Crown Prince of the Empire, I quit!

Chapter 1259: Trampling

He spoke in fragments, revealing the core secrets of a horrific corruption network that implicated countless officials at court and at the local level. Every word he said was enough to cause an earthquake in the court.

The transcript was written and signed quickly.

The commander picked up the confession with the ink still wet, glanced at Zheng Yuan, who looked as pale as death, then turned and walked out of the torture room.

"Give him a quick death." The cold voice echoed in the corridor.

……

Royal study room.

Qin Ming read Zheng Yuan's signed confession and the account transaction details of Li Jingtang's nephew-sun at Yongtai Money House, which were subsequently verified by Ting Fengwei, without any expression on his face.

Li Jingtang's name on the confession was shocking.

He was silent for a long time, and finally picked up the red brush and slowly wrote on a blank imperial edict:

"Li Jingtang, Grand Secretary of Wenyuan Pavilion and Vice Minister, is old and frail, unable to shoulder the heavy responsibility. He is ordered to be stripped of all official positions and titles, arrested immediately, and brought before the Three Courts for trial. His residence shall be sealed, his property confiscated, and his family detained pending trial."

After writing, he paused and added:

"Any official implicated in this case, regardless of rank, will be severely punished once proven guilty. I...will investigate this thoroughly."

The jade seal fell, as red as blood.

Thunderclaps in the deep palace finally exploded. A storm that swept through the highest levels of the court suddenly descended.

The imperial edict written in red ink by Qin Ming was like thunder from the sky, exploding in the heart of the empire.

The moment the decree was delivered, the already-deployed, black-armored Imperial Guards surged like a black tide, silently and swiftly encircling the residence of Li Jingtang, the Vice Minister of the Imperial Court, nestled among the capital's nobles. The vermilion lacquer gates slammed open, iron boots shattering the tranquility and dignity of the mansion. Li Jingtang, dressed in his home clothes, was practicing calligraphy in his study. He paused at the sound, his brush smearing the thick ink on the rice paper. He slowly raised his head, observing the incoming, armored Imperial Guards, and the expressionless eunuchs who followed behind to announce the decree. His face showed no sign of surprise, only a dead silence and... a hint of relief and exhaustion.

"I... accept your command and thank you." He knelt down to receive the order, his voice hoarse, without any excuses or pleading.

The mansion was immediately sealed off, and the family and servants were detained one by one, wailing. The vast mansion was instantly transformed into a magnificent prison. News spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of the capital at astonishing speed, triggering an unprecedented earthquake and tsunami!

The Vice Prime Minister! The Grand Secretary of Wenyuan Pavilion! The leader of the Qingliu! A veteran of two dynasties! And yet... he was imprisoned?!

Although the charges have not been made clear, everyone knows that it must be related to the recent undercurrent of the Jiangnan Canal Transport case!

For a time, the imperial court of the capital was in a state of panic, and everyone felt insecure. Officials with close ties to Li Jingtang were in a state of panic, their government offices locked shut, refusing all contact. The government offices, once bustling with traffic, were now much quieter. Officials hurried about, their faces solemn, fearing even the slightest connection to this monstrous crime.

The "Three Departments"—the Censorate, the Supreme Court, and the Ministry of Justice—quickly took over the case. However, the interrogation proceeded remarkably smoothly. In prison, Li Jingtang was remarkably cooperative, confessing to most of the charges. He readily admitted to "negligence" and "indulgence" in the affairs of the Jiangnan grain transport system, and even to "accepting gifts from some local officials." He took all the blame, refusing to mention any of his colleagues in the court. He simply attributed the vast network of interests in Jiangnan to "lower-level officials deceiving their superiors" and "cunning businessmen."

His confession was flawless, as if he had prepared it long ago. He portrayed himself as a confused, slightly greedy and foolish old minister, who took all the blame on himself and intended to cut off all clues for further investigation.

The officials of the three courts looked at each other in bewilderment. They knew that what he said was not entirely true and that there must be a wider range of issues behind it. However, with an old minister of Li Jingtang's level so "cooperative", they could not use force for the time being and the interrogation came to a deadlock.

When the news was passed back to the imperial study, Qin Ming looked at the confession that was vague and evasive, and a cold arc appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Want to sacrifice your own reputation to save your own? Trading your reputation for the safety of your followers? That's quite a good plan." He put down his confession, his eyes gleaming coldly. "Unfortunately, I... will not allow it."

He knew full well that Li Jingtang was only the tip of the iceberg. If the intricate network of Jiangnan interest groups and the imperial patronage network behind him were not eradicated, killing Li Jingtang today would only lead to Zhang Jingtang and Wang Jingtang popping up tomorrow.

"Tell the three officials," Qin Ming said in a calm voice, yet it carried undeniable murderous intent. "Li Jingtang is old and his memory is unclear. Ask them to...help him recall. Especially...the origins of Songyan tribute paper, the detailed list of Jiangnan's annual 'ice tributes and carbon tributes,' and...the ultimate destination of the money in those three accounts at Yongtai Bank. I want to see the hard evidence and hear...everyone's name."

"Your Majesty..." The eunuch shuddered slightly upon hearing this. The emperor was hinting... that he would use severe punishment to pry open Li Jingtang's mouth! Using torture on an elderly and important official who had once served as the Second Assistant Minister...

"Go and convey the order." Qin Ming's eyes swept over, as cold as a knife. The eunuch fell silent instantly and bowed and retreated.

That night, deep inside the imperial prison, in Li Jingtang's cell, came suppressed, horrifying moans of pain and the sound of iron clashing, which lasted all night long.

The next day, a new confession with the ink still wet and bloody fingerprints on it was sent to the palace at full speed.

The confession was densely packed with details, detailing the channels and individuals involved in the Jiangnan Canal Transport corruption ring's transfer of profits to the capital over the years, as well as... a shocking list of officials who accepted bribes! From high-ranking officials in government departments to censors, it involved the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Works, and even the Censorate! The sheer magnitude of the sums involved and the widespread involvement were enough to overthrow half the civil and military administration!

What is even more shocking is that the confession directly points out that the Jiangnan Grain Transport Governor's Office colluded with the chief officials of the prefectures along the river to falsely report the loss of grain, manipulate grain prices, and even...privately raise armed grain soldiers, and use force to threaten and eliminate dissidents in various horrific ways!

The evidence is as strong as a mountain! At the end of the confession, Li Jingtang's name was distorted, the ink mixed with blood, as if he had used up his last bit of strength.

After reading the confession, Qin Ming's face remained expressionless, except for a storm gathering in his bottomless eyes.

"Follow the map and arrest the man." He spat out these four words, as cold as iron.

Another imperial decree!

A purge storm that swept across the entire imperial court finally broke out completely without reservation!

The Black Armor Imperial Guards and the Tingfeng Guards joined forces, like accurate hunting dogs, and attacked all the government offices according to the list!

The Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel was locked up at home!

Two doctors from the Ministry of Revenue were dragged away directly from their duty room!

The head of the Water Purification Division of the Ministry of Works tried to resist and was killed on the spot!