I have Immortality In The Cultivation World

“I’m truly overjoyed!”

Zhou Yi clicked his tongue in amazement, admiring Eunuch Jing even more, and took hold of his hand warmly as he spoke.

“The Great Ancestor became a dragon after meeting Liu Zixu, and Eunuch Jing is my Zixu. Should I encounter any doubts in the future, I’ll need Brother Jing’s guidance!”

Eunuch Jing wanted to remind him that it was Liu Zixu, but then he felt the strength in his hand.

“Rest assured, Eunuch Yi, I’ll be at your beck and call…”

“What ‘Eunuch Yi’? That’s too distant!”

Zhou Yi’s eyes reddened slightly, with tears beginning to form: “Brother Jing, from now on, we are brothers of different mothers and fathers, sharing weal and woe together!”

Eunuch Jing, having no choice, accepted this brotherhood reluctantly.

Zhou Yi glanced around, and his two foster sons immediately understood, falling to their knees with a thud and calling out in unison.

“Ei, ei, ei.”

Eunuch Jing hurriedly responded, and with things having come to this, decided to play along with Eunuch Yi for now, waiting for a chance to take revenge when he fell from power.

If he never fell from power, or if his power grew even greater, then they would truly be brothers!

After chatting for a while longer, Zhou Yi and Eunuch Jing bid each other a reluctant farewell, and the Hall of Attendance fell quiet once more.

Zhou Yi narrowed his eyes slightly and commanded.

“Send a few sharp ones to the Scripture Pavilion to help Brother Jing sort out the books and scriptures. Tell me everything he’s read, every scripture he’s studied!”

“Understood.”

The foster son on the left bowed and accepted the order, asking, “Godfather, how many foster sons does Eunuch Jing have in the palace? Should we…”

He said this while making a throat-slitting gesture.

“Don’t be so brutal in doing things. We all share the Emperor’s worries; we must be harmonious.”

Zhou Yi said, “Win them over—anyone with a bit of sense certainly won’t refuse us. If they do refuse, then they are fools, and fools don’t live long in the palace!”

The foster son flattered, “Godfather is wise!”

Zhou Yi gave the man a sidelong glance. The foster sons he had taken were all clever; there was no way they couldn’t see through this ruse. It must have been a deliberate inquiry followed by an opportunistic compliment.

But then again, I do love to hear it!

“Keep an eye on this matter. When Eunuch Jing is gone, you’ll take charge of the Scripture Pavilion.”

“Thank you, Godfather.”

The foster son hurriedly kowtowed. The Scripture Pavilion might seem to lack perks, but it held a special status within the palace, just as Eunuch Jing, who was powerless and without influence, was able to call Zhou Yi a brother.

“Go on then.”

Zhou Yi waved him off and then turned to another foster son: “How’s the investigation into the Imperial Household Department going?”

The foster son promptly reported, “Godfather, our Hall of Attendance has guards posted everywhere in the palace. We have already figured out the details of Eunuch Zhao’s situation over this period.”

Zhou Yi blew on the hot steam from his tea, took a sip, and said, “Tell me.”

“Most of the money Eunuch Zhao has embezzled comes from tribute within the palace.”

The foster son explained, “His main methods are inflating numbers, pocketing the excess, wiping away the evidence, and selling it outside the palace. Another is substituting inferior goods for superior ones—carefully selected tributes replaced with inferior products brought into the palace…”

“There’s also self-serve tribute. It’s said that the Su family, responsible for tribute silk fabrics, belong to Eunuch Zhao…”

“And they inflate the prices of tribute items… using supposed flaws as an excuse to withhold, delay payment to suppliers… accepting bribes from tribute merchants, intentionally purchasing substandard goods…”

One after another, the offenses added up to more than twenty in total.

After hearing all this, Zhou Yi slammed his teacup down on the table and cursed, “He’s simply outrageous! The Imperial Household Department spends the Inner Treasury’s resources and embezzles the Emperor’s silver—his whole Nine Clans deserve execution!”

The foster son nodded repeatedly, saying, “Shall we spread the word about this? Once it’s the talk of every street and alley, the Emperor will surely deal with Eunuch Zhao…”

“Hmph! If we keep up this behavior, our head won’t be safe either.”

