From the 18th year of Hongzhi to the early 2nd year of Zhengde, Liu Jin formulated several plans to make money in a row.

First, the Xuanfu "regular bank" was transferred from the Ministry of Revenue to the internal treasury, and no longer allocated it. He also sent people to Xuanfu and the three sides to deal with military garrisons on the grounds of reviewing local malpractice. Recently, Zhang Wenmian went to Xuanfu to build an palace, pretending to report local people's chaos, and asked the government to come forward to raise money and grain to quell the rebellion...

Liu Jin's series of measures are just to make up for the financial deficit of the court and to satisfy his own selfish desires.

These policies deepened the grievances of local people, and those vassal kings and local nobles who had their own opinions about the court became increasingly resentful of Liu Jin's exploitation.

A huge accident is brewing.

At this moment, Zhu Houzhao vaguely heard some outside wind from Xiao Tiaozi.

"...Your Majesty, now there are many criticisms about you. It is said that since your Majesty ascended the throne, he has not been concerned about the affairs of the court, and even imposed meritorious ministers on the border. However, officials who are at fault and greedy can be promoted and made money... I have sorted out some local news and specially submitted them to Your Majesty..."

In order to avoid being harmed by Liu Jin, Xiao Guozi simply took the initiative to take action and took a manuscript of the people's sentiment from outside and submitted it to Zhu Houzhao directly.

Zhu Houzhao was not very concerned about the affairs of the people, but he stayed away from the court and gradually began to worry that his throne would be coveted. Xiao Tiaozi just grasped his mentality.

"Little twist, how did you get these things?"

After taking care of Zhu Hou, he was very angry. He not only hated Liu Jin for his misconduct, but also hated the people for "maliciously slandering" him.

Xiao Tiaozi said, "Your Majesty, I am just following your instructions... You have not asked me to keep an eye on people and affairs inside and outside the court. Have you ever reported any situation to you in time?"

"Have I said so?"

Zhu Houzhao didn't remember mentioning this to Xiao Baozi. She had been eating, drinking and having fun in the palace and leopard room for a long time, and was drunk and took some Wushi Powder from time to time to refresh her mind, which caused serious memory damage.

Zhu Houzhao is now living a gangster and forgets many things after saying them.

Xiao Guozi understood Zhu Houzhao's true state. Regarding his understanding of the emperor at this time, he could be said to be more thorough than Liu Jin.

Xiao Tiaozi knelt down and said sincerely: "Your Majesty, the news I have found is conclusive evidence, and there is no one dares to hide it."

"You don't dare to do it... There are many words that attack me directly. If it's not the truth, would you dare to tell me casually?" Zhu Houzhao was very angry at first, but after a while he didn't take it seriously, threw the manuscript aside, and ordered casually, "Let's go back and send someone to the public to investigate, see who is attacking me, and take them down directly... I don't want anyone to spread my bad words."

“Yes, yes!”

The little twisted and kowtowed without squeezing.

Zhu Houzhao yawned and waved her hand and said, "Okay, you go back first. These things are upsetting and they are gone."

Xiao Tiaozi stood up from the ground, turned around and wanted to leave, but stopped, hesitating and not knowing what he wanted to say.

Zhu Houzhao frowned and asked, "You have something to do?"

Xiao Twisted his head and said, "Your Majesty, there are wealthy businessmen and gentry among the people. They want to donate money to repair the palace for Your Majesty in exchange for His Majesty's protection. But... they have no way to do so... they don't know how to send the money to Your Majesty?"

"Um!?"

Zhu Houzhao was extremely sleepy before, and immediately widened her eyes when she heard this and asked in surprise: "Is there any such good thing? Why don't I know?"

Zhu Houzhao was a greedy emperor, mainly because he spent too many places. He was the emperor who cared about silver the most since the founding of the Ming Dynasty. He lived in the leopard house all year round, and this place was more snobbish than other places. He even spent a lot of money to win the favor of women.

Xiao Tiaozi repeated it again, and Zhu Houzhao stroked her chin and said, "Just let them explain to Eunuch Liu... Hey, but I don't know that these people in the people are quite loyal to me."

Xiao Tiaozi said bitterly: "Your Majesty, this matter is better not to let Eunuch Liu know..."

“Why?”

