Fangzhou Xier, starting with failing the art exam

The letter contained Huang Shizhong's report to Xun Huiming on how to use the Equal Transportation Law to amass wealth and his experiences in suppressing dissent.

And those account books were even more appalling.

The document details how Huang Shizhong, since becoming Minister of Revenue, embezzled grain transport taxes and resold military rations through the Tongda Chamber of Commerce.

Even the entirety of the crimes of smuggling ironware and salt with enemy countries in the northern border region!

Each stroke of his pen was enough to kill him ten times over!

This is no longer just simple corruption; it's treason!

Yang Tieshan closed the letter and put the box back on.

He looked at Madam Liu, whose face had turned deathly pale, and said coldly, "Madam Liu, come with us. His Highness Prince Qin has something to ask you."

Liu immediately understood that Huang Shizhong was finished.

Her stable life, which she had cultivated for over a decade, vanished in an instant.

……

Wherever the sun and moon reach, it is scorching earth: Chapter 246: The evidence is conclusive, the canal transport matter is settled.

When Yang Wei escorted Wang, the prefect of Tongzhou, and several imperial censors back to the capital in a grand procession, the entire city of Baizao was in an uproar.

The plot twist came so quickly that it caught everyone off guard.

It was thought that the Prince of Qin's mansion had suffered a setback, but unexpectedly, it was the faction of Grand Tutor Xun that was ultimately defeated.

The appearance of that imperial gold medal, in particular, has sparked countless people's imaginations.

This demonstrates His Majesty's high regard for the King of Qin.

When the news reached the Grand Tutor's residence, Xun Huiming immediately crushed the teacup in his hand.

"A royal gold medal... How could he have such a thing!" Xun Huiming stood up in shock, his face showing astonishment for the first time.

He had planned everything meticulously, but he hadn't anticipated that Lacey was holding such a trump card.

Huang Shih-chung, his face ashen, slumped in his chair, muttering to himself, "It's over...it's all over..."

Not only did they fail to bring down Lacey, they also lost their own men.

Next, they will face a fierce counterattack from Lacey.

……

Prince Qin's Mansion, study.

Lacey looked at the sandalwood box on the table.

He had already read through all the letters and ledgers in the box.

After reading it, even he himself felt a chill.

He originally thought Huang Shih-chung was just greedy and only concerned with accumulating wealth.

　But he never expected that Huang Shizhong's audacity would reach the point of colluding with the enemy!

Reselling military rations or smuggling ironware to enemy countries—any one of these is a heinous crime that could lead to the extermination of nine generations of one's family!

Those letters further bound Xun Huiming and Huang Shizhong together.

Although the letter did not directly mention collusion with the enemy, Xun Huiming was aware of and tacitly approved of Huang Shizhong's use of the reforms to amass wealth.

"Your Highness, Lady Liu has been brought here and settled in a side courtyard, but she's very tight-lipped and won't say a word." Yang Wei's voice pulled Lacey back from her reverie.

“She will tell,” Lacey said calmly.

“Take this box to her and tell her that Huang Shizhong has committed the heinous crime of treason, which, according to the law, is punishable by the extermination of his entire family.”

“But if she cooperates and acts as a witness, I can spare her and her son’s lives.”

"Yes." Yang Wei accepted the order and left.

For the sake of her son, Lady Liu had no other choice.

Sure enough, Yang Wei returned in less than half an hour.

"Your Highness, she has confessed everything." Yang Wei presented a new statement.

She said that Huang Shih-chung personally handed these account books to her for safekeeping.

"Huang Shih-chung once boasted to her while drunk that he could not only make money from the treasury of the Great Yan, but also from those barbarian bears in the northern frontier. He could make money from both sides, which was a real skill."

"it is good."

Lacey nodded and placed the confession together with the evidence in the rosewood box.

Now, the witnesses, the physical evidence, the confessions—everything is in place.

This knife is sharp enough.

Without further delay, Lacey personally led Yang Wei, carrying the heavy sandalwood box, into the palace for the second time, heading straight for the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

……

Inside the Yangxin Hall.

The dragon sat on his throne, his face ashen as he looked at the letters and account books scattered on the ground.

His chest heaved violently, and his eyes burned with raging fury.

He could tolerate corruption.

Because if the water is too clear, there will be no fish.

He could tolerate factional strife.

Because this is part of the art of imperial power.

However, this constitutes treason! Collusion with the enemy! Treason!

This is a bottom line that no emperor could tolerate!

Huang Shih-chung, the capable general he personally promoted, the Minister of Revenue who claimed to be eliminating the accumulated evils of the Great Yan Dynasty, was secretly using the Great Yan's military rations and ironware to support the enemy in the northern border!

This is using the blood of the soldiers of the Great Yan Dynasty to exchange for his own wealth and glory!

“What a…what a pillar of the nation! What a Minister of Revenue!” Every word Zhenlong uttered seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth.

He slammed his hand on the armrest of the dragon throne and roared, "Guards!"

