The next morning.
The carriage departed from Mingzhou and returned to the capital.
The officials stood nervously by to see them off, and only breathed a sigh of relief after watching the young emperor and the imperial tutor's carriage disappear into the distance.
After this purge, there are not many capable officials left in Mingzhou. Although they have not committed any serious crimes, they still feel a chill in their hearts after witnessing the young emperor's decisive and ruthless methods.
For a moment, everyone felt a little relieved, thankful that they hadn't done anything wrong before! Otherwise, they would have been the ones in trouble today.
Wen Hemian and Xie Lang had no idea what these officials were thinking; they had intimidated the people, which was the result they wanted.
The prisoners didn't need much treatment. Zhou Ting was fast on his feet, so he could escort the prisoners back to the capital first, serving as a warning and also to see if Ning Hechu's men would make any moves.
"I don't know if he could tell that the one in the capital was a fake."
It was one thing to refuse at night, but during the day, when faced with a young man insisting on sharing a carriage with her, Wen Hemian couldn't think of any more reasons to refuse.
If you say too much and then look at her with those pitiful eyes, you'll end up having to comfort her yourself later.
Xie Lang said confidently, "They definitely didn't notice."
Ning Hechu never used to give him a second glance, but now that he's grown up and poses a threat, he finally takes him seriously.
As a member of the cabinet, Ning Hechu kept a low profile and didn't even want to have much contact with Wen Hemian, let alone the young emperor she had raised.
It is obvious.
Wen Hemian curled her lips into a mysterious smile: "It would be best if he didn't recognize me. I'll give him a big surprise."
Not only did the person slip away right under his nose, but they also managed to take over Mingzhou. He was furious.
Xie Lang loved her calm and collected demeanor as she plotted her schemes, and upon hearing this, he smiled and said, "The Grand Tutor is right."
Wen Hemian paused, looked at him thoughtfully, and said, "I feel that His Majesty has been agreeing with me a lot lately."
If I remember correctly, I used to be mostly the listener, right?
Wen Hemian said solemnly, "Your Majesty, you need to have your own opinions. You can't just believe whatever I say. If it weren't for me today, others might have even gnawed your bones."
The imperial court is truly a place that devours people.
Xie Lang didn't take it seriously. He slowly raised his eyes and said, "Don't worry about this tutor. It's not anyone else. I'm not so stupid as to be fooled."
The boy, unusually, didn't act coquettishly; his expression was calm, yet his words carried a hint of assertiveness. His peacefully smiling eyes subtly hinted at a dangerous danger.
Wen Hemian was not afraid, of course; she just felt that something seemed to have gone wrong.
Is the focus of the issue her?
Obviously, this question shouldn't be asked.
After a moment's thought, Wen Hemian could only reply dryly, "Your Majesty is certainly not a stupid person."
Xie Lang smiled instantly, as if a spring breeze had brushed away the snow, and everything just now was an illusion. He eagerly took Wen Hemian's hand and said, "I knew it. The Grand Tutor would definitely agree with me."
Wen Hemian choked with emotion.
Is that what she calls agreement?
Clearly, regardless of whether it is true or not, the stubborn emperor will misinterpret it as what he wants to hear.
"Let go."
Coming to her senses, Wen Hemian realized that Xie Lang was still holding her hand. As soon as she spoke, Xie Lang readily let go.
She glanced over, a little puzzled.
Has Xie Lang been a little too clingy lately?
-
When the soldiers guarding the city saw Zhou Ting and the group of ragged, shackled men behind him, they were startled: "Lord Zhou, what's going on? Aren't you supposed to be escorting Lord Wen?"
Zhou Ting didn't intend to say much. He took out his token and waved it in front of him, saying succinctly, "An unexpected situation has arisen. This is His Majesty's decision."
This is something that ordinary people like them can't get involved in.
The soldiers guarding the city dared not delay: "Make way, let Lord Zhou pass!"
Zhou Ting thanked him and then led his men to the Dali Temple.
With solid evidence, it was just a matter of going through the motions; Zhou Ting only needed to ensure that the person wouldn't run away.
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review is a neutral party. He did not participate when Ning Hechu was in power. Although he has not explicitly supported Xie Lang now, he is a useful person based on his past behavior.
Seeing Zhou Ting arrive in a hurry with his men, he was first startled, then his gaze paused for a moment before landing on one of them. He tentatively asked, "...Zhong Ruliang?"
Zhou Ting asked in surprise, "Lord Chen recognizes him?"
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review frankly admitted, "I saw him many years ago when I was serving as a subordinate to the Grand Secretary Ning."
The court officials all had their own circles, and in order to expand their networks, they inevitably made connections with each other and knew each other to some extent.
Zhou Tingsui did not ask any further questions, but simply said, "The prefect of Mingzhou embezzled public funds and engaged in private salt and iron trading. More than twenty of his subordinates have also been arrested and brought to justice. This is the evidence. I urge Lord Chen to conduct a thorough trial and give His Majesty an explanation."
As soon as Zhou Ting spoke, his subordinates presented a stack of signed evidence, all of which had been neatly arranged.
Seeing this, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review understood perfectly well, and said with a wry smile, "His Majesty is putting me on the hot seat..."
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review knew how to protect himself. He knew that by getting involved, he was essentially going against Ning Hechu.
It's not that I'm unwilling, it's just that I find it a bit...exciting.
Don't say that.
Zhou Ting recalled his own meeting with the young emperor years ago, and out of a sense of camaraderie, kindly reminded him, "Following His Majesty is the right thing to do."
Lord Wen is quite something. He and His Majesty are a perfect match. They may look young, but they're incredibly cunning. Anyone who dares to underestimate them will be played to death without even knowing it.
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review chuckled twice: "Don't worry, I know the importance of this matter."
"Um."
Zhou Ting brought the person there, then turned and left.
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review glanced at Zhong Ruliang, who had traveled a long and dusty journey and looked no better than a human being, and shook his head with a sigh.
After all, fortunes change every thirty years.
...
With all the evidence in order, the process of convicting the suspect by the Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review was swift.
Looking at the cases listed above, he was not only shocked, but could only sigh that Zhong Ruliang and the underground officials deserved it.
Why touch anything of value? Why target something the court strictly controls? Their intentions are obvious.
It involves something deeper, well, it's hard to say.
The Minister of Justice calmly wrote down the charges against these people without delay. The next day at court, he recounted the events one by one, and then watched as the court erupted in chaos without changing his expression.
Most people know a little about Mingzhou, but they haven't heard of it much in normal times, and it's hard to imagine that such a big incident could happen, with almost all the high-ranking officials being dismissed. How terrifying!
"Lord Chen, the people arrived yesterday. Aren't you being a bit too hasty in trying to convict them so quickly?"
Someone muttered to themselves.
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review smiled mysteriously.
Then suddenly, everyone heard a voice coming from outside the hall: "I saw it with my own eyes, how could it be false?"
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