Chapter 285 Punishment

“Don’t worry father, I will certainly get to the bottom of this matter, but the Jiang family…” Zhan Beiheng said with a firm gaze, now certain that the Mu family was a spy.

The Jiang family will definitely be implicated.

Emperor Jingming said in a deep voice with a tense face: "Even if the Jiang family was not involved, they are also responsible. This matter has already spread. If I don't punish the Jiang family, how can I convince the people?"

Nan Jiao said, "The Jiang family is willing to take responsibility for the failure."

Although she wanted to protect the Jiang family.

But spies are no small matter.

Mu had been hiding in the Jiang family for more than ten years.

This matter has spread in the court. If my father does not punish him, other ministers will definitely have opinions. If the matter gets out of hand, it will damage the reputation of the Qin royal family.

Emperor Jingming looked at her, "You won't plead for the Jiang family?"

"It is indeed the Jiang family's fault this time. I will not beg for mercy, but I still hope that father can handle it appropriately." Nan Jiao said frankly.

No matter what, my grandfather and father have made countless contributions to defending the territory of Qin.

"Do you think I am the kind of unreasonable person?" Emperor Jingming snorted coldly. Countless eyes were watching in the court. The Jiang family must be punished this time.

Otherwise, if this happens again in the future, other people will follow suit, and things will be chaotic.

"My father is wise, benevolent, fair and just. He is definitely not unreasonable." Nan Qiao praised with a bright smile.

"I have a troublesome matter here. If the Jiang family can solve it, they can make up for their mistakes and leave the ministers in the court speechless." Emperor Jingming said after thinking about something.

Nan Jiao's eyes lit up with joy, "Father, please tell me."

Emperor Jingming said: "I received news the day before yesterday that our people discovered a mineral vein in a deep abyss outside the border between Qin and Chu.

If the Jiang family focuses on mining and transporting the minerals back to the mines, they can make up for their mistakes. Isn't this punishment excessive?"

"It's not too much. The Jiang family is willing!" Nan Jiao agreed directly on behalf of the Jiang family. She believed that her grandfather and father were willing, and the mineral veins were good things.

Weapons can be crafted in large quantities.

For a powerful country, it is natural to have more weapons.

"Okay, it's settled!" Emperor Jingming said with a refreshed look. He felt relieved that the Jiang family would handle the matter.

Zhan Beiheng frowned, "Father, developing this mine is not that easy, right?"

Emperor Jingming looked at him and asked in a sinister tone, "Which side are you on?"

"Of course it's father's side. Mineral veins are a good thing. They are located at the border with Chu State. Chu State is also eyeing them." Zhan Beiheng said in a calm voice.

"Yes, the State of Chu also wanted to seize it, but the mineral veins were discovered by the people of Qin first. What qualifications do they have to seize it?" Emperor Jingming said angrily with a cold face.

He was determined to get that mineral vein.

The value there can enhance the strength and combat effectiveness of the Qin State.

"Your Majesty is right. Good things must not be taken away by the State of Chu. I strongly agree to let the Jiang family handle this matter." Zhan Beiheng echoed.

Even if the emperor didn't mention it, let the Jiang family handle it.

If he knew about this, he would take the initiative to ask for help to solve it.

The mineral veins are too important to the country.

In recent years, the Qin State has been accumulating weapons. The previous mineral veins have been almost mined out, and a new mineral vein is needed. It is determined not to let the Chu State take it away.

When Emperor Jingming heard what he said, his face became better. "This matter is decided. As for the Mu family, interrogate them first. If nothing can be learned, they will all be beheaded!"

"Beheading her would be too easy. She should be tortured in public, making her life worse than death. It would be too horrible to watch, and it can serve as a warning to others." Nan Jiao suggested.

She doesn't want to give Mu family too much advantage!

She harmed her mother and the Jiang family!

Killing her with a knife would help her escape from the sea of ​​suffering.

