105: Corruption case

Chapter 105: Corruption Case Breaks Out

[ Absorbed Pure Yin Qi, Lifespan + 20; ]

[ Absorbed Pure Yin Qi, acquired "Evergreen Skill"; ]

[ Absorbed Pure Yin Qi, acquired "Seven Stars Sword Technique"; ]

[ Absorbed Pure Yin Qi, acquired "Chaoyang Zixia Skill"; ]

[ Absorbed Pure Yin Qi, Metal Spiritual Root + 5; ]

[ Absorbed Pure Yin Qi, Earth Spiritual Root + 3. ]

[ Absorbed Pure Yin Qi, Water Spiritual Root + 2 ]

[ Absorbed Pure Yin Qi, Mana + 10. ]

[ Absorbed Yin Qi, Mana + 1. ]

[ Absorbed Yin Qi, "Chaoyang Zixia Skill" + 1. ]

In the bedchamber, Zheng Yi hugged Immortal Master Zhuang Yuheng, who was still wearing her torn Taoist robe, her tender white skin gleaming with an inexplicable luster under the light.

After checking the characters that appeared on the Yin Yang Treasure Mirror, his heart was filled with excitement.

As expected!

This Zhuang Yuheng truly was a Cultivator as well!

And she was even a Three Spiritual Roots Cultivator!

Compared to Cui Xiabing and Yuechan, although her Aptitude could not compare, the rewards obtained from her far exceeded those from Cui Xiabing and Yuechan.

Not only were there "Evergreen Skill" and "Seven Stars Sword Technique", but there was also "Chaoyang Zixia Skill"!

The Cultivation Technique that Zhao Xi Zheng treasured beyond compare had fallen into his hands so easily.

Unfortunately, it did not contain the complete contents of the "Chaoyang Zixia Skill", but having something was better than nothing.

There was also the Metal Spiritual Root!

Immortal Master Zhuang Yuheng possessed the Metal Spiritual Root, which he also acquired after their Dual Cultivation.

Now, among the Five Elements Spiritual Roots of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth, he had already acquired the Metal, Wood, Water, and Earth systems, leaving only the final Fire attribute to achieve Five Elements Perfection.

He learned from Cui Xiabing that when Cultivators practiced, fewer Spiritual Root attributes were better, ideally only a single specific attribute.

Spiritual Roots with a single attribute were all called supreme Spiritual Roots, and their cultivation speed was several times that of other multi-attribute Spiritual Roots!

But this restriction meant nothing to Zheng Yi.

With the Yin Yang Treasure Mirror, he could extract Spiritual Root Aptitude from female Cultivators without limit.

The more female Cultivators he engaged in Dual Cultivation with, the more corresponding Spiritual Root Aptitude he could acquire.

Quantitative change triggers qualitative change; sooner or later, his Five Elements Spiritual Roots would step into the supreme grade, or even the Heavenly Spiritual Root!

Moreover, unlike his other consorts, Immortal Master Zhuang Yuheng's performance during bed service was simply too… unfamiliar!

Or rather, extremely aloof.

At first, no matter how much Zheng Yi forced her, she maintained a light and breezy demeanor, at most gritting her teeth and enduring bitterly.

Until the end, when her clenched silver teeth finally parted slightly, sounding like a cuckoo crying blood.

Especially her Taoist robe, which added even more charm.

This peculiar feeling made Zheng Yi feel quite novel.

Furthermore, under Zheng Yi's sweet words, Zhuang Yuheng opened her heart and spoke about some matters concerning herself.

Nearly two years ago, she was taken as a Disciple by Zhao Xi Zheng, who had broken through his seclusion, and was taught the first three levels of the "Chaoyang Zixia Skill".

Afterward, she was directly thrown into the imperial palace.

Since then, he paid no more attention to her, leaving her to cultivate on her own, with only Zhao Su Ling occasionally coming to visit her.

Over the past two years, she had also diligently practiced the "Chaoyang Zixia Skill" day after day, stepping into the 2nd layer of Qi Condensation in just two short years.

It was not until Zhao Su Ling sought her out a few months ago that she learned the technique she practiced was actually a method of immortality cultivation, which filled her with immense astonishment.

Zheng Yi guessed that this might also be a pretense by Zhao Xi Zheng to brush him off, or used as a kind of "exchange".

He gave Zheng Yi a consort who could cultivate, and Zheng Yi correspondingly had to grant various privileges to the Taiyi Sect.

Zhuang Yuheng probably did not know yet that although she was Zhao Xi Zheng's Disciple, she had already become a pawn used for transaction.

Presumably, within the Taiyi Sect, there was still a true Cultivator.

That was Zhao Xi Zheng's true Disciple!

Zheng Yi lovingly stroked Zhuang Yuheng's forehead; she was also a pitiful person.

