The First Lackey Under The Empress

"It's decided... it's you..."

Inside the Zhao family's inner hall, the doors were tightly shut. Mo Chou's casual remark struck Zhao like a bolt of lightning.

Crap... I tried to flatter him but kicked the horse's hoof instead... Half of Zhao Du'an's drunkenness instantly vanished.

Dejectedly dragging a chair over, he plopped down, looking sullen.

Mo Chou watched, amused, rarely seeing him so deflated. She smiled and asked:

"Tell me, what exactly did you write that made His Majesty react so strongly?"

"I can't tell you."

Zhao Du'an stubbornly refused to answer.

If you won't say, fine. I'll find someone to inquire tomorrow... Mo Chou huffed, not caring.

Zhao Du'an was disappointed, but he still asked:

"What exactly is going on with this Taicang silver mine?"

Seeing him bring up serious matters, Mo Chou also put away her teasing thoughts. Worried that he might harbor resentment, she still explained:

"Alright, what I said just now was mostly teasing.

His Majesty is magnanimous. Would he really punish you just because you wrote some silly poems?

In my opinion, this matter is likely significant and related to the New Policies. His Majesty sought you out because he doesn't trust others' abilities."

Then, the female Prime Minister slowly and carefully described the situation.

The matter was not complex.

The "Taicang Silver Mine" was a mine located southwest of the capital, within the jurisdiction of Taicang County, or rather, a mine pit would be a more accurate description.

It belonged to the "Linfeng Circuit," which bordered the capital.

It was mined by the imperial court to smelt silver, which was then sent to the capital to be cast into silver ingots.

It had been around for some years and was one of the few large silver mines in Great Yu.

The mine supervisor was concurrently held by the Taicang County Magistrate.

Around noon today, the Censorate received a letter of accusation from Taicang.

The accuser was a low-level official in the mine.

The letter mentioned that officials, led by the Taicang County Magistrate, were embezzling silver under the guise of "fire consumption," and even harboring Jianghu figures, engaging in various dirty deeds.

"After reading the letter, Lord Yuan took it very seriously and presented it to His Majesty in the afternoon.

His Majesty was furious and has ordered the Prefectural Inspector of Taicang Prefecture to arrest the Taicang County Magistrate. However, whether the letter is true, and if there is corruption, who is involved... still needs an imperial envoy to investigate," Mo Chou explained.

Zhao Du'an was stunned, understanding the implication:

"His Majesty is worried that the Taicang County Magistrate isn't the only one involved in the corruption?"

Mo Chou nodded, her eyes cold:

"According to the letter, this has been going on for several years. It existed even during the late Emperor's reign. How could a mere seventh-rank county magistrate have the ability to cover the sky with one hand for so many years? His Majesty fears that the Taicang County Magistrate is just the tip of the iceberg... That's the key."

Zhao Du'an stroked his chin and said:

"I'm more concerned that this letter of accusation didn't come sooner or later, but it came at this time. Interesting."

Mo Chou paused, looking at him: "What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing, I'm just curious," Zhao Du'an said nonchalantly:

"I'm a suspicious person, and besides, this can be explained. His Majesty's power has been growing stronger in the past six months, and the officials have all seen it.

After arresting Wang Zhishi last time, he even ordered a general pardon for the officialdom, showing even more magnanimity...

As such, the officials outside the capital believe that His Majesty is a wise ruler and are willing to risk accusing and joining him... This is perfectly reasonable."

Mo Chou looked at him deeply:

"There's another point, in the 'silver' itself, you should know why His Majesty values this case so much."

Zhao Du'an was silent.

Of course, he knew.

This was closely related to the "Three Golden Strategies" he proposed. In the Single Whip Method, it was clearly stated that Great Yu's "copper currency standard" would be switched to the "silver standard."

This meant that Great Yu's "silver mines" suddenly became extremely important.

Moreover, the imperial court wanted to implement the New Policies. According to his plan, they were preparing to open a "trade market" to attract merchants and start an economic flywheel... But in the early stages, the imperial court still had to invest money first.

Therefore, if corruption occurred in the Taicang Silver Mine, as the imperial court's "money bag," at worst, it was just moths causing trouble.

At worst, if not handled properly, it would drag down the "New Policies."

Even the corruption of officials themselves was covered in the "Performance Evaluation Method" promoted by the "Three Golden Strategies."

Zhao Du'an even faintly suspected that this matter was exposed at this time.

Was the case as simple as it seemed on the surface?

"In short, although the Taicang corruption case only involves one mine, it is closely related to the New Policies. As the person who proposed the New Policies, you should know the weight of this matter," Mo Chou said seriously.

Zhao Du'an rubbed his face and sighed with a bitter smile:

"I can go, but will it be dangerous to leave the capital? Not to mention some people in the court, even the Kuangfu Society can't wait for me to die. Why don't you give me a guard? I think Eunuch Hai is good..."

