Chapter 121: Making a Move

While the news that Zhong Yuzheng and Wang Shunding had "fallen ill" and all Ministry of Works affairs were handed to Vice Minister Zhou Yingqiu spread like wildfire through the capital, Guan Yingzhen had gathered over thirty people, plus a group united by Qian Qianyi, and more than fifty memorials reached the Grand Secretariat.

With such a major matter, the Grand Secretariat naturally could not decide on its own, so after drafting the rescripts, they were sent into the palace.

After the Directorate of Ceremonial reviewed them and added the red endorsements, they were delivered to Zhu Youxiao's desk.

After reading the memorials, Zhu Youxiao issued a direct decree to the Ministry of Works, ordering a thorough investigation.

Zhou Yingqiu lay on his "sickbed" looking at the imperial decree delivered by the Ministry of Works messenger, his face pale, coughing weakly: "Very well, this official understands. I will return to the office as soon as possible to handle the matter."

"Yes, sir. This one takes his leave." The messenger clasped his fists, then turned and left.

Madam Zhou walked in, her face full of worry: "Husband, what is going on? Everyone outside is saying that all Ministry of Works affairs have now been handed to you."

Zhou Yingqiu's face showed no flush and his heart did not race. He sat up, putting on his shoes while sneering: "It's nothing more than them dodging trouble. Before long, they will regret this."

"Bring me my official robes." Zhou Yingqiu stood up, his expression stern, looking like a man ready to make a great show of things.

Madam Zhou took out his official robes while speaking with lingering unease: "Husband, could they be scheming against you again? Perhaps we shouldn't take this matter on—they feigned illness and left you holding the bag."

Zhou Yingqiu's eyes held a cold, sharp glint as he said: "Last time I resigned from office it was because I lacked backing, not because my methods were insufficient. This time, I hold the imperial decree in hand, and I have Her Majesty the Empress supporting me. What's more, this time the black pot will have someone else to carry it!"

"Alright," Zhou Yingqiu finished dressing and said to his wife: "After I leave, keep the gates tightly shut. Whoever comes, tell them—hmm, tell them that I have just taken up my post at the Ministry of Works and hold no real power yet, and cannot handle matters on their behalf."

Madam Zhou had been with Zhou Yingqiu for a long time and was a woman of some wisdom. She stood stunned at his words, feeling that there was something hidden in what he said, but before she could ask for clarification, Zhou Yingqiu had already pulled open the door and walked out.

The moment Zhou Yingqiu arrived at the Ministry of Works, all the officials of the ministry—large and small—the Bureau Directors of each department, Vice Bureau Directors, Bureau Secretaries, and messengers—were all gathered together, as if they had been waiting for him all along.

"Greetings, Lord Zhou."

The moment Zhou Yingqiu entered, a crowd of people stood and bowed in greeting.

Zhou Yingqiu was a man long seasoned in officialdom, yet he had never seen such a reception given to him before. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly, then he took his seat in the main chair and gazed calmly at the crowd.

The Bureau Director of the Construction Bureau glanced at the others, stepped forward, and said: "My lord, the imperial decree has already been issued. Since Lord Zhong and Lord Wang are absent, we await your decision."

Zhou Yingqiu knew that at this moment his authority was at its peak—after this window passed, he might not be able to mobilize the entire Ministry of Works apparatus again.

His expression deliberately troubled, he said: "Lord Guan and the others' memorials, in sum, impeach our Ministry of Works for privately building ships, accepting bribes, and lax approval procedures that have thrown the grain transport into disorder. Well, gentlemen, I am newly arrived at the Ministry of Works—is there any precedent to follow?"

The Bureau Director of the Construction Bureau also looked troubled: "To answer my lord, there has never been such a case before."

Zhou Yingqiu nodded, then added: "Then what do you all think we should do to quell this matter?"

Everyone fell silent—no one was willing to touch such a hot potato.

The Bureau Director of the Waterways Bureau glanced around without changing his expression, and with a rather difficult look said: "My lord, this subordinate believes the priority is to conduct an internal audit of the Ministry of Works—we absolutely must not hand others a handle against us. Additionally, the grain transport vessels must be dealt with as quickly as possible, so that other offices cannot seize them—otherwise they will all become evidence of our ministry's crimes."