Zhou Yi was well aware that certain things could be done once, but not twice. Previously, the method used to harm Eunuch Zhu had already affected His Majesty’s reputation. If rumors of embezzlement within the Imperial Household Department were to spread, it was the head of the rumor spreader that would roll first.

True or false, His Majesty’s face was far more important than catching a corrupt official!

His godson inquired, “Then, what should be done?”

Zhou Yi closed his eyes to contemplate, his fingers rapping steadily on the table. After a moment, he abruptly stopped and asked, “Is the Imperial Household Department responsible for the tribute of rouge and face powder?”

His godson had memorized all the news related to the Imperial Household Department before reporting to work and immediately replied.

“The rouge and face powder for the Inner Palace are divided into nineteen categories, supplied by seven renowned merchants from the Capital, Jiangnan, and other places as tribute supplies.”

“Among them, Tianxiang Ge, closely connected to Eunuch Zhao; it is rumored that the actual owner behind the scenes is one of Eunuch Zhao’s kinsmen from the younger generations!”

Zhou Yi asked, “How’s the rouge from Tianxiang Ge?”

His godson answered, “It’s better than the ordinary stuff, but it can’t compare with the other six shops that have a century-old reputation. However, most of Tianxiang Ge’s tribute supplies are items not commonly used.”

“According to people below, the quantity of the contributed rouge is so vast that most of the ladies in the Inner Palace can’t use it all up. After some time has passed, they will replace them with new ones!”

“Eunuch Zhao is quite cautious in his dealings.”

Zhou Yi scoffed coldly. This method earned silver for the imperial treasury without causing any substantial impact.

The rouge from Tianxiang Ge was seldom used, and occasionally using them did not allow for distinguishing good from bad. Moreover, they were discarded after some days, and purchasing the time-honored brand of rouge made no difference.

Eunuch Zhao was indeed an old-timer in the palace; he knew which silver burnt the hand and which could safely be taken!

Zhou Yi asked, “Is Tianxiang Ge located in the Capital?”

“It’s currently at Chongning Square.”

“When will the next batch of tribute rouge enter the palace?”

“Once a season, there are still two months to go.”

“Hmm.”

Zhou Yi waved his hand, “You may leave now, I am weary!”

His godson was slightly startled, assuming there would be further strategy discussions, but he dared not ask why and bowed before retreating from the room.

Zhou Yi sat in the chair pondering for a long time, and an idea took root in his mind.

“This matter involves the Inner Palace; I dare not entrust it to others. If any traces were to be exposed, it would be a capital offense!”

…Please, wait a moment for refresh, my deepest apologies~

His godson had memorized all the news related to the Imperial Household Department before reporting to work and immediately replied.

“The rouge and face powder for the Inner Palace are divided into nineteen categories, supplied by seven renowned merchants from the Capital, Jiangnan, and other places as tribute supplies.”

“Among them, Tianxiang Ge, closely connected to Eunuch Zhao; it is rumored that the actual owner behind the scenes is one of Eunuch Zhao’s kinsmen from the younger generations!”

Zhou Yi asked, “How’s the rouge from Tianxiang Ge?”

His godson answered, “It’s better than the ordinary stuff, but it can’t compare with the other six shops that have a century-old reputation. However, most of Tianxiang Ge’s tribute supplies are items not commonly used.”

“According to people below, the quantity of the contributed rouge is so vast that most of the ladies in the Inner Palace can’t use it all up. After some time has passed, they will replace them with new ones!”

“Eunuch Zhao is quite cautious in his dealings.”

Zhou Yi scoffed coldly. This method earned silver for the imperial treasury without causing any substantial impact.

The rouge from Tianxiang Ge was seldom used, and occasionally using them did not allow for distinguishing good from bad. Moreover, they were discarded after some days, and purchasing the time-honored brand of rouge made no difference.

Eunuch Zhao was indeed an old-timer in the palace; he knew which silver burnt the hand and which could safely be taken!

Zhou Yi asked, “Is Tianxiang Ge located in the Capital?”

“It’s currently at Chongning Square.”

“When will the next batch of tribute rouge enter the palace.”

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