Everyone knows that the relationship between Zhang Yu and Fang Chen has reached a point where it will never end.
Now Zhang Fengwu actually keeps praising Fang Chen, keeps praising Fang Chen, and describes Fang Chen as a great hero who does everything for the country, the people, and the common people.
Zhang Fengwu said this, but he was extremely cruel in his heart. The higher he held you up, the harder he would fall, and he would eventually fall to pieces.
The officials at the scene also knew it.
The Zhang family's money has been saved by several generations. In the past, the Zhang family was still engaged in business and their family was very wealthy.
At this time, everyone's eyes fell on Fang Chen.
Luo Ningxin said: "Master Fang, you are here! Now Master Wu says there is something wrong with the 400,000 taels of silver you gave Zhang Fengwu. How do you explain it?"
Fang Chen's face was calm: "Your Majesty, there is nothing wrong with these 400,000 taels of silver. Just like Mr. Zhang Fengwu said, these 400,000 taels of silver are used for the victims. Because the situation is urgent, I collected the money and handed it over as soon as possible.
Zhang Fengwu, I really didn’t expect Master Wu to suspect that there was something wrong with the money.”
"As the saying goes, money is taken from the people and used by the people. How can there be a problem with money used for disaster relief?"
The words "from the people, for the people" made everyone at the scene a little surprised.
Wu Xuan said: "Master Fang, don't speak so nicely. Then let me ask you something. Did you meet with Hu Yanzhuo, the envoy of the Western Empire, yesterday?"
Now the real show begins.
Fang Chen smiled and admitted directly: "I met with Hu Yanzhuo yesterday. Is there any problem? And I met at Mr. Ye Fan's house."
Wu Xuan sneered: "Master Fang, just admit it. As far as I know, the Western Empire has always had trade relations with our country, and the Western Empire has deposited a lot of money in the Wancai Bank of our Dayan Dynasty. Someone saw it yesterday
After Master Fang met Hu Yanzhuo, he came to Shangshu Mansion and handed over 400,000 taels to Zhang Fengwu."
"Is this happening?"
Fang Chen smiled faintly: "It seems that Master Wu has been following me and knows so much about what I am doing!"
"I met Hu Yanzhuo. There is no need for me to tell you what we did between us. As for the origin of the 400,000 taels of silver, it came from the right source. I borrowed it from the Ma family."
Wu Xuandao: "We have checked the Ma family a long time ago, and they don't have that much money at all. The Ma family has now invested all their funds in textile factories and housing, and asked friends to borrow some money. Now they are in debt, how can they give it to you?
Borrow 400,000 taels?"
"Tell me now, did you get those 400,000 taels from Hu Yanzhuo?"
Fang Chen's face was very cold and he shouted: "Master Wu, if you don't have evidence, don't make random guesses here! Even if I borrow it from Hu Yanzhuo, what will happen?"
"How can I talk nonsense without evidence?" Wu Xuan looked convinced of Fang Chen: "I know that you and Hu Yanzhuo signed an agreement, and I know exactly what you are selling. You
I know that I took a total of one million taels from Hu Yanzhuo!"
Fang Chen was surprised.
I didn't expect that the other party would investigate the matter so clearly.
Fang Chen remembered that Hu Yanzhuo made Lingding very drunk yesterday and rested in Ye Mansion.
And Hu Yanzhuo has several subordinates taking care of him, so it might be possible if these people spread the word.
Besides, if you want to do black powder business, once the business is started, others will know about it sooner or later.
This business was approved by Luo Ningxin.
Now that the other party has found out, Fang Chen directly admitted: "Yes, I am doing business with Hu Yanzhuo, and Hu Yanzhuo paid me a deposit of one million taels. Is there any problem?"
A sneer appeared at the corner of Wu Xuan's lips: "It's good since you admit it, and I also know that you are in the black powder business, which is the third question Hu Yanzhuo raised in my court when he paid tribute last time."
"Fang Chen, you want to sell black gunpowder to the Western Empire!"
Fang Chen didn't expect that Wu Xuan would find out so many things.
Luo Ningxin was also surprised. It seemed that Wu Xuan was fully prepared to deal with Equation this time.
When all the civil and military officials heard the words black gunpowder, they felt very strange. They had never heard of it.
Wu Xuan explained to everyone: "You must not know what black gunpowder is. Let me tell you now that black gunpowder is an extremely rare drug. Recently, I met a warlock. He told me that when a warlock makes an elixir, he will
Use black powder."
"Moreover, black gunpowder is mainly used to refine some longevity-prolonging elixirs, or even immortality elixirs!"
"I also read in an ancient book that black gunpowder is extremely valuable!"
Fang Chen was shocked. When Wu Xuan told the purpose of black gunpowder, Fang Chen thought he really knew. Unexpectedly, he actually said that black gunpowder was a medicine.
In fact, throughout history, when black gunpowder was first invented, it was indeed used in medicine to refine elixirs. Because the ingredients were black powder that could be burned and was also a medicine, it was named black gunpowder.
A mocking look appeared on Fang Chen's lips: "Master Wu, you are right, black powder is indeed a very rare medicine."
"So, is there any problem with Hu Yanzhuo and I doing this business?"
Wu Xuan saw Fang Chen falling into the trap step by step and sneered: "According to my investigation, this black powder business is approved by His Majesty, and His Majesty has ordered people from the Ministry of Industry to collect black powder as controlled materials."
"Excuse me, Your Majesty, is this the case?"
Luo Ningxin told the people from the Ministry of Works that this matter should be kept secret for the time being and could not be leaked. Unexpectedly, people from the Ministry of Revenue found out.
"Yes, this matter was indeed decided by me." Luo Ningxin explained: "The Ministry of Industry has mastered the method of manufacturing black powder and can export the black powder to other countries. This is also a project to increase fiscal revenue."
"Master Wu, is there any problem?"
"The problem is very big!" At this moment, Wu Xuan has taken the initiative and wants to reveal Fang Chen's secret!
"If Hu Yanzhuo wants to do business, the Ministry of Industry of the imperial court should come forward, and the deposit of one million taels should also be handed over to the imperial court and the country, not to Fang Chen, nor should Fang Chen privately sign an agreement with Hu Yanzhuo!
"
"After Fang Chen signed the contract with Hu Yanzhuo, he took one million taels and gave 400,000 taels to Mr. Zhang Fengwu and Mr. Zhang."
"I don't need to say more about Mr. Fang's behavior and actions. All the adults present understand it."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present was shocked!
Now, everyone knows the ins and outs of everything. This time, the Ministry of Revenue is targeting Fang Chen, accusing him of misappropriating public funds and using power for personal gain!
The crime of embezzling public funds is very serious. If it exceeds 500 taels of silver, it is a felony and is punishable by death!
Now it is 400,000 taels of silver, which can make Fang Chen die countless times, and it is a crime of association!