Protect Our Chief

As soon as these words were spoken, the other strong men also nodded one after another, even Old Liu couldn’t help but nod.

Previously they couldn’t see it, but this time with the tax investigation, many noble families have shown their true colors. Nowadays, who doesn’t know that tax evasion is rampant in both the Dexin Prince’s and Prince Kang’s households?

To be blunt, they are the parasites of the Daqian Kingdom!

People like them, so full of self-interest, if they ascend to the throne, will they really care about the livelihood of the people, about the development of the country? What they truly care about in their hearts is likely how much benefit the power in their hands can bring them, how many opportunities to line their own pockets it can provide?

The common people might not have as broad a perspective as those in noble families, but they have their own simple values and standards for judging people. Many times, they can hit the nail on the head when seeing issues.

And in such a stark contrast, the reputation of Prince Kang’s faction among the people has plummeted, while Prince Anjun, Prince Deshun, and the Daqian Wang Family have significantly increased their reputation and prestige due to this tax investigation.

There are also revelations that Prince Anjun secretly did disaster relief and donated in private, and even many small details that usually went unnoticed have been uncovered, proving the benevolence and people-oriented mindset of these three families.

For a time, they were highly praised among the populace.

The commoners naturally were very supportive of Prince Anjun.

However, the noble families and royal race facing consecutive setbacks were gritting their teeth in hate toward Prince Anjun. Especially those big shots with voting rights, out of spite, started spreading rumors, saying, isn’t Prince Anjun mighty? Anyway, he doesn’t need our vote!

Meanwhile,

Inside Zhuozheng Pavilion.

Emperor Longchang was not leisurely lying in his recliner as usual, allowing Old Yao to massage his shoulders, but sitting uprightly behind the desk in the master’s chair.

Old Yao also respectfully stood behind him, holding a duster in his hand, lowering his head with a solemn expression, trying his best to minimize his presence.

And the desk in front of Emperor Longchang was once again piled high with memorials.

In theory, these memorials should be dealt with by the Inner Pavilion. But these memorials were all about impeaching and criticizing the acting Prime Minister, Yinda Ancestor, as well as Prince Deshun, Prince Anjun, and others.

Many were reports against the royal race and some noble families for tax evasion and various wrongdoings.

The Inner Pavilion found it hard to handle, and had to pass the review authority to Emperor Longchang.

Meanwhile, Meng Yuanbai was standing opposite the emperor’s desk, sweating profusely, bowing his head with a tense expression, waiting for the next command.

Even the usually rambunctious five little wolf cubs were huddled quietly in a corner at this moment, not causing the usual commotion around Emperor Longchang, begging and acting cute for food.

The entire Zhuozheng Pavilion was shrouded in a tense atmosphere.

"Absurd, just too absurd." Emperor Longchang slammed the table, angrily saying, "I didn’t expect that among our royal race, there are so many parasites. I originally thought, it was just the Dexin Lineage being a bit excessive. Others, at least, weren’t that bad."

"But didn’t expect, compared to some other royals, the likes of Dexin and Prince Kang could be considered models for paying taxes!"

Truly, without investigating, one wouldn’t know; once investigated, it was shocking.

The situation of tax affairs in Daqian has deteriorated far beyond Emperor Longchang’s expectations.

Especially within the royal race, those who usually stayed beneath the radar and low profile, could hide entire manors, as if this had become routine. In more severe cases, what was reported as taxes was minimal, while what was hidden was substantial.

Apart from tax evasion, many dirty and sordid issues also got exposed one by one.

For example, a certain prince had a large number of common people imprisoned, making them procreate continuously. The children born were brainwashed and raised to be used as slaves.

Such appalling revelations gave Emperor Longchang a feeling of having been an emperor for thousands of years in vain.

Could it be, the claim Wang Shouzhe made in private against him was true, "Your Majesty in your life loves conquest, is impatient with building internal affairs, and tends to delight in achievements"?

"Your Majesty, someone is deliberately stirring the pot behind the scenes," Old Yao reminded in a low voice.

