Xiang Nan read through the six archives carefully, thinking carefully about the future plan for rejuvenating the country.
At the same time, Gao Ming was investigating Li Feng's misappropriation of copper used to cast Buddhas to cast private money.
In the play, Li Chengyin dragged Qu Xiaofeng along to investigate the case. As a result, not only failed to catch Li Feng's handle, but was designed to bite back.
Stealing the chicken is not a loss, not to mention the rice, and it also caused Qu Xiaofeng to be hated by Li Chengye, and was almost poisoned to death. It can be said to be extremely stupid and reckless.
Actually, he could tell Gao Ming the clues he collected. With Gao Ming's skill and influence, it is natural that this case can be made into an iron case, so that King Zhong and his son will never recover.
In this way, the relationship with Gao Ming can be shortened, and there is no need to charge forward by himself, which can be said to kill two birds with one stone.
Higher than Ming's influence in Shangjing, far stronger than Chai Mu's Qianlong Envoy.
He quickly found the craftsmen responsible for casting the Buddha statue, asked them about the detailed process of casting the Buddha statue, and figured out exactly what Li Feng had done.
Through the records of large-scale purchases of charcoal, he successfully found the workshop where Li Feng minted counterfeit coins, which was near the training center of the Tongchang Army, the private army of Zhongwangfu.
"He is so daring to set up a workshop here." Gao Ming sneered.
"Yes, my boy thought that he would hide the mint workshop in the mountains, but I didn't expect him to play black under the lamp." Gao Kun also said in admiration.
If Gao Ming hadn't been smart enough to start with the charcoal business, they would have almost missed it.
The reason why we started with the sale of charcoal is because the melting of copper blocks requires extremely high temperatures, so a large amount of charcoal is required. In the capital, it is impossible to buy and sell such a large amount of charcoal without leaving records.
Gao Ming nodded.
He didn't expect Li Feng to be so courageous at first, but fortunately he was not misled.
"Father, we can perform well this time, and maybe we can take down the prince in one fell swoop." Gao Kun said again.
"You can't chew more than you can chew. It's enough to take down Li Feng." Gao Ming waved his hands and said.
He knew that the crown prince had just been established, and it was impossible for Li Zhen to depose Li Chengye's crown prince so quickly. In that case, not only the crown prince is incompetent, but also the emperor is incompetent.
Gao Kun nodded.
…
A few days later, some courtiers went up one after another, saying that there was a flood of private money in the world today, and implored the emperor to issue an order to investigate and deal with it.
"Your Majesty, there is a flood of private money nowadays. Among the thousand pieces of new money, there are only 400 official coins, but as many as 600 private coins, which is two and a half times more than official coins. You must investigate."
"Your Majesty, the illicit money casting is so rampant, which shows that the perpetrator is bold. Once caught, he must be severely punished, otherwise it will be difficult to serve as an example!"
"Your Majesty, the flood of private money has caused heavy losses to the imperial court. If we don't investigate and deal with it, I'm afraid the imperial court's finances will be unsustainable. I beg your majesty to investigate strictly so that the perpetrators can go unpunished."
The ministers reported one by one in the hall.
Xiang Nan was also in the hall, noticing Li Chengye, Li Feng, and Zhong Wang's lineage, seeing that all the officials asked to investigate the private money case, all of them looked a little unnatural.
"Sure enough, I have never done anything wrong in my life, and I am not afraid of ghosts knocking on the door in the middle of the night." Xiang Nan couldn't help thinking, "Seeing how frightened you are, you really have done a lot of wicked things."
Seeing that all the ministers were filled with righteous indignation, Li Xi also had to deal with it carefully.
"Where is the Secretary of the Ministry of Punishment?" He then asked.
"The minister is here!" Zong Huan, Minister of the Ministry of Punishment, immediately stepped out of the class and fell to his knees.
"I order you to find out about the private money quickly." Li Xi said.
"I accept the order!" Zong Huan nodded immediately.
…
A few days later, there was news in the capital that people dug up a lot of fake money near the Tongchang Army training ground.
Zong Huan then went to investigate, and soon discovered a workshop that privately minted copper coins.
Although Li Chengye and Li Feng had immediately closed the workshop, destroyed the furnace, and transferred the craftsmen after the private money case happened. But whoever walks will leave traces.
Abandoned furnaces, abandoned residues, burnt charcoal... It is impossible to cover them all.
The discovery of the mint caused an uproar in the court for a while.
"Your Majesty, this workshop was set up near the Tongchang army, but it has not been discovered for dozens of days. I fear there must be a reason for it!"
"Your Majesty, according to the people nearby, the workshop is rushing to work day and night, the smoke and dust are billowing, and the fire is soaring into the sky. It is impossible for the Tongchang army not to see it."
"Your Majesty, if you dare to cast so much private money, the people behind the scenes must be able to cover it up. I beg your Majesty to investigate to the end and return justice to the people of the world."
All the ministers went up to play.
Hearing what the ministers said, Li Chengye, Li Feng, and Li Zhen turned pale.
None of them expected that the private money workshop would be exposed so quickly, and they were caught off guard.
Li Xi was also pale.
He knew that the Tongchang army was the army of King Zhong. The private money workshop was set up near the Tongchang Army Training Center. Obviously, King Zhong and Li Feng were the real culprits behind the scenes.
He is so smart, it is not difficult to imagine that Li Feng was transferred from the Minister of the Ministry of War to the Ministry of Households to be the head of the household department, and he was also in charge of casting the Buddha statues of the Wanfo Temple.
After that, so much privately minted new money poured out, and the timing is so suitable, it must be inseparable from him.
Coupled with their unnatural expressions now, Li Xi was even more convinced of this. And he believed that Li Chengye knew about this matter, and he might even be the direct planner.
To be honest, it is impossible for him not to be angry or disappointed.
The reason why he made Li Chengye the crown prince was to support him in fighting Gao Ming.
After all, the king is all about balance.
But unexpectedly, Li Chengye did not fight with Gao Ming, but instead dug into the corner of the country.
Moreover, what is he doing with so much private money?
It is nothing more than wooing courtiers, raising dead soldiers, and equipping private troops. And to have such an action is already a crime of treason.
Li Xi couldn't help sighing.
…
It's just that now, Li Xi still wants to protect Li Chengye again.
Firstly, Li Chengye was the force he fostered to fight against Gao. If Li Chengye collapsed, Gao Xiang's family would dominate the court, and it would not be easy for him to rule;
Secondly, Li Chengye had just taken the crown prince, less than a month ago. If he was deposed immediately, he would lose not only his face, but also his own face as the emperor.
At this moment, I heard King Zhong kneel down on the ground after leaving the class, and yelled at Qu, "Your Majesty, all the ministers are completely slandering. The ministers have always been loyal and loyal to the country and the people, how could they be involved in this coin casting case.
Although the mint workshop is near the Tongchang Army training ground, it has nothing to do with the Tongchang Army. I dare to guarantee it with my own head. I implore the emperor to investigate clearly and return the veteran to his innocence. "
"Lord Zhong, no one said that you have something to do with the mint, don't you just recruit yourself?" Ye Cheng, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, sneered.
"You are pure slander!" Zhong Wang immediately shouted.
"Whether it is slander or not, King Zhong knows best." Ye Cheng pouted.
"You're spewing blood!" King Zhong shouted.
"Enough!" Li Xi snorted coldly, "Shangshu of the Ministry of Punishment, this case is left to you to continue the investigation, be sure to find out the truth."