Zhao Ji hadn't considered that. The impoverished emperor had only clearly heard one sentence, and the seventeen million strings of cash were already on their way to the capital!
"You said just now that there are seventeen million strings of cash, and they are now being escorted to the capital?"
After taking a deep breath, Zhao Ji quickly asked again.
"Replying to Your Majesty, there isn't that much actual cash. The amount of copper coins is about three million strings, and the rest is silver, silk, and gold!"
Seeing the emperor's overjoyed expression, Han Mo felt extremely satisfied.
He had held back when he met the emperor yesterday, all for this very moment.
"May I ask Minister Han, the Pu family's affairs have been over for months. Why did you only submit this wealth now? What are your intentions?"
Observing the emperor's expression, Geng Nanzhong knew that it would be difficult for them to do anything to Han Mo today. However, in order to maximize the value of Huang Qianshan's sacrifice, he stepped forward and questioned sternly.
"Minister Geng asks a very unreasonable question. Are you implying that I, Han Mo, originally intended to swallow this money and only reluctantly disgorged it when it became impossible?"
Facing Geng Nanzhong's accusation, Han Mo directly retorted.
"Isn't that the case? If you truly had the intention, even if this money hadn't been fully accounted for, shouldn't you have mentioned it in previous documents?"
The situation had reached a point of no return, and Geng Nanzhong spoke without restraint.
"Minister Geng is correct. This fellow harbors malicious intentions. I implore His Majesty to investigate this matter thoroughly!"
With such a kind-hearted person stepping forward to confront him, Du Chong was naturally happy to assist from the sidelines.
"I second this!"
Seeing that Du Chong and the others were engaged in a heated exchange, Fan Zhixu, who was standing nearby, immediately stepped forward to support Du Chong.
"Han Mo, do you have anything to say?"
With a Minister of Justice, a scholar of the Huijue Pavilion, and a Deputy Governor of Kaifeng Prefecture all jointly impeaching Han Mo, even the emperor had to put on a show.
"Replying to Your Majesty, this is all baseless nonsense!"
"Han Mo, you are audacious!"
As soon as Han Mo finished speaking, Geng Nanzhong sharply rebuked him.
"Your Majesty, I, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, impeach Minister Geng for his impropriety before the emperor. What is audacious or not audacious in speaking before the emperor?"
Seeing that they were ganging up three against one, Fan Zhengguo could no longer stand by and directly interrupted the rhythm.
"Minister Fan, please mind your demeanor!"
Cai Jing, naturally, would not miss such an opportunity to curry favor. He raised his eyelids slightly and then spoke.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Regardless of anything else, the Prime Minister was a teacher to all officials. Since he had already spoken, Geng Nanzhong could only agree.
"Very well, Minister Han, just tell us your story slowly!"
After glancing at everyone, Zhao Ji then unhurriedly spoke again.
With Han Mo's previous words, he was no longer in a hurry this time.
With seventeen million strings of cash as a foundation, they should be able to have a prosperous new year.
"Yes!"
After cupping his hands to the emperor again, Han Mo breathed a sigh of relief.
"Replying to Your Majesty, I, your humble servant, previously submitted three memorials to the state. The first memorial detailed the benefits and drawbacks. The second memorial requested an imperial order to thoroughly investigate the Pu family's affairs. The third memorial stated that the Pu family still had assets lost outside, though the specific amount was unknown. Once verified, they would be immediately remitted to the national treasury!"
Hearing Han Mo's words, even the emperor Zhao Ji was taken aback.
For any emperor, the number of memorials they reviewed daily numbered in the thousands or even tens of thousands. Moreover, several months had passed since this matter. How could he possibly remember what was written in the memorials at that time…
"Someone, bring the memorials!"
Fortunately, Han Mo was, after all, a high-ranking official in charge of a region. Any memorials submitted by him would have copies preserved by the Tongzheng Si.
"Yes!"
Hearing the emperor's words, the eunuchs below dared not delay and immediately sent someone to rush out of the hall.
At this point, the entire hall fell silent again.
"That's right, it is as you said. The memorial did mention this matter, but why has it been delayed for so long?"
After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, Zhao Ji, having checked the copies of the memorials sent by the eunuch, asked with a frown.
"Replying to Your Majesty, this case should have been thoroughly investigated long ago. The reason it has dragged on until now and a large amount of property has been lost outside should be attributed to Minister Fan and Lord Du!"
"Han Mo, do not slander us here! This matter falls within your jurisdiction, what does it have to do with us?"
Hearing Han Mo's words, Fan Zhixu immediately became indignant. What a joke! How could this mess be pinned on him, the Minister of Justice!
Moreover, he hadn't gained any credit from beginning to end. Why should he, the Minister of Justice, take the blame? Especially since he had no relation to Han Mo!
"I implore Your Majesty to investigate clearly, this matter has nothing to do with me!"
As Fan Zhixu began to cry injustice, Du Chong naturally had to do the same.
They had clearly heard what Han Mo had said earlier. The assets in Zhejiang totaled over forty million strings of cash. Now, only seventeen million strings had surfaced. Even if Han Mo's previously disbursed seven million strings to other merchants were added, there was still a deficit of sixteen to seventeen million strings.
Never mind that he was just a minor Deputy Governor of Kaifeng Prefecture; even the Grand Chancellor of the court could not bear such a burden!
"You two lords repeatedly claim this matter has nothing to do with you, but then why have you been withholding my documents and refusing to cooperate with the investigation?"
Seeing their constant denial, Han Mo suddenly asked with a cold smile.
"I don't understand what you are saying!"
Du Chong wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said directly.
"You don't understand what I'm saying? Then, sir, do you recognize this object? I request Your Majesty to send someone to the Ministry of Justice and Kaifeng Prefecture to verify these two documents!"
As Han Mo spoke, he took out two receipts from his sleeve.
Looking at the two receipts he produced, even Cai You, who was watching the scene from the sidelines, suddenly felt that something was not quite right.
In such a situation, if he couldn't produce concrete evidence, he would be committing the crime of deceiving the emperor!
No matter how bold Han Mo was, he wouldn't dare to gamble with his future…