I have Immortality In The Cultivation World

Chapter 547: Chapter 307: Supervisor of the Eastern Depot

Yangxin Hall.

The hour of Zi (11 p.m. to 1 a.m.) had already passed.

The Orthodox Emperor continued to review the memorials to the emperor, flipping through several in succession, all impeaching the Prince of Pingxi.

Releasing troops to plunder, wantonly slaughtering, embezzling military provisions, harboring thoughts of rebellion…

Almost every imaginable crime was attributed to the Prince of Pingxi, after all, the responsibility of the Imperial Censor was to report rumors and hearsay, to be then investigated by the three bureaus.

...

During the investigation, if certain methods were applied, what didn’t exist could be made to seem as if it did.

The Martial Barbarian had entered the Imperial Court and could never outmatch the civil officials, after all, specialization is key to success!

“All the civil and military officials of the Imperial Court are nothing but bullies and cowards, daring only to impeach my Prince of Pingxi,”

the Orthodox Emperor said coldly as he cast aside the memorials, “The territories that Feng Ai-qing had conquered all belong to the National Dynasty, yet the one from the north is nearly ready to proclaim his own nation!”

Eunuch Yuan bent over in attendance; this was certainly not the time to interject.

A matter concerning the security of the National Dynasty, one wrong word could mean overstepping into court politics, or even losing one’s life.

At that moment.

An attendant from behind the doors came in to report, “Your Majesty, Eunuch Yi requests an audience.”

The Orthodox Emperor, puzzled by the late visit, nodded and said, “Let him enter.”

“I pay my respects to Your Majesty…”

Zhou Yi hurriedly scampered in, knelt on the ground, and called out ‘long live the emperor’ three times, holding up the account book high with both hands.

“This servant has cracked down on the embezzlement case in the Imperial Workshops, and uncovered approximately eight hundred thousand taels in ill-gotten silver and property. The matter being urgent and of significant amount, I dared not delay and hurried to report to Your Majesty tonight!”

“Present it.”

Having examined the accounts, the Orthodox Emperor’s face showed a hint of a smile, thinking how useful Zhou Yi was as a tool.

All military provisions for the western campaign came from the property Zhou Yi confiscated, and this great victory of annexation was critical for the continued enforcement of new policies by the National Dynasty, his contributions were indeed extraordinary.

“You’ve done well, Little Yi, what do you want?”

Zhou Yi kowtowed and said, “This servant’s duty is to serve Your Majesty to the utmost, I seek no reward for my service.”

“When there is merit, I must reward it!”

The Orthodox Emperor declared, “After the New Year, the Imperial Court will survey the land throughout the empire. This matter is of great importance; there are sure to be those who will collude with underlings, lying and concealing the truth.”

“Pick out capable people from those who work in the Palace to form the Inspectorate, tasked specifically with overseeing the land surveys!”

Zhou Yi, upon hearing this, couldn’t help but curse inwardly, recognizing it as yet another burdensome task rather than a reward.

The upside was taking control of another new department, and since the Inspectorate dealt with matters outside the palace, it significantly increased Zhou Yi’s authority. In some sense, it could also be seen as a reward.

“This servant thanks Your Majesty.”

Zhou Yi cautiously asked, “Your Majesty, may the Inspectorate have its own office?”

The Orthodox Emperor pondered for a moment, then gave a slight nod.

“Granted!”

“This servant obeys the decree.”

Zhou Yi’s face was wreathed in smiles as he bowed thrice and backed out of the Diligent Administration Hall.

At the entrance of the outer hall.

An attendant reported to the watching guard, “Sir, in recent days His Majesty has repeatedly mentioned the north while reviewing the memorials, clearly dissatisfied with what’s happening there.”

“I am aware of it,”

Zhou Yi fished out a silver note from his sleeve, rewarding the attendant, “Keep up the good work, I have high hopes for you…”

Having spent over a decade in the palace, he had mastered the art of making enticing promises. A few words of encouragement had the attendant overwhelmed with gratitude, nearly ready to pledge himself on the spot.

Upon returning to the Palace Supervisor’s Office.

Zhou Yi called all his supporters and eunuchs to discuss the establishment of the Inspectorate.

“Do well in this, and you will become the left and right arms of His Majesty. I will not let you down!”

The eunuchs, upon hearing this, eagerly offered their advice and suggestions.

The framework of the Inspectorate was quickly set up, with Zhou Yi as the supervisor. Beneath him, positions such as co-director and assistant director were created, with various level eunuchs doing the groundwork, numbering as many as two hundred.

