This time, the emperor did not intend to spare anyone's reputation and directly summoned all those concerned to the Diligent Governance Hall. Below, three princes, four grand councilors, and six ministers of the Six Ministries, along with the unfortunate Intendant of the Capital Prefecture You Chenghui, were all kneeling there.
The emperor, with a grim expression, scanned those below him and sneered, "The court used the power of the entire nation to build the transport tracks, yet such a major oversight occurred. You are all senior officials of the court, yet none of you noticed anything amiss. It was only the drunken babble of a petty thief that revealed this matter, averting greater losses for the court. Have you lived up to the official salary provided by the court, lived up to the support of the people?"
Below, everyone knelt with their heads lowered, not daring to make a sound.
