20demayo Chapter 6: Suppressing Corrupt Officials, Confiscating Their Property, and the Public Cheers
Chapter 6: Suppressing Corrupt Officials, Confiscating Their Property, and the Public Cheers
Chapter Six: Suppressing Corrupt Officials, Confiscating Assets, and Encouraging Public Appeal
Emperor Yunxuan, as the ruler of the Yunxuan Kingdom, was keenly aware of the harm caused by corrupt officials, which he saw as a malignant tumor on the nation. He believed that without eradicating the root cause, the country could not achieve long-term stability. Therefore, he resolutely promulgated new laws, established the Procuratorate, and vigorously promoted the system of mutual supervision.
After their separation in the Imperial Study, the new laws were quickly established, and the Procuratorate was successfully set up. The list of the highest-ranking officials in the Procuratorate was also finalized: the highest-ranking official was Yun Tianlan of the Yun family, and the deputy chief prosecutor was Zhou Yifei of the Zhou family. This announcement caused an uproar, and some court officials even voiced their opposition! However, the resolute Yun Tianlan ignored the dissenting voices and acted swiftly, quickly deploying resources according to Emperor Yunxuan's instructions. He then petitioned Emperor Yunxuan to personally arrest corrupt officials! After receiving Emperor Yunxuan's approval, he and his subordinate Zhou Yifei went to the countryside to investigate the whereabouts and clues of corrupt officials. Initially, the people dared not speak, deliberately avoiding the topic or remaining silent when questioned. The investigation progressed very slowly, but finally, through door-to-door inquiries, Yun Tianlan and Zhou Yifei found a clue! Through meticulous investigation and careful examination, Yun Tianlan and Zhou Yifei finally uncovered the biggest lead!
Through meticulous investigation, one day, while the two were relaxing in a teahouse, listening to storytelling, the common people learned that Huo Tianlong, the eldest son of Huo Quan, the Minister of Revenue, was harassing innocent young women, using his power to coerce them into submission! His moral depravity was so extreme that it angered both heaven and man! The investigation into Huo Quan's son's coercion of innocent girls uncovered a much bigger fish! A beast who preyed on the people! The corrupt Minister of Revenue, Huo Quan!
Huo Quan, a corrupt official, held a high position and wielded great power. He should have been advocating for the people, but instead, he deviated from his duties, blinded by greed, and recklessly accepted bribes. The amount of money he embezzled was staggering, amounting to millions of taels of silver.
On that sunny day, Huo Tianlong, son of Huo Quan, the Minister of Revenue, was strolling down the street. He had an air of nonchalance about him, as if the world should obey his commands.
Suddenly, his gaze was drawn to a figure—He Cuizhu, who was on the street getting medicine for her seriously ill mother. The girl had delicate features, like a refined young lady, and was pitiful to all.
A wicked desire welled up in Huo Tianlong's heart, and he decided to take He Cuizhu as his concubine.
"Come with me, become my concubine, and I'll guarantee you wealth and honor," Huo Tianlong said domineeringly.
He Cuizhu looked at him in horror, vowing never to comply.
“I will never go with someone like you!” she replied firmly.
However, how could a weak woman possibly contend with so many servants? Soon, she was forcibly taken into the mansion and suffered a terrible ordeal.
After He Cuizhu was defiled, her father, Old Man He, learned of the incident. He was filled with anger and despair.
"I want justice for my daughter!" Old Man He roared, grabbing his wood-chopping knife and charging toward the Huo residence.
Huo Tianlong was struck in the arm by Old Man He's wood-chopping knife. Enraged, he ordered his servants to beat Old Man He to death.
Old Man He was too old to withstand the attack of his young and strong servants and died tragically.
When the news reached He Cuizhu's ears, her world completely collapsed.
"I must avenge my father!" she said through gritted teeth.
Driven by hatred, He Cuizhu embarks on her path of revenge. She searches far and wide for someone who can help her, constantly honing her will and abilities.
