The pampered heiress holds the script and leads her cannon fodder family to a counterattack.

Chapter 270 Investigating the War King's Industries

In the afternoon, Qin Wanying lay on the couch in the Crown Prince's residence, thinking about the current situation.

The matters within the palace have been largely resolved.

The Empress Dowager, Consort Xian, and Princess Xiao Yingxue were all spies for the War King in the palace.

They were all locked up and unable to work for the War King.

The intelligence agency of Marquis Zhong'an was also taken down.

However, there were still many of the War King's supporters in the court, led by the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Yan Danyang.

Over the years, the War King has probably raised quite a few private soldiers. In addition to his original troops, he also has the assistance of the Eastern Abyss and Northern Border tribes, so his military strength is not weak.

War requires money.

Although Yu Pengze's problem has been resolved, Qinghe said that the War King still has many properties, which are his money bags.

Qin Wanying felt that she needed to resolve these financial issues quickly.

They don't have much time left. The Empress Dowager and Consort Xian were just imprisoned these past two days, and it's estimated that the Prince of War will receive the news soon and begin to take action. They can't give him time to transfer his assets.

The prince entered the bedroom, and she looked up at him, smiling as she called out, "Husband."

Xiao Jiye saw her, his expression softened, and he sat down beside her.

"My lord, I think we should investigate the War King's assets immediately and confiscate all his money," Qin Wanying said.

Xiao Jiye nodded: "That's exactly what I was thinking too. Send someone to Yunming Prefecture to investigate. With the evidence provided by Qinghe and A Liang, we can accurately locate the War King's properties."

"But what grounds should we use to investigate? We need a legitimate reason," Qin Wanying said.

“Naturally, it’s about investigating taxes,” Xiao Jiye said. “Investigating taxes gives us a legitimate reason, and with that as a pretext, we can uncover any illegal or disorderly conduct.”

[As expected of the Crown Prince, he's a cunning old fox indeed; his years of experience in officialdom have certainly paid off!]

Xiao Jiye listened to Qin Wanying's thoughts, and his brow twitched slightly.

What old fox? I've only just come of age, okay?

"The problem is, who should be sent to investigate? The Imperial Treasury is in charge of taxation, but the Minister of the Imperial Treasury is a man of the War King." Xiao Jiye frowned.

Qin Wanying's eyes lit up. "I have someone to recommend. This person is currently working at the Imperial Treasury and is an upright person."

Xiao Jiye hurriedly asked, "Who is this person?"

“Zhou Yonglu is the runner-up in this year’s imperial examination,” Qin Wanying replied.

Back then, she helped Zhou Yonglu's sister solve a problem, and the siblings were extremely grateful to her. Qin Wanying also knew that Zhou Yonglu was a good person.

Qin Wanying recounted the events of the past in detail, which surprised the Crown Prince. He had never imagined that she and Zhou Yonglu and his sister had such a connection.

Xiao Jiye secretly summoned Zhou Yonglu that afternoon.

Zhou Yonglu was uneasy when he learned that the Crown Prince had summoned him, wondering what was going to happen.

He remembered that he and the Crown Prince had no interaction on ordinary days.

Upon arrival, he found the Crown Prince and Crown Princess present.

Qin Wanying looked at Zhou Yonglu and asked, "Lord Zhou, do you still remember me?"

Zhou Yonglu was a little confused. What connection did he have with the Crown Princess?

He had indeed seen the Crown Princess before, but only from a distance.

However, when I heard the Crown Princess's voice today, it did sound familiar.

"Have I met the Crown Princess before?" Zhou Yonglu asked, his eyes somewhat confused.

Qin Wanying grabbed the veiled hat beside her and put it on her head: "Now, do you remember?"

Zhou Yonglu suddenly realized.

"You are the fortune teller from Tianji Garden!"

Qin Wanying took off her veil and smiled.

Zhou Yonglu's eyes were filled with surprise.

I initially thought this girl was wearing a veil because she wasn't pretty, but it turns out she was hiding her noble status!

"I was truly impolite before," Zhou Yonglu said with a hint of apology.

Qin Wanying smiled: "How can it be considered impolite? It's just that I don't want to reveal my identity."

Qin Wanying also saw Zhou Liyun's current situation through Zhou Yonglu. Zhou Liyun has not remarried after her divorce and is focused on her business.

As for her ex-husband, just as she had predicted, he and his entire family were exiled along with his mistress.

Xiao Jiye spoke up: "Wanying recommended you to me, and I believe you must have exceptional abilities. I have summoned you here today because I have important matters for you to handle."

Zhou Yonglu immediately became serious: "Please give your orders, Your Highness."

The Crown Prince told him about going to Yunming Prefecture to investigate the War King's assets.

This was a major matter, and Zhou Yonglu naturally dared not neglect it. He knelt down and replied, "Your humble servant obeys."

The War King's rebellious intentions were obvious to him, and he saw it clearly.

He always felt that such traitors should be eliminated.

He will do his best in this matter, partly for the sake of the country and partly to repay Qin Wanying's kindness from back then.

The Crown Prince took out an imperial edict, which he had just drafted with his father, the Emperor. It was just a single sheet of paper, and he handed it directly to Zhou Yonglu.

"This is a secret edict drafted by the Emperor. Take it."

Zhou Yonglu took it with both hands, looked at it carefully, and saw that it was written on it:

I have heard that the War King's estate in Yunming Prefecture has been suspected of tax evasion in recent years, leading to a depleted national treasury and widespread public discontent. This matter is of great importance, and I am deeply concerned. You are known for your integrity, uprightness, and keen insight; therefore, I hereby appoint you as Imperial Envoy to secretly travel to Yunming Prefecture to thoroughly investigate the War King's tax evasion.

You must proceed with extreme caution on this trip, and avoid alerting the enemy. All tax-related ledgers, documents, and witnesses must be thoroughly examined to uncover the truth.

Your mission carries great responsibility; you must uphold justice and live up to my expectations.

This is it.

With a legitimate reason for action, things become much easier.

"However, this matter can only be carried out in secret, and the sooner the better. While you are at the Imperial Treasury, ask for leave and say you are going home to visit your family. I will assign you the necessary personnel."

"Wei Hongwen from the Ministry of Justice will go with you and his men. Report any illegal activities you find to him."

"I will also secretly send an army to ambush near Yunming Prefecture. If the enemy resists, I will have the Shadow Guards inform them and the army will suppress them directly."

Zhou Yonglu looked serious; he knew this matter was not to be underestimated.

The Crown Prince's willingness to entrust this matter to him shows his high regard for him, and also benefits from Qin Wanying's influence.

"This matter cannot be delayed. We must leave today and investigate as quickly as possible," the Crown Prince said solemnly.

Zhou Yonglu's expression grew even more serious.

Although he had some understanding of court affairs, he didn't understand them very well.

Judging from the Crown Prince's expression, this matter must be extremely urgent.

Could it be that a great battle is about to begin?

However, he is currently only an assistant minister of the Imperial Treasury and knows that asking too many questions is not a good idea.

The Crown Prince assigned him men and shadow guards, and the travel documents were prepared long ago; he set off that very day.

After Zhou Yonglu left, Xiao Jiye asked Qin Wanying, "How will this matter go?"

Qin Wanying was silent for a moment before replying, "I cannot see."

The two were also a little uneasy, and could only trust Zhou Yonglu.

Ten days later.

Zhou Yonglu returned to Kyoto.

This time, I didn't come back secretly; I came back openly and honestly.

After all the investigation has been completed, there's no need to hide anything anymore.