The battle between political factions is not just a contest of strength and wit.
To win people's hearts, intimidation, coercion, profit, and seduction are all indispensable.
Among the Six Ministries, the Ministry of Revenue manages territory, taxes, national treasury... and a host of other financial-related affairs. It's truly the purse strings, and one of Empress's greatest sources of reliance.
The Imperial Consort Faction expended great effort and finally managed to plant a mole inside the Ministry of Revenue, only for it to be so easily uprooted.
Moreover, there's a high likelihood of a backlash...
"Empress, why not make them be silent forever..."
A hint of murderous intent flashed in Xu Qingyi's eyes.
It seems now, there's no hope of rescuing them. The only option left is to minimize the losses.
Otherwise, if Yan Peizhi takes this opportunity to capitalize on the situation, pulling up carrots to find the mud beneath, who knows how many people will be implicated.
"Heh, do you really think the Empress is unprepared?"
"She's clearly just waiting for my palace to make a move. This is an explicit scheme laid bare."
Yu Youhan tapped the armrest with her slender jade fingers, pondered for a moment, and said: "Tomorrow in court, have Chen Zhuo submit a petition to impeach the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice for acting arbitrarily and coercing confessions, requesting a joint trial by the three judicial offices, with the Imperial Censor to intervene and monitor the case!"
"Yes."
Xu Qingyi bowed her head and silently sighed in her heart.
This so-called impeachment is just a reluctant move, inconsequential and unable to change anything.
It seems the Empress can only swallow this bitter pill in silence...
...
Tonight.
The moon is dark, and the wind is high.
At midnight, when all is silent, the night wind whistled past with a chilly bite.
A carriage drove out of the Yan Residence, its wheels clattering, weaving through the streets.
After several turns, it entered a courtyard on Yicui Square South Street.
A stick of incense later, the rear door opened, and the carriage drove out once again.
Before it went far, suddenly, several torches lit up, and more than a dozen Assistant Officers in dark scale armor emerged from the shadows, brandishing weapons, surrounding the carriage.
The crowd parted, and a tall and thin figure walked over slowly.
"Deep in the night, past curfew, where might you be headed?"
The driver in black remained expressionless and silent.
Liu Mang frowned, reached out to grab the chin of the man in black, and pried open his mouth to find only a short stub of tongue left, a mute who had been subjected to Cutting Tongue.
Walking to the back of the carriage, he lifted the curtain to see Yan Liang sitting inside, unfazed.
Apart from him, there was no one else.
"What brings General Yan to Yicui Square at such a late hour, instead of sleeping at home?"
"I couldn't sleep and went out for a walk. Do I need to report to you?"
Yan Liang asked with a deep voice, questioning, "Instead, it's your Gui Water Bureau making such a big fuss. Are you treating me as a criminal?"
Liu Mang bluntly said, "Someone reported that General Yan is suspected of harboring Barbarian Slaves..."
Yan Liang squinted his eyes, his tone threatening, "One should be responsible for their words. Do you have any evidence?"
"We'll know after we search!"
Liu Mang wasted no more words and waved his hand, as several Assistant Officers with torches entered the courtyard.
Yan Liang crossed his arms and watched with cold eyes, full of mockery.
Soon, the Assistant Officers emerged one after another.
"Found nothing."
"Nothing on my side either."
Bang!
Yan Liang slammed the table, pointed at Liu Mang's nose, and swore furiously: "What do you think you are, daring to trouble me?"
"Where's Chen Mo? Let him come out! I haven't settled with him over today's affairs. Does he really think I'm so easily manipulated?"
"This time, if you don't give me an explanation, I will definitely sue you at the Government for overstepping your bounds and making false accusations!"
Liu Mang wiped the saliva from his face and said indifferently, "Mr. Chen is busy and doesn't have time to come over."
"Busy with what?"
Yan Liang was stunned for a moment.
Chen Mo was absent at such a time?
Could it be... he suddenly had a bad feeling.
Liu Mang's mouth curled into a smile, "Busy catching people!"
Almost at the same time, dazzling flashes of blade light pierced the distant night sky!
Seeing where the blade light was, Yan Liang's expression froze in an instant, his eyes filled with horror!
...
In the dark and cramped alley, several figures wrapped in black robes and wearing hooded hats moved silently, almost blending in with the night.
A few of them moved stiffly, their robes fluttering to reveal black iron rings fastened around their ankles.
Yan Xun walked at the forefront, the smile under his hooded hat full of triumph.
"It's my brother's brain that works best, pulling off a trick right under the lantern's shadow."
"Yicui Square was just a front. The goods were hiding in Xici Alley. He stayed there to attract attention, while I've already delivered the goods to the buyer!"
"Things have been too tense lately, we can't hold onto this batch of goods any longer, we must sell them as soon as possible..."
Reaching a secluded courtyard, Yan Xun stepped forward and gently knocked on the door knocker.
"Who is it?"
A hoarse voice came from inside the door.
Yan Xun whispered softly: "Midnight Hour refrains from lust."
After matching the secret signal, the door silently opened, and the group quickly entered the courtyard.
A towering burly man led them into a room.
Inside, the candlelight was dim, and a man wearing a conical bamboo hat with the black veil concealing his face spoke in a deep voice, "You're late... Why is it you? Where is Yan Liang?"
"My brother is temporarily held up, but rest assured, the goods are definitely problem-free."
Yan Xun said, "Recently, we've been under close watch. This is the last batch; we'll stop supplies for a short while."
"Check."
The man in the bamboo hat gestured with his hand.
The burly man approached, removing several hoods, revealing faces of wheatish complexion with exotic and beautiful features.
Their eyes were somewhat dull, nearly unresponsive to external stimuli.
"These well-trained Barbarian Slaves, as long as you use this Beast Ring..."
Yan Xun was about to demonstrate the "usage method", suddenly, a breeze fluttered by, and the candlelight on the table flickered.
The man in the bamboo hat frowned, "Did you bring others with you?"