Chapter 287 Shocking News
"I didn't immediately believe what he said. He said his ancestors had been merchants for generations, and that merchants couldn't take the imperial examinations. He was willing to donate money and materials, asking me to ask for mercy for his family, asking His Majesty to grant them the right to take the imperial examinations like students from poor families."
Pei Yuanyi paused and said bitterly, "There's a precedent in our dynasty of granting a merchant's son a chance to take the imperial examination. That man was surrounded by several talented young men dressed like scholars. They had great respect for the imperial examination and the court, and spoke eloquently about the people's livelihoods. They only hoped that one day they could serve the court and work for the people's well-being."
Pei Yuanyi was lost in memories of that day. "I saw that those people were indeed promising talents. The Ministry of Revenue was short of extra money, and the distribution of winter supplies to the soldiers and the repair of the riverbank were urgent matters. So, out of anxiety, I believed that person and agreed to his words."
"But I didn't expect... I didn't expect those people to be traitors. They not only harmed the craftsmen, but also endangered the safety of His Majesty and the people. I deserve to die, I deserve to die. I hope Your Majesty will spare my family and grant me the death penalty!"
For a moment, the hall was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.
The Minister of Revenue, who was kneeling beside him, was sweating profusely.
After all, it all comes down to the Ministry of Revenue not being able to come up with the money.
I don’t know if His Majesty will implicate him.
He was also wronged. The Ministry of Revenue could not provide the money, and he, as the Minister of Revenue, was more anxious than anyone else.
The national treasury was not full, and the court needed money everywhere. Large sums of money had to be paid out, but the taxes and income were very little.
What can he do?
[What a pity! Although what Pei Yuanyi said was true, according to the plot he will still be executed by the emperor, and the Pei family members will also be beheaded, because those people will spread the news that the court officials are in cahoots with them, and that the emperor is incompetent and unable to judge people, causing the tragic deaths of the people and craftsmen.
The imperial court could not find any trace of these people. In order to appease the anger of the people, Pei Yuanyi, who was plotted against, would become the ultimate culprit and die in injustice.
After his death, his body was destroyed, his grave dug up, and even the people who had lost their families spontaneously built a statue of Pei Yuanyi, whipping him, throwing feces on him, and humiliating him daily to vent their hatred.
Chen Zhao listened to Li Yuwan's thoughts. She knew the truth and could not bear to see Pei Yuanyi die innocently.
We cannot allow a loyal minister who always cares about the people and the court to end up like this.
The old emperor looked at Pei Yuanyi meaningfully.
His grip on the dragon throne's handle tightened unconsciously.
His good brothers finally couldn't hold back and started to take action.
"Someone, take Minister Pei away and put him in jail for the time being." From the traitor to Minister Pei, the old emperor had already believed what Pei Yuanyi said.
"Minister Pei, this calamity is all due to your negligence and dereliction of duty, before you find the whereabouts of those rebels.
You will be detained for one day to give an explanation to the person who died unjustly and to the people of Nanchu.
Don't worry, I will never wrongly accuse anyone, nor will I let any evildoer go."
Pei Yuanyi burst into tears and said, "I, a guilty minister, thank you for your grace."
When Pei Yuanyi was about to be taken away, he kowtowed to Shen Zhao with gratitude:
"Thank you, Lord Zhong, for trusting me. I am deeply grateful."
Chen Zhao looked at Pei Yuanyi's desolate back, and his determination to redress his wrongdoing became even stronger.
When my father and brother were framed in the court, they must have been helpless and unable to defend themselves.
At that time, no one extended a helping hand to her father and brother, so now let her be the one to lend a helping hand.
[It’s a pity. Although the old fool said this, in order to consider the overall situation, Pei Yuanyi will have to be sacrificed.
Nowadays, human life is not life at all, it is even worse than that of an animal.]
Li Yuwan's voice of regret rang out again.
Shen Zhao's eyes became even more resolute. She would not watch Pei Yuanyi die in vain!
The old emperor had just woken up and had experienced all these troubles, so he was in poor spirits.
He yelled at the queen and the ministers, then waved his hand and asked them to leave.
Only Concubine Hui was left.
As soon as Chen Zhao left the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Xie Yuheng followed him immediately.
"Brother Chu, congratulations on your title of King Zhong."
He said congratulations, but his face was wrinkled.
"Brother Chu, I think Lord Pei is wronged. I know Lord Pei's character very well. He would never collude with others to lead the thieves in.
I'm afraid Pei Xiaosi won't be able to climb over the wall and leave the house to drink secretly with me this time. I wonder how anxious he must be right now."
Of course Shen Zhao knew that Pei Yuanyi was wronged.
It's a pity that they can't prove Pei Yuanyi's innocence now.
Only by capturing those traitors can Lord Pei have a chance to escape.
Xie Yuheng was unable to leave the palace with Shen Zhao.
He escaped early.
Because the girl who claimed to be the young master of the Divine Doctor Valley looked at him as if she wanted to eat him.
Although he really wanted to leave with Brother Chu, he valued his life more.
Along with Shen Zhao, the imperial edict conferring the title of king was also brought to the general's residence.
Chu Mu, who had just received the imperial edict, looked at A Zhao with an expression of disbelief.
Ah Zhao used his body to become king!
After sending the palace maid away, Shen Zhao still hadn't spoken.
Li Zhan, who had been pretending to be invisible, tore off the human skin mask on his face.
A solemn expression appeared on his face, and he looked at Shen Zhao deeply and said:
"I entrust my wife and daughter to you. I will be very busy in the next few days, so you must ensure their safety.
Otherwise I will hold you responsible."
In fact, this piece of wood also has its bright spots.
But he still didn't like him because he was not nice to Yaoyao.
Now that the emperor needs him, it’s time for him to be born.
Feng Li walked forward and looked at Li Zhan worriedly.
"Husband, are you trying to lure the snake out of its hole?"
Feng Li is not stupid, on the contrary she is very smart.
She instantly understood the meaning of Li Zhan's words.
Li Zhan held Feng Li's hand tightly.
"Li'er, I've let my brother handle things on his own for decades. I can't let him face those wolves and tigers alone anymore. Li'er, don't worry. I promise nothing will happen. I promise to be with you until you're old and gray."
"Okay, I believe you." Feng Li held Li Zhan's hand back.
[Why did I forget who I am? If I could remember my identity and find the family behind me, I could help A-Zhan.
What Azhan has to face is not only those jackals, but what is more terrifying to him is the nightmare-like past.
It's not the boy's fault that he has a pretty face. It's the fault of those people with dirty minds and abnormal hearts.
They are the closest relatives of A Zhan, but they are also demons to A Zhan.]
Chen Zhao's eyes suddenly widened as he listened to Feng Li's inner voice.
She vaguely guessed something.
This was too shocking for her.
Li Zhan left, and Feng Li and Li Yuwan stayed in the General's Mansion.
There was an endless stream of officials coming to the palace to offer congratulations, and just when everyone was amazed that Chu Mu was named King Zhong.
There are rumors that the current officials and rebels have colluded to kill countless craftsmen. The current emperor is incompetent and unable to judge people, which has put the people of Southern Chu in danger.
The news spread like wildfire, and it spread quickly through the streets and alleys of Kyoto City as if it had wings.
Just when the situation was about to get out of control.
Another shocking news came out.
The Ninth Prince, who had been dead for decades, is alive again!
As soon as this news came out, the entire Kyoto City and even the entire Southern Chu State were in turmoil.
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