Chapter 187 - 128: Ren Weizhi’s Downfall

Chapter 187: Chapter 128: Ren Weizhi’s Downfall

Emperor Jianhong’s gaze was gloomy.

He pondered for a long while before finally resting his eyes on Chief Minister Li Zhen. He spoke indifferently, "Elder, what do you make of this case?"

Li Zhen’s expression was solemn as he bowed deeply to Emperor Jianhong. "Reporting to Your Majesty, this subject believes it must be thoroughly investigated.

"It is only natural that Commander Bai, having suddenly encountered this case and suffering such heavy injuries, might be biased. As for the Ministry of Revenue..."

Li Zhen slowly raised his head, looking at all the officials of the Ministry of Revenue standing in the great hall. His voice grew heavy. "Whether or not there is collusion with the Demon Race, and whether or not there is harboring of spies from the Eastern Sect, we must investigate thoroughly! We must restore justice to the world!"

He didn’t dare play any mind games at a time like this. The case had already been brought out into the open, actually spoken aloud by Bai Ziqing in front of everyone. That meant it was impossible to cover it up any longer.

Colluding with the Eastern Sect. Colluding with the Demon Race. These two charges alone were enough to make the heads of high-ranking officials in the capital roll. If anyone dared to play the fool right now, they would inevitably become a target for all!

Emperor Jianhong was also deep in thought. The sight of Bai Ziqing’s severe injuries definitely didn’t seem fake. No Fourth Grade Martial Artist would risk the disruption of their Martial Arts Aura just to frame a mere Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. Not to mention, Bai Ziqing was currently the most renowned martial arts genius in the capital.

"Investigate! The Jingzhao Prefecture, the Ministry of Justice, and the Imperial City Department—the Three Departments shall assist in a joint investigation of this case!" Emperor Jianhong waved his hand grandly and stood up abruptly, a trace of gloominess in his voice. "Investigate it to the very end! I want to see just how many people in this massive capital of mine do not have their hearts set on me!"

Emperor Jianhong shot a cold glare toward Ren Weizhi. However, Ren Weizhi was currently still standing frozen in place, oblivious to Emperor Jianhong’s chilling gaze.

He now vaguely understood in his heart. Bai Ziqing! Had he been directed by His Majesty and coincidentally stumbled upon his own plot?!

He stood rigidly in place, thinking silently, "Right now, I can only cut my losses to survive." Having stood tall in the Court for a long time, Ren Weizhi naturally knew that if he continued to pester Zeng Shilin at this juncture, he would likely bring disaster upon himself.

"Dismiss the Court!" Seeing no one respond, Emperor Jianhong was about to slowly get up and head outside the hall.

"Your Majesty, this subject has a memorial to present!"

Zeng Shilin, the old man, calmly stepped out from among the officials. His expression hadn’t changed in the slightest as he stood at the front of the crowd, looking entirely unfazed.

Everyone was stunned by Zeng Shilin’s sudden appearance. Frowning, they all turned to look at him. Some of the more politically sensitive individuals even began casting pitying glances toward Ren Weizhi.

Ren Weizhi also looked bewildered. With things having reached this point, what was he stepping out for?

Emperor Jianhong was momentarily taken aback. Frowning, he looked at Zeng Shilin and asked, "What is the matter?"

"This subject wishes to impeach the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Lou Yingqi, for embezzling disaster relief funds, which nearly caused the Jiangnan floods two years ago to spiral into a massive catastrophe."

The moment those words were spoken, everyone was utterly dumbfounded.

Lou Yingqi?! Wasn’t that guy one of his people?! Why was he drawing fire to him at a time like this?

Even Emperor Jianhong was stunned. He couldn’t recover his wits for a long time. What exactly did Zeng Shilin have up his sleeve?!

For a moment, you could hear a pin drop in the grand hall.

Even Lou Yingqi, standing within the crowd, was caught off guard. He frowned and looked at the old man’s back, wondering what his old friend was doing and why he hadn’t given him a heads-up beforehand.

"Beloved Subject Lou?" Emperor Jianhong looked toward Lou Yingqi.

At this moment, Lou Yingqi’s brain was still blank, but his bodily instincts had already driven him to step in front of the officials. He took a deep breath, completely ignoring Zeng Shilin as he held up the Ruler in his hands and bowed low. "Your Majesty, this subject has been wronged."

"You old scoundrel, how have you been wronged? Every single allocation from the Ministry of Revenue back then was recorded in the registers by this official, but in the end, it still couldn’t fill that bottomless pit of accounts! If the Eldest Princess hadn’t been so remarkably benevolent and guided Liu Sanjiang of the Liangyou Chamber of Commerce to donate silver, the Jishui Dam still wouldn’t be fixed even now!"

