Soon, someone else came forward to protest the injustice, accusing Fang Zhiyi of forging the imperial edict and killing many court officials and gentry who were trying to escape. They knew that if they didn't fight now and let Fang Zhiyi gain power, their lives would probably be even more difficult in the future.
Emperor Shunying closed his eyes slightly, and Fang Zhiyi watched him out of the corner of his eyes. In the original plot, the emperor did trust Fang Zhiyi, but now he had pacified the rebel army and took control of the Xuan Jing Division. Moreover, his name would definitely spread after this battle. No emperor would allow his subjects to be more convincing than himself, right?
"Fang Zhiyi gave them the pardon with my permission." Emperor Shunying opened his eyes again and spoke calmly, "Also, when the rebel army besieged the city, I said that from me on down, all were under the command of General Fang. Didn't you understand?"
He suddenly stood up, grabbed several memorials from the table, and threw them down fiercely: "Look! This is the Chen Ge Lao you all call a scholar! He actually wrote a letter to the rebel army, hoping to open the city gates and surrender at night! And this! The loyal and righteous man you all call him! He's planning to escape with his entire family through the west gate with his concubines and servants!"
The people below immediately shut up. Fang Zhiyi didn't even bother to look at them. He asked the Xuan Jing Division to send a copy of the evidence to the palace every time they did something. If there was no evidence, they would fabricate some. He was not afraid of these people's impeachment for both emotional and logical reasons.
"A bunch of trash!" Emperor Shunying gasped, then calmed down a bit and looked at Fang Zhiyi again, "My dear, what do you say?"
Fang Zhiyi stood up, and Emperor Shunying quickly asked him to sit down.
"Your Majesty, you know that I have never liked court struggles. They can say whatever they like, but I have a memorial here that requires your approval." Fang Zhiyi handed over a memorial.
The young eunuch took it and handed it to Emperor Shunying.
Emperor Shunying frowned as he read, somewhat unsure. He looked at Fang Zhiyi, then at the memorial, and lowered his voice: "Fang Zhiyi, are you sure you want to give this to me for decision?"
Fang Zhiyi nodded.
Emperor Shunying looked at the court officials who were full of curiosity, and impatiently told them to get out. After everyone had left, he even drove away his personal eunuch.
"Zhiyi, I've known you since childhood. You know how much I trust you. But this..." Emperor Shunying hesitated. "There's no precedent for this in history. I don't seek any merit, and future history books will surely describe me as a tyrant. But if you mess this up, I won't be able to come down to see the late emperor."
Fang Zhiyi stood up and clasped his fists: "Your Majesty, since that's the case, let me do it."
Emperor Shunying was stunned for a moment. Although he was not stupid, he was an emperor after all. He understood what Fang meant. The bad reputation is mine, and the good reputation is yours.
Emperor Shunying looked at Fang Zhiyi with a deep gaze. "I must admit that when you stood on the city wall against the enemy army, I doubted you. I wondered if you would turn your guns and attack the palace. If I fell to that point, would you kill me?" His tone was apologetic. "But I was not mistaken. You are still you, my great general."
He took a deep breath and said, "I have been on the throne for ten years, and Wei Wu has become like this. Since you are determined to do this, how can you bear this infamy alone? Let us shoulder it together, the emperor and his subjects!"
Fang Zhiyi was somewhat moved by the tyrant emperor in front of her, but just as she was about to say something, Emperor Shunying stood up and patted his belly: "Just do it. I have to go back home. I promised Xiang Fei that if I win, I will stay with her for three more nights."
He stood up and prepared to leave, but suddenly stopped: "Remember, all your actions are allowed by me, so I will understand."
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