CH 135

Chapter 135: Leave me a little, the landlord’s house has no surplus food!

Minister after minister stepped forward to report on the situation of the hovercraft.

The woman’s face grew increasingly gloomy, and the atmosphere in the court became more oppressive, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

Though there were no swords and shadows, the air was filled with a sense of desolation.

The Empress remained silent, and the officials dared not speak.

Only one person trembled with fear, their face pale and sweating profusely.

That person was Wang Rushui, the Minister of the Ministry of Industry.

Because only officials from the Ministry of Industry possessed the knowledge of hovercraft construction. If the manufacturing secrets of the hovercraft were leaked, Wang Rushui, as a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Industry, would bear full responsibility.

Under the Empress’s cold and piercing gaze, Wang Rushui finally couldn’t hold on any longer.

He stood up and fell to his knees with a thud.

“Your Majesty, I’ve been wronged!”

The Empress shouted, “Speak! Where have you been wronged?”

Wang Rushui wailed, “I didn’t do it! As the Minister of the Ministry of Industry, I know the importance of the hovercraft’s construction method to Your Majesty and the court! So, I’ve been on guard day and night, never daring to slack off!”

“Moreover, if the construction method were leaked, I would not be able to escape responsibility! How could I do such a foolish thing? Therefore, I am innocent, please investigate, Your Majesty!”

The Empress shouted once again, “If it wasn’t you, then it was someone from your faction. Where have you been wronged?”

Wang Rushui faltered, “I…”

“Twice! It’s already the second time!”

The Empress raised two fingers angrily and said, “The first time, the manufacturing method of the air balloon leaked, and it could be somewhat forgivable! But now it’s the second time, committing such an unforgivable crime twice in a row. What right do you have to claim innocence?”

“I am truly innocent…” Wang Rushui cried.

Tears streamed down his face, and he cried with great sadness!

He now hated the person behind this, why did they always make a problem with him?

Can’t you just harm someone else instead of only targeting me?

“Your Majesty, there is actually another person who knows the manufacturing method of the hovercraft, and that person is Lin Beifan! It was he who invented the hovercraft, maybe he’s the one who leaked it!” Wang Rushui shifted the blame.

“You, Wang Rushui!”

Lin Beifan stood up angrily and said, “The leaking of the hovercraft’s manufacturing method pains me the most! I haven’t blamed you, yet you dare to blame me? What kind of reasoning is this?”

Without even using honorific language, Wang Rushui directly shouted out the name, indicating how angry he was pretending to be!

“You keep saying that I leaked it! Then let me ask you, what benefit does it bring to me if I were to leak the manufacturing method of the hovercraft?” Wang Rushui questioned loudly.

Lin Beifan questioned loudly in return, “Now, I have received the favor of the Emperor and can enjoy endless glory, wealth, and a bright future right before my eyes! I am grateful beyond words. Why would I do something that risks my own life?”

Wang Rushui was speechless, “Uh, well…”

“I’ll ask you again!”

Lin Beifan continued to question loudly, “If I truly had ulterior motives, why would I offer the hovercraft, a national weapon, to Your Majesty and the court? Isn’t that contradictory?”

Wang Rushui once again faltered, “Well…”

“Therefore, this manufacturing method must have leaked from your Ministry of Industry! If it’s not you, then it’s someone from your faction! In short, Wang Rushui, you can’t escape responsibility!” Lin Beifan made a bow and said, “Please, Your Majesty, investigate!”

The Empress, sitting on the dragon throne, glanced at Lin Beifan.

This guy played his role well, even calling out the thief with such righteousness!

“Sir Lin, you make a valid point!”

The Empress’s tone softened slightly, “Since sir Lin took office, although for a short period of time, he has already made numerous contributions and achievements for our dynasty. His loyalty is beyond doubt!”

“Your Majesty is wise and enlightened!” Lin Beifan exclaimed loudly.

“Therefore, the problem can only arise within the Ministry of Industry!”

The Empress declared loudly, “Launch a thorough investigation of the Ministry of Industry! No one shall be spared! We must root out this troublemaker and punish them severely. Better to kill the wrong person than let them escape!”

“Your Majesty is wise!” The officials echoed in unison.

“This task shall be entrusted to…”

The Empress’s gaze fell upon Lin Beifan, “Let Sir Lin handle it! With the leakage of the hovercraft manufacturing method, I believe Sir Lin must be extremely angry and will not let any wrongdoer go unpunished!”

“Moreover, previously, it was Sir Lin who exposed the troublemaker in the case of the air balloon manufacturing method leak, upholding the laws of the court and safeguarding the interests of our great Wu Empire!”

“Therefore, we have great confidence in entrusting this matter to Sir Lin!”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Lin Beifan declared loudly, “I will not let Your Majesty down!”

After receiving the imperial decree, Lin Beifan sharpened his sword and headed to the Ministry of Industry.

How to investigate? Of course, it starts with searching their homes!

Regardless of whether there is any problem or not, searching their homes once will reveal the truth!

This work, Lin Beifan was experienced and professional!

“Gentlemen, due to the leakage of the hovercraft manufacturing method, Her Majesty is extremely furious! Therefore, I have been ordered to investigate every person in the Ministry of Industry. I hope you all cooperate!” Lin Beifan said with a smile.

The officials of the Ministry of Industry trembled in fear, “How do we cooperate?”

Lin Beifan smiled and said, “We start with searching your homes!”

The officials were in a state of despair.

“Another search?”

“Sir Lin, I beg you to spare my family. We really don’t have much money left!”

