I support the army through farming and business.

Chapter 230 First Announcement
Three days later, at the morning court session, Grand Eunuch Zhou flicked his whisk and announced in a shrill voice, "Those who have matters to report, please speak; otherwise, the court may adjourn!"

Prince An stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to report."

Emperor Sheng'an, seated high on his throne, nodded. "You may present your report."

"Your Majesty, I have been deeply grateful for your grace. Since assuming the position of Vice Minister of War, I have been working tirelessly day and night, fearing that I might fail to live up to your kindness. Therefore, I have been reviewing the Ministry of War's accounts since the founding of the People's Republic of China day and night."

Emperor Sheng'an nodded; based on his understanding of Prince An, he was not surprised.

"However, I have discovered that although the officials were able to rescue the Ministry of War in time during the fire, some of the account books were still destroyed, especially the account books from the 30th year of the Kangzhi reign, which were completely burned!"

The crown prince, standing on the steps, suddenly frowned.

Emperor Sheng'an didn't take it seriously. "I know about that fire. The weather was dry, and the clerk on night duty was lazy and made a mistake, which caused the fire. The late emperor had already punished him."

“No! I have just learned that the fire was not a natural disaster, but a man-made one!” said Prince An. “I have a witness, and I request Your Majesty to allow him to enter the palace and present the truth.”

Emperor Sheng'an lowered his voice and asked, "Who is it?"

"Cao Ming, grandson of the former Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War."

The crown prince's hand, hidden under his sleeve, suddenly clenched tightly, and for a moment, you could hear a pin drop in the hall.

The beaded curtain hanging from the crown concealed Emperor Sheng'an's expression. After a long while, his calm yet unfathomable voice rang out, "Granted!"

Zhou Dajian announced in a shrill voice, "Summon the grandson of the former Left Vice Minister of War to an audience!"

Half an incense stick later, Cao Ming, who had been waiting at the palace gate, was led into the main hall by the Imperial Guards. He knelt on the ground trembling and prostrated himself in a grand salute, saying, "This humble subject, Cao Ming, pays his respects to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"

Emperor Sheng'an asked, "Cao Ming, Prince An said that there were other hidden reasons behind the fire at the Ministry of War in the thirty-second year of the Kangzhi reign. How did you know this?"

“Your Majesty, this is what my grandfather said,” Cao Yang said, his head still kowtowing to the ground, his voice trembling. “My grandfather’s health was greatly damaged after he suffered a stroke, and recently he has even become delirious. I have been serving him at his bedside out of filial piety.”

As Cao Ming spoke, his mind became clearer and clearer. "Half a month ago, when I was taking care of my grandfather when he was ill, he suddenly woke up, grabbed my hand and wouldn't let go, and kept muttering, 'I'm wrong, I deserve to die.' I didn't understand. My grandfather has been conscientious and diligent since he entered officialdom. He dares not let down His Majesty and the Emperor's grace. How could he have done anything wrong?"

"Unexpectedly, my grandfather pointed to the headboard and mentioned the 30th year of the Kangzhi reign. Out of curiosity, I searched the place my grandfather was pointing to and found an account book in a hidden compartment by the headboard, which was stamped with the seal of the Ministry of War."

Emperor Sheng'an asked, "Where are the account books?"

Prince An took out the account book from his bosom, held it above his head with both hands, and said, "Cao Ming has handed it to me. Please take a look, Your Majesty."

Zhou Dajian hurriedly stepped forward, took the account book, and presented it to Emperor Sheng'an.

Emperor Sheng'an took the ledger but did not open it. "Continue!"

Cao Ming was stunned for a moment before realizing that Emperor Sheng'an was speaking to him. Cold sweat dripped from his forehead onto the gleaming floor tiles. Cao Ming continued, "Although I have always been a scholar, I have also heard about national affairs. I have also heard about the fire in the Ministry of War that destroyed the account books from previous years, especially the account books from the 30th year of the Kangzhi reign, which were completely burned. How could they have appeared in the secret compartment by my grandfather's bedside?"

