funbook-pk Chapter 338: Bad to the Core
Chapter 338: Bad to the Core
"You don't even know there's a huge gap between them?"
The emperor stared at Su Peisheng suspiciously, his face full of disbelief.
According to Xia Qie's incomplete records, this dog slave had collected a lot of money from the former court and the harem without his knowledge.
But he always acted with discretion, so the emperor pretended not to know.
But this time he committed a big taboo. He could not tolerate the fact that the Ministry of Internal Affairs had known about the serious corruption but had not reported it.
An egg outside the palace only cost two cents, but when it was sold inside the palace, the price in the purchasing book increased by three thousand times.
How could the emperor not be angry?
What's even more outrageous is that he has been practicing frugality since he ascended the throne. Although each meal consists of more than four dishes and one soup, and also includes snacks, it is far from meeting the standards of the Ministry of Internal Affairs' purchases according to the quota.
These things didn't end up in his stomach, so it goes without saying that they were embezzled by the bunch of slaves in the Imperial Household Department.
Su Peisheng, who had accompanied the emperor for many years, knew that he was very angry, so he crawled forward and knelt on the ground to explain.
"Master, I've been by your side ever since I can remember, and I had no idea that the people in the Imperial Household Department were so cruel."
"I was feeling unwell and wanted to eat something soft, so I begged my subordinates to buy me some money."
Su Peisheng continued crying.
"The eggs I bought cost six taels of silver each."
He really felt sorry for the money he had spent.
A mere egg would cost him so much silver, not to mention other things.
Those rotten-hearted people in the Imperial Household Department will only ask for more.
The emperor, considering that the two had hardly been apart for so many years, glanced at Su Peisheng unkindly.
"I will trust you for once."
"I thank you for your kindness, Master."
After expressing his gratitude, Su Peisheng quickly wiped the sweat from his forehead.
He had just felt relieved when he heard his master say it again.
"You've been keeping accounts all these years. I don't want to know how much you've received as rewards, but go back and calculate for me how much money you've spent at the Ministry of Internal Affairs over the years!"
"If you dare to conceal anything, I will not forgive you."
"As you command, I will go and do the counting right away."
Su Peisheng agreed with sweat dripping down his face.
He knew very well that the emperor was already extremely dissatisfied with the Imperial Household Department and would definitely take drastic measures to deal with it this time.
Although he had heard about the Imperial Household Department's profiteering over the years, he never took it to heart.
When the expenses appeared on the abacus one by one, this small amount was enough to scare him.
Su Peisheng never thought that he would spend so much money in the Imperial Household Department.
He reported the result dejectedly and knelt on the ground waiting for his master's instructions.
The emperor calmed down for a while and looked at Su Peisheng with disappointment.
"As my personal servant, you knew nothing about the corruption in the Imperial Household Department. This is a serious dereliction of duty."
"I remember your loyalty over the years, so I'll fine you one year's salary as a warning!"
"I thank the emperor for his grace."
Su Peisheng hit the ground with his forehead, making a loud bang on his head.
Every time he kowtowed, his hatred for the corrupt officials in the Imperial Household Department increased.
After sending Su Peisheng away, the emperor walked back to his bedroom with heavy steps.
Whenever he thought of the huge price difference between the two booklets, he felt so heartbroken that he couldn't close his eyes.
Those dogs in the Imperial Household Department are so bold!
The amount of money embezzled every year is more than the silver in the national treasury!
When learning from history, the old Hanlin once conducted a profound analysis of the feudal system of the previous dynasty.
The emperor at the time also believed that the drama of the royal family members increased the financial burden of the previous dynasty. He even mocked the emperor who started out as a beggar in his heart, saying that he was afraid that his descendants would starve, so he left such a big mess for future generations.
Who would have thought that when it came to their own family's turn, the royal family had no major problems, but instead encountered the embarrassing situation of a servant bullying his master.
The master is starving for food because of the national treasury, while the servile servants below are all rich.
This is simply unreasonable!
The emperor slapped the dragon bed until it shook, but he could not relieve his anger.
No wonder the Empress Dowager and the deposed Empress and her niece turned a blind eye to Rong'er raising chickens in the rear hall of Yonghe Palace. It turned out that they had long known that the Imperial Household Department was corrupt to the core, and they even made a lot of benefits from it.
The emperor, who couldn't sleep, turned over and shouted to the beam.
"Go tell Xia Qian to find a way to raid Jingren Palace without alerting anyone, and also ask him to expedite the progress at the Imperial Mausoleum Manor."
"Slave, go right away."
The man in black disappeared in a flash.
After giving the order, the emperor lay back on the bed and forced himself to close his eyes.
"Blind eyes and blind heart, you are unfit to be an emperor!"
An angry shout woke up the emperor who had his eyes closed.
"Father, your son..."
When he opened his eyes, he found himself on the familiar dragon bed. It turned out that he had just dreamed.
The emperor breathed a sigh of relief. It took him nearly ten years to cleanse himself of the stain of the previous emperor's words, "He is frivolous, moody, and unfit to be a king."
It seems that we need to get rid of those corrupt officials in the Imperial Household Department as soon as possible, otherwise we won’t be able to sleep well.
"Someone come! What time is it now?"
"Your Majesty, it's still about a quarter to the hour of Yin."
Xiao Xiazi replied respectfully with half-open eyes.
That old dog Su Peisheng is such a jerk. He knew that the emperor was in a bad mood, but he still arranged for him to guard the gate.
Xiao Xiazi accidentally met the emperor's fiery eyes and shuddered in fear.
He hurriedly lowered his head and asked, suppressing his fear.
"Master, what are your orders?"
"Please help me wash up."
Xiao Xia Zi didn't dare to ask any more questions. As soon as she went out, she asked the eunuch who was also guarding outside the door to call Su Peisheng.
He himself carried the copper basin to the small room.
The emperor woke up suddenly, and at this hour there was only hot water on the clay stove in the small room.
Xiao Xia Zi and the palace maid who served tea had just finished serving the emperor when Su Peisheng, holding his hat, came trotting over, panting, to pay his respects.
"I am late, Your Majesty, please punish me!"
"You've arrived at the perfect time. Please accompany me to the front to do something."
The emperor walked out and uttered a few words.
Confused Su Peisheng winked at Xiao Xiazi, only to receive a shake of his head in response.
Not long after, the crisp sound of abacus was heard from the main hall.
Xiao Xiazi, who was guarding the door, felt a little regretful. This old man Su Peisheng really had some luck.
When the sky turned pale, Xiao Xia Zi, who had refilled her tea, went to the imperial kitchen to serve the meal.
An Lingrong was sleeping soundly when she was woken up by an external force.
"Master, a note has just been passed over from the front."
"Show it to me now!"
An Lingrong, who woke up instantly, unfolded the small piece of paper and saw four big words written on it: "The Imperial Household Department is in danger."
"The Emperor is going to take action against the Imperial Household Department!"
An Lingrong was shocked.
The Imperial Household Department was established in the early years of Emperor Taizu, and has existed for more than eighty years. It has a complex and powerful network, reaching almost every corner of the palace.
If the emperor takes action against the Imperial Household Department at this time, it will definitely cause unrest.