Even though Xiao Qing already knew about the salt fields, he couldn't help but ask in front of the officials, "Then, Your Excellency Liang, how much revenue do you think these salt fields can provide to the country annually?"
Huang Xing and others looked at Liang Xiao expectantly, hoping for a surprising answer.
Liang Xiao said sternly, "Before I returned, the East Sea salt field alone had already produced over three hundred thousand catties of salt!"
"Impossible! How much firewood and time would it take to boil the sea to produce three hundred thousand catties of salt!" Ouyang Ji was the first to retort angrily.
The other officials also looked disbelieving.
In just a few days, the salt field could produce three hundred thousand catties of first-grade salt? It was outrageous!
"What is impossible? Minister Ouyang, are you prepared to bet your head with this marquis?" Liang Xiao sneered.
Here we go again?
Ouyang Ji's expression changed, and he snorted coldly, saying no more.
"The salt produced by the salt fields will eventually be sent to the capital for verification. Your Excellency Liang is a gifted and wise prodigy, why would you deceive me? My esteemed officials, you cannot doubt for the sake of doubting!" Xiao Qing was displeased.
No one dared to speak, and Ouyang Ji was filled with shame, only nodding in agreement.
Liang Xiao then declared loudly, "If these salt fields were established nationwide, heavily guarded, and private salt fields were strictly investigated, it would not be a problem for the national treasury to increase by at least ten million taels of silver annually, and up to thirty million taels!"
"Hiss—"
The entire hall was filled with gasps.
Ten million taels of silver annually, and up to thirty million taels?
This was simply a fantasy!
Xiao Qing was overjoyed and nodded, "Very good! Since the salt-making method is feasible, it will be promoted along the coastlines nationwide!"
Dugu Qun's eyes gleamed as he secretly pondered.
Xiao Qing continued, "Your Excellency Liang and Your Excellency Zhang have jointly improved the salt-making method, which is a great merit. You will be rewarded accordingly later!"
Zhang Yang, standing below, looked bewildered: How did this involve me again?
He had only gone to inspect the salt field with Liang Xiao and offered some non-essential suggestions to make the salt field more standardized.
The officials were both envious and jealous.
Xiao Qing continued, "Your Excellency Liang went to the East Sea and beheaded General Duguling of our dynasty. How will you explain this to the officials?"
Dugu Qun finally perked up and led the impeachment, "For personal grudges, he wantonly killed a minister, disgracing the Son of Heaven's wisdom, a crime that is unforgivable!"
At first glance, Dugu Qun and others spoke sternly and righteously.
Gu Hong, Mu Lingming, and others also looked worried, gazing at Liang Xiao.
They simply couldn't understand why Liang Xiao would kill an East Sea commander, a high-ranking official of the court. This action was like stirring up a hornet's nest!
The other party was also from the Dugu family, and the Dugu family was still powerful!
Even though Dugu Liang was dismissed from office in court and Dugu Qun and others had little influence over the court sessions, in reality, there were Dugu family members all over the country. Liang Xiao's actions might provoke the Dugu family, leading to mutual destruction…
Dugu Qun's veins bulged, and he said with tears streaming down his face, "Liang Xiao! If you cannot give a satisfactory explanation today, this old man will never rest, even if I have to crash my head to death in this hall!"
Liang Xiao smiled, "Minister Dugu, you don't need to act with this marquis. Duguling committed wicked deeds and colluded with the Wokou pirates. That is a crime punishable by extermination of the entire clan. What problem is there with me beheading him?"
Colluded with Wokou pirates?!
The officials were shocked.
Earlier, when Liang Xiao sent people to deliver messages, those in the capital were aware that these sea bandits from Izumo country were aptly named "Wokou pirates" by Liang Xiao. This appellation quickly spread and was widely praised.
"You are slandering me!" Dugu Qun trembled.
Liang Xiao frowned, "The evidence is as solid as a mountain. I found letters concerning Duguling's collusion with the Wokou pirates, as well as confessions from Duguling's confidants and tokens of exchange between them. I have sent people to the Prime Minister's mansion with the evidence, awaiting the Prime Minister's confirmation."
