The Empress has abandoned me? I'll support a new emperor and destroy your kingdom!

This is not only Yun Jin's first substantive decree after taking power, but also her formal declaration of war against the entire bureaucratic system and vested interest groups!

She stopped talking and went straight to the most crucial issues: "money" and "people"!

This brings Su Che, the sharpest blade, to the forefront, granting him real power, with his aim directly at corruption and deep-seated problems!

Moreover, the reasons given are perfectly plausible.

To raise funds for the army and to provide relief to disaster victims.

Anyone who opposes this is obstructing border defense and disregarding the disaster victims; their intentions are despicable!

The hall was deathly silent.

Everyone was stunned by this sudden, ruthless, and decisive decree.

Su Che stepped forward, bowed, and accepted the royal decree and edict from the eunuch with both hands. His voice was calm and unwavering: "Your subject, Su Che, accepts the order. I will do my utmost to thoroughly investigate the long-standing problems, to repay Your Highness's kindness, to relieve the court's urgent needs, and to reassure the hearts of the people."

His voice wasn't loud, but it struck everyone's heart like a heavy hammer.

With Su Che in charge of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, and given his past experience and the power of the Bureau of Peace and Security under his control, who in the court can sleep soundly?

"Your Highness! No!" Yan Song cried out again, his face pale.

"Su Che... Su Che is talented, but he is ultimately an outsider, and... and his methods are ruthless. If he were to wield such power, I fear... I fear it would lead to wrongful convictions, causing everyone to live in fear and destabilizing the court!"

"Furthermore, as far as I know, Su Che is from the Tianming Empire, and his arrival in Jiangqiong must be for a conspiracy!"

"Yes, Your Highness! Putting all that aside, the investigation of long-standing abuses should be handled by the Three Judicial Offices and the Censorate in an orderly manner. How can a separate department be established and given such great power? This is the beginning of chaos in governance!" another official chimed in.

"The Three Judicial Offices? The Censorate?" Yun Jin sneered.

"If the three judicial departments and the Censorate could really act swiftly and decisively to eliminate long-standing abuses, how could the national treasury be so empty?"

How can corrupt officials go unpunished?

In my opinion, it's not that they can't, but that they're unwilling and dare not!

Since the old government offices are ineffective, then let's set up new ones to handle this!

I am well aware of Mr. Su's abilities.

I trust Mr. Su's character!

The methods may be harsh, but how can we deter corrupt officials without severe punishment?!

Her gaze was icy as she swept over the dissenting officials: "As for everyone feeling insecure... what do honest and diligent officials have to fear from investigations? Only those with guilty consciences and dishonest hands would have sleepless nights, wouldn't they?"

This was practically an insult directed at someone's face.

The dissenting officials turned pale and dared not say another word.

"My mind is made up on this matter, there is no need for further discussion," Yun Jin declared decisively.

"The Bureau of Censors shall be established immediately and begin its work. The first task shall be a thorough investigation of last year's national treasury accounts and the outstanding taxes from various regions! Dr. Su, can you handle this?"

Su Che bowed: "Your subject will do his utmost to give Your Highness a preliminary report within a month."

"Alright." Yun Jin nodded, sat down again, and glanced once more at the officials below who were silent as cicadas in fear.

"The discussions at today's court assembly have concluded. I will now say one last thing."

These are turbulent times. I hope that you, sirs, will put aside those pointless disputes and focus your efforts on sharing the nation's burdens and relieving the people's difficulties!

Whether I, the Regent Princess, am doing a good job is not determined by words, but by deeds and achievements! I ask that you all wait and see. Court adjourned!

"Your Highness, we respectfully see you off!"

Under the complex gazes of the officials, Yun Jin rose and, supported by a female official, slowly left the Zichen Palace.

Her back view, though still slender, carried an unwavering determination.

The court session has ended, but the storm has only just begun.

The establishment of the Bureau of Censors was like a red-hot iron, branding the vast and decaying body of the empire.

Pain and resistance will inevitably follow.

Su Che, the player who has just stepped out from behind the scenes, is about to face the most dangerous and turbulent game of his official career.

The morning light finally illuminated the Zichen Palace completely, but it could not dispel the heavy gloom and chill that lingered in everyone's hearts.

