"Master Du, do you know what you are saying? Who does this world belong to? Did His Majesty appoint you as the Deputy Prefect of Kaifeng to sow discord? All under heaven belongs to the king, and all who live within its borders are the king's subjects. Do you not understand this principle?"
Seeing that the fellow was getting out of hand, Liang Shicheng glared at him.
"My... my guilt, my guilt!"
Looking at Liang Shicheng's cold face, Du Chong was truly startled.
Although he was muttering to himself, he dared not say another word.
"His Majesty ordered you to try this case. No matter what you discover, you must report it truthfully. No matter how many people are involved, or who they are, you must see it through to the end. Do I need to teach you this?"
"Thank you, Grand Tutor, for your guidance!"
After wiping the cold sweat from his forehead again, Du Chong finally invited Liang Shicheng into the yamen.
They went to the back office, sat down as hosts and guests, and after the servants served tea, Du Chong hurriedly brought up the confessions he had just taken.
"This is what you've uncovered?"
After taking a sip of tea, Liang Shicheng finally glanced at the documents he had handed over.
"Replying to Grand Tutor, it's all here. It's not that I, your subordinate, don't understand the rules, but the implications within..."
Du Chong spoke while carefully observing Liang Shicheng's expression.
Although Liang Shicheng's face remained impassive, he was secretly shocked in his heart.
He had already expected that Han Mo would be plotting something, but he hadn't expected that this fellow would play such a big game this time.
Over twenty million strings of copper coins!
Let alone Du Chong, even he felt the urge to turn and run.
Although Cai Jing's wealth was certainly far more than this, from another perspective, if someone dared to take such a large piece of meat from his hands, it would be truly absurd if he didn't chop them into eighteen pieces.
"It's not that I'm criticizing you, Master Du. In officialdom, although you are often helpless, don't forget that you are handling an imperial case. If you still can't position yourself correctly at this moment, I think you shouldn't be an official anymore!"
In a mere moment, Liang Shicheng had made up his mind.
No matter what Han Mo was plotting, this fellow must have thought of the subsequent steps, otherwise, he wouldn't have caused such a stir.
Since he himself wasn't afraid, why should he worry for him?
After figuring out these details, Liang Shicheng's official demeanor was exceptionally proper.
After hearing his words, Du Chong felt like cursing, and if thoughts could kill, Liang Shicheng would have died ten thousand times by now.
"Yes..."
"Alright, I, this Grand Tutor, am merely following His Majesty's orders to see if you have any difficulties. I understand your predicament. You should have a copy of this, right?"
After clearing his throat, Liang Shicheng stood up and slowly scanned Du Chong.
"Of course, of course!"
Hearing him say this, Du Chong's heart immediately rejoiced. It seemed Liang Shicheng was preparing to take this matter back to Zhao Ji.
"Since that is the case, I will take this with me. His Majesty will naturally have someone inform you of his decision! I am not doing this to give you any guidance, but out of pity for your loyalty and sincerity. Do you understand?"
Liang Shicheng spoke while stuffing the stack of confessions into his embrace.
"Thank you, Grand Tutor, for your compassion!"
Regardless, Liang Shicheng had finally taken the bait, and Du Chong truly felt like crying.
"Alright, alright, then you wait for the imperial decree here!"
In any case, this was an imperial case. Once the Kaifeng Prefecture made a judgment, and as long as the emperor approved, it would be impossible to overturn.
In this situation, the sooner it was reported to the emperor, the more time he would have to react.
Liang Shicheng wouldn't mind doing such a favor.
"Thank you, Grand Tutor. Your grace, this humble official will never forget it!"
With a cold snort, Liang Shicheng swaggered out.
This fellow, though not of the highest rank, was a Deputy Prefect of Kaifeng and a Direct Scholar of the Bao Wen Pavilion. While his official position wasn't particularly high, maintaining a good relationship with him was still somewhat useful.
"How is the investigation proceeding at the Kaifeng Prefecture?"
Half an hour later, as Liang Shicheng returned to the Fúníng Hall, Zhao Ji couldn't help but ask.
"Replying to Your Majesty, the matter of deceiving the sovereign has been clearly investigated. However, there is still one matter. Du Chong is now afraid to continue the investigation..."
"What is there for the Deputy Prefect of Kaifeng to be afraid of continuing?"
Upon hearing Liang Shicheng's words, Zhao Ji's brows furrowed.
"This is the confession provided by Huang Qianshan, along with letters found in his home. Please, Your Majesty, peruse them..."
Liang Shicheng spoke as he quickly placed the documents he had brought back from Kaifeng on the emperor's desk.
"Twenty-four million strings of copper coins? How is this possible? How could there be so much? Could it be that even Han Mo..."
After reading these documents, even Zhao Ji began to suspect Han Mo.
After all, such a large sum of money made even him, the emperor, a little tempted, let alone a newcomer who had just entered officialdom.
"Replying to Your Majesty, looking at that young man's demeanor, he does not seem like a greedy person. Moreover, with his abilities, if he wanted to make money, why would he need to enter officialdom? Your humble servant has heard that both the Cuju Association and the Zhe family's businesses were his ideas..."
Having received so many favors from Han Mo, Liang Shicheng proved reliable at a crucial moment.
"You are not wrong in saying that. This young man doesn't do a great job as an official, but when it comes to the art of amassing wealth, he has truly opened my eyes as emperor. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he turns stone into gold..."
With Liang Shicheng's explanation, Zhao Ji was immediately swayed.
Come to think of it, it was indeed true. This young man seemed to have an innate ability to earn copper coins from places others couldn't see.
"If we are to speak of ability, it is Your Majesty who has discerning eyes for talent. This young man has not yet reached adulthood, yet he already holds an important position. If Your Majesty had not given him this opportunity, even if he wanted to use his abilities to enrich the nation, he would have had no avenue to serve the country!"
"Hahaha, you old fellow, your flattery skills have certainly not diminished!"