Peace Order-Chapter 1531 - 11: Ten Million Silver in a Chaotic World
"They are all, big robbers that are bloated and useless, big robbers indeed, it is because of such people that our nation is in this deplorable state!"
Feng Yuning cursed with heart-wrenching pain, breathless. This contemporary scholar, celebrity, and Prime Minister was truly furious, so much so that he almost began to cough as his emotions became intense.
Nan Hanwen quickly supported the Right Minister, who was already over eighty years old, saying: "Sir, sir, there’s no need to be so angry because of such things..."
Feng Yuning gasped for air, seemingly a bit despondent, saying: "The nation has declined to this extent, and at such a critical moment of life and death for the country, people are still doing such things. Alas, the fault is mine. Don’t worry, Hanwen."
The old man softly said: "This matter concerns the country. Even if I die in this matter, I will help you clarify everything!"
Nan Hanwen couldn’t be more grateful, feeling his blood surge with hope for Great Chen.
Then he heard this famous scholar grit his teeth and say:
"The decree from Your Majesty, personally given to me, yet it was an amount of—"
"Eight million taels!"
"Who could have taken over five million taels?!"
Nan Hanwen’s expression froze.
He looked at the scholar, the Prime Minister. His hot blood was instantly extinguished.
Emperor Chen allocated ten million, communicated to Nan Hanwen via a letter.
But when it departed from the Right Minister’s hands, it was only eight million.
Looking at the loyal and steadfast scholar Right Minister, he could feel his body tremble, unable to speak. He was uncertain whether the Right Minister’s outrage was for the nation.
Or because someone took more than him.
Nan Hanwen was unsure how he managed to stagger out from inside, looking at the Right Minister Mansion and the bustling Jiangzhou City.
He wanted to meet Chen Dingye, but was stopped.
Layers of officials intercepted his path to Emperor Chen.
Nan Hanwen gritted his teeth, picked up that letter, unwilling to accept it, tracing the seal to each government office, everyone was furious and the Ministry of Rites stated they had provided a full six million taels, how could it be only those?
The officials from the Construction Department were the same.
Layer upon layer, no one had issues.
Everyone felt worried about the country!
Everyone was deeply concerned about the national situation, all in shock and fury that someone dared to embezzle, when they had given so much already.
They only took a little.
As long as those behind do not take, when it reaches Jiangnan, it would be just right!
But, why did you all take?!
Why did you [also] all take?!
The last person involved in the transport was a Hun, caught while at a brothel drinking, during heavy rain. Nan Hanwen knocked on the door but got no response. He stood in the winter rain, knocking on the window, not knowing how many times, before the window was finally opened.
Inside the building, warmth and the sweet cloying smell of cosmetics. The official was dressed in luxurious clothing, the table covered in meat and freshly warmed wine, dishes were four cold, four hot, four meat, and four vegetables, mostly only touched by a single chopstick.
Outside, the winter rain was bleak and cold, and Nan Hanwen stood there.
Rainwater streamed down his sticky white hair, he restrained his anger to inquire.
The official looked at him impatiently, saying merely: "I took it, of course I took it!"
Nan Hanwen’s chest heaved in anger:
"Do you not know this is a betrayal of the nation, do you know this concerns the country’s great plan!"
The official almost laughed angrily, saying: "What are you talking about?! If I don’t take, how do I eat meat? If I don’t take, how do I drink wine? If I don’t take, how will my superior see me? If I don’t take, how can the superiors take?"
"If the superiors don’t take openly, how could the vice ministers dare to use us so-called honest officials? They wouldn’t dare to use us, how can we then advance and prosper?"
"Besides, I gave the other side a full three million taels."
Nan Hanwen was stunned: "Not two hundred eighty-seven..."
The official sneered: "Who told you that?"
Nan Hanwen thought of the young official Xiao Shaohui, seemingly understanding something.
Suddenly all his strength was drained.
The official laughed: "You are truly a noble fool!"
He slammed the window shut fiercely, the rainwater from the window gap sprayed out, sprinkling on Nan Hanwen’s face; he heard laughter from inside, the woman asked who had come?
The official laughed and said: "A madman."
Madman, madman...
Nan Hanwen suddenly laughed bitterly, the old man lost his spirit, he didn’t even know how he reached Jiangnan with the artisan team, but when he returned, the sky was still overcast, and the winter rain continuous.
Nan Hanwen felt that in times of chaos, there were too many smart people.
He sensed an invisible and intangible enemy, even though Emperor Chen had awakened, possessing heroic spirit, yet every move from the Prime Minister to the officials that followed, every one was acting.
Everyone thought taking a little wouldn’t be noticed.
In the turbulent times, amid national chaos, even at such a critical moment of national collapse and family destruction, they still followed old habits, doing many such things; everyone acted for their own interests.
Nan Hanwen suddenly felt despondent, only feeling the world was gloomy, the rain endless, unable to see the road ahead; the overcast sky and falling rain were like a hopeless cage, he stumbled forward, allowing the rain to drench him.
Where is the road ahead, where is the road ahead.
The road ahead for Great Chen, the road for the people, and the road for the world.
Where? Where!
Suddenly, the rain stopped.
The lost and disheartened old man paused, slowly lifted his head.
A parasol sheltered his head, a gentle voice came:
"It’s been days since we met, why is sir walking in the rain?"
The black robe sleeve curled, Nan Hanwen’s throat moved, looking at the person holding the umbrella, murmuring:
"...Prince Qin?"
