The little Marquis’ favorite: Madam, she is the richest in the world

Ever since the drought in Shanxi, Emperor Qingping had somehow been connected to the Rendu lineage, and he actually began to pay more and more attention to important affairs of the government.

Previously, Jiang Heng was given the right to kill first and report later, allowing Shanxi's officialdom to undergo a complete overhaul;

But this time, the old emperor's hands actually started to grab people in the capital's court.

That's right,

Emperor Qingping actually started to rectify the Chao Gang!

But the chief assistant he designated was his cousin Jiang Heng, and Jiang Heng's two best friends-Chen Yan and Yin Jiazhi.

Yin Jiazhi was quite critical of this.

"We can't use it to death just because we have three good uses. There is no benefit in fishing for nothing."

Chen Yan banged him twice, giving him a few blows. "It's so easy for God to open his eyes. The emperor wants to do something, but you are still picky!"

The words awakened the dreamer. Yin Jiazhi just woke up from a dream. He obediently closed his mouth and allowed the emperor to do whatever he wanted.

Jiang Heng and the other three were often annoyed by the ministers in the court because of military supplies in their early years.

Now that I get the chance, I can't take revenge, and it's an honest revenge!

Emperor Qingping, right?

It is true that I have been a bit mediocre and have become softer in recent years, but I was ambitious in my early years, but later I became depressed for some unknown reason.

Now that the ambition is revived, it is like the three fires of a new official taking office, which catch him off guard and become extremely fierce.

The first order Jiang Heng received——

Investigate corruption.

Good guy, you still need to check this.

The entire court of ministers, who are not greedy, can be counted on one hand;

Moreover, he and these guys have been secretly competing for money for so many years. Among these guys, who is greedy and who is not greedy, who is greedy the most, and who is just a little guy? Jiang Heng has a clear understanding of this matter.

Now that he had the opportunity to conduct a thorough investigation, he would certainly not let it pass;

Those who sleep early and sleep late, wear clothes and eat late at night,

I'm afraid that some evidence will be missed and a few fish will slip through the net.

But there is something more important,

Investigating corrupt people is not a difficult task, especially for Jiang Heng;

But what happens after it’s found out?

Like that gang of officials in Shanxi, they just kill them when they come up?

The center of the imperial court is not as good as the local government. There are many things that even if alternate officials come up, they cannot get started quickly.

If all the people are killed and no one is available, won't the national mechanism be in ruins?

Jiang Heng explained this issue to Emperor Qingping. Emperor Qingping thought about it again and again and finally decided——

If a minister who has embezzled less than 3,000 taels of silver can repay the money within ten days, he can temporarily let go of the past and hope to be able to make meritorious service.

Ministers who have embezzled more than 3,000 taels, as long as the evidence is clear and the evidence is conclusive, they will be punished on the spot without waiting for future questioning.

Jiang Heng and the three people who received this imperial edict were dumbfounded.

It seems that the old emperor is really showing off his power.

Those who treat the emperor as a sick cat will suffer.

There was another bloody storm in the imperial court of the capital.

For a time, people were panicked and the government was in turmoil.

After more than two months of reckoning, the DPRK and China also ushered in a change of officials.

Alternate officials are arriving one after another to take up their posts.

When the candidate officials came to court for the first time, they received the beating and encouragement from Emperor Qingping.

A teacher who never forgets the past and the future should never follow the old path of his "predecessors".

And these candidate officials have been waiting for many years to get ahead today. They all have great ambitions and hope to relieve the king's worries on behalf of the people. Naturally, they keep the king's words in mind. Don't dare forget.

But Jiang Heng realized belatedly,

Most of those who were liquidated were from the prince's party!

The emperor beheaded the princelings...

What's the meaning behind this?

After the court, the three of them made an appointment to go to Zuixianglou for dinner and discuss some important matters along the way.

Jiang Heng was naturally a familiar face to the staff at Zuixianglou, and he had already left the best private room.

Zuixiang Tower is your own territory. You don’t have to look forward and backward when talking, worrying that the walls have ears.

This is why the three of them chose to come here.

As soon as he sat down, Yin Jiazhi couldn't wait to speak: "Do you think the emperor did this intentionally or unintentionally?"

"Most of them are princelings. Who would believe it if they say they have no intention?" Chen Yan put it bluntly.

Yin Jiazhi felt strange, "It doesn't make sense. For so many years, no matter how good or incompetent the prince is, the emperor has always been partial to him. For no other reason than he would be reincarnated and take the title of the eldest son."

"But this time, it's obviously a little different from before."

Jiang Heng thoughtfully said, "I think so too. I even wonder if the emperor's inexplicable purge of Chao Gang this time was just to break the prince's wings."

Yin Jiazhi was shocked, "Really or not... If this is the case, does it mean that the emperor has the idea of ​​Yichu?"

Jiang Heng shook his head helplessly, "It's hard to say. The crown prince is the foundation of the country. If there is no big mistake, he cannot be easily dethroned."

Chen Yan: "The emperor has already shown his dissatisfaction with the prince. We just need to wait and see what happens. Remember not to act too hastily."

-

East Palace

For the first time, after receiving a lot of news that was not beneficial to him, the prince did not lose his temper in anger.

He listened quietly to the secret guard's report and counted how many of his men had been liquidated and sent to the guillotine.

The prince felt surprisingly calm and indifferent.

Even he himself found it strange.

After saying this, the secret guard left silently.

For a moment, only the prince and Li Yong, the chamberlain who had served him since childhood, were left in the palace.

The silence of stagnant water——

After a long time,

"Li Yong——" the prince mumbled, his tone was hoarse.

Li Yong hurriedly stepped forward, "Your Highness..."

"What kind of weather is this? Why do I feel so cold?" The prince said with a slight trembling, holding his shoulders.

Li Yong didn't understand at first, "Your Highness feels cold, so I will order more stoves..."

Prince: "No, a cold stove like this is useless."

"Li Yong, you know, Gu suddenly feels a little scared. I'm afraid my father is also starting to be disappointed in Gu."

Li Yong has followed the prince since he was a child and has an unusual relationship. Naturally, he does not want the prince to belittle himself. "Your Highness, please don't say that. No matter how favored the prince is over the years, the emperor has never gone beyond you. You are the eldest son."

The prince murmured in a low voice, as if talking to himself, "Yes, the eldest son...Gu Ke is the eldest son."

"Hahaha, if it weren't for the eldest son, I'm afraid my father would have given this prince to Prince Ning..."

"You don't need to say nice words to make me happy. In fact, I know in my heart that I am really not as good as Prince Ning——"

"His wisdom and strategy are not comparable, and his ability to govern the country is even less comparable."

"Gu Zhen was more focused on his own enjoyment and never put the welfare of the people at heart."

"Gu, he is not a qualified prince at all."

Li Yong's eyes were moist, "Your Highness..."

"It's so cold at high places... The position of Crown Prince is really not that easy to sit on;"

"Ever since I took this position, I feel like I don't have a single friend around me. Everywhere I look, I see that they are all enemies with ulterior motives, or fake people who can't tell who is an enemy or a friend. They live like wearing a mask all day long. So tiring."

"Since Xiao Qiyu is capable and Gu You is indeed incompetent, then he might as well abdicate early and make way for someone more worthy."

Li Yong was shocked, "Your Highness, be careful. If you do this, you are seeking your own death. If Prince Ning ascends the throne, how can he tolerate His Highness?"

The prince laughed softly, "No, none of you understand Prince Ning alone."

"He won't."

From childhood to adulthood, as long as Xiao Qiyu had the slightest intention of killing him by any means necessary,

He would never have the chance to be the crown prince for a day.