"This is a good suggestion. There must be many spies from the enemy hiding in the capital." The retired emperor narrowed his eyes dangerously. He knew that it was impossible to eliminate all the spies.

After all, the Qin State also had installations in other countries.

"Then let's do it this way." Emperor Jingming knew that it wouldn't have much effect. Being able to be a spy showed that they had already put life and death aside.

Why would I be afraid of jealousy?

Nan Jiao and Zhan Beiheng did not take the children back with them because the emperor wanted them to play in the palace for a few days so that they could concentrate on dealing with things.

After leaving the palace, the two went directly to the general's mansion.

The atmosphere in the general's mansion was very bad.

Jiang Yao never thought that Mu was such a traitor. Over the past ten years, he had no idea how much information she had spread that was harmful to the Qin State. The Jiang family had been loyal to the Qin State for generations.

Unexpectedly, because of the Mu family, the Jiang family was tarnished.

He really hated it.

Blame the Mu family.

It’s also my own fault.

"Grandfather." Nan Jiao walked behind Jiang Yao and called out. When they arrived at the general's mansion just now, her second brother told her that grandfather was in a bad mood.

Let her persuade him.

Jiang Yao turned around quickly upon hearing the voice and saw Nan Jiao and Zhan Beiheng. He smiled and asked, "Have you finished questioning Mu? Did she say anything?"

Nan Jiao shook her head. "She looked like she was ready to risk everything. She probably wouldn't tell anyone until her death that we just came back from the palace."

Jiang Yao looked at them and asked, "Does the emperor know that the evidence has been found?"

"The emperor already knows, and he also said how to punish the Jiang family." Zhan Beiheng said in a calm voice, with handsome and profound features and deep black eyes.

"No matter what the punishment is, the Jiang family is willing to accept it." Jiang Yao said with a serious expression. He would not evade, nor would he defend the Jiang family.

The Jiang family will bear the responsibilities that should be assumed.

Zhan Beiheng explained the method of punishment.

Jiang Yao was slightly startled and asked in surprise: "That's it?"

"Grandfather, do you think the punishment is too light?" Nan Jiao said with a smile. She knew that her father was still biased, and she was very grateful in her heart.

Replace it with other ministers.

The punishment could be light, such as salary deduction or criminal punishment; serious, such as dismissal from office and exile to a remote and miserable place, never to be allowed to return to Beijing.

"A little bit..." Jiang Yao was grateful in his heart. The emperor showed mercy because of the Jiang family's contributions over generations. It was an explanation to the ministers in the court.

"Grandfather, this matter is not that simple. The State of Chu also wants to seize the mineral veins." Zhan Beiheng reminded him, but his father did give him a break.

Jiang Yao's eyes were filled with sternness as he said coldly, "The mine was discovered in Qin State first, so it belongs to Qin State. Chu State can't take it away. I've decided to go there myself!"

He was idle at home anyway.

When he thought about the Chu State's intention to seize the mineral veins, he became full of fighting spirit and wanted to lead his troops there immediately.

“Grandfather…” Nan Jiao frowned.

"Don't worry, your acupuncture and medicine are very effective. My leg feels much better and walking is no longer so difficult." Jiang Yao said with a gentle smile.

He is destined to be restless.

He prefers to be busy rather than stay at home doing nothing.

Nan Jiao was silent for a moment, "Okay, but you must be careful and go after the New Year."

He disappeared for four years.

It's rare for the whole family to get together this year, so we must celebrate the New Year together.

It’s a pity that I haven’t found my mother yet.

"Okay." Jiang Yao replied with a smile. Counting the days, it would be New Year's Eve soon. He hadn't been back for four years, so the whole family should have a New Year's Eve dinner together.

Nan Jiao and Zhan Beiheng had dinner at the General's Mansion before leaving.

The streets are brightly lit.

Zhan Beiheng held Nan Jiao's hand.

As soon as the two appeared, people looked around.