Chapter 638 Imperial Edict

After passing on the technology to everyone, the women huddled together for more than ten days to work on it.

Finally, before the coldest days of winter arrived, the warm clothes made from animals were distributed to the disaster victims.

At first, some wealthy people who were used to wearing fine silks and satins were unwilling to wear them, but when they got too cold, they stopped having so many concerns.

Meanwhile, news also arrived from the capital.

Since Yun Yichen sent the secret letter in September, the emperor has not given a clear answer.

This involved the emperor's own concerns as well as Yun Yichen's suggestions. Now that Suzhou City is on the right track, He Biyou's punishment has finally been decided.

In the main hall of the prefectural government office, a group of Suzhou officials were kneeling below, while Meng and the other people involved in the incident were being escorted and made to kneel outside.

The eunuch who came to deliver the imperial edict stood on the platform, holding the decree, and slowly read: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: He Bi, the Prefect of Suzhou, is guilty of corruption, framing of loyal officials, and allowing his wife to commit murder; he is deserving of death. However, considering his advanced age, I hereby order his removal from office and the stripping of his official titles. The entire He family is exiled to the frontier. The wicked woman, He Mengshi, has lost her mind and committed such a cruel act; she and her accomplices are hereby ordered to be executed immediately. This is the imperial decree!"

The eunuch's voice was drawn out, especially the words "execute immediately," which clearly reached the ears of the people kneeling outside the door.

"No, I don't want to die, I don't want to die yet. I was just following orders, Your Majesty cannot execute me."

The big man and the old women still held onto a sliver of hope, thinking that as accomplices, they could at least escape death.

In the end, however, their fate was no different from that of the mastermind, Meng.

“Shut their mouths, what kind of behavior is this, making such a racket?”

Seeing that the men were resisting fiercely, the eunuch quickly ordered his men to gag them with cloth.

Seeing this scene, Meng Shi was not afraid of the impending death; instead, he looked at the group of people and sneered.

These men thought they could survive if they confessed, but in the end, this was all they got.

Why did it take so long to process the contents of the imperial edict? He had clearly divorced Meng Shi immediately and withheld Yun Yichen's memorial, so how did this matter reach the emperor's ears?

Having lived in Suzhou for so many years, He Bi thought he could at least have a peaceful old age, but in the end he was exiled to the frontier. He couldn't accept it and fainted on the spot.

The eunuch ignored him and picked up another imperial edict to continue reading.

Since the prefect He Biyou had just been dismissed, this second imperial edict was clearly to appoint a new prefect.

So, Yang Tongpan, who was still happy that his old friend could finally rest in peace, was called several times before he walked to the front.

After the announcement that Yang Tongpan had been promoted to the new prefect of Suzhou, the eunuch Tong Yun Yichen whispered among himself.

"Your Excellency, His Majesty has decreed that you hand over the affairs here and then return to the capital to report. As for the young son of that Assistant Magistrate, His Majesty said that you should take care of him and make sure he is not mistreated."

The eunuch was still very respectful to Yun Yichen. After all, in the capital, even if he wanted to deliver an imperial edict to a favorite like Yun Yichen, he wouldn't have the chance. Now that he had the opportunity, he had to make a good impression.

"Thank you for making this trip, sir. The meal has been prepared in the back. Please go and have some."

As Yun Yichen spoke, he gave Guard Yang a wink, and Guard Yang immediately understood and led the eunuch to the backyard.

After the people from the palace left, Yun Yichen looked at He Biyou and said, "Find a doctor, don't let anyone die."

The cold words startled the officials, and they all shut their mouths and became like quails.

They knew that Yun Yichen was indirectly warning them that now that He Biyou had fallen from power, they would have to behave themselves if they wanted to keep their official positions.

Yun Yichen's gaze swept across their faces one by one, finally settling on Meng Shi, who was now neither human nor ghost, with disheveled hair.

"Mr. Meng, is there anything you would like to say?"

Of all those present, besides himself, Ji Wenjin, and Vice Minister Geng, only Madam Meng had the calmest expression.

He remembered Gu Shuyan saying that this Madam Meng was a difficult person to deal with, but apart from smiling foolishly for a few days when she was first locked up, she seemed too calm.

Upon hearing this, Meng looked up at Yun Yichen. "The victor is king, the loser is villain. What do I have to say? But I'm curious, when did you start paying attention to that heartless man?"

The unfaithful man in Meng's words was naturally He Biyou, although she had looked down on this husband her parents had chosen for her when she was young. But after living together for so many years, even the most heartless person couldn't help but develop feelings for him.

The thought that she had led herself into this predicament for him made Meng feel utterly ridiculous.

Yun Yichen didn't hide anything from her and said frankly in front of everyone, "From the very beginning, or perhaps from the moment we entered the city, we were all on guard against you."

Yun Yichen's words cleared up Meng's doubts and also gave a jolt to those officials who blindly followed He Biyou's lead.

They had always thought these officials in the capital were under their control, but they never expected that the clowns were actually themselves.

"No wonder you're so young yet you've risen to the position of Grand Secretary." Madam Meng's praise for Yun Yichen was genuine.

Yun Yichen naturally didn't need such a vicious person to praise him. He looked at the local officials who were still in shock and slowly said, "The case of He Biyou's embezzlement involves a wide range of issues. When I saw the evidence, I was extremely shocked. However, He Biyou has now been brought to justice. I hope that all of you colleagues can work together to assist Prefect Yang and bring benefits to the people of this region."

"Yes, your subordinates will do their utmost."

Yun Yichen's words contained too many hidden meanings. Among these local officials, there were naturally those who disagreed with Yang Tongpan's overstepping of his authority, but when they thought of the evidence Yun Yichen mentioned, none of them dared to have any complaints.

Yun Yichen did not report their affairs to the emperor, and personally recommended a trusted person to take the position of prefect. If they wanted their careers to be unimpeded, they would naturally have no choice but to obey him.

That evening, at Yun Yichen's residence.

Seeing that Prefect Yang was about to speak, Yun Yichen slowly said, "As the saying goes, water that is too clear has no fish. I understand that Prefect Yang has the heart to punish evil and eliminate wickedness, but compared to the stability of the court and the people's peaceful life, it is not beneficial to deal with everyone quickly right now."

"Moreover, among them, there are many who were forced to do so. If we can give them a chance, and with an official supervising them personally, there is no guarantee that they will not repent and change their ways in the future. Therefore, I hope that the Prefect can understand my intentions."

Prefect Yang was surprised that Yun Yichen had guessed what he was going to say, and his face flushed red upon hearing this.