Eternal Life as False Emperor-Chapter 136 - 104: Corruption Case Exposed

[Absorb Pure Yin Qi, Lifespan +20;]

[Absorb Pure Yin Qi, Acquire "Eternal Spring Skill";]

[Absorb Pure Yin Qi, Acquire "Seven-star Swordsmanship";]

[Absorb Pure Yin Qi, Acquire "Vitality Purple Mist Technique";]

[Absorb Pure Yin Qi, Gold Attribute Spirit Root +5;]

[Absorb Pure Yin Qi, Earth Attribute Spirit Root +3.]

[Absorb Pure Yin Qi, Water Attribute Spirit Root +2]

[Absorb Pure Yin Qi, Magical Power +10.]

[Absorb Yin Qi, Magical Power +1.]

[Absorb Yin Qi, "Vitality Purple Mist Technique" +1.]

In the bedchamber, Zheng Yi held Yuheng Zhenren close, her Daoist robe torn and her fair skin shimmering with a mysterious luster under the light.

After seeing the words appear on the Yin Yang Treasure Mirror, he was filled with excitement.

As expected!

This Zhuang Yuheng was indeed a cultivator!

And she was even a Three Spirit Roots Cultivator!

Compared to Cui Xiabing and Yue Chan, although her aptitude was not as good, the rewards obtained from her far surpassed those from Cui Xiabing and Yue Chan.

Not only the "Eternal Spring Skill" and "Seven-star Swordsmanship," but also the "Vitality Purple Mist Technique"!

Zhao Xizheng's treasured cultivation technique was thus simply within his grasp.

Unfortunately, he did not have the complete content of the "Vitality Purple Mist Technique," but it was better than nothing.

And the Gold Attribute Spirit Root!

Yuheng Zhenren, with her Gold Attribute Spirit Root, after dual cultivation, he also acquired it.

In the Five Elements Spirit Root of Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth, he had already obtained four attributes except for the last Fire attribute, almost reaching the Five Elements Perfection.

He learned from Cui Xiabing that during cultivation, the fewer the spirit root attributes, the better, ideally having only a single attribute.

A single attribute spirit root is called a Top-grade Spirit Root, and its cultivation speed is several times that of other multi-attribute spirit roots!

But this limitation was insignificant to Zheng Yi.

With the Yin Yang Treasure Mirror, he could extract spirit root aptitude from female cultivators without limit.

The more female cultivators he engaged in dual cultivation with, the more spirit root aptitude he could amass.

Quantity changes into quality, and the Five Elements Spirit Root would eventually reach Top-grade, even Celestial Spirit Root!

And unlike other consorts, Yuheng Zhenren's performance during the night was too... inexperienced!

Or rather, very indifferent.

In the beginning, no matter how Zheng Yi coerced, she remained indifferent, at most gritting her teeth in endurance.

Until the end, the tightly held silver teeth gently released, akin to a cuckoo weeping blood.

Particularly, her Daoist robe added to her allure.

This peculiar sensation intrigued Zheng Yi immensely.

And under Zheng Yi's sweet talk, Zhuang Yuheng also opened her heart, sharing some personal matters.

About two years ago, she was taken as a disciple by Zhao Xizheng, who had recently broken through, and was taught the first three layers of the "Vitality Purple Mist Technique."

Then she was directly sent to the Imperial Palace.

Since then, she had been left to cultivate on her own, occasionally visited by Zhao Suling.

In the past two years, she diligently practiced the "Vitality Purple Mist Technique," reaching the second layer of Qi Cultivation in just two short years.

Not until a few months ago, when Zhao Suling approached her, did she realize her technique was actually a cultivation method, which greatly surprised her.

Zheng Yi speculated that perhaps this was Zhao Xizheng's means of appeasement or a 'trade.'

He gave Zheng Yi a consort capable of cultivation, and in return, Zheng Yi was to grant Taiyii Dao various privileges.

Zhuang Yuheng likely did not yet realize she was merely a pawn used by Zhao Xizheng, despite being his disciple.

It's assumed there's another true cultivator in Taiyii Dao.

This person would be Zhao Xizheng's true disciple!

Zheng Yi lovingly touched Zhuang Yuheng's forehead, thinking she was truly a pitiable soul.

"Uh... Your Majesty?"

