Just as Cai Tao didn't know how to answer, Han Mo Hu Ren stepped forward directly.
"Lord Han, you said just now that you were only going to confiscate property, how can you be so clear now?"
Seeing that Han Mo had finally made a move, Geng Nanzhong, who had been waiting by the side, would naturally not miss such a good opportunity.
"Lord Geng, that statement is unreasonable. Your subordinate is still in charge of the Southeast Maritime Trade Directorate. The Pu and Cai families are both families of overseas merchants. If I don't even understand this, what kind of Maritime Trade Directorate do I have?"
The moment Han Mo saw Geng Nanzhong jump out, he immediately figured everything out.
On such an occasion today, everyone's words and actions would definitely have their own purpose.
Although his relationship with Crown Prince Zhao Huan was not close, it was definitely not hostile either.
Geng Nanzhong, as the Crown Prince's confidant, jumping out to cause trouble for him at this moment, wasn't this clearly telling Han Mo that this guy was guilty?
"You say you understand this matter clearly, then tell us!"
After glaring at Geng Nanzhong, Zhao Ji directly looked at Han Mo again.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, when the Pu family was at its peak, they almost monopolized all overseas spice businesses. For the past three years, the taxes they paid to the imperial court were less than 300,000 guan, but the profits they obtained were at least over 15 million guan annually!"
"Fifteen million guan!"
Hearing Han Mo say this, Emperor Zhao Ji even stood up and quickly flipped through the confiscation documents that Han Mo had previously submitted.
"Since their income was so huge, why did the money they finally received only amount to this much?"
Seeing the Emperor's actions, Du Chong naturally understood that the Emperor was calculating accounts, so he directly asked the question for the Emperor without hesitation.
After hearing Du Chong's question, Wang Fu's eyes immediately revealed a fierce glint.
This kid was still too young. He was the one who presided over the confiscation of property. Now that he was reporting the actual accounts, wasn't this like lifting a rock only to drop it on his own foot?
Just as Fan Zhengguo in the crowd was about to step forward to say a few words for Han Mo, he suddenly saw Han Mo's restraining gaze, and the half-step he had taken out was retracted again.
"Your Majesty, according to Han Mo's words, the Pu family's annual income is in the tens of millions of guan. After so many years, they have long been as rich as a nation. Yet, when Han Mo confiscated the Pu family's property, he only found so little money. I implore Your Majesty to thoroughly investigate this matter and see if there was any favoritism, corruption, or self-serving theft!"
This was an opportunity to crush Han Mo. Fan Zhixu naturally would not let it go. The three adjectives he used were truly pointed directly at Han Mo.
"I second that!"
"I also second that!"
...
In just a moment, even Geng Nanzhong jumped out and clearly requested the Emperor to conduct a thorough investigation.
"Father! Your son believes that Lord Han is definitely not involved in this matter. I implore Father to send people to thoroughly investigate this matter and give Lord Han his innocence!"
After exchanging a look with Cai You, even Prince Yun, Zhao Kai, could not stand by any longer.
Although he was prepared, Han Mo couldn't help but sigh when he saw this scene. This was truly a case of everyone kicking a man when he's down!
Indeed, in this imperial court, the most terrifying thing was factional strife!
Once factional strife reached the point of opposing for the sake of opposing, then the entire country would really be unable to do anything...
"Do you have anything to explain?"
Even the Emperor did not expect that Han Mo would make such a big mistake today. Even if he had the intention to favor him, at this moment, he could only frown and ask.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Pu family's assets are indeed not just what your subordinate has presented!"
After cupping his hands towards Zhao Ji, Han Mo said without hesitation.
"The Pu family's remaining assets, are they not in Lord Han's home now?"
Having been rebuffed by Han Mo all morning, Du Chong finally found an opportunity for revenge.
"Lord Du really likes to joke. Do you not know where the Pu family's assets are?"
"Han Mo, don't speak nonsense. How would I know where the Pu family's assets are!"
Originally, there was a hint of a contemptuous smile on his face, but after hearing Han Mo say this, the smile on Du Chong's face completely vanished.
The Emperor was going crazy from poverty. If he dared to get involved in such a matter at this time, wouldn't that be courting death?
"You don't know? If you don't know, then why are you covering for the Pu family?"
Han Mo was truly shocking. After he finished speaking, Du Chong immediately knelt on the ground with a thud.
"Your Majesty, please investigate. Your subordinate has no dealings with the Pu family! How could I possibly cover for them?"
"Han Mo, this joke of yours is not funny at all. Lord Du is an honest man, are you trying to kill him?"
Whether it was out of emotion or reason, Fan Zhixu naturally had to speak for Du Chong at this time.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, your subordinate, Han Mo, the Grand Director of the Maritime Trade Directorate of the Southeast Circuit and Fujian Circuit, has a memorial to present!"
Han Mo did not answer his question. Instead, he took out a memorial from his sleeve and raised it high.
"You have a memorial?"
This time, even Zhao Ji couldn't figure out what trick this kid was up to.
"That's right, your subordinate impeaches the Minister of Justice, Fan Zhixu, and the Shao Yin of Kaifeng Prefecture, Du Chong, for colluding with each other, acting in cahoots, and embezzling all of the Pu family's property in the capital, totaling over 16 million guan!"
Holy cow!
After Han Mo finished speaking, Fan Zhixu couldn't help but twitch at the corner of his mouth. This was fucking framing!
Sixteen million guan!
If he had that much money, why would he still be the Minister of Justice...
"Your Majesty, I think he's clearly trying to smear someone because he can't explain himself."
Fan Zhixu retorted without thinking.
"Han Mo, you say this, do you have any evidence?"
Although he didn't know what trick this kid was up to, Zhao Ji still asked again after glancing at the three of them.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, according to the situation that your subordinate has investigated, the Pu family's assets currently lost outside total over 41 million guan!"
"As for the 24 million guan that Lord Du and Lord Fan mentioned, it has been confirmed that 7 million guan of it is the normal share that the Pu family should have distributed to other merchants, and it has now been allocated to them. The remaining 17 million guan was shipped ten days ago and is expected to arrive in Bianliang City in another three to five days!"
After Han Mo finished speaking, Wang Fu, who had been watching the excitement from the side, suddenly felt a chill down his spine for no reason.
Why did it seem like the fire was about to burn him?