After Zhao Shou, many other officials stood up and said the same thing as Zhao Shou. They didn't have much to say, but the general idea was clear. They couldn't make a big fuss about the salt administration. It was wrong.
Zhu Yijun summarized the reasons. They were basically afraid that if the salt administration got out of hand, the world would be in chaos.
Zhu Yijun didn't know how many of them were sincerely considering this matter, and how many of them were doing it for the sake of the salt merchants.
Zhu Yijun didn't care. Whether it was related to the salt merchants or not, they could find out with a simple investigation.
"Everyone, you are right. We shouldn't make a big fuss. Why don't we let Dongchang and the Imperial Bodyguard investigate!"
Zhu Yijun nodded. He looked like he was saying, "What you said makes sense. We'll do as you say."
The officials didn't look too happy. Let Dongchang and the Imperial Bodyguard investigate?
Then wouldn't I find a big hole for you?
Investigating the salt case was a lucrative job. If the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the East Faction Guards were to go, the investigation would turn the world upside down!
"Your Majesty, I think the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Personnel should investigate!"
Assistant Minister of Justice Qian Huai stood up and said loudly. "This matter involves many officials. It's more appropriate for the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Personnel to investigate."
As soon as Qian Huai finished, many people stood up to agree with him. They all meant the same thing. They couldn't let Dongchang and the Imperial Bodyguard interfere.
Zhu Yijun glanced at the officials. He had expected this, but he didn't show it on his face.
He couldn't use the Imperial Decree to suppress them. If he did, they wouldn't work hard for him.
"Why don't we let the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Justice, and the Dongchang Imperial Bodyguard do the investigation together."
Zhu Yijun thought for a moment and said, "Since Imperial Censor Cao Yikui is involved in this matter, why don't we let him lead the investigation!"
The officials were stunned. So many people doing the investigation?
Someone else wanted to say something, but when he saw Zhu Yijun's expression, he didn't say anything.
Obviously, the Emperor wanted Dongchang and the Imperial Bodyguard to investigate. Now that they had such a condition, there was no need to force the Emperor to agree to it.
If he really did that, he would definitely anger the emperor.
The consequences of angering the Emperor would definitely not be good. Basically, the Emperor would ask Dongchang and the Imperial Bodyguard to investigate.
The smart officials all understood that it was fine to fight with the emperor, but they had to keep it within a certain limit. Fighting without breaking was the best result.
It was going to break, and the ones who would suffer would definitely be the ministers. Other than those iron-headed people who wanted to be famous, no one would do such a thing.
"Your Majesty, I thought that Cao Yikui was just an imperial censor. I'm afraid that his official position in investigating this case is a little low, so it would be difficult for him to do so!"
Yu Youding, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Appointments, stood up. As the newly appointed Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, he knew that he needed to perform well. Now he felt that this was a good opportunity, so he stood up and said, "I think the imperial court should send an important official to investigate this case."
Zhu Yijun looked at Yu Youding playfully. As expected, he found that many ministers were already looking at him with dissatisfaction.
Among these people, some of them were angry because Yu Youding was stirring up trouble again, while others were angry because Yu Youding had pulled this matter up.
Originally, there weren't any important figures involved, so the matter didn't seem to be very serious. However, it was hard to say if an important official was involved.
Zhu Yijun nodded and said with a smile, "You are right. Then, Yu, who do you think is suitable?
Why don't you use Hai Rui? "
Hearing Hai Rui's name, more people immediately stared at Yu Youding. Was he still going to stir up trouble?
What if he really used Hai Rui?
Yu Youding almost broke out in a cold sweat. Using Hai Rui?
If he really used Hai Rui, it would be over.
If Hai Rui went to investigate the salt case, it would definitely cause a ruckus. He would definitely be scolded by others. He suddenly felt some regret in his heart.
Yu Youding didn't know if his thoughts were seen through by the emperor or if it was purely a coincidence. However, Yu Youding warned himself in his heart that he must do this kind of thing less in the future. Otherwise, things would become troublesome.
"Your Majesty, Hai Rui isn't young anymore. I don't think it's appropriate to let him work hard to investigate the case."
Shen Shixing stood up at this time. On one hand, he wanted to help Yu Youding out. On the other hand, he was really afraid of using Hai Rui.
If he let Hai Rui investigate the salt case, the entire salt administration would probably be in a mess. The entire imperial court would also be watching the melon fall.
"I feel that an important minister who is in the prime of his life will be able to investigate the case better."
Zhu Yijun nodded and asked with a smile, "Then, Shen, who do you recommend?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, I recommend the Left Deputy Imperial Censor, Sun Piyang."
Shen Shixing hurriedly said, "Sun Piyang is in the prime of his life. As the Right Deputy Imperial Censor, when he was inspecting the various prefectures in Baoding, he was famous for being strict. I feel that he is the most suitable candidate."
After thinking for a moment, Zhu Yijun nodded and said, "Okay, then the Left Deputy Imperial Censor, Sun Piyang, will be the head."
Hearing Zhu Yijun's words, the officials all let out a sigh of relief. At the same time, they looked at Shen Shixing with admiration. Minister Shen was really capable!
For the officials, as long as they didn't use Hai Rui, there wouldn't be any problems. As for Sun Piyang, no one was familiar with him, so it didn't matter.
After court, Zhu Yijun couldn't help but sigh. Hai Rui was indeed a great god. This almost had the effect of "with Jiang Taigong here, all the gods abdicate".
To investigate the salt administration, Zhu Yijun didn't count on the civil officials. He only counted on Cao Yikui.
Returning to the Palace of Heavenly Purity, Zhu Yijun had Zhang Jing call Liu Shouyou.
When Liu Shouyou arrived, Zhu Yijun glanced at Liu Shouyou and Zhang Jing and said, "This time, Dongchang and the Imperial Bodyguard will send out some capable people. Don't let the civil officials lose and embarrass me."
Dongchang was the Emperor's servant, and the Imperial Bodyguard was the Emperor's personal army. Comparatively speaking, they were closer than the civil officials. Zhu Yijun wasn't wrong in saying this.
"Send more people to interact with Cao Yikui. Tell them to listen to Cao Yikui if anything happens. I will give Cao Yikui a secret edict."
Zhu Yijun told the two directly. He was also afraid that Dongchang and the Imperial Bodyguard would cause trouble down there.
"Tell the people going to bring more people. Don't get beheaded on the way. Those corrupt officials and salt merchants are not to be trifled with."
The two hurriedly bowed and said, "Yes, we understand!"
In reality, the two did understand. This time, the salt administration case was led by Cao Yikui. The others were just a smokescreen released by the Emperor.
Dongchang and the Imperial Bodyguard just needed to cooperate. They also knew what to do.
"I will let the people from the Inner Factory cooperate. I believe they will be able to find many things that you can't."
These years, the Inner Factory had been rooted in the local areas and had sent people everywhere. The salt administration was such a big matter and the salt merchants were so rich. It was impossible for the Inner Factory to not interfere.
The key was that Zhu Yijun knew that the Inner Factory controlled a large number of people at the bottom of the hierarchy. Most of them were street thugs.
Many of the street thug leaders were from the Inner Factory. Those who were willing to join were accepted, and those who were unwilling were killed. Xu De's younger brother was very familiar with these things.