If you can't afford to offend them, you can only back down.
They want to delegate authority, but they're unwilling to do so.
Emperor Hongde wanted to use this opportunity to execute the main culprits as a warning to others. The powerful families, deeply aware of the dangers of losing their own members, pleaded for leniency, at least to spare their relatives, since their ancestors had rendered meritorious service to the country.
Both the Xie and Ruan families possessed imperial edicts of merit.
Emperor Hongde was caught in a dilemma. He returned to the inner palace and spoke to the Empress about it.
Since the women in the inner palace cannot interfere in politics, the Empress offered a different perspective to ease his worries: "Hasn't Miaomiao made many friends at the Imperial Academy? They are all children. If they were implicated and lost their lives, I'm afraid Miaomiao would feel terrible."
Emperor Hongde had a sudden thought.
"But they were convicted precisely because they murdered Miaomiao."
The Empress said, “Miaomiao is simple-minded, kind-hearted, protective of her own, and values relationships. Besides, didn’t she say that worshipping demons would bring backlash? They have inherited wealth and honor, but they also bear the consequences of their elders’ sins. Your Majesty is a benevolent ruler, so you might as well forgive them and put the minds of your subjects at ease. If the noble families still don’t know what’s good for them, then Your Majesty need not show any more mercy.”
Killing a few family heads is enough to intimidate others.
After some deliberation, Emperor Hongde issued an edict ordering the three judicial departments to conduct a joint trial, and specially appointed the Crown Prince to preside over the case.
"Miaomiao said that worshipping gods or demons is not something that can be done overnight. Find out who knows about it. Anyone involved will be severely punished. Those who are unaware will be dealt with separately."
The prince clasped his hands in a fist salute and said, "Yes."
The crown prince was sixteen years old and possessed the dignity of a crown prince.
The Ministry of Justice and the Censorate both have members of the Jiang family, so they will definitely help their own family members get revenge.
The investigation of this case went relatively smoothly.
Half a month later, the Crown Prince presented the list to Emperor Hongde.
"Your Majesty, I have investigated thoroughly. All seven elders of the Ruan family were aware of the situation. Those evil cultivators were brought in by Ruan Rongping's cousin. The Xie family matriarch has been making donations for many years, yet she feeds on living people and raises demonic beasts every year. The Yu family does the same. Most of the local officials in Chenliu are collateral relatives of these families, deceiving their superiors and subordinates about missing persons. Over the years, the number of living people fed to demonic beasts is countless."
The Crown Prince said in a heavy tone, "They are even more wicked than the Yao family back then."
The Yao family also used living people to sacrifice to the gods, but at least they preserved the souls and were able to be reincarnated.
Monsters devour living people, but they also chew up their souls, leaving no chance for reincarnation.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Hongde was furious.
All those involved were sentenced to death, except for children under the age of twelve, who were also sentenced to exile.
This time, the powerful families dared not plead for them again.
After all, it wasn't just one or two, or even ten or eight, that died; it was tens of thousands.
If this is not severely punished, it will definitely incite public anger.
That's how it is in Qiao County.
When it comes to opposing the imperial court, these powerful families are truly unyielding.
Seeing the court's attitude, the common people were no longer willing to be exploited by the powerful families, so they organized a militia to smash the private schools and shops of the powerful families.
Focus on one thing, otherwise we'll either live or we'll all die.
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