Golden Palace.
Liu Jian silently retreated.
When the court officials saw this, they heaved a sigh of relief.
As long as Liu Jian didn't show up, they still had a chance to live.
Because of this, the officials of the imperial court spoke up one after another."Your Majesty, we feel that the Imperial Court has spent a lot of resources, especially on the construction of fleets and firearms.”
"We are willing to offer our savings to ensure the prosperity of our Ming Dynasty.”
When Zhu Houzhao heard this, a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. He nodded and said,"Do you really think so?"
"No regrets?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the ministers in the court straightened their backs and said righteously,"These are the words from the bottom of our hearts. We will never regret it!”
Zhu Houzhao nodded slightly and said with a smile,""Come on! He presented the accounts of the silver offered by the beloved ministers.”
"Yes."
" Yes!" The eunuch responded and quickly stepped forward to present the accounts that the officials had sorted out.
When Zhu Houzhao saw the amount of silver on the account, his eyes lit up.
Although the amount of money embezzled by each official was not as much as Cao Zhengchun's, it was still a considerable sum.
With the five million taels of silver offered by these officials and the money Cao Zhengchun had given him earlier, it was enough for Zhu Houzhao to do more things.
"It seems that the hearts of all the beloved ministers towards Great Ming can indeed be seen by the sun and moon!”
While Zhu Houzhao was laughing, how could Liu Jian not know that these ministers were only offering money in exchange for their lives?
"Your Majesty, I have something to report."
Zhu Houzhao fixed his eyes on Liu Jian and nodded slightly."Elder, speak!"
Liu Jian cupped his hands and said,"Your Majesty, in the past few days, I have thoroughly investigated the case of corrupt officials in the Great Ming Dynasty. There are already thousands of people involved."”
"The amount of silver is so huge that it makes one's hair stand on end!”
As he said this, Liu Jian couldn't help but look at the officials who had contributed money earlier, scaring them into hurriedly lowering their heads.
"Your Majesty, this subject requests an imperial edict ordering this subject to thoroughly investigate their property.”
As soon as he said this, the officials knelt on the ground in fear and said in fear,"Your Majesty, we are sincere!”
"We will never dare to be suspected of corruption and perverting the law.”
"Humph!"
Liu Jian snorted coldly." If there's no suspicion of corruption or perverting the law, then won't you let me investigate it personally?"”
After Liu Jian said this, the ministers in the court were so frightened that they quickly complained to the Emperor.
"We have already taken out the savings of our family, so we are naturally not afraid of Your Majesty's inspection.”
"However, this way, we are only worried that it will damage Your Majesty's reputation.”
"Please reconsider, Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty!" Liu Jian said anxiously.”
Zhu Houzhao waved his hand to stop Liu Jian from talking and said in a clear voice,"There's no need to say anything, I have my own plans.”
"All of you, my dear ministers, are willing to take out your family savings to fill the national treasury. It's reasonable for you to be suspicious.”
"I will remember today's matter for all my beloved ministers.”
"In the future, if you do anything out of line again, it won't be too late for you to say it again.”
Tian Zi's words were extremely tactful.
It wasn't that the Emperor didn't know that they were corrupt, but he spared their lives because they had taken out all the money they had embezzled.
For a moment, the officials kneeling on the ground all shed tears of gratitude and bowed."Your Majesty, your kindness is unparalleled. We thank you, Your Majesty.”
Seeing this, Liu Jian knew that he couldn't continue speaking. He cupped his hands and bowed."Your humble subject obeys."
"Alright, dear ministers, get up!”
"In the future, I still need all of you to work hard!”
"We will do our best until we die!”
Zhu Houzhao nodded with a smile and did not mention this matter again.
After the officials stood up one after another, they all returned to the court with tears streaming down their faces.
After the morning court session ended, Zhu Houzhao had just returned to Yangxin Hall.
The eunuch walked up quickly and said respectfully,""Your Majesty, the chief assistant of the cabinet is here to pay his respects.”
"Call him in!" Zhu Houzhao nodded slightly.”
"Yes."
Zhu Houzhao had already guessed why Liu Jian had come.
After all, Zhu Houzhao had pardoned some corrupt officials today.
Zhu Houzhao also had some things to tell him.
From time to time, Liu Jian walked up quickly and cupped his hands in salute."Greetings, Your Majesty."
"No need for formalities."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty, this subject has come…"
"Is it because of those corrupt officials?" Zhu Houzhao asked with a smile.”
Liu Jian's expression froze for a moment before he nodded and said,""Your Majesty, I don't understand. Why did Your Majesty pardon these people when you knew they were corrupt officials?”
It was reasonable for Liu Jian to throw a tantrum.
After all, not only did he become the villain, but he also did not have any benefits. He did not even dare to vent.
One had to know that this was the Emperor's decree…
Zhu Houzhao's expression turned serious as he said,""Elder, the reason is simple!"
"How many people in the court haven't embezzled silver? I can't execute every official!”
"If they all die, who will fill the vacant positions?”
"A short blank period will even cause the entire Great Ming to fall into chaos!”
It was enough for Liu Jian to kill a thousand people and establish his prestige.
Next, it was a combination of kindness and power.
Liu Jian would be the villain while he would stabilize the court.
Almost as soon as Zhu Houzhao said this, Liu Jian's confused face revealed a clear look.
He didn't mind if the Emperor wanted him to be the villain.
In fact, when he was preparing to be the villain, he was already prepared to be killed by the civil and military officials.
The reason why he came today was purely because he was puzzled.
After all, in his eyes, these officials were all muddy water!
However! What the emperor said today made him realize!
The Emperor had already grasped the essence of the Imperial Way.
Even he himself was in the Emperor's grasp.
Great Ming, with such an emperor, why worry about not being strong and prosperous!
"Your Majesty is wise. Although I am already in my twilight years, I am still willing to be a sharp sword in Your Majesty's hands.”
"Where the sword points, no regrets!"
Zhu Houzhao nodded slightly and said,"With the words of the pavilion elder, Zhen is very comforted.”
"Although I have pardoned corrupt officials, those who violate the law are unforgivable!”
"If you bend the law, you will lose the hearts of the people!"
"Go ahead and do it!"
Liu Jian cupped his hands and said,""This subject will obey!"
Not long after Liu Jian left, the young eunuch of Cining Palace came forward and respectfully said,"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has invited you to Cining Palace to discuss something important!”
"Mother?"
Zhu Houzhao was surprised and nodded."Lead the way immediately."
"Yes."
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