Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

Chapter 3912 Being an Official is Dangerous

When he asks someone to do something, he naturally expects them to reciprocate, or at least turn a blind eye.

Throughout the process, he accepted a considerable amount of bribes.

Zeng Xiaoduan confessed to all the officials who had been promoted illegally over the years, totaling as many as 57 people!

These fifty-seven people were promoted by Zeng Xiaoduan.

For many lower-ranking officials, the position of the Director of the Selection Department could be decided by submitting the report to the Minister or Vice Minister for review and signature.

Zhao Yuan handed the confession to Bai Chongyan.

After reading it, Bai Chongyan was speechless for a long time.

He trusted too much the official in charge of the selection of officials that he had promoted, and he also believed too much that Zeng Xiaoduan wouldn't act recklessly.

Bai Chongyan would just glance at the official documents submitted by those two men before signing and stamping them for approval.

Or rather, most top leaders are like this; it's impossible for them to personally verify everything carefully.

One was a highly senior second-in-command, and the other was a trusted confidant whom he had promoted. How could Bai Chongyan possibly control them when they joined forces to deceive him?

It would be difficult to conduct a thorough review; the written materials must have been prepared perfectly long ago.

Zhao Yuan said, "You should temporarily resign from your position as Minister of Personnel and instead go and gain some experience as a prefect."

"Yes." Bai Chongyan felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

The cases of Zeng Xiaoduan and Sun Rugui were not confessed by Qin Hui.

Qin Hui was terrified of death, and he tried to give a piece of his confession in a piecemeal fashion.

He would only reveal a few names at a time, then have the three judicial departments investigate, slowly dragging out the time so he could live a few more months.

He only implicated Feng Youlai, the former secretary of the Ministry of Personnel, who was also Min Zishun's confidant.

Bai Chongyan's confidant, Sun Rugui, was arrested by the Three Judicial Offices for trial because he promoted Yang Yuan, who had been frightened to death.

Sun Rugui witnessed Qin Hui being arrested, and soon after, he himself was arrested, believing that he had been implicated by Qin Hui.

So, this guy couldn't hold back for long on the third day, and he kept talking until he finally confessed about Zeng Xiaoduan.

……

Bai Chongyan left the palace in a daze. When he returned to the Minister's residence, his wife said that Bai Chongwu had been waiting for him for a long time.

Bai Chongwu served as governor of Shijian City for several years. It would be a lie to say he didn't make money, but the amount was negligible.

After returning from Japan, Bai Chongwu gradually rose through the ranks and is now the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, making him Qin Hui's right-hand man.

"Third brother, are you alright?" Bai Chongwu asked, his heart pounding with fear.

Bai Chongyan smiled wryly: "It's alright. His Majesty was merciful and didn't punish me too harshly; I was only demoted to prefect."

Bai Chongwu breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good, that's good."

"What about your end?" Bai Chongyan asked.

Bai Chongwu said, "I have only been transferred to the Ministry of Revenue for a little over a year, and Qin Hui has also just been transferred to the Ministry of Revenue. I have no connection with Qin Hui."

"With so many mountains of gold and silver overseas, far from the emperor's reach, I was able to refrain from making a fortune. How could I possibly be corrupt and lawless once I return to the capital?"

Bai Chongyan said, "I'm just glad that you and my brother are safe."

"Yes, it's good that everyone is safe. Being an official is nerve-wracking."

Bai Chongwu said,

"Once Qin Hui's case is over, I will resign due to illness and settle down in Jiangnan."

Bai Chongyan asked in surprise, "Brother, you are an honest and upright official, how could this happen?"

Bai Chongwu got up and closed all the doors and windows: "We're family, so let's not be so formal. I was corrupt when I was a clerk in the Song Dynasty, so how could I not be corrupt when I'm an official in the Ming Dynasty?"

Chapter 3913 Gold and Silver Mountains

"It's just that I know the emperor's temper, so I've become more cautious and restrained."

"When I was a governor overseas, I amassed a full 30,000 strings of cash..."

"Second Brother is confused!" Bai Chongyan exclaimed in shock.

Bai Chongwu lowered his voice: "Don't worry, there are mountains of gold and silver everywhere there, what's 30,000 strings of cash?"

"I did it so discreetly that it was impossible for anyone to find out."

“After returning to the capital, I haven’t embezzled a single penny since. The emperor’s punishment of corruption is terrifying.”

Bai Chongyan was an exceptionally upright person, even a bit pedantic, but his abilities were somewhat mediocre.

Having served as an official for over twenty years, he was somehow managed to be completely manipulated by his deputy and confidant, without even realizing that he had been deceived by their combined forces.

Hearing that his second brother had embezzled tens of thousands of coins, he became uneasy, fearing that he would be found out, and paced back and forth in the room anxiously.

Bai Chongwu was getting a little annoyed: "Sit down, don't keep walking back and forth."

"Qin Hui's case this time is very serious. Anyway, I dare not serve as an official again. I will go to Jiangnan to settle down and stay far away from the court."

Bai Chongyan said, "Second brother, why don't you turn yourself in?"

"What did you say?" Bai Chongwu thought he had misheard.

"Turn yourself in," Bai Chongyan said.

Bai Chongwu was speechless for a moment: "Why would I turn myself in? I am just a Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. In the past ten years, I have only embezzled less than 40,000 strings of cash. I can be a model of honesty in the country."

"Besides, I've already decided to retire due to illness and leave the capital far away. Why would I turn myself in?"

