If it were Emperor Huizong (Zhao Ji), he would probably choose to believe him.
You've clearly abused your power for personal gain, so how can you speak of it in such a righteous and noble way?
Zhao Huan frowned and said, "I want to hear the truth."
“Every word I have spoken is true, and comes from the bottom of my heart!”
"Tie him up and give him a good beating!"
Su Yuanqing was completely dumbfounded.
Two Imperial Guards grabbed Su Yuanqing, quickly tied him to a pillar, and started beating him without saying a word.
"Your Majesty, spare me! I've told the truth! Your Majesty! I did it for the people!"
Zhao Huan ignored him and continued drinking his tea.
After a while, Su Yuanqing couldn't take it anymore and finally said, "Your Majesty, I'll talk, I'll talk!"
"Your Majesty, I risk my life to speak frankly!"
"explain!"
"I am not the only one doing this. If Your Majesty intends to investigate thoroughly, I fear this new policy will be impossible to implement!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Huan's face turned ashen, and he raised his hand to smash the jade cup on the ground, shattering it into pieces.
The emperor was enraged; his eyes were filled with murderous intent, and his voice became low and terrifying: "Abusing power for personal gain! Competing with the people for profit! Corrupting the court! Disregarding the law!"
"You dare to threaten me now!"
"Your Majesty, I would never dare to threaten you. However, since the new policies of the court, tens of millions of taels of silver have been flowing down from the capital. Which official in the various regions is not envious?"
"I have long ago enshrined the prohibition of officials from engaging in commerce in the laws of the Great Song Dynasty!"
"Your Majesty, why do you do this? I am a merchant, and I can also revitalize Fujian. As long as the people are well, Your Majesty's empire will naturally be secure forever!" Su Yuanqing suddenly raised his voice, his eyes filled with tears, like a wronged girl with no way to resolve the situation. "Your Majesty, I am doing this for Your Majesty! I am loyal to Your Majesty and dare not show the slightest disrespect!"
"You all disregard my laws, yet you dare to boast that you wouldn't dare show the slightest disrespect!" Zhao Huan's teeth clenched, his breath dripping with cold air. "Speak! Who else is involved? Name them! And I'll spare your families!"
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