"Mm… Your Majesty?"

In a daze, Zhuang Yuheng woke up and cast an embarrassed glance at Zheng Yi.

"What is Beloved Consort thinking about?"

"This concubine was thinking that matters between men and women could actually be so… wonderful?"

Having just experienced human affairs for the first time, Zhuang Yuheng's face flushed with embarrassment.

Zheng Yi said, "Affairs between husband and wife are a human relation Great Master, so why need to hide them?"

"Beloved Consort, rest assured, from now on I will let you experience the most wonderful feeling in this world."

"Thank you, Your Majesty~"

Zheng Yi said, "That's right, Beloved Consort, does the "Chaoyang Zixia Skill" you cultivate have a subsequent technique?"

Zhuang Yuheng shook her head and said, "Revered Master only bestowed the first three levels of the "Chaoyang Zixia Skill", and once said it was enough for ten years of this concubine's cultivation effort."

She said apologetically, "Perhaps Your Majesty saw that this concubine's Aptitude was dull, and had no choice but to do so."

Zheng Yi hugged Zhuang Yuheng again and said, "Rest assured, Beloved Consort, one day I will fetch the complete set of "Chaoyang Zixia Skill" techniques for you!"

"Th-Thank you, Your Majesty~"

Zhuang Yuheng wriggled her body slightly and gritted her teeth, saying, "Your-Your Majesty, may this concubine go wash up and change into a clean, refreshing set of clothes?"

"Wash up?"

Zheng Yi's eyes suddenly lit up, and he said, "I happen to feel a bit uncomfortable too. Let's go, I'll accompany Beloved Consort to wash up together!"

"Your-Your Majesty…"

"What is it?"

"You-You really are a decadent ruler!"

"Hahaha… A decadent ruler then, let's go, Beloved Consort!"

"Ah…!"

Several more days passed, and messages came from Chen Zhong and Chen Yi, who were far away in Yong Province, stating that Tian Wenjing, the general commander of the Yong Province Grand Canal, had been found.

Moreover, regarding the matters reported by Wang Anshi concerning Tian Wenjing accepting bribes, purchasing residences in other regions, and secretly harboring women, everything had been thoroughly investigated.

The actual situation was far more severe than what Wang Anshi had stated.

After the outbreak of the Yong Province Grand Canal rebellion, he fled in panic all the way to the army of Shi Heilang.

As the Vice Minister of Personnel, he received good hospitality in the army and rallied officials at all levels in Yong Province, attempting to pin the blame for the Yong Province Grand Canal corvée rebellion entirely on Lu Lian and others.

Under Zheng Yi's covert instigation, a wave of anti-corruption regarding the Yong Province Grand Canal gradually came to light.

At the Great Court Session.

"If you have matters to report, step forward; if not, dismiss court!"

"Your minister, Yuan Qichang, Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, has a matter to report!"

Lu Xiangqing, the Senior Grand Secretary of the Cabinet and Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, cast a strange glance at Yuan Qichang. He had not secretly instigated anyone to report anything, so why was someone from his own department going to submit a memorial?

The rest of the officials also looked at Yuan Qichang in astonishment, then turned their gaze toward Lu Xiangqing.

Zheng Yi asked, "Yuan Qichang, what matter do you have?"

Yuan Qichang, a metropolitan graduate of the 36th year of Tianqi, was known for being intolerant of evil and holding himself in high esteem. Over his twenty-plus years as an official, he had offended countless colleagues and faced suppression from numerous officials.

But this man was indeed upright, and his political rivals could find no dirt on him, forcing them to squeeze him out into the Censorate as an investigating censor.

Under the dual investigation of the Jinyi Guard and the Shadow Guard, Zheng Yi had designated him as a member of the Emperors Party.

After sending people to contact and covertly test him for about half a year, although he was slightly vindictive, he had no major problems on big issues.

After careful consideration, he was accepted into the Emperors Party three months ago.

Entering the Emperors Party along with him were more than ten other officials.

They were all officials who had been squeezed out by court ministers, feeling frustrated and unfulfilled, or those dedicated to the people and aspiring to accomplish things.

These officials were capable and ambitious, but due to various reasons, they had been suppressed for many years, mostly holding official positions below the fifth rank, with virtually no voice in the court.

Among them were Wang Anshi and this Yuan Qichang before him.

Yuan Qichang knelt on the ground and said, "Your minister impeaches Tian Wenjing, Vice Minister of Personnel and General Commander of the Yong Province Grand Canal, for accepting bribes from local merchants, suppressing political opponents, secretly purchasing agricultural and residential properties in his jurisdiction, and embezzling public funds. He is the chief culprit behind this Yong Province corvée rebellion!"

"Gasp…!"

As soon as Yuan Qichang finished speaking, many officials broke into discussion, sounding like a vegetable market.

Who was Tian Wenjing?

