Chapter 912: 386: Haikou Shaken (Part 3)
Chapter 912: Chapter 386: Haikou Shaken (Part 3)
Zhou Xi was also very annoyed at this moment. Zhou Shu had amassed such a vast estate in Haikou over so many years, it was absolutely impossible if he had not done anything illegal. However, if it was proven that Zhou Shu did all these things, Zhou Ji Commercial Firm would definitely suffer a devastating blow, and the Zhou Family that offered patronage would undoubtedly be implicated.
If it were some other Imperial Censor, it wouldn’t be too hard to investigate. Unfortunately, the one filing the memorial is the Metropolitan Censor, a stubborn and unyielding stone, foul and hard. Choosing this person to file the memorial was meant to blow the matter out of proportion.
Zhou Xi’s aide looked at the information sent below, and after a while, he looked up at Zhou Xi and said, “Heir Apparent, if the evidence of impeachment is true, it was not something done overnight. This person must have been watching Zhou Ji Commercial Firm for a long time.” To be precise, they had been watching Zhou Shu for a long time.
Another aide said, “Many people have their eyes on Zhou Ji Commercial Firm, but to silently gather so much evidence, and to file the memorial without us knowing, thereby setting the matter straight away is not something a normal person could achieve.” To gather so much evidence without their knowledge and seize the opportunity to enumerate Zhou Shu’s crimes, it shows that this person is not afraid of offending the Zhou Family.
Zhou Xi’s face stiffened. To do so much under their noses, only one type of person could manage it, and that’s someone from the Imperial Court. Zhou Xi’s expression was stern: “It’s His Majesty.” Only someone from the Court would have such power, and only by the Emperor’s will could these people hand over the incriminating evidence. No wonder the Emperor appointed an imperial envoy so quickly to remove them.
One aide beside Zhou Xi hesitated, “If it is His Majesty, why would His Majesty send Deng Bin?” Deng Bin is not a capable official, so what could he achieve by going?
Zhou Xi’s expression turned cold: “Deng Bin is likely just a smokescreen. His Majesty is planning to overhaul the governance of Haikou.” The Emperor intends to purge the officials in Haikou and replace them with his people.
When it involves the Emperor, Zhou Xi himself must proceed cautiously. With the Emperor’s involvement, the nature of the matter takes on a completely different aspect.
Xiang Wei, upon hearing Bai Yi discuss the Imperial Censor’s impeachment of Zhou Shu, drank the medicine in her bowl in one gulp, and then chuckled lightly: “Zhou Shu is doomed this time. When His Lordship alarmed His Majesty that day deliberately, could he have already anticipated the Emperor’s intervention?”
Bai Yi nodded: “Hmm. The interests in Haikou are so vast, how could they just fall into the hands of the Zhou Family like that? If the Zhou Family continues to control it, when the Crown Prince uses this wealth to win over the ministers and expand his own power, how could His Majesty rest easy?” This time, with the Emperor’s intervention, the power dynamics in Haikou are bound to be reshuffled.
Xiang Wei shook her head and said: “It’s indeed His Lordship.” She was puzzled as to why Yueyao’s matter would make His Lordship alarm the Emperor, but now realizes he played to the Emperor’s favor. Regardless of His Lordship’s intentions, the important thing is that Zhou Shu is doomed this time. With Zhou Shu dead, her young lady would no longer have to be in fear afterwards.
Bai Yi suddenly asked: “Xiang Wei, the person who delivered the message to Elder An last time, is it someone from the Court?” The Court’s people are widespread, their intelligence-gathering is first-rate. Only someone from the Court could have located Yueyao so quickly when she was imprisoned. Bai Yi was curious as to when Yueyao had connected with the Court’s people.
Xiang Wei smiled: “No more probing on your part. This is Yueyao’s private affair, I will neither interfere nor divulge it, not even to His Lordship.”
Bai Yi shook her head with a smile and said: “It wasn’t His Lordship who asked me to inquire, it’s just my own curiosity.” She was quite curious how Yueyao had come to know people in the General Secretary Department, and moreover, to receive their assistance. It’s known that those people are cold-blooded; without orders, they absolutely wouldn’t lend aid. It seems that Yueyao must have caught the eye of some significant person to have gotten their assistance.
Xiang Wei laughed: “Don’t forget, the young lady has saved many people.” Yueyao confiding in her was a sign of trust, and she couldn’t betray that trust. Even though Xiang Wei trusted Bai Yi, she felt it inappropriate given the gravity of the matter. Previously, Xiang Wei thought that Fan Jun might only fulfill his promised duty regarding Yueyao before ceasing to care. But this time has revealed a different side of Fan Jun, leading Xiang Wei to believe that as long as the young lady needs help and Fan Jun holds his position, he would certainly assist. For this reason alone, she couldn’t expose Fan Jun.