Before the eunuch could present the evidence, the officials from humble backgrounds were already feeling weak, one of them nearly collapsing.
They all understood that Ye Siheng either kept quiet or ant business.
The eunuch approached, presenting docunts to each of the officials, and among them, Lord Jin’s stack was particularly thick.
No one dared to take them.
Ye Siheng held a teacup, blew off the foam, and said slowly, "Take a good look and check for any mistakes. I shouldn’t have wronged you."
Still, no one dared to accept them.
Perhaps they thought that by avoiding the docunts, they could buy themselves so ti.
Ye Siheng’s patience wore thin; he lifted his gaze and shot a cold look at them.
This frightened the officials from humble backgrounds, who quickly reached out to take the docunts. Just a glance turned their faces pale and made them tremble even more.
Not only recent events, but even from ten years ago when they had accepted bribes of one hundred taels, everything was docunted!
Lord Jin flipped through a few pages and imdiately prostrated himself, crying out, "Your Majesty, spare ! Your Highness, I was just... just montarily blinded by greed!"
The others hurriedly confessed, pleading for leniency.
The eunuch took the docunts back and presented them to Emperor Muwu for review.
At first, Emperor Muwu was puzzled by their extre fear, but after a brief glance, he slamd the docunts down, saying, "Good! A re vice minister of the Ministry of Justice has embezzled two hundred thousand taels! And you, with the surna Jin, have extorted three hundred thousand taels from the Ministry of Revenue over the years!"
Li Bin was stunned, nearly unable to believe it.
These humble officials were known for their integrity, living simply, and often displaying a façade of serving the people. Yet they had embezzled such vast amounts!
Ye Siheng added, "And this isn’t even the worst part. During the recent snow disaster, the Ministry of Revenue was short on funds, and Elder Cao led the officials in donating so silver. But you, I explicitly said that donations could be anonymous, yet you squandered this opportunity."
"I don’t even need to look at the list; I rember exactly how much each of you donated—three or five hundred taels to appease the emperor! Such cris deserve death; your families should face extermination."
At this, Emperor Muwu’s face turned dark with anger.
Seeing this, Ye Siheng quickly instructed the chief eunuch to bring in ginseng tea for the emperor. "Your Majesty, don’t be angry. These officials have played the role of the upright for years, and with the Supervisory Office keeping an eye on them, they’ve been too scared to spend their silver. The gold and jewels they’ve hidden are either in their private gardens or their family vaults. Just send soone to tally them up and transfer them to the national treasury."
Emperor Muwu sipped the ginseng tea and nodded. "Right, it’s not worth getting upset over these scoundrels."
anwhile, Lord Jin and the others were still knocking their heads on the ground, begging, "Your Majesty! Your Highness! We acknowledge our mistakes! We are willing to donate all our silver!"
Emperor Muwu replied, "Only when your deaths are imminent do you finally want to part with your silver. What were you doing before?!"
He rembered how hard he worked to raise disaster relief funds and felt a surge of anger in his chest.
While they donated three or five hundred taels, so only gave one hundred!
It was truly disgusting!
He waved his hand, ordering, "Take them away and have the Supervisory Office investigate thoroughly!"
None of them could be spared.
As for their family mbers, even if they escaped this calamity, they would still face exile.
They had once been the pride of their families, but after today, they would beco a source of sha and endless scorn.
Lord Jin and the others continued to plead for their lives.
Before the Imperial Guard dragged them away, they covered their mouths to prevent them from continuing their desperate cries.
Only three or five humble officials remained.
Their ranks varied, and though they had been greedy, their amounts were not significant.
At this mont, their faces were ashen, cold sweat dripping; they looked as if a gust of wind could blow them over.
They dared not raise their heads, waiting for Ye Siheng’s judgnt.
Unexpectedly, Ye Siheng asked, "Are you still going to petition for impeachnt?"
A few of them were taken aback, then glanced up at Ye Siheng.
After a mont, they realized he was referring to Li Bin’s situation.
One official quickly said, "Your Majesty, Your Highness, I’ve made so foolish mistakes over the years; I’ll return to my office and account for everything!"
He had no intention of dealing with the impeachnt matter.
The others echoed similar sentints.
Ye Siheng was quite satisfied and his expression softened. "I see you are genuinely concerned for the court and the people. The silver you’ve received isn’t much, so I won’t bring your docunts up. Fortunately, I haven’t misjudged you; you know how to be prudent."
He then instructed them to move the silver to the Supervisory Office late at night to avoid being seen, thus preserving their reputation.
They wiped the cold sweat from their foreheads, grateful for Ye Siheng’s kindness and protection, feeling indebted.
The officials practically crawled and rolled back to their offices.
Once Emperor Muwu saw them leave, he asked, "Ninth Brother, how much have they embezzled?"
"Thirty to fifty thousand taels, perhaps."
Emperor Muwu’s expression changed again. "Thirty to fifty thousand taels?! You’re letting them off so easily? Why didn’t you consult first! Do you still regard as your elder brother?!"
As the saying goes, "A single coin can defeat a hero." He was already troubled over the ten thousand taels needed for disaster relief and couldn’t bear to think of how long it would take to recover from it.
Ye Siheng said helplessly, "Your Majesty, let them have so leeway. If you kill them all, who will serve you as emperor?"
Emperor Muwu paused, then cald down. "You’re right."
He had been feeling angry and confused for a mont.
Since they were all officials in the court, it was normal to secure so silver for their own retirent; the amounts weren’t too large and previous emperors had seldom intervened.
After all, one needs to eat well to have the energy to work.
If pushed too hard, it could lead to trouble.
Those in power should be balanced in their approach.
anwhile, Li Bin felt quite uneasy.
Was this sothing he should hear?
But without the approval of Emperor Muwu and the Ninth Prince, he couldn’t withdraw.
Finally, Emperor Muwu rembered Li Bin. He looked over and sighed, "Li Bin, your father has worked hard for the country and the people over the years. You don’t need to be too harsh; occasionally go visit him."
With half of Elder Cao’s disciples gone, considering his temperant, he would either work tirelessly to restore his reputation or resign to return ho to retire.
Li Bin bowed and replied, "I will heed the emperor’s advice."
Whether or not he would actually go was another matter.
Ye Siheng and Li Bin left the side hall together.
Though Li Bin felt a bit fearful, he stepped forward to thank Ye Siheng. "Thank you, Your Highness, for your tily help today; I am deeply grateful."
"It was rely a coincidence," Ye Siheng said, looking at him. "Elder Cao has treated you well; maintaining your principles and assisting Second Brother in establishing an academy to educate poor children is no easy feat."
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