"Yes!" The trusted eunuch scrambled to his knees.

"Preach my will!"

"Immediately summon the Grand Secretaries, the heads of the Three Dukes and Six Ministries, and the three judicial departments to the palace for a meeting!"

"Furthermore, order the Imperial Guards to immediately surround the residence of Huang Shizhong, the Minister of Revenue, and arrest Huang Shizhong and all his family members, throwing them into the imperial prison!"

"If there is resistance, kill without mercy!"

"A second imperial decree is issued: Grand Tutor Xun Huiming has failed in his teaching and has been poor at judging character. He is ordered to reflect on his mistakes behind closed doors and is not to participate in court affairs until the investigation is completed!"

One after another, decrees filled with thunderous fury were issued from the Hall of Mental Cultivation, quickly spreading throughout the entire palace and the entire city of Baizhao.

Lacey stood below the palace, watching all of this in silence.

Huang Shih-chung is finished.

Xun Huiming's reform group also suffered its heaviest blow.

Through this series of arrangements, he not only cleared an obstacle in his path but also established initial trust in the true dragon's heart.

After issuing the decree, the dragon seemed to have exhausted all his strength. He leaned wearily against the dragon throne, looking at Lacey with a complicated expression.

There was anger, there was disappointment, but more than anything, there was a sense of recognition.

The dragon slowly spoke: "Yanxi, you handled this matter very well."

This was the first time the true dragon had praised Lacey so openly.

“It is my duty to share the burdens of my father,” Lacey said, bowing.

Zhenlong was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "How deeply do you think Xun Huiming is involved in this case?"

This is an extremely sensitive issue.

Although Zhenlong temporarily suspended Xun Huiming from his post, deep down he may still be hesitant about whether to completely overthrow this reform leader.

Lacey raised his head, meeting the dragon's gaze, and said, word by word, "Your Majesty, judging from the letter, Grand Tutor Xun was aware of and tacitly approved of Huang Shizhong's corruption and embezzlement."

"But the letter made no mention of his collusion with the enemy."

"Your subject believes that Grand Tutor Xun may have been misled by Huang Shizhong."

This answer surprised the true dragon.

He had thought that Laisi would take the opportunity to kick Xun Huiming while he was down and drag him down with her.

Unexpectedly, he took the initiative to defend Xun Huiming.

Zhenlong gave Lacey a deep look.

He certainly understood Lacey's intentions.

Bringing down a mere Minister of Revenue is enough to intimidate the court and the public.

If the Grand Tutor were to be overthrown immediately, it would inevitably provoke a fierce backlash from the reform faction, leading to a complete loss of control of the court.

This is neither in the interests of the true dragon nor in line with Lacey's current steady and pragmatic strategy.

Lacey was telling the true dragon that all he wanted was to rectify officialdom and eliminate the malignant tumors; he did not want to completely destroy the reforms and disrupt the court.

He knows his limits and knows when to advance and when to retreat.

"You... have grown up." The dragon's tone finally carried a hint of genuine warmth.

Looking at his son, who was calm, wise, and knew how to weigh the big picture, he was filled with mixed emotions.

Perhaps entrusting the future of the Great Yan Dynasty to him would be a good choice.

This thought appeared so clearly in the true dragon's mind for the first time.

The dragon's words, "You've grown up," carry immense weight.

This is not only an affirmation of Laisi's ability to handle the canal transport case, but also a profound recognition from a father to his son, and from a monarch to his subject.

This means that Lacey has truly entered the political considerations of the real dragon, rather than simply being a capable prince.

Lacey's heart stirred slightly, but his face remained calm and respectful: "Your subject dares not accept such praise."

"All my actions are in accordance with the teachings of my father and for the sake of the Great Yan dynasty."

He did not boast of his achievements, and this humble attitude made the dragon's eyes show even more approval.

Zhenlong waved his hand, indicating that he didn't need to be so formal.

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the atmosphere actually eased as that overwhelming anger was vented.

"The Huang Shih-chung case has far-reaching implications, and the subsequent investigation will inevitably cause turmoil in the court."

The dragon's tone regained its imperial composure. He looked at Lacey, as if asking a question, or perhaps testing her: "What do you think should be done to clean up the mess next?"

This is a new test.

Defeating the enemy is only the first step; how to clean up the mess and rebuild order is where a politician's true ability is tested.

Lacey had already planned this out countless times in her mind.

He bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have a few humble opinions."

"tell me the story."

"First, cut the Gordian knot."

"Huang Shih-chung and his cronies, especially those involved in colluding with the enemy, must be dealt with severely and swiftly, without any leniency, as a warning to others."

"Only in this way can we deter villains and quell public anger."

The dragon nodded; this was only to be expected.

"Secondly, we should differentiate between different groups to stabilize the overall situation," Lacey continued.

"Among Huang Shih-chung's faction, there must be people who have been coerced or deceived, such as the tax official Zhou Quan."

"Your Majesty, I humbly request that such people be treated leniently and given the opportunity to redeem themselves through meritorious service."