The first grand court session of the new dynasty ended in a dramatic and thrilling manner.

Princess Yun Jin, the regent, announced her arrival in her own way.

And this is just the beginning.

What Su Che needs now is to continue helping Yun Jin gain a foothold.

He was very experienced in this, after all, that's how Lin Chu was helped to rise to power by Su Che.

Zhao Jianing and Pang Xiaopan, as Su Che's confidants, are now also under Yun Jin's command.

But that was just following Su Che's orders.

This includes Grey Falcon and his group, who have asked Su Che more than once.

Why did Lin Chu treat you like that? After you left, why didn't you declare yourself emperor? Why did you continue to grovel and submit to others in other places?

Aren't you afraid that Yun Jin will become the second "Lin Chu"?

Su Che simply smiled and did not answer.

Does Su Che not want to become emperor? No, the time is not right yet!

He was waiting, waiting for an opportunity.

......

After the court session ended, Su Che did not return to his secluded cottage in the south of the city, nor did he go to his newly acquired residence in the city, which was temporarily used as the office of the "Qingli Si" (Office of the Ministry of Revenue). Instead, he went straight to the "Hubu Yamen" (Office of the Ministry of Revenue) on the west side of the imperial city.

Although the newly established Qingli Division had the foundation and some manpower of the Jing'an Division, it needed to rely on the archives and account books of the Ministry of Revenue, as well as the "cooperation" of certain key figures, in order to quickly get to the core of "inspecting money and grain".

Cui Wenrui, the Minister of Revenue, was an old minister in his sixties with gray hair and beard who had worked in the Ministry of Revenue for many years and was already waiting in his office.

This Minister Cui did not explicitly take sides in the court, but judging from his behavior, he seemed to be more inclined to be conservative and cautious.

When Su Che entered the duty room holding the Regent Princess's decree and the royal command flag, a subtle, complex expression flashed in Minister Cui's cloudy old eyes. He stood up and bowed.

"Lord Su, oh no, Physician Su, please sit down." Minister Cui's tone was flat, revealing neither joy nor anger.

"Minister Cui, you're too kind," Su Che returned the greeting, neither humble nor arrogant.

"Your Highness has ordered me to investigate the accumulated abuses in the finances and grain. The Ministry of Revenue is in charge of the nation's finances and is of paramount importance."

"I need to access the general ledgers of the national treasury's revenue and expenditure for the past three years, especially last year's records, as well as... special accounts for grain transport, salt tax, and customs duties. I humbly request Your Excellency's assistance."

Minister Cui frowned almost imperceptibly: "Physician Su, the Ministry of Revenue's accounts are vast and involve confidential matters. It's probably inappropriate for you to request access to the entirety. Perhaps you should first inform me where you wish to begin your investigation?"

"Let's start with last year's canal transport accounts." Su Che seemed to have expected this, taking out a thin file from his sleeve and placing it on the table.

"According to my preliminary understanding, the four million shi of grain transported from the southeast last year have all been deposited into the warehouse."

However, upon arrival at the Jingtong warehouse, random inspections revealed suspected mold, shortages, and the substitution of inferior goods. The loss rate far exceeded that of previous years.

The Grand Canal Transport Commissioner Liu Guodong, who was in charge of overseeing the canal transport, seemed to have a close relationship with the late Third Prince and Feng Kun.

I suspect that there may be corruption, collusion, or theft of government grain in this matter.

I also request Minister Cui to retrieve all the documents and ledgers documenting last year's entire grain transport process, including the verification, escort, receipt, and inspection records, as well as the performance evaluations, salaries, and withdrawal records of Liu Guodong and his subordinates at the Ministry of Revenue.

Minister Cui's expression changed.

Liu Guodong, the Grand Canal Transport Commissioner, was a high-ranking official of the second rank in the imperial court. He was in charge of canal transport and waterways, wielding immense power, and was also one of the representatives of certain powerful families in Jiangnan in the court.

It was no secret that he had connections with the Third Prince and Feng Kun, but because of his high position, powerful background, and the fact that the Grand Canal was vital to the capital, he could not be easily touched.

This Su Che actually dared to make an example of him?