Chapter 46: Chapter 46 Sacrifice the Car to Save the General_1
Chapter 46: Chapter 46 Sacrifice the Car to Save the General_1
A storm is impding, with massive actions being initiated.
Within the Imperial City, the atmosphere becomes tse, as if a storm is looming overhead, being the first major upheaval since the Emperor's ascsion to the throne.
His first move is directed towards the tire six ministries and the Forbidd Army.
No one could have anticipated that because of Liu Xi, Emperor Dawu would order a thorough investigation of the Ministry of Works and ev the tire six ministries. Despite the shock causing waves among the civil and military officials, it is actually not beyond comprehsion.
Just think about it, a Chief of Staff's son is able to prest hidd dragon wood, blood dragon steel, dragon blood horses and dares to spout seditious words about bringing down the Emperor.
It would be strange if such matters are not thoroughly investigated.
Besides, Chu Yuan also insists on a severe examination of the abuses suffered by the orphaned families of the former Divine Martial Forces, which earned him good remarks from many.
"Marquis Zhongyong, the Divine Martial Forces' affair is easy to resolve. It's merely about property invasion. As such, it is considered a small issue that does not involve a larger scheme. However, Liu Xi's issue is much more substantial.
Thoroughly examining the tire Ministry of Works, let alone the tire six ministries, is a major matter and, if not handled properly, may cause turmoil in the empire," said Song Ying with a solemn look on his face.
He was fully aware that since the sudd death of the late emperor, a number of individuals started colluding in secret with the Great Hidd. Once an investigation occurs, large issues will resurface, causing panic and a severe crisis that may ev lead to the collapse of the empire.
"A minor issue? My subordinates were furious wh they heard the Emperor was going to vindicate the former Divine Martial Forces. No one wants their families to be bullied once they die in battle. The Divine Martial issues will be investigated by Divine Martial," Lu Qianfu said dismissively. "Song Mansion Governor, our investigation this time is focused on the Ministry of Works."
"I wonder where the Marquis plans to start the investigation?" Song Ying asked as he found this matter to be a thorny issue.
"Hm, we should start with the Departmt of Construction. Liu Yong has be Chief of Staff for many years, naturally pilfering a good deal. The members of the Departmt of Construction are his parties. We should first find out through which channel Liu Xi acquired those treasures," said Lu Qianfu.
The Ministry of Works, an indepdt place, is vast in area.
Among the six ministries, the atmosphere at the Ministry of Works is the most tse.
Chu Yuan's direct investigation target this time is Liu Yong, the Chief of Staff. Those who were able to hold positions in the Ministry of Works, most of whom have close connections with Liu Yong.
Especially those who have be filling their own pockets, they felt gravely threated.
It should be known that the Ministry of Works handles all resources of the empire. They hold power over many things like armor, weapons, and pills, providing them with rich pickings.
In a blink of an eye, hundreds of Divine Martial Guards raced into an ormous warehouse that was previously bustling with activity, immediately suring the area.
Lu Qianfu led the way. He swept his eyes across the warehouse and loudly asked, "Manager Zhang of Operation and Maintance, for exploiting your authority to confiscate the ancestral homes of the Divine Martial Forces, under the Emperor's decree, I am here to arrest you. Do you not kneel down immediately?"
"I... I didn't," replied an obese, big-eared man as he trembled with fear, taking a knee on the g.
"You dare to dy?" Lu Qianfu intimidated, "Arrest him, and I have discovered that you've be having suspicious transactions with the Great Hidd. I suspect that you are a traitor to the country. The final judgmt will be determined through further investigation."
Bearing the decree of the Emperor and with a ninth level Divine Abilities authority figure like Lu Qianfu prest, who in the Ministry of Works dared to stop them?
The once lively Ministry of Works quickly fell silt.
Many staff members and minor officials, totaling thousands, regardless of the existce of evidce, as long as there was a bit of suspicion, have all be tak away, with more than half of the Ministry's officials arrested.
