Xiang Nan carefully read through the six archives and carefully thought about the future plans to rejuvenate the country.
At the same time, Gao Ming was investigating Li Min''s misappropriation of the copper used to cast Buddhas and cast private money.
In the play, Li Chengyin took Qu Xiaofeng to investigate the case. As a result, not only did he fail to catch Li Min, but he was set up to bite him back.
?The chicken was stolen but the rice was lost, and Qu Xiaofeng was jealous of Li Chengye and was almost poisoned to death. It can be said to be extremely stupid and blind.
Actually, he could have told Gao Ming the clues he collected. With Gao Ming''s skill and power, he can naturally turn this case into an ironclad case so that Prince Zhong and his son will never be able to turn around again.
In this way, you can not only get closer to Gao Ming, but also don’t have to go into battle yourself. It can be said to kill two birds with one stone.
The power in Shangjing was higher than that of Ming Dynasty, and much stronger than Chai Mu''s Qianlong envoy.
??He quickly found the craftsmen responsible for casting the Buddha statues, asked them about the detailed process of casting the Buddha statues, and found out what Li Min had done.
??Then through the records of large-scale charcoal sales, we successfully found the workshop where Li Min minted counterfeit coins, which was near the training center of Tongchang Army, the private army of Prince Zhong''s Mansion.
“He is really brave, he actually set up his workshop here.” Gao Ming sneered.
“Yeah, the kid thought he would hide the mint workshop in the mountains, but he didn’t expect that he would play the trick under the lamp.” Gao Kun also said with admiration.
??Had Gao Mingya not been smart enough to start with the charcoal business, they would have almost missed it.
The reason why we started with charcoal trading is because to melt copper blocks requires extremely high temperatures, so a large amount of charcoal is needed. In the capital, it is impossible to buy and sell such a large amount of charcoal without leaving records.
Gao Ming nodded.
He did not expect that Li Min would be so bold at first, but fortunately he was not misled.
“Father, we can put on a good show this time, and maybe we can capture the crown prince in one fell swoop.” Gao Kun said again.
“If you bite off more than you can chew, just take down Li Min.” Upon hearing this, Gao Ming waved his hand.
He knew that the crown prince had just been established, and it was impossible for Li Shi to depose Li Chengye as the crown prince so quickly. In that case, it would not only be the incompetence of the prince, but also the incompetence of his emperor.
?Gao Kun nodded.
…
?In the next few days, some courtiers came forward one after another, saying that there was an overflow of private money in the world, and begged the emperor to order an official to investigate and deal with it.
"Your Majesty, private money is running rampant today. Among the thousand new coins, the official coins are only four hundred, but the private coins are as much as six hundred, which is one and a half times more than the official coins. We must pay attention to it."
“Your Majesty, the minting of private money is so rampant, it shows that the criminals are bold. Once caught, they must be severely punished, otherwise it will not be able to serve as a warning to the monkeys!”
"Your Majesty, the overflow of private money has caused heavy losses to the imperial court. If it is not investigated and dealt with, I am afraid that the imperial court''s finances will be unsustainable. I respectfully ask your Majesty to investigate strictly and ensure that the criminals go unpunished."
The ministers reported one by one in the palace.
Xiang Nan was also in the palace. He noticed Li Chengye, Li Min, and King Zhong. He saw that all the ministers asked for an investigation into the private money case, and everyone''s expressions were a little unnatural.
"Sure enough, I have never done anything bad in my life, and I am not afraid of ghosts knocking on the door in the middle of the night." Xiang Nan couldn''t help but think, "Looking at how scared you are, you sure have done a lot of bad things."
?Seeing that all the ministers were filled with righteous indignation, Li Zuo had to deal with it carefully.
“Where is the Minister of Punishment?” He then asked.
“I’m here!” Zong Huan, the Minister of Punishment, immediately left the office and knelt down.
"I order you to find out the private money matter as soon as possible." Li Zuo said.
