I have Immortality In The Cultivation World

Chapter 573: Chapter 272: Corpse Immortal Inheritance_2

“`

“Hehehe!”

“`

Zhou Yi couldn’t help but let out a strange laugh, clucking his tongue in wonder.

“How interesting the people of the capital are!”

…

...

Inspectorate.

Surrounded by his godchildren, officials encircled him.

Zhou Yi sat on the Taishi Chair, flipping through the cases investigated by the Eastern Depot over the past two years.

“What’s the deal with this Grand Canal Governor case? I’ve said before, better to investigate the elders than to mess with the canal transport!”

The fearsome reputation of the Eastern Depot was known to all, yet it was not so simple as to investigate anyone it pleased.

It was a well-known fact that every Grand Canal Governor was corrupt, but controlling a million transport workers and being responsible for grain shipments made the risk of conflict too great. If pushed too far, it would surely lead to chaos.

Just find an excuse to block the canal, and if transport stops for two months, grain prices in the capital will skyrocket!

“Godfather, this matter was personally overseen by His Majesty.”

The godson, Xiao Changzi, said helplessly, “His Majesty had Eunuch Yuan issue a secret decree. Governor Zhu was excessively greedy, and the canal transport was in shambles, so he had to be removed and his household raided as soon as possible.”

“So it was His Majesty’s will!”

Zhou Yi’s eyebrows raised; everyone knew the Grand Canal Governor was corrupt, so confiscating his wealth was obviously not the reason; he must have aligned himself with the wrong faction.

“His Majesty is the lord of all under heaven, and only two or three people could oppose him. It’s either from the north or within the palace…”

“Too far from the capital in the north, and since Governor Zhu was personally promoted by His Majesty, and the transport workers have formed the notorious Transport Guild, they are in a realm that is half-Imperial Court, half-jianhu.”

Zhou Yi’s thoughts raced, quickly analyzing who Governor Zhu was connected with, and from there he deduced that His Majesty must have run out of patience and was ready to make a move.

“Governor Zhu’s head is my pledge of allegiance!”

Recalling this, Zhou Yi asked, “Do we still have dragon robes and the Jade Seal in the Inspectorate? Send a few to Governor Zhu’s home, plant some armor and flags as well, since it’s His Majesty’s wish, we must execute his entire Nine Clans!”

“Don’t worry, godfather. We will handle it perfectly.”

Xiao Changzi’s face lit up with joy; the wealthy Grand Canal Governor represented a fortune that could surpass a decade’s earnings for others.

After pondering for a moment, Zhou Yi gave another order, “Make contact with our jianghu spies in the Inspectorate and have them assassinate Governor Zhu as a service to the people, and keep a close watch on the movements of the Transport Guild.”

The Transport Guild, located close to the capital, boasted tens of thousands of strong members and was a formidable force to reckon with.

The figure within the palace might well be a remnant of the Three Yang Sect, hidden from the world due to Imperial Court’s crackdown but possibly controlling the Transport Guild in the shadows, plotting unspeakable schemes.

Zhou Yi was only speculating and had to startle the snake to see it, and then make further plans.

Xiao Changzi asked, “Should the assassins truly kill Governor Zhu?”

“Of course.”

Zhou Yi said, “Tell those jianghu spies that any sect that kills Governor Zhu will be exempted from taxes and duties, and their disciples are free to join the Inspectorate.”

A false official arena, full of various conspiracies and calculations.

The real official arena, a direct physical annihilation!

After confirming the arrangements for the Grand Canal Governor and inquiring about a few key cases, Zhou Yi set the records aside and scanned the godchildren and officials present.

A moment later.

“Xiao Zhongzi, stay. The rest of you, go about your business.”

Zhou Yi dismissed everyone but kept the inconspicuous godson, saying, “I have a task for you to do privately. If you handle it well, you will be greatly rewarded.”

Unperturbed by the envious glances of others, Xiao Zhongzi knelt on the ground, “Just command me, godfather. If I lack anything, it is not loyalty, which is unmatched!”

Being left alone clearly indicated a lack of trust in others, and this was the moment to win godfather’s favor and rise to be the chief among the eighteen godchildren.

“Of all in the Eastern Depot, I trust you the most!”

Zhou Yi offered a few hollow words of encouragement, then said, “Someone in the Eastern Depot is colluding with the Prince of Pingxi, or perhaps has taken bribes. Find out who it is. I want to take care of it properly!”

The Eastern Depot could frame others for plotting or embezzle money, but it was strictly prohibited from getting too close to military officials.

Take the commandants of the Defense Commissions, each one severing connections with the Imperial Court, becoming enemies of the entire court, and in turn, regarded by His Majesty with increasing favor.

Should there truly be ties with the Prince of Pingxi, regardless of any other motives, His Majesty would treat it as a conspiracy and rebellion!

“Don’t worry, godfather. I will find out as quickly as possible.”

“And one more thing.”

Zhou Yi continued, “Assign a skilled person to keep close watch on the Prince of Pingxi, including when he sleeps at night. Someone should always be on rotation, recording his every word and action.”

