The prime minister, no matter which dynasty, is a supreme minister, under one person, above ten thousand.

Even in some special periods, the prime minister can replace the emperor and exercise the power to govern the world.

And the dismissal of a prime minister is a big deal.

If there is no reason, even the emperor cannot change the prime minister at will.

Otherwise, it will inevitably cause a backlash from the ministers, and eventually lead to the disappointment of the monarchs and ministers, and chaos in the court.

Hubu Shangshu never expected that the young majesty in front of him was ready to make a move on the prime minister!

"Alright, you go down. Li Xi waved his hand at Cao Zhengchun.

Cao Zhengchun respectfully left the Hall of Eternal Life.

Li Ci's face softened slightly.

Thoroughly investigate the matter of Prime Minister Yuan Zai and hand it over to Cao Zhengchun, Li Xi is more relieved.

If it were someone else, he might be afraid of the prime minister's power, but Cao Zhengchun would definitely not be like that.

Let's not talk about Cao Zhengchun himself, he is a god and demon-level powerhouse, and his strength is all over the sky, the key is that Cao Zhengchun is absolutely loyal to Li Xi.

This is the reason why Li Xi gave power to Cao Zhengchun and asked him to establish the East Factory and monitor the ministers.

The most important position is naturally reserved for oneself to feel at ease.

Otherwise, if Dongchang is controlled by other forces, then Li Xi may really be restless.

Cao Zhengchun left the Hall of Eternal Life, immediately put aside all matters, and began to investigate the old bottom of Prime Minister Yuan Zai.

"Prime Minister Wonjae?"

Cao Zhengchun sneered.

He knew very well that Li Ci asked him to investigate the prime minister, and it was definitely not a simple abuse of the state treasury.

The emperor is planning to centralize power!

After several generations of inheritance, especially after the Anshi Rebellion, the Tang Dynasty began to decline from prosperity to decline, and the power of the emperor was unconsciously dispersed.

There are many things that the emperor himself cannot do.

You need to consult with the Prime Minister.

Why?

Part of the emperor's power was transferred to the prime minister.

Li Ci investigated the prime minister, just to take back the power in the prime minister's hands.

Thinking of this, Cao Zhengchun prepared to infiltrate the prime minister's mansion in person.

Li Ci explained his affairs, and it must be foolproof to make Li Ci satisfied!

...

The next day.

Early dynasty begins.

The ministers stood early and waited outside the Taiji Hall.

According to the level of the official position, follow both sides of the royal road in turn, and enter the Taiji Hall in an orderly manner.

All civil and military officials entered the court.

Li Ci wore a dragon robe, walked on the golden royal road, crossed the palace steps, crossed the civil and military officials, and finally sat on the dragon chair, looking down on the ministers.

"Long live Your Majesty, long live, long live!"

The ministers bowed their heads.

Li Ci leaned slightly on the throne of the dragon chair: "Zhong Aiqing is flat." ”

"Thank you, Your Majesty. ”

Only then did the civil and military officials dare to stand up.

This was the rule of the early dynasties.

If the emperor did not give the order to be flat, the ministers would have to kneel for the early court.

"Your Majesty, the minister has something to do..."

A minister stood up and said in a loud voice.

...

An hour later, the morning dynasty came to an end.

Li Ci raised his eyelids: "Do you have anything else to do?"

The civil and military officials looked at each other, bowed down and said, "Back to Your Majesty, I can't wait." ”

"In this case, on my side, there is something that needs to be known by Zhong Aiqing. Li Xi said.

"The head of the household is still in the book, and the details of the treasury are announced to the public Aiqing. Li Xi gestured to the head of the household.

"Obey. Hubu Shangshu came out, looked around at the ministers, and said loudly: "At the beginning of the year, the treasury was 24 million taels of silver, and now there are 4 million taels of silver left in the treasury. ”

As soon as Hubu Shangshu's voice fell, the Manchu Dynasty Wenwu was stunned.

"Four million taels?"

"My Datang treasury, how can I just make such a little money?"

