Chapter 7: Work-for-relief!
"Your Highness, after checking your accounts, a total of thirty-six corrupt officials in the court have been brought to justice."
"At the same time, all the mansions were confiscated. The total amount of dirty silver was more than 8 million taels and 1 million dan of grain. We are waiting for your order."
When these words were spoken, all the officials were dumbfounded. Such a thundering measure did not give them any chance to react.
"Okay, you guys take a look, this is an official from my Great Zhou, very good!"
"Eight million taels, how many heads of yours are worth eight million taels? Do you think that we can do whatever we want just because our father is weak and sick?"
"Where is the Minister of Justice?"
Suddenly there was a loud shout and everyone was startled again.
"I am here!"
A little old man stood up tremblingly.
"According to the laws of our Great Zhou, how should these people be punished?"
"Reply...Reply Prince, he should be executed according to the law!"
Xiao Yan nodded and said, "Okay, he should be executed!"
"Someone come!"
"Wait a minute, Your Highness!"
Just as Xiao Yan was about to issue an edict, Hu Zhenghe stood up.
These people are all his people. If he kills them, his prestige in the court will be greatly reduced.
"Your Highness, please listen to what I have to say!"
Xiao Yan's eyes turned cold, and Hu Zhenghe felt as if he had fallen into an icy cave.
"Okay, you go ahead!"
Hu Zhenghe took a deep breath and said, "Your Highness, these people have made contributions to our Great Zhou. If we kill them like this, our Great Zhou court will be empty!"
"Many matters in the court will not be handled by then. Your Highness, please think twice!"
"Your Highness, please think twice!"
Immediately, all the people from Hu Zhenghe's faction stood up.
"What? You want to force the emperor to abdicate?"
"Who gave you the courage? Hu Zhenghe, Prime Minister Hu, I haven't even asked you about your guilt yet, and you've already stood up on your own!"
"As the Prime Minister, you are to blame for these people's corruption and abuse of power. This is your dereliction of duty!"
"I will fine you one year's salary. Go back and reflect on your actions!"
"Also, these people... kill all their clans!"
boom!
As soon as these words were spoken, the court was shaken. Simply killing those who were corrupt and committed lawlessness was not enough. Only the execution of all nine generations of their clan could intimidate these people.
"Your Highness! Think carefully. You just became the regent. Do you really not take me seriously if you kill someone right away?"
"How about you let me handle this man? I promise to give you a satisfactory answer!"
Xiao Yan shook his head and said, "Don't bother Master Hu, I will handle it myself now!"
Hu Zhenghe stood upright at this time, staring at Xiao Yan.
"Your Highness, you just said that I have a certain responsibility in this matter, so leave it to me!"
Xiao Yan laughed when he heard this: "What if I am not?"
Hu Zhenghe bowed slightly and said, "If Your Highness disagrees, you can give it a try!"
The atmosphere in the court was tense over this matter.
"Hu Zhenghe, you are so brave that you actually disobeyed my order!"
Hu Zhenghe disagreed with Xiao Yan's words.
"Your Majesty has granted me the power to assist you, so I have the right to inquire about this matter. Similarly, Your Highness has just taken over the throne, so please do not offend everyone!"
"What do you think?"
Xiao Yan laughed loudly upon hearing this: "Hahaha, okay, Lord Hu does have the right, but I am going to do this today. What do you think?"
Hu Zhenghe also smiled and said, "Then we'll see if the court listens to your Highness the Crown Prince."
Everyone could hear the strong threat in these words, and Hu Zhenghe and his group also straightened their backs.
"Duan Tianya!"
"I am here!"
Xiao Yan looked at him with a determined gaze.
"There is no need for a joint trial by the three courts, and no need for the Ministry of Justice to investigate. Just drag them all to Caishikou and chop them into pieces!"
"This matter is in the hands of your Northern Pacification Division. If there is one person left alive, you... must commit suicide and apologize!"
"As for the dirty silver, all of it will be put into the national treasury for disaster relief!"
Hearing this, the ministers were shocked, knowing that Xiao Yan was determined on this matter.
"Your Majesty, obey your order!"
The matter is settled here.
Seeing that Xiao Yan was so unwilling to give him face, Hu Zhenghe said, "Very good, Your Highness, this is your own choice. If His Majesty blames you later, don't say that I didn't assist you well."
This time, Hu Zhenghe completely hated Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan glanced at Hu Zhenghe and ignored him.
"Everyone, you are all my loyal subjects. If this kind of thing happens again, I will never tolerate it!"
"Now that the treasury is full, let's talk about disaster relief in the north!"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was no longer as frightened as before, but eager to try. After all, if this thing could be done well, it would be a great achievement.
Hu Zhenghe was annoyed because his own people were killed. If this position was given to one of his own, his prestige among the people would be greatly enhanced.
I will also be able to get more help with future matters. After all, usurping the throne is not a glorious thing.
"Do you have any suitable candidates?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Hu Zhenghe stood up.
"Your Highness, I think it would be more appropriate to let the Second Prince handle it at this time."
"As a member of the royal family, the Second Prince will naturally do his best for our Great Zhou. If it were someone else, I'm afraid they wouldn't have such enthusiasm."
"I second the motion!"
"I second the motion!"
Immediately, all the people from Hu Zhenghe's faction stood up again.
Little did they know that in Xiao Yan's eyes these people were just putting on a show.
"The Second Prince is of royal blood. Anything could happen in the disaster area. To be on the safe side, let's change someone else!"
When these words were spoken, all the ministers were shocked.
What's the reason? You, the prince, are a human being, but we are not?
But no one refuted it. After all, this was indeed the case. If you did it well, you would achieve great success. If you did it badly, you would be infamous for eternity.
"Let's not discuss who will go to provide disaster relief for now. Whoever goes will need a complete plan. Do you have any good ideas?"
Hu Zhenghe heard this and spoke again: "Your Highness, I think opening the national treasury and allocating silver and grain will ensure that nothing goes wrong!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan replied without even thinking: "Superficial!"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was stunned. Firstly, it was indeed not giving face to Hu Zhenghe, and secondly, this was indeed the best way.
Everyone would think so.
"Since Your Highness thinks my proposal is superficial, why don't you come up with an idea?"
Xiao Yan smiled slightly, waiting for you to say this.
"The reason why we can't just allocate money and food directly is because there are too many people in the world to feed."
"If we give them money and food directly today, what if we encounter drought again next year? It will be endless and will sooner or later bring down our Great Zhou!"
"This will form a habit, thinking that the imperial court will take care of it if there is no food to eat, and then all you have to do is wait. Who will work for you?"
After these words were spoken, everyone began to think deeply. This was indeed not a long-term solution.
"Then I wonder what Your Highness thinks..."
After hearing this, Hu Zhenghe still didn't believe that Xiao Yan had a better idea.
"Simple, four words, work-for-relief!"