Finally, she encountered Yun Tianlan and Zhou Yifei, who were investigating a case. Hearing of her ordeal, Yun Tianlan and Zhou Yifei were filled with righteous indignation, vowing to punish such a beast. Yun Tianlan decided to lend a helping hand to He Cuizhu. The deeper she investigated, the more her anger burned like a raging fire! (◣д◢)
Huo Quan's son, Huo Tianlong, abused his father's power and acted lawlessly. He forcibly abducted a young girl, causing her family's ruin and death. When the girl's father tried to reason with him, he was brutally beaten and severely injured. The people dared not speak out, suffering unspeakable misery.
Huo Quan's daughter, Huo Xiaoyan, was no better. She competed with the nieces of powerful figures, bullied the jewelry store's young staff and shopkeepers, and was arrogant and domineering, which was outrageous.
In the bustling city, one day, Huo Xiaoyan, daughter of Huo Quan, the Minister of Revenue, came to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion to select jewelry. Just as she was carefully choosing, she happened to meet the prince's niece.
This prince's niece was beautiful and gentle, like a flower in spring, endearing to all. Huo Xiaoyan immediately took a liking to an exquisite hairpin, which happened to be the same one that the prince's niece also loved.
Looking at the prince's niece, Huo Xiaoyan couldn't help but feel jealous. Unwilling to lose to her in beauty, she decided to compete with the prince's niece.
"I want this hairpin, so get out of my way!" Huo Xiaoyan said arrogantly.
The prince's niece smiled slightly and said softly, "I was the one who took a liking to this hairpin first. There's always a first-come, first-served order to things, isn't there?"
To follow the principle of first come, first served, the shopkeeper sold the hairpin to the prince's niece. This action offended Huo Xiaoyan, who was furious and slapped the shopkeeper across the face.
"You dog of a servant, how dare you disobey me!" Huo Xiaoyan shouted angrily.
The waiter ran to the shopkeeper in tears, feeling wronged. The shopkeeper immediately came over to reason with him.
"Miss Huo, it was indeed the prince's niece who took a liking to it first. We must be fair in business," the shopkeeper explained with a smile.
Huo Xiaoyan was already angry, and after hearing the shopkeeper's words, she was even more furious.
"I don't care, I want this hairpin! Who does she think she is, daring to take it from me!" she shouted unreasonably.
By this time, a crowd of onlookers had gathered, pointing and whispering among themselves.
"This Miss Huo is too domineering."
"That's right, they bully people by taking advantage of their family's power."
Hearing the comments from the crowd, Huo Xiaoyan became even more furious and embarrassed.
"I'm going to take this hairpin, and nobody's going to stop me!"
Just as the situation reached a stalemate, a handsome young man walked in. He was a renowned scholar in the city!
The elegant young man looked at Huo Xiaoyan and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Miss Huo, why make such a fuss over a hairpin and lose your composure?"
Looking at the young man in front of her, Huo Xiaoyan felt a strange sense of shame and indignation that she couldn't quite describe.
"My affairs are none of your business!" she retorted defiantly.
The elegant young man smiled slightly and said, "If Miss Huo really likes this hairpin, I'd like to buy it and give it to you as an apology."
As he spoke, the young master took out some silver, bought the hairpin, and handed it to Huo Xiaoyan.
Huo Xiaoyan arrogantly accepted the hairpin and said, "I'll remember you! Humph! Just you wait!"
Then Huo Xiaoyan left the Hundred Treasures Pavilion!
Some officials in the court, having been bribed by Huo Quan, went against their conscience and recommended Huo Tianlong, hoping to give him an important position in the court.
Upon hearing all this, Yun Tianlan was enraged. He resolved to severely punish Huo Quan and his descendants and restore justice to the people.
Yun Tianlan accepted the order and led officials to Huo Quan's residence for a thorough search. He meticulously examined every room, leaving no corner unchecked. He personally pried open walls, moved furniture, and dug deep into the ground, determined to find hidden treasures.
Upon discovering a secluded basement, Yun Tianlan's heart raced. The room was extremely well-hidden, potentially containing crucial evidence. He entered, holding a torch to illuminate the surroundings. Sure enough, he found several chests filled with gold and silver.
Yun Tianlan was enraged. This was all the blood and sweat of the people, yet it had been seized by Huo Quan. His resolve hardened, and he was determined to bring Huo Quan to justice.
