"But then again, this Lin Lingsu is truly willing to spend money! These nine divine statues are nine grand halls, and the combined expenses must be in the millions of strings of cash..."
As they walked, the coachman couldn't help but speak.
"Look at the common folk in the city, living such difficult lives. It's not a bad thing for someone to spend money to give them some work to do?"
Yuan Xingchi said this dismissively.
After all, this money was originally extorted from the common folk by those Daoists. Now, for them to take it out was merely returning it to the people.
While they were engaged in their schemes, in Wang Fu's study, Wang Fu, with a cold sneer, was looking at the intelligence gathered from various sources.
"Is there still no one coming forward to protect him?"
Wang Fu's face was full of a cold sneer.
"Not yet, my lord. Could our information be wrong? Did this fellow act on his own initiative?"
The situation was becoming increasingly bizarre. Although Huang Qianshan had not yet conceded, the evidence was irrefutable. If no one were to protect him this time, then losing his official position would be the lightest punishment.
However, even at this late hour, the person behind him still showed no reaction, making Qin Hui a little restless.
After all, everyone in the court knew that Huang Qianshan had been introduced by Zhang Bangchang and had joined his faction.
If Wang Fu were to abandon him now, what would the subordinates think?
What would those who wished to pledge allegiance to Wang Fu think?
The inclination of people's hearts was invisible and intangible, but at critical moments, it could influence the court's affairs!
"No rush, let's see!"
After a moment of contemplation, Wang Fu raised his head again.
"However, this case has already reached the heavens. If it truly comes to the final stage, it will be difficult to handle..."
"What is there to fear? Not only will I not protect him, but I will also impeach him. I want to see if the person behind him dares to show themselves!"
As Wang Fu spoke, he glared fiercely at Qin Hui.
"My lord, at this juncture, doing so might..."
Qin Hui had only spoken halfway when he saw Wang Fu's furrowed brow and his clearly displeased expression.
"Very well, this matter is decided. Cai Jing certainly needs to be dealt with, but this person cannot be let off either. Otherwise, I fear that in a short time, any cat or dog will dare to use me to establish their authority!"
Hearing him say this, Qin Hui couldn't help but give a wry smile.
Although he had known for a long time that this might be the outcome, when the moment truly arrived, he still felt so powerless.
It couldn't be helped, this person was Wang Fu...
On major matters, he might still be open to discussion, but once it involved certain peculiar points, Wang Fu would absolutely not listen to anyone's advice.
"Yes!"
As things stood, he could only cup his hands towards Wang Fu and agree with a helpless expression.
Under everyone's attention, this case, which was already somewhat strange, became even stranger.
Du Chong, the judge personally appointed by the emperor, looked at the thick stack of documents, and his heart truly felt more and more troubled.
From all indications, if no powerful figure intervened, Huang Qianshan was definitely finished for life.
After all, he didn't even need to speak. The documents left behind and the solid evidence provided by the current witnesses would likely make it impossible for him to escape the crime of deceiving the emperor, even if he were an immortal.
Huang Qianshan was doomed. If this fellow suddenly became nervous and said something unpleasant in the Kaifeng Prefecture hall, then things would truly become interesting.
Although, after serving as the Deputy Minister of Kaifeng Prefecture, in terms of seniority, he had already qualified to serve as a Vice Minister in the Six Ministries.
This position not only served as a stepping stone for promotion but also allowed him to expand his network of contacts.
It was precisely for this reason that after Nie Shan resigned, he spared no expense in lobbying and finally, with Cai You's recommendation, successfully ascended to his current position.
Since he became the Deputy Minister of Kaifeng Prefecture, not only had Cai You become more polite when speaking to him, but even Wang Fu would nod when he met him.
It was known that in the past, low-ranking officials like him, upon seeing Wang Fu, let alone receiving a bow in return, would likely be impeached for disrespect if their bowing gestures were even slightly slow.
This tiny bit of pathetic self-esteem had made him feel invigorated countless times in the dead of night.
But today, he truly regretted it.
Before Huang Qianshan arrived, he had still harbored some expectations, hoping to handle this case brilliantly and successfully unearth the mastermind behind it.
However, as various documents surfaced, his heart became increasingly uncertain.
The letters found in Huang Qianshan's study not only included those from Yu Shen and Bai Shizhong, but also from Wang Fu, Zhang Bangchang, and Cai You...
A mere prefect of Meng Prefecture was repeatedly jumping between the three largest factions in the court. The level of stimulation from this matter was increasing exponentially.
"My lord, your subordinate just saw Judge Yang quietly enter the dungeon..."
As Du Chong found himself in a dilemma, a confidant quietly walked in and said in a low voice near his ear.
"Yang Chengchou?"
"That's right. Your subordinate saw it with his own eyes. Lord Yang just went in about half an incense stick's worth of time ago, and he's the only one in the dungeon right now..."
Hearing this, Du Chong stood up directly from his chair.
However, just as he was about to walk out the door, he suddenly reined in his steps.
"You may go down now. Do not tell anyone about this matter, just pretend you know nothing!"
"My lord..."
"I said, pretend you know nothing!"
After exhaling a long breath, Du Chong slumped back onto the chair dejectedly.
Yang Chengchou was Cai Jing's man; he had known this since his first day in office.
At this moment, although he did not know why Yang Chengchou was meeting Huang Qianshan,
He knew that he, a mere Deputy Minister of Kaifeng Prefecture, could not withstand Cai Jing's deathbed counterattack.
No matter what this Lord Cai and the celestial beings behind him intended to do, in this matter, he truly wanted to adhere to the principle of avoiding and hiding if possible.
After all, when the big bosses opened their mouths, the little subordinates below would have to run themselves ragged.
Although he had received favors from Cai You, he had not yet reached the point of dying for him.
As long as his own safety was not threatened, helping to smooth things over and delay the timing was the limit of what he could do...
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