abcnovels
Chapter 237
Chapter 237
Eliminating the Zhou Family (1)
In the past, after Ye Mu returned, she had told Mo Linyuan about the situation in Liangzhou. At that time, he couldn’t restrain his emotions. Who would’ve thought that three years ago today, he would have such an outburst.
Mo Linyuan slightly smiled, “Who gave you the guts to deceive your monarch?”
He spoke gently, but the killing intent present in his question caused everyone to tremble in fear.
Mu Guangcai knew he was a dead man. Now, he could only hope that his crimes wouldn’t bring harm to his family members.
He suppressed his remorseful tears, and gritted through his teeth, “This official received 50,000 taels from Chief Zhou at that time. I have not touched the money at all; it is simply hidden under my resident. I beg Your Majesty to show mercy!”
Mu Guangcai’s accusations caused Zhou Gu to retreat backwards. He gave Wen Ze a pleading look, but Wen Ze wouldn’t meet his gaze at all! Zhou Gu’s heart twisted. Could it be that the scheme tonight was not only to eliminate the Zhong family, but also the Zhou family as well?!
Zhou Gu was confused: Why?The three big families were all doing so well. Why would Wen Ze want to help the emperor?!
He couldn’t comprehend the matter. However, one thing was clear: he absolutely could not admit to committing this sin! As a result, he gritted his teeth and knelt down once more.
“My Honorable King! This old official doesn’t know why these people are slandering me. They made these deceptive claims but this official has done no such thing!”
Either way, this event was already something from three years ago. Who could possibly find evidence to prove that he took the money?
Zhou Qi, the second son in the Zhou Family, who was also a part of the Ministry of Revenue, quickly rushed out to say, “My brilliant sovereign! Back then, the people in the Ministry of Revenue did take one million taels out. However, this was not embezzlement at all!”
Mo Linyuan snorted, “You all think that I don’t have any evidence?”
He waved his hand, once again calling people out, “Tan Junqing, Sun Bai, step forward.”
Those whose names were called stared blankly before slowly walking out with mournful expressions and kneeling on the ground.
“Both of you also work in the Ministry of Revenue under the administration of Zhou Qi. It was originally you two who were in charge of preparing the management of the disaster relief supplies yet so many people have died; what do you have to say for yourself?”
They didn’t hesitate at all and immediately declared the truth:
“Your Majesty please spare our lives! As for the original supplies, because the funds were inadequate, we had no choice but to substitute rice with inferior products. We even had to purchase the lowest quality linen where a light tug could easily tear it apart. In order to prevent this from being exposed, I have the account books that contain this information! At that time, the Zhou family bribed me with 30,000 silver taels, but I have not touched it at all! The only reason why I did this was because the Zhou family coerced me into it! ”
Account book? Everyone was shocked to hear there was even documented evidence.
Zhou Gu could feel the sharp cold air whirling around him; Mo Linyuan was trying to kill him off today!
Mo Linyuan replied, “Okay, you guys can step aside. Whatever proof you have, just hand it over to Zi Xu. Furthermore, we should continue discussing the matter about how the Head of the Zhou family has been buying and selling official positions in the bureaucracy.”
With a wide grin, Mo Linyuan’s eyes honed in on one particular individual who’d returned to the camp alongside Zhou Gu.
“Your name’s Han Pin, am I right? I’ve heard that you purchased your official position from the Zhou family. After that, you’ve held onto this position ever since. Is this true?”
Han Pin flinched in fear. He rapidly rushed up behind Zhou Gu and shouted, “There was no such thing! This official had slowly climbed up through promotions, only through passing the imperial exam and political achievements! Chief Zhou was gracious enough to select this official. Apart from that, there are no other relationships between us.”