Protect Our Clan Leader
Chapter 1107 - 78: Drain the Firewood from Under the Pot! Flip the Table _3

"Even with well-kept accounts, the Three Talents Section only needs to meticulously examine the size of each enterprise, scrupulously tally expenses and revenues, and then interrogate the relevant parties; ultimately, there's no escaping,"

The Commandery Prince's Residence's butler frowned and said, "Your Highness, otherwise, why don't we stick to the old method. Those tax inspectors responsible for the audit all have family and desires, we can try to bribe a few of them, to tamper with the numbers during the tax inspection..."

However, before he could finish, Kang Commandery Prince interrupted him.

"Idiotic!" Kang Commandery Prince swept him with a cold glance, "Do you realize how many pairs of eyes are watching us? Besides, An Commandery Prince has been prepared for this; he's definitely arranged for people to secretly monitor us, always ready to seize any mishap of mine. Do you believe that the moment you send someone out, An Commandery Prince's people will capture them, and they'll become living evidence of my attempt to bribe the tax authorities?"

"Yes, yes, this servant failed to think it through," the butler said, breaking into a cold sweat.

"Not only are bribery and collusion not an option, but also threats, assassination, and such tactics are out of the question," Kang Commandery Prince said coldly, "Wang Shouzhe is playing an open plot against me, clearly aiming at the accounts I and the Old Ancestor cannot withstand scrutiny. This knife, it's aimed straight at my heart."

"Your Highness, please calm down," Jiang Zhuyi offered a plan, "On the surface, it seems to be quite disadvantageous to you. Once they discover a large amount of tax evasion, it will be a heavy blow to your prestige."

"But if we think about it carefully, this move may not necessarily be advantageous to An Commandery Prince. His strategy, while beneficial to the state, has offended most of the Imperial family and Prominent Families. Everybody might not say it openly, but they must hate An Commandery Prince to the bone—no one would want the meat they've eaten to be forcefully dug out of their throats, right?"

"What's at stake in the struggle between Emperor's sons? Naturally, it's about representing the interests of the Imperial Household and those of the Prominent Families. Wang Shouzhe's move is clever, but it cuts off An Commandery Prince's rapport with the Prominent Families."

The color returned to Kang Commandery Prince's face, "Zhuyi, your words make sense. So, what shall we do next?"

"On the surface, we should cooperate enthusiastically with the tax inspection, not leaving any loopholes at this critical juncture," Jiang Zhuyi analyzed, "Second, take the initiative to admit your guilt to His Majesty, claim ignorance, and promise to make amends."

"Third, secretly denounce the tax evasion issues of other Princes' and Commandery Princes' Residences, as well as the major Prominent Families, forcing the Three Talents Section to investigate, or at the very least, forcing them to rectify their taxes. Then let Luo Yuqing heavily publicize it. Indeed, we are in the wrong, but if the majority of people are also in the wrong, we won't seem so guilty... At times like these, those who are clean stick out and attract more hatred."

"Fourth, actively rally allies, hinting that if An Commandery Prince rises to power, everyone's days ahead will be hard. It's better to support you during the internal Imperial Household vote, and then, once you're in power, we can turn a blind eye to the tax affairs of the Imperial Family and the Prominent Families."

"Brilliant! Truly brilliant," Kang Commandery Prince said joyously, "Zhuyi, your words have indeed cleared the fog before my eyes."

After this ordeal, Wu Mingyuan had offended most of the world's Prominent Families and Imperial family members. As the saying goes, "Taking one's money is like killing one's parent," he didn't believe Wu Mingyuan could still have the support of that many Prominent Families and Imperial family members after such turmoil!

"Butler," Kang Commandery Prince was slightly uplifted.

"Your Highness," the butler's eyes brightened, as if he saw a glimmer of light in the darkness, his excitement surged, "What exactly should this servant do?"

"This way, go and find..."

Kang Commandery Prince whispered a few words, and the butler nodded repeatedly, leaving excitedly.

As a trusted servant of Kang Commandery Prince, his honor and disgrace were tied to Kang Commandery Prince; if Kang Commandery Prince fell, he would definitely be the first to suffer, hence, he was naturally very proactive now.

The butler had followed Kang Commandery Prince for many years, and there was no need to speak of his capability in handling matters.

...

The tax inspection storm rapidly unfolded within Return to Dragon City.

Chaos erupted everywhere, creating a great stir.

While the Prominent Families were in turmoil, half a month slipped by unnoticed. The vigorous tax inspection that was rumbling on seemed to have no sign of halting, on the contrary, it appeared to be escalating, as difficult to stop as a wildfire.

Every day, more Prominent Families or members of the Imperial family were ensnared.

The members of the Three Talents Section were so busy they had to work non-stop, yet they were still overwhelmed.

However, despite the tumult at the top, the common people of Return to Dragon City continued to live their lives as usual. Aside from a small fraction with vested interests, the vast majority of people were not much affected and relished the spectacle with gusto.

West of the city.

Because the main development of Return to Dragon City was towards the south and east, the western part barely qualified as the old city area and was less prosperous than the east side. The residents here were mostly peripheral and distant members of the Imperial family, as well as some ancient but no longer thriving Prominent Families, who were less affected by the current tax investigation.

The streets and alleys were no different from any ordinary day.

That day, Old Liu, as usual, set up his herbal tea stand on the street corner, also selling some pastries on the side. At this moment, he was leisurely sitting behind the stall, idly shooing away mosquitoes and flies attracted by the scent of food.

The herbal tea stall wasn't very profitable; a bowl of herbal tea sold for just two copper shillings, and the daily earnings weren't much, just enough for his own daily expenses. However, Old Liu wasn't in it for the money.

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