"..." Mo Chou resisted the urge to complain and smiled:

"But you are already at the Divine Chapter Realm. His Majesty should have told you that if a martial artist wants to step into a higher level, he must face the wind and rain. Hiding is not an option."

That's right... Not hiding or avoiding is the mindset of a martial artist...

A Divine Chapter Realm is not even qualified to be a cauldron. I have to enter the "Worldly" Realm as soon as possible to cultivate with Zhenbao... Bah, to return the Dragon Soul to her...

As for danger... With my current cultivation, unless I capsize in the gutter, Divine Chapter cultivators can't even think about killing me instantly. Even if a "Worldly" powerhouse tries to assassinate me, I can rely on the "Dragon Soul" to hold on for a while...

And as long as I have a chance to breathe, I can just crush the "Teleportation Jade Pendant" and flash back to the palace... No big deal...

Besides, I've been fishing several times in a row, and the Kuangfu Society has to weigh whether or not to continue to send people to their deaths...

Many thoughts flashed through his mind, and Zhao Du'an was about to agree.

Seeing that he wasn't saying anything, Mo Chou silently took out an imperial envoy's waist tag and tempted him:

"With this token, you can mobilize the local military camp guards. Even the local military camp commander must follow your orders. Is that safe enough now?"

You should have said so earlier... Naughty... Zhao Du'an grabbed the waist tag and said righteously:

"To be loyal to His Majesty, this official will die without regret, let alone a mere enemy!"

Mo Chou rolled her eyes and turned to leave:

"You don't have much time left."

Zhao Du'an personally saw her off, suddenly remembering something, and said:

"Am I going incognito, or..."

Mo Chou lightly left a sentence:

"His Majesty said that the imperial envoy should travel openly and honestly."

...

...

The next day.

The aftermath of the Buddhist and Taoist battle was still spreading in the capital, with people on the streets discussing "King Yama Zhao's" heroic deeds yesterday.

In literary circles, the poems from last night's "Zhangtai Banquet" were widely circulated.

Especially the one Zhao Du'an left behind while drunk, which was the most praised.

"That Zhao Du'an actually has such poetic talent... Is it really his work? Or did someone else write it for him?" Someone was jealous.

"Hehe, this poem clearly writes about yesterday's experience. Who else could have written it? Besides, being high-spirited, inspiration descending from the sky, occasionally gaining something, is not a rare thing...

Moreover, in my opinion, this poem feels like it's missing a section, the rhythm is unfinished, there are many shortcomings, it can't be considered a good work," someone commented.

More people were still talking about the line "The Emperor's beauty is my youth."

They were not appreciating the poetry, but gossiping.

"Tch, male concubine! What are you showing off?"

The scholars collectively turned into sour lemons.

In the higher echelons of the officialdom, the empress's decree to dispatch Zhao Du'an as an imperial envoy to investigate the Taicang Silver Mine corruption case triggered even deeper turmoil.

...

Inside the Li residence, in the study.

The current Prime Minister Li Yanfu sat behind a long table, writing a letter:

"...This person Zhao Du'an... You must... Be sure not to lose..."

After a moment.

Li Yanfu, who was already showing signs of old age and had a deep mind, personally sealed the envelope. His right hand, with protruding veins, picked up a small hammer and gently tapped a delicate small bell beside the table.

The study door was quickly pushed open, and Li Yinglong walked in, bowing and saying:

"Father."

Li Yanfu tremblingly stepped out, bypassing the long table filled with calligraphy, paintings, and official documents, handed over the written letter, and said lightly:

"Dispatch a family retainer to secretly send this to Taicang and deliver it to the Linfeng Administration Commissioner."

Li Yinglong suddenly raised his head, his eyes lighting up:

"Father, have you finally figured it out? Are you going to deal with that Zhao Du'an?"

"Ask less, do more." Li Yanfu's gaze was cold, making it impossible to see what he was thinking.

Li Yinglong shivered, not daring to say more, and responded and left.

The old Prime Minister, with disheveled hair and prickly stubble like a hedgehog, stood in the doorway of the study, letting the autumn sun shine on his face.

His narrowed eyes carried a hidden worry and a hint of ruthlessness:

"Taicang..."

For a time, an imperial decree and several letters flew like snowflakes toward the small Taicang.

...

Several days later.

Linfeng Circuit, inside a yamen.

The doors and windows were tightly closed. Around a long "conference table" sat the Linfeng Administration Commissioner, the Prefectural Inspector... as well as many local prefects and other ministers.

"Pa."

The Linfeng Administration Commissioner, who held the power of a circuit (province), threw a memorial on the table, leaned back in his high-backed chair, and coldly swept over the officials in the room, saying in a cold voice:

"Let's all talk about it. The imperial envoy is coming. How should we deal with him?"