Chapter 33: Prime Minister Hu’s methods are truly sinister and ruthless!-Império Ming: Depois que Revelei Minha Viagem no Tempo, Velho Zhu Ficou Atordoado(Do seu lado)

It was clear that Hu Weiyong was intent on ruining Qin Feng, stooping to any level of slander to destroy him. He knew all too well that Emperor Zhu’s greatest hatred was directed toward corrupt officials; if he could only sow the seeds of doubt in the Emperor’s mind, the trust between the two would crumble. Once the Emperor withdrew his trust, Qin Feng would be nothing more than meat on a chopping block.

In truth, Hu Weiyong had already revealed his hand without even realizing it. Emperor Zhu saw through him as clearly as a mirror, especially since Qin Feng was a man from over six hundred years in the future. Had Qin Feng not already forewarned him about Hu Weiyong, the Emperor might have hesitated upon hearing the report. But Hu Weiyong had grossly underestimated the depth of the Emperor’s trust in Qin Feng. Since Qin Feng first revealed his identity as a traveler through time, he had steadily proven his origins to the Emperor. Their bond was far too strong to be severed by the schemes of mere pedantic scholars.

After hearing Hu Weiyong’s petition, the Emperor cursed under his breath: "You treacherous cur!" Qin Feng was exhausting himself trying to secure funds for the Ming treasury, yet some people were restless, desperate to stir up trouble. Just as the Emperor’s expression turned grim, Crown Prince Zhu Biao stepped forward: "Your Majesty, what Prime Minister Hu says is pure fabrication, completely devoid of evidence. I have personally visited the newspaper office; Master Qin works diligently for our Great Ming, and the accounts he has compiled have been verified—there is not the slightest discrepancy."

"He toils so hard for the national treasury that he has yet to receive a single cent of his own court salary, nor has he asked the Ministry of Revenue to allocate a single tael. He cannot even afford to pay the monthly wages of the writers. How can the Prime Minister claim that a man who cannot even afford to pay his staff is a corrupt official embezzling silver?"

Hu Weiyong’s face flushed red. He quickly retorted, "Your Highness, Qin Feng is cunning and deceitful; I fear you have already been bewitched by him. I implore Your Majesty to conduct a thorough investigation of his newspaper office. We will surely find traces of his crimes and evidence of his embezzlement."

"Hu Weiyong! You have a lot of nerve! How has Master Qin offended you? Why do you target him at every turn? Master Qin offered brilliant strategies for flood control and founded the newspaper to generate revenue for the treasury. And you? What contribution have you made to the court? Everything Master Qin says and does is for the sake of the people of Ming. Why do you obstruct him? What is your true intent?"

Hu Weiyong was stunned. He had not expected the usually mild-mannered Crown Prince to explode in such a rare display of rage in the Fengtian Hall. Why would the Crown Prince defend that scoundrel Qin Feng so fiercely? Hu Weiyong hurriedly knelt, kowtowing frantically. "Your Majesty, I have served the court with all my strength and dare not slacken. I beg Your Majesty to investigate!"

If the Emperor had followed his own fiery temper, a treacherous minister like Hu Weiyong would have been dragged to the Meridian Gate, beheaded, and flayed long ago. But the Emperor recalled Qin Feng’s warning: doing so would alert the enemy and undermine the dignity of the throne. Why not watch Hu Weiyong perform a few more days in court, as if observing a court jester? He would not be leaping about for much longer anyway. Once the investigation into the river works was complete, it would be the end for this nest of corrupt parasites.

Now that the great traitor Hu Weiyong was out in the open while they remained in the shadows, why not toy with him? Thinking this, the Emperor narrowed his eyes. "I find some merit in the Prime Minister's words. To prevent embezzlement and avoid losses to the court, let us send someone to audit the newspaper's books. Hu Weiyong, tell me, who do you think is suitable for this task?"

A triumphant smile played on the corner of Hu Weiyong’s mouth. The Emperor had taken the bait! Now they held the initiative. It seemed the trust between the Emperor and Qin Feng was not so absolute after all. Hu Weiyong sneered inwardly at his success, while maintaining a calm, stoic mask. He glanced at Li Tai, the Minister of Revenue, and bowed. "Your Majesty, I believe the Ministry of Revenue should be responsible for this. A thorough investigation of the newspaper office requires Minister Li’s personal attention."

The Emperor slowly turned his gaze toward Li Tai, laughing coldly inside. So, the Minister of Revenue was one of his cronies? The Emperor silently noted Li Tai’s name, marking him as a member of the Hu faction. If Li Tai could have heard the Emperor’s thoughts, he would have cursed Hu Weiyong for being such a useless accomplice. But unaware of the Emperor’s inner machinations, and thinking he had been handed a plum assignment, Li Tai stepped forward. "Your Majesty! I shall not fail your trust."

Zhu Biao said indignantly, "Father! You cannot deny Master Qin’s loyalty!"

Hu Weiyong sneered in the shadows. As an emperor, if one cannot even trust one’s own son, how could one possibly trust an outsider?

The Emperor waved his hand. "Then it is settled. Court is dismissed!"

"Father!!!" Zhu Biao cried out in desperation.

After the officials dispersed, only Zhu Biao remained, despondent and troubled. Could his father truly have developed doubts about Master Qin? Master Qin was on the verge of solving a pressing crisis for the Ming Dynasty; why would his father indulge the Prime Minister like this? Zhu Biao clenched his fists, determined to go to his father later and get to the bottom of it.

Leaving the Fengtian Hall, Hu Weiyong felt invigorated. Li Tai bowed and said, "My thanks to the Prime Minister for your patronage. If you hadn't stepped in today, the Crown Prince would have surely spent the whole time singing Qin Feng’s praises before the Emperor."

Hu Weiyong smiled contemptuously. "An emperor sits upon the throne; no matter how favored a person may be, they can never fully possess the Emperor’s trust. I simply exploited that psychological weakness, and the Emperor now harbors resentment toward Qin Feng. Once the seed of doubt is planted, it will continue to spread in the heart until it is beyond control."

Li Tai and Wang Hu gave him a thumbs up. "The Prime Minister’s move to pull the rug from under them is truly brilliant!"

Hu Weiyong snorted. "The Crown Prince and Qin Feng are growing closer, becoming a thorn in our side in the court. We must be wary of the Prince."

Li Tai asked anxiously, "Prime Minister, what shall we do next? If we go to the office and find no embezzlement, what then?"

"Even if that dog Qin Feng hasn't embezzled, we must find a way to manufacture evidence that he has, and strike him dead in one blow!"

Li Tai and Wang Hu exchanged glances, both drawing sharp breaths. The Prime Minister’s methods were truly sinister and ruthless. His ideas were incredibly bold—first risking the execution of his entire clan to harm a prince, and now framing a court official! Standing with Hu Weiyong, they felt a chill running down their spines. It was fortunate they were allies; if they were his enemies, he would have destroyed them in a heartbeat.