Chapter 327 Minglan's Solution
Inmyeong Palace
Zhang Guifen felt a headache watching Sun wiping her tears.
"There are no outsiders here, so I will call you aunt." Zhang Guifen sighed, "Let's not talk about the harem not interfering in politics. What my uncle has done is violated the national law. The country has its own laws, and the family has its own rules. Your Majesty, as an official, must not bend the law for personal gain."
Although Zhu Shiquan was Zhao Xing's uncle, Zhao Xing was nominally adopted by Empress Dowager Cao and had no relationship with the Zhu family.
For example, the maternal family of the retired emperor is the Li family, but the retired emperor is registered under the name of the late empress dowager, so he has no relationship with the Li family.
It did not violate etiquette for the retired emperor to marry his daughter to his cousin.
It was okay for Zhang Guifen to shout in private, but she was not allowed to shout in formal occasions, and the same went for Zhao Xing.
"I also know that you have violated the law. I am willing to pay double the amount you have embezzled. I only ask that you spare his life."
Sun did not act like an aunt just because Zhang Guifen called her aunt. She wiped her tears and said, "I remember the kindness your majesty has shown to the Zhu family. I really have no face to ask your majesty for help. I only ask your majesty to convey my words to your majesty."
Zhang Guifen felt even more troubled after hearing this. If Sun was being unreasonable, it would be easy to deal with. But Sun's decision to act in a tactful manner made her feel very embarrassed.
The essence of this matter is not as simple as Sun thought.
Even though she didn't know much about court politics, she knew that the officials impeached Zhu Shiquan in order to stop Zhao Xing from killing Peng Qingzhong and others.
Unless Zhao Xing is willing to let Peng Qingzhong and others go, they will definitely hold on to this matter and refuse to let go.
But she couldn't tell these things to Sun, and it would be useless even if she did.
"I will convey your Majesty what you said, aunt. How to deal with this matter depends on your Majesty's wishes. Why don't you go back first, aunt?" Zhang Guifen said.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I'll take my leave now!" Upon hearing this, Sun stood up and bowed.
"Cui'e, please see my aunt off for me." Zhang Guifen said.
"Yes!" Cui'e on the side responded and led Sun out.
Zhang Guifen picked up the teacup and took a sip, then put it down and sighed softly.
"The Empress Dowager is pregnant now, why bother about these things?" Mother Qian advised.
"It's not that I want to worry about this, but if she comes to Your Majesty for help, it will only give Your Majesty more headaches," said Zhang Guifen.
Although Zhao Xing could accept or not recognize the Zhu family as his relative, how should Zhao Xing face his biological mother?
If Sun came to her for help, there would still be room for maneuver. But if she came to Zhao Xing for help, Zhao Xing would either refuse or agree.
It's difficult to choose either one.
If you ask her for help, you can then say that she didn't pass on the message.
Although Mother Qian was not familiar with state affairs, she was very proficient in interpersonal relationships, otherwise the Duke of Yingguo's Mansion would not have sent her into the palace as a dowry with Zhang Guifen.
As soon as she heard Zhang Guifen's words, she understood Zhang Guifen's thoughts and said anxiously, "Madam, you must not be confused. If you take the responsibility, then Concubine Zhu will have a prejudice against you. What should we do?"
"That's why I have a headache!" Zhang Guifen rubbed her eyebrows, thought for a while and said, "Minglan has a lot of ideas, send someone to invite her over."
"Yes!"
Mother Qian actually didn't want Zhang Guifen to ask Minglan for advice.
There is a natural opposition between a concubine and a wife. Minglan is already favored, and now she is pregnant with the prince. What if Minglan intends to harm Zhang Guifen?
But she had no idea now, and Zhang Guifen didn't want to listen to what she said, so she could only pay more attention to it for a while.
Minglan was summoned by Zhang Guifen and soon arrived at Renming Palace.
"Your servant pays respects to the Empress Dowager." Minglan bowed.
"No gift."
Zhang Guifen waved her hand, asked Minglan to sit down, and told her what had happened.
"You have a lot of ideas. I want to ask you if you have any good ideas for this matter." Zhang Guifen said. Minglan pondered for a while and said, "I don't have any good ideas for this matter. I only have a stupid way."
"A stupid way is still a way. Tell me about it first," said Zhang Guifen.
"Minister Zhu is corrupt, and he is definitely not the only one involved. We just need to investigate thoroughly," Minglan said.
Zhang Guifen pondered Minglan's words carefully, and her eyes lit up as she said, "This is not a stupid idea at all, it is the best idea ever."
"Madam, it's not that simple. If only some minor officials were involved, no one would care. And if too many people are involved, there will be unrest in the court. After all, this is a state affair, and the decision still depends on your majesty's opinion." Minglan said.
"You are right. I thought things were simple. But this is a solution after all. It is better than me worrying about it." Zhang Guifen said with a smile.
…………
"Your Majesty, Madam Zhu has left the palace." Sanshui said.
"That's good."
Zhao Xing breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this. By letting Yan Kuan continue, he was already prepared to give up on Zhu Shiquan.
No matter what, he must kill the man. As for whether Zhu Shiquan can be saved, that is another matter.
To be honest, for what Zhu Shiquan had done, Zhao Xingzhen wanted to kill him.
I had punished him before, but he committed the same mistake again, so I asked my father to transfer him to the Ministry of Revenue.
The Ministry of Revenue can be said to be the most difficult to embezzle among the six ministries.
Because at that time, the Ministry of Revenue was only responsible for managing the country's taxes and population registration.
Taxes are collected by local governments, and the Ministry of Revenue is only responsible for receiving and recording them. There are also accounts for the taxes submitted by local governments, so it is difficult to tamper with them.
Even the Ministry of Industry cannot compare to this in this respect. After all, the Ministry of Industry is responsible for water conservancy projects throughout the country.
These projects all cost money and are relatively easy to embezzle.
Even so, he still dared to embezzle and accept bribes. How could Zhao Xing not be angry?
But Zhao Xing still had to consider his mother's feelings and try his best to save his life.
…………
Ministry of Personnel
An official hurried into Hu Zhongyan's office and saluted, saying, "Sir, the Ministry of Justice has not canceled the execution tomorrow."
Hu Zhongyan's face changed slightly when he heard this, and he asked, "Your Majesty, do you really not care about Zhu Shiquan's life or death?"
"I don't know either. Anyway, the Ministry of Justice is still preparing for the execution tomorrow." said the official who reported the news.
Hu Zhongyan stood up and walked around the room in an irritable mood.
After he took over the post of Minister of Personnel, Peng Qingzhong did a lot of things for him and knew some of his affairs.
In order to ensure that Peng Qingzhong would not reveal his affairs, he asked someone to tell Peng Qingzhong that he would definitely save his life.
If Zhao Xing's determination cannot be changed, Peng Qingzhong may confess his deeds in order to protect himself.
But he was going to be executed tomorrow, and Zhao Xing didn't even care about Zhu Shiquan's life or death. In such a hurry, what could he do to make Zhao Xing change his mind?
…………
In the evening, after Zhao Xing finished his government affairs, he came to Renming Palace.
After Zhang Guifen greeted him, Zhao Xing pulled her to sit down and asked, "What did your aunt say to you when she came to the palace today?"
Zhang Guifen repeated to Zhao Xing what Sun had said.
"My aunt is a clear-headed person, but it's a pity that she failed to persuade my uncle." Zhao Xing said.
(End of this chapter)