The Wicked Wife's Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 285
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Nesman Imperial Palace, the Emperorās officeā
The eyes of the Emperor, famous for his benevolence, were blazing with anger.
āā¦ā¦ā
Even if he was widely praised as a wise ruler who cherished his people, a monarch couldnāt remain completely pure and spotless.
At times he had to sacrifice the few for the many, or overlook minor corruption within palace organizations because of complicated interests.
His pro-commoner policies had provoked strong resistance from many nobles, so he had to leave them at least a small hole to breathe through.
It was obvious where the blade of someone whose throat was completely choked would point.
However, selling official posts was a crime strictly forbidden by the imperial family.
The wrinkles on his forehead twisted like a snake for a moment.
Then the Emperor called the man who had rushed over at his summons in a low voice.
āChief Justice.ā
āYes, Your Majesty.ā
āI received a covert report from Duke Bayern.ā
He already knew that certain nobles used acquaintances to place people into low level imperial posts in exchange for money.
Corrupt figures who planted their people inside the imperial court and lived off pensions like rats had existed since before he ascended the throne.
For that reason he had periodically purged them, but this was the first time evidence had emerged implicating high ranking nobles.
Assistants or clerks to low officials, tax officials, and the like.
Most of the positions sold were relatively low offices, taking advantage of the looser supervision compared to high ranking posts.
āā¦A branch family member of a marquisate would be well educated, so no one would find it strange if they entered as low officials.ā
āAnd itās not as though anyone can know exactly who is acquainted with whom.ā
After the hunting festival, they had already been conducting an under the table investigation related to personnel matters.
However, among the names mentioned in the report were some who hadnāt appeared on the list of corrupt officials they had uncovered so far.
āFor now, I intend to cut off everyone connected to it, and also catch the ones who have been sucking imperial pensions for nothing.ā
That meant even retired officials would be investigated for illegal pension payments, and they would be forced to return everything after a thorough inquiry.
āI will also conduct an internal audit within the Ministry of Justice.ā
A grave light filled Carlisleās eyes.
The report the Emperor had received didnāt contain the name of any staff from the Ministry of Justice, but one could never be too careful.
āā¦But is it truly acceptable for Your Majesty to say such things to me?ā
If this matter were to leak outside, would other high officials not start talking?
āThe audit has already begun. By now the personnel records of each department should be under seizure. But there is another matter just as serious.ā
āYes?ā
At the Emperorās words, Carlisleās jaw tightened.
Was there something even more shocking than this?
The Emperor pushed a booklet toward him with a grave expression.
āThis isā¦?ā
Inside was a neatly organized record of the corruption committed by Duke Nord.
The Nord River national project, and tax collection corruption.
The volume was enormous, enough to require compilation into a full booklet, and Carlisleās thick eyebrows twitched as his eyes flashed.
āā¦No wonder I thought the Finance Minister had been acting strangely lately.ā
The Emperorās blue eyes shone coldly like ice.
The Finance Minister had always been someone who acted cautiously in everything, like a snake protecting itself.
He had a somewhat sinister side, but he never crossed the line the Emperor allowed.
In other words, he wasnāt the type to do anything that would attract unnecessary suspicion.
That was why the Emperor had allowed him to remain in that position for so long, but perhaps the sudden audit after the hunting festival had been the trigger.
From that point on, the Finance Minister had gradually begun leaving suspicious traces unlike before.
Like snake skin thatās been shed.
āDo you mean his frequent meetings with Marquis Dunklin?ā
Carlisle asked carefully, and the Emperor nodded with a subdued gaze.
āAs you know, Marquis Dunklin is someone I value greatly.ā
Of course, the Emperor hadnāt favored Marquis Dunklin from the beginning.
It had already been ten years since the Delphinium Foundation was established.
During that not insignificant span of time, Marquis Dunklin had rescued countless people through the foundation and contributed to the development of the arts.
And that wasnāt all.
He had followed the Emperorās pro commoner policies without complaint, and he had participated more actively than anyone in charitable events.
Because he had remained consistent for so long, the Emperor couldnāt help but favor him.
āYet recently, something about it keeps feeling suspiciousā¦ā
Until now, the Finance Minister and Marquis Dunklin had had more than enough time to build a relationship.
