Chapter 1038: Chapter 874: Min Feng, How Cheap You Are!

Hu Maoshen turned his head to look and discovered that Gu Chengyu still appeared so calm and composed—exasperating!

"Since you all have different accounts, we must send someone to Yingnan Mansion to investigate before making any conclusions."

Gu Chengyu had been listening to their arguments without interruption, partly to see just how shameless Min Feng could be, and partly to delay, waiting for the news from Ming Mo of Yingnan Mansion.

"Sir! A servant of Mr. Gu is seeking an audience outside, claiming to have urgent news for Mr. Gu."

Originally, he wouldn’t dare to interrupt the distinguished gentlemen’s meeting, but this Ming Yan was Mr. Gu’s personal servant, and given the claim of urgency, he couldn’t afford to neglect it.

Gu Chengyu had intended to let Min Feng off temporarily and handle him once the evidence arrived, yet now it seemed the news had come.

"Humble Ming Yan greets the esteemed gentlemen!" Ming Yan entered the study and bowed to the crowd.

Among those present, Hu Maoshen held the highest rank, naturally making it his place to call Ming Yan up.

"No need for formality, young Ming Yan!" In consideration of Gu Chengyu, Hu Maoshen maintained a courteous tone towards Ming Mo.

Besides, he had long envied Gu Chengyu’s two capable assistants, even though his own Hui An was competent, albeit occasionally too impulsive.

"Sir!" Ming Yan glanced at Gu Chengyu, uncertain whether to divulge the investigative findings here openly.

"Ming Yan, disclose the investigative findings," said Gu Chengyu as he tidied the corner of his robe, his confident demeanor causing Min Feng’s heart to skip a beat involuntarily.

Suddenly, a sense of foreboding gripped him—what would this servant say? Would it involve him?

"Sir! News from Yingnan Mansion indicates that upon arriving at Yingnan Mansion, Mr. Min was recommended to the Yingnan Prefecture Magistrate, Mr. Li, by Mr. Hu. Mr. Min led several Ministry of Industry officials on two inspections of the river embankment, failing to detect any leaks both times. While lodging at the Yingnan Prefecture Government Office, Mr. Li gifted Mr. Min with one hundred taels of gold and a beauty."

Ming Yan had described everything in great detail, avoiding further elaboration. What could gifting a beauty signify? Naturally, nights of revelry!

Min Feng stared fiercely at Ming Yan, watching him report every move made in Yingnan Mansion, his hands trembling beneath his sleeves.

His gaze on Ming Yan hinted at a murderous intent, as a tempest raged in his heart.

Gu Chengyu was indeed remarkable, daring to trace his actions in Yingnan Mansion.

This time, Min Feng seethed with hatred for Gu Chengyu, vowing to eliminate the obstacle he posed as soon as things settled upon his return to the Capital, following his mentor’s advice.

The faces of the other Ministry of Industry officials turned noticeably grim; they hadn’t expected Gu Chengyu to have people investigating them in Yingnan Mansion.

And with such precision—Gu Chengyu surely knew about the benefits they received in Yingnan Mansion.

Though their gains were modest, accepting bribes was nonetheless a conclusive affair.

If Gu Chengyu reported this to the Emperor, their official hats would be forfeited.

Realizing this, their legs went weak, almost unable to stand.

Min Feng’s complexion was paler than the other Ministry of Industry officials as he desperately devised a countermeasure.

This was Jiangnan; even if his mentor wished to save him, it was akin to distant water failing to quench a nearby fire.

For now, he had to muddle through the present circumstance, awaiting the return to the Capital to truly confront matters!

"One hundred taels of gold?" Gu Chengyu examined Min Feng’s expression with a hint of strangeness—wasn’t one hundred taels of gold equivalent to one thousand taels of silver?

Were they really bought for merely a thousand taels? Min Feng, how cheap you are! Gu Chengyu found it incomprehensible that for one hundred taels of gold, one would resort to corruption; such shortsightedness.

"Sir! That day, not only Mr. Min received benefits, but the other Ministry of Industry officials did too, to varying extents. Here are detailed records; please have a look."

This investigation was no easy feat; Ming Mo expended considerable effort in Yingnan Mansion. Ming Yan stepped forward and handed over the document. It was transcribed from the bamboo tubes of three carrier pigeons, as these tubes could not hold much weight.

"Moreover, regarding the river embankment leak, it absolutely did not exist before Mr. Min and his colleagues received benefits. This point has been verified by numerous river workers. Later, the Yingnan Prefecture Magistrate coerced several river workers to chisel open two small holes on the embankment to fabricate a leak, which has since been repaired."

After Ming Yan straightforwardly disclosed almost everything, he stepped aside.

The Ministry of Industry officials turned to Min Feng—one hundred taels of gold? Mr. Li was indeed generous!

Converting to silver was one thousand taels! In some remote places, officials might not save one thousand taels in ten years.

Moreover, their rank surpassed Min Feng’s, yet how much silver did they get? Barely a few hundred taels.

Of course, none of the Ministry officials knew the exact amount others received, but compared to Min Feng, theirs was naturally less.

Now that the scandal has erupted, they suddenly felt relieved; having received a thousand taels of silver, they’d be far more accountable.

Hu Maoshen’s face was livid, not expecting Min Feng to deceive, all for a thousand taels of silver, with Li Taixing being equally unscrupulous.

In truth, across the court, how many officials could claim to be incorruptible? Even Hu Maoshen himself has accepted many tributes.

Such is officialdom; those who uphold integrity face exclusion, yet it depends on the circumstance.

Currently, the court contends with disaster relief, leaving the Emperor enraged. Min Feng’s corruption at this critical juncture warrants punitive measures far exceeding usual penalties.

Moreover, disaster relief is of utmost importance; those with a conscience would refrain from reaching for benefits at such times, lacking the nerve even if tempted.

"Min Feng! Is the statement from Mr. Gu’s followers true?" Hu Maoshen glared at Min Feng, filled with fury—not just for corruption, but for his alliance with Li Taixing deceiving him.

How degrading was this for an imperial envoy? As a Second-rank Official, Min Feng and Li Taixing disregarded him completely.

Admitting was impossible; Min Feng fell to his knees with a thud.

"I beseech Mr. Hu for discernment! You cannot rely solely on Mr. Gu’s follower’s one-sided account to affirm my acceptance of silver! Their baseless allegations have no evidence to support them."

He could never admit, or even with his mentor’s backing, the Emperor wouldn’t spare him.

He somewhat regretted now, for taking those thousand taels of silver; future opportunities abound, so why act rashly?

It was the allure of Li Taixing’s gold and silver that compelled him, else he wouldn’t have been blinded by greed.