Chapter 787 Political Earthquake!

Yijing, Chenji Tea House

Full of absurd words, a handful of bitter tears!

The author is mad, who understands it?

It was bright when we got out, so we looked at the story written on the stone. According to the inscription on the stone: On that day, the land sank to the southeast, and in this southeast corner there was a place called Gusu, and a city called Changmen, which was one of the most wealthy and famous places in the world...
Ye Mingsheng, who rarely went on an incognito visit, listened to the storyteller on the stage, and put a piece of snack into his mouth from time to time. It was a rare moment of relaxation in his busy work life. Just when Ye Mingsheng was listening with great interest, he heard a surprised voice.

"Brother Ye, you are finally here again!"

Ye Mingsheng opened his eyes upon hearing this. Chen Xiangling's pretty face came into his sight. Ye Mingsheng smiled and nodded.

"I've had some important things to do recently and haven't found the time yet!"

As Ye Mingsheng spoke, a guard beside him stood up. Chen Xiangling did not hesitate and went directly to Ye Mingsheng's side, then asked curiously:
"Did the Marshal send you, Brother Ye, to do some important mission? I heard from them that Brother Ye, you are the Marshal's trusted and beloved general?"

Ye Mingsheng was a little surprised to hear Chen Xiangling ask this, but he soon remembered that he had not revealed his true identity to Chen Xiangling, but told the little girl that his name was Ye Dong. The Chen family had some connections, so it was not difficult to know Ye Dong's identity. Thinking of this, Ye Mingsheng smiled and said:

“I can’t say I’m a trusted and beloved general. I just followed the Marshal for a few more years and gained some reputation…”

"The main reason why I haven't come during this period is that I've been entangled in trivial matters and can't spare the time!"

After a brief explanation, Ye Mingsheng also asked with a smile:

"Xiangling, how are you doing recently?"

Facing Ye Mingsheng's question, Chen Xiangling said excitedly:

"My family and Dadongsheng Company jointly opened a Chenji Restaurant to sell hot pot. Dad didn't agree at first, but when the restaurant business started to take off, he was so happy that he couldn't stop smiling. Now the restaurant can sell thousands of taels of silver every month!"

Hearing this, Ye Mingsheng nodded slightly. He had originally arranged for Dadongsheng Company to help them open this Chenji Restaurant, but he thought that the hot pot made by Chen Xiangling was delicious and the girl was also a nice person, so he wanted to help her fulfill her wish.

But what Ye Mingsheng did not expect was that Chen's Restaurant would be very popular after its opening, and because Dadongsheng Company had 50% of the shares, the annual dividend would be tens of thousands of taels of silver.

Adding the 17% business tax collected by the Governor, this Chenji Restaurant has contributed 15,000 taels of silver to the Fengwu Army in the past year, becoming a major taxpayer under the Fengwu Army. Naturally, some people are jealous of such a booming business, but because of the shares of the Dadongsheng Company, no one is willing to open their eyes and seek death.

As she was talking, Chen Xiangling seemed to remember something and spoke in a somewhat depressed tone:
“Everything was fine, but Daddy wanted to arrange a marriage for me recently, but I don’t want to get married yet…”

Hearing this, Ye Mingsheng couldn't help but look her up and down. Although this graceful girl in front of him was only fifteen years old, she was no longer a child in this era where the average person did not live more than sixty years. Girls from ordinary families would have been married by this time, and some of them might even be mothers.

After telling Ye Mingsheng this, Chen Xiangling seemed to feel that she had said something out of turn, and immediately changed the subject and said:

"Brother Ye, I remember that you liked to listen to Water Margin and Romance of the Three Kingdoms before. How about I ask Mr. Zhang to change one?"

Ye Mingsheng smiled and said:

"Thank you for your kindness, but I've listened to Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Water Margin so much, so listening to Dream of the Red Chamber has a different flavor! And this storyteller's description of Dream of the Red Chamber is quite good, very good and has that flavor!"

Hearing Ye Mingsheng's praise, Chen Xiangling also smiled with two dimples, and said proudly:

"Our Chenji Teahouse is the best teahouse in Yijing, so naturally we have to invite the best storyteller. This Mr. Zhang was specially invited from Yujing at a high price by my father. Compared with the Red House, Mr. Zhang is actually better at telling stories about the Sui and Tang dynasties!"

