With conclusive evidence, the traitors were brought to justice.
After days of covert surveillance, Shen Qingci finally gathered irrefutable evidence of Zhao Kang's collusion with his cronies and his secret dealings with the remnants of the Xiongnu. This evidence included treasonous phrases in secret letters about "plotting a great cause," detailed records of military and food transactions in his confidants' ledgers, and portraits of Zhao Kang's envoys meeting with the Xiongnu, sent back by border spies. This evidence was so compelling that it was enough to cement his guilt in the court.
That night, when the time was ripe, Shen Qingci stayed up all night in his study, organizing all the evidence into a book according to the timeline. Su Yunqing stayed by his side, adding tea and grinding ink for him: "Brother Qingci, Zhao Kang is cunning and treacherous, with many cronies in the court. We must be careful when presenting evidence, lest we give him a chance to retaliate." Shen Qingci nodded: "I have secretly contacted several loyal ministers, and we will jointly second the impeachment to let His Majesty see his wolfish ambitions."
The next morning at court, the atmosphere in the Golden Palace was heavy. Shen Qingci stepped forward and presented his memorial, his voice firm and powerful: "Your Majesty, the Imperial Censor Zhao Kang harbors treacherous intentions, colluding with officials and secretly communicating with the Xiongnu, intending to overthrow the Great Jing Dynasty. I have irrefutable evidence to present!" After speaking, he presented the evidence book with both hands.
The eunuch took the document and presented it to the emperor. At first, the emperor's face was calm, but the more he read it, the darker his expression became. Finally, he was furious and slammed the document on the imperial desk: "What a heartless and treacherous Zhao Kang! I have always respected you because you are a veteran of three reigns, yet you have secretly colluded with foreign enemies, betraying me and betraying the Great Jing!"
Upon seeing this, Zhao Kang was terrified and immediately knelt down and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, please see the truth! I am innocent! This is all fabricated evidence by Shen Qingci. He wants to take this opportunity to eliminate his political opponents!"
"False testimony?" Shen Qingci sneered. "Lord Zhao, did you have a secret meeting with the Xiongnu envoy at the ancient temple on the border? You sent your trusted confidants to supply the Xiongnu with grain and fodder. Isn't the handwriting on the ledger written by your confidants?" He then summoned the spies and the witnesses of the ledger to the court. Their testimonies were consistent and matched the contents of the evidence book perfectly.
Zhao Kang's face was deathly pale, his official robes soaked with cold sweat, and his lips trembled, yet he could not utter a single word of defense. Upon seeing this, the officials who had previously colluded with him quickly distanced themselves from him, some even voluntarily exposing his crimes, fearing they would be implicated.
Looking at the overwhelming evidence before him, the emperor roared in fury, "Guards! Seize Zhao Kang and throw him into the imperial prison for rigorous interrogation! Investigate all his associates thoroughly and show no leniency!"
The guards rushed forward and dragged the limp Zhao Kang out of the hall. After days of interrogation, Zhao Kang had no way to deny the irrefutable evidence and finally confessed to all his crimes of treason.
Three days later, the emperor issued an edict: Zhao Kang had colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country, plotting a rebellion. His crimes were heinous, and he was sentenced to be cut in half at the waist. All his property was confiscated, and his family members were exiled to the far north, never to return to the capital. Those officials who had colluded with him were either dismissed from their posts and exiled, or demoted and investigated. The corrupt forces in the court were swept away.
On the day the imperial decree was read, the people of the capital applauded with joy. Shen Qingci stood in front of the Prime Minister's residence, looking at the bustling streets and the peaceful atmosphere, and breathed a sigh of relief. Su Yunqing walked to his side and said softly, "Brother Qingci, the traitors have been brought to justice, the court is now clear and just, you can finally breathe a sigh of relief."
Shen Qingci grasped her hand, but a trace of solemnity remained in his eyes: "The turmoil in the court has never ceased. Although Zhao Kang has been eliminated this time, there may still be those who covet the throne in the shadows. We still need to proceed cautiously step by step to protect the peace and security of our country."
A crisis concerning the safety of the imperial court was thus resolved, Shen Qingci's prestige became more and more solid, and the prosperous era of Dajing became more and more clear and stable in this reform that swept away the dust.
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