The Daughter of Shang Shu

Gu Chengyin's analysis painted a shocking, dark picture before Luo Zhao's eyes.

Behind these seemingly dull numbers lay hidden, greedy tentacles.

Cloaked in the guise of legality and compliance, they ceaselessly sucked blood from the body of the Great Luo Empire day and night.

"If we do not crush this swarm of giant parasites," Gu Chengyin's voice rang out like a final verdict, "then no matter how brilliant our strategies for generating revenue, or how much silver we earn..."

"...ultimately, it will all flow into their pockets through these hidden channels."

"The national treasury will never be full."

Sitting in the seat of honor, Luo Zhao's complexion had turned incredibly grim.

When she investigated the water transport corruption in Luodu, she had already witnessed the darkness and deep-rooted entanglements.

But she never expected that here in Shendu, right under the Emperor's nose, such an audaciously bold network had also formed!

No wonder the national treasury cried poverty year after year, and no wonder special funds that should have been plentiful were always stretched thin!

The money was never used where it was meant to be. Instead, it was devoured layer by layer through this elaborate process!

An uncontrollable surge of anger rose in Luo Zhao's heart, but it was outweighed by a heavy sense of powerlessness and immense pressure.

Where should she even begin? This matter was so interconnected that pulling a single hair would move the entire body. If she acted recklessly, she might face a fatal backlash before the giant parasites were even eradicated!

Luo Zhao forced herself to calm down and shifted her gaze to Gu Chengyin.

Since he could identify the problem, perhaps he also had a way to break this deadlock?

"Manager Gu," Luo Zhao's voice was slightly dry, but she maintained her composure. "In your opinion, how should we break this deadlock?"

Gu Chengyin had already anticipated her question and replied calmly,

"Your Highness, this matter involves too many people. We certainly cannot tackle it head-on."

He paused, then shifted his tone. "Of course, we cannot sit idle either. Otherwise, Your Highness will have no answer for His Majesty, and the depletion of the national treasury will never see a day of resolution."

"Therefore," Gu Chengyin raised his head, his burning gaze meeting Luo Zhao's as a ruthless smile curled the corners of his lips,

"The best method is none other than killing the chicken to warn the monkeys."

"Kill the chicken to warn the monkeys?" Luo Zhao raised a delicate brow.

"Exactly."

Gu Chengyin nodded. "We select a few chickens that are fat enough and hold high enough status, yet occupy positions that are relatively inconsequential, or whose downfall will not trigger the collapse of the entire network."

"We solidify the evidence of their crimes, hold public trials, and forge ironclad cases. Then, we confiscate their properties and pour every last drop of their wealth into the national treasury!"

"Firstly, this move will prove to His Majesty that Your Highness has the capability to root out the problem and recover the stolen funds. Coupled with tangibly replenishing the national treasury, it will be more than enough to pass this test."

"Secondly, it serves as the sternest warning to the entire court, and especially to those monkeys."

"To protect themselves, the remaining monkeys will inevitably make a move. However, they will only have two choices: either quietly fill the deficit or voluntarily surrender their illicit gains."

A cold light flashed in Gu Chengyin's eyes as he spoke with a chilling tone. "If anyone dares to harbor any illusions and chooses neither, then they will be the next chicken."

As Luo Zhao listened to Gu Chengyin's analysis, a glint flickered in her eyes.

This strategy indeed sounded far more prudent and actionable than waging an all-out war.

Using thunderous methods to strike the few and awe the majority would not only display her authority and yield concrete results but also prevent them from sinking into the quagmire of a full-scale confrontation.

"Then these chickens..." Luo Zhao pressed on, "How should we choose them?"

This was the most difficult part.

Every official serving in Shendu was as shrewd as a ghost, not to mention they were all deeply interconnected, covering for one another from top to bottom.

Seizing their vulnerabilities and ensuring a fatal strike that could not be overturned was no easy task.

Gu Chengyin pointed a finger at the mountainous piles of account ledgers. "The clues lie within these accounts."

"As long as we trace the illogical flow of funds to the very end, we will eventually find a breakthrough. By following the vine to find the melon, we will naturally pull up a whole string of them."

He shifted his tone and looked at Luo Zhao with an inquiring gaze. "However, if we want to find the most suitable fat chicken as quickly and accurately as possible, the best way is to ask an insider."

"An insider?" Luo Zhao's gaze sharpened.

"Yes, an insider." Gu Chengyin nodded, his gaze turning piercing. "An insider who intimately knows the rules of the game, or is perhaps even a participant."

He paused slightly before slowly uttering a name.

"For example, the Minister of Revenue, Shangguan Yuan."

"Any process that involves money could never bypass this grand master of accounts."

"Furthermore, without his involvement, these accounts could never have been forged so flawlessly."

Gu Chengyin looked at Luo Zhao and asked in a calm tone, "Your Highness, how is your relationship with the Minister? Is it possible to open a breach through him?"

Upon hearing the name Shangguan Yuan, Luo Zhao's expression turned somewhat subtle.

She did not immediately answer Gu Chengyin's question. Instead, she slowly shifted her gaze to Shangguan Yunying, who was standing in attendance at her side.

Following Luo Zhao's gaze, Gu Chengyin also looked at Shangguan Yunying, a hint of confusion in his eyes.

Just then, Luo Zhao's voice rang out, carrying a peculiar undertone.

"Our relationship? It is passable."

She paused, looking at Shangguan Yunying, and slowly added,

"After all, my Chief Lady-in-Waiting..."

"...is Shangguan Yuan's biological daughter."

What?!

The moment those words registered, Gu Chengyin's pupils violently contracted!

He whipped his head around to stare at Shangguan Yunying, as if seeing her for the very first time.

Shangguan Yunying was the daughter of the Minister of Revenue, Shangguan Yuan?!

He had always assumed that Shangguan Yunying was a female official cultivated by the Imperial Household Department, perhaps possessing some capable background.

But never in his wildest dreams did he imagine she was the legitimate daughter of the Minister of Revenue, the man who controlled all the wealth and grain of the realm!

Why would the dignified daughter of a Minister enter the palace to serve as a lowly lady-in-waiting?

It defied all logic! Unless...

Countless thoughts flashed through Gu Chengyin's mind in an instant.

A political marriage? Surveillance and control? Or some kind of special arrangement or transaction?

But come to think of it, without an extraordinary background, how could she have possibly secured the position of Chief Lady-in-Waiting?

The atmosphere within the hall turned eerie and delicate once more following Luo Zhao's revelation.

The gears in Gu Chengyin's mind began to turn at a breakneck speed.

Shangguan Yunying was Shangguan Yuan's daughter. This sudden revelation might just be the unexpected breakthrough they needed!

Inside the Hall of Enlightened Reason, the flickering candlelight danced across the varying expressions of the three individuals.

Luo Zhao's gaze fell back upon the mountainous piles of account ledgers, her brows slightly furrowed as she clearly weighed her options at lightning speed.

After a moment of silence, Luo Zhao looked up, her gaze restored to its usual decisiveness and sharpness.

"Time is of the essence," she spoke in a commanding tone. "I will carefully review the remaining ledgers and untangle this web, just as Manager Gu suggested."

"The two of you are to leave the palace immediately. Head to the Minister's estate and pay a visit to Shangguan Yuan."

"There is no need to beat around the bush. Tell him my intentions directly, and let us first see what his stance on the matter is."