Transmigrated To Another World: General, I'm Not Your White Moonlight - Chapter 317

Chapter 317: Collecting Evidence (1)
Knowing their emperor’s temperament, none of the ministers and generals dared to answer this question rashly. After a long silence, Yuan Dongke stepped forward and clasped his hands together.

“Your Majesty, Chen thinks it is better to accept a political marriage.”

Emperor Yong’an raised his eyebrows and asked, “Oh? Why do you think so?”

Yuan Dongke replied, “Although the Xiong Nu have sent their Shisan Gongzhu for a political marriage, Luandi Huiyun only wants to form an alliance rather than surrender completely. Corruption is rife, and the treasury is empty. It would not be good if we fought another war.”

Emperor Yong’an heard the words and nodded in agreement. He looked at Cai Guiqi again and asked, “Cai Shangshu, do you have anything to add?”

When Emperor Yong’an asked this question, Cai Guiqi’s heart skipped a beat. After a moment of silence, he calmly took a step forward and said, “Answering to Your Majesty. Chen agreed with Yuan Shangshu’s point of view.”

After he said this, he didn’t dare to look at Emperor Yong’an. Looking at his calm face, Emperor Yong’an smiled and said, “Cai Shangshu, as the Chief Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, isn’t your duty to ensure that the imperial treasury is full?”

Hearing this, Cai Guiqi had a bad premonition in his heart. He thought for a moment and soon knelt on the cold floor.

When Emperor Yong’an saw this, he chuckled and asked, “Cai Shangshu, what are you doing?”

Under the watchful eyes of Emperor Yong’an and other ministers, Cai Guiqi discovered that Emperor Yong’an was already aware of his corruption. He replied tremblingly, “Your Majesty, Chen is guilty.”

“Oh? What crime have you committed?” Emperor Yong’an asked lazily.

Cai Guiqi’s cold sweat dripped to the ground, but he didn’t dare to say a word. After a long silence, Emperor Yong’an said, “A few days ago, Zhen visited Tian Xiang Pavilion. Can you guess who Zhen saw there?”

When Cai Guiqi heard the name of Tian Xiang Pavilion from Emperor Yong’an, he knew that he was doomed. That place was where his wife went to have secret meetings with the wives of ministers and generals.

Now that Emperor Yong’an knows, everything should have been revealed. Instead of waiting for death, it is better to betray the mastermind to save himself.

Having made up his mind, Cai Guiqi gritted his teeth and said, “Your Majesty, Chen is guilty, but Chen is just a small worker.”

Emperor Yong’an frowned and asked, “Small worker? As the Minister of Revenue, you are just a small worker? Then who is your Master?”

Cai Guiqi hesitated for a moment and said, “It’s Duan Qinwang, Huang Tai Hou, and Ye Cheng Xiang.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the ministers and generals were shocked, while Emperor Yong’an calmly asked, “Do you have any evidence of their corruption?”

Cai Guiqi nodded and said, “Yes, Your Majesty. There are account books and agreement documents. Chen also knew the messengers and middlemen.”

Emperor Yong’an thought for a while and said, “Hand over the name list, and Zhen will let your family go, as well as the innocent people in your family. Otherwise, everyone will perish with you.”

Upon hearing this, Cai Guiqi quickly said, “Chen will submit the name list and evidence immediately.”

Before he could leave, Emperor Yong’an looked at Wu Shanxian and said, “General Wu, please send Cai Shangshu back to his home. Zhen is worried that something will happen to him on the way.”

Just as Cai Guiqi was about to refuse, Emperor Yong’an said again, “Someone may silence him.”

When Cai Guiqi heard this, the words of rejection got stuck in his throat. He could only resign to his fate and salute Emperor Yong’an, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for taking care of me.”

After Cai Guiqi said that, Wu Shanxian said coldly, “Cai Shangshu, please.”

Leaving with no choice, Cai Guiqi had to leave with Wu Shanxian and return to his residence to get the evidence.

After Wu Shanxian and Cai Guiqi left, Emperor Yong’an looked at Yi Zitao and said, “Yi Shangshu, please prepare an imperial banquet for the Xiong Nu’s envoy tomorrow. At that time, Zhen will announce my decision on the political marriage offer.”

Yi Zitao bowed and said, “Chen accepts the order.”

Emperor Yong’an then looked at the others and said, “Except for Yan Junwang and Quan Shangshu, everyone can go back.”

The ministers and generals bowed and said, “Chen take my leave.”

When there were only three of them in the spacious imperial study, Xuan Ruiquan asked, “Biao Ge, do you have something to tell us privately?”

Emperor Yong’an stood up and said, “Follow me.”

The three of them walked to the side hall, and Emperor Yong’an led them to the secret room behind the wall. When walking down the stone steps, Quan Yilin asked, “Your Majesty, where are we going?”

Emperor Yong’an did not answer him but just led the way. When they finally set foot on the ground, Quan Yilin saw a large room filled with books, boxes, and documents. A large map hanging on the wall had many lines, words, and pictures drawn on it.

When Quan Yilin saw this, he couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Your Majesty, this is–”

Emperor Yong’an lit the oil lamps and said, “These are the evidence and information Zhen has collected over the years about the death of my Fu Huang and Mu Hou.”

Quan Yilin was shocked when he heard this.

Emperor Yong’an went to get a box and said, “This is the evidence of the crimes of Duan Qinwang, Ye Cheng Xiang, and Huang Tai Hou. After Fu Huang passed away, they embezzled more than twenty million taels of silver in just seven years. It’s a pity that Zhen has no evidence that they killed Fu Huang and Mu Hou.”

Hearing these words, Xuan Ruiquan thought of the box that Madam Chi gave to Duan Yixin before they left Yushan Village. He looked at his elder cousin and asked, “Biao Ge, do you have any clues about that case?”