Zhu Houzhao frowned and looked at the small twist.

Xiao Tiaozi leaned forward and whispered: "Your Majesty, you may not know that those gentry had given you a lot of money to Eunuch Liu before, hoping that Eunuch Liu would hand it over to Your Majesty, but Eunuch Liu would deduct it and never give it to Your Majesty."

"These people feel that there is no way to serve Your Majesty, so they find another way... Maybe it's because Eunuch Liu is busy completing the official duties assigned by Your Majesty, so they are short of money."

Zhu Houzhao frowned: "Little Twist, you are not talking nonsense, right? Eunuch Liu... could he be such a person?"

Xiao Zhuozi said: "I just told Your Majesty the news I inquired about. I know all the specific matters, but I only know that Eunuch Liu's house outside the palace is getting bigger and bigger, and there are more and more guests..."

Hearing this, Zhu Houzhao's face was not very good-looking.

He had supported Liu Jin in front of court officials before, but this did not mean that he was not at all wary of Liu Jin.

Especially after Liu Jin's abusing power, he became more careful and began to inquire about the situation outside from other channels, hoping that he would not be blinded by others.

Zhu Houzhao's face was gloomy. She looked around and saw that the eunuchs and palace maids were not there. Then she asked in a low voice: "This time the wealthy businessmen and gentry in the capital told me how much money would they give me?"

Xiao Tiaozi whispered: "I will make up for it, about... more than 100,000 taels."

“So many?”

Zhu Houzhao's eyes lit up and she couldn't help but look at Xiao Tiaozi with admiration. He had never found a good player who could help him manage his finances before, but now Xiao Tiaozi seems to have potential in this regard.

Xiao Guozi seemed to have no idea how Zhu Houzhao appreciated him at all, but said in a cautious tone: "Your Majesty, this is just a preliminary calculation, and the subsequent... may be more. After all, this is only sent by wealthy businessmen and gentry around the capital. If the local area is added... the silver will only be more, but it will be more conservatively estimated that you can give your Majesty more than 500,000 taels every year..."

Zhu Houzhao took a deep breath and said, "Five hundred thousand taels... there is no need to pay for the treasury... the quantity is really quite large!"

Xiao Tiaozi said: "But now these people don't dare to send the money to His Majesty because Eunuch Liu may come forward to obstruct him."

Zhu Houzhao shook her sleeves and said, "I'm not afraid. Since it's the money I gave me, how dare Eunuch Liu intercept it privately? I will leave this matter to you. If you contact the wealthy businessmen and gentry, take the money and send it to me, I will remember their contributions. If you do this well, I will have a lot of rewards!"

"Yes, your Majesty!"

Xiao Tiaozi seemed to have no idea how difficult this matter was, so he respectfully accepted the order.

Zhu Houzhao said happily: "I didn't expect that recently, I was a little tight on my hands, so someone took the initiative to respect me. If I could collect this batch of silver, I would not have to worry about spending in a short period of time!"

Because Liu Jin has been following Zhang Cai’s advice recently and has not accepted bribes openly, he has not given much money to the Leopard Room, so Zhu Houzhao is a little tight and is so excited by Xiao Twist, he immediately has great expectations for this matter.

...

...

Of course, it is one thing for the emperor to put high expectations, but when it comes to actual situations, just like Xiao Taozi said, Liu Jin will definitely come forward to obstruct him.

Xiao Taozi was ordered to contact the wealthy businessmen and gentry in the capital. The emperor personally paid the donation and promised many benefits afterwards. In this way, the wealthy businessmen with no social status and the gentry who were interested in fame were all moved and took out some money as a filial piety to the emperor.

Then, Xiao Guozi deliberately released the news and let Liu Jin know.

When Liu Jin learned that the wealthy businessmen and gentry in the capital wanted to skip him and give Zhu Houzhao the money, he was furious. Liu Jin regretted punishing bribery officials to gain a good reputation, which led to the recent financial cut. Now that such a thing happened, he decided to take this opportunity to show off.

"Do you dare to act on our back? Don't these people want to live?"

Liu Jin immediately sent someone to arrest the wealthy businessmen and gentry who wanted to give the emperor's money and rectify them well. These people had already raised more than 100,000 taels of silver, but they were all intercepted by Liu Jin. Not only did they lose their fortune, but each family also paid an "fine" of varying amounts.