The first reaction of the ministers was disbelief.

Are you kidding.

Four million taels of silver is certainly an astronomical amount.

But look at what it compares to that way.

If there are only four million taels of silver left in the treasury of the Tang Dynasty, it will be a big joke in the world.

Li Ci sat on the throne of the dragon chair and saw the reaction of the ministers clearly.

The vast majority of courtiers looked incredible.

"Okay, let's go ahead and announce it. Li Xi said.

The head of the household department continued to say: "Of these, one million taels is for the royal family, five hundred thousand taels for foreign expenditures, and one and a half million taels for the army's various replacements and salaries. ”

When Hubu Shangshu said this, he paused for a moment, and finally said: "The remaining 17 million taels will be transferred by the prime minister." ”

As soon as these words came out.

The entire court fell into a dead silence, and the falling needles could be heard.

Therefore, the minister's eyes are focused on Prime Minister Yuan Jae.

Seventeen million taels...

That's not a decimal number.

Where did the prime minister spend this huge amount of money?

"Your Majesty!"

"Wronged!"

Prime Minister Yuan Jae knelt on the ground with a puff.

"All of this is Li Jingzhong's dog slave threatening the old minister. ”

"Li Jingzhong pretended to convey His Majesty's will, secretly stole His Majesty's seal, and ordered the old minister to do this. ”

"The old minister doesn't know, he has been deceived!"

Prime Minister Yuan Jae wept bitterly.

"Really?"

Li Xi looked at the prime minister expressionlessly.

The prime minister pushed everything on Li Jingzhong, which can be said to be extremely perfect.

Anyway, Li Jingzhong is dead.

There is no proof of death.

Whatever the Prime Minister of Nature says, he is.

"Lord Cao. Li Ci put his right hand on the armrest of the dragon chair and looked at Cao Zhengchun.

Cao Zhengchun immediately understood what Li Xi meant.

In the early court today, Cao Zhengchun deliberately stood beside Li Ci in accordance with Li Ci's instructions.

It is convenient for Li Ci to summon at any time.

"Back to Your Majesty, after the investigation of the East Factory, Prime Minister Yuan Zai has a total of 50 mansions, all of which are located in the prosperous area of Chang'an City, which are converted into two and a half million taels of silver, and under each mansion, there are 100,000 taels of gold, 500,000 taels of silver, plus countless kinds of jewelry, calligraphy and paintings. ”

Cao Zhengchun said respectfully.

When Li Ci heard this, his face became gloomy: "Tell me how many of these are converted into silver taels." ”

"Your Majesty, at least fifty million taels of silver. Cao Zhengchun bowed and said.

"Fifty million taels!"

Li Ci sighed lightly, and killing intent appeared on his face.

You must know that even if Datang pays taxes a year, it is only 10 million taels.

And the prime minister's family property is equivalent to five years of tax revenue in Datang!

Fifty million taels of silver is enough to increase the number of Tang soldiers by more than half.

Prime Minister Yuan Zai has long been dead.

He never dreamed that his old background would be known to Li Ci clearly.

This... How is this possible?

However!

Since Li Ci has even found out the number of his mansions, he naturally has ironclad evidence, and he can't deny it.

At this thought, Prime Minister Yuan Zai was discouraged.

At this time, Li Ci's expression was furious, and his killing intent was boiling.

"Fifty million taels of silver, I am the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, and I have never seen such wealth since I ascended the throne. ”

Li Ci slowly got up and looked at the prime minister who was shaking like chaff: "Prime minister, you don't want to tell me that these silver taels are the money that my Tang Dynasty gave you, right?"

"Minister..."

"Don't dare..."

The prime minister said astringently.

"Don't dare?"

Li Ci sneered.

"In this world, there are still things you don't dare?"

"Fifty million taels of silver, just one prime minister, actually embezzled fifty million taels of silver!!"

"My country, it is because of you moths that the people are not able to make a living, and the sun is twilight!!

On the Taiji Palace, Li Ci angrily reprimanded the ministers!