Jiang Zhiyu had said so much and even took out the "evidence". How could Gao Hong dare to object?
The emperor's attitude on this matter is very clear. Regardless of whether that thing is the murder weapon that killed Liu Zhijie, if the emperor says it is, then it must be.
I'm not bored and have nothing better to do than to go against the emperor.
He only has one head, and he hasn't enjoyed enough wealth and glory.
Gao Hong slid to his knees and said, "I have no objection. Please don't blame me, Secretary Jiang. This is a matter of great importance. I dare not be careless in the slightest."
Jiang Zhiyu smiled and said, "Of course not. Gao Shaoqing is just worried about Tianqi and wants to share His Majesty's worries. How could I blame him? However, there is one thing I don't understand, and I would like Gao Shaoqing to clear it up for me."
Gao Hong was secretly alert: "Minister Jiang, please speak."
"Nothing much. I just want to know. Gao Shaoqing said he heard the testimony of those present. How did you hear it from far away in Shengjing?"
Gao Hong's heart skipped a beat.
"Also, how did the events that took place at the Jinzhou Governor's Mansion reach the ears of you, the Junior Secretary of the Guanglu Temple?"
Jiang Zhiyu's voice wasn't loud, but it exploded like thunder in Gao Hong's ears: "Since when has the Guanglu Temple been involved in this matter? Or is it that you have a close personal relationship with Liu Zhijie?"
[You're kidding, you think I can't blame you for standing on the moral high ground and saying you care about the country, so I can only swallow this loss in silence?]
[Kick me, and you'll be kicking steel.]
Gao Hong was sweating all over.
He hesitated and secretly glanced at the emperor's face. Seeing that the emperor's mouth curled up, but there was no smile in his eyes, his heart finally died.
He kowtowed three times and apologized, "Your Majesty, I have no contact with Liu Zhijie on a daily basis. This matter was ultimately caused by me listening to slanderous words, feeling anxious and worried, and jumping to conclusions without confirming the man's identity. This is my fault!"
He fell to the ground, his body trembling, tears streaming down his face. "But, Your Majesty, I beg you to show some mercy, considering my years of hard work and dedication, even if I haven't made any contributions."
He could only say that he was careless and did not verify the man's identity. He must not let the emperor think that he had a lot of private contact with Liu Zhijie!
Without any verification, he reported it to Jiang Zhiyu, which resulted in him being beaten with a stick.
But if it is determined to be forming a clique for personal gain...
Gao Hong couldn't help but shiver.
The emperor did not say anything, nor did he let him stand up, he just remained silent.
[That's quite true. He really didn't have much connection with Liu Zhijie, but that was simply because he felt Liu Zhijie's status wasn't high enough for him to engage in conversation.]
[This person formed a clique for personal gain, and the clique he formed wasn't with the prince, but with Prince Yu's faction.]
Prince Yu? The emperor frowned slightly.
He had loved his younger brother very much in his early years. His mother died early, and Prince Yu was raised by himself.
Logically speaking, when getting along like this, brothers would naturally be close to each other and talk about everything.
But for some reason, his younger brother never discussed anything with him. Instead, he listened to outsiders and even turned against him during the fight for the throne. He schemed against him and almost cost him his life.
If he had not realized his mistake and turned back to the right path, and if his mother had not left a last word asking him to take good care of him.
Then the first thing I would do when I get to the top is to kill him!
Thinking of what happened that year, a murderous look flashed across the emperor's eyes.
She felt a deep resentment in her heart, and was worried that she would lose control one day, so she made him a king and sent him to the northwest, hoping that they would never see each other again in this life.
He had indeed been very well-behaved in the past few years. Not to mention how well he managed things, but at least he hadn't caused any major problems.
But in the past few years, he has been very detached. A few days ago, he sent me a so-called family letter, saying that he missed me because they hadn't seen each other for a long time.
The emperor couldn't help but sneer, looking at Gao Hong with eyes as cold as ice.
The longing is fake, the desire to go back to Beijing is real!
Look, look, the people are still in the northwest, but their minions have already infiltrated into the capital!
There was a cold and solemn look in the emperor's eyes.
I want to see, if I pull out his teeth and chop off his claws, how can this tiger, like me, continue to stir up trouble in the capital!
"As the Junior Minister of the Imperial Household, you don't care about sharing the emperor's worries and working for the people's well-being. Instead, you're thinking of persecuting loyal officials and colluding with evil parties. Even after your crimes were exposed, you didn't even bother to confess your guilt. Instead, you're hoping for leniency from me!"
The emperor spoke in a low voice. Gao Hong was frightened by the ridicule and mockery in his words. His face turned pale and he did not dare to argue. He just kept shaking.
"Sir, Gao Hong, Junior Secretary of the Guanglu Temple, cannot distinguish between loyalty and treachery, persecutes loyal and good people, and colludes with evil parties. He deserves a severe punishment, but considering his past diligence, I will demote him to the position of prefect of Longzhou and forbid him from returning to the capital for life!"
Longzhou is the poorest and most miserable place in the northwest.
Isn't he Prince Yu's party member? I should be a good person and let him go find his new master in advance.
By this calculation, Prince Yu and Gao Hong should be thanking me.
Gao Hong's eyes were filled with shock. He obviously didn't expect the emperor to punish him so severely. He fell to the ground and begged for mercy, regretting his decision.
Why did I listen to Lian Qisheng and be the first to go and join Jiang Zhiyu?!
The emperor has always been lenient. If he had not stood up for Jiang Zhiyu, he would not have punished her so severely.
Thinking of this, Gao Hong hurriedly confessed his guilt to Jiang Zhiyu.
"Minister Jiang, I was blind to the true power and mistakenly believed the slander of a villain, thus wrongly accusing you. I am grateful that you have forgiven me this time. I promise that such a thing will never happen again."
He kowtowed several times, which made Jiang Zhiyu confused.
[No, is he okay?]
[What's the point of looking for me for the emperor's decree? ]
[Are you crazy?]
The emperor also frowned slightly. "Why are you pleading with Jiang Shishu for mercy after I've issued an order? Do you think Jiang Shishu's words are more effective than mine? Or do you think Jiang Shishu can influence my decision?!"
Gao Hong was stunned.
He Yanting was also stunned.
After the emperor finished speaking, he couldn't help but be stunned.
If that's the case, Jiang Zhiyu seems to be able to influence some of her own decisions.
An awkward atmosphere filled the air, but Jiang Zhiyu himself was unaware of it. He nodded secretly when he heard the emperor's words.
[That’s right, how can I control other people’s thoughts? ]
"You're already in this state, yet you're still dragging me down with you. Isn't this just hinting to the Emperor to make him suspicious of me?"
【What a vicious thought! 】
Jiang Zhiyu sneered.
emperor:"……"
He looked at the Jinyiwei who were unsure whether to drag Gao Hong away and coughed lightly: "What are you still standing there for!"
Upon hearing this, several people hurriedly dragged Gao Hong out of the hall, and just happened to pass by Jiang Zhaorong who was coming over.
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