Do Not Offend the Reborn Wicked Wife-Chapter 196: Are You Going to Turn Everything Upside Down?
Afterwards, a secret squad of thirty came over. On one hand, they secretly surrounded and monitored everything on Bai E Mountain, and on the other, they protected these craftsmen.
This squad was composed of Cao Yin’s confidants, seasoned veterans, strictly disciplined, with some dedicated to reconnaissance, others to discipline, and others to provisions.
One could say it was well-organized.
Moreover, under the guidance of the craftsmen, they found a workshop where Wang Ren was hiding a large amount of iron. This workshop was fifty miles north of the city, with the warehouse piled high with iron, and the constant clanging from the workshop.
The next day, Li Qingmu attended court.
The role of Imperial Censor is a unique position. Generally, only fourth-rank officials and above can attend court, but an Imperial Censor can attend as long as they have a memorial.
Today, Li Qingmu came.
With a new official comes three fires. Li Qingmu had just assumed the position of Imperial Censor, and even if it were a temporary replacement, he needed to accomplish something, right? After all, it was the Emperor who appointed him. If he did nothing, wouldn’t it embarrass the Emperor?
In the Imperial Censorate, those who were at odds with Li Qingmu were watching him, waiting to see when he would attend court. If he never appeared, they would have more grounds to impeach him. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺
Huang Hua was also present today. Hearing that Li Qingmu attended the morning court, he hurriedly brought the memorial he had prepared long ago.
Entering the court, he glanced at Li Qingmu, his eyes filled with smugness.
Especially when he saw Li Qingmu with a bandage wrapped around his forehead, he couldn’t help but almost burst into laughter.
Did this guy get into a fight last night? Hahaha!
Petty villain finds success. Li Qingmu couldn’t be bothered and stood solemnly to the side.
He was only a sixth-rank official. Most of the morning court was unrelated to him. With the Emperor and a few Prime Ministers discussing matters, he appeared attentive but was actually dozing off.
When the discussion was almost over, he prepared to step forward, but intentionally slowed his movements.
Huang Hua, not suspecting anything, immediately stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, this minister has a memorial!" He held the ceremonial tablet and stepped forward, filled with righteous indignation, "This minister impeaches the newly appointed Imperial Censor Li Qingmu for taking leave multiple times, neglecting duties, truly failing to honor Your Majesty’s favor!"
"This person is excessive. He has only recently taken office and has already taken leave multiple times. What’s keeping him so busy? Is it because someone in his family is ill? Then he should have had a servant take care of them, right?"
"I heard he went spring outing with his female relatives from home."
"Ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous, so improper!"
"..."
Huang Hua had barely started, and immediately, a discussion arose below, even bringing up details of him going on an outing with his female relatives.
Li Qingmu inwardly sneered, Go on, say all you want, let’s see whose face hurts later!
Seeing Li Qingmu’s lack of response, Huang Hua thought he was scared stiff and panicked, and thus continued with a mocking smile: "Furthermore, this person indulges his family in opening a clinic and widely grows medicinal herbs. What is this?
He plans to hoard medicinal herbs to become a major pharmaceutical dealer! Treating patients can win hearts, and having a large stock of herbs at hand... This minister, this minister is foolish and can’t see the intentions behind this, but always feels uneasy!"
Emperors are naturally suspicious. Sometimes, the more straightforward you are, the less they believe, but if you are vague, the Emperor will fill in the gaps himself...
Qi Yun’s face turned slightly cold, his sharp gaze directed at him: "Li Qingmu, I have consistently opposed officials engaging in commerce. What do you have to say about this?"
Li Qingmu looked up with a face of confusion: "Your Majesty, about this... this minister does not know what to explain!"
"Audacious! Officials engaging in commerce have the suspicion of collusion between officials and merchants, and you, in particular, are engaged in pharmaceuticals. Medicine has always been crucial to the state, what exactly are you planning, hmm?"
Do you intend to rebel?
The Emperor’s insinuation was clear to everyone, those who were against him all lowered their heads, suppressing their laughter.
You brat, you’re finally in trouble!
Li Qingmu bowed and stated, "Your Majesty, when this minister was in Xinan, I witnessed many soldiers who could have been saved due to lack of medicine dying before my eyes, and I felt anguished!
Later, discussing with my wife, we both felt that herbs were too scarce because many herbs are gathered by herbalists in the mountains, resulting in high costs and low quantities.
We thought, if we could widely cultivate herbs, once successful, not only would there be more medicines, lowering prices so that more common folk could afford treatment and medication, it could also help prevent winter epidemics! Regarding this matter, this minister feels there’s nothing wrong!"
Li Qingmu spoke earnestly, his eyes clear, causing those who had been mocking him to feel ashamed.
Is that really the case?
So the cultivation of herbs was not for hoarding them and raising prices, but to lower prices so more people could afford treatment and medication?
If that’s true, then it’s a great achievement!
"Your Majesty, this minister now knows his mistake! This should have been reported to the court, explained my intentions, so such misunderstandings wouldn’t occur. This minister is willing to accept punishment! If Your Majesty feels this is inappropriate, I will have my wife..."
"Ah, ahem... well, Mr. Li, this matter... not bad! Huang Hua!"
Qi Yun didn’t expect it to be like this, clearly a genuine and innocent intention, yet it was so slandered, and he himself fell into the trap.
An emperor losing face before his ministers made Qi Yun very angry, and he sternly shouted at Huang Hua, who impeached Li Qingmu, "Before impeaching a colleague, failing to investigate the facts is dereliction of duty and warrants punishment!"
"Your Majesty, this minister has been wronged, this minister was considering the court’s stability and hadn’t thought so much... But Your Majesty, his neglect of duty is true, he has been on leave for several days!"
Huang Hua felt a chill, realizing that today might not go well, but his elder brother had been demoted to Xinan because of this person, and he had to vent this anger for his brother.
Importantly, he wasn’t fighting alone!
He immediately knelt, his head touching the ground, lamenting, "Your Majesty, this person betrays Your Grace!"
Originally intending to impeach Li Qingmu over commerce, but with just a few words, he reversed the situation. In desperation, Huang Hua could only cling to Li Qingmu’s alleged betrayal of imperial favor.
Having just taken office and already taking leave, Emperor, this person does not regard you highly!
Li Qingmu, watching him scramble like a clown, sneered and said, "Your Majesty, these past days of leave were not spent on leisure, but on investigation!"
"Oh, investigating what?"
Qi Yun, having just lost a bit of face, felt the need to redeem it, so he asked amicably.
"Your Majesty, this minister impeaches Minister of the Ministry of Justice Wang Ren for privately opening an iron mine and attempting to commit murder to silence others, harboring rebellious intentions!"
"What?"
With these words, everyone in the court changed, looking at him in shock.
"Boy, you’d better not spout nonsense! If you dare spread such lies, this official will hold you accountable first!"
Chen Fang’en, Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice and Wang Ren’s direct superior, was livid, his old face bright red as he scolded Li Qingmu.
If Wang Ren had really done such a thing, as his superior, he would also suffer, and Li Qingmu, this little rascal, was about to turn everything upside down as soon as he arrived?
