"Your Highness, Your Highness..."
Liang Shicheng's words left Fan Zhixu speechless. It was truly a case of "mud falling into the trousers – it's not dung, but it's also not right..."
"Master Yuan, what do you think of this matter?"
After casting a cold smile at them, Zhao Ji turned to Cai Jing, who was beside him.
"Such important documents, and both of you have shelved them. It seems you don't need your current positions!"
These two documents involved the ownership of tens of millions of *guan* in wealth, at least on the surface. Cai Jing, now remembering them, wouldn't show them any mercy.
"In that case, I shall entrust this matter to Master Yuan for handling!"
After giving Cai Jing a deep look, Zhao Ji suddenly said with a cold laugh.
"Yes!"
Seeing that the Emperor had finally relented, Cai Jing felt a sense of relief.
It seemed his sacrifice had finally earned the Emperor's understanding.
Although the price was indeed considerable, he had, at least, safely navigated this immediate crisis.
"Your Majesty, I am wronged, I am wronged!"
Just an hour ago, he was the highly esteemed Shao Yin of Kaifeng Prefecture. Now, in such a short time, he had become a disgraced official ordered to be confined. Du Chong truly had the urge to smash his head against a wall.
"Lord Du, Lord Fan, Lord Geng, all three of you had stated with certainty that Han Mo harbored malicious intentions. Then, pray tell, where is the Pu family's fortune of 16 million *guan* in Bianliang City?"
Even though these two were already in dire straits, Han Mo had no intention of letting them off the hook.
If it were merely two documents, they might have suffered a minor setback, perhaps a demotion of one or two ranks, and that would be it.
Since the feud had already begun, it would be a disservice to himself not to step on them a few more times while he had the chance!
Moreover, compared to them, Geng Nanzhong had yet to face any repercussions at all.
"This, this, how would I know where the Pu family's wealth is?"
With Fan Zhiyi and Du Chong in such deep trouble, Geng Nanzhong dared not respond.
"You don't know? Since Lord Geng does not know the whereabouts of the Pu family's assets, then who wrote this letter?"
As Han Mo spoke, he sneered and took out another letter from his sleeve, holding it high with both hands.
"Present it!"
Seeing Han Mo's posture, Zhao Ji calmly spoke again.
"Yes!"
A nearby eunuch responded with a nod and quickly rushed over. He received the letter with both hands and carefully handed it to Zhao Ji.
"Well done, Geng Nanzhong. You explain to Us what this letter is all about!"
As Zhao Ji spoke, he directly threw the letter in front of Geng Nanzhong.
Trembling, he reached out and picked up the envelope. After glancing at the contents, Geng Nanzhong was so terrified that his whole body began to shake.
He was one hundred percent certain that the letter had been forged to imitate his handwriting. However, the imitation was too perfect. Both his signature and his peculiar mannerisms were captured with uncanny accuracy.
At this moment, even if he had a thousand mouths, he couldn't explain himself!
"Reporting to Your Majesty, this letter is fake! Han Mo is framing this humble official!"
"Do you take Us for a blind man? Don't We recognize your handwriting!"
His denial only worsened matters. Emperor Zhao Ji could no longer contain his anger.
The Emperor's words instantly sealed Geng Nanzhong's fate. Even if the letter wasn't written by him, it now had to be.
"Your, Your Majesty..."
With a pleading look towards the Crown Prince, Geng Nanzhong was truly at a loss for words.
No matter how foolish he was, he wouldn't be so careless as to let Han Mo get his hands on his personal correspondence!
But the Emperor had already spoken, and to argue further would be to slap the Emperor in the face.
"Guards, drag Geng Nanzhong out! Dismiss him from his post and investigate him thoroughly. He shall never be reappointed!"
Zhao Ji, in his anger, waved his hand without a second thought, completely ending Geng Nanzhong's political career.
"Your Majesty is wise!"
After hearing the Emperor's words, Han Mo sincerely offered a flattering remark.
With Geng Nanzhong and Huang Qianshan dealt with, the pro-surrender faction in the court should not be as formidable when the Jin invaders arrived.
"You mentioned earlier that the Pu family has assets worth 16 million *guan* in Bianliang City. Do you have any evidence for this matter?"
Zhao Ji, who was desperately short of funds, was naturally unwilling to let go of such an opportunity when he heard about such a large sum of money right under his nose.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, as far as this humble official knows, that is indeed the case. However, the account books are still on their way, and it will likely take two or three more days for Your Majesty to see them!"
As Han Mo spoke, he turned his head to glance at Wang Bu standing beside him.
Zhao Ji, seated on the throne, saw Han Mo's subtle gesture clearly.
Zhao Ji was aware of this, and Wang Bu certainly was too.
The moment Han Mo looked at him, Wang Bu's heart nearly leaped out of his throat.
If they weren't in full view of everyone, he would have loved to point at Han Mo's nose and curse him out.
Just talk normally, why are you looking at me!
"Minister Wang!"
Just as Wang Bu was so nervous he didn't know where to put his hands, Zhao Ji suddenly spoke with a cold smile.
"This humble official is here!"
"Since there is such a vast fortune in Bianliang City, perhaps you could trouble yourself, Minister, to find it for Us!"
"This..."
Upon hearing the Emperor's words, Wang Bu almost burst into tears.
It was true that the Pu family had assets in Bianliang City, but all of it added up to no more than three to four million *guan* at most.
What Han Mo mentioned earlier, 16 million *guan*, was clearly a trap set by this young man!
The Pu family's foundation was in Mingzhou and Quanzhou. How could they possibly keep such a large sum of wealth in Bianliang City?
The 16 million *guan* that Han Mo referred to was actually the bribe money that the Pu family allocated from their annual profits to curry favor with officials.
Han Mo had deliberately erased all expenditures, thus fabricating the sum of 16 million *guan*!
And now, the Emperor had spoken, ordering him, the Shao Zai, to unearth this sum. Wasn't this clearly asking him to cough up 16 million *guan* himself?