lord's arrangement."
The officials from the First Division of the Overwatch Council were ordered to step forward and drag the recalcitrant member of the bureaucracy, Wailang, out. At this time, Fang Li, who had been stubborn all the time, heard that he was going to be imprisoned, and even heard the word "torture". After being terrified, he finally couldn't control his nerves anymore, and screamed sadly: "I'm wronged, my official is Qingli!" He was a Jinshi in the first year, and became an official in Yuanwailang in the fourth year, all thanks to the great kindness of the emperor, how dare he do such a perverted thing?"
A series of words spewed out, but this person was really capable. At such a tense moment, he defended himself by still only looking at Master Hu, and refused to even look at the prince.
When Yan Xingshu remained silent and jumped out to suggest torture, the strange feeling in the prince's heart deepened, and when he heard Fang Li's self-defense, he felt a chill on his back, piercing his bones deep!
Jinshi in the first year of Qingli? Guo Baokun, the son of the former Minister of Rites Guo Shangshu and the palace editor Guo Baokun who had been on good terms with the prince, was born in the first year of Qingli—Fang Li and Guo Baokun were born in the same year!
The prince was horrified, and countless things from the past resurfaced in his mind. In an instant, he remembered many things. Because of Guo Baokun's recommendation, he condescended to have a meal with this small household official named Fang Li. Due to Princess Chang's arrangement, the other party was promoted twice in the household department.
Later, the crown prince hinted to Guo Baokun, and his confidant and Fang Li secretly transferred a batch of silver from the household department for his own use.
It's just that a few years have passed, the money has long been spent, and Guo Baokun has long since disappeared. The prince has already forgotten about this matter, and also forgot about this little official named Fang Li. , I actually checked the household department today, and I will meet this person again.
Could it be... the four hundred thousand taels of silver flowed into his pocket
The crown prince looked at Fang Li who was dragged out of the hall by the officials of the Overwatch Council with a face full of shock, his mouth began to bitter, and his heart began to tighten. He knew that this official must not be questioned by the third division, otherwise there would be big problems! He knew he had made the stupidest mistake, and he couldn't let it continue.
He stared fiercely at Yan Xingshu, the minister of official affairs who was smiling beside him, and shouted angrily, "Wait!"
The House of the Minister of Rites, who was brought down by Fan Xian, was a neighbor of the East Palace in name, but in fact he was the eldest princess' confidant. This fact, the crown prince had already discovered that night when His Highness was reciting poems. Since the other party belonged to the eldest princess, Yan Xingshu would naturally know that he borrowed money from the household department through Guo Baokun... His Royal Highness thought bitterly, it's fine if this old man didn't remind himself, but he actually wanted to make trouble earlier!
"Your Highness, what's the matter?" Yan Xingshu looked at him with a smile.
The prince was at a loss for words for a while, he was already riding a tiger, he was the one who caused such a big investigation, and finally found himself, but how did it end
He frowned, narrowed his eyes, and said, "It seems that the official has something to say, so it's okay to ask first."
Yan Xingshu nodded with a smile, and Master Hu naturally had no objection.
Fang Li narrowly escaped death, knowing that His Royal Highness finally remembered him, and breathed a sigh of relief, but he met His Royal Highness's worried eyes, and they knew that today's matter was really difficult to deal with.
There was a flash of cruelty in the prince's heart, and suddenly he thought that Guo Baokun had disappeared, as long as he refused to admit it to death, and then tried to make this man named Fang Li shut up, he would be able to cleanse himself.
Having figured this out, he said with a gentle expression: "Fang Li, you have to think carefully about the whereabouts of this silver tael. Besides, I am here to investigate the case under the imperial order, and of course I will not let a corrupt official go. But... I will not wrong any good official."
A glint of hope flashed in Fang Li's eyes, knowing that the crown prince was implying that he was indiscriminately grabbing and biting others. Now that the 400,000 taels of silver was found out, in front of Hu Dashi, Yan Shangshu, and the officials of the Supervisory Council of Dali Temple, of course, there was no way to reconcile it. close. Fang Li knew that was all he could do. He lowered his head and turned his eyes wildly, making up his mind. It was only for a moment, but he didn't know who to blame. It is extremely difficult to find another name for the silver.
Yan Xingshu glanced at the prince, and sighed in his heart, knowing that the other party was about to give up his pawn, and this pawn seemed to be ready to sacrifice, so he was a little surprised. How could such an incompetent prince like the prince let this young man named Fang Li The official is so convinced? Obviously, the prince couldn't remember this person before.
He didn't understand that in Fang Li's mind, the crown prince would inherit the throne in the future, as long as he survived this incident, there will be a day when he will turn around. But... for four hundred thousand taels of silver, how could His Majesty be willing to take the life of a small official named Wailang? Fang Li obviously didn't expect this.
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Fang Li did not let Fang Li think for too long under the scrutiny of the officials in the hall, a slightly tired voice answered for him, helped him out of the siege, and at the same time put a rope on His Highness the Crown Prince.
"I remember this account."
"At that time, the Ministry of Rites issued a document, because the emperor ordered to repair the autumn houses and school houses, so it was necessary to transfer money from the Ministry. A total of 14 times of adjustments were made, and the total was 400,700 taels of silver."
"The money has been sent to the Ministry of Rites, and there should be a receipt from the Ministry of Rites, but I didn't take care of these matters personally, and I will find out after a while. All matters are handled in accordance with Qinglu court regulations. My lords, don't make things difficult for me. These poor officials."
"As for whether there is any problem with this sum of money, you only need to send a message to various states and look at the repair status of the Qiuwei Academy in the past two years, and you will know everything."
Fan Shangshu, who had been sick for many days, finally supported his weak and sick body, and came to the yamen of the household department that had been absent for many days. He stood by the door and weakly explained to the adults in the hall one by one.
An official of the Overwatch Council hurried forward to support him. Senior scholar Hu led Yan Xingshu and all the investigation officials stood up and saluted quickly. Although they were the officials to be investigated, none of them dared to show the slightest contempt.
This Lord Shangshu, who has been in charge of the household department for nine years, first came to the yamen. As soon as he opened his mouth, he defended his subordinates, but he also pointed out the whereabouts of the money. As a result, the prince's face turned pale, and his eyes wandered away.