Wei Yining's suggestion to the queen to make winter clothes was adopted.

The next day, the queen asked Bai Lu, the chief eunuch of Fengyi Palace, to go to the Internal Affairs Office to find the person in charge of the treasury to collect the cloth and cotton.

It happened that Concubine Chen Shu came to ask for peace, and the queen talked to her about it.

There are five or six thousand palace ladies in this harem, and it takes only half a month to make 30,000 pieces of winter clothes.

Concubine Chen Shu also praised the queen for her kindness.

But who would have thought that things would be smooth, Father-in-law Bai went for a long time and came back empty-handed.

When the queen saw that he looked different, she asked, "What's the matter?" Is there something the Ministry of Internal Affairs that can't be busy? ”

Manager Bai replied: "They are not very busy, Gonggong Zhang was not there when the slave passed, and it was Gonggong Zhuang who received me from the second manager." I told the mother of her wishes, but he said that there are not enough clothes in the library now. ”

"How is this possible?" The queen also felt that something was wrong when she heard this, and said to Concubine Chen Shu: "If the days are too long, it's okay, you and I will go to count the inventory in July this year." At that time, there were 1,200 horses of clothing in the inventory, and 600 pieces of cloth were taken out to make 50,000 pieces of winter clothing for the border soldiers. There are still 600 horses left, how can you say that it is not enough? ”

Chen Shufei nodded, because it had only been a few months, so she remembered it clearly.

"Niangniang Shengming, the slave said the same thing at the time." Manager Bai said: "But Manager Zhuang led me in to take a look, and there were indeed a few pieces of cloth left. And it's all moldy, and it can't be used at all. ”

"Call me Zhuang Wen! I'm going to ask him face to face. The Empress was visibly furious.

It is clear that someone from the Ministry of Internal Affairs is guarding and stealing from himself, and he dares to steal royal things, how bold must this be?!

The queen presided over the sixth palace, and there was a thief under her nose, if this matter is not handled properly, it will inevitably affect her reputation and prestige.

Concubine Chen Shu was about to leave, but the queen asked her to stay.

The father-in-law Zhuang was waiting outside the door, and Mr. Bai went out and called him in.

This Zhuang Gonggong is dark and thin, on such a cold day, his face is actually covered with sweat, and as soon as he enters the door, he kneels down and makes a sound.

"It's not about the slaves, it's not about the slaves, please be gracious." Grandpa Zhuang begged for mercy all the time, and his appearance would only make the queen even more angry.

"You are the second housekeeper of the Internal Affairs Office, and the things in the library are gone, why is it none of your business?!" The queen scolded: "Explain the matter clearly as soon as possible, and I will naturally find out whether you are guilty or not." If you still blindly beg for mercy, pull it out first and hit fifty boards, and then come in and talk back! ”

Zhuang Wen heard the queen say this, so he had to reply: "Niang Niang Mingjian, the slave is just a second housekeeper, and if you don't hear it, you are an errand runner." Father-in-law Zhang has the final say in everything in the Internal Affairs Office, and the slave has already been taken down by him, how dare he say nothing! ”

Although Grandpa Zhuang's words were not very good, the queen knew that it was probably the truth.

So he said, "Even if you didn't do it, you must know it, and if you tell me everything you know, I won't blame you." ”

"Slave, slave only knows that after making winter clothes for the border soldiers, Manager Zhang divided it four times, and transported the remaining about six hundred pieces of cloth out of the palace to be quietly resold." Zhuang Wen said: "As for who it was sold to and how much it was sold, the slave is not clear at all. ”

"Can Zhang Ping have such courage? I really underestimated him. The queen said, "Where are the others?" ”

"Back to Niangniang, the slave has already asked someone to look for him, but he hasn't arrived yet." Manager Bai hurriedly said: "It is said that he is supervising the work in Cuiming Palace!" ”

"Mother, there's another thing that the slave doesn't know whether to say or not." Zhuang Wen said cautiously.

"If you know something, say it quickly, and if you are so secretive, you will be asked to slap your mouth!" Queen's Road.

"Yes, yes," Grandpa Zhuang agreed again and again: "A while ago, Chen Fu and Grandpa Zhang, who were beside the third prince, were very close, and the two of them often muttered something in one place. ”

"Sixian has always been very responsible, and the people around him ......" The queen hesitated a little.

"I can't keep the people under my hands from deceiving the superiors and subordinates," Chen Shufei said, "After all, Sixian is still a child." ”

"Niangniang, when I heard him say this, the slave also remembered one thing," Mr. Bai said: "Last month's birthday of the concubine Niangniang, but it was not as good as last year. But I heard that the third prince prepared a very expensive gift for her, and I thought it was strange at the time, where did the third prince have so much money? Now that I think about it, these two things just happen to match, shouldn't it ......?"

"Are you saying that Chen Fu and Zhang Ping stole the backlog of cloth in the treasury and sold it, and the silver obtained was used by the third prince to give the concubine Niangniang's birthday gift?" The queen followed Bai Lu's words.

"The slave is also guessing, in the end, I have to call Zhang Ping to ask clearly." White total pipe.

"Yes, this charge of theft cannot be placed indiscriminately." The queen nodded and said, "Especially when it comes to the princes." ”

Chen Shufei on the side also nodded, expressing her deep opinion.

After a while, Mr. Zhang was called, and the manager was white and fat, and he was panting and sweating because he was in a hurry.

As soon as he entered the door and saw Zhuang Wen kneeling there, he knew what was going on.

"Father-in-law Zhang, I will help you up to the position of the head of the Internal Affairs Office. At that time, seeing that you were diligent and careful, I gave you this errand, which was also a heavy responsibility, but who would have thought that you would actually do the act of guarding and stealing yourself, it is really chilling. The queen looked at Zhang Ping coldly and said.

"Slaves deserve death! Sin deserves death! Zhang Ping kowtowed, and the floor shook.

"Don't be too busy pleading," the queen sneered, "It's not too late to make things clear first." You've got a good plan! It is expected that this year's winter clothes have been completed, and the next batch will not be made until July next year, and at that time, there will naturally be new fabrics to use. No one would have asked about the remaining six hundred horses of clothing beforehand, and you have taken them out and sold them, and you are indeed unaware of them! ”

"The queen mother is angry, and the slave is a ghost for a while." Zhang Ping wept bitterly.

"Are there any accomplices in telling me about this?" The queen asked, "I don't believe you alone would dare to do such a thing." ”

"No, no, it's all done by the slave alone." Zhang Ping responded in a panic.

But his look made it clear to everyone that he was lying.

"I see that you don't cry when you don't see the coffin." The queen laughed angrily: "If you don't tell the truth at this time, drag it out and play fifty boards!" ”

"Manager Zhang, you better say it as soon as possible, I have already told everything you know." Father-in-law Zhuang on the side persuaded: "I saw that you have been mixing with Chen Fu a few days ago. ”

"Chen Fu?" Zhang Ping muttered.

"Did you two do it together?" The queen asked.

"Yes......" Zhang Ping gritted his teeth and said as if he had made a great determination.

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