Although Zhao Ji was decadent and incompetent, his talent was undoubtedly of the highest caliber among the emperors of the Northern and Southern Song dynasties. Otherwise, his artistic achievements would not have reached such heights.
After reviewing these documents, he immediately identified the core of the problem.
In the third year of Yuanfu, local officials in Qin Prefecture reported a major earthquake, which caused heavy casualties and destroyed countless houses and fields.
This was not immediately apparent in Qin Prefecture's local tax revenue, but it was clearly visible in the overall financial accounts of the Xihe Circuit.
After all, the Great Song Dynasty implemented a policy of regional dispatch by the transport commissioners. After each circuit fulfilled its quota to the central court, the remaining portion was allocated based on the actual situation of the year.
This meant that if a prefecture or county within a circuit was affected by disaster, the local transport commissioner would mobilize grain and provisions from neighboring prefectures and counties for immediate relief.
Only when the disaster was too severe for local authorities to handle relief efforts would they petition the imperial court for financial aid from the central treasury or utilize the local Changping granaries for disaster relief.
From the accounts of the Xihe Circuit, it was evident that nearly all the financial resources and grain that could be mobilized from other prefectures and counties in the entire circuit had been transferred to Qin Prefecture.
Moreover, the taxes collected by Qin Prefecture directly decreased by forty percent compared to previous years.
Even several county magistrates received a below-average rating in their official evaluations due to this, indicating the severity of the disaster that year.
However, the memorials submitted by Huang Qianshan that year did not reflect the severity of the local disaster at all.
While memorials could be falsified, financial accounts could not.
With both items side-by-side, Emperor Zhao Ji instantly made his judgment.
"Shoudao, this matter will likely have to be handled by you! Dispatch a few trusted confidantes to Qin Prefecture to ascertain what truly happened back then on my behalf!"
As Zhao Ji spoke, his expression turned extremely grim.
"What about Huang Qianshan?"
After a moment of hesitation, Liang Shicheng tentatively asked.
"Where is Huang Qianshan now?"
Recalling his many misfortunes over the years, Zhao Ji immediately channeled all his anger towards Huang Qianshan.
As he uttered his name, a murderous glint flashed in his eyes.
"At present, he is serving as the prefectural governor in Meng Prefecture…"
"First, send people to investigate this matter thoroughly. If he indeed falsified the records back then, I will not forgive him!"
Zhao Ji was a staunch believer in geomancy and divination.
After all, he himself was a beneficiary of these practices.
When Emperor Huizong first ascended the throne, despite having numerous consorts, he had not yet produced an heir.
The Grand Heavenly Master Zhang Hunkang, after surveying the feng shui of the imperial palace, reported directly to Emperor Huizong that the northwestern corner of the palace was too low, which affected the emperor's fertility.
Upon hearing his explanation, Zhao Ji immediately ordered the northwestern area to be raised by three feet and three inches. Subsequently, he indeed had many children, producing over a dozen imperial princes and princesses over the years.
With such an experience, he naturally placed immense faith in Lin Lingsu's words.
"Yes!"
After Liang Shicheng acknowledged, he immediately turned to prepare to instruct his subordinates to head to Qin Prefecture.
"Oh, and after you're done, go to the Divine Heavens Palace to check on Mr. Yuanmiao. See how he's doing!"
Just as Liang Shicheng was about to reach the door, Zhao Ji suddenly spoke again.
"Yes!"
Upon hearing this, Liang Shicheng's heart leaped with joy, as this was exactly what he had hoped for.
Although Lin Lingsu had not contacted him beforehand, as all the information pointed towards the imperial court's manipulation, he had already formed a general suspicion.
After all, Zhe Wanchun had just requested a batch of documents from him!
These documents were all related to Huang Qianshan!
Given his cunning nature, how could he believe this was a coincidence?
However, he still needed to have a thorough discussion with Lin Lingsu about the exact circumstances.
Yuan Xingchi and the others had orchestrated such a grand play, and now was the perfect opportunity for him to add a bit more to the performance for his own benefit.
The monks of the Xiangguo Temple had become too audacious lately.
Furthermore, just a few days ago, an ignorant old bald monk had whispered into the Crown Prince's ear that his subordinates were excessively murderous, thus harming his virtue. Wasn't this clearly targeting Liang Shicheng?
After all, the venerable figures serving the Crown Prince were all self-righteous. Besides Liang Shicheng's subordinates, who else was excessively murderous?
If he didn't teach these old bald donkeys a lesson, they would truly believe they could now rise to power!
And now, wasn't this the best opportunity?
Exiting the Fu Ning Hall, Liang Shicheng selected two sensible individuals from his godchildren, dispatched them to Qin Prefecture, and then immediately took his carriage back to the Divine Heavens Palace.
"Grand Commandant Liang, why have you come?"
Seeing Liang Shicheng's carriage return, Zhang Ruhui hurried to greet him.
"The Emperor is concerned about Mr. Yuanmiao's health and specifically asked me to check on the imperial physicians' progress!"
Zhao Ji's words earlier provided Liang Shicheng with a respectable reason, and he uttered it with ease.
"Thank you for your concern, Grand Commandant Liang. Although Master's injuries are severe, his condition has already improved considerably!"
"Since his condition has improved, please lead the way. I must see him personally before reporting back to the Emperor!"
Lin Lingsu's performance of this ploy of self-inflicted injury truly impressed Liang Shicheng. This old fellow had truly spared no expense this time.
Even at his current standing, he could still muster the resolve to do such a thing.
Despite Lin Lingsu's esteemed position, the imperial physicians surrounding the Emperor were not easily deceived.
If they discovered any genuine impropriety, the consequences would be dire in an instant!
After all, whether these Daoists or eunuchs, before the Emperor, they were merely clowns.
If the Emperor wished to execute them, there was no need to involve the three judicial departments; a single imperial decree would suffice to send their heads rolling!