Chapter 114: Cut Off the Money Flow

Chapter 114: Cutting Off the Money Supply

As soon as the Dali Temple finished shutting down the gambling dens and casinos scattered throughout the capital, Xiao Lingchuan's subordinates moved with lightning speed, apprehending all the operatives and lackeys of the slave trader rings in the surrounding cities who had been kidnapping young women.

Lingfeng bowed respectfully to the Chief Minister of the Dali Temple and reported solemnly, "These traffickers specifically targeted young women traveling alone, even forcibly breaking into the homes of impoverished farming families to seize them, their methods were downright banditry. The abducted or deceived women were all sold into the capital, some forced to become prostitutes in brothels, others sent as concubines to influential and aristocratic families. I implore Your Excellency to thoroughly investigate this matter and deliver justice to the innocent women and their families!"

Upon hearing this, the Chief Minister was appalled and immediately ordered the henchmen imprisoned and subjected to torture. Under duress, they confessed that the mastermind behind it all was a human trafficking ring lurking within the capital.

Subsequent investigations confirmed that indeed, many women in the Chunxiang Pavilion had been forced into prostitution without having signed any indenture contracts.

Under harsh torture, the ringleader could only reveal the destinations of the women, which shockingly implicated numerous aristocratic clans.

The ramifications were extensive, implicating many noble houses. The Chief Minister dared not handle it alone and had no choice but to submit a detailed memorial to the Emperor for a final decision.

"Most of the abducted women come from decent families. Many aristocratic clans purchased them as concubines of status, even including the maternal clans of some palace consorts..." The Chief Minister cautiously observed the Emperor's expression, weighing his words as he asked, "Your Majesty, should we continue the investigation in depth?"

The Emperor had only seven princes. The maternal clans of two of them were implicated in this affair. If court officials learned of this, the Censorate would surely unleash a storm of verbal and written attacks.

"The relationship between the aristocratic clans and the imperial family is intricate, with deeply intertwined interests. If we push the investigation too far, I fear it will cause my sons to lose face and make it difficult for them to maintain their standing." The Emperor pondered for a moment before saying, "Release those women back to their home regions. Order the implicated clans to pay hefty fines as compensation for the innocent women. This matter must not be publicized to avoid causing unrest."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The Chief Minister assented, a flicker of dissatisfaction in his eyes that he could only forcibly suppress.

After he withdrew, a cold, mocking smile appeared on the Emperor's face.

The aristocratic clans had been growing ever more brazen lately, and he had long intended to find an opportunity to rein them in.

He hadn't expected the Dali Temple to present such a golden opportunity.

The relationship between the imperial family and the clans was delicate. He needed to control the situation but could not crush them completely in one move. After all, as the ruler of a nation, maintaining his throne required the support of these clans.

Therefore, regarding the trafficking of abducted young women, he needed to impose punishment, but it could not be too severe, lest the clans develop rebellious thoughts and become estranged from the imperial family.

In Jinghe Palace, Xiao Qiyu seethed with anger.

"Those aristocratic clans dared to openly trade in abducted young girls, knowingly breaking the law. Yet, Father Emperor treated the matter lightly, merely ordering the clans to pay some silver as compensation. The underground gambling dens were swiftly and decisively shut down because they affected the clans' interests, but the trafficking of innocent girls, involving the clans' filth, is deliberately suppressed and not publicized? How can such actions convince the civil and military officials and the common people of the realm?"

Xiao Lingchuan, however, was not surprised by the Emperor's approach. He said calmly, "Have you forgotten how Father Emperor ascended the throne? If not for the staunch support of the aristocratic clans, with his questionable legitimacy, how would he have been qualified to become the ruler of Daye? Naturally, he dares not easily offend the clans now, for fear of shaking the foundation of this hard-won throne."

"Shielding this one today, compromising with that one tomorrow—is Daye the empire of the imperial family or the domain of the aristocratic clans?" Xiao Qiyu's anger remained unabated, his brows tightly furrowed.

"Seventh Brother, there's no need for anger. For now, we have completely severed Xiao Xiuzhan's money-making schemes. Let's see how he manages next." Xiao Lingchuan leaned lazily against the back of his chair, a hint of cold mockery in his tone.

Hearing this, a smile finally appeared on Xiao Qiyu's face. "Fourth Brother is right. He can't repay those bestowed funds and has his own troubles to deal with. I want to see how he'll continue transporting provisions to West Yu!"

Xiao Lingchuan's expression grew dark, a glint of ice in his eyes.

