Judging from the emperor's attitude, it's clear that no amount of killing will quell his anger.

The emperor fell silent again, which left Zhao Zhongcong completely baffled.

"Who should be killed?"

"The Duke of Lu and the Duke of Wei, and... Prince Zhao Xu of Ji..."

Zhao Zhongcong held his breath, his heart pounding in his throat; the moment of life and death had arrived.

Zhao Huan remained silent for a moment before saying, "They are, after all, my relatives and imperial family members. Zhao Xu is my younger brother. Wouldn't it be too cruel to deal with them this way?"

Zhao Zhongcong was slightly taken aback. He looked up at the emperor and almost thought he had guessed wrong. But then he thought to himself, "I must not be fooled by appearances. The emperor just wants these people to die. He just wants me to be his tool. This is his usual trick!"

"Your Majesty is a wise and virtuous ruler, and would never bend the law for personal gain. I believe he should be executed! He must not be tolerated! His unworthy descendants have brought chaos to the nation and have disgraced our ancestors!"

"You step back!"

Zhao Zhongcong felt as if he had heard heavenly music. The emperor's meaning was also very clear: Go down. You don't have to die. Let me put on a show first. You have to cooperate.

"This guilty subject takes his leave!"

In the following days, Zhao Zhongcong was like a man possessed, constantly submitting memorials demanding severe punishment for the case of the imperial clan hoarding grain.

But the emperor refused to see him. Finally, one morning, Zhao Zhongcong rammed his head against a pillar in the palace and cried out in anguish, "The imperial clan has brought chaos to the country. If the emperor does not kill them as a warning to others, he will have no face to face his ancestors!"

The ministers simply watched the show from the sidelines.

Zhao Zhongcong, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, was so enraged by this incident that he risked his life to break a pillar with his head. The Emperor was greatly alarmed upon hearing this and went to Zhao Zhongcong's residence that very night to visit him.

Subsequently, Zhao Zhongcong submitted a memorial to the emperor in ten thousand characters, requesting the emperor to execute the Duke of Lu, the Duke of Wei, and Prince Zhao Xu of Ji.