“I’m practically eating dirt now!”

…

Lin Beifan shouted, “Stop the nonsense! Those who do not cooperate are highly likely to be involved in the leak! Her Majesty has said, better to kill the wrong person than let them escape! Those who do not cooperate will be immediately thrown into the dungeon and subjected to harsh interrogation!”

The officials trembled in fear and finally behaved themselves.

“Let’s start with Sir Zhou, the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Industry!”

Due to being familiar with the process, it took less than half an hour to search his house.

They only managed to seize around 100,000 taels of gold and silver jewelry in total.

“Principal Lin, as you can see, my family only has this little money left. We really have nothing else!” Sir Zhou said with a bitter smile.

“It seems that Sir Zhou has been very honest during this period. You haven’t been greedy for anything!” Lin Beifan laughed.

“Naturally! Ever since the air balloon leak case, I have been keeping a low profile, serving the country with integrity, and I would never betray Your Majesty or the nation! Please, Principal, see the truth!” Sir Zhou bowed.

Lin Beifan nodded, “Alright, you can send this gold and silver to my residence, and you will be considered innocent.”

Sir Zhou looked confused, “Wait a minute! Principal Lin, this is my legitimate income. You’re not going to take even this?”

Lin Beifan spread his hands, “You can’t expect me to come here for nothing, right?”

Sir Zhou exclaimed, “Damn it!”

This guy is really too greedy, not even sparing my legitimate income!

“Principal Lin, please reconsider!” Sir Zhou hurriedly said, “At least leave me some. Even a landlord’s family needs reserves!”

“I understand your difficulties, Sir Zhou! How about this, I’ll leave you with this amount!” Lin Beifan raised one finger.

“10,000 taels?” Minister Zhou felt somewhat relieved. This guy wasn’t too greedy after all, giving him a bit of face.

Lin Beifan smiled faintly, “100 taels!”

Master Zhou exclaimed, “Damn!”

He actually dared to say 100 taels!

Is he trying to dismiss me as a beggar?

“Sir Zhou, let me be clear!” Lin Beifan coughed and whispered, “Her Majesty has commanded me to investigate the leaking of the air-cushion ship manufacturing method. I have to find a few people to take the blame! If it’s not you, it will be someone else! Do you want money, or do you want your life?”

Sir Zhou’s face twitched.

Damn, he’s actually threatening me!

How many times has this happened?

This is outrageous!

“Still, if I can’t see it before nightfall, don’t blame me for not considering our colleagues’ feelings!” Lin Beifan left arrogantly.

Sir Zhou reluctantly glanced at his remaining wealth, closed his eyes in despair, and said, “Send this gold and silver to the Lin Mansion!”

And so, one by one, the Lin Beifan family ransacked the wealth.

Regardless of legality, they greedily took it all.

They left them with only 100 taels, enough for a few days’ rations.

After this round, Lin Beifan scraped nearly 2 million taels from the Ministry of Industry.

The officials of the Ministry of Industry became even poorer and were itching with resentment.

Golden Imperial Hall, morning court.

Lin Beifan reported loudly, “Your Majesty, I have been tasked with investigating the case of air-cushion ship leakage! After my efforts over these past few days, I have found that the majority of the officials in the Ministry of Industry are innocent! Only Xu X and Li X have significant suspicions! They have already been imprisoned and will undergo further interrogation! I ask Your Majesty to observe!”

… . …

The Empress nodded, “Sir Lin, you have worked hard! Since those two individuals have significant suspicions, there is no need for further investigation, just kill them directly as a deterrent!”

For the Empress, there was not a single innocent person in the Ministry of Industry!

If they were not corrupt officials, they were treacherous courtiers. It was not unjust to kill anyone, and she could kill as many as she wanted!

If the functioning of the state did not depend on the Ministry of Industry, she would have wanted to kill every single person in the ministry from top to bottom!

Kill them all, then it would be good!

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Lin Beifan received the order.

The Empress continued, “The leakage of the air-cushion ship and its implications seriously threaten the state and the rule of the court. All officials of the Ministry of Industry are guilty of inexcusable negligence! Moreover, this is the second time it has happened, so they must be punished severely!”

“Dock their salaries for two years and prohibit any promotions or transfers within three years!”

The Ministry of Industry officials attending the morning court were trembling and their faces turned pale.

All their money had been greedily taken by Lin Beifan!

And now they were being docked their salaries for two years…

Including the previous punishment, it adds up to four years!

Without any income for four years, how are they supposed to live?

Just the thought of it feels hopeless!

Are there any officials who have it worse than them?

However, at this moment, even if they are unwilling, they can only bitterly say, “Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Seeing their bitter faces, the Empress almost burst out laughing.

Oh, the satisfaction in her heart is indescribable!

Feeling satisfied, the desire to reward them starts to stir!

“In this incident, Sir Lin has tirelessly exposed the traitorous conspirators behind the scenes, safeguarding the state and clearing the names of other officials. His contribution is immense, so he must be rewarded!”

“A reward of ten thousand taels of silver!”

“A pound of calming tea!”

…

Another round of lavish rewards.

Lin Beifan felt both happy and troubled!

The Empress, really, here she comes again!

Making me look like I’m living off her.

Although I enjoy it, I can’t have too much, or I’ll get easily overwhelmed!

The officials, once again, envy and resentment tearing them apart, completely changing their appearance!

And the officials of the Ministry of Industry, witnessing this scene of favoritism and resentment, couldn’t bear the stimulation and fainted one after another with a thud.