56: You make money and then want to spend it all? You get all the good things?

"Co-Commander Fang, why are you making such a grand display?"

Supported by his house servants, Lord Wang dared not look at Mo Yingqi at all, but instead directly questioned Fang Wenbo: "The Emperor said back then, as long as I..."

"Lord Wang, Lord Wang, don't get worked up, alright?" Fang Wenbo said with a beaming smile while adjusting his sleeve. "We never said this was about the previous incident. One matter is separate from another. You've committed other crimes now, so we can only trouble your residence again."

"What, what other crimes could there be?" Lord Wang had actually heard Mo Yingqi mention corruption and bribery, but he still didn't want to admit it. "Corruption, is that it? Commander Fang, if you don't have evidence, I will certainly submit a memorial tomorrow to impeach you..."

"Lord Wang, when has the Pacification Bureau ever come to arrest someone without solid evidence?" Fang Wenbo was nearly laughing out loud. "Stop playing games with me. Don't worry, we are only arresting you to be taken to the Imperial Prison, and incidentally, all your family assets will be confiscated, assessed, sold off, and used as military pay for the border guards."

"You, you are slandering me!"

Lord Wang yelled excitedly, but he knew better than anyone that for a Commander to personally come to his residence and dare to say such words meant they genuinely had evidence.

But refusing to weep until one sees the coffin is a common human failing. Moreover, The Emperor remembered that his father was, after all, the late emperor's teacher, and he was his only son born late in life. Otherwise, Mo Yingqi truly wouldn't have avoided sending his youngest daughter to the Bureau of Music and Dance last time. However, entering the Imperial Prison to suffer punishment and hardship was unavoidable now.

Hiding the descendant of the Rebel Prince—this single charge was enough to condemn his entire family. However, since The Emperor had just ascended the throne, for an official family like his, as long as they cooperated, The Emperor was still willing to grant them a way out.

"Lord Wang, your current problem isn't just corruption." Tang Jingzhong said, taking out a scroll. "Lord Wang owns two manors: Qingshan Manor and Heishui Manor. The heads of these two manors oppressed the tenants, privately mined coal without imperial authorization, and even kept thugs who frequently beat and abused the tenants on the manors."

"Tsk tsk tsk, privately mining coal, selling it, and even peddling illegal salt. Sir, the heads of your manors have probably already been escorted to capital. How about you wait a bit, and confess after the testimony arrives? But by then, I'm afraid it might be too late."

Hearing this, cold sweat dripped from Lord Wang's forehead. He tremblingly took out a handkerchief to wipe it away, his lips moving, but he couldn't utter a single word.

"capital, don't be rude." Mo Yingqi, who had been silent, suddenly spoke with a hint of reprimand. "Why bother playing tricks on him? Whether the testimony arrives or not, Lord Wang must enter the Imperial Prison. Don't give people hope!"

Saying this, Mo Yingqi turned his head and looked at Fang Wenbo, giving him a questioning glance. Fang Wenbo was momentarily confused, but after thinking it over, he nodded. Since Mo Yingqi claimed to have a way, then it should... really be a way, right?

After receiving confirmation, Mo Yingqi suddenly walked over and grabbed Lord Wang's collar. His face was still smiling, but his voice carried a hint of ruthlessness: "I'll give you the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn. Tell me exactly how much money you embezzled, and how much income you received from these manors? Tell me the detailed financial records too!"

Lord Wang was startled by Mo Yingqi's sudden ferocity. Not just him, but Fang Wenbo and the others were also stunned. This man was usually extremely calm when interrogating criminals, never showing his emotions, and always wore an inscrutable smile. Yet, whenever torture was required, no matter the severity, he wouldn't even blink.

But at this moment, Mo Yingqi completely lacked his usual composure. He looked somewhat... like a debt collector!

"Don't think I'm unaware. Whenever a manor or shop has undeclared income, the manor head or shopkeeper keeps a secret ledger." Mo Yingqi paid no heed to the surrounding surprise, becoming even more aggressive. "I'm afraid you, the owner, have one as well, don't you?"

"I'll be frank. If you confess, we save some trouble, and we won't disturb the womenfolk in your residence. The Emperor will only prosecute you, and they can still be spared. If you don't confess, I'll immediately send men to tear down this mansion. Even if we have to dig three feet into the ground, the money must be handed over!"

"Crying? You still have to pay even if you cry, and the clock is ticking, understand? Also, every single antique, calligraphy scroll, painting, piece of furniture, and decoration in this house must be confiscated. Don't even think about your family taking away silver, or even a single roof tile. This mansion must also be sold off, and every single family member and servant will be strip-searched!"

"Still not confessing, huh? Fine, drag his daughter out—the one I threatened to send to the Bureau of Music and Dance last time! Search her first. Don't search her here; drag her outside and search her on the street. Preferably, beat drums and gongs so everyone can watch her being searched!"

Mo Yingqi's voice was vicious and quite loud. Lord Wang had never seen such a display, especially coming from the “Smiling Yaksha,” who had nearly scared him half to death last time.

As for crying... he wasn't crying, but sweat poured down his face, a few drops running right past his eyes. Of course, Mo Yingqi didn't care about that; as long as it threatened him, it worked.

"Wait, hold on!" Fang Wenbo grabbed him and pulled him aside, lowering his voice. "Are you crazy? Searching women is the job of the Matron responsible for discipline. Where am I supposed to find one for you right now?"

"Then just let a Flying Fish Guard search her! The daughter of a criminal official doesn't deserve such consideration!" Mo Yingqi said loudly, deliberately aiming his voice toward Lord Wang, and then whispered, "Don't worry, Sir, I know what I'm doing. Isn't this just to save time?"

"Seriously, did you used to work as a debt collector?" Fang Wenbo scrutinized Mo Yingqi, who looked like a celestial being. "You are..."

"Oh, don't worry about the small stuff. In short, tell the brothers under us to watch and learn carefully. Collecting debts... Pfft, confiscating ill-gotten gains from corrupt officials requires a bit of strategy."

After speaking, Mo Yingqi turned around and spoke again in an extremely vicious tone, making Lord Wang shiver in fear: "Have you decided, Lord Wang? Confess or not!"

"I confess, I confess..." Lord Wang finally came to his senses. "Chief Mo, please, don't trouble my daughter anymore..."

"See? If you had done this earlier, wouldn't I have saved all this effort?" Mo Yingqi instantly changed his expression, returning to his harmless smile, and his tone softened considerably. "You are from a family of officials, why couldn't you figure out such a simple principle?"

"Why were you able to make money? Wasn't it because you were an official? It's bad enough that you engaged in illegal businesses, but you also perverted justice, built illegal coal kilns, and peddled illegal salt?"

Mo Yingqi paused, reflecting on his words, then slowly walked up to Lord Wang and squatted down, a sinister smile on his face: "Most importantly, after earning all this money, I bet you bought yourself quite a few things, didn't you? I get it. You earned money, and regardless of where it came from, you ought to enjoy yourself, right?"

"The problem is, that's where you went wrong. You earned money and then wanted to spend it too? You want all the good things for yourself, is that it?"