When Mr. Wang was escorted back, the inspection and inventory of the Shangshu Mansion was just halfway through. He saw large boxes and small boxes placed in the front yard and outside the gate, as well as precious white jade screens, huge coral trees, and various precious jade and gold items.
Under the light of torches at night, the utensils become more and more glittering and gorgeous.
Mr. Wang glanced over, and he was almost dazzled. In addition to gold, silver and jade, there were also boxes of antiques, calligraphy and paintings, and original books. There were even some rare and rare treasures that perhaps even he himself had forgotten who gave them to him.
They all lined up inside and outside the gate, making his eyesight go dark and he almost fainted.
"Master Wang is back?" Huangfu Lingfeng turned around and saw Wang Shangshu being escorted back. He raised his eyebrows and smiled, "Is Nansheng Pavilion easy to visit? How is Prince Wang's injury?"
Wang Shangshu's face turned pale, he turned his head, his eyes passed over the faces of his wife and daughter, and looked at the crowd of people kneeling in the courtyard. They were all the housekeepers, maids, maids, and guards of the house... They came in a hurry.
Fear and despair swept over him, causing him to collapse to the ground helplessly.
If he still had a glimmer of hope when he came back from Nansheng Hall and kept praying in his heart that the prince was just scaring him, then when he saw this scene, all his hopes instantly turned into despair, leaving no room for survival.
Years of hard work turned into dust and smoke, leaving nothing behind and the lives of the whole family in vain.
As the counting of stolen goods continued, Mrs. Wang cried and shouted: "Master, Master..."
Wang Anxian also cried in fear: "Dad, I don't want to die, I don't want to die..."
Several concubines and concubines were sobbing softly, with sad looks on their faces.
Who wants to die?
The poor people who are hungry still want to live longer, not to mention the family members of the housekeepers who are used to enjoying the glory and wealth. Who doesn't long for a longer life?
However, it is not up to them to decide whether they want to die or not.
The imperial city is neither big nor small, but the inner city where the dignitaries live is not very big. Any slightest disturbance will spread instantly, let alone such a big thing as confiscating a house?
So that night, many of the clan princes and court officials who had fallen asleep were awakened and had no sleep all night.
The house of the Minister of Civil Affairs was confiscated.
The news came so suddenly, with no warning at all.
Sicang also sat in the Nansheng Pavilion for half the night, Cheng Jingxuan accompanied him quietly. The night outside was heavy and dark as ink.
Until the sky turned white, the ministers who had not slept yet got up one after another, straightened their coats and went to court. Carriages appeared on the streets leading to the palace, and the bells rang, announcing the beginning of the morning court.
As expected, King Cheng's worries were not in vain. Emperor Wu arrived at the main hall, and after the ministers knelt down and prayed for long live the mountain, the impeachment papers quickly flew to the imperial court like snowflakes. Emperor Wu sat in the main hall, listening to what the censors said to each other.
, impatiently accusing the Minister of Civil Affairs of lining his own pockets over the years.
"Master Wang took advantage of his position to amass money and awarded officials and titles arbitrarily, which led to many unskilled people entering the court. Scholars with real talents and knowledge in the scientific examination failed because they did not pay enough money, and they were miserable for ten years.
It’s really chilling to see your hard work go to waste! Please take a closer look, Your Majesty!”
"Master Wang bought and sold officials and titles. This is a serious corruption. He has committed cholera and is deserving of death!"
"Her Royal Highness, the Crown Princess, is brave and brave. She dares to do things that others dare not do. I am highly admired by my ministers. She is a hero among women and a heroine!"
"The annual tax revenue of the national treasury is only 12 million taels. The corruption figures of Mr. Wang, a third-rank minister, have reached half of the national treasury tax revenue. It is really shocking. I beg the emperor to take strict measures to set an example for others!"
King Cheng stood silently in the queue without saying a word, listening to the righteous impeachments of the censors. He observed the reactions of others except the censors from the corner of his eyes, and calmly looked at several anxious-looking people.
The officials shook their heads and signaled that they must not act rashly.
But just because he doesn't act rashly doesn't mean he is safe.
"Your Majesty!" Lu Ming, who had been busy all night, walked up to the hall quickly, knelt down on one knee, and said, "General Fu has an audience."
"General Fu?" Emperor Wu frowned, "Fu Nanchuan?"
"yes."
King Cheng's heart skipped a beat. For some reason, a strong uneasiness swept over him. He clenched his hands and turned to stare in the direction of the palace door.
Emperor Wu ordered: "Let him come in."
"yes!"
Fu Nanchuan quickly walked up to the main hall, wearing a black cloak that showed off the upright and solemn aura of a general. When he arrived at the main hall, he knelt down on one knee and said: "Your Majesty, I have something important to report."
"explain."
"Two months ago, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince received a secret report and learned that Youzhou was not at peace. Bandits often appeared in Youshan area, specializing in robbing passing businessmen. In addition to robbing money and sex, they often killed people with extremely cruel methods. The Crown Prince ordered his ministers to go to Youshan.
The state secretly investigated the matter. I led my people to Youzhou and found out the details of the bandits and arrested the relevant persons." Fu Nanchuan reported in an orderly manner and presented a roster with both hands, "These are the bandits.
There is evidence of dealings with Feng Zhiyuan, the prefect of Youzhou. The reason why the bandits are so arrogant and brutal is that they have the support of the government, which makes the merchants miserable and there is no one to seek justice when something goes wrong. As time goes by, it arouses public indignation. Please ask your Majesty.
Decision."
King Cheng's heart sank.
Feng Zhiyuan? Youzhou?
Fu Nanchuan is not in the imperial city these days, so he is secretly investigating the case? And he is under the orders of the prince... Yes, the prince was supervising the country two months ago.
However, King Cheng still couldn't figure out when the prince's hand stretched out so long? Why didn't he get any news?
"Youzhou?" Emperor Wu looked angry, "These madmen are so audacious! Where is Feng Zhiyuan now?"
"I arranged for my soldiers to escort him back. The prison car is still on the way and should be able to reach the imperial city before tomorrow evening." Fu Nanchuan reported, "The bandits have also been escorted back. As far as I know, Feng Zhiyuan is here.
I still have a strong backer in the court, so I dare to do whatever I want. I hope your Majesty will see clearly!"
King Cheng stood with his head bowed, his emotions concealed calmly on his face, not revealing anything at all, but in his heart there was already a turbulent wave.
What does Fu Nanchuan want to do? What does he want to do?!
"After Feng Zhiyuan was escorted back, he was imprisoned by the Ministry of Punishment and interrogated jointly by the Ministry of Punishment and Dali Temple." Emperor Wu was furious, "I want to see how powerful the backers are behind him, how dare he ignore the laws of Dongyou and act so unscrupulously.
Wantlessly taking people’s money and killing people!”
All the ministers knelt down: "Your Majesty, calm down!"
"I will never tolerate the discovery of a moth in the court!" Emperor Wu was furious, "Throw all the officials and his family members into prison, waiting for the Queen to be executed!"
All the ministers shouted: "Long live my emperor, long live, long live!"
King Cheng knelt on the ground, his heart as if it had fallen into an ice cellar.