In the end, Old Madam Fang went to the palace anyway.
It was early spring in February, with grass growing and warblers flying, willows weeping on the shore, and everything was full of life. When Princess Duan heard the news, she felt half of her body go limp, and she let out a long breath in shock. Finally, some life appeared on her pale face, and she even smiled: "Go and invite the prince."
Prince Duan knew about it long ago. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he dismissed the servants, held Princess Duan's hand and sat down. He still looked serious and shook his head slowly at her: "Wait for the news. We have done what we should and can do."
This matter is becoming more and more involved.
Even Emperor Longqing did not expect that the Lianghuai Salt Administration would have so many deficits and so much money to be made. The Ministry of Revenue complained of poverty every year and needed money every year, but those salt administrators left with nothing but gold when they came back. Huang Bingqing, the greediest of all, thought of ways to get money in order to make things difficult for the salt merchants. It was said that the dog bowls used by his family to feed the dogs were all made of pure gold.
Needless to say, his daughter's wedding was a grand occasion, with a fleet of ten ships sending off the bride.
But all these have been suppressed for so many years, and not a single memorial has been sent to him. Emperor Longqing sneered at the account books that Qian Shiyun and Lin Sanshao had worked together to calculate in the past few months. After Huang Bingqing tremblingly submitted a letter of apology, he threw the secret letter in front of the civil and military officials the next day and asked him, "What is your intention!"
What is his intention? These four words made Huang Bingqing feel depressed.
The Jinyiwei raided Huang Bingqing's home that night, followed by a series of people who were implicated.
Prince Duan held an apricot in his hand, his eyes were hollow, and after a while he managed to squeeze out a sentence from his throat: "I'm afraid that the investigation will lead to Jiang Shiying."
Jiang Shiying was the person who made money for the late emperor when he was alive. It was from Jiang Shiying that he took control of the salt administration, a business that made money for his students. It was Jiang Shiying who first came up with the idea of withholding interest on salt permits, saying that he would calculate it later, but in fact he never did.
The tricks here are indeed not much different from what is in the accounts, and there are even more.
Once Jiang Shiying is found, he will no longer be able to hide it, and he will naturally be implicated...
Princess Duan held his hand, as if to comfort him or herself: "Not really... Since the Fang family is willing to extend this hand, they must have the ability to take this money..."
After all, the Fang family is Queen Fang's maternal family. Needless to say, Queen Fang treats the Fang family very well. Just look at how she treated Fang Zhengrong at that time.
Since the Fang family asked for money, could it be that Queen Fang would insist on not allowing the Fang family to make this huge fortune
Princess Duan knew that this was the best and last resort after her husband and his staff had discussed it over and over again, so she mentioned it again: "Just like you said, do your best and leave the rest to fate."
The Lianghuai Salt Administration corruption case was tried from winter to spring, and from spring to the beginning of summer, and finally a conclusion was reached.
Starting from Huang Bingqing, none of the previous four salt administrators were let off and all were caught. Officials were demoted or dismissed, while those who were not officials and were already unemployed were all held accountable for their embezzled money, their property was confiscated, and some were beheaded.
It took several months before the situation finally calmed down.
Huang Bingqing and several previous salt administrators were sentenced to hanging. One of them died in prison, but Emperor Longqing was still not satisfied, so he took his body out of the imperial prison and whipped him with 200 lashes.
It looks like a serious injury, but in the end, there is still a way out.
Prince Zheng happened to come to visit Old Madam Wei and mentioned the matter to Wei Yangqing and the Third and Second Masters Wei. They just shook their heads and said, "It was never involved any further."
In total, only three or four million taels of silver were recovered, and there was still a huge deficit. Logically, the case should have been investigated further, but in the end, it was just closed like this.
After all, this was a big deal. Those of them outside the Three Departments had no idea what was going on. When they heard what King Zheng said, they looked at each other and the Third Master asked, "This time it's such a big deal, but..."
Many people have come to their senses now - there is no wall that is impenetrable. The idea of withholding interest on salt vouchers was first proposed by Jiang Shiying. However, Emperor Longqing clearly said that a thorough investigation would be conducted, but in the end, Jiang Shiying was not found to be the responsible party - and Jiang Shiying is still alive.
King Zheng frowned and sighed.
Wei Yangqing did figure out something - it wasn't that he figured it out, but the Peng family hinted at it - the Saint had been staying with Concubine De and Concubine Shu for many days.
This was something that had never happened before. No matter what happened before, Emperor Longqing always treated Empress Fang differently. He always treasured Empress Fang and doted on this beautiful young woman who had followed him since she was a daughter. He was afraid that she would melt if he held her in his mouth, and afraid that she would fall if he held her in his hands. He indulged her blindly.
Queen Fang has always been allowed to do whatever she wants.
Not to mention that after Empress Fang gave birth to the little prince, Emperor Longqing almost wanted to worship her as a sacrifice.
But now, Emperor Longqing had changed his temperament and seemed to have suddenly become cold towards the Queen.
Isn't this too strange
Wei Yangqing thought about the hint from the Peng family, and then thought about the discussions he had heard from his colleagues recently. He gave up the idea of exploring the matter and quickly invited King Zheng to have tea.
Once the bitterness in his heart was gone, he could live in harmony with King Zheng.
Besides, he had to be in charge of the batch of weapons going to Fujian this year, and he really didn't want to get involved in this matter.
Prince Zheng sat with them for a while, and as usual, he went to the back to see Old Lady Wei.
As things happened one after another, Mrs. Wei had originally planned to leave for Yunnan, but she had delayed it until now. There was also a lawsuit going on in the palace, so Prince Zheng simply came to the Dingbei Marquis Mansion from time to time.
Every time he came back, he would find ways to bring things for Wei An, including jewelry, clothes, silks and satins. He was always afraid that these would be too thin for Jian, so he specifically reminded Wei An: "You are now a princess, so do what you want."
He still cared a lot about how Li Gui Niang had looked down on and plotted against her before, and he couldn't swallow this anger no matter what.
Even if Li Shao doesn't get into trouble this time, he will definitely make something happen to him.
Compared to his brothers, his hands have always been clean, but for his daughter, he doesn't mind getting bloodstained.
They say they are arrogant once or twice, but if you stretch out your hands three or four times, they will become more unscrupulous if their hands are not chopped off.
Wei An smiled and nodded as if to agree, then asked him the real matter: "Did something happen in the palace?"
Under normal circumstances, Prince Zheng would not have come so often. He did not want to be gossiped about, but he also had to put on an act for the Emperor and Empress. He looked very reluctant every time he came, and he had to report to the Emperor and Empress in order to avoid arousing suspicion among these two suspicious people.