Bai Chongyan asked, "Really can't find out?"

Bai Chongwu laughed and said, "Don't even mention that the Three Judicial Offices couldn't find out. Even my former subordinates couldn't find out anything when they investigated me."

"Those officials and clerks, at most they suspect that I've embezzled money, but they can't even be sure of such suspicions."

"If anyone can actually find out, I'll accept being beheaded without complaint."

"I hope so," Bai Chongyan sighed.

Bai Chongwu sat at his desk, stretched, and said, "It's good that you're alright this time. I was really worried something might happen to you."

“I’m not an ambitious person. Back when I was in Xixiang County, all I thought about was making more money and living a rich life.”

"Now I'm considered wealthy. It's from my annual salary, His Majesty's rewards, and the little profits I've made from small hustles... Oh, and the house His Majesty bestowed upon me, selling it would bring in a large sum of money."

"Instead of moving to a big city in Jiangnan, I'll choose a small rural place, take my wife and children and become a local tycoon."

"You don't have to worry about anything. Just thinking about that kind of life is wonderful."

"My sons are all useless, so I can only raise my grandchildren."

"When they get older, if any of them are promising scholars, we will humbly send them to His Majesty to study under the princes and take the imperial examinations."

Bai Chongyan was both amused and exasperated: "Second brother has thought things through quite thoroughly."

“I know my own abilities,” Bai Chongwu warned. “After I leave the capital, you must never be corrupt or break the law, and you must not form cliques with anyone. Just be an honest and loyal official.”

"You are too trusting of your own people. You think anyone you are close to is a good person."

"Let me tell you, those people are all black-hearted!"

Reflecting on the events of today, Bai Chongyan sincerely bowed and said, "Brother's admonition is absolutely correct."

Chapter 3914 Things Have Gone Wrong

Bai Chongwu pointed to the northeast, where Min Zishun's official residence was located: "Even if Min Zishun doesn't die this time, he'll definitely be badly injured!"

"Did he really embezzle?" Bai Chongyan asked.

Bai Chongwu said, "I don't know if he was corrupt or not, but when he was in the Ministry of Personnel, he promoted many officials to be his cronies."

"He may not have embezzled much, but many of the people he promoted illegally have probably committed crimes."

"Moreover, he also managed the national treasury and granaries for several years, and money and grain passed through his hands like water. I don't believe he could really resist."

Bai Chongyan asked in disbelief, "He's really that kind of person?"

Bai Chongwu patted his brother on the shoulder: "Take care of yourself. I'm leaving now. Remember, don't embezzle or break the law, and don't form cliques. Someone like you is suited to be a loyal and upright official."

……

The atmosphere was tense during the grand assembly.

The Ming Dynasty restored the Tang system, allowing officials of the fifth rank and above to sit during court sessions.

But at this moment, many chairs were empty and no one was there, which was an eyesore in the main hall.

The emperor and his ministers looked at each other, remaining silent for a long time.

According to the established court assembly procedure, it was time for the emperor to speak, but Zhao Yuan sat there without saying a word.

Because the eunuchs have been suppressed and denied power, the attendant eunuchs are not allowed to enter the palace and are now standing outside the side exit of the main hall.

The official in charge of ceremonies, who was presiding over the court assembly, stood there anxiously, yet dared not utter a word or make a move.

Suddenly, Zhao Yuan began calling out names: "Meng Zhao."

“Your subject is here.” Meng Zhao stood up and stepped forward.

Zhao Yuan said, "Your brother-in-law runs a calligraphy and painting shop in the capital. Are you aware of that?"

Meng Zhao replied, "Your subject is aware of the matter."

Zhao Yuan then asked, "How much do you know?"

Meng Zhao felt a little confused, and then a sudden sense of fear arose in her mind.

He quickly came up with a clever answer: "I have not agreed to anyone's request!"

Zhao Yuan sneered: "If you really wanted to get involved in some things, you wouldn't be standing here today; you would have been drinking tea at the Dali Temple long ago."

"You can retire early, but your official rank and position will remain the same, and you can receive half a salary every month."

"Where did I err? Please enlighten me, Your Majesty."

Meng Zhao was very dissatisfied.

Zhao Yuan said angrily, "I'm giving you face, so don't push your luck."

"If you still have any doubts, go home and ask your wife!"

Meng Zhao tried to speak several times, but hesitated and eventually took off his official hat.

Zhao Yuan said, "Put your hat on properly. It's just early retirement, not outright dismissal."

Meng Zhao put his hat back on, bowed, and then stepped back.

A cabinet minister retired early, leaving countless officials at the court meeting astonished.

Min Zishun trembled even more, because his matter was much bigger than Meng Zhao's.

Let alone early retirement, even being dismissed from office is considered a light punishment; in serious cases, one could lose their head.

Sure enough, the emperor continued to call out names: "Min Zishun!"

“Your subject is here.” Min Zishun rose and stepped forward.

Zhao Yuan said, "Go to Dali Temple yourself and confess your crimes properly. You might still be able to save your life."

"According to the decree..."

Min Zishun's throat was dry, and he took his leave with great difficulty. Two guards were already waiting for him outside the hall.

Perhaps they can save their lives, which means they'll at least be exiled!

Inside the main hall, there was complete silence.

If we only consider the number of high-ranking officials investigated, this case is far larger than any previous one.

Chapter 3915 The Spendthrift Women

To date, one cabinet minister has been forced to retire, and one minister has been demoted to prefect.