Demoness, where are you Fleeing to?
Chapter 599 - 484 Acting Like a Gentleman_1

Chapter 599: Chapter 484 Acting Like a Gentleman_1

"How interesting, truly interesting, a monk amassed a fortune of tens of millions by simply monopolizing the salt supply!"

The Emperor Jingtai seated on the throne seemed to be extremely enraged, his neck slightly bulging with anger, sneering incessantly: "To what extent have they ruined the Kaizhong Law of the Court?"

Minister of War Yu Jie took on a solemn expression, "Your Majesty, I can stake my life on it, three years after Jingtai, all the granaries at the northern border will be full."

"I know." Emperor Jingtai slightly nodded his head. What Yu Jie said had been validated. Previously, during the war with Meng Wu, the Court never worried about the food and grass for Datong and Xuanfu areas.

Even when Xuanfu City was severed from Beijing, the food and grass in the city were still enough to support over 400,000 troops under Yu Jie for several months.

However, Emperor Jingtai’s anger did not decrease, and instead, it increased. His voice suddenly became louder, like a massive bell drum reverberating in the hall, "If it hadn’t been for Shaobao Yu’s army organization, the border of Jin would have been devastated long ago. The whole Court would have been ruined by these parasites!"

He then looked at Li Xuan, "Marquis of Guanjun, I have seen the records you submitted. Among these salt merchants, aren’t there seven whose wealth is no less than Wei Zhen’s?"

Li Xuan bowed with a calm expression, "Your Majesty, indeed there are seven salt merchants, and their wealth is no less than Wei Zhen’s. I, however, have no knowledge of all the aspects related to the salt acquisition case and whether the wealth they have amassed over generations was legitimate."

The Minister of Personnel, Wang Wen, seated at the assembly sneered coldly, "All these people dare to tamper with military food supplies and, what’s more, conspire with corrupt officials to trap judicial personnel. I dare say that they are no saints. Can their wealth be pure? Your Majesty, allow me to send officers now to raid and seize them. We mustn’t give these people the chance to conceal their wealth."

Emperor Jingtai appeared slightly moved; his thoughts were along the same lines but with some hesitations.

Shang Hong, the Left Shilang of the Ministry of War, was somewhat resistant to this matter, frowning slightly, "Isn’t this against the rules of the Court? The evidence that Marquis Guanjun holds, despite being enough to overturn Officer Xia’s case, has failed to prove that these salt merchants are involved in the case."

"At the very least, it is certain that these people are close to Wei Zhen, the wicked man!"

Xiao Ci, Minister of Revenue, sneered in a retaliation to Shang Hong, feeling that his peers were too pedantic: "Your Majesty, all these salt merchants are rich enough to rival a country! If they haven’t participated in the salt monopoly, where did their immense wealth come from?

In my opinion, even if they really have no connection to this case, they should still be detained and questioned about the origin of their wealth."

"Your Majesty!" The newly appointed Dali Temple Minister, Ma Yu had a cold expression. "After Wei Zhen’s case is exposed, it will definitely cause a ripple effect. If we continue to delay, it will indeed provide opportunities for these cunning merchants to hide their assets.

I think that in the current urgent situation, the Court should draw on the examples from the Spring and Autumn period to make a decision on this case."

Li Xuan glanced at this newly appointed Dali Temple Minister, thinking that he was truly a ruthless character. What does "the example of Spring and Autumn" mean? It means Chunqiu judgement, subjective judgement that the guilty will be guilty.

Cifu Gao Gu immediately responded, "Your Majesty, as Dongzi once said, ’In the Chunqiu judgement, the motivation should be the source of the charge.’ Even if the crime hasn’t been committed, severe punishment should be administered if there is an evil intent. What’s more, in this case, when the culprits are beasts in human skin, inherently greedy?

The Court can indeed invoke the rule of Chunqiu to arrest these salt merchants and then interrogate them for their crimes!"

Shang Hong, the Left Shilang of the Ministry of War, shook his head and smiled bitterly, thinking that all these ministers have been driven mad by the wealth amassed by Wei Zhen, amounting to tens of millions.