Everyone was greatly surprised and looked at Wang Canghai.
Wang Canghai's face was stern, and he took out a stack of letters from his sleeve. He said in a deep voice, "These secret letters exchanged with the Wokou pirates are old. I read them before the court session and am almost certain that Duguling colluded with the Wokou pirates. There is also a letter written by Duguling himself, which I have sent people to verify the handwriting. It cannot be forged!"
The breaths of those in the hall became somewhat disordered.
He really colluded with Wokou pirates?
This was a heinous crime punishable by the extermination of the clan!
Dugu Qun and others trembled, their faces filled with disbelief.
How could Duguling, who acted so discreetly, be discovered?
Liang Xiao seemed to have seen through Dugu Qun's thoughts and smiled, "If anyone is to blame, it is only Duguling, who was eager to harm Nan Jiyun. He was sent to suppress the pirates, and also instructed the Wokou fleet to ambush Nan Jiyun. As a result, I happened to capture them all, and found these letters on the Wokou ships."
Boom!
Liang Xiao's words were like a bolt from the blue, striking Dugu Qun so hard that he collapsed to the ground.
Nan Jiyun!
In order to prevent Liang Xiao from discovering the talented general Nan Jiyun, he had sent people on a night journey to inform Duguling and instructed him to eliminate Nan Jiyun at any cost.
As a result, Duguling did this? And was exposed!
Dugu Qun, being an experienced old fox, understood the severity of the situation from Liang Xiao's few words. He struggled to stand up and said tremblingly, "If that is the case, he deserves to die. Our Dugu family will surely uphold justice and exterminate him from the clan, expelling the family of Duguling from the clan genealogy…"
Xiao Qing breathed a sigh of relief, secretly delighted.
She only knew that Liang Xiao was confident, but she never expected him to have handled it so flawlessly, even finding the letters!
He Wanli and others fell silent, not daring to impeach Liang Xiao anymore.
If this were true, then speaking up for Duguling would bring disaster upon them!
Liang Xiao smiled, "Minister Dugu, how do you intend to uphold justice and exterminate him from the clan? Expelling the family of Duguling and cutting ties with them will suffice?"
"Otherwise?" Dugu Ling asked sullenly.
Liang Xiao burst into laughter, "Didn't I just tell you? This is a crime punishable by the extermination of the entire clan! What use is it to expel them from the genealogy now?"
Xiao Qing and Wang Canghai also maintained stern expressions, staring at the Dugu family officials below.
Ning Xuejun had already placed her hand on her sword hilt and stepped forward, "Members of the Dugu family, give our Emperor an explanation!"
Even the usually taciturn shadow guard commander had stepped forward. Dugu Qun and others began to sweat profusely.
Ouyang Ji, He Wanli, and others distanced themselves from the Dugu family, as if avoiding a plague. If Duguling were convicted, anyone associated with him would…
Just then, Xiao Qing smiled, "The Dugu family has served the country and its people for generations. How can I bear to punish the entire Dugu family for the sake of one traitor like Duguling?"
Dugu Qun and others finally breathed a sigh of relief and thanked her repeatedly, "Your Majesty is wise!"
Xiao Qing continued, "However, what Your Excellency Liang said is also correct. If you Dugu officials cannot resolve this matter reasonably and show sincerity, I cannot give an account to the common people of the world, and we might even become a laughingstock among surrounding countries. Your Excellency Liang is fully in charge of the military and political affairs of the East Sea. What do you think would be a way for them to demonstrate their sincerity?"
Everyone's hearts tightened: Well done, the main event is here!
Liang Xiao cupped his hands and said, "I believe that the national treasury is empty, the soldiers of the East Sea are urgently awaiting rewards, and the coastal regions are in dire need of conscription to guard the salt fields and establish more salt fields. This will inevitably cost money. Why not have Minister Dugu and the others donate some money to show their sincerity? This way, Minister Dugu and the others will not be implicated by Duguling."
Dugu Qun gritted his teeth and asked warily, "Marquis An Guo, how much do you expect us to donate?"
"Donating three million taels of silver to improve the soldiers' pay is not much, is it?"