Chapter 24 A Thorough Investigation into the Falsified Accounts

Looking at the expression on Chen Xing-tian’s face, Chen Mu knew that this group of officials was utterly finished. Sure enough, Chen Xing-tian wasted no time and immediately began arranging the next steps.

“I will give you one thousand elite soldiers and the Imperial Sword, and you shall proceed to Dongyuan to thoroughly investigate this matter, as if I were present myself. For officials below the third rank, execute first and report later!”

Afterward, Chen Xing-tian ordered his men to quickly surround Minister Zhang’s residence and place him under house arrest.

Seeing this, Chen Mu promptly suggested a thorough investigation of the national treasury’s accounts. Things had escalated to such a point that even the slowest among them would realize Minister Zhang must be hiding something. At this moment, Chen Xing-tian could only regret not having listened to Chen Mu sooner.

“Very well! Whom do you think should undertake this task?” Now that he realized Chen Mu was more farsighted than himself, Chen Xing-tian was even more eager for his opinion.

Chen Mu considered for a moment, and soon settled on a candidate in his mind.

“Prime Minister Liu is the most suitable.”

It was not simply favoritism; after weighing all aspects, his father-in-law truly was the best choice for examining the treasury accounts this time.

Firstly, Minister Zhang had likely been embezzling funds from the national treasury for years. Over such a long period, he must have kept a set of falsified accounts. Among all the officials in court, those capable of uncovering fraudulent accounts were few and far between. Prime Minister Liu possessed exceptional ability, combining boldness with meticulousness. With him in charge, it would not be difficult to spot inconsistencies in the accounts.

Secondly, Minister Zhang, despite his broad influence in the court, had never involved himself in any factional struggles. Even within Minister Zhang’s vast sphere, Prime Minister Liu had never aligned himself with Zhang's party. Therefore, Chen Mu had no cause to worry about any bias in the investigation.

Furthermore, as Chen Mu was now his son-in-law, Prime Minister Liu would undoubtedly put his heart into the task.

Upon hearing this recommendation, Chen Xing-tian agreed without hesitation.

Soon, Prime Minister Liu was summoned to the palace.

“Greetings, Your Majesty. Greetings, Crown Prince.” His attitude was as respectful as ever, though Chen Xing-tian now had little patience for such formalities.

“Prime Minister Liu, there is an urgent matter which you must attend to at once!”

“Your Majesty, please command.”

Chen Xing-tian succinctly informed him of the recent events.

“Now, I require you to thoroughly investigate the national treasury’s accounts for the past five years—examine them with great care!”

“I want to see just how much that old scoundrel has stolen from me all these years!”

Prime Minister Liu sensed the gravity of the situation and his expression grew solemn.

“I accept the command.”

“But I have a word to say, though I am uncertain if it is appropriate.”

Chen Xing-tian glanced at him, signaling him to proceed.

“In my opinion, the most pressing issue is not the investigation of the treasury, but the disaster relief for the people of Dongyuan.”

Chen Mu could not help but nod inwardly. As expected of his chosen candidate, he could pinpoint the heart of the matter in a single sentence.

“Prime Minister, rest assured,” Chen Mu replied. “My father has given me authority to execute first and report later, with the Imperial Sword and a thousand elite soldiers. I am heading to Dongyuan to oversee disaster relief.”

Hearing that arrangements had been made for the people, Prime Minister Liu accepted his orders with peace of mind.

Meanwhile, Minister Zhang, sitting at home, suddenly heard his servant report that his house had been surrounded.

“Who dares such audacity! Stirring up trouble right at the gate of my residence!”

Fuming, Minister Zhang immediately led his household staff to the front entrance.

But what awaited him was a contingent of fully armed palace guards.

“Who are you! How dare you surround the residence of an imperial official!”

The leading soldier, astride his horse, gave Minister Zhang a perfunctory salute as a gesture of respect.

“I am Qin Wei, Commander of the Imperial Guards, acting on His Majesty’s orders to seal Minister Zhang’s residence.”

“From this moment, no one may enter or leave the premises. Minister Zhang, my apologies!”

With those words, Qin Wei signaled to his troops, who promptly encircled the estate.

Minister Zhang was powerless against the guards and could only stand at the gate, shouting in frustration.

“General Qin, what is the meaning of this?”

Qin Wei’s face was cold and silent.

“Qin Wei, I warn you— I am an imperial official, you—”

“Imperial official? His Majesty has ordered your residence sealed!” Qin Wei snorted, utterly unimpressed.

Seeing that Qin Wei was unmoved by his status, Minister Zhang changed tactics and softened his tone.

“General Qin, why has His Majesty sealed my residence today?”

Yet this question only irritated Qin Wei further.

“I am merely following orders. I know nothing else!”

When Qin Wei proved impervious to both threats and persuasion, Minister Zhang truly began to panic.

If he had a clear conscience, there would be nothing to fear. But the problem was, not long ago he had colluded with other officials in charge of disaster relief to embezzle a considerable amount of state funds.

In desperation, Minister Zhang had his aides fetch some silver from the house.

“General Qin.” Minister Zhang now wore a forced smile. “Perhaps you might look kindly upon this…”

To his surprise, Qin Wei’s demeanor changed instantly.

“Minister Zhang, what are you doing?” Qin Wei shouted sternly. “Are you trying to bribe me? I cannot accept!”

With that, he signaled to his soldiers, who immediately raised their weapons and pushed Minister Zhang and his staff back inside.

Qin Wei pointed at the silver lying on the ground, speaking without mercy.

“Minister Zhang, I will report this matter truthfully to His Majesty. My apologies! Close the gates!”

At Qin Wei’s command, the palace guards slammed the doors shut and affixed seals across them.

Inside, Minister Zhang was frantic.

Early that morning, he had heard from his aides that the Crown Prince and a stranger had returned from outside the city.

Upon hearing the news, he had felt a vague sense of foreboding.

Still, Minister Zhang clung to a sliver of hope. After all, just a few days ago, His Majesty had praised him for recommending talented officials to handle disaster relief. Surely nothing could go wrong so soon.

Moreover, his informants had been watching around the Crown Prince’s residence and confirmed the prince had not left.

But from hearing of the Crown Prince’s return from outside the city that morning, to his own home now surrounded by palace guards, Minister Zhang finally realized that he had fallen prey to a scheme orchestrated by the Crown Prince and His Majesty together.

Yet panic would not help; he needed to quickly alert the officials in Dongyuan.

Minister Zhang rushed to his backyard and seized a carrier pigeon.

At this point, he could only resort to such measures.

No matter what, the message had to get out.

But Chen Mu had already instructed Qin Wei: in the coming days, not even a fly was to leave Minister Zhang’s residence.