Previously, he had sent people to try intercepting the provisions Xiao Xiuzhan was sending to West Yu. Unexpectedly, the Duke of State Stabilization had been prepared. He had disguised the provisions as supplies for the Daye soldiers stationed at the West Yu border and had all the necessary documentation ready, leaving no loopholes.

Unable to seize the provisions, he could only watch helplessly as they fell into West Yu's hands, becoming nourishment for Xiao Xiuzhan's private army.

With the Duke of State Stabilization consistently covering for and supporting his nephew, and lacking concrete evidence of collusion with the enemy, he simply couldn't bring Xiao Xiuzhan down in one fell swoop.

However, now that Xiao Xiuzhan's money trail was cut off, he believed it wouldn't be long before Xiao Xiuzhan would become disorganized and reveal his true colors!

—

Xiao Xiuzhan stumbled into Consort Xi's bedchamber, his face pale, his voice panicked. "Mother Consort, save me!"

Consort Xi quickly supported him, her brow furrowing slightly. "What has happened to make you so distraught?"

"My underground gambling dens and human trafficking operations have all been shut down by the Dali Temple!" Xiao Xiuzhan wailed.

Hearing this, Consort Xi's expression tightened. "Did they discover you are the mastermind?"

"No, not yet! It's just... I had planned to rely on these channels to raise silver to repay Father Emperor's bestowed funds as quickly as possible. Now that my money supply is cut off, how am I supposed to repay it?"

At this point, Xiao Xiuzhan was utterly overwhelmed. It truly was a case of misfortune never coming singly. Why did the crackdown have to happen at this critical juncture?

Upon hearing this, Consort Xi visibly relaxed and then said gently, "As long as you haven't been discovered, there's no need to panic. I have some private savings here. With your uncle's assistance and funds from the Inner Treasury, we will surely be able to gather the amount you need."

In previous years, when Consort Xi enjoyed great favor, the Emperor found a pretext to transfer the authority over the rear palace, originally held by the Empress, into her hands.

Consequently, Consort Xi gained the power to freely allocate funds from the Inner Treasury, making her the de facto ruler of the rear palace.

Xiao Xiuzhan hesitated. "But... aren't all transactions from the Inner Treasury recorded? If someone investigates, wouldn't you be in trouble, Mother Consort?"

Consort Xi chuckled softly. "Silly child, have you forgotten that you are to marry the Jiang family's Secondary Legitimate Daughter this year? Arranging the wedding, bestowing gifts upon your future wife—which of these doesn't require silver? As your mother, preparing these things for you is only natural and right. Who could possibly find fault with that?"

Upon hearing this, a gleam of pleasant surprise flashed in Xiao Xiuzhan's eyes, and he hurriedly bowed in thanks. "Thank you, Mother Consort! Mother Consort is always so thoughtful. Your son is endlessly grateful!"

The one-month deadline arrived in the blink of an eye, and Xiao Xiuzhan actually managed to return the full amount of the funds previously bestowed by the Emperor.

The Emperor was somewhat surprised and said with a hint of probing, "I originally thought a one-month deadline was too tight, and you might not be able to return it in time."

"Father Emperor jests. I hadn't used much of these bestowed funds; they were all properly stored in my mansion's treasury. How could I fail to return them?" Xiao Xiuzhan replied calmly. "Regarding the western campaign to suppress the bandits, I indeed handled matters poorly, resulting in Gu Yiting's death and nearly causing Censor Gu to become estranged from you, Father Emperor. I felt undeserving of these bestowed funds from the start. Now that I've returned them, my heart is actually more at ease."

Hearing this, the Emperor showed a pleased expression and nodded. "If you truly have such awareness, I am relieved. My Zhan'er has indeed grown up."

"Father Emperor, I have one more matter and beg for your gracious permission," Xiao Xiuzhan seized the opportunity to say.

"What is it? Speak."

"Your son and the Jiang family's Secondary Legitimate Daughter are deeply in love, and our marriage contract was settled long ago. I am unwilling to make her wait any longer and wish to move the wedding date forward to next month. I implore Father Emperor to grant this."

Hearing this, the Emperor laughed heartily. "You rascal! Since you are so eager to embrace your beauty, how can I make you wait any longer? This matter, I grant it!"

"Your son thanks Father Emperor for your grace!" Xiao Xiuzhan hurriedly bowed in thanks, unable to conceal the joy on his face.

This way, his mother consort's Inner Treasury accounts could be settled sooner.