Chapter 296: Supreme Emperor: Once I Restore the Throne, I Will Eliminate This Power‑Hoarding Treason!

Jia Jing thought for a moment, furrowed his brows, and said:

"I will not let any news leak from my side! It is only that I think Your Majesty's deep foresight and calm investigation are indeed good."

"But the Jin merchants have many eyes and ears in the court; this matter should not be delayed too long."

"Otherwise, if they hear about it, they will destroy evidence, move the goods and illicit wealth, and the loss will be irreparable!"

"Moreover, according to my investigations in the northwest, the northwest Jin merchants have been smuggling to the enemy these years, profiting by no less than tens of millions of taels."

"Each of them has a family fortune of tens of thousands, wealth that could rival a nation; if they flee to other countries at the first sign, the court will find it far harder to trace this loot!"

Jia Jing deliberately emphasized "tens of millions of taels" and "family fortunes of tens of thousands" to draw Jing Sheng Di's attention.

The court's finances are now strained; if we could confiscate the Jin merchants' assets, we would not have to worry about money for at least several years!

Jing Sheng Di's eyes flashed at the words; he has indeed thought of seizing the Jin merchants to fill the treasury,

but as the ruler of the world, his manner must not appear too unsavory; he must consider the opinions and reputation among officials and scholars throughout the court!

Confiscating a household brings money quickly, yet it must be done with a clear mandate, presenting iron evidence and solid charges before acting; otherwise it will stir unrest!

Jing Sheng Di pondered for a moment, then said in a deep voice:

"Zi Jie, your good counsel, I understand deeply! I will order the Imperial City Office to accelerate investigation and evidence collection, and the northwest will also be closely monitored."

"Your Majesty having a clear picture is enough!" Jia Jing nodded and said no more.

Jing Sheng Di fell silent for a moment, then continued:

"Regarding military affairs rectification and the New Policies, I have just formed some new ideas; Zi Jie, assist me with the planning…"

Dragon Head Palace.

The afternoon sun slanted in from the west, its light passing through the bright tiles of the lattice windows, spreading a dim yellow glow across the blue‑brick floor of the main hall of Dragon Head Palace.

The hall was so quiet it felt empty, with only the incense of agarwood burning in the Bo Mountain furnace, rising in wisps that coalesced into a thin veil of smoke, drifting slowly.

Supreme Emperor Zhu Zhen stood before the painting desk, a fine brush pinched between his fingers, sketching a lotus on a silk scroll.

He wore a moon‑white ordinary robe, a single bamboo hairpin in his hair, and bore no gold or jade ornaments, looking like a reclusive old Taoist!

Yet his fingers were long and knobby, his grip on the brush extremely steady; he painted slowly, first outlining the flower, then the leaf veins, finally the bark strokes of the stem.

As he painted the lotus, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, bearing a curve of blissful immersion and self‑satisfaction.

Inside Dragon Head Palace,

apart from the Supreme Emperor, only Prince Yi sat upon the embroidered cushion at the lower throne.

After Prince Yi attended the celebration banquet held at the Hall of Supreme Harmony, he went straight to Dragon Head Palace, wishing to tell the Supreme Emperor about today's observations.

However, when he arrived, the Supreme Emperor was in the midst of painting, so he could only sit there waiting for it to finish, not daring to speak; he knew the Supreme Emperor's mind was singular while painting and detested any disturbance!

When the Supreme Emperor finished the final stroke, he stepped back, tilted his head to appraise for a moment, and a satisfied smile spread across his face as he said:

"Shen'er, come over and see how father has painted this lotus!"

Prince Yi, hearing this, walked to the painting desk, examined it carefully for a moment, and smiled in praise:

"Father Emperor's lotus paintings are among the few in the entire Da Han Empire; that 'Lotus Brocade Rooster Painting' is famed throughout the world, known to all!"

"In this work, the petals are of just the right fullness, the colors transition naturally from deep to light, and even the dust on the stamens is placed perfectly."

"Of course, the finest aspect is the spirit of the flower."

"The lotus embodies the enduring and abundant beauty of 'vast clouds hanging low, hard to fall; clear dew becomes pearls, full and unspilled', which is a true reflection of the father's artistic pursuit and personal cultivation! It is as if crafted by divine hands, indescribably marvelous!"

Prince Yi's expression bore sincere admiration, deepening the Supreme Emperor's smile further.

