Chapter 113

Li Si naturally understood the implication in Feng Quji’s words, and his face darkened slightly.

However, since Feng Quji had already gained the favor of Ying Zheng, he naturally did not care about Li Si’s verbal attacks.

"When the boat reaches the bridge, it will naturally go straight; why must you concern yourself, Lord Li?"

Having said this, he walked directly past Li Si, leaving only his back behind.

Li Si’s face turned completely gloomy, and a flash of ruthless light flickered in his eyes.

He had thought he was keeping Feng Quji firmly pressed under his feet.

He never expected that one day, this Feng Quji would actually be able to turn his fortunes around.

Gloomy.

"I will make you understand clearly."

"Those who have fallen into the mud, even if they return to the imperial court, still cannot shake off the specks of dirt on their bodies."

Not until Li Si had completely left the area did Ying Mo slowly emerge from a corner.

After the morning court session, he had been slowly walking out with the crowd, and it was no surprise to see Li Si and Feng Quji.

Seeing the expression on Li Si’s face, he knew that there would definitely be a dispute between him and Feng Quji shortly.

Back when he was still the First Imperial Prince, he had clearly understood the conflict between Li Si and Feng Quji.

But regarding this matter, Ying Mo did not intervene too much.

In his view,

survival of the fittest was the long-term strategy.

"A bit interesting."

The corners of Ying Mo’s mouth twitched slightly.

Perhaps he could make use of this Feng Quji.

………

"You scoundrel, is this the solution you’ve handed to me?"

Ying Zheng heavily slammed the memorial in his hand onto Li Si’s head.

His chest heaved violently, and veins bulged on his forehead, displaying Ying Zheng’s current fury.

Ever since Li Si became the Chancellor, he had never seen Ying Zheng in such a rage.

A trace of doubt flashed in the depths of his eyes.

Subsequently, Li Si comforted himself, attributing Ying Zheng’s volatility to the side effects of the elixirs.

"One hundred thousand in tax silver, and after leaving the city gates, it completely vanished."

"Yet you tell me they all fell into the river and were washed away by the current."

Ying Zheng was truly furious this time.

There was a great drought in the Northwest, and to appease the people of the Northwest,

the national treasury had directly provided one hundred thousand in silver as disaster relief.

Yet, just as this relief silver left the city gates, it encountered a group of highway robbers.

Subsequently, this relief silver was overturned into the moat and completely disappeared without a trace.

Li Si kept his head low, kneeling on the ground.

He felt quite innocent as well.

He too had some ideas regarding that sum of silver.

But even if he had thoughts, he only wanted to take a portion; he had never thought of taking all one hundred thousand in silver for himself.

Even if he wanted to embezzle this money, he would never have struck at the silver the moment it left the city gates.

In Li Si’s mind, he was also racking his brains, wondering who would strike at this silver.

"Your Majesty, we have already sent men to dredge the moat, but not a single piece of silver was found."

Zhang Han walked in from outside and said to Ying Zheng.

At this moment, inside the study, only Ying Zheng, Zhang Han, and the kneeling Li Si remained.

Li Si listened quietly to the heavy, ragged breathing coming from Ying Zheng above.

After a while, the heavy breathing seemed to calm down somewhat.

"Li Si, I give you three days; if you cannot recover this one hundred thousand in silver—"

Ying Zheng did not finish the rest of his sentence.

But Li Si clearly felt the threat in Ying Zheng’s words.

He had not expected that he would be so unlucky during this period.

First, a portion of the power in his hands was divided by Feng Quji,

which led to him not being as strict in his control over his subordinates.

Having finally handled the Northwest affairs and gained some praise from Ying Zheng,

he never expected to be hit with such a blow.

One hundred thousand in tax silver.

He feared his entire official position would be completely stripped away.

Li Si clearly understood the severity of this matter.

At this moment, he had no heart to think of anything else; he only wanted to find all one hundred thousand in silver as quickly as possible.

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, this subject will definitely recover the one hundred thousand in silver as soon as possible."

Li Si knocked his head heavily against the ground, promising in a deep voice.

Ying Zheng did not care at all about the military pledge he had made.

After hearing Li Si’s words, he merely waved his hand and let him leave the study.

Just after Li Si left, the rage on Ying Zheng’s face eased slightly.

"You looked at me several times just now; if there is something to say, speak."

Zhang Han had been by his side for quite some time.

Ying Zheng had some understanding of him.

"Your Majesty, that batch of silver—I had already sent men to swap it out."

"But it was hijacked by someone during the transport process."

When Zhang Han said these words, he knelt directly before Ying Zheng.

His face carried a look of shame.

His Majesty had entrusted such an important matter to his hands, and yet he had messed it up.

That was a full one hundred thousand taels of silver.

And this silver was indeed the disaster relief silver Ying Zheng had handed over for the Northwest.

Thinking that because of his negligence, the people of the Northwest would be plunged into misery,

Zhang Han felt he no longer had the face to live in this world.

After hearing Zhang Han’s words, Ying Zheng’s figure paused.

"What did you say?"

The tone was filled with undisguised anger, completely different from before.

The previous rage was something Ying Zheng had feigned.

But now, his voice was calm, yet it could not hide the anger in his tone.

……

……

…….