"This humble citizen has a feeling that there is something wrong, but I don't know how to deal with it. So, in accordance with the laws of the Great Yu, I have no choice but to hand over the account books to His Highness Prince An, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War who is in charge of supervision!"

Emperor Sheng'an then opened the account book.

Prince An continued, "After I obtained the account books and examined them, I indeed discovered a problem: In the thirtieth year of the Kangzhi reign, the Ministry of War had a deficit of 1.5 million taels of silver in military provisions and cash from various regions! This is truly shocking."

"I believe this matter is of great importance and dare not make a fuss about it. I have returned to the Ministry of War to re-examine the old accounts in hopes of finding the cause of the deficit. However, the task is too large for me to undertake alone, and I dare not delay. Therefore, I am reporting to Your Majesty today and request Your Majesty to make a decision."

Emperor Sheng'an's hand stopped on the page of the ledger marked with a red circle. The deficit of the entire night pierced Emperor Sheng'an's eyes like a sharp sword. "Investigate!" The Crown Prince suddenly looked up.

"Move all the Ministry of War's account books from previous years into the palace, and summon officials from the Ministry of Revenue and students from the Imperial Academy to the palace to examine the account books and re-check them!"

"I need to know where this deficit of 1.5 million taels of silver has gone!"

"Yes!" The Minister of Revenue stepped forward to accept the order.

"As for Cao Ming," Emperor Sheng'an lowered his eyes.

Prince An advised, “Your Majesty, although Cao Yang has committed a crime, Cao Ming was the first to report it and was loyal and righteous enough to put aside his own family. I beg Your Majesty to punish him leniently.”

"Imprison the entire Cao family, with the Imperial Guards personally overseeing them. No one is allowed to visit them without my permission!" Emperor Sheng'an finished speaking, picked up the account books, and left with a flick of his sleeve.

The courtiers knelt down, "Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty!"

After the morning court session, the Crown Prince went to the Imperial Study.

In the imperial study, Emperor Sheng'an was furious. "One and a half million taels of silver—the annual tax revenue of a medium-sized prefecture! And these parasites have embezzled it all!"

When the late emperor was alive, he needed money everywhere due to foreign troubles and internal strife, but the national treasury was empty. He was so worried about tax revenue that he couldn't sleep at night, while these officials lived in luxury and had soft beds.

Damn it! All deserve to die!
Zhou, the chief eunuch, entered cautiously and said, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince requests an audience!"

"Let him get in!"

The furious voice reached the Crown Prince's ears through the window. The Crown Prince took a deep breath and strode into the Imperial Study.

"My son, please see your father!"

Clang! The teacup depicting the immortal of longevity shattered a foot away from the crown prince. "You still have the nerve to come see me? If I remember correctly, it was you who recommended Cao Yang to me, saying he was a rare and loyal minister!"

"To be able to conceal the whereabouts of 1.5 million taels of silver so well, bypassing everyone else, truly deserves the title of a capable minister!"

"Father, please calm your anger. Although I recommended Cao Yang, it was because Cao Yang was indeed exceptionally capable at the time and wholeheartedly devoted himself to the Crown Prince's residence. Such a talent should not be missed!"

The Crown Prince said sincerely, "But I truly knew nothing about the embezzlement of this 1.5 million taels of silver!"

"Furthermore, it's still unknown what role Cao Yang played in this matter. Perhaps Cao Yang simply knew about it but didn't report it, and didn't participate in the embezzlement!"

Hearing the Crown Prince's words, Emperor Sheng'an's furious heart calmed down a little. Cao Yang was someone he had recommended to the late emperor, and he had always been highly valued by the late emperor. If he hadn't suddenly suffered a stroke, he would have been highly valued by the late emperor as well.

"Then tell me, how should we handle this?"

"Investigate thoroughly! If Cao Yang is indeed guilty of embezzlement, punish him severely!" The Crown Prince hesitated, "However, I have concerns..."

"worry about what?"

"I am worried that someone might frame me. Today's events show that Uncle An seems extremely eager to confirm Cao Yang's embezzlement, and he might even try to turn a member of the Cao family against him. This is truly alarming!"

Please, my darlings, give me lots of recommendation tickets, monthly tickets, and tips!