In the Han residence in Youzhou, Han Lixian whipped Pan Weizhi more than a dozen times.

Han Lixian said sternly, "A small act of impatience can ruin a great plan! Because of your unauthorized actions, Bao Yunxing lost his life! The other two are crippled and will be disabled for life!"

"Father is right! It was my fault, and I will accept whatever punishment you give me! But I have something to say!"

The steward quickly pleaded, "Young master, please stop talking and apologize to the master properly!"

Han Lixian roared, "Let him speak! He has something on his mind, and he won't feel at ease if he doesn't say it!"

Pan Weizhi's back was bruised and torn open. In the freezing cold, he knelt outside shirtless, not uttering a sound, his face ashen.

His voice was strong and clear: "An Hairong is worse than a beast! He specifically kidnaps teenage girls and sends them to Jiangnan Pavilion to be killed and eaten by those powerful and wealthy people! Most of them are my Han daughters! I have long wanted to cut that old thief into a thousand pieces. I killed him, and I know that I have made a grave mistake. I am willing to pay for it with my life!"

Seeing his adopted son's stubbornness and tenacity, Han Lixian felt a pang of heartache. Of course, Han Lixian was not on An Hairong's side; he also wanted to tear An Hairong to pieces.

However, taking action now would come at too high a price!

Han Lixian was no ordinary soldier; he was enraged and immediately started fighting!

Pan Weizhi has made a big mistake. If he doesn't punish him, how can he explain it to Sima Junru?

The Imperial City Guard's spies had finally gained a foothold in the capital, but their efforts were ruined by Pan Weizhi's impulsive actions!

Martial law is now in full force in the capital, and the entire city is frantically searching for Imperial City Guard spies.

The intelligence missions to come will be even more difficult.

"My son! Although you were not born of your father, I have treated you as my own. How have I raised you since you were little? What instructions have I given you before you entered the Imperial City Guard?"

“Father, you taught me to always prioritize the greater good and never act impulsively, but you also taught me not to forget that we should have a conscience! Although my Han family is located in the north, we have never forgotten that we are Han people!”

Han Li walked back and forth, saying, "If it were anyone else, their merits and demerits would naturally cancel each other out. But you are my adopted son, and my third sister is one of the Emperor's concubines. How can you be so incompetent as to betray the Emperor's trust in you!"

"I know I was wrong. Please, Father, hand me over. I will bear all the blame!"

At this moment, a person walked towards the backyard of the Han family.

He was dressed in ordinary linen clothes, with a long, straight knife at his waist, a hat, and a faint scar next to his nose.

"Sir Sima, you've come at the right time. This rebellious son has broken the rules, so you can punish him. Don't worry about my feelings; punish him according to the rules of the Imperial City Guard!"

“Father-in-law, Pan Weizhi has indeed rendered great service. I have already informed the Emperor of this matter, and we await His decision.” Sima Junru’s voice was as calm as flowing water, without the slightest fluctuation of emotion.

Sima Junru was being quite lenient with Han Lixian. He knew that Han Lixian doted on his adopted son, and Han Lixian was, after all, the emperor's father-in-law. Moreover, Pan Weizhi had made a meritorious contribution, and he needed to explain this matter to the emperor.

In truth, Sima Junru greatly admired Pan Weizhi's actions, but as the powerful figure in the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun under the Imperial City Command, she needed to be more rational in all matters.

Pan Weizhi continued, "My death is a small matter, but there is something I would like to trouble you to report to the Emperor again."

"You unfilial son! Even Shangguan has shown you extraordinary mercy, what more do you want to do!"

As he spoke, he lashed out at Pan Weizhi with the whip again, but Pan Weizhi took the blow without uttering a sound.

“There are now people worse than pigs and dogs who are plundering innocent women in Han lands and selling them to the north to be played with by the Jurchen invaders. These are our Han daughters, why have they fallen into the hands of bandits and been trampled on! I humbly request the court to severely punish this matter!”

Han Lixian's expression immediately changed, and he lashed out with the whip several more times: "The Holy Emperor is busy with countless affairs of state, there is a war in the southwest, and the people are in dire need of rebuilding. You rebellious son! Going to cause trouble at this time! Aren't you asking for a beating!"

"Father-in-law, stop hitting him." Sima Junru raised her hand, signaling Han Li to stop.

"I will report your words to the Emperor. The current Emperor is a wise ruler and I believe he will not tolerate those people's misbehavior!"

Han Lixian said from the side, "Sir Sima, you don't need to take the risk for this traitor's short-sightedness."

“Father-in-law, you may not know much about the current emperor.”

Han Lixian was slightly taken aback; he really didn't know much about it.

He hadn't known Zhao Huan for long, and in his mind, the emperor was an inviolable authority. He shouldn't cause trouble for the emperor unless necessary. He should handle things himself if he could, and suppress things he couldn't handle first.

"Please enlighten me, Sir Sima."

"The Emperor loves his people like his own children. If he knew what Pan Weizhi said, he would surely issue an edict to thoroughly investigate. Anything that involves harming the people of our Great Song Dynasty, no matter how small, is a major matter!"

"The Imperial City Guard serves as the Emperor's eyes and ears, and is responsible for inspecting the people's conditions, scouting enemy positions, and reporting truthfully to the Emperor. The Emperor's decisions are beyond our comprehension."

"What you say, Sir Sima, is absolutely right. I thank you very much, Sir Sima."

"Greetings, Father-in-law."

After reading Sima Junru's letter, Zhao Huan was heartbroken.

Throughout history, there have been several types of people who are most hateful.

Human traffickers are one of them!

They caused other people's families to break apart, their homes to be destroyed, and ruined many people's lives!

Zhao Huan replied to Sima Junru, affirming Pan Weizhi's actions and requesting that Sima Junru apply for rewards and positions for them.

The emperor emphasized that the Imperial City Guard should strengthen its surveillance of the border regions. Once such human traffickers are discovered, if the evidence is conclusive, they should be executed without exception. Furthermore, their family members who knew about the trafficking but failed to report it or who were negligent in their supervision should be held accountable. Those whose circumstances are serious should be punished as a whole!

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