The disgraced official I took care of was actually Zhu Houcong's childhood friend.

Chapter 620

But he was different. He had an ordinary background and little power. Although he was a member of the cabinet, he did not form factions and did not have much power. Therefore, Jia Yong was always willing to be a nobody in the cabinet and consider it a success to retire.

This idea is somewhat similar to that of Jiang Mian, who had repeatedly requested to retire.

As they were talking, Huang Jin walked over. Everyone looked at him, knowing that he never appeared at Wenyuan Pavilion without a reason; he always came with an imperial decree.

"Eunuch Huang, what are His Majesty's orders?"

Yang Yiqing looked at Huang Jin and smiled.

No one, including Yang Yiqing, Yang Shen, or even Xia Yan, could bring themselves to dislike Huang Jin. Huang Jin was a kind-hearted man who always had a smile on his face, and it wasn't a fake smile. So even though Yang Yiqing was the Grand Secretary and Huang Jin wasn't yet the Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial, Yang Yiqing still gave Huang Jin a lot of face.

"This is a memorial submitted by Lord Zhou. Last night, someone bombed the railway and was arrested by Lord Zhou. The Northern Garrison Command conducted a surprise interrogation overnight and uncovered the officials behind it. For details, please refer to the memorial, Your Excellencies. His Majesty has instructed you to draft charges against these individuals, and the court will review the case tomorrow."

As Huang Jin spoke, he handed the memorial to Yang Yiqing.

Yang Yiqing opened the memorial and glanced at it briefly. When he saw that nearly 80% of the salt transport revenue had gone into these people's pockets, he couldn't help but gasp.

"These people are incredibly audacious!"

Yang Yiqing said.

Upon hearing this, Yang Shen stood to the side and glanced at the contents of the memorial, and immediately became extremely angry.

"This is utterly lawless! They've embezzled Ming Dynasty assets; their crimes are unforgivable!"

Yang Shen said angrily.

Xia Yan, on the other hand, although he hadn't been involved in these matters, was somewhat aware of the potential benefits involved, so he didn't seem particularly surprised.

"Please draft your sentences. We'll submit the memorials at tomorrow's morning court session. I'll take my leave now."

Huang Jin bowed and said.

"Please take care, Eunuch Huang."

Yang Yiqing said politely.

"Gentlemen, let's propose the punishment."

Seeing that they had gotten down to business, Yang Yiqing had completely lost his earlier jovial attitude and said with a serious face.

Upon hearing this, Yang Shenxia and the others returned to their seats. Yang Yiqing picked up his crystal-polished reading glasses from the table, put them on, and began to carefully examine the list on the memorial.

.......

The next morning was a grand court assembly, and Zhou Chu naturally had to attend. Before he even entered the court, he encountered Yang Yiqing and Yang Shen traveling together.

"Lord Zhou, you have done another great thing for the court."

Yang Yiqing couldn't help but sigh.

"If I don't take action against these people soon, I'm afraid I won't be able to survive."

Zhou Chu smiled.

"Oh? What do you mean by this?"

Yang Yiqing asked curiously.

"Your Excellency may not know, but Hengqi has been the target of several assassination attempts in recent days. However, based on the testimonies of these individuals, it was probably not them who did it. It is likely that someone is trying to take advantage of the situation."

When Yang Shen said this, he glanced at Xia Yan, who was not far away.

Upon hearing this, Yang Yiqing remembered Xia Yan's changed physical appearance and instantly understood many things.

"Is there something wrong with the doctor that Lord Zhou sent?"

Yang Yiqing approached Zhou Chu and whispered.

"Your Excellency, please don't slander someone's reputation out of thin air. I even asked him specifically, and he prescribed some highly nourishing medicines for Grand Secretary Xia. I heard that Grand Secretary Xia has taken three concubines in the past two weeks, which means the medicines are very effective."

Zhou Chu looked wronged.

Zhou Chu would never admit to such a thing. If he did, Yang Yiqing and the others would become more wary of him. Although Yang Yiqing and Zhou Chu have a good relationship now, relationships in officialdom are never fixed and are always changing.

"It was my presumptuous speculation."

Yang Yiqing said somewhat embarrassedly.

Soon, everyone arrived at the court, and the court assembly officially began.