Free Web NovelChapter 1137: Chapter 973: Demoted One Rank
His shop is not large, and even if people want to buy weapons, few come to his shop.
Crafting weapons consumes a lot of iron, and if no one wants them, wouldn’t he lose money? For the sake of livelihood, Gu Chenglian decided not to craft them anymore.
If he could join the Military Equipment Bureau, he could deal with weapons daily.
"Third Brother, if this person is really an official of the Military Equipment Bureau, do you truly want to go there? Once inside the court, you won’t have such freedom anymore. Moreover, if you make a mistake, the punishment won’t be small. In the Military Equipment Bureau, you have to live on your monthly salary while supporting Little Yue and the others. You need to consider all these things."
Gu Chengyu felt he should be clear with Gu Chenglian; he could see that Gu Chenglian indeed had some passion for weapons.
But once in the court, how can it be so easy? Sometimes, when confidentiality is needed, you might not return home even once in ten days.
Mistakes will inevitably lead to punishment, definitely less free than running your own shop.
Apart from being able to handle weapons every day, there are no other benefits.
Crafting weapons daily would tire anyone out. The fear is that once Gu Chenglian really enters the Military Equipment Bureau, he will find it boring.
Gu Chenglian was stunned, for he had only thought about doing what he loved, but forgot there were so many intricacies involved.
"Third Brother, think it over carefully, there’s no rush with this. Let me inquire at the government office to see if this person really exists in the Ministry of Industry. Talking about it now is still too early."
Actually, Gu Chengyu hadn’t mentioned one thing: could a ninth-rank official have such great influence to let Gu Chenglian into the Military Equipment Bureau?
Even becoming a craftsman in the Military Equipment Bureau is not something just anyone can do. However, this matter should wait until he has inquired further.
Gu Chenglian felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured on him by Gu Chengyu, and he calmed down at that moment.
"It seems I hadn’t considered everything; Xiao Bao, you think things through better than I do. Let’s discuss this further once you’ve investigated this person’s background!"
The next day, as soon as Gu Chengyu arrived at the Dali Temple, Wang Zui came forward to report.
"Sir, a student just heard a piece of news, though I’m not sure if it’s true." Wang Zui had a mysterious look that piqued Gu Chengyu’s curiosity.
He hung his cloak on the rack and turned to ask, "What is the news?"
"This matter is related to you. It’s said that early this morning, the Prime Minister submitted a notice to the palace, asking the Emperor to show mercy to Mr. Min from the Hanlin Academy, but was reprimanded by the Emperor. The Emperor is very annoyed with officials involved in the Jiangnan flood case and ordered the Crown Prince to resolve it within three days."
This news from Wang Zui was undoubtedly significant. Gu Chengyu didn’t expect to hear such major news as soon as he stepped into the Dali Temple.
He looked deeply at Wang Zui, whose smile turned slightly stiff under his gaze.
It seemed this Wang Zui had quite a network within the court! He had managed to gather such important news not long after it happened.
Gu Chengyu turned his focus to the dossier on the table, casually asking, "Hasn’t this matter been dragging on for some time? Isn’t it reasonable for the Emperor to issue such an order?"
While looking at the file in hand, Gu Chengyu thought, the Emperor’s health was not yet restored, and this matter had originally been entrusted to the Crown Prince.
It seems the Crown Prince disagreed with releasing Min Feng unfettered, leading Xia Qing to hastily plead with the Emperor. After all, they’ve been back in the Capital for several days now, and Min Feng is still locked up in the Dali Temple.
However, whatever thoughts the Crown Prince may have, he hasn’t made any decisions regarding the corrupt officials involved, indicating the Emperor’s dissatisfaction with the Crown Prince’s efficiency in handling matters.
Indeed, this should be dealt with more decisively. Embezzling the funds allocated by the court for repairing the river embankment is utterly heinous.
Such officials could die a hundred times and still not make up for the wrongs they’ve committed. frёewebnoѵēl.com
Especially since the flood in Changtian Prefecture this time caused the death of many civilians. Who is supposed to bear such severe consequences?
If the corrupt officials aren’t severely punished, how can the people continue to trust the court?
Could it be that the Crown Prince is still gathering evidence? Gu Chengyu shook his head; he was being too indecisive.
At this time, a few of the officials with the most embezzlement should be apprehended as an example, and then the decisions on other officials can be made later.
Even without conclusive evidence, what of it? Is this still the era where everything needs concrete evidence?
Here, imperial authority represents everything. As long as a few significant figures are caught, the evidence doesn’t even need to be gathered; it will appear on its own.
Compared with the Emperor, the Crown Prince is ultimately too inexperienced, lacking the Emperor’s decisiveness and ruthlessness.
As an Emperor, sometimes you must have a cold and hard heart, or else how can you suppress those wily old foxes in the officialdom?
"Perhaps the Crown Prince has other plans? But at the time, the Emperor was furious, and simply demoted Mr. Min. The Ministry of Revenue is now processing the demotion documents, and he has been released from the Dali Temple."
"Oh? Released?" Gu Chengyu was a bit surprised; just demoted a rank? It seems the Emperor and Xia Qing reached some sort of agreement.
Actually, this matter can be seen as both significant and minor because only a hundred taels of gold were embezzled, not a large amount.
At most, add on a charge of dereliction of duty, which isn’t considered a major crime. The Emperor’s lenient approach might be due to favors from Xia Qing or perhaps for Xia Qing’s sake, showing leniency.
Nevertheless, these details are not important. Just when he was about to inquire about Min Feng’s current official position, a voice from Yun Zemin sounded at the door.
"Sir! The Crown Prince urgently summons you to the Eastern Palace to discuss matters!" Yun Zemin’s voice drew closer, and just as he finished speaking, he was already inside the room.
Seeing Wang Zui also in the room, Yun Zemin’s eyes flashed.
Gu Chengyu set down the dossier; the Crown Prince’s urgent summon was undoubtedly due to the Emperor’s recent order.
Not delaying, he donned his cloak and headed for the Eastern Palace.
"This official pays respects to the Crown Prince!" Upon entering the Eastern Palace, Gu Chengyu saw the Crown Prince looking extremely displeased.
"Gu Aiqing is here, no need for formalities!"
"Early this morning, because Chief Minister Xia secretly went to my father’s court to plead for his disciple, my father reprimanded him. Subsequently, my father ordered me to resolve the case of embezzlement regarding the river embankment within three days. However, I have already sent people to Jiangnan to collect evidence, and we should receive news in two days. My father’s urgency has caused Chief Minister Xia and myself to take the brunt of his displeasure."
Speaking of this matter, the Crown Prince also felt quite discontent.
Previously, Xia Qing did mention Min Feng’s matter, but since Min Feng had indeed accepted bribes, it couldn’t be brushed aside easily. Otherwise, it would set a negative precedent for other officials.
Unexpectedly, when Xia Qing’s request didn’t work here, he turned to plead with my father, leading to me being scolded harshly by my father, causing me to lose face.
"May I ask Your Highness, can evidence truly be gathered in two days?" Keeping his head low, Gu Chengyu asked a question that stumbled the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince couldn’t help but frown, "The evidence is certainly there; it’s just that those big fish won’t bite. The main culprits have insufficient evidence."
