The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 657 - 448. The Shocking ’Sexual Bribery’ (5k)_3

"And almost at the same time, Xichun was suddenly redeemed by a wealthy merchant named Yang and taken home as a wife... But after more than a month, she changed her name and reappeared in the private residence of Marquis Lu'an... And the candidate for the new magistrate of Jiancheng Road was decided to be that fifth-rank official..."

Goodness, goodness... Zhao Douan clicked his tongue in amazement as he listened from the side. How could he not understand that this was a classic case of "sexual bribery"?

The laws of Yu Country stipulated that officials were not allowed to redeem and hire prostitutes or performers, yet there were no restrictions on others gifting them. Hence, the practice of "pocket swapping" emerged among the people.

That is: if an official fancied a young lady, a merchant would often redeem her, then privately gift her to the official.

This was a typical operation right in front of them.

Zhao Douan was even certain that to operate at the level of a magistrate rank, a single oiran was definitely not enough. A large amount of silver must have also been delivered to Marquis Lu'an.

And it was probably an astronomical sum.

But where could a local official of the fifth rank get so much silver? Zhao Douan pondered briefly and found the answer:

Huai River scholarly family!

"...Your Majesty," Yuann Li spoke slowly, his demeanor serious: "If this matter is true, given the status of that fifth-rank official, there's no way such a sale could succeed with Marquis Lu'an, so I suspect there is some clan behind from the Huai River secretly supporting this. It is well known that the Jiangnan Families are extremely resistant to the New Policy. If they can pave the way with money and buy official positions, supporting some officials to take key positions... this possibility is very high. And to resolve such matters, you probably need a swift blade."

Xu Zhenguan's expression was as cold as frost, and he said calmly: "Someone, come."

A female official immediately entered from outside the door.

The Empress said unemotionally: "Order Lord Ma Yan of the Imperial Court to immediately arrest Marquis Lu'an and the related individuals for interrogation, supervised by the Imperial Court of Supervision. I give you one day; by this time tomorrow, I want to know the results."

Yuann Li stood up, responding simultaneously with the female official: "As you command!"

Then, the three walked out of the Imperial Study Room with a determined stride, and as expected, there was another bloody storm to follow.

In matters involving officials of the New Policy, the Empress would definitely seize a typical case, conduct a thorough investigation, and make an example to warn others... To be so daring, those who are brazen enough to the extreme dare to accept any bribe... Zhao Douan shook his head, having no sympathy for such foolish people.

"Did you see that? They've already started taking action." Xu Zhenguan suddenly said.

Zhao Douan consoled: "The matter has not been clarified yet, and just relying on a word from an inspector is not necessarily... "

Xu Zhenguan sighed, suddenly turned around, and said with some bitterness: "You don't need to comfort me. In fact, how much Marquis Lu'an has taken, and whether he did take anything at all, is not the key, is it?"

Zhao Douan was silent, piercing through the truth with extreme calm: "Those local scholarly families might not really expect such means to succeed. At least, they might not have hoped this matter would succeed. But as long as one case appears, it will make Your Majesty lose trust in those local officials."

Xu Zhenguan sighed softly, with frustration she said: "It's not that I don't want to believe it, but discovering one case often means there may be countless other cases hiding beneath the surface. Moreover, even if newly appointed officials are clean, once they take office, sitting in that position, facing the gold, women, and lands sent by those local aristocratic families... soft and hard tactics, how many can remain unchanged? Resist corruption?"

Zhao Douan was silent.

Any reform is bound to be accompanied by such chronic diseases, especially since Huai River and Jiancheng Road are adjacent, with many large families sharing the same interests.

Moreover, with Prince Jing backing Jiancheng Road, those local aristocratic families would only act even more unscrupulously.

"Your Majesty, addressing symptoms without tackling the root cause will never work." Zhao Douan suddenly said.

Xu Zhenguan glanced at him: "What are you trying to say?"

