Richest Man: Divine-Grade Reconstruct System Chapter 959 919: Envoys from the Palace Arrive
Previously on Richest Man: Divine-Grade Reconstruct System...
Outside the opulent hall, even as the elders vocalized their dissent, their pleas went unheeded.
The guards who had escorted them out no longer bore the deferential gazes they once held, their expressions now mirroring disdain, as if looking upon a vanquished foe.
Their eyes, once filled with respect and a hint of fear, now flickered with contempt.
Whether these disgraced officials should concern themselves with the guards' impudent glares was a matter of utter indifference to them.
They maintained their dignified, aloof demeanor.
To have fallen from grace to such a pathetic state, witnessing the guards' undisguised schadenfreude was almost unbearable.
Furthermore, as these once-powerful figures were being expelled, one audacious individual even delivered a swift kick.
This unexpected act caused the disgraced old men to widen their eyes, their gazes fixated on the guards who now watched them like predators observing their prey.
The Right Chancellor, his very beard and hair quivering with incandescent rage, unleashed a torrent of abuse upon the leading general.
"You cur! Do you truly believe that damned king can impose his will upon this old man?
The moment I am freed from this palace, your entire lineage will be expunged, you mongrel!"
Yet, these furious pronouncements seemed to vanish into thin air, unheard by the stoic guards.
They were acutely aware of the shifting power dynamics, having been informed that their former subordinates would swiftly assume their vacated positions.
As the adage states, 'When a person departs, the tea grows cold.' Did they truly possess any recourse?
Would the new monarch show them any leniency?
Could Lin Yi, with his astute understanding, not grasp the simple truth that unresolved threats fester and return?
Just as the guards speculated, Lin Yi, with his keen intellect, certainly comprehended this fundamental principle.
Following the appointment of their deputies to interim roles, he promptly issued a decree to confiscate the residences of these disgraced officials.
Indeed, Lin Yi's objective extended beyond mere demotion; he intended to seize their accumulated wealth.
The royal treasury of Dayou had been depleted, and the confiscation of these officials' assets would swiftly reverse this unfortunate state, wouldn't it?
What truly astonished these deposed figures was that the task of inventorying and confiscating their assets fell to their most trusted deputies, a direct consequence of Lin Yi's decree.
This decisive action indeed saw the Dayou treasury replenished substantially.
Initially, Dayou's annual tax revenue barely surpassed 900,000 taels.
However, on this singular occasion, nearly 3 million taels were seized from the Chancellor's estate alone.
The immense wealth amassed within a single Chancellor's household, exceeding Dayou's annual tax collection threefold, served as stark evidence of their rampant corruption and embezzlement.
This figure only accounted for the gold and silver discovered within the estate; it did not encompass the value of their diverse business holdings. If all their enterprises were considered, Dayou's tax revenue for a decade might pale in comparison.
With this significant matter resolved, Lin Yi immediately summoned artisans, imparting to them the sophisticated techniques of movable type printing and papermaking.
He further directed them to commence preparations for the establishment of the Dayou newspaper without delay.
Concerns regarding potential retaliatory actions or rebellions instigated by the families' powerful connections never materialized.
Naturally, these developments were concisely addressed during the morning court session.
Upon concluding his directives, Lin Yi promptly departed for the Border Army Camp, anticipating a compelling spectacle that day.
If his timing was correct, the eunuchs dispatched with imperial edicts should be nearing their destination.
Upon observing Lin Yi's early return, Leng Yu and the others expressed visible surprise, as his presence at this hour was uncharacteristic.
However, when questioned, Lin Yi merely offered a cryptic smile, remaining silent.
He proceeded directly to his quarters, intending to rest and recuperate.
Not long after partaking in their midday meal, an unexpected commotion erupted outside the confines of the Border Army Camp.
The sudden noise prompted a subtle upturn of Lin Yi's lips; he surmised that the imperial eunuchs had finally arrived.
Indeed, shortly thereafter, a messenger arrived to inform Lin Yi of the court officials' presence, ostensibly to deliver an imperial decree.
Lin Yi displayed no outward reaction upon receiving this news.
This lack of surprise left the messenger visibly perplexed.
He could not fathom why Young Master Lin remained unperturbed by the announcement.
Moreover, his serene composure suggested an uncanny foresight, leaving the informant in a state of obvious bewilderment.
Soon, a realization dawned upon him; perhaps it was Lin Yi's status as an Immortal, or perhaps he possessed precognitive abilities.
These, of course, were merely his conjectures.
The actual truth remained beyond his capacity to discern.
After relaying the message and receiving Lin Yi's acknowledgment, the messenger prudently withdrew.
Meanwhile, outside the Border Army Camp, a grand procession was cautiously surrounding a few individuals disguised as eunuchs, making their way inside. This group's destination was unmistakable, heading directly for the City Lord's Mansion within the Border Army Camp. Lin Yi, of course, chose to remain unseen, staying within his residence. However, in contrast to him, the inhabitants of the Border Army Camp were not enjoying such freedom. At this very moment, each one craned their necks, gazing outwards. It was indeed a rare occasion for an envoy from the imperial court to arrive with an edict, and they were uncertain of the purpose. They also had no knowledge of what decree the court planned to announce. Regarding the recent battle, after their rescue, a messenger had already been dispatched to the Imperial City to report the events. The news had been conveyed to the capital long ago. This led them to speculate if a new commander would be appointed, or perhaps reinforcements would be sent to bolster the Border Army here? Considering their current depleted fighting strength, it was unlikely they would remain stationed at the border for an extended period. If an enemy were to launch an attack, who would be there to defend the territory? As things stood, merely managing to hold this location was already a considerable achievement. Patrolling the city walls in the distance was an unimaginable luxury. [To Be Continued...]