Chapter 483 Poisoning
As soon as the judge's words came out, they caused a sensation.
Li Leshan stood up suddenly.
He wanted to shut the judge up, but it was too late.
After all, from the moment the Tongpan betrayed the virtuous king, the matter would not have ended well unless a reasonable explanation was given to the people.
If he tried to shut the judge's mouth at this critical moment, it would only make the situation worse.
The people at the execution ground were also talking about it.
"We're experiencing a famine here, and the virtuous king, unable to bear the sight of his people starving, emptied his own treasury and donated over ten thousand taels of silver to us. How could such a kind-hearted man like him team up with these corrupt officials to bully us?"
"Isn't that right? Let's not talk about the virtuous king for now, let's just talk about the current emperor. He is a wise monarch who cares about the people. He has said before that anyone who breaks the laws of Northern Qi will be severely punished, regardless of whether they are members of the royal family, relatives, or ministers. There will be no leniency, no matter their status. How could such an emperor, who governs diligently and loves his people like his own children, protect a virtuous king who has violated the law?"
"Yes, this dog official must be afraid of death and is deliberately attacking our wise king."
"Chop off his head now, and don't let him tell lies to deceive us."
"Kill him, kill him!"
The magistrate was anxious: "The virtuous prince is Feng Zhihuan's cousin. If the virtuous prince had not protected him, how could he have the audacity to occupy your ancestral land, forcibly abduct your daughter, and embezzle the relief grain and silver?"
"He even drove up the price of food, making it so you couldn't afford it. You had no choice but to keep selling your land to him and working for him for free in exchange for a steamed bun."
"Hahahaha, the virtuous king embezzled hundreds of thousands of taels of silver, and only gave you ten thousand taels, and you're still so grateful to him."
The people were shocked. The wise king actually embezzled tens of thousands of taels from them?
The 12,000 taels of silver donated to them were only less than 10% of the silver he had embezzled?
In the crowd, a scholar in a blue robe bowed and said, "Your Highness, please review this case. If the virtuous prince did not shield Feng Zhihuan, then you can clear his name. If what the magistrate said is true, please seek justice for the people."
After saying this, the scholar lifted up his robe and knelt down.
The people knelt down one after another and said, "Your Majesty, please reinvestigate the case."
Li Leshan clenched his fists. The more he feared something, the more likely it was to happen.
He looked at the crowd of people kneeling on the ground, then turned to look at Zhao Yi beside him: "Your Highness..."
Zhao Yi turned and looked at him: "Sir Li, in your opinion, how should this case be resolved?"
Li Leshan didn't know how to solve it either.
This is a very tricky matter.
Investigate, the virtuous king's affairs cannot be concealed.
If we don't investigate, the matter has already gotten to this point and public opinion can't suppress it.
Li Leshan asked: "Do you have a solution?"
"Yes." Zhao Yi said solemnly, "It's not a perfect plan, but it will minimize the impact."
"Your Highness has always upheld the dignity and prestige of the royal family, and has always prioritized the people. You have never harbored any selfish motives." Li Leshan looked at the enraged civilians and gritted his teeth, saying, "I trust you."
Zhao Yi stood up.
The people quieted down instantly.
"There's a hidden story behind the collusion between the virtuous prince and Feng Zhihuan." Zhao Yi looked around at everyone and explained, "The virtuous prince's maternal family, the Lin family, committed a crime, but he didn't protect them. How could he protect his cousins from the Feng family?"
"It's just Feng Zhihuan. He uses his status as the virtuous king's cousin to win over important officials in the court to protect him, and to intimidate local officials to do his bidding."
"Your Majesty has always been impartial in establishing laws and regulations, governing the country and the people. He investigated Feng Zhihuan's case and immediately ordered the arrest of important officials such as the Vice Minister of Justice and the Vice Minister of Personnel. Their homes were confiscated, and some were beheaded. Local officials were also punished without exception."
"Even though the virtuous king was kept in the dark and his status was exploited by those with ulterior motives, Your Majesty punished him for his negligence, confined him to his home, and stripped him of the real power he held."
Li Leshan was confused. How could he clear the virtuous king's name in this way?
The people looked at each other, not knowing whether they should believe what Zhao Yi said.
At this time, the leading scholar said, "We don't know the virtuous king, and we may not trust him, but we trust you. Everything you have done in Yongqing County is sincerely for us, the people."
"Yes, yes, we believe you too. After all, it would be of great benefit to you to discredit the virtuous king. There is really no need for you to cover up for the virtuous king."
However, there are still a small number of people who still have doubts.
But before they could question him, Zhao Yi spoke again: "This is a serious matter. I'm afraid that just a few words from me won't convince everyone present. I will imprison the judge and thoroughly investigate this case tomorrow."
This approach appeased the people.
Zhao Yi said to Li Leshan, "Sir Li, without a reexamination of the Tongpan case, it will be difficult to convince the public. Your people will take him into custody, and you will personally try him tomorrow."
Li Leshan frowned.
Zhao Yi's words revealed one meaning: he did not want to interfere in the case of the virtuous king.
Li Leshan understood Zhao Yi's desire to avoid suspicion and agreed: "Your subordinate obeys your command."
He ordered his followers to take the judge away.
After all the executions were completed, Zhao Yi looked at the disheveled Li Leshan and arranged his destination.
"Master Li, you will be staying at the County Magistrate's Mansion for the next few days."
"Your Highness, I have a trial tomorrow, and there are still many things I don't understand about this case. I have a humble request. Could you stay at the prefectural magistrate's residence tonight and answer my questions?"
Li Leshan was wary of Zhao Yi doing something tricky, so he planned to keep him under his nose.
"Okay." Zhao Yi did not refuse.
Li Leshan looked at Jiang Chao and Jiang Mu who were following behind Zhao Yi.
How could Zhao Yi not understand Li Leshan’s thoughts?
Without waiting for Li Leshan to ask for someone, he took the initiative to say, "Jiang Chao and Jiang Mu, the two of you should stay and help Lord Li prepare the files."
Jiang Chao and Jiang Mu agreed.
Li Leshan realized that his little thoughts had been seen through, and he scratched his philtrum awkwardly: "Thank you, Your Highness."
*
The group returned to the county magistrate's office.
Li Leshan first went to the room prepared for him by Zhao Yi to wash up.
He used a whistling arrow to attract the Northern Qi emperor's secret guards and briefly told them what had happened at the execution ground: "Secretly transfer the Tongpan. Take turns guarding him tonight. Don't let anyone touch him."
The secret guard received the order and prepared to leave.
"Wait." Li Leshan said solemnly, "Also, arrange for someone to keep a close eye on the plum garden."
"Yes." The secret guard left.
After taking a bath, Li Leshan changed into the clothes prepared by Zhao Yi, ate the food brought by the maid, and then went to the Jiage storehouse.
This is the place where the government stores various files.
When he arrived, Zhao Yi, Jiang Chao and Jiang Mu had already prepared the files.
Two tall piles were piled on the table.
Zhao Yi said, "All the files related to Feng Zhihuan are here. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me."
Li Leshan bowed and picked up a file to look through.
By the time he finished reading all the files, it was already late at night.
Li Leshan pinched the bridge of his nose and patted his neck to ease the discomfort. He then looked at Zhao Yi, who was sitting by the window and reading a book: "Your Highness, I have thought of a way to apologise to the virtuous king..."
“Knock knock—”
There was a knock on the door, and an anxious voice came from outside: "Master Li, the magistrate has been poisoned."
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