In a daze, Zhuang Yuheng woke up and shyly glanced at Zheng Yi.

"What is my beloved concubine thinking about?"

"I was pondering how the matters between man and woman could be so... wonderful?"

Having experienced intimacy for the first time, Zhuang Yuheng looked a bit embarrassed.

Zheng Yi said, "The relations between husband and wife are a major principle of human relations; why hide it?"

"Rest assured, my beloved, I will let you experience the most beautiful sensations in the world."

"Thank you, Your Majesty~"

Zheng Yi inquired, "By the way, my beloved, does your 'Vitality Purple Mist Technique' have a complete sequel?"

Zhuang Yuheng shook her head and said, "Master only imparted the first three layers of the 'Vitality Purple Mist Technique,' saying it would suffice for ten years of effort."

She hesitated and added, "Perhaps His Majesty sees me as lacking in aptitude, so there's no choice but to do so."

Zheng Yi hugged Zhuang Yuheng again and said, "Do not worry, my beloved; one day, I will get the entire set of the 'Vitality Purple Mist Technique' for you!"

"Th-Thank you, Your Majesty~"

Zhuang Yuheng wriggled a bit and asked tentatively, "Your Majesty, may I wash up a bit and change into clean, fresh clothes?"

"Wash up?"

Zheng Yi's eyes suddenly brightened and said, "I also feel somewhat uncomfortable. Let's go wash up together!"

"Your Majesty..."

"What's wrong?"

"You-You're truly a foolish monarch!"

"Hahaha... A foolish monarch it is, come, my beloved!"

"Ah...!"

A few days later, news came from Chen Zhong and Chen Yi, who were far in Yongzhou. The commander of the Yongzhou Grand Canal, Tian Wenjing, had been found.

Moreover, the accusations by Wang Anshi regarding Tian Wenjing's acceptance of bribes, purchasing property in foreign lands, and secretly keeping women were thoroughly investigated.

The truth was far more severe than what Wang Anshi had reported.

After the rebellion broke out on the Yongzhou Grand Canal, he fled desperately, eventually finding refuge with the Shi Heilang army.

As an Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs, he was treated well in the army and sought to align with officials at all levels in Yongzhou, aiming to pin the blame for the Yongzhou Grand Canal labor rebellion on Lu Lian and others.

Under Zheng Yi's clandestine instruction, the corruption surrounding the Yongzhou Grand Canal gradually surfaced.

At the Great Court.

"If there are matters to present, do so; if not, court is dismissed!"

"Minister, Imperial Inspectorate's Censor Yuan Qichang has something to present!"

Chief Minister of the Cabinet and Left Imperial Censor Lu Xiangqing looked at Yuan Qichang with curiosity, as he had not secretly instructed any matters to be presented. Why was someone from his department intending to speak?

The other officials also cast surprised glances at Yuan Qichang, then turned their gaze to Lu Xiangqing.

Zheng Yi asked, "Yuan Qichang, what do you have to present?"

Yuan Qichang, an advanced scholar from the 36th Year of Tianqi, known for his hatred of evil and self-righteousness, had offended countless colleagues in his more than twenty years as an official, and was suppressed by numerous officials.

However, this man was indeed clean, and other political adversaries found no dirt on him, ultimately sidelining him to the Inspectorate as an Imperial Censor.

After dual investigations by the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Shadow Guard, Zheng Yi appointed him as one of the Emperor Faction members.

After half a year of secret testing, although Yuan was somewhat retaliatory, he was deemed trustworthy on major issues.

Following deliberation, he was welcomed into the Emperor Faction three months ago.

Alongside him, more than ten other officials joined the Emperor Faction.

These officials were either marginalized by court ministers, frustrated, or were determined to serve the people, aspiring to succeed.

These officials were capable and ambitious but had been suppressed for years due to various reasons, and their titles were mostly below the fifth rank, making them voiceless in the court.

The group included Wang Anshi and the present Yuan Qichang.

Yuan Qichang kneeled and said, "I accuse Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs and Commander of the Yongzhou Grand Canal, Tian Wenjing, of accepting bribes from local merchants, attacking opponents, privately buying land and property, and embezzling funds. He is the mastermind behind the Yongzhou labor rebellion!"

"Wow...!"

As Yuan Qichang's words fell, the officials began to murmur like a busy market.

Who was Tian Wenjing?