Hearing this, Ye Mingsheng also became interested. The storytellers in Yijing City were all good at telling the Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Water Margin, but when it came to the Sui and Tang dynasties, Ye Mingsheng felt that the story was almost not up to par. Now there was a master from the Sui and Tang dynasties, so if he had the chance, he might as well listen to him...

Chen Xiangling, the little girl, was also very clever. She seemed to have seen the interest in Ye Mingsheng's eyes, so she continued:
"Mr. Zhang usually talks about the Dream of the Red Chamber in the morning and the Sui and Tang dynasties in the afternoon, but if you are interested, you can come and listen anytime!"

Ye Mingsheng nodded slightly when he heard this. Just when he was about to say something, a guard came close to his ear and said something. Hearing these words, Ye Mingsheng's eyes changed slightly, and then he stood up and spoke to Chen Xiangling;

"I wanted to stay a little longer, but I have some important things to deal with at home, so Xiangling, I'll take my leave!"

Hearing Ye Mingsheng's words, Chen Xiangling couldn't help but show some reluctance in her eyes, but she still nodded obediently and said:
"Brother Ye, I know your issues are all important! Go and deal with them! But remember to come often, I've kept this position for you!"

Ye Mingsheng smiled slightly when he heard this:

"it is good!"

After saying this, Ye Mingsheng looked at Chen Xiangling again, then turned and left, leaving Ye Cheng to pay the bill.

Half an hour later, Ye Mingsheng returned to his study. Huo San, who had been waiting for a long time, immediately stood up to greet him. Ye Mingsheng waved his hand to let him get up from the ground, but he did not ask directly:

"Have you investigated everything?" Facing Ye Mingsheng's question, Huo San nodded heavily and said:

“Yes, everything has come to light…”

"According to our investigation, the Supervisory Department is behind all this. They want to use this incident to cause internal friction in our army!"

"As for the stolen money in Ye Zhanpeng's hands, we have found 170,000 taels of silver, which are being transported from Liaoyang to Yijing. Originally, Ye Zhanpeng had more stolen money, but he used some of it to mine gold, so only 170,000 taels are left!"

"We also found this gold mine in Denong County of Posuo Prefecture. The annual output of the gold mine is about 100 kilograms!"

Upon hearing the news, Ye Mingsheng nodded slightly. Seeing Ye Mingsheng nod, Huo San felt relieved. However, just when he was about to say something else, Ye Mingsheng's calm voice appeared in his ears.

"Huo San, your investigation is pretty good, but can you tell me what role Cui Shao played in this?"

Seeing Ye Mingsheng asking this, Huo San felt his head buzzing. After hesitating for a moment, he could only speak carefully:
"Sir, we at the Coordination Office have not found any evidence to prove that this matter is related to Sir Cui!"

Hearing this answer, Ye Mingsheng smiled and shook his head:
"My uncle is always cautious in his work. It's normal that you can't find any evidence. But don't tell me that you, the director of the Coordination Office, don't have some inferences!"

As soon as Huo San heard this, he understood that this matter could no longer be hidden and he could only speak honestly:

"My lord, I guess that Lord Cui has realized the conspiracy of the Supervisory Office very early on..."

After saying this, Huo San did not continue speaking, but bowed to Ye Mingsheng and said:
"Sir, you have always taught us to tell the truth and present evidence. We cannot speak nonsense without facts and evidence. This matter is of great importance. Without any evidence, I dare not speak nonsense!"

Ye Mingsheng said calmly after hearing this:
"I know! I don't blame you!"

Huo San felt relieved when he heard Ye Mingsheng say this, but the next second he heard Ye Mingsheng say:
"Although you have made amends this time, Huo San, you still accepted money from Ye Zhanpeng and cannot escape the blame, so I will demote you by one level and make you and Wang Xuecheng the deputy director of the coordination department. Do you have any complaints?"