Xiao Zhongzi bowed and took his leave, contemplating how godfather intended to treat the Prince of Pingxi.

Earlier, Little Yinzi had killed the royal guard. To outsiders, it appeared to be the work of an enemy, but no one could say for sure what was real. It could well be an act put on for others to see.

“`

If my godfather has a good relationship with the Prince of Pingxi, then our family must prepare an escape route early and pay homage to someone else as our new patron.

The National Dynasty will never allow a second King of the Northern Defense to emerge!

As for so-called loyalty, little loyal Zhongzi will always be devoted to power…

…

Yangxin Hall.

After being announced.

Zhou Yi, with an excited and exhilarated expression, slid on his knees all the way to the Orthodox Emperor.

“This servant pays her respects to Your Majesty, may Your Majesty live for ten thousand, ten thousand, ten thousand years. Since leaving the capital the year before last, I have thought of Your Majesty day and night, and finally today I can once again be by Your side…”

As she spoke, she was so moved that tears streamed down her face.

“Little Yi, you’ve worked hard!”

The Orthodox Emperor nodded slightly in praise, “Little Yi is my right-hand man; if I am to leave a few strokes on the pages of history, Little Yi’s name will certainly not be absent.”

“I thank Your Majesty for this grace!”

Zhou Yi said moved, “This servant does not seek to be remembered in the history books; being able to serve Your Majesty is enough for me, even if the books record me as Your Majesty’s dog, it would be the highest compliment.”

The Orthodox Emperor’s pleasure became even more intense, signaling to the eunuch on duty, “Grant Little Yi a seat.”

The eunuch, belonging to the watch of the palace, brought over a brocaded cushion, gave Zhou Yi a slight nod without leaving any trace, and returned to his post.

Zhou Yi immediately understood that the Emperor was in a very good mood today.

After thanking His Majesty for the seat, she barely grazed the brocaded cushion with her posterior, entirely relying on True Qi to maintain her sitting posture.

“Your Majesty, your servant was dispatched to survey the martial world, and I have come back today to report. I have destroyed seventy-two sects and factions, reclaimed five million acres of mountains and fields, and seized twenty-two million taels of Gold and Silver…”

As he detailed each event, the Orthodox Emperor felt increasingly cheerful.

These events had already been accounted for by the inner palace servants but hearing them again was endlessly pleasing, as every emperor wishes for a treasury overflowing with wealth.

At the same time, the wealth of the martial sects far exceeded the Orthodox Emperor’s expectations, further reinforcing his resolve for reform; these untaxed lands were digging at the foundation of the National Dynasty.

“Little Yi has performed outstanding service and must be greatly rewarded!”

The Orthodox Emperor declared, “Draft an edict, promote Little Yi to the position of Superintendent of the Inspectorate, supervising the officials of the twelve bureaus, to rectify the atmosphere within the palace.”

“I thank Your Majesty!”

Zhou Yi hastily got up to kowtow, with a few genuine tears of excitement this time.

Over fourteen years, through numerous rises and falls, he had finally climbed to the pinnacle of the Inspectorate, becoming the number one self-proclaimed eunuch in Daqing, just like the past Chu Gonggong.

The Orthodox Emperor said with profound meaning, “With Little Yi overseeing the Inspectorate, do not let me down.”

Zhou Yi felt a chill in his heart and quickly replied, “This servant will loyally devote every effort to repay Your Majesty’s grace!”

“I do trust Little Yi,” the Emperor affirmed.

The Orthodox Emperor waved his hand, signaling Zhou Yi to withdraw.

Leaving Yangxin Hall.

Zhou Yi received the Superintendent’s Waist Token and headed toward the watch of the palace. As his base of power, it always felt different from the palace’s Supervising and Imperial Household bureaus.@@novelbin@@

“Eunuch Yi.”

A voice came from a corner; it was a delicate-looking palace maid speaking: “Her Highness has not been feeling well these past few days and has killed a few eunuchs. She still needs Eunuch Yi to send a few capable people over.”

Zhou Yi recognized the maid’s identity as the palace official in charge of overseeing the Inner Palace at the behest of the Empress Dowager.

“It turns out to be Lady Ling Long, I haven’t seen you in a while.”

Zhou Yi, with shifty eyes, said, “I will send someone over immediately, the best of the Inspectorate, but please ask Her Highness to be gentle, do not harm herself with anger.”

Ling Long paused slightly, her brows furrowing as she stared at Zhou Yi for a long while before turning to leave.

“I will report what Eunuch Yi said word for word to Her Highness.”

“Thank you for the trouble.”

Zhou Yi’s eyes flashed with disdain; if he were not restricted from falling out with the Empress, just those words could be enough to crush Ling Long’s skull.

“I am still too kind-hearted!”

Back at the watch of the palace, he summoned his adopted son, Little Yinzi.

“Go and check the Nine Clans of Ling Long; to become a palace official, she must not be of ordinary birth.”

Zhou Yi believed in eliminating problems at their roots to avoid being alone in the lower ranks later on.

“I recall that the Jiangning Su family holds a Prince’s card for their fabrics; tell them to double their prices this year!”

“`