With conclusive evidence, the case was reported to Yun Tianlan. Upon learning the truth, Yun Tianlan was furious and immediately issued an edict for severe punishment.
During the raid, the officers and soldiers searched meticulously, leaving no corner unchecked for potential hiding places of treasure. They moved furniture, pried up floor tiles, and even climbed onto the roof to inspect the property. The sheer quantity of confiscated items was staggering.
After learning that Huo Quan's family had been raided, He Cuizhu found Yun Tianlan and knelt down to thank him for bringing Huo Quan's family to justice! She also promised Yun Tianlan that she would do anything he asked of her!
Having experienced this, Yun Tianlan was filled with a strong sense of responsibility and mission towards the people of Yunxuan Kingdom! His resolve was even stronger! He would never let a single corrupt official go unpunished!
When the people learned that the notorious corrupt official Huo Quan had been brought down, they cheered and applauded. Seeing this, Yun Tianlan was greatly pleased.
With a vision for the future in mind, Yun Tianlan resolved to work tirelessly to make Yunxuan Kingdom even more prosperous. He ordered every official to uphold the principles of integrity and public service, wholeheartedly dedicating themselves to the well-being of the people, ensuring their peaceful and happy lives. He believed that under the effective governance of these officials, Yunxuan Kingdom's future would surely be as bright and glorious as the rising sun!
After Huo Quan's property was confiscated, part of it was put to the public good, while the portion belonging to the common people was returned to them in full by order of Emperor Yunxuan! The people cheered with joy! They exclaimed that Emperor Yunxuan cared for the people of the world! It was a blessing for the people of Yunxuan! Emperor Yunxuan was a wise ruler! Emperor Yunxuan was deeply gratified! His belief in making Yunxuan Kingdom even stronger grew stronger! He believed that with unremitting efforts, Yunxuan Kingdom would surely present a scene of officials being dutiful and dedicated to their duties, people living in peace and prosperity, and the country gradually becoming prosperous and strong—a scene of peace and flourishing! (′▽｀)ノ? It will definitely happen!!
Bored, Cheng Ruyi leisurely munched on her chubby little hand in Fengyi Palace, chatting idly with the system. She was still worried about the current state of Yunxuan Kingdom, hoping to help her adoptive father, the Emperor. Although she had transmigrated from the modern era of the future, the Empress and Emperor were considered her biological parents in this life. Moreover, the Emperor and Empress doted on her immensely, giving her the very best, allowing her to deeply experience the warmth of parental love. Deep down, she regarded them as her own parents. The more Cheng Ruyi cherished this love, the more she wanted her family to prosper and her father's Yunxuan Kingdom to become stronger. She wanted to do even more for her father.
Cheng Ruyi was chatting with the system, discussing the best way to deliver sweet potatoes and cotton to her father, the Emperor, and how to get firearms into Yunxuan Kingdom!
"Big White! How can we make the appearance of the sweet potato cotton less abrupt, without arousing suspicion against me?! And how can we perfectly solve the problem of food, clothing, and daily necessities for the people of Yunxuan Kingdom?! Could we ask Bai Er, Bai San, and Xiao Bai Si to take my prince brothers on a treasure hunt? Then, if Bai Er finds the sweet potato cotton, can we give it to my other prince brothers? We can't let my third brother go; he already made a splash at the 100-day banquet! I'm afraid Father will suspect something! This time, Big White, why don't you randomly select the next 'Lucky' brother? There are eight brothers in total! Big White, why don't you think about making some arrangements?!"
"Little Master, leave these problems to Da Bai! Little Master doesn't need to worry about these trivial matters! Your most important thing now is to grow up quickly! Speaking of which, Little Master will be one year old soon! Your first birthday is coming up! Given how much Emperor Yunxuan dotes on Little Master, I believe Emperor Yunxuan and the Empress will definitely prepare a birthday banquet for Little Master! Let's save the surprise for the first birthday banquet! On your first birthday, Little Master will also unlock a new function, and the system will be upgraded again!"
Hearing Da Bai's answer, Cheng Ruyi was secretly delighted: "Having a system is just too awesome! Having a sensible and obedient system makes things so much easier! Da Bai, I love you so much!!"