Chapter 126: The Corrupt Official
hich shows their ambitions are not small. We must prepare in advance."The Three Treasures respectfully replied, "This servant obeys.""How is Duan Jinjiang doing" Li Chen asked.Sān Bǎo softly replied:...Chapter 126: The Corrupt Official
For disaster relief grain, the Qin dynasty had clear written regulations and strict laws.
Regardless of whether it is a major or minor disaster, any imperial edict and funds allocated by the Ministry of Revenue sent to provincial or prefectural levels, any disaster relief measures, rice should be at least half a bowl and water two bowls. Any measure falling short of this ratio, regardless of the reason, will be punished as an act of personal gain.
“While providing relief from disaster, it’s impossible to ensure every individual has three meals a day. However, the Imperial Law states that anyone who opens a granary in an official capacity for disaster relief and takes less than one-fifth of a grain of rice from the bottom will be executed, regardless of their rank, from governors down to clerks.”
Li Chen's voice was icy as he stared at the terrified clerk, "This spoonful, does one grain of rice account for one tenth!"
How imposing is Li Chen
It is said in ancient times, an emperor's anger could cause millions to die. Now Li Chen, though not yet the emperor, is already the crown prince.
He would be enraged, and wouldn't stop at killing millions. At the very least, he would slaughter every single one of the people here and their entire families for nine generations.
That magistrate was nothing more than a common official with only a little bit of authority. He wasn't even considered an official, just a clerk. How could he withstand Li Chen's intimidating presence
He only felt his skin tighten, his mouth dry, and a nameless fear and panic trembled from the depths of his soul as he stammered, "I... I was just following orders. They only gave me this much, so I cooked this much porridge. What else could I do"
Li Chen was furious.
But also knowing that venting anger on such a small person would be pointless.
At this point, he also understood why those great figures often weren't harsh in front of ordinary people but instead seemed very approachable. It was simply because their positions, perspectives, horizons, and responsibilities were all different. Even the greatest anger a big figure might have wouldn't be worth getting upset over with someone insignificant.
Li Chen let out a cold snort and said, "Go and call the biggest official you can find!"
The clerk swallowed nervously, finally regaining his composure. He stared at Li Chen with wide eyes and said, "Who are you"
Li Chen was too lazy to waste words. Given his temperament, any extra word from this lowly official would land him a swift and brutal execution.
And beside her, Su Jinpa stepped forward. She took out a waist token of the Great General's Mansion and said, "This is business from the Great General's Mansion."
The constable didn't know the two men's identities, but he recognized the characters on the large waist token made of pure gold from the General's Mansion.
Grand General's Mansion!
The Qin Empire, there is only one General's Mansion!
His master, King Wan, the only prince of a different surname in this dynasty and an hereditary champion.
In any case, he's not someone a small clerk like him could afford to offend.
Terrified, his three souls and seven spirits flew away half, he immediately bowed and said, "This humble one will go call the master right now, please wait a moment."
As soon as he finished speaking, the constable dashed off like a shooting star.
Li Chen ignored him and walked into the porridge shed. He saw hundreds of sacks piled up densely, each sealed with a seal from the Ministry of Households, showing that they were purchased by the imperial government and could not be faked.
According to law, if anyone other than an official with a warrant moves this document, the most severe punishment is death, and at the lightest, they will be flogged thirty times and imprisoned for five years.
And Li Chen directly ripped open the seal and shook out the whole bag of rice.
The yellowed, aged rice poured out, but this was only a surface layer. Less than a third of the total amount could be seen. When the container emptied completely, all that remained was a mixture of rice grains and gravel, with many rice weevils wriggling on top, densely packed together, making one's scalp tingle just by looking at them.
Then, one of the refugees shouted something, and dozens rushed over, pushing Li Chen aside.
They scrambled to the ground, picking up grains of rice and shoving them into their mouths.
There are grains of rice, pebbles, and even those wriggling rice worms. It welcomes all comers.
Looking at this scene, Li Chen, who was squeezed to the side, only felt a surge of anger rising from his heart, hating him almost uncontrollably surging killing intent.
"One hundred thousand taels of silver, and this is all I get Mud and sand! Today, this palace will not stop until the ground runs red with blood! Those corrupt officials, they don't know what death means!!!"le uncomfortable. But she continued, "This palace is not a harsh person, and only hopes that everyone can be well. The East Palace, both inside and out, has only one important thing to do, which is to...