In a split second, Shi Li'ai decided not to believe Zhao Huan.

Or rather, he never believed it; this time, however, he was making a complete escape.

Until today, he still held onto this hope: even if the emperor was suspicious of the Shi family, the Shi family was valuable and the emperor would definitely make good use of them.

Especially the investiture of the Duke of Jin a month ago.

But now it seems that it was just a sweet treat offered before taking action.

Shi Feng asked, "Father, why is that?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Jian's expression changed: "Is Father worried that our Shi family will be next?"

Shi Li'ai sighed, looking exhausted.

He was already nearing the end of his life, and death would be the end of everything, but he still had to take care of the vast Shi family.

"The Qian family, which once dominated the southeast and was incredibly wealthy, has now been divided up and is no longer as prosperous as it once was."

Shi Jian and Shi Feng did not understand why their father suddenly mentioned the Qian family.

Shi Li'ai continued, "In the present Song Dynasty, there are no more aristocratic families, and the emperor will not allow them to exist. The Shi family and the Han family are the last two great Han Chinese families. Given the current emperor's personality, he will not spare us."

"But just a month ago, the emperor bestowed upon Father the title of Duke of Jin!"

"That's just a delaying tactic!"

“The emperor would never be so heartless. The Qian family committed a crime in Tokyo back then, but the emperor did not exterminate their clan. Although the Qian family is no longer as prosperous as it once was, they are still wealthy and their lineage continues after the family division.”

Shi Jian always held onto a sliver of hope.

"The Qian family has a good relationship with the Song imperial family, which my Shi family cannot compare to. You two should not say any more and prepare immediately!"

"Father!"

"The survival of our family hinges on this moment. What are you two still hesitating about?"

"I will obey Father's wishes!"

The two went out and began to carry out the plan they had made beforehand.

This plan is the Shi family's life-saving plan.

At this time, Han Qixian was also preparing to leave, but he had one more plan than Shi Li'ai.

He ordered someone to send a letter and a cartload of gold to Han Lixian in Youzhou.

The general idea is that we are all one family, so let's respect and love each other, and look out for each other in the future.

Shi Jian's carriage was stopped at the south gate.

Cao Chen, the commander of the First Army of the Liaodong Iron Forest Army, had just arrived at the South Gate. He was ordered by Li Chongguang to personally guard the South Gate in the coming days.

As soon as I arrived, I saw the Shi family's carriage.

Surrounded by guards, he arrived at the carriage.

Who's in the car?

Shi Jian stepped forward and said, "I am Shi Jian, son of the Duke of Jin."

"So it's Master Shi." Cao Chen cupped his hands and said, "Master Shi, please go back. From today onwards, entry and exit from the capital are strictly prohibited. A curfew has already begun to be implemented."

Shi Jian's body trembled slightly, but he steadied his voice and said, "Commander Cao, there is no curfew in the Song Dynasty. Why is a curfew being imposed now?"

"This order was personally issued by Prime Minister Li. I don't know the reason, but I am a soldier, so I will carry it out!"

"Could you please make an exception for Cao Jun? I have urgent business to attend to."

"Brother Shi, please don't make things difficult for me. This is a crime punishable by death!"

Shi Jian's face turned ashen as he watched the south gate being completely surrounded by the Iron Forest Guards, and his heart sank to the bottom.

At this moment, in the prison of the Imperial City Guard.

Lan Yongchang was drenched in sweat, his voice trembled, but he spoke very quickly.

That's all?

That's all.

Liu Yanzong gasped.

No wonder they dared to submit false accounts.

A nobleman was willing to give 50,000 strings of cash (approximately 23 million yuan).

A middle-ranking nobleman was willing to give 30,000 strings of cash.

A minor nobleman was willing to give 10,000 strings of cash.

The Shi and Han families were even more generous, giving 200,000 strings of cash directly!

These dozens of nobles, large and small, together amount to three or four million strings of cash (approximately 1.5 billion to 2 billion yuan).

No wonder no one submitted a memorial; it turns out they all basically got their share of the money.

This amount is probably more than that.

Liu Yanzong even began to envy these local officials.

He had a large sum of money to distribute as soon as he took office.

But Liu Yanzong also knew that this was risking his life for money.

Thinking back, he was also very jealous.

Damn it! I work like a slave for the emperor in the imperial court every day, under tremendous pressure, and my annual salary is less than what you guys casually take.

No way! I absolutely can't let you have your fun!

Liu Yanzong's lips twitched a few times. He stood up and pretended to be righteous and awe-inspiring: "You eat the emperor's salary and share the emperor's burdens. The emperor and father have treated you well, but you are all traitors!"

"Liu Yusi, I have confessed everything I need to. Please, Liu Yusi, show leniency!"

Guo Huaiyi, who already had a broken leg, grinned maliciously and said, "Prefect Lan, you're overthinking it. This Imperial Censor Liu is notoriously narrow-minded. He climbed to the top by stepping on other people's bones. How can he claim credit if you don't die?"

"Liu Yusi, you just promised me that as long as I confess, you would treat me leniently."

"Hmph! What I say, I will always keep!"

Liu Yanzong said no more, left the prison, and ordered his men to collect the confession and escort it to Li Gang's residence.

Subsequently, Liu Yanzong began writing a memorial overnight.

This was a forward-thinking memorial, in which both the Shi and Han families had been arrested and charged with crimes.

Liu Yanzong was already eager to go to the emperor to claim credit.

Tonight, the Iron Forest Guard has completely sealed off the city, and every street is filled with soldiers in armor.

They carried long sabers at their waists, crossbows on their arms, and were also equipped with shields and pen knives, their postures as straight as pine trees.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!