Zhao Douan sighed softly and said: "Mr. Yuan just nearly pointed it out, he also knows, in places entrenched by local clans, new local officials are isolated and helpless. Marquis Lu'an is one, but certainly not the only one. Only by sending over a sharp enough knife and giving that group of clans a good beating, because men and dogs are not much different, all are beasts. When the beating is harsh enough, the dog will remember it."

Xu Zhenguan was silent.

Zhao Douan volunteered: "Your Majesty, I am willing to go and be that sharp knife."

Xu Zhenguan did not nod but just stared at him with her beautiful eyes: "There, it's Jiancheng Road. It's Prince Jing's territory; he once attempted to assassinate you. Aren't you afraid?"

Zhao Douan smiled slyly: "Your Majesty, have you forgotten I still have an informant beside Prince Jing?"

Princess Jing? Lu Yaner? That descendent of Pei Niannu?

Xu Zhenguan suddenly remembered, her eyes brightened. Zhao Douan had talked to her before about how he subdued Lu Yaner, developing her as a spy in the princess's court.

Zhao Douan spoke eloquently: "Prince Jing's foundation lies in the territory, in the control over various forces in Jiancheng Road, and perhaps it still hides private armies and experts... But if it comes to strong practitioners of cultivation, there may not be many. Lu Yaner also accompanies him, and I can always rely on Princess Lu to gather intelligence. Of course, I won't take risks with my own life, nor do I believe that the Divine Chapter High Grade is enough to break through the Longtan."

Xu Zhenguan seemed to guess something: "Are you saying..."

Zhao Douan smiled and said: "Your Majesty just mentioned to me, you will go to Luo Mountain for the Sealing in summer. Someone needs to go to Jiancheng Road ahead of time to prepare near Luo Mountain. I was thinking of doing both things together. I can use the identity of the White Horse Envoy preparing for your Sealing, head south down the Grand Canal to Jiancheng Road, preparing for the Sealing while knocking some sense into those meddling aristocratic families. As long as I bring enough experts, and you are right behind me and can arrive shortly after... unless Prince Jing immediately starts a rebellion, otherwise, what can he do besides spitting at me?"

Xu Zhenguan looked seriously at him: "Have you really made up your mind? You... have done too much for me, it's not necessary..."

But Zhao Douan just smiled and said: "Your Majesty, have you forgotten you once told me that on the path of cultivation for a martial artist, hiding in the safe Capital will forever make it difficult to advance. Only through sharpening can a warrior make vigorous progress. I also want to quickly reach the Worldly Realm, if..."

He paused for a moment, speaking with an exceptionally serious demeanor: "If Your Majesty succeeds in the Sealing and advances to Heavenly Human, Yu Country will be stable, which is the best."

Pausing again, he said: "If... Your Majesty does not achieve success, if I can advance to the Worldly Realm, I can also use my Dragon Essence to help you reach the Heavenly Human again."

The implication:

You make one attempt with the Sealing, and if it doesn't work, we have a second go with Dual Cultivation, giving a double assurance to this advancement.

The Empress's fair cheeks suddenly turned red, snapping: "Nonsense, get out, I need to convene a meeting with the senior ministers."

Wait, we were discussing serious matters, why are you blushing... Moreover, weren't we supposed to have a meal together? Zhao Douan opened his mouth, still wanting to speak, but a jade hand gently pressed against his chest.

Zhao Douan gracefully retreated, light as a feather drifting out of the Imperial Study Room, standing in the garden, helplessly watching the carved double doors close.

Oh wait...

Zhao Douan sighed softly, turning his head to glare at the palace maids in the surrounding corridor, who were covertly eyeing him with peculiar glances: "What are you looking at? Never seen lovers bickering?"

A group of palace maids lowered their heads, shoulders shaking, suppressing their laughter with great effort.

Zhao Douan heaved a long sigh and left the palace chambers, heading straight for the Martial Arts Hall. Since he was preparing to go down south for the Sealing, he needed to bring Old Hai with him.

Martial Arts Hall.

Song Jinxi stood at the entrance, his eyes lighting up when he saw him approach: "Junior Guardian Zhao, those from Qingshan are about to leave."

...

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