He was a favored figure before Your Majesty.

Years ago, during the debate over whether to fight or surrender to Hea Wuguo, he stood on the pro-war side and gained the favor of Your Majesty.

Additionally, his sister entered the Harem and was titled Consort Wen, enjoying Your Majesty's favor.

As for himself, besides serving as the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs, he was also appointed as Chief Commander in the national policy project of the Yongzhou Grand Canal.

If he completed the canal construction, he was bound to become one of the Ministers of the Six Ministries, possibly stepping into the Cabinet as one of the Cabinet Elders.

Especially Xu Mujun, who also served as Minister of the Ministry of Personnel but was far away in Mangzhou, leaving the Ministry of Personnel matters to Tian Wenjing's leadership.

In other words, Tian Wenjing is currently the leading figure of the Ministry of Personnel.

A person of such stature, now someone wants to impeach him; it truly is audacious.

Zheng Yi asked, "Do you have evidence?"

"Yes!"

Yuan Qichang presented a thick ledger with both hands, "This ledger records all the individuals who bribed Tian Wenjing, as well as the list and accounts of Tian Wenjing bribing court ministers!"

"Besides, it contains addresses and documents of Tian Wenjing's purchase of large amounts of land and property in Yongzhou and Bingzhou."

"If Your Majesty doubts, you may dispatch the Embroidered Uniform Guard for verification, and the truth will be revealed soon!"

Zheng Yi motioned, and Liu Cheng'en swiftly stepped forward to present it.

"Your Majesty, please look."

Zheng Yi casually flipped through the ledger, his expression growing darker, and suddenly threw the ledger to the ground.

"Calm down, Your Majesty!"

Numerous officials knelt down, each with different expressions.

"Lu Xiangqing!"

"Minister here!"

"Is this the competent official recommended by the Cabinet to me? Several tens of millions of silver taels, handed over such a large project, and he does not strive for the country, filling his own pockets, embezzling over five million taels!"

Zheng Yi angrily said, "Let this be, Tian Wenjing's actions even triggered a rebellion of a million laborers in Yongzhou, he deserves death!"

"We are terrified!"

Lu Xiangqing kneeled, unable to argue at this moment.

Although Tian Wenjing's appointment as Chief Commander of the Yongzhou Grand Canal was Your Majesty's decision, as Chief Minister, his role wasn't to fix Your Majesty's problems.

He immediately said, "Your Majesty, the case regarding Tian Wenjing's corruption has yet to be concluded. The priority is to dispatch competent individuals to Yongzhou to investigate the case, and meanwhile, to arrest Tian Wenjing and hold him in custody!"

Zheng Yi nodded, "Do you have recommendations for the appointment, beloved minister?"

Lu Xiangqing quickly considered and said, "Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Lord Li Yuanhao, could be the commanding officer of this case!"

The Ministry of Justice naturally oversees the review of prison cases, commanding this case is only logical.

The Assistant Minister of the Cabinet, Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Li Yuanhao immediately stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I am willing to take charge of this case."

"Good!"

Zheng Yi said, "Then let the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Justice, and Inspectorate each send someone to investigate this matter. The three legal departments must review this thoroughly for me."

"As you command!"

"Yuan Qichang, Wang Anshi!"

"I am here, humble minister."

The two stepped forward and respectfully saluted.

"You two can serve as deputy reviewers and participate in the investigation."

"As you command!"

Several Cabinet Ministers' expressions subtly changed, pondering the circumstances.

"Now that the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and the Assistant Minister are vacant, do you have any recommendations, Ministers?"

As Zheng Yi's words fell, the Cabinet Ministers' thoughts were quickly redirected.

Tian Wenjing is doomed, and now is the time to make a clean break from all ties with him.

Currently, appointing the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, one of the Supervisors of the Six Ministries, a senior official ranked at the second level with significant power is a matter of utmost importance, deserving their full attention.

Lu Xiangqing was the first to speak, "Minister recommends Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs, Chen Dongming; the vacancy of Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and Assistant Minister should be filled by the right sequence of appointment, consistent with protocol."

"Moreover, Lord Chen Dongming has served in the Ministry of Personnel for more than three years and is quite familiar with the Ministry's affairs..."

"I second the motion!"

"Minister recommends Jiangzuo Governor's Office, Lord Zheng Xuanyue..."