Not only that, Liu Jin also asked someone to beat up the officials of the Inner Transport Department whom Xiao Tiaozi sent to contact. In Liu Jin's eyes, these people were not worth mentioning and were not afraid that they would run in front of Zhu Houzhao and say bad things about them.

Until this time, Liu Jin still didn't know that the person in charge who Zhu Houzhao appointed was Xiao Guozi.

And all this was discussed by Xiao Taozi and Shen Xi, Xie Qian and others to frame him.

After the incident, Xiao Guozi quickly ran to Zhu Houzhao to complain.

"...Your Majesty, it's not that I am unwilling to do things for Your Majesty. Eunuch Liu is too domineering and directly deducted the silver sent by the wealthy merchants and gentry in the capital, which is almost 140,000 taels of silver."

Xiao Zhuozi was crying when he spoke, and Zhu Houzhao was moved and asked, "Is this really the case?"

"The wealthy businessmen and gentry who gave money to His Majesty were all arrested by Eunuch Liu. Not only did the donated money be confiscated, but they also paid a large amount of fines before they could go home. The people sent by the slaves to contact him were beaten up by Eunuch Liu, and two colleagues were even beaten to death by...."

When he heard that the dead man was dead, Zhu Houzhao couldn't help but take a breath and asked, "What? Is it so dead?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, and he is also the eunuch in the palace who is responsible for managing the internal transportation warehouse." Xiao Taozi cried.

Zhu Houzhao was furious: "Go and call Liu Jin to me!"

Xiao Guozi immediately sent someone to "invite" Liu Jin. After Liu Jin arrived, Xiao Guozi seemed to be fine and actually came forward to talk to him.

Liu Jin asked, "Why did Your Majesty summon us?"

Xiao Twist pretended to be mysterious and whispered: "Don't you know? Someone is going to give the money to Your Majesty. Your Majesty sent someone to get it. I heard that there were tens of thousands of taels of silver. Your Majesty was happy... As a result, this money was intercepted by your father-in-law."

Liu Jin took a deep breath and asked, "Is it really what Your Majesty sent someone to pick it up?"

"yes."

After saying that, Xiao Guozi lowered his head and did not dare to touch Liu Jin's sight. After all, he was not an acting person and was afraid that he would reveal himself, so he could only pretend to be timid and incompetent.

Liu Jin was not sure and mustered up the courage to meet the saint. When he found that Emperor Zhengde Zhu Houzhao's face was gloomy at this time, he knew that he had caused trouble.

"Oh, you dog slave, do you know what kind of bullshit things you did?" Zhu Houzhao slapped the table.

Liu Jin knelt down and explained quickly: "Your Majesty, I know that someone is going to give you money. I'm afraid something will happen, so I keep the money first and will deliver it to you later.

Hearing this, although Zhu Houzhao was full of anger, she finally calmed down and asked sternly: "Where is the silver?"

Liu Jin smiled and said, "It's under counting..."

He thought for a while and it was impossible for Zhu Houzhao to know the detailed figures. Even if the officials from the Inner Transport Department were sent to him, they had the bad habit of getting enough for many years, so they would definitely not tell the truth to Zhu Houzhao. Thinking of this, he said confidently, "It costs about 30,000 to 40,000 taels of silver."

"Um?"

When Zhu Houzhao heard this number, she immediately understood.

The numbers presented by Xiaotiaozi have been reported to him in detail, and the number of each company is clearly stated.

The numbers reported by Liu Jin were obviously cut off, and it goes without saying that they were all embezzled by Liu Jin.

Zhu Houzhao believed in Liu Jin, but it did not mean that he could accept that he was fooled.

But he asked tentatively, "Is it 30,000 to 40,000 taels of silver? The report from the In-house Transportation Trust before was reported, but there were 50,000 taels of silver."

Liu Jin was worried that Zhu Houzhao knew the specific numbers, but when he heard this, he immediately regained his calmness and replied with a smile: "The specific numbers may need to be counted after the old slave goes back, but there may be a shortage of 50,000 taels. After all, each company will not pay the donation according to the real number. After the old slave carefully checks it, he will come back to report to His Majesty."

"Um."
To be continued...