"Master Geng." Li Qi came to the main hall with a smile.
Geng Rui was sitting on the Grand Master's chair, drinking tea. When he saw Li Qi coming, he stood up and greeted him: "Please forgive me for disturbing you, Mr. Li."
Looking at Geng Rui's paralyzed face, Li Qi smiled and said: "Master Geng is an important guest, and I can't even invite him on ordinary days. Being able to come to this humble house really makes me feel proud."
Geng Rui nodded, sat back down, and looked around.
Seeing this, Li Qi said: "Master Geng, if you have anything to say, just say it directly. There are not many people waiting in my small place."
Geng Rui nodded and said: "Master Li, I have done everything His Highness asked me to do this time..."
"Master Geng, His Highness has told me over there that Master Geng has contributed a lot this time. As for the appropriation of funds, His Highness has also said that he will personally tell the Ministry of Household Affairs," Li Qi said.
Geng Rui cupped his hands and said, "Thank you so much, Your Highness."
"Anyway, His Highness has always regarded Lord Geng as one of his own. His Highness also told me a lot about Lord Geng today..."
"Oh? I wonder what His Highness said about me?"
Li Qi imitated Jiang Qian and said: "Your Highness said: Geng Rui is smart, capable, and loyal to me. I will definitely use him in the future... When I inherit the throne in the future, I will not treat him badly."
After speaking, Li Qi smiled and said, "These are His Highness's exact words."
When Geng Rui heard this, he was a little flattered and said: "I, Geng Rui, will bow to His Highness until I die!"
"Master Geng is serious. You can do something for His Highness. His Highness has already regarded you as one of his own. Since you are one of our own, why does Master Geng need to see other people?" Li Qi said with a smile.
Geng Rui himself is an unsociable person, and it's not that he can't speak. It's mainly because of his face that he seems a bit difficult to get along with.
He has been able to take charge of the Criminal Department in recent years mainly because of his ability to handle affairs.
He also wanted to climb onto the prince's lap, but unfortunately he didn't have the chance on weekdays. He didn't expect that this time would be a breakthrough.
He also knew in his heart that whether this matter was big or small, he was completely tied to the same boat as the prince.
Li Qi also knew this.
Rescuing people from the prison is no small matter. Once he is found out, the prince may refuse to admit it, but Geng Rui will suffer.
I don’t know if the little prince did it intentionally or unintentionally.
This time, Geng Rui was completely his.
Li Qi was not too panicked about this incident.
His idea was that he didn't come to Kyoto to be an official. If something big happened, he would just run away.
When the time comes and you really can't do it, you can hide in Feiyan Village. If Feiyan Village is not safe, you can go to other places. If you can't stay in Daxia, is it possible that you can't stay in other places?
The world is so big, is it possible that there is no place for me, Li Qi, to live in?
"In the future, Mr. Li will need to take more care of you in front of His Highness the Crown Prince..." When Geng Rui laughed, it was uglier than crying.
"That's for sure, sir, don't worry."
Geng Rui took over the brocade box that was lying aside. Only then did Li Qi notice that this guy came with something.
"This is my humble opinion." Geng Rui said, "I hope Mr. Li won't dislike it."
Li Qi smiled and took the brocade box, opened it and took a look.
This box is not big, and inside is a beautiful inkstone made of jade.
Li Qi also had a general understanding of the jade of this era.
This inkstone is worth tens of thousands taels at least.
It just so happens that I have spent a lot of money during this period, so I can recover some blood.
"Master Geng, there is something I would like to ask you." Li Qi said.
"Master Li, if you have something to do, it doesn't matter."
"I wonder if Lord Geng knows if something happened to Lord Hubu Lu recently?" Li Qi asked tentatively.
Geng Rui looked confused: "Why did Mr. Li say this?"
Li Qi smiled and said: "Didn't I just go to Master Lu to talk about the money from Master Geng? I think Master Lu is in a dilemma, and it seems that he also has some money..."
At this point, Li Qi stopped.
After Geng Rui heard this, he sneered: "It turns out that this is the case. It's not surprising that Mr. Li doesn't know about it."
"Oh? I hope Master Geng will make it clear."
"That Lu Hao was originally the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, and he has made a lot of money from the treasury over the years. Everyone turned a blind eye to this. After all, the emperor and his elders didn't say anything about this matter. Naturally, we colleagues
It’s not easy to say much.”
Geng Rui paused as he spoke: "Last year, he misappropriated the imperial court's official money and built a very large manor in his hometown. I also learned about this by accident. It is said that a lot of money was spent on that manor.
Lu Haochu built it for his old age... The emperor recently made elixirs and spent a lot of money from the treasury, collecting some precious medicinal materials everywhere..."
Li Qi was still a little confused and looked at Geng Rui and said: "Among this..."
Before he could finish speaking, Geng Rui continued: "When the emperor wants money, he naturally has to take it from the treasury, but now the treasury is in short supply. This Lu Hao is most likely selling antiques at low prices recently, and he is also borrowing money from everywhere.
money……"
"Does he want to make up for the money he embezzled?" Li Qi asked.
"Isn't that right? Once the emperor leaves the country, he will definitely ask about the situation of the treasury. If he knows that there is a huge deficit in the treasury, his black hat will not be saved." Geng Rui laughed, looking like he was in a good mood.
No wonder Lu Haochu wanted to destroy the embankment. I bet he wanted to use this incident to cover up the shortage of the national treasury.
Fortunately, the prince did not sue this time. If he did, wouldn't grandma's wife become his scapegoat?
When the emperor asks, if he reveals the matter, what will the emperor think?
You will feel that the prince has taken out an unknown amount of money from the national treasury.
This Lu Haochu is really bad enough.
Thinking about it, he felt that he must rush to the palace tomorrow to explain the situation to the prince. The collusion with Lu Haochu must be stopped immediately, otherwise it will be troublesome in the future.
After sending Geng Rui away, Li Qi returned to his room to sleep.
Early the next morning, Li Qi came to the East Palace.
As soon as he entered, he saw Zhao Fu smiling happily.
"Eunuch Zhao, why are you so happy today?" Li Qi asked.
Zhao Fu pursed his lips and smiled and said: "Master Li, the Crown Prince is in a good mood today. Everyone has rewarded you with a lot of money. Hurry over and maybe you can get some rewards."
Li Qi was a little confused. Why was the prince so angry this early in the morning?
Not sure what was going on, Li Qi walked to the study.
As soon as I entered, I saw a lot of things piled up in the study room, such as jade, jewelry, and antiques.