My Pen Pal Zhu Yuanzhang

Chapter 87 The mantis stalks the cicada and the oriole follows behind
When the steamship returning from the test voyage slowly approached the shore, many ministers still seemed to be in a dream.

For most of the ministers, this was their first time embarking on this magnificent ocean journey.

Facing the boundless and vast skyline, they seemed to be touched by a deep and mysterious power, and something seemed to be quietly sublimating deep in their hearts.
Even many ministers were still standing by the side of the ship, reluctant to get off.

They were awakened from their dreams only by a long whistle.

At this time, the dock on the shore was already surrounded by shipyard workers, as well as many ordinary people who had come here for unknown reasons, who were also looking at the huge ship excitedly.

Seeing their Emperor slowly walking down from the boat, the crowd burst into warm cheers.

Zhu Yuanzhang felt extremely happy watching this scene.

This is what the people want and what they desire!

After getting off the boat, the ministers were faced with a sea of ​​people as surging as the tide, and the people's eager gazes and cheers were heard one after another.

They had never experienced such a feeling of being warmly supported by the people.

After the cheers of the workers and the people gradually died down, Yang Siyi took the opportunity to submit another memorial.

"Your Majesty, at this moment, I have something important to report!"

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled majestically and nodded.

"Prelude!"

"I beg Your Majesty to establish an official school for craftsmen!"

"allow!"

Yang Siyi solemnly knelt down and saluted loudly:

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty!"

Following his call, the ministers around him knelt down one after another like a tide, their voices merged into one, and they shouted together:

"Long live your Majesty, long live, long live your Majesty!"

Soon after, countless craftsmen and common people were also infected by this solemn atmosphere. They put down their work, knelt on the ground, and shouted in unison:

"Long live the Emperor, long live, long live the Emperor!"

For a moment, the scene of tens of thousands of people cheering together was spectacular. The majestic cheers surged like the waves, shaking everyone's heart, echoing between the horizons, and lingering for a long time!

Zhu Yuanzhang's reputation reached its peak at this moment. Facing the enthusiastic crowd, he looked up at the distant horizon.

At this moment, Lao Li, where are you?

Half of the credit for today’s achievement goes to you, Lao Li. I, Lao Zhu, would like to witness this moment with you!
Zhao Mao, along with all the ministers, knelt on the ground, forcing a smile that was a bit bitter, for he knew that his situation was hopeless.

The workers and civilians on the dock gradually dispersed, and a group of ministers returned to the Fengtian Palace. The palace maids and eunuchs looked at the civil and military officials, who went out with astonishment on their faces and returned with excitement on their faces, and were also confused.

Could it be that the emperor took all the civil and military officials in the court out for an outing today?

When they entered the Fengtian Hall, just when all the civil and military officials thought that the day was over and were preparing to leave, unexpectedly, Li Min stood up again.

"Your Majesty, I also have something important to report!"

"Lord Li, please feel free to speak."

"I would like to report to Your Majesty that Sun Yuanliang, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, has been acting improperly, taking bribes for personal gain, and embezzling money, which has hindered the development of Ming's industry. He even dared to embezzle money during the flood relief efforts, causing heavy losses and tarnishing the country's fortunes.

I hope Your Majesty will have a clear understanding and punish severely to serve as a warning to others!"

The entire court was in uproar. Many ministers looked at Sun Yuanliang in horror, while Sun Yuanliang had a dejected look on his face.

The nobles and generals stood on the other side, looking as if they were waiting to see a good show.

Zhao Mao and Hou Xiangbai's faces changed, they looked at each other, and suddenly, an idea flashed through their minds.

The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. No wonder when Sun Yuanliang wanted to impeach Yang Siyi and Li Min, the two remained calm, as if it had nothing to do with them.

No wonder Li Min wanted to take everyone to see the steamship and even took everyone to test sail it in a serious manner.

All the momentum he had built up before was for this moment!
This is Li Min’s trick!
No, Li Min alone doesn't have such great ability, so what's behind Li Min...

After guessing the truth, Zhao Mao and Hou Xiangbai couldn't help but break out in cold sweats.

In this court, there is only one hunter, and the rest are all prey!

Zhu Yuanzhang's face suddenly darkened. "Are you serious?"

"His Majesty!"

Sun Yuanliang suddenly knelt on the ground and said in fear: "Your Majesty, please understand that Li Min's words are pure slander!
Since I entered the government, I have always been honest and incorruptible, working diligently for the people. How could I dare to commit the slightest act of corruption? I hope Your Majesty will see clearly and not be misled by slanderous words, and clear my name!"

"Sun Yuanliang, you are about to die, and you still dare to be stubborn!"

Li Min said righteously: "Your Majesty, I am not shooting without purpose, I have irrefutable evidence in my hands!"

"Li Min, stop slandering me. What hard evidence do you have? I think you are just framing me!"

"is it?"

Li Min sneered.

"On the third day of March, Dongting Lake was flooded. Your Majesty allocated 120,000 taels of silver and 100,000 strings of treasure notes to the Ministry of Works for disaster relief. However, the Ministry of Works only received 110,000 taels of silver and 90,000 strings of treasure notes. This money passed through your hands, Minister Sun!"

"On March 15, the second batch of 200,000 taels of silver was paid, on April 1, 150,000 taels of silver was paid, and on April 20, 300,000 taels of silver was paid. However, the Industry Department only received about 90% of the money. Where did the missing money go? Minister Sun, do you have an explanation?"

Sun Yuanliang's face turned pale in an instant, and his whole body began to tremble.

"Your Majesty, it's unjust, Your Majesty!"

"Still wronged?"

Li Min did not intend to let Sun Yuanliang go. "Adding up these several amounts, the missing money is nearly 100,000 taels. I think you, Minister Sun, are not capable of doing this alone. There must be someone behind you!"

As he spoke, Li Min took out an account book and a stack of notes from his sleeve and presented them to Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Your Majesty, these are the account books of the Ministry of Works and the approval slips of the Ministry of Revenue. They clearly record how much the Ministry of Revenue approved and how much the Ministry of Works received, and they are all half-stamped!"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the account book and his expression became more and more ugly. With a "slap", he threw the account book at Sun Yuanliang's face.

"Sun Yuanliang, do you have anything else to say?"

Faced with the irrefutable evidence, Sun Yuanliang could no longer control his inner panic. He was sweating profusely and his head banged loudly on the ground.

"Your Majesty, spare your life, Your Majesty, spare your life!"

Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang glaring at him, he hurriedly looked at Zhao Mao and Hou Xiangbai.

Before Sun Yuanliang could speak, Zhao Mao stepped forward and said:

"Sun Yuanliang, you are corrupt and committing crimes that deserve death. You are still stubborn even when facing death. Your Majesty, I beg Your Majesty to severely punish this traitor and skin him alive to serve as a warning to others!"

Sun Yuanliang's heart immediately sank. He pointed at Zhao Mao angrily and said, "Well, well, Zhao Mao, you damned traitor!"

"Your Majesty, it was Zhao Mao and Hou Xiangbai who ordered me to do this. I am willing to atone for my sins with my merits. I am willing to atone for my sins with my merits!"

"Sun Yuanliang, shut up!"

Hou Xiangbai stood up and angrily rebuked: "Sun Yuanliang, you embezzled public funds, the evidence is solid, and now that you are about to die, you still want to slander us and smear us in an attempt to get away with it. It's so shameless!
I beg Your Majesty to kill this thief!"

Sun Yuanliang sat down on the ground, his face as pale as death. Now no one in the court could save him.

(End of this chapter)