As for Ren Hengtai's punishment, dismissal from office is certain. However, whether the punishment will be as severe as that during the Hongwu reign is still debated. It's not fair to say Ren Hengtai committed heinous crimes, nor was he guilty of embezzlement. Even his misconduct wasn't particularly serious; to punish him by skinning him alive would be excessive.

As for implicating his family, that seems a bit excessive now. However, if the emperor wants to make an example of someone, it's not impossible. After all, Ren Hengtai's actions have indeed given others leverage, and this Minister's position is now precarious.

After carefully listening to the arguments of his subordinates, Zhu Yunying made a decision: "Ren Hengtai is unworthy of being the Minister of Rites. He is immoral and does not abide by the law. He shall be dismissed from office, and the court shall reclaim all his rewards. His descendants for five generations shall not be allowed to serve as officials, take the imperial examinations, or join the army."

Before Zhu Yunying could finish speaking, the expressions of many civil and military officials changed instantly.

Emperor Ying Shi appeared to have shown mercy, sparing Ren Hengtai's life, which seemed quite lenient. Confiscating the court's rewards and other gifts was also quite normal. Many even felt that the emperor's decision not to confiscate Ren's property demonstrated his benevolence.

However, Emperor Ying Shi's "killing the heart" was far too ruthless. For five generations, he forbade Ren Hengtai's descendants from holding official positions, taking the imperial examinations, or joining the army, essentially blocking all avenues for advancement. Perhaps the Ren Hengtai family could only resort to commerce.

This seemed like a good idea, after all, the Ren family had been in business for generations, and Ren Hengtai's descendants could continue to do so. However, those standing in the court all understood that these merchants were "fat sheep," and the court might take them back at any time.

Furthermore, with Ren Hengtai dismissed from office, his descendants would have virtually no chance of entering officialdom again. At that point, forget about any favors from officials; even minor clerks wouldn't care about the Ren family's reputation, and the Ren family would be at the mercy of others.

Especially for the Ren family, who have been in business for generations and have some wealth, they might become a prime target for many people at this time.

At this point, naturally some people stood up, whether they felt a sense of shared sorrow or thought the punishment was a death knell for someone's future, hoping that Zhu Yunying would rescind the punishment. Each of them seemed to have their own reasons and justifications.

Zhu Yunying snorted coldly and said, "It is said that one should not implicate family members in misfortune, and I also believe so. But you all need to remember this: I do not easily implicate family members or their entire clan, but if anyone is found guilty of corruption and breaking the law, I will not tolerate it! The premise of 'not implicating family members in misfortune' is that one should not benefit family members!"

Zhu Yunying left the Wuying Hall in a huff, leaving many civil and military officials looking at each other in bewilderment.

Ren Hengtai losing his official position is nothing special, but his fate has shocked many people.

Perhaps many members of the Ren family now don't realize the benefits Ren Hengtai brought them when he was Minister of Rites. They now resent him for depriving five generations of their chance for advancement. The Ren family is about to fall from a prominent clan to mediocrity, and may even soon become a laughingstock. Their family fortune may soon be devoured by various forces.

If a person loses the opportunity to advance in the Five Dynasties period, they are basically destined to become an ordinary commoner. Even considering that the Ren family was dealt with by Zhu Yunying, later emperors and officials would have some reservations when they saw the family's wealth and status.

Ren Hengtai's actions have completely plunged his family into a quagmire. Although they may not be doomed to eternal damnation or lose their lives, in some people's eyes, this is worse than death.

This is a case of killing the chicken to scare the monkey. Zhu Yunying wasn't skinned alive, but killing someone with such a dull knife is even more painful.

Those who can stand in the imperial court, let alone those with military merits, even if their ancestors were peasants, are now among the most wealthy and powerful in the Ming Dynasty, all of them nobles.

Even those in the civil service, not to mention those from aristocratic families, those who studied diligently for ten years and are now high-ranking officials, have brought countless benefits and perks to their families as they achieved success.

Now, Emperor Ying Shi has directly undermined the cause, making countless people consider the possibility of being nailed to the pillar of shame after committing a crime, thus implicating their descendants.

Background checks are still very necessary. Besides murder, Joo Yoon-young also needs to further increase the cost of crime, so that people will think twice before doing anything!