The Tongzhou Granary was the final and largest transit point for tribute grain entering the capital. Millions of bushels of grain converged here annually before being distributed to the capital region or transported to border garrisons. Its importance was paramount, and the corruption within it was an open secret.

Liang Jing directed the operation remotely from the Imperial Secretariat.

At dawn, Shen Ling, leading the elite of the Audit Office and protected by hundreds of fierce Eastern Depot agents, brazenly surrounded the Tongzhou Granary offices and all its storage facilities. They held warrants, the Eastern Depot's unique arrest documents.

"Imperial Purification & Transport Audit Office, on official business!" Shen Ling's icy voice cut through the morning air at the docks. "All personnel, remain where you are! Anyone who disobeys will be cut down!"

The Granary Superintendent, a portly, middle-aged official, stumbled out, his official hat askew, a fawning smile plastered on his face. "Section Chief Shen? What is the meaning of this? This humble official—"

"Take him!" Shen Ling waved a hand, cutting off the man's excuses.

Two Depot agents stepped forward, efficiently wrenching the superintendent's arms behind his back and forcing him to the ground.

"You… By what right do you arrest me? I demand to see my superiors! I want—" the superintendent struggled and roared.

Shen Ling's face remained impassive as he flashed a document stamped with the seals of the Imperial Secretariat and the Audit Office before the man's eyes. "By order of Commander Liang! A full investigation into the Tongzhou Granary's accounts and grain reserves for previous years! Superintendent Li, if you have any grievances, they will be addressed in the secret prisons!"

Simultaneously, the Audit Office's accountants swarmed into the administrative offices like locusts, seizing and sealing all account ledgers.

Another team forced open the heavy doors of the granary silos one by one.

As the massive doors swung open, a wave of stale, musty air rushed out.

The sight that met their eyes was not the densely packed grain stacks recorded in the ledgers, but empty silos, or ones where only a thin layer of moldy grain was piled near the entrance, resting on tall stacks of straw mats to simulate fullness!

"Report! Silo Jia-3: Ledger records 50,000 bushels. Actual stock… less than 3,000 bushels, mostly moldy and spoiled!"

"Silo Bing-1: Ledger records 80,000 bushels. Actual stock… empty!"

"Warehouse District Wu: Over half of the silos are empty!"

Report after report landed like hammer blows on the hearts of every Tongzhou Granary official. The news was swiftly relayed by courier to the capital, landing on Liang Jing's desk.

Reading the preliminary report from Shen Ling, Liang Jing showed no surprise, only a chilling killing intent.

"The fat rats have indeed grown plump," he murmured.

His fingertip tapped the shocking deficit numbers on the report. "Relay my order. Arrest every official of the Tongzhou Granary, along with their families! Interrogate them thoroughly! Pry their mouths open. I want to know: Where have the millions of missing bushels gone?"

"Yes, Commander!" Shen Ling accepted the order, a gleam of excitement in his eyes. Working under the Commander was always so… satisfying.

[Ding! Host, leading the Imperial Purification & Transport Audit Office, has uncovered the massive Tongzhou Granary corruption and deficit case, striking a heavy blow against the graft-ridden officialdom. Righteous Points +800!]

[Great Xia Imperial Mandate increased by +80! Current Mandate: 261 / 10000!]

[Host's cultivation has advanced to the Late Stage of the First Layer of the 'Imperial Zenith Revelation Manual.']

The Tongzhou Granary case exploded like a sudden political storm, instantly sweeping through the court and the country!

When the news broke, the world was astounded!

No one had anticipated Liang Jing's moves to be so swift, his methods so ruthless, or his first strike to uncover a scandal of such magnitude!

A deficit of millions of bushels of grain! Enough to cause turmoil throughout the entire capital region!

Officials connected to the water transport system or the granaries were thrown into a panic, fearing for their positions and their lives.

Even the censors who had previously impeached Liang Jing most fiercely fell silent, terrified the flames might reach them.

In the Grand Tutor's manor, Lin Wenzheng secluded himself in his study, remaining silent for a long time.

A few of his less capable disciples were implicated in the Tongzhou Granary affair. While their involvement wasn't deep, it was enough to cause him significant trouble.

For the first time, he truly comprehended the terrifying destructive power Liang Jing could unleash, now that he wielded immense wealth and the Eastern Depot and was acting decisively.

"This villain… has already become a formidable force…" Lin Wenzheng sighed deeply, a sense of powerlessness washing over him.