Chapter 463: Goal Achieved
Led by Eunuch Liu, the virtuous king arrived at the Yangxin Palace unhindered.
As soon as he entered the hall, the wise king saw Zhao Yi.
Isn’t Zhao Yi in Yongqing County?
Why did you suddenly return to Kyoto?
Still came back intact.
The wise king suppressed the surprise in his eyes, and thoughts surged in his mind.
My father would never discuss the matter of appointing him as the crown prince in front of Zhao Yi. Could it be that Zhao Yi found out about the affair between him and Feng Zhihuan in Yongqing County and submitted a memorial to accuse him?
Thinking of this, the virtuous prince panicked. Before he could think of a response, he saw the imperial edict from the Northern Qi emperor under his elbow. He calmed himself down a little and said, "Father, did you summon me to the palace to discuss something important?"
"You bastard." The Northern Qi Emperor picked up a few books and threw them at the virtuous king. "Look at what you've done."
The virtuous prince was startled and hurriedly caught a booklet. After just one glance at the contents, his face turned pale and he knelt on the ground, crying out, "Father, I am innocent..."
"These booklets detail your financial transactions with Feng Zhihuan, including the dates of your correspondence and the plots you conspired to execute." Though the Northern Qi Emperor was incompetent, he knew that Zhao Yi, having dared to bring these booklets to denounce the virtuous prince, must possess irrefutable evidence. "If you refuse to confess, I will hand your case over to the Three Judicial Departments. Even I won't be able to protect you then."
The virtuous prince understood the meaning of the Northern Qi emperor's words. If he confessed now, he would not be severely punished. If he refused to confess, he would be dealt with according to the law.
Not only did he embezzle and accept bribes, he also disregarded human life and abducted women as his slaves in order to maintain relationships with all parties.
Although his crime does not warrant the death penalty given his status, his reputation has been ruined. How can he inherit the throne as the people wish and expect?
"Before, the war between Northern Qi and Great Zhou was intense. I heard that the national treasury was depleted and that your father was unable to sleep or eat. I wanted to help your father, but my monthly income was just a drop in the bucket and could not solve the problem of the national treasury deficit at all."
"At... at this time, Feng Zhihuan came to me and begged me. He said that only by preserving the country could the people live in peace. We were only temporarily borrowing some silver from the people. Once the urgent shortage of silver in the national treasury was resolved, we would return it double to the people. I was deceived by Feng Zhihuan and did something foolish."
"In every dynasty, the national treasury was depleted and the money was taken from the people. There was nothing wrong with what I did. It was just that Feng Zhihuan deceived me and oppressed the people by any means necessary. By the time I realized something was wrong, he had already got the upper hand, and he forced me to make one mistake after another."
The virtuous prince avoided the main point and cried out that he was forced into this situation. "I will return all the money I embezzled and accepted as bribes to the people, and then sell the valuables in the palace to raise 10,000 taels of silver to help the victims of the disaster in Yongqing County and make up for the big mistake I made earlier."
Zhao Yi heard the virtuous king only mention corruption and bribery, ignoring all other charges, and couldn't help but sneer. "In every dynasty, when the treasury was empty, the people were plundered. When a popular uprising was imminent, the merchants were plundered. When the merchants were exploited, the officials were plundered. Ultimately, the officials rebelled, the merchants rebelled, the people rose up, and the country fell. Your Majesty and the virtuous king don't understand this principle, right?"
Although it was said that the emperor was guilty of the same crime as common people, in reality this was not the case. Not to mention the emperor, even if a prince broke the law, as long as the emperor wanted to protect him, he would not be severely punished.
Zhao Yi naturally knew this truth, so he did not think that the Emperor of Northern Qi would punish the Xian King after obtaining evidence of his guilt.
The Emperor of Northern Qi changed his expression, as if he had been hit in the sore spot. He looked at Zhao Yi angrily, but saw that even though Zhao Yi was seriously injured and extremely tired, his posture was still upright and his eyes were firm and clear.
His whole demeanor actually has some of the shadow of an imperial teacher.
Perhaps Zhao Yi cares about the people as much as the imperial teacher does.
Therefore, they have the same nature and similar demeanor.
The Emperor of Northern Qi had to admit that Zhao Yi was better than his other two sons and more suitable to be emperor.
It’s a pity that Zhao Yi’s bloodline is not pure.
The Northern Qi Emperor's silence made the virtuous prince beside him uneasy. He hurriedly explained, "I... I was negligent..."
"Shut up." The Northern Qi Emperor interrupted the virtuous king, worried that he would continue to err. "I taught you that water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. You must always put the people first. Look at you, aiding and abetting the tyrant and persecuting the people. It truly pains me."
"I fine you one year's salary and confine you to the palace for three months. You must hand over all the money you embezzled. I hope this punishment will teach you a lesson and help you repent and reform."
The virtuous king breathed a sigh of relief and kowtowed in thanks, saying, "I will definitely change my ways and never do it again."
The Northern Qi Emperor, fearing Zhao Yi would persist, spoke first, "Yier, as my eldest son, I am very pleased that you have protected your brother. The Yongqing County case involves your brother, so I will give you full authority to investigate this case." After a pause, he added, "Your assassination attempt will also be handled by you."
This was because they were afraid that Zhao Yi would continue to pursue the privilege given by the virtuous king.
Zhao Yi had expected the punishment of the Xian King by the Northern Qi Emperor, but his purpose was not to severely punish the Xian King, so he did not dwell on it.
Zhao Yi seemed a bit embarrassed. "Feng Zhihuan's case involves a lot of people. My status as a humble minister is very controversial in the capital. I am worried that when I investigate the case, some ministers in the court will be implicated. If they don't cooperate, what should I do?"
In the eyes of the Northern Qi Emperor, the people involved with Feng Zhihuan were nothing more than a few officials in Yongqing County. Even if there were officials appointed by the imperial court involved, there were only one or two.
With Zhao Yi's tactful methods and upright character, he will only handle the matter impartially and will not kill any minister by mistake.
What's more, it happened right under his nose.
The Northern Qi Emperor confidently took out a token and handed it to Zhao Yi: "Anyone who dares to interfere with your investigation will be beheaded in public."
"Your humble servant obeys your command." Zhao Yi waited for these words and stopped refusing.
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