Chapter 8: Filling One’s Pockets, Driven by Greed
Zhu Yuanzhang felt that ever since he arrived in Fengyang, his brain was insufficient.
Especially now, hearing about the abandonment of the imperial city, he felt terrible! Every year, he would decree to the Ministry of Revenue to allocate grain and supplies for the construction of the imperial city.
But now, Xu Da actually told him that it hadn’t been built at all. There must be someone filling their pockets, embezzling this money! With a dark expression, he said to Mao Xiang, “Investigate! Investigate who embezzled this money!”
Mao Xiang felt the emperor’s anger and trembled in fear. Swallowing his saliva, he quickly bowed and said, “I will investigate immediately!”
Xu Da actually knew some truths and was considering whether to speak up. Seeing Xu Da’s hesitant look, Zhu Yuanzhang knew that he must know something, but was unwilling to say it. Could there be something Xu Da was keeping from him? He then asked, “Tiande, do you know something? Speak up!”
Seeing the emperor inquire, Xu Da no longer hid anything and said directly, “Your Majesty, in fact, no one embezzled this money. The Ministry of Revenue simply couldn’t provide the funds. Two years ago there was a drought in Gansu, last year there were locusts in Henan, the year before that floods in the two lakes, and this year there’s been snow disasters in Guanzhong. The court is already struggling to make ends meet and simply cannot allocate funds to build the imperial city! So Hu Weiyong decided not to allocate funds to Fengyang, and thus the imperial city was abandoned!”
Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned in place, unable to calm his heart for a long time. He originally thought someone had embezzled the money, after all, he had ordered the construction of the imperial city. But hearing Xu Da’s response, he felt a bitterness he couldn’t express.
The Ming Dynasty had indeed been experiencing some turbulence in recent years, with disasters occurring in various places almost every day. The only thing local officials could do was submit memorials asking for money, but where would the court get the money?
Taking a deep breath, the Northern Expedition was of paramount importance, especially since the imperial jade seal was still in the grasslands of the north. If it couldn’t be retrieved, his throne would be unstable.
However, the Northern Expedition required funds. He never expected Li Fan to resolve it, even if it meant auctioning off his own imperial city. Although he felt somewhat displeased, this account had to be settled with Li Fan. After participating in the auction three days later, he would settle the score with him! The anger just now had also eased slightly. He then said to Mao Xiang, “Recall the dispatched men. Let them return to their duties.”
Mao Xiang was stunned in place. He had just been filled with righteous indignation and was about to take action, but now he was ordered to recall everyone. Although it was somewhat difficult, the other party was the emperor, and he had to obey orders. “I will handle it immediately!”
Hearing the emperor’s command, Xu Da knew that the emperor had definitely been preparing to send troops just now. If it weren’t for his appearance, Li Fan might have been arrested.
If he really get arrested by the Jin Yiwei, he’ll be lucky to escape with just his skin. I must make sure he properly thank me later.
Immediately, he bowed to the emperor and said, “Your Majesty, I will inform Li Fan to come and see you now!”
Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand hurriedly. It wasn’t convenient to meet Li Fan now. Without understanding the other party’s details, it wasn’t the best opportunity to close the net. He needed to find out exactly how much money Li Fan had sold for before he could make a move! Clearing his throat lightly, he said to Xu Da, “We are currently incognito. Li Fan must not know, and you must not reveal our message. We will show up at the right time!”
Xu Da had already heard the court’s news about Li Fan’s embezzlement. The emperor’s incognito visit this time must be to investigate this matter. Currently, he and Li Fan were like two grasshoppers tied to the same rope, still relying on each other to raise funds for the Northern Expedition! Absolutely cannot let the emperor arrest Li Fan now!
He quickly spoke up and defended, “Your Majesty, Li Fan is indeed an upright official. Everything he does is for the people of Fengyang. You cannot believe rumors. Those who spread rumors of Li Fan’s embezzlement have their eyes on Fengyang and are planning to take over!”
Empress Ma, seeing Xu Da’s defense, also followed to comfort, “Your Majesty, you have been biased against Li Fan from the beginning, thinking he is corrupt. So everything you see is evidence of his corruption. This method of finding evidence to match the conclusion is obviously wrong!”
Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly felt enlightened. Indeed, when he came to Fengyang, he did have a bias against Li Fan, thinking he was a corrupt official. So he deliberately selected some evidence to prove his point! Taking a deep breath, he said to Empress Ma, “You’re right. With the answer in mind, we can definitely find evidence. I did indeed have some bias against Li Fan!”
Looking around the Fengyang County, he said to Empress Ma, “Tomorrow, let’s set aside all prejudices and take a good look at what’s different about this Fengyang City!”
Xu Da heard the emperor’s words and felt relieved. He knew Li Fan’s character very well. There was no way he would embezzle. He had worked tirelessly over the years, sacrificing his sleep and tirelessly toiling for the people of Fengyang.
This prosperity in Fengyang now was all thanks to him. Now that some people saw Fengyang getting richer, they wanted to come and pluck the fruits. Even if he had to sacrifice his own life, he would never agree.
Otherwise, his own daughter would definitely not let him off the hook. Thinking of Xu Miaoyun’s attitude towards Li Fan, he couldn’t help but feel a little heartache. It was hard to let go of a daughter who had been raised with great care.
She always had Li Fan in her heart. This time, she insisted on following him to Fengyang. With a silent sigh, he knew he had to hurry back. Otherwise, what if Li Fan tricked him? He bowed to the emperor and said, “Your Majesty, I will take my leave first!”
Zhu Yuanzhang knew Xu Da must be going to see Li Fan. He directly said, “The income from auctioning off the imperial city must include a share for us! When you go back, negotiate with Li Fan!”
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