Chapter 31

As more officials became involved, the commotion grew larger and larger. Watching the wealth rolling in, Li Mu felt that things were about to get out of hand.

Past party strife had the goal of killing off competitors. Future party strife would add another goal—making money!

It was just too profitable; the imprisoned officials had all found suckers to pay the money. And these guys had honestly paid up.

Li Mu had initially planned to complete seventy percent of the target set by Marquis Marquis Wuyang.

Leaders, after all, always paint a bigger picture. Achieving seventy percent in actual execution is already a remarkable achievement.

Now it seems he was too conservative.

The officials of Great Dayu are very poor, and the officials of Great Dayu are also very rich.

The key is to find the right people.

This time, breaking through from the inside was a precise lock-on.

The targets found were all wealthy households who had dirt in others' hands, forcing them to spend money to avoid disaster.

"Notify the Eastern Depot and tell them to send someone to collect the money immediately!"

Li Mu ordered with a grave expression.

Wealth moves hearts.

A large amount of silver left in the battalion command had become a hot potato.

If any slip-up occurred, he couldn't bear the responsibility.

To guard these treasures, not only were five hundred soldiers brought in to stand guard day and night, but Li Mu, the battalion commander, hadn't returned to the Marquis's mansion for two days, eating and sleeping in the yamen.

"Understood!"

After the personal guard finished speaking and was about to turn and step out of the room, Li Mu added.

"Wait!

First, send someone to invite Marquis Marquis Wuyang over; we need him to witness the handover."

Involving a transaction of over a million taels, he didn't dare pin his hopes on the integrity of the Eastern Depot.

If those eunuchs were overcome by greed and wanted to take it all, Li Mu wasn't sure he could withstand the pressure.

Avoiding risk is always the first rule of being an official.

With his direct superior on the scene, if the Eastern Depot people grew greedy, the first to confront them would be Marquis Marquis Wuyang.

The eunuchs from the palace might turn against them, the descendants of nobility, for the sake of profit, but they would never dare to use force against Marquis Marquis Wuyang.

If they couldn't handle the Emperor's nephew, could they handle the Empress Dowager's brother? The rule that the inner court must not interfere in politics is limited to state affairs; beating a few eunuchs to death is nothing.

The only eunuchs who truly carry weight in the heart of the Emperor are the top few. The little eunuchs below don't even get to see the Emperor; their lives are worthless.

Qianqing Palace.

The Emperor, who was feigning illness to avoid work, was still cornered by the cabinet ministers. For a time, spittle flew as they all came to lodge complaints.

Spending money to grease palms is an unspoken rule in officialdom. But to do it so blatantly, almost putting the transaction on the table, is something else.

Losing face for the imperial court is a small matter; the key is that once the Emperor gets a taste of the sweetness, similar operations might occur every so often.

By then, the officials would be miserable; the family wealth they accumulated at the risk of their reputations would all be pre-deposited for others.

Standing from the perspective of the civil official group, the cabinet ministers had to firmly resist and completely dispel the Emperor's thoughts.

Even the two cabinet ministers labeled as eunuch partisans stood up to strongly oppose it.

This proves how unpopular this way of playing is.

In fact, neither the Qingliu nor the eunuch partisans have strong internal cohesion.

Everyone just came together for common interests; when group interests and personal interests conflict, it's not strange to stand on opposite sides.

Essentially, everyone is in a cooperative relationship, not a subordinate one.

Especially these cabinet ministers, each has their own power base. Even if they leave their original party, they can still build their own faction.

The messy parties in the Great Dayu court almost all came about this way.

Gathered together, there seem to be only three forces: eunuch partisans, Qingliu, and neutrals; dispersed, they form a dozen or so political factions based on region.

If one continues to refine it, countless small groups are born within these political factions due to closeness.

Sometimes cooperating, sometimes opposing.

Political stance is entirely determined by what issue is being faced.

To push for something, one usually has to communicate privately and obtain the support of most members within the faction before bringing it to the court.

The scene where the faction leader gives an order and the people below support it mindlessly is almost impossible.

If that really appeared in court, it would mean the throne-rotation game is starting again.

A temporary disagreement in political views is not a big deal. As long as the general direction is the same, everyone is still on the same side.

"You must be tired, everyone; sit down and have some tea before continuing.

Zuo Zuo Guangen, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and have someone serve tea to the cabinet ministers!"

The Emperor's words choked everyone half to death.

It turns out that after they said so much, the Emperor didn't take a word to heart, and they had purely done a useless task.

"Your Majesty, this concerns the foundation of the state; we must take it seriously!"

Grand Secretary Pang couldn't help but emphasize his tone.

Compared to the other four, he was already a victim. Even if someone helped pay, being forcibly dragged into this was something he couldn't accept.

"Zuo Zuo Guangen, you heard them too.

Tell me, why don't you put more heart into your work!

The cabinet ministers have all run here to block my door; if this gets out, wouldn't the outside world say I am a muddled ruler?

Forget it, I can't blame you entirely for this.

I won't mention the past.

From now on, handle it yourself!"

The Emperor's reply nearly made Grand Secretary Pang faint from anger.

Just this?

Even if it were just for show, he should at least reprimand Zuo Zuo Guangen and dock a few months' salary to give everyone an explanation.

The current handling result was clearly the Emperor choosing to brush it off.

The signal released was almost publicly telling Zuo Zuo Guangen: Well done, worthy of praise!

"Your Majesty, the hearts of the officials are in turmoil; we need to soothe the hearts of the hundred officials!"

Chief Grand Secretary Song Haidong couldn't help but advise.

The Emperor is always displeased with the officials; what kind of behavior is this?

If it weren't for the Emperor's clever methods of pushing the eunuchs to take the blame, the conflict between the two sides would have intensified long ago.

Life experience tells him that if this situation continues, something major will surely happen in the future.

"The Chief Grand Secretary's words are reasonable, so let this be the only time!"

"Lord Zuo, when you have nothing to do, ask the cabinet ministers for advice more often.

Don't make decisions on your own for everything.

Just like this time, if it weren't for the cabinet ministers helping to stabilize the situation, who knows what chaos would have broken out!"

The Emperor's lukewarm reprimand left Song Haidong with no temper.

The Emperor is too smart, and he, the Chief Grand Secretary, has a headache.

The old way of fooling the monarch with benevolence and morality simply doesn't work here.

Fortunately, he is someone about to retire; as long as no problems arise during his final term, the future will be for the next person to worry about.

"Your Majesty, this old servant will certainly take this lesson to heart and serve the imperial court with all my heart and strength!"

Zuo Zuo Guangen said with an excited expression.

Just now, the Emperor actually addressed him as "Lord"; the speaker might have been unintentional, but he, the listener, took it to heart.

In the Great Dayu dynasty, "Lord" is exclusive to the hundred officials; appearing on him, a eunuch, was clearly the Emperor's recognition of him.

(End of chapter)