"I can see that." Emperor Longchang said coldly, "Prince Kang first bowed his head to admit fault, then one scandal after another emerged, making him seem not that bad. I have to admit, this tactic is quick to respond and indeed capable of creating a possible recovery opportunity."

"Earlier, I underestimated Prince Kang. It’s a pity, that kid Mingyuan won’t listen to reason. I had told him before to learn Emperor’s Heart Skill, instead of behaving like a reckless youth."

"Now look, if the clansfolk were to choose between Prince Kang and Prince Anjun, more likely they’d choose Prince Kang. People, oh people!"

"Well then, let Mingyuan and Wang Shouzhe suffer a big loss and let this serve as a vivid lesson for them. Reforming, is not so easily done."

If it were easy to implement, he would have done it eight hundred years ago, and not delayed till now?

"Wang Shouzhe is naturally clever, with many means. It’s just a pity that this move had a counterproductive effect, offending too many people, instead helping Prince Kang ’win hearts’. When I have the time, I can guide him, making strategies requires considering human nature."

While Emperor Longchang was iteratively evaluating Wang Shouzhe and Prince Anjun.

Meng Yuanbai suddenly said, "Your Majesty, regarding Prince Kang, during the tax investigation, I stumbled upon a peculiar matter. I dare not make assumptions, so could only present this for your view, please make a decision."

Having said this, he presented some data reports.

Emperor Longchang looked at them, his face gradually turning serious: "Meng Yuanbai, the points you highlighted with a red pen are quite clear. You mean, besides tax evasion, there are large mysterious funds with unclear accounts flowing in and out of Prince Kang’s Mansion! Moreover, the total sum and timing of these funds match closely with the accounts found during Zhao Zhikun’s smuggling and collusion case..."

"Indeed, Your Majesty." Meng Yuanbai answered tremblingly, "To prevent mistakes, I had it verified several times. There indeed are significant mysterious funds, moving in and out quietly, with timing all matching, accounting clear, impossible to fake."

"Do you realize, you are accusing Prince Kang of being the mastermind behind the ’Zhao Zhikun smuggling and collusion case’?" Emperor Longchang said with a frosty expression, "Have you allied yourself with Prince Anjun? A quasi-crown prince involved in smuggling and collusion? Why not say that I, myself, was involved in smuggling and collusion?"

Meng Yuanbai was so frightened, he was drenched in sweat, his body weak, almost unable to stand, yet he still managed to say, "Uh... I have no such intent, just reporting findings as discovered."

At this moment.

Outside, the Inner Guard Commander, Little Jizi, hurried to the emperor’s presence, whispering a report: "Your Majesty, Vice Commander of the Imperial Guard, Chen Jinglong, and Director of the Criminal Law Department, Chen Jingtiger, jointly request an audience, saying they have urgent matters to report."

"What urgent matters?" The current chaos had Emperor Longchang quite irritable, "If they don’t clarify, tell them to scram."

"Your Majesty, the Brother Chen said... they have captured Zhao Zhikun, who was fleeing to avoid punishment. Zhao Zhikun, to mitigate his crimes, and in hope of redemption, is willing to expose the mastermind behind the smuggling and collusion case." Little Jizi replied trembling.

After speaking, he deeply buried his head, face pale, sweating all over, not daring to look up at Emperor Longchang’s expression.

"What!?"

Emperor Longchang trembled all over.

In the next instant, a flash of insight hit him, and he instantly understood. This was not Wang Shouzhe’s strategy being ineffective or lacking meticulous planning, he simply played a "feint East attack West" maneuver, fooling everyone!

Wang Shouzhe did not overlook the aspect of "human nature," but simply disregarded it, directly executing a "kick the pot from under the pan" move against Prince Kang.

Once the other quasi-crown prince is removed from the equation, what need is there for a vote? Casting a ballot!?

When the time comes, everyone’s choice will be singular... That is, Prince Anjun, Wu Mingyuan!

Whether you are willing or not, you will have to choose him!

...