But that smile lasted only a moment before another layer of worry pressed it down.

These past years the Supreme Emperor has been confined to Dragon Head Palace; as Jing Sheng Di's throne grows ever more secure and his prestige rises, his own situation is easy to imagine.

Especially since the Jingnan Wuxun who originally supported him have been sequentially removed by Jia Jing—Marquis Linchuan, Duke Chengguo, Marquis Zhongqin, Ji An Marquis, and others.

In Shenjing City, aside from some Imperial Guards, he no longer has trusted troops to rely on; his days naturally grow worse day by day.

Consequently, his days are spent either drinking and reveling or composing poetry and painting.

His artistic attainment rises, his children multiply, and he becomes increasingly despondent.

After admiring the lotus painting for a moment without the brocade rooster accompaniment, the Supreme Emperor placed the brush on the inkstone, wiped his hand with a handkerchief, walked to the window, and opened a slit.

"What is the situation today? Does the one in Qian Qing Gong harbor fear or suspicion toward Jia Jing?"

The Supreme Emperor wore a worried expression, yet his gaze held a hint of anticipation as he asked Prince Yi in a deep voice.

Although the Supreme Emperor has seven daughters and eight sons, he still trusts his eldest son, Prince Yi Zhu Shen, the most, and usually consults him on many matters.

Regarding Jia Jing's triumphant return to the capital, the two had previously speculated.

The Supreme Emperor thought that Jia Jing, newly appointed 'Jing Guo Gong', who rose swiftly and is young and ambitious, might inevitably become complacent and arrogant.

If he shows any overbearing or insubordinate behavior before Jing Sheng Di, given the emperor's stern nature, today might mark the beginning of mutual suspicion between ruler and minister!

And as long as a hidden rift and mutual discontent exist between them, my own opportunity will arise!

Prince Yi deeply concurred with the Supreme Emperor's speculation.

Thus, bearing the Supreme Emperor's instructions, Prince Yi today deliberately observed the court's triumphal ceremony, seeking a way to break the deadlock!

As for the outcome, it needs no words!

Prince Yi silently walked to the window, standing a half step behind the Supreme Emperor, his expression solemn, and lowered his voice:

"Father Emperor, we misjudged the one in Qian Qing Gong and Jia Jing..."

"Today, that person treated Zi Jie with utmost courtesy, greeting him with the 'Kai Le', ordering all officials to bow and the Imperial Guards to lower their heads."

"He even let Zi Jie ride the dragon carriage, with Biao Ge'er driving personally, showing no hint of suspicion or fear toward Zi Jie!"

The Supreme Emperor's hand on the windowsill trembled, his complexion darkening a few degrees, a look of disbelief on his face, and his hoarse voice asked:

"He trusts Zi Jie so completely? Such a conqueror, brave beyond men, whose merits shake the ruler, and who holds the power of Ba Shang and the northwest troops—does he have no caution at all?"

"Where are his imperial scheming in daily life? Where are the safeguards against my methods? Where have they gone?"

The retired emperor's voice concealed an uncontainable anger; after a pause, he asked again:

Where is Jia Zi Jie? Does Jia Zi Jie have any overbearing acts against their superiors? Jia Zi Jie is so young, yet so valorously gifted by Heaven—does Jia Zi Jie not become complacent and lose restraint?

King Yi swallowed a mouthful of saliva, and his voice lowered a few more degrees as he said:

Jia Zi Jie's attitude was extremely respectful from start to finish; not only was his observance of rites very reverent, but when seated in the dragon carriage he insisted on not receiving it, being pushed up by the inner attendants!

Great Treason Disguised as Loyalty! With such military merit yet able to keep such composure, it must be that he harbors divergent intentions and harbors great schemes!

The retired emperor sharply barked a low command!

Because of the matters concerning Cheng Guogong and other Jingnan Wuxun, the retired emperor's perception of Jia Jing is rather negative!

Not to mention, Jia Jing once used an insult toward Zhao Guogong as a veiled attack, showing disrespect toward him!

And now, after hearing King Yi's report, Jia Jing has become, in the retired emperor's mind, a thoroughly treacherous minister.

Although he has never seen Jia Jing in person, he silently ponders that once he restores the throne he will definitely find a chance to eliminate such power‑hijacking traitors, leaving no hidden danger for his successor!