allendalepharm Chapter 458: Do your job, threaten
Chapter 458: Do your job, threaten
"I went to the south of the Yangtze River this time, and passed through the provincial capital on the way back to Beijing. It happened that the Luming Banquet was being held today, so I came here to join in the fun. I hope I didn't disturb your enjoyment?"
The Third Prince first glanced at Jiang Youzhen, and seeing that she didn't even dare to raise her head, he couldn't help but laugh again.
Princess Changsui naturally would not let go of the heroes present. She first scanned the entire venue and found that the most eye-catching one was Jiang Youzhen.
A weak scholar, a graceful gentleman! She likes this type.
But this kid is so ignorant. If the Queen Mother had not promised her to build a mansion outside the palace and asked her to keep a low profile, she would not let Jiang Youzhen go so easily.
"No, no, I couldn't ask for more! Then I will host a banquet tonight at the government office to welcome your Highness and the princess. Please come and enjoy the feast!"
The prefect Sun Shengqing stepped forward and spoke in a flattering tone. He was not a Beijing official, so naturally he had never met anyone in a high position of power.
But if he could rely on the Third Prince, maybe he could be transferred back to the capital after his three-year term was up?
The third prince snorted lightly, which was considered as his agreement.
His gaze fell on the censor Huang Andao again. After thinking it over yesterday, he realized that the memorial could not be retrieved, so he could only start with Huang Andao.
But Huang Andao is the censor of this provincial examination. If something unexpected happens and it involves the imperial examination, my father will not let it go easily and will definitely get to the bottom of it, and things will become more complicated.
Huang Andao was already sweating profusely. Someone had previously detailed the tax scam at the newly built wharf in a letter, saying that the prefect of Tongzhou Prefecture had privately raised taxes and also falsified accounts to enrich himself.
Li Anshun, the prefect of Tongzhou Prefecture, is a member of a branch of the Li family in the capital. He is the cousin of Li Yaojun, the Left Censor-in-Chief, and Li Yaojun is a member of the Third Prince's party.
Of course he knew about the complicated relationships in the court. He was hesitant at first. If he reported this matter to the higher authorities, the officials from the third prince's lineage would definitely make things difficult for him.
But he then thought that he was currently in the emperor's good graces. The emperor attached great importance to the tax revenue from the newly built dock, and he would be furious when he knew about this.
After all, it was just the beginning and someone dared to reach out, which was a challenge to the emperor's majesty.
Although the period of embezzlement had just begun, the port tax was very profitable. If this continued, the port tax collection in various places would follow suit, and it would be easy to embezzle hundreds of thousands or even millions of taels a year.
The national treasury is empty, and the Ministry of Revenue is always worried about how to fill it. Isn't this like an old man hanging himself, seeking death?
As for the person who exposed this case, even if the emperor did not get to the bottom of it in the end, it was still a great achievement for Huang Andao.
He is already forty-three years old this year and can't wait any longer! He can't stay as the Censor forever.
Every time I go on an inspection tour, I have to put my head on the line because I might never come back at any time!
At this moment, countless thoughts flashed through Huang Andao's mind. Finally, he looked determined. If he wanted to get promoted, he had to fight for it.
"Imperial Censor Huang, it has been three years since we last met, right?" The Third Prince looked at Huang An and said, this is a tough nut to crack.
If it was just a memorial, he would not be afraid. By the time the imperial envoy from the capital came to check the accounts, the books would have been balanced long ago.
But he was not sure whether Huang Andao had evidence, so he did not dare to act rashly.
Huang Andao hurriedly stepped out and said, "Your Highness, it has indeed been three years since we last met. After the provincial examination is over, I will return to the capital to report on my work!"
Therefore, this is an opportunity. He doesn't want to live in fear anymore, and he is a loyal minister, so he can only rely on the emperor. If he turns against any prince, the first person who will not tolerate him is the emperor.
"Censor Huang has been traveling around outside these years and has worked really hard. After returning to the capital this time, have you ever thought about returning to the capital to take up your post?"
When the Third Prince said this, everyone present was shocked.
How could such a thing be said in public? What exactly was the Third Prince's intention?
Jiang Youzhen was also surprised. If he wanted to make a deal with Huang Andao, shouldn't he talk about it in private?
Huang Andao was also unsure of the Third Prince's intention. He pondered for a moment before saying, "Do your job! This is also my duty, so it's not hard work. As for where I will be assigned, that depends on the arrangements of the Emperor and the Ministry of Personnel. I will follow your orders."
"What a good way to govern a country!" The third prince suddenly clapped his handrail with a smile on his face.
Everyone was startled. No one dared to act rashly and the atmosphere became tense.
"I am very pleased that Imperial Censor Huang has come to this realization! Indeed, if it is not your responsibility, you should not interfere, otherwise you will break the rules. If you stretch your hand too far, you will be chopped off."
The Third Prince's words were full of profound meaning. Not only Huang Andao, but even the other officials present heard something fishy.
Beads of sweat dripped down Huang Andao's forehead. This guy was not easy to talk to. In a rage, he might really kill him.
"I was assigned a task by my father. Before I came here, I heard that the old lady will celebrate her birthday soon. After you return to the capital, you will be able to catch up with the old lady's birthday. I will definitely give her a generous gift then."
Huang Andao was so frightened that his face turned pale and his heart was filled with fear.
He thought that if he hid from the Third Prince, at least until he reached the capital, the other party would not be able to do anything to him. Unexpectedly, the Third Prince actually caught up with him at the Luming Banquet and threatened him in public.
However, many confused candidates did not notice anything wrong, and only the officials figured out something unusual.
"You and I are on the same itinerary for this trip back to Beijing. Just come with me! Don't worry, with me here, those bandits won't be able to get close to us."
The Third Prince spoke casually, but to Huang Andao, these words were like a bolt from the blue.
The sweat on Huang Andao's forehead dripped onto the floor tiles in front of him. Thinking of his old mother, wife and children in the capital, he couldn't help feeling a little regretful.
The Third Prince is so crazy, what will he do if he doesn't care? He is still a prince, and if the Emperor wants to let him go, wouldn't he be a nobody?
So tasteless? Jiang Youzhen frowned. This third prince really had no bottom line.
No matter what, you can't threaten someone's family, right? If you have the guts, you can plot and scheme.
Jiang Youzhen made up her mind that after returning, she would borrow a few experts from the Second Prince to go to the capital to protect Huang Andao's family.
This matter was caused by her, and Huang Andao was implicated. If it weren't for her, Huang Andao would not have offended the Third Prince.
"Well, today is the Luming Feast. I am here to disturb your enjoyment!"
The Third Prince looked around and everyone was afraid to breathe, because this man seemed to have a bad temper and was very domineering.
"Were you having an essay duel just now? Bring me your essays!"
How dare they neglect it? They immediately handed the article to the Third Prince.
The Third Prince randomly picked out a few and looked at them. He just glanced at them briefly and then asked, "Where is Jiang Jieyuan's article? I am also curious about her article."