Even Shaobao Gao was not an exception; he usually held the Court’s laws and rules in high regard but surprisingly he made such a statement.

At this moment, Shang Hong cast a peculiar glance at Li Xuan sitting next to him.

He thought Marquis Guanjun appeared to be loyal and honest, but he was actually a cunning man.

Shang Hong had seen the records submitted by Li Xuan, although it provided a detailed account of Officer Xia Guangwei’s case, the main focus was the wealth of Wei Zhen and his accomplices.

Of the 23,000-word document, nearly half of it detailed the salt merchants’ identities, backgrounds, and assets, emphasizing their wealth, enticing the Emperor and his ministers.

This man has indeed seized an excellent opportunity. A few days ago, a hurricane hit Guangdong and Guangxi, leaving the Court in a precarious financial situation.

The chieftains in Yunnan also showed signs of rebellion, and a major battle is imminent on the southwestern border of the Court.

At present, the Court’s ministers are of the same mind.

At this time, the Emperor and major ministers would not pass up any opportunities that could alleviate the Court’s financial crisis.

However, he didn’t say anything to prevent it going forward. The Chunqiu judgement is a method of judgement advocated by Confucianism, and now, the Court is really short of money.

At this time, it was rather Minster of War Yu Jie whose eyebrows were furrowed and who debated a few points. He was not defending the salt merchants; rather, he shared Shang Hong’s view that it is against the Law of Jin.

But the Emperor and many officials already tacitly ignored what Yu Jie said.

Concerning matters related to the salt monopoly and Xia Guangwei’s case, naturally the opinions of the cabinet, the Dali Temple, and the Ministry of Punishment would prevail.

"Then, it is decided." Emperor Jingtai slapped the armrest, making a final decision, "Xia Guangwei’s case will be handled by the Ministry of Punishment and Dali Temple. The case of Wei Zhen’s fraudulent reporting of military food and monopolizing salt will be handled jointly by the three law divisions, the Ministry of Revenue, Xiuyiwei, and the inner Jishi Bureau, overseen by Shaobao Yu and Marquis Guanjun.

Regarding this case, I have one thing to tell the officials: this case must not involve innocent people, and it must not let go of those wicked people who are a menace to the country! All account records must be clear and must be thoroughly investigated to show fairness to the world."

Yu Jie was initially displeased, but he loosened up after hearing Emperor Jingtai’s order, saying, "Your humble servant obeys the decree!"

Li Xuan also curved his lips into a slight smile, submitting to the command without any hesitation.

At this time, Emperor Jingtai looked at Li Xuan again, "I heard Zuo Daoxing say that Xia Guangwei still has offspring in the world, and they are very close with the Marquis Guanjun. I wonder whether Marquis Guanjun can bring him into the palace. I am thinking of giving him a position as a form of compensation."

Li Xuan subconsciously looked at Zuo Daoxing, knowing that he knew the true identity of Luo Yan. He pondered for a while and said with a bitter smile, "Your Majesty, this is somewhat inappropriate. As you would surely be aware, she lost her parents when she was young and has done quite a few rash things after growing up, so she doesn’t wish to tarnish her father’s reputation."

He then bowed again and said, "It is enough as long as the Court can clear Officer Xia’s name and make sure his descendants continue. This can fulfil her wish."

The Emperor Jingtai sighed again: "Twelve years ago, it was my negligence, I failed you, Yushi Xia!"

Then he asked the Minister of Punishments, Yu Shiyue, and the Qing of Dali Temple, Ma Yu, "Do you two have any doubts about Yushi Xia’s case?"

Ma Yu of Dali Temple made a fist and answered, "Your Majesty, I have no doubt. The evidence, witnesses, and case records provided by Marquis Guanjun are extremely detailed, and the case can actually be resolved directly."

Yu Shiyue’s brow furrowed, thinking that it was still a little short of a verdict.

But then he shook his head. Even though it didn’t seem quite right, but he wasn’t ignorant of the power dynamics. Such minor issues weren’t important, they just required a few more nails in the coffin, which with his abilities, could easily be done.

Furthermore, in this situation, he couldn’t refute anything.