"I accept the order!" Zong Huan nodded immediately.
…
?Zong Huan has just received an order to investigate the private money case.
The next day, news came out in the capital that people dug up a large amount of fake money near the Tongchang Army training ground. Zong Huan then went to investigate and soon discovered a workshop where copper coins were cast privately.
?Although after the private money case occurred, Li Chengye and Li Min had already closed their workshops as soon as possible, destroyed the furnaces, and transferred the craftsmen. But wherever you walk, you will leave traces.
Abandoned furnaces, abandoned residues, burned charcoal ash...it is impossible to cover them all.
The discovery of the mint workshop caused an uproar in the court.
“Your Majesty, this workshop is located near Tongchang Army, but it has not been discovered for dozens of days. I am afraid there must be a reason for this!”
"Your Majesty, according to the people nearby, the workshop is busy working day and night, with smoke and dust billowing and flames shooting into the sky. It is impossible for Tongchang''s army not to see it."
"Your Majesty, if you dare to mint so much private money, the person behind the scenes must have great hands and eyes and a high position to cover it up. I sincerely ask your Majesty to get to the bottom of it and bring justice to the people of the world."
All the ministers came forward one after another.
?Hearing what the ministers said, Li Chengye, Li Fu, and Li Fu turned pale.
None of them expected that the private money workshop would be exposed so quickly, catching them off guard.
?Li Hao also looked livid.
He knew that the Tongchang army was the army of King Zhong. The private money workshop is located near the Tongchang Army Training Center. It is obvious that King Zhong and Li Min are the real culprits behind the scenes.
? He ??is so smart, it is not difficult to imagine that Li Min was transferred from the Minister of War to the Ministry of Household Affairs to take charge of the affairs, and was also responsible for the casting of Buddha statues in Wanfo Temple.
Since then, so much privately minted new money has poured out, and the timing is so consistent, it must have something to do with him.
Coupled with the fact that their expressions are so unnatural now, Li Hao is even more convinced of this. Moreover, he believed that Li Chengye knew about this matter and might even be the direct planner.
To be honest, it is impossible for him not to be angry or disappointed.
The reason why he made Li Chengye the prince was to support him in his fight with Gao Ming.
After all, the king is all about balance.
?But unexpectedly, Li Chengye did not fight with Gao Ming, but instead poached the country.
?Furthermore, why did he mint so much private money?
It is nothing more than winning over courtiers, raising dead soldiers, and equipping private armies. And such an action is already a crime of rebellion.
Li Hao couldn''t help but sigh.
…
??It''s just that now, Li Hao still wants to protect Li Chengye again.
First of all, Li Chengye was the force he supported to fight against Gao Xiang. If Li Chengye collapses, the Prime Minister''s family will dominate the court, which will not be easy for him to rule;
Secondly, Li Chengye had just assumed the position of prince, less than a month ago. If he were deposed immediately, he would lose not only his face, but also his own face as the emperor.
At this moment, I heard King Zhong kneel on the ground when he left his job, shouting loudly, "Your Majesty, all the ministers are completely slandering me. I have always been loyal and devoted to the country and the people, so how could I be involved in this money casting case.
?Although the mint workshop is near the Tongchang Army training ground, it has nothing to do with the Tongchang Army. I dare to use my head as a guarantee. I sincerely ask the Emperor to investigate clearly and clear the old minister''s name. "
"Prince Zhong, no one said that you have anything to do with the mint. Aren''t you just asking for it?" Ye Cheng, the Minister of Civil Affairs, sneered.
“You are just slandering me!” King Zhong shouted immediately.
“Whether it is slander or not, Prince Zhong knows best.” Ye Cheng curled his lips and said.
“You are spitting blood!” King Zhong shouted.
"That''s enough!" Li Hao snorted coldly, "Shang Shu of the Ministry of Punishment, I leave this case to you to continue investigating, and make sure to get to the bottom of it."