Chapter 400: Chapter 394: Evidence of the Clan’s Guilt _1
People possess greed and desire!
Qin Wudao did not know what choices Rong Ancestor and Open Sun Star Lord were facing, nor did he know their choices’ outcomes. However, he did realize that he had underestimated the selfishness and greed of the clans. With countless pieces of evidence flowing into the imperial palace, a criminal syndicate, dominated by clans and vying for national power, began to appear.
About one and a half months after the extermination of the Huang Clan, millions of Abyss Guards and Hidden Guards finally completed their investigation on all clans.
All the facts of the crime formed a complete chain of evidence!
"Summon Zhuge Liang, Xiao He, Guo Jia, Song Jiang, Li Ru, Xiang Yu, and the Yan Yun Eighteen Riders!"
In the imperial study, Qin Wudao, staring at the evidence, ordered with a cold voice. His star-like eyes flickered with a cold light.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Dian Wei saluted respectfully before leaving to summon the others.
Soon, the summoned ministers entered the imperial study. After Xu Chu instructed the palace maid to make tea, he and Dian Wei stood at the entrance of the hall, alertly watching the surroundings.
The formations automatically activated, blocking out any sounds, including forces of fate.
"Li Ru, please brief our ministers!"
Qin Wudao pointed to the definitive list of clan delinquencies on the table—since Li Ru had supplied them, it was only appropriate for him to explain.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Li Ru rose, saluted, and, facing everyone, began to explain, "Your Majesty, esteemed ministers, since the Huang Clan case came to light, we secretly investigated the 23,256 clans within the nation and discovered 22,900 clans engaging in unlawful activities!"
"The most common offense is that clans have been raising private armies, from as few as ten thousand to as many as millions!"
"Next is clans meddling in politics. More than 15,000 clans have been placing officials in local governments. Prominent among these are high-ranking clans led by the Bear Clan, Xun Clan, Yuwen Clan, Zuo Clan, and Ran Clan, who are controlling the appointment and transfer of court officials..."
After hearing Li Ru’s words, everyone present couldn’t help but gasp in shock.
In their eyes, the clans’ actions were far too reckless!
"Minister Li, for clans such as the Bear Clan to manipulate the court, there must be someone cooperating with them. Who is it?" Zhuge Liang curiously asked.
The Bear Clan and Xun Clan were notably powerful even before the Spiritual Energy Tide. With the opportunity brought about by the Spiritual Energy Tide, they bred Emperor Level martial artists! Even so, they were still far from being able to manipulate the court unless someone was collaborating with them!
"Ah..."
Li Ru stole a glance at Qin Wudao, as if hesitant to speak. Only when the latter kept his composure did he finally announce in a serious tone, "Prime Minister, that person is the King of Jiangxia!"
Zhuge Liang, Xiao He, Guo Jia, and the others were shocked. It was someone from the royal family?
In the Qin Dynasty, only royalty were allowed to hold the title of king!
The King of Jiangxia, named Qin Huilong, was one of the few active members of the royal family in the court, serving as Vice Minister of Personnel, with high status and great power, including the authority to recommend court officials.
It seemed they had found the source of the rapid increase in the number of clan officials in the court.
"Two years ago, the Bear Clan, along with the Xun Clan and other clans that bred Emperor Level martial artists, bribed King Jiangxia at a colossal cost and obtained the position of Director in the Ministry of Personnel!"
"Having acquired a position in the Ministry of Personnel, the Bear Clan continued to bribe the King of Jiangxia, thereby gaining posts such as Assistant Director in the Ministry of Revenue, Assistant Director in the Ministry of Punishments, Assistant Director in the Ministry of Rites, Assistant Director in the Ministry of Works, and a senior official post in the Imperial Examination Academy!"
"After installing their personnel in various departments, the clans were not satisfied. They set their sights on the Military and Government Office!"
"And King Jiangxia, by appointing these clan-backed officials, became the leader of the clan faction, receiving bribes on one hand, and selling official positions on the other, thereby expanding his own influence!"
"Have you noticed that in the past six months, every opinion proposed by King Jiangxia has received massive support from other officials?"
Stopping at this point, Li Ru asked the ministers.
Upon reflection, Zhuge Liang and the others nodded slightly. They had previously assumed the support King Jiangxia received was due to his royal status and attributed it to officials currying favor, so they hadn’t paid it much mind. It now seemed there was another reason.
Li Ru took a sip of tea and continued, "The reason why the clans set their sights on the Military and Government Office is that this institution mainly deals with local military and political affairs!"
"After installing their officials in the Military and Government Office, the clans contacted other local clans under their jurisdiction using the Office’s banner. They collected membership fees and arranged for local clan members to take up local government positions!"
"Encouraged by the offerings from local clans, the King of Jiangxia and the Bear Clan, along with other clans, worked with great vigor to continue installing their people in the Military and Government Office!"
"Considering the King of Jiangxia’s royal status, the Prime Minister and his two deputies didn’t keep a close watch, and with their busyness in state affairs, they approved all the lists of promotions tabled by the King of Jiangxia!"
"As of now, more than 160 Military and Government Offices in the court have traces of clan officials!"
It took Li Ru a full hour to finish exposing the clans’ grand conspiracy.
Zhuge Liang, Xiao He, Guo Jia, and the others remained silent because the main figure in this case was the King of Jiangxia, who was part of the royal family.
Detecting the ministers’ hesitation, Qin Wudao’s voice turned cold. He wished he could personally execute Qin Huilong—that traitorous wretch who, for his own selfish desires, had colluded with the clans to undermine the country! "As the Clan Leader of the Qin Family," he declared, "I hereby expel Qin Huilong, the King of Jiangxia, from the clan. Feel free to speak freely!"
"Your Majesty, I suggest first detaining Qin Huilong, then sending troops to confiscate the properties of the clans that violated the law. Arrest those who need to be arrested, and kill those who need to be executed!" Freed of his worries, Zhuge Liang suggested fiercely. His aura suddenly became sharp, resembling a military general leading his troops into battle.
Silent throughout, Song Jiang’s eyes lit up. He briskly walked to the center of the hall, knelt down on one knee, and declared, "Your Majesty, the Liang Mountain Army Corps volunteers to undertake this mission. We will complete it successfully!"
He looked at Qin Wudao, his face full of desire. Since coming to the Primitive Continent, they had been either training or on the way to training.
Up till now, they hadn’t been on a battlefield or killed an enemy yet!
Upon hearing about the property confiscation, Song Jiang was immediately tempted. Although it wasn’t a battlefield, killing clan members and seeing blood was still very appealing to him!
"Pass on the order! The Liang Mountain Army Corps is to march out and confiscate the properties of the clans that violated the law. Rebels must be executed without mercy!"
Qin Wudao had summoned Song Jiang intending to deploy the Liang Mountain Army Corps. Without hesitation, he took out an official document from his storage space and handed it to Song Jiang, saying, "This is the punishment for the clans. Carry it out as written!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Song Jiang left, grinning with excitement.
"Yan Yun Eighteen Riders, you are to work in pairs to suppress the Emperor Level martial artists of the clans!" Qin Wudao continued to issue orders.
"By Your command!"
The leader of the Yan Yun Eighteen Riders stepped forward, saluted respectfully, and disappeared beyond the barrier.
"Your Majesty, we can take this opportunity to issue an imperial edict to break up the clans and permanently eliminate the clan menace!" Xiao He proposed with enthusiasm. Solving this clan crisis would certainly mark a significant event in the history of the Qin Dynasty.
"Approved!"
After contemplation, Qin Wudao gave his consent.