"Right, right! Bureau Director Yao speaks truly—we absolutely must not let anyone seize a handle against us!"

The crowd chimed in agreement one after another. Grain transport was a fat piece of meat, and there was scarcely anyone in the entire Ministry of Works who had not had a hand in it. No one wanted to be implicated in this affair—the best outcome would be to wash themselves completely clean.

Zhou Yingqiu furrowed his brow slightly and fell into silent contemplation.

Yao Tianrao's lips curled slightly at the corners. With an urgent expression, he stepped forward and spoke rapidly: "My lord, we cannot hesitate any longer! His Majesty has already issued a clear decree on this matter. Once the Ministry of Justice, the Eastern Depot, or the Embroidered Uniform Guard makes their move first, we are finished!"

Hearing Yao Tianrao's words "we are finished," everyone's hearts tightened. This "finished" meant not just losing their official positions—most likely their very lives would be hard to preserve.

"My lord, we cannot delay any further!"

"Yes, my lord! Everything in the Ministry of Works now rests in your hands!"

"My lord, you may have only just arrived, but all our lives and fortunes hang on this matter!"

Slap!

Zhou Yingqiu suddenly slammed the table and stood up, declaring loudly: "Very well, transmit this official's orders!"

The crowd, still stirred up, immediately responded: "This subordinate awaits your command!"

"The Waterways Bureau is responsible for auditing all grain transport ledgers, approval documents, and correspondence within the Ministry of Works. Should any flaw be found, notify them immediately—the documents are to be voided and require re-review. Otherwise, revoke their shipping qualifications—not a single sail may leave port!"

"Yes, my lord!" The Bureau Director of the Waterways Bureau answered in a loud voice.

"The Construction Bureau—send men immediately to all docks in the capital to inspect every passing vessel. Any violations or discrepancies are to be rectified on the spot. If any refuse, seize the vessels on the spot!"

"Yes, my lord!" The Bureau Director of the Construction Bureau stepped forward and answered loudly.

Though he had already prepared these words in his mind, speaking them aloud still stirred Zhou Yingqiu's heart, and he savored the feeling greatly.

His expression unmoved, he thought briefly and then declared loudly: "Report any problem immediately—do not act on your own authority. This matter is of great importance, and I hope all colleagues will work with one heart and one mind, and not stir up any more trouble!"

"Yes, my lord!" The crowd had been well drilled by Zhou Yingqiu and answered in perfect unison.

Immediately thereafter, the entire Ministry of Works mobilized, setting aside all other tasks and treating the grain transport affair as the top priority, with a bustle and earnestness never seen before.

Zhou Yingqiu sat behind his desk, watching his subordinates coming and going outside the window. He gave a light snort and muttered to himself: "You wanted to pin the black pot on me, didn't you? I'll take the pot—but the blackness stays yours."

"My lord." Yao Tianrao, the Bureau Director of the Waterways Bureau, slipped in quietly with a smile.

Zhou Yingqiu laughed and said: "Well done. Find some more people and spread word outside that I have just arrived at the Ministry of Works and hold no such great power—that in reality, it is the other two lords who are secretly managing everything behind the scenes. Understood?"

Yao Tianrao's eyes lit up at once: "As always, my lord's cunning surpasses all. I will send people right away. Oh, and my lord—what should be done about the deficits found in the ledgers?"

Zhou Yingqiu's expression shifted slightly. The deficits—naturally, these were the internal deficits of the Ministry of Works. Such deficits could have many causes, but most came from insiders' sleight-of-hand, small amounts accumulating into large ones.

"This must be put to good use," Zhou Yingqiu said, a strange smile curling at the corners of his mouth. "Anything unrelated to grain transport—hold it back for now."

"Yes, my lord." Yao Tianrao quickly caught his meaning.

The Ministry of Works' actions were too conspicuous, and grain transport was already a matter of public attention—within no time, word spread throughout the entire capital. And those most affected were, naturally, the great families who owned vessels in the grain transport trade.

"What? Seizing ships? How dare they?"

"The grain transport season is about to begin—are they trying to throw the whole realm into chaos?"

"No, we must think of something. We absolutely cannot allow our ships to be seized!"