Outside the Forbidden City.
Junior Officer Wang He stumbled into the East Chamber like a zombie.
Along the way, Wang He didn't know how he got here.
When Wang He appeared in the East Chamber, his mental defense completely collapsed.
If the cabinet wanted him dead, he could still beg Cao Zhengchun to save him.
But now, it was the Emperor who wanted him dead!
"Godfather, save me, save me!"
Wang He collapsed to the ground, crying his heart out.
However, Cao Zhengchun could see some clues from his every move.
"What exactly happened?" Cao Zhengchun asked coldly.
After Wang He told Cao Zhengchun everything that had happened in the Forbidden City, he waited with tears all over his face.
Cao Zhengchun's brows were tightly knitted together, like an ant on a hot pan.
Cao Zhengchun understood the meaning behind Wang He's words.
In fact, he should have thought that the cabinet must have had the Emperor's backing to dare to do this.
Otherwise, how could the Emperor not care about the execution of a thousand officials in just one day?
"Godfather, what should we do now?”
"Please save me, godfather!"
Cao Zhengchun's expression was extremely solemn. He was no longer just trying to save them, but also himself.
At this moment, the cabinet was like a knife in the Emperor's hand.
If the saber broke, he could just replace it with another one.
However, if the corrupt officials were not removed, it would endanger the entire Ming Dynasty!
As for him, although he was also a knife in the Emperor's hand, if he could even hurt his master, then it would be meaningless.
Cao Zhengchun had to make a choice.
Power or wealth, choose one.
"Men, organize our family's wealth, property, and land into a book. Seal all the jewelry and jade.”
"Yes, sir."
……
Starry Night.
Forbidden City.
Cao Zhengchun rushed to the Imperial Palace with several horses pulling boxes of goods.
Inside Yangxin Hall.
Cao Zhengchun rushed up to the hall in fear and said in a trembling voice,"I, Cao Zhengchun, have come to plead guilty to Your Majesty.”
Zhu Houzhao fixed his gaze on Cao Zhengchun and murmured,""Cao Zhengchun, what crime have you committed?”
Cao Zhengchun knelt on the ground and said with tears all over his face,""This lowly subject has committed a crime and failed to live up to Your Majesty's trust and the Imperial Court's great trust.”
"This subject is willing to take out all the silver that has been embezzled over the years and present it to Your Majesty.”
After saying that, Cao Zhengchun presented the accounts that he had prepared beforehand to the Dragon Table.
When Zhu Houzhao heard this, he couldn't help but feel surprised.
Naturally, Zhu Houzhao was aware of Cao Zhengchun's corruption.
However, he didn't expect Cao Zhengchun to take the initiative.
Zhu Houzhao casually flipped through the accounts Cao Zhengchun had submitted without saying a word.
At this moment, Cao Zhengchun was extremely nervous as he lowered his head.
Sweat trickled down Cao Zhengchun's face and dripped onto the ground.
The main hall was getting quieter, but Cao Zhengchun was extremely nervous.
Zhu Houzhao did not notice Cao Zhengchun's current situation.
Although Cao Zhengchun said that he was asking for forgiveness, he was actually more afraid of death than anyone else.
The reason why he was willing to offer the silver was only to protect his life and status!
However, Zhu Houzhao had no intention of killing Cao Zhengchun.
Cao Zhengchun was greedy, but the greedier he was, the easier it was to control him.
Moreover, Cao Zhengchun was still of great use to him.
It could be said that it was a sharp sword in his hand that could be used unexpectedly at a critical moment.
"Get up!"
When the voice of the Son of Heaven rang out in the palace, Cao Zhengchun felt as if he had been pardoned and let out a long sigh of relief.
Cao Zhengchun might be a glorious man in the outside world, but in front of the Emperor, he was willing to give up all his dignity.
By the time Cao Zhengchun stood up, beads of sweat had already covered his forehead like rain.
His loose robes and official robes were soaked in sweat.
"Three million taels is not a small sum!”
"However, considering that you have served the court for many years and have made great contributions to the court, I will give you a chance to turn over a new leaf.”
"If there is a next time, I will definitely kill you!”
Cao Zhengchun nodded repeatedly and said in a trembling voice,""I thank Your Majesty for not killing me. I will definitely remember Your Majesty's teachings today and never do it again!”
Cao Zhengchun bowed and left the palace.
Cao Zhengchun only heaved a sigh of relief when they left the Forbidden City.
Today, he did not hesitate to take out the silver he had saved up for many years in exchange for his life.
Although he was reluctant to part with them, Cao Zhengchun didn't regret it at all.
If he could do it all over again, he would still make the same choice.
……
At the same time, the news that Cao Zhengchun had turned in his embezzled silver and left the Forbidden City safely spread like wildfire.
Right now, the cabinet was arresting corrupt officials.
Anyone who embezzled more than 10,000 yuan would not be able to escape death.
Every time they thought of the thousands of people they had killed, they couldn't help but shiver.
Even now, the smell of blood on the execution ground had not dissipated.
Fortunately, they had finally found hope to survive.
As long as he handed over all the silver he had embezzled, he might be able to avoid death.
He might even be able to keep his current position.
All of a sudden, the corrupt officials began to clean up the embezzled property and silver.
He was afraid that if he was a step slower, he would be found by the inner cabinet.
If he took the initiative to give up the embezzled silver, he might be able to keep his life.
However, if they were caught by this Liu Titou or Butcher Li, they would really lose everything.
Throughout the night, many residences in the capital were filled with a strange scene.
Although it was night, the candlelight in the courtyard was bright as day.
The noise seemed to be cleaning up the things that had accumulated in the house for a long time.
However, the doors of these mansions were tightly shut. There were even some servants guarding outside the doors of many mansions.
The next day.
The sky was bright.
Forbidden City.
Pa!
Pa!
Pa!
After three whipping sounds, the civil and military officials of the court walked across the Golden Water Bridge, crossed the White Stone Square, and arrived at the Xuanzheng Hall.
Zhu Houzhao slowly stepped onto the Dragon Platform and looked around at the officials.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The eunuch took a step forward and announced loudly,""His Majesty has decreed that if you have this, report it as soon as possible. If you don't have this, withdraw from the court!”
Liu Jian, the chief assistant of the cabinet, quickly walked out of the court and cupped his hands."Your Majesty, I have something to report."
Almost as soon as Liu Jian finished speaking, the other ministers in the court no longer seemed to care about the rules. They walked out of the court and reported,"Your Majesty, I also have something to report!"
"I also have something to report!"
The noise was extremely noisy, as lively as a market.
When Zhu Houzhao saw this scene, he couldn't help but reveal a faint smile. He could already guess what these officials were up to.
"It's quite strange today!"
"Dear ministers, don't be anxious.”
"Why don't you listen to what the other ministers have to say first!”
"Yes, Your Majesty."
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