Although he knew that Ye Mingsheng would definitely punish him, Huo San couldn't help but feel a little regretful when he heard that Ye Mingsheng demoted him by one level. However, as the saying goes, thunder and rain are all grace from the emperor, so now facing Ye Mingsheng's gaze, the only thing he could do was to kneel down and say respectfully:
"Thank you for your mercy and giving me the opportunity to reform. I have no complaints!"

Ye Mingsheng nodded slightly and warned:

"I'm giving you a chance this time because of your hard work and contributions. If it happens again, don't blame me for not remembering our friendship!"

Huo San immediately made a solemn promise:
“I understand. If it happens again, I will commit suicide to repay your kindness…”

Ye Mingsheng nodded slightly when he heard this, then waved his hand to signal Huo San that he could leave. After Huo San bowed and left, Ye Mingsheng found a piece of order that had been prepared long ago from the documents on the desk.

Although the order was short in words, Ye Mingsheng knew that once it was issued, it would cause an earthquake in the power center within the Fengwu Army.

After thinking for a while, Ye Mingsheng finally made up his mind. He called Ye Cheng in and gave him the order.

Looking at the order, Ye Cheng was also a little surprised, and carefully confirmed with Ye Mingsheng:

"Sir, do you really want to do this?"

Hearing Ye Cheng's question, Ye Mingsheng did not speak, but just glanced at Ye Cheng. Feeling Ye Mingsheng's eyes, Ye Cheng's heart suddenly tightened, and then he did not dare to say anything more. He took the order, bowed and walked out of the room.

With Ye Cheng's departure, the study became quiet again. Ye Mingsheng leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes to rest. He knew that Cui Shao had the talent to govern the country and assist in the administration, so he trusted him and gave him power that was almost second only to one person. Cui Shao also repaid his trust with his political achievements, but now Ye Mingsheng was full of disappointment with his cheap uncle!
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Ye Mansion, Murong Qingwu's courtyard

Murong Qingwu, who was in confinement after giving birth, was lying on the bed, looking at the baby in the cradle lovingly. But at this warm moment, her substitute maid Xiaohuan came over. Seeing Xiaohuan's nervous look, Murong Qingwu knew that something big had happened, and immediately dismissed the maids and servants who were serving her.

After the maids and servants left, Xiaohuan leaned close to Murong Qingwu's ear and spoke in a low voice:

"Madam, the attendant department has sent a message. An hour ago, the master just issued the latest order, dismissing Zhang Dehui from his position as director of the First Manufacturing Bureau and sentencing him to life imprisonment with a five-year reprieve. Ye Hongsheng was dismissed from his position as the chief manager of the Dadongsheng Company and sentenced to life imprisonment in exile in Posuo Mansion!"

Although she expected it to be a big deal, when these words came out of Xiaohuan's mouth, Murong Qingwu's expression showed a hint of shock.

After hesitating for a moment, Murong Qingwu asked with some concern:
"Xiao Huan, are you sure this news is true?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Huan immediately nodded seriously and said:
“Madam, when I got the news from the Attendant Department, I was also shocked. I was also afraid that it was fake news, so I asked someone to verify it. Only after confirming that the news was correct did I dare to tell you the news…”

After hearing Xiaohuan say this, Murong Qingwu naturally no longer doubted the authenticity of the news, but she was still full of doubts about the news.

Ye Hongsheng and Zhang Dehui, one was the God of Wealth of the Fengwu Army, and the other was the chief designer in charge of weapons development of the Fengwu Army. Both were his trusted and beloved generals, but they were still taken down directly. It can be seen how angry he was about this matter.

These two were the core members of the Fengwu Army who were able to attend the Zhongyong Hall meeting. They were taken down directly like this. It is foreseeable that this would cause quite a stir in the Fengwu Army. There will definitely be a fierce competition within the Fengwu Army around these two key positions.
However, given his character of planning before acting, such a big move would not be a rash one. It must have been prepared in advance. The people who will replace Ye Hongsheng and Zhang Dehui most likely already have an idea in mind.

But is such a big move really just because of Ye Hongsheng and Zhang Dehui’s corruption?
It is said that these two people donated almost all of their wealth. Although he has always been ruthless against corruption, he would not be so cruel to his two confidants!
Could it be that he has other intentions and is using these two people to warn someone?··························
(End of this chapter)