Ming Dynasty: At the beginning of the game, Lao Zhu resigned and retired.

Chapter 826: The Fool Pretending to Be Smart in the Ministry of Revenue
"Zhang Liyuan, Li Chengxi, Zhao Yurong..."

Zhu Yuanzhang sat high on the dragon throne, still maintaining his previous appearance, but he was reciting names one by one.

Every time a name was called out, an official would tremble, lower his head, or even collapse to the ground.

Nineteen names in total!
This means that there are a total of nineteen officials who can attend the court meeting!

How amazing is this?
You have to know that among the six ministries of the Ming Dynasty, the number of people who can attend court meetings is only about a hundred.

Now, if one is not careful, a full fifth of the people will be caught on the spot. How big a shock is this?

But Zhu Yuanzhang just looked coldly at the Jinyiwei who had rushed in and had taken off their official uniforms, revealing their white inner clothes.

"You don't care about being loyal to the emperor and serving the country, and you don't care about benefiting the country and the people. Instead, you are so familiar with using this opportunistic means!"

"We have already made it clear that all local money and grain account books must be reviewed and stamped by the Ministry of Revenue before they can be approved."

"But you guys are so good. Obviously there is something wrong with the local account books, but you all actually let someone bring a blank account book with the local seal to Yingtian City and change it directly?"

"Oh, we give you salaries and official positions just to let you do things like this?"

"We don't ask that all of you be talented enough to be prime ministers, nor do we ask that all of you leave your names in history."

"But you can do your job well and keep an eye on the Ming Dynasty's money bag for us. Can't you do it well?"

"We're just looking for a dog. He should know how to guard the house instead of joining the thieves in stealing things, right?"

"Do you have anything else to say?"

When Zhu Yuanzhang said this, he was neither yelling nor getting angry. Instead, he spoke calmly as if he was chatting with someone.

But it was this kind of behavior that scared everyone.

They are no longer newbies in the officialdom. They have worked under Zhu Yuanzhang for so many years. They know very well that this is actually a manifestation of Zhu Yuanzhang's extreme anger.

The criminal officials, who were already trembling with fear, could no longer hold back.

They knew very well that this was their last chance.

If they could not convince Zhu Yuanzhang at this time, they would have to go to the Jinyiwei prison and talk to the Jinyiwei later.

When that time really comes, even if they remember something or have something to say, it would be impossible for it to reach Zhu Yuanzhang's ears.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I have something to say!"

Zhang Liyuan, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, was the highest-ranking official among all the convicted officials and was obviously the most daring and the one who dared to gamble the most.

He started yelling right away.

"Well, go ahead! We really want to hear what you have to say!"

Zhang Liyuan spoke quickly without even having time to wipe the sweat off his head.

"Your Majesty, I dare not refute what you said before. It is true, but I also have my own difficulties!"

"According to the duties set by Your Majesty, the Ministry of Revenue needs to monitor the tax transactions and account books of prefectures, counties and cities across the country. This is already a heavy task."

"Especially in the past few years, there has been no new recruitment, and everyone in the Ministry of Revenue has been working overtime day and night."

"As for some extremely remote prefectures, states and counties, it would take at least half a year for them to travel to Yingtian City. However, because they are too remote, there are not even a few qualified talents, so the account books cannot be read at all."

"To be honest, seven or eight years ago, when I was not yet an assistant minister but was just the head of the Ministry of Revenue, I cursed them a lot because of their affairs."

"After someone proposed the idea of ​​using the empty seal account book, I hesitated."

"But the reality is that I do think this is a tricky measure that was taken out of necessity, but it was definitely not done to deceive Your Majesty!"

Zhu Yuanzhang listened silently to Zhang Liyuan's explanation and nodded silently.

After a long while, he touched his belly and replied lightly, "Well, I know what you mean."

"In your opinion, you feel wronged about this matter."

"After all, the Ministry of Revenue has few staff and is busy with work, and many of the prefectures, states, and counties below are stupid and can't even keep a proper account book."

"So, you saw that it took them so long to go back and find an account book, which delayed both their work and the Ministry of Revenue's work, so you took advantage of it!"

"Well, according to what you said, this empty account book is just a trick, not for corruption, right?"

Zhang Liyuan's face was filled with ecstasy when he heard that. He could no longer hold it in and nodded hurriedly.

But Zhu Yuanzhang just sneered.

"Tsk...you do have a sharp tongue!"

"Tricks?"

"A stopgap measure?"

"Do you still want to say that this is a first offense?"

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Every time Zhu Yuanzhang asked a question, the smile on Zhang Liyuan's face faded a little, and in the end his face turned pale.

He is not stupid!
Obviously, his arguments just now were not recognized by Zhu Yuanzhang at all.

But Zhang Liyuan refused to accept.

Why should he bear such a heavy responsibility? He just gave people a convenience and did not commit any fraud at all.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhang Liyuan's expression of disbelief, as well as the expressions of grief from the court officials around him, and sneered.

"You're thinking of a good one."

"After all, as a senior official in the Ministry of Revenue, you have the ability to look through the account books and know if there are any mistakes, omissions or falsifications."

“So, you want to give people a break!”

"But have you ever thought about other people who don't have your ability but also want to help local clan members and fellow apprentices?"

"Zhao Yurong, do you have anything to say?"

Zhao Yurong was originally hiding behind Zhang Liyuan and was inconspicuous, but when Zhu Yuanzhang shouted at him, everyone discovered that his lips had turned purple.

Obviously, this was completely frightened.

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his eyebrows when he saw the other party unable to speak.

"Oh, you are quite sensible!"

"Why, do you know you are doomed?"

"What did you do early?"

"Humph, if Zhang Liyuan can still say that there are extenuating circumstances, then you deserve to die."

"Why do you think that the account book you asked your eldest brother to modify will not be discovered?"

"You are really brave. Right under our noses, you negotiated with the people sent by your eldest brother and filled in the blank account book yourself."

"Why do you think your little trick will never be exposed?"

"Could it be that you are the only smart people in the world?"

When Zhu Yuanzhang said this, the person who was most surprised was Zhang Liyuan. He looked at Zhao Yurong with horror, and his eyes seemed as if he wanted to eat him.

Damn it, it turns out you are the one holding me back! (End of this chapter)