"Then the Zhila Room should draft the decree, and then the deputy cabinet should sign it, to let the world know about the case of Yushi Xia. And the Ministry of Rites should discuss the posthumous title and rewards for Yushi Xia. I think, we should be lenient and generous, to comfort all the loyal and honest of the world!"

Emperor Jingtai then looked at Li Xuan with a determined expression, "There’s one more thing I need your help with, pick a pure and honest boy from Yushi Xia’s family to be his successor, and inherit the position of Baihu in Xiuyiwei!"

Li Xuan understood immediately. When the Emperor Jingtai said he was to be responsible for choosing Xia Guangwei’s successor, he was actually indirectly giving this right to Luo Yan.

He couldn’t help but feel moved, this Emperor, although not as ruthless and decisive as Emperor Tai of Jin, was a truly benevolent ruler.

※※※※

Regarding the imperial decree of Xia Guangwei, the Zhila Room completed the draft in just a moment, and the cabinet ministers also promptly provided the ticket draft.

This decree will be copied by the Tongzheng Division and soon transmitted to all counties in the form of a notice.

Li Xuan copied a duplicate when leaving the palace, and returned to the Duanshiguan Yamen of the Central Army.

Luo Yan had long been waiting anxiously, and when she took the imperial decree from Li Xuan’s hand, the tears in her eyes fell like a string of broken pearls.

It took Li Xuan half a moment to calm her down.

By this time, he was very exhausted and didn’t plan to return to Guanjun Marquis House. He intended to stay in this Duanshiguan Yamen.

The various Yamen of Jin were usually the residence of the main official, the entire back courtyard of this Duanshiguan Yamen belonged to him.

But just as Li Xuan was about to enter his room, he found that Luo Yan didn’t go to the side room. Her face was flushed, her expression was charming, her eyes were bright, her whole presence was of stunning beauty.

"Yan?"

Just as Li Xuan was moved, Luo Yan lunged into his arms, grabbed his lapel, and impatiently kissed his lips.

Li Xuan was stunned, but then instinctively went on the attack, quickly overpowering Luo Yan.

Li Xuan also lost his sanity, because the moment the two of them touched, the thrill struck their souls directly.

With their strong emotional connection, it seemed that pleasure was doubled.

This made Li Xuan instantly indulge in it, entangling Luo Yan passionately.

He didn’t know how much time had passed, it was only when he felt a bit of pain in his tongue that he released Luo Yan. He grimaced and said: "Yan, why are you biting me?"

Luo Yan blushed a bit, she was provoked by him and couldn’t help but bite.

Her eyes were filled with a dreamy color at this moment, the spring in her eyes, her face seemed to bloom like a peach blossom.

"It feels so good, is this the feeling between men and women? No wonder –"

Perhaps it was due to her different mood, Luo Yan felt that this time, the feeling was entirely different from their previous intimate encounters,

–– No wonder he always went to Xue Yunrou before. If every time feels like this, she would be obsessed with it too.

It was only then that Li Xuan remembered to worry about Yue Qianqian. He looked anxiously around, remembering that Qianqian had just come in with them earlier.

Seeing this, Luo Yan chuckled slightly: "Are you looking for Qianqian? She sneaked back out after entering the courtyard, her face red like a rabbit, she must have guessed what I wanted to do."

Her eyes turned a shade darker : "At this time, can you still bear to think of another woman?"

Li Xuan noticed that as Luo Yan talked, she pushed him towards the room.

Li Xuan couldn’t help but gulp, feeling overjoyed inside, but kept a serious expression on his face. He sighed: "Calm down, Yan. I understand what you’re thinking. But if you’re doing this just to repay me––"

When he spoke, his lips were already silenced by Luo Yan’s finger.

"Stop! At this time, why are you pretending to be a gentleman? Who among the people around you doesn’t know that you’re a womanizer? Do you really think I believe you?"

Luo Yan’s eyes sparkled. She leaned her forehead against Li Xuan’s chest and breathed hotly: "Right now, if you’re still a man, Li Xuan, then take me."

Li Xuan didn’t speak any further, and abruptly lifted the girl up, striding purposefully towards the bed.

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