Moreover, Lu Qianfu discovered a secret arsal in the Imperial City.
All the weapons were quietly tak from the empire's resources by the Ministry of Works.
This further confirmed that people within the Ministry of Defce colluding with the Great Hidd, and ev without Liu Xi's incidt, Liu Yong, Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Works, would still not be able to evade his guilt.
Meanwhile, through interrogating key personnel in the Ministry of Works, they managed to involve members from other five ministries.
This thorough investigation aims to examine those suspected of colluding with the Great Hidd and of being traitors.
It's known that Lu Qianfu is a confidant of Chu Yuan and a powerful figure, as such, he will not extd any courtesy to anyone.
At the Prime Minister's Mansion.
One man stands anxiously, awaiting the trance of an older man from the mansion's gate. He steps forward: "Lu Butler, has the Prime Minister agreed to meet me?"
"Chief Liu, the Prime Minister has be struck by the crazies due to the Sixth Prince's issue. He currtly lies bedridd and should avoid contacting you, Sir. He knows what you have in mind and asks you to wait for news at home," said the old man. "The Prime Minister also had a reminder: in times like these, it is best to stay calm and avoid acting rashly."
"You..."
As Liu Yong's expression darked, he saw Lu Butler ter the mansion and heard the gate slam shut, indicating his departure.
"Damn it! I, Liu Yong, have slaved away for decades on your behalf, and wh I need you the most, you shut me out and disclaim any connection with me. You are ruthless indeed!"
Liu Yong shouted angrily, "Suffer from the crazies? A tth level Divine Abilities master like yourself would really be pushed over the edge over a single child losing his life? You sit back and do nothing!"
Having vted his anger, he knew that the Prime Minister refusing to meet him left him helpless. He turned a and exited with restmt.
Prime Minister's Mansion.
Sitting sternly in the hall, Li Yun asked as Butler Lu returned, "Did he leave?"
"Yes, although judging by his expression, Chief Liu did not seem pleased," replied Butler Lu.
"He is the object of the Emperor's thorough investigation. If I were to meet him, I wonder what His Majesty would think. Won't I d up burning myself?"
Li Yun wore a grim expression, "I've warned him before that at times like these, it's necessary to remain calm. This Emperor is not as easy to control as we thought. His ambitions are great. Liu Yong dared to bring out the Hidd Dragon Wood and the Blood Dragon Steel, the forbidd objects, and gave them to his son. Such foolishness is unbearable.
It would have be fine if he had only giv them to Mu Rou from the Music Peace Pavilion, but it happed wh the Emperor was prest. Now, because of his son, all the six ministries are in a mess."
"Sir, Marquis Zhongyong also found a secret weapon storehouse," Butler Lu reported.
"The Emperor came prepared. He's not afraid of reigning chaos within the Six Ministries. In fact, he'd rather create anarchy. I underestimated him. This Emperor is differt from his predecessor. Although the late emperor was wise and brave, he was mostly concerned with cultivation and seldom managed state affairs, which allowed us to do as we wished," lamted Li Yun.
"Compared to the second emperor, I preferred the first one."
"What do we do about the Sixth Prince?" There was concern in Butler Lu's voice.
"Hah! That rebellious son, I go a few short months without disciplining him and he stirs up such a huge mess. If it wer't for Liu Xi's case, I might have be able to save him from the sky prison, but now I absolutely cannot act rashly. The death of one son means nothing. The four nations of Great Hidd are still preparing. During this time, we must stay calm,"
Li Yun said coldly: "During this period, do not meet with anyone, I will not be attding court either and I will not see the Emperor. Liu Yong's life and death isn't my concern, nor do I have anything to do with this. If anyone seeks me out, tell them I am bedridd due to illness."
"But after all, it is the Six Ministries," Butler Lu reminded.
"I know. If I abstain, I will at best be charged with negligce. But if I act, it will be se as treason. Now, we must wait until the Four Nations launch an attack, we can only forsake the lesser for the greater good," Li Yun decided to sever any ties with this debacle.