Zeng Shilin glared down at Lou Yingqi, his eyes clearly displaying his intent to sever all ties with this thief.

"Your Majesty, the Eldest Princess can testify for this subject. Every single deficit in the Ministry of Revenue is recorded!" The old man held his head high, his face full of arrogance.

Emperor Jianhong looked at Lou Yingqi in silence.

Lou Yingqi let out a loud sigh. "Your Majesty, this subject is truly wronged! There were already deficits within the Ministry of Revenue long ago, but this subject never touched a single coin of silver!

"How could this subject line his own pockets with such unconscionable silver?!

"I beseech Your Majesty to investigate this clearly!"

"Not lining your own pockets? Then tell us, since you knew the Ministry of Revenue had deficits, why didn’t you report it?!" Zeng Shilin retorted. "To me, you are clearly a beast in human clothing, practicing favoritism, committing fraud, and forming factions to embezzle!"

The old man himself didn’t know why he was so smooth at cursing out his own teammate. He didn’t even have to think about a single word; they just flowed effortlessly from his mouth, spraying out along with his spit.

Upon hearing this, Lou Yingqi instantly understood what the old man meant. He dropped to his knees with a heavy THUD, his voice turning desolate. "Your Majesty, it isn’t that this subject didn’t want to report it, but that I did not dare to!!"

Emperor Jianhong also noticed a hint of something amiss at this moment, though he couldn’t quite see the full picture yet. He could only follow Lou Yingqi’s lead and ask, "A Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue of my Great Saint Dynasty can report directly to the throne. What is there that you wouldn’t dare report?!"

Lou Yingqi cast a fearful glance toward Ren Weizhi. This turning of his head subconsciously made people feel confused, but to Ren Weizhi, it was absolutely bone-chilling...

"Your Majesty, if this subject dared to report it, the fate of the child in my estate... would be my fate as well!!"

Unable to hold back any longer, Lou Yingqi broke into uncontrollable sobs. His resolute old face was covered in snot and tears. His voice cracked as he wept profusely, "Your Majesty, if this subject truly handed over the evidence of the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Ren Weizhi, and that sinful Prince Qi... embezzling the Court’s disaster relief funds, I’m afraid I would end up just like Commander Bai...

"As a Warrior, Commander Bai was still able to escape with his life, but this subject is a mere Civil Servant. How could I possibly dodge such a fate?!"

As he spoke, his eyes were blurred with tears. His words were clearly emphasizing the phrase "colluding with the Demon Race," and they also provided Emperor Jianhong with a reason! A reason sufficient to execute Ren Weizhi.

Now, everything that had happened over the past few days was clearly laid out in the open. A thoughtful look flashed through Emperor Jianhong’s eyes!

Ren Weizhi had embezzled Xiang Silver, and Lou Yingqi had caught him in the act. Thus, Ren Weizhi colluded with the Demon Race to intimidate and threaten Lou Yingqi. Fortunately, Lou Yingqi was lucky enough to have Bai Ziqing crack the Cyan Viper case, saving his son. Knowing the dangers of standing alone in the Court, he sought to ally with Zeng Shilin, handing all the evidence over to him. In response, Ren Weizhi outright colluded with the people of the Eastern Sect, plotting to blow up the Jishui Dam to frame Zeng Shilin...

As for why Zeng Shilin chose to target Lou Yingqi today instead of firing directly at Ren Weizhi, it was simple. They were putting on an act in front of him. Or rather, it was to avoid suspicion. Mutual alliances among powerful court officials were a taboo for every emperor.

One piece of evidence after another was clearly presented before him. Even if someone was lying, the injuries on Bai Ziqing’s body were unmistakable! It was absolutely impossible to fake them!

After pondering, Emperor Jianhong slowly raised his head and looked straight at Ren Weizhi, a chilling glint in his eyes.

That single glance was enough to explain everything. Ren Weizhi was not long for this world. Today, whether it was Bai Ziqing or Lou Yingqi, their appearances had pointed all evidence of guilt straight at Ren Weizhi.

"Regarding today’s matter, I will await the Imperial City Department’s investigation. Dismiss the Court!"

Emperor Jianhong didn’t even spare Ren Weizhi another glance. He stood up straight and walked toward the back until his figure slowly disappeared.

PHEW.

"Old brother, you nearly scared me to death just now." After exiting the court, Lou Yingqi wiped the sweat from his face and looked at Zeng Shilin with lingering trepidation.

Zeng Shilin merely chuckled softly. "Worthy Brother Lou, just prepare to safely earn your promotion and get rich in a few days."

After speaking, the old man stepped up onto his carriage, entering it with the support of his servants. He left behind a thoroughly impressed Lou Yingqi, who watched as the carriage slowly rolled away.