Chapter 526: The Sword That Cuts the Shackles

At present, the highest among those present is someone like Kang Chong, a sixth‑rank External Officer; the others are even lower.

Facing the new Revenue Minister before us, even though he plainly tells you, "Today I will set a fire, find some people to establish authority," they are helpless.

When Chen Yan's gaze swept over, everyone's heads drooped even lower, fearing they might become the example meant to warn others.

And Kang Chong, whom Chen Yan had raised and questioned, felt his heart turn to ash and began to consider whether to take his old mother and wife and children back home.

Chang'an is not a place where someone with no background like him can make it.

Chen Yan stroked his chin, "A few days ago a friend told me that because of its duties, the Ministry of Revenue lets even a tiny ninth‑rank official skim enough ill‑gotten gains to make a sixth‑rank official jealous."

Moreover, take someone like Kang Shouyi, who heads the Department of Budget and Accounting as an External Officer, responsible for reviewing the expenditure requests submitted by each province and department, balancing and accounting.

For example, if you want to be corrupt, you only need to tweak the accounts; the portion carved out will naturally end up in your pocket.

He smiled, "Since you want to establish authority, the best choice is naturally to target a corrupt official; that way, not only is it faultless, but you also get a credit on your record as soon as you take office."

"And the purpose of establishing authority is achieved; do you think that makes sense?"

The crowd fell silent; one person hurriedly stepped forward, saying, "Sir, you may not know, but the current Grand Secretary tolerates no sand in his eyes; back in the fourth year of the Zhenguan era, he launched a massive investigation of the Ministry of Revenue, and all corrupt officials have been dealt with according to the law by the Grand Secretary."

"To be frank, we officials indeed have opportunities to skim profits, but… we have never done so, nor would we dare."

"Hm?" Chen Yan was rather surprised, staring at the man who stepped forward, "What is your name?"

"I am He Xun," He Xun respectfully clasped his hands.

Chen Yan understood, recalling this person, a seventh‑rank official.

He now looks quite decent, at least he dares to speak up.

"You are right; I know a bit about the Grand Secretary's character—he truly is a man who cannot tolerate any sand in his eyes."

Chen Yan first nodded, affirming He Xun's words.

When he heard this, many people's tense nerves relaxed a bit, and then Chen Yan's tone shifted:

"However, it has been two years since the Grand Secretary's investigation; how would I know that in these two years, some of you may have succumbed to temptation and, using your position, filled your own pockets?"

At this moment, the officials present felt their hearts rise again.

Chen Yan stood up, walked slowly down, "I just arrived; you may not know much about me, perhaps some have heard a little, but that is unimportant. What matters is that I dislike trouble and value efficiency above all."

"Investigate! I don't want to waste that effort, because for you to be standing here today, either you truly have no corruption, or you have hidden it very deeply."

"How about this: you speak up yourselves!"

"Who has taken bribes, step forward, I guarantee your family will be unharmed, okay?"

When his words fell, the hall instantly fell silent.

They never imagined that this newly arrived Ministerial Attendant would actually let them speak of whether they had taken bribes.

Is this even speakable?

Even setting aside whether they are corrupt, even if they are, they could not possibly admit it!

Chen Yan, regardless of their thoughts, cheerfully approached Kang Chong from behind, placed his hand on his shoulder.

Kang Chong's whole body jolted, his legs went weak.

"External Officer Kang, have you taken bribes?"

Kang Chong swallowed, cold sweat streamed down his forehead, "I swear on my life, during my tenure I have never taken a single morsel of bribe; should I break this oath, may I be struck by heaven and thunder!"

"Hmm~"

Chen Yan elongated his tone, as if pondering, "I don't intend to ask the others; their answers will likely be similar to yours, some oaths even heavier than yours!"

"Na!"

"Then, I give you a chance, Kang Shouyi! Kang Shouyi!"

Chen Yan placed both hands on Kang Chong's shoulders, forcibly pulled him upright, then faced the Ministry of Revenue officials:

"You have been in the Ministry of Revenue for many years, you are the most senior; tell me, among them… is there anyone who has taken bribes?"

After speaking, he added, "If you say there is none, I may be disappointed."

"But if you point them out, from now on you will have a background…"

At that moment, Kang Chong's mind went blank.

The hall was as quiet as a pin dropping; everyone's gaze fixed on Kang Chong's face.

He opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

Chen Yan saw in the crowd some eyes dodging, some faces turning pale, and some lowering their gaze, fingers trembling slightly inside their sleeves.

Yet he said nothing, only gave a faint smile, "Kang Shouyi! Why aren't you speaking?"

Sir... this humble official...

Kang Chong's breathing quickened, his limbs cold, his heart was in denial.

These years, he had not failed to notice subtle irregularities in the accounts, certain colleagues suddenly having affluent household expenses, vague bragging when drunk…

But he never dared to think deeply, nor to speak.

He is a background‑less External Officer; reaching this position already exhausted half his life's vigor.

Yet he dared even less to offend Chen Yan, because he knows all too well how insignificant a small person like him is before the elders.

Perhaps to outsiders he is a sixth‑rank External Officer of the Ministry of Revenue, but before someone like Chen Yan, he is nothing.

Moreover……

Kang Chong admitted that Chen Yan's final words had deeply moved him.

Why, when he was a poor‑family youth, entered officialdom in his twenties through the Imperial Examination, even the former emperor Li Yuan paid some attention to him as a Heaven's Proud Son, now he is depressed, middle‑aged, his hair already greying?

Is it not because he refuses to abandon his humble wife and marry the daughter of former Minister Liu?

Over these ten‑plus years, Kang Chong initially firmly believed he could break the upper‑class oppression through his effort and talent.

However, as year after year passed, he gradually grew weary, from the initial vigor to a loss of confidence, and now to a numbness that prevents him from standing tall.

Until this moment, Kang Chong realized with crystal clarity that he is merely a small fish that happened to leap out of the water; a single wave can easily splash him back down.

At first he thought that what Chen Yan swung over was a knife, intending to cut him down.

Only now did he realize that what Chen Yan swung over was indeed a knife, but not to cut him down, rather to sever the shackles on his body.

"..."