That was a favorite in front of Your Majesty.

Years ago, during the debate on whether Wu Country should fight or surrender, he stood on the pro-war side and won Your Majesty's favor.

Furthermore, because his younger sister entered the inner palace and was conferred the title of Beloved Consort, he was favored by Your Majesty.

As for himself, besides holding the post of Left Vice Minister of Personnel, he also served as the general commander in the national policy project of the Yong Province Grand Canal.

One could imagine that once he completed the construction of the Grand Canal, he would inevitably become one of the Six Ministers, and might even step into the Cabinet to become one of the Grand Secretaries.

Especially since Xu Mujun concurrently held the post of Minister of Personnel, but was far away in Mang Prefecture, personnel affairs had always been presided over by Tian Wenjing.

In other words, Tian Wenjing was also the current top figure in the Ministry of Personnel.

For such a figure, someone now actually dared to impeach him—it was simply audacious.

Zheng Yi asked, "Is there evidence?"

"Yes!"

Yuan Qichang held up a thick ledger with both hands and said, "This ledger records the list of all those who bribed Tian Wenjing, as well as the list and ledgers of bribes given by Tian Wenjing to court ministers!"

"In addition, there are addresses, documents, and other details of the large amounts of agricultural land and real estate purchased by Tian Wenjing in Yong and Bing regions."

"If Your Majesty does not believe it, you can dispatch the Jinyi Guard to inspect, and it will be known in a few days!"

Zheng Yi waved his hand, and Liu Chengen quickly stepped forward to receive and hold it up.

"Your Majesty, please take a look."

Zheng Yi casually flipped through it, his expression growing increasingly ugly, and abruptly shoved these ledgers to the ground.

"Your Majesty, calm your anger!"

A large number of officials knelt down, their expressions varying.

"Lu Xiangqing!"

"Your minister is here!"

"Are these the capable officials recommended to me by the Cabinet? Several tens of millions of taels of silver! Such a massive project was handed over to him, yet instead of striving to achieve and serving the country loyally, he embezzled public funds and corrupted a full five million and more taels!"

Zheng Yi said angrily, "If that were all, Tian Wenjing's actions actually triggered a rebellion of a million corvée laborers in Yong Province—he truly deserves death!"

"We are terrified!"

Lu Xiangqing knelt on the ground and said, now he had nothing to argue.

Although Tian Wenjing's appointment as the general commander of the Yong Province Grand Canal was personally designated by Your Majesty, as the Senior Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, wasn't his job to clean up the mess for Your Majesty?

He immediately said, "Your Majesty, the corruption case of Tian Wenjing has not yet been finalized. The primary task now is to dispatch capable persons to Yong Province to investigate the case, while capturing Tian Wenjing and holding him under heavy guard!"

Zheng Yi nodded and asked, "Beloved Minister, do you have any recommendations?"

Lu Xiangqing pondered rapidly in his mind and immediately said, "Li Yuanhao, Minister of Dali Temple, can serve as the chief official for this case!"

Dali Temple was naturally in charge of reviewing legal cases, so it was logical for it to take charge of this case.

Cabinet Assistant Minister and Minister of Dali Temple Li Yuanhao immediately stepped out and said, "Your Majesty, this minister is willing to take charge of this case."

"Good!"

Zheng Yi said, "Then let Dali Temple, the Ministry of Punishments, and the Censorate each dispatch a person to investigate this case. A joint trial by the Three Judicial Offices must be conducted to investigate it clearly for me."

"Understood!"

"Yuan Qichang, Wang Anshi!"

"Your humble ministers are here."

The two of them stepped out one after another and bowed respectfully.

"You two may serve as deputy judges and participate in it."

"Understood!"

The expressions of several Cabinet assistant ministers shifted slightly, wondering what they were thinking.

"Now that the positions of Minister of Personnel and Left Vice Minister of Personnel are vacant, do my lords have anyone to recommend?"

As Zheng Yi's voice fell, the thoughts of several Cabinet assistant ministers turned swiftly.

Tian Wenjing was doomed; what needed to be done now was to cut off the wrist like a brave warrior and sever all dealings with him.

What Your Majesty was going to discuss now, however, was the Vice Minister of Personnel, a chief position of the Six Ministries. This was a second-rank senior official with immense power, so they naturally had to pay twelve points of attention to deal with it.

Lu Xiangqing took the lead and said, "I recommend Chen Dongming, Right Vice Minister of Personnel. With the positions of Minister of Personnel and Left Vice Minister of Personnel vacant, it is only logical for the Right Vice Minister to step up and succeed."

"Furthermore, Lord Chen Dongming has served in the Ministry of Personnel for over three years and is very familiar with the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel…"

"I second the motion!"

"I recommend Zheng Xuanyue, Administration Commissioner of Jiangzuo…"