Chosen from among the best in the Palace Supervisor’s Office, these eunuchs formed the backbone of the new Inspectorate, which would then recruit spies and bodyguards from the populace.

From top to bottom, layered upon layered, the Inspectorate would watch over all directions.

Zhou Yi, satisfied with the structure, inquired, “His Majesty has granted the Inspectorate the privilege to establish its own office. Since I am not familiar with the capital, is there a suitable residence nearby?”

Wen Dianbu replied, “Sir, I know of a suitable location.”

Zhou Yi asked, “Where?”

Wen Dianbu said, “There is an abandoned royal palace on the east side of the imperial palace, which can be transformed into the Inspectorate office; it would be directly opposite to the Governor’s office on the west side.”

Zhou Yi raised his eyebrows, “By making it so obvious, aren’t we needlessly creating enemies?”

“Sir, according to His Majesty, establishing the Inspectorate is to survey the farmland territory.”

Wen Dianbu said, “This will take only two or three years. After the survey is finished, where will the Inspectorate go? In order not to be disbanded, we need to set up a target.”

“The Governor’s office is His Majesty’s only eyes outside the court, with overwhelming power; inevitably, there must be many things they do not want to see exposed. We will focus on them, revealing every detail for His Majesty to see…”

“Mr. Wen truly is a scholar!”

Zhou Yi suddenly understood; this strategy was similar to raising a threat to sustain control. When His Majesty saw the corruption of the Governor’s office, naturally, he would regard the Inspectorate as a counterbalance.

With this, the Inspectorate became a permanent establishment!

“Focusing solely on the Governor’s office is not enough…”

Zhou Yi said, “Send another fifty eunuchs to monitor the north side closely. Every move of that person should be reported back to the capital, even the food he eats and words he speaks must be recorded!”

Wen Dianbu frowned slightly, concerned, “That person wields military and political power over a region; he’s not someone we should provoke lightly.”

“Hehehe!”

Zhou Yi laughed strangely, “Even Mr. Wen, secluded in the deep imperial gardens, fears that individual. It is all the more reason for us to watch him diligently on behalf of His Majesty.”

The Inspectorate would report to His Majesty now and then: today, the King of the Northern Defense built another city; tomorrow, he has rallied remnants of different tribes.

This way, not only would His Majesty not disband the Inspectorate, but he would also decree its expansion.

“Sir is wise!”

Wen Dianbu continuously praised, such courage, it was no wonder he became a trusted confidant of His Majesty.

…

The third year of the Orthodox reign.

October.

The Inspectorate was established and historically known as the Eastern Depot.

December.

As the year-end approached. @@novelbin@@

The Orthodox Emperor decreed to survey the farmland, intending to abolish the Poll Tax and distribute a uniform land tax.

As the news spread, there was an uproar throughout the National Dynasty.

…

Yuntai Academy.

Reputed as the premier academy of the capital, a heritage passed down from the previous dynasty, famous and illustrious.

That day.

The academy head summoned scholars from all directions, gathering over a hundred students.

They discussed joint petitioning against His Majesty’s new policies, claiming that the Poll Tax was an ancestral system; abolishing it would certainly shake the foundations of the National Dynasty.

“We, as scholars, ought to follow the example of the wise predecessors, pleading for the people…”

The academy head was over sixty years old, yet his voice remained strong and sonorous. When he reached the most impassioned and uplifting parts, he could not help but wave his arms, leading the students to cry out in unison.

Suddenly.

Sounds of galloping horses came from outside the academy as the tightly closed gate was violently knocked down.

Dozens of black-clad barbarians wielding steel sabers flooded into the academy like a tide, encircling the students.

The academy head rebuked loudly, “This is a place of great cultural importance…”

Bang!

Before the words were finished, his head explosively shattered.

Red and white splattered everywhere; the once fervently passionate students suddenly fell silent, watching the headless corpse collapse to the ground with open eyes.

Zhou Yi, dressed in a purple-red robe with an embroidered representation of a Qilin beast with the body of a deer and the tail of an ox, walked in unhurriedly.

His cold gaze swept over the students as he waved his hand and ordered.

“Talking nonsense about the sovereign, being disloyal and unfilial, arrest them all and throw them into the Inspectorate’s prison. Inform their families to come and collect them!”

A young student finally responded, shouting, “The laws of the National Dynasty allow scholars to discuss politics! You palace eunuchs, what right do you have to arrest us?”

The students, already disdainful of court eunuchs, started a noisy scuffle against the barbarians of the Inspectorate with someone taking the lead.

“Kill!”

With Zhou Yi’s order, the barbarians immediately swung their butcher knives, dyeing the centuries-old academy in the color of blood.