Chapter 288 The Imperial Envoy Travels in a Fair and Open Manner

It's decided that it's you...it's you...

In the inner hall of the Zhao family, the door was closed. Mo Chou's casual words made Zhao feel like he was struck by lightning.

Oops…I flattered the horse but ended up hitting its hoof…The remaining half of the drunkenness in Zhao Duan’s body suddenly disappeared.

He pulled a chair over dejectedly, sat down, and looked unhappy.

Mo Chou was very amused. It was rare for her to see him being humiliated. She asked with a smile:

"Come to think of it, what on earth did you write that caused His Majesty to react in this way?"

"No comment."

Zhao Duan had a fierce look on his face and ignored her.

Forget it. I can ask someone tomorrow and find out... Mo Chou snorted and didn't care.

Although Zhao Duan was disappointed, he still asked:

"What's going on with this Taicang Silver Mine?"

Seeing that he was talking about serious matters, Mo Chou put away her joking thoughts. Worried that he might have a grudge, she finally explained:
"Okay, that was mostly a joke.

Your Majesty is a broad-minded person. How could he punish you just because you wrote some weird poems?
In my opinion, this matter is probably of great importance and is related to the new policy, and His Majesty is worried about the ability of others, so he asked you for help."

Then, the female prime minister described the incident in detail and without haste.

Things are not complicated.

"Taicang Silver Mine" is a mine located in Taicang County, southwest of the capital. It is more vivid to call it a mine pit.

It belongs to the "Linfeng Road" adjacent to the capital.

It was mined by the imperial court and used to smelt silver, which was then sent to the capital to be cast into silver ingots.

It is also quite old and is one of the few large silver mines in Dayu.

The mine supervisor of the silver mine was also concurrently served by the Taicang County Magistrate.

At about noon today, the Censorate received a letter of accusation from Taicang.

The informant was a low-level official in the mine.

The letter mentioned that officials headed by the Taicang County Magistrate had embezzled silver in the name of "fire consumption" and even kept gangsters and engaged in many dirty activities.

"After seeing the letter, Lord Yuan attached great importance to it and went to the palace to present it to Your Majesty in the afternoon.

His Majesty was furious and has ordered the Taicang Prefecture City Surveillance Commissioner to arrest the Taicang County Magistrate, but whether the letter is true and, if there is corruption, who is involved... all require an imperial envoy to investigate." Mochou explained.

Zhao Duan was stunned for a moment, then understood the meaning and said:

"Your Majesty, are you worried that the Taicang County Magistrate is not the only one involved in corruption?"

Mo Chou nodded, her eyes cold:
"According to the accusation letter, this matter has been going on for several years. It existed when the previous emperor was alive. Can a mere seventh-rank county magistrate really be so capable of covering up the whole situation for several years? Your Majesty, I am afraid that this Taicang County Magistrate is just the tip of the iceberg... This is the key point."

Zhao Duan stroked his chin and said:
"I do care about this letter of accusation. It didn't come earlier or later, but it came at this time. It's quite interesting."

Mo Chou was stunned for a moment and looked at him: "What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing, just curious," Zhao Duan said indifferently.
"I am a suspicious person. Besides, this can be explained. Your Majesty has been gaining momentum in the past six months, and all officials have seen it. After arresting Governor Wang last time, he even issued an order to pardon officials, which showed his courage...

In this way, officials outside the capital believed that Your Majesty was a wise ruler and were willing to take the risk of reporting and joining Your Majesty... This was reasonable. "

Mo Chou looked at him deeply:
"There is one more thing. Regarding Silver itself, you should know why His Majesty attaches great importance to this case."

Zhao Duan was silent.

Of course he knew.

This is closely related to the "Three Golden Strategies" he proposed. In the land-based tax system, it was clearly stated that Dayu's "copper coin standard" would be switched to a "silver standard."

This means that Dayu’s “silver mine” has suddenly become extremely important.

Moreover, the imperial court wanted to implement new policies. According to his idea, it was going to open up a "trade market" to attract merchants to enter and start the economic flywheel... but in the early stages, the imperial court still had to spend money first.

Therefore, the corruption in the Taicang Silver Mine, as the "money bag" of the imperial court, was, to put it mildly, the fault of the corrupt officials.

To put it in a broader sense, if not handled properly, it will drag down the "new policy".

Even official corruption is itself included in the "Three Golden Strategies" that cover the "performance evaluation system" for officials.

Zhao Duan even had some doubts about this incident being exposed at this time.

Is the case as simple as it seems?
"In short, although the Taicang corruption case only involves one mine, it is closely related to the new policy. As the person who proposed the new policy, you should know the importance of this matter." Mo Chou said seriously.

Zhao Duan rubbed his face, exhaled and smiled bitterly:
"I can go, but won't it be dangerous if I leave the capital? Not to mention some people in the court, the Kuangfu Society alone wants me dead. How about giving me a bodyguard? I think Eunuch Hai is a good choice..."

"..." Mo Chou resisted the urge to complain and smiled:

"But you have already reached the Divine Chapter Realm. His Majesty should have told you that if a warrior wants to reach a higher level, he must face the wind and rain head-on and cannot hide away."

That's right... not hiding or avoiding is the state of mind of a warrior...

The Divine Chapter Realm is not even qualified to be a furnace cauldron. I have to enter the "worldly" realm early so that I can practice dual cultivation with Zhen Bao... Bah, so that I can return the dragon soul to him...

As for danger... With my current cultivation level, as long as I don't get into trouble, the Divine Chapter cultivators won't be able to kill me in one second. Even if a "worldly" strongman tries to kill me, I can still hold on for a while with the help of the "Dragon Soul"...

As long as I can catch my breath, at worst I can crush the "teleportation jade pendant" and flash back to the palace... It's not a big problem...

Besides, I have been fishing for several times in a row, and the Kuangfu Society should also consider whether to continue to die...

Many thoughts flashed through his mind and Zhao Duan was about to agree.

Seeing that he remained silent, Mo Chou silently took out an imperial envoy badge and bewitched him:
"With this order, you can mobilize the troops of the local military camps and the local military camp commanders will also follow your orders. Is this safe enough?"

Why didn't you say so earlier... you're naughty... Zhao Duan covered his waist badge with his big hand and said righteously:
"I have no regrets serving Your Majesty, even if I die, let alone a mere enemy!"

Mo Chou rolled her eyes and turned away:

"You don't have much time left."

Zhao Duan personally sent her off, and suddenly remembered something, and said:
"Am I going on a private visit in disguise, or..."

Mo Chou said lightly:
"Your Majesty said that the Imperial Envoy's trip is aboveboard."

……

(End of this chapter)

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