Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 675: Fat Rats (Part 3)

Handle cases impartially.

Minister Dai repeatedly recited these four words in his heart, secretly sighing endlessly.

Prime Minister Wang’s grand ambitions have been worn down greatly by continuous setbacks. He has now placed all his hopes on Wang Jin, barely caring about the life or death of his subordinates.

Therefore, the actions of Her Majesty the Empress after ascending the throne are truly brilliant. By favoring Wang Jin, she has grasped Prime Minister Wang’s vital point.

Vice Minister Yang’s voice sounded at his ear: "Lord Minister, Vice Minister Wan has confessed everything."

Minister Dai came back to his senses and instructed Vice Minister Yang to bring over the transcript.

Indeed, Minister Dai’s personal interrogation meant personally overseeing the Ministry of Justice. The real examination of the case was done by Vice Minister Yang. Vice Minister Yang, around fifty years old, is at the golden age for a court official, with both seniority and capability, and had early pledged loyalty to the Commandery Princess. Now that the Commandery Princess has ascended to become the Emperor, Vice Minister Yang has risen with the tide, ranking solidly above the Vice Minister in the Ministry of Justice.

Everyone knew that once Minister Dai retired, Vice Minister Yang would inevitably be the next Minister of the Ministry of Justice. Even Minister Dai is particularly courteous to Vice Minister Yang nowadays.

Vice Minister Yang, who had been investigating the case for an entire night, had slightly red eyes but seemed in good spirits. He personally presented the case files to Minister Dai for review.

After reviewing, Minister Dai’s lips twitched as he placed his official seal at the bottom of the file: "Let’s go, present this to the Emperor in the palace now."

Her Majesty the Empress wanted to see the file at the morning court today, so the Ministry of Justice had to work through the night on the investigation. Within a night, the case was thoroughly examined. Such efficiency in handling affairs has essentially created a new history for the Ministry of Justice.

Vice Minister Yang responded, personally taking the files and entering the palace alongside Minister Dai to meet the Emperor.

Upon arriving at the Jinluan Palace, although the Emperor had not yet arrived, many ministers were already present.

The overnight interrogation of Doctor Wan alarmed not only the officials from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Justice. Most of the high-ranking ministers in the court had some connections.

Not to mention, the person who bought this field manor from Doctor Wan was a clansman of Minister Zhang. This Mrs. Li’s clansman was also "invited" overnight to the Ministry of Justice for a detailed interrogation.

Minister Zhang didn’t sleep soundly throughout the night and entered the palace early today.

Furthermore, Minister Zhou and others had also privately sent their clansmen to buy properties from the Gao Liang Prince Mansion.

Most of the assets of Gao Liang Prince Mansion are in the Capital City, such quality assets are like a big piece of fatty meat. Everyone took a bite, all having a belly full of grease.

Now that the Emperor is furious, sharpening the knife on Doctor Wan, they all feel a chill down their necks.

"Minister Dai," Minister Zhang leaned over to Minister Dai, suppressing his inner anxiety and asked in a low voice: "How is the trial of this case? What did Doctor Wan confess?"

Minister Dai glanced at Minister Zhang: "Everything is in the file."

Minister Zhang was choked. Of course, he knew everything was in the file. However, with the Emperor not present, who would dare touch the files!

Though Minister Dai disclosed not a word, it subtly implied some unpleasant meanings.

Minister Zhang felt a sense of unease, his palms slightly sweating. Yet, he consoled himself mentally, thinking it was fine since it was a clansman from Mrs. Li who bought the field manor, which didn’t relate much to his position as Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

If the Emperor is enraged and pursues this matter relentlessly, then he could push this clansman forward. Be it imprisonment, exile, or execution, it would not implicate him.

Soon, ministers qualified to attend the smaller court meetings entered the hall one after another, whispering in low tones until a female voice rang out: "The Emperor is arriving, all ministers, prepare for the audience."

This was another peculiar occurrence.

Originally, this duty was always performed by the palace eunuchs. After the Empress ascended the throne, she didn’t use eunuchs; instead, she was accompanied in and out by Chen Sheren. Hence, Chen Sheren naturally took over this responsibility.

What else could the ministers do? Gradually adapt!

"The ministers meet the Emperor, long live the Emperor!"

Jiang Shaohua seated on the Dragon Throne, spoke coolly: "All beloved ministers, rise from your courtesy."

The ministers thanked and rose, raising their heads and stealing glances with the corners of their eyes, each with a chill in their hearts.

Jiang Shaohua, who was generally considered gentle, appeared with a frosty visage today, evidently filled with rage.

"Minister Dai, how went last night’s trial?" Jiang Shaohua wasted no words, asking straightforwardly.

Minister Dai trembled slightly and reported: "To report to the Emperor, this old minister has already cleared the case. The files are here and I’m ready to present them to the Emperor to review."

Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly.

Minister Dai stepped forward, respectfully presenting the files. Chen Sheren stepped up, received the files, and presented them to the Emperor.

Jiang Shaohua took the files and began to read through them slowly.

The entire hall fell into silence, only the sound of turning pages could be heard. Every minister held their breath.

This case wasn’t complicated at all, involving only a handful of people. The files spanned merely eight pages, which were read in the time it takes to have a cup of tea.

Once Jiang Shaohua finished reading the files, she asked Minister Dai: "According to the criminal law, how should Doctor Wan be punished?"

All the ministers simultaneously fixed their gaze on Minister Dai.

Minister Dai, indeed a veteran of forty years in the court, returned the gaze of the numerous eyes calmly and responded: "According to Da Liang’s criminal law, embezzlement by officials is a serious crime. If the amount exceeds a thousand taels, it is punishable by execution."

Of course, this law has long become a mere formality.

A thousand taels of silver, for ordinary people, is an immensely daunting figure. However, to the high-ranking officials in the court, such a sum isn’t worth batting an eye.

Take the over twenty senior ministers standing in this court; which of them isn’t wealthy?

Consider last year’s case of Wang Yi’s enormous corruption, with embezzlement and extortion reaching millions of taels. Wang Yi lost his position as Inspector, yet remained unharmed, returning to his homeland to enjoy himself peacefully.

Currently, Doctor Wan’s case involves merely a few thousand taels, which indeed is not a significant amount.

Shao Hua’s gaze swept over the ministers’ indifferent faces, and she said lightly: "In the eyes of all of you, a mere few thousand taels of silver is nothing."

"Little do you know, this silver could buy enough grain to feed a garrison of two thousand troops for three months."

"It could cover the annual salary for two hundred soldiers."

"In the Ministry of Revenue, it’s merely a fraction of Doctor Wan’s handled proceeds. Throughout the year, such opportunities are countless."

"The taxes paid by the people of Da Liang have not fortified the National Treasury, but have instead been consumed by each of these fat rats, leaving the National Treasury empty year after year, and military funds being cut back annually, all while growing certain fat rats."

"Doctor Wan is merely the first rat I’ve discovered. Do all beloved ministers believe I should rigorously punish him as a warning to others, or should I let it slide, allowing more fat rats to breed in the future?"

These words were incredibly biting and sharp!

Minister Ji was the first to kneel, shamefully exclaiming: "I have failed to supervise my subordinates effectively. I am incompetent. Please punish me heavily, Your Majesty!"

Minister Dai now also knelt: "I am incompetent. As the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, I sat idly by while the court’s atmosphere deteriorated and was helpless to stop it. Please punish me, Your Majesty!"