Chapter 761 MVP reckoning moment!
Whether or not you have tried to get something from a tiger with Qi Jing, only those who have done it know...
Some of the timid ones could no longer bear it and began to beg for mercy.
"It's unfair! It's unfair! I was forced to do this!"
"Master Taifu, I am just..."
"Prince, please... please spare my life!"
Cries and pleas for mercy came one after another, but Shen Huai turned a deaf ear to them. He took out a list from his sleeve and began to call out the names one by one like a guard in the underworld.
Every time a name was read out, an officer was dragged out of the line.
"Minister of Rites Hu Jinhua colluded with Qi Jing to forge the imperial edict..."
"Gao Shan, a doctor in the Ministry of War, secretly dispatched the imperial army to help Qi Jing rebel."
The Minister of War was shocked when he saw his men being dragged out of the team. He knew nothing about this and was afraid that the prince who suddenly appeared would take him away as well...
However, Shen Huai's voice did not stop.
"Minister of Works Wang Zhengmin embezzled money from the national treasury to buy weapons from the Yigui people and supply them to Qi Jing's private soldiers..."
"Tai...Taifu...it's unfair...it's unfair..."
As soon as the word "Minister of Works" was uttered, Wang Zhengming sat down on the ground and begged for mercy.
As names were called out one by one, the number of people in the hall decreased.
The officials whose names were called collapsed to the ground in fear, some kowtowed frantically and begged for mercy, but more of them just stood there with deathly pale faces, waiting for the judgment of fate.
Qi Mingjing watched all this quietly. His phoenix eyes, which were exactly the same as those of the late emperor, showed no emotion. After glancing around, his gaze fell on Ran Qingxuan.
He didn't speak until the last rebel was dragged out of the hall.
"My dear ministers!"
The sound was not loud, but it made everyone hold their breath.
"Today's matter ends here. I don't want to use this opportunity to eliminate dissidents, and I don't want to see another disturbance in the court."
His eyes swept over each minister, and finally landed on Shen Huai and Zhao Ge Lao: "My two lords, the next thing is left to you."
Elder Zhao, who had just reacted, bowed deeply and said, "I obey your orders!"
After saying this, Shen Huai raised his head and said to Qi Mingjing: "The eldest prince's identity is now clear. Although he has not been named the crown prince, as long as the coronation ceremony is over, he will be the future king of Northern Qi.
Now, Your Highness can call yourself "Gu" or "The King"! ”
Qi Mingjing looked at Ran Qingxuan, who was smiling and looking relieved, and nodded helplessly.
"Thank you for your advice, Master!"
"This is what an old minister should do."
The golden sunlight outside the hall shone through the carved window lattices, making the remaining bloodstains in the hall particularly glaring.
The eunuchs were busy wiping the ground, but the strong smell of blood lingered for a long time.
Qi Mingjing walked slowly towards the palace gate. When he passed by the portrait of the retired emperor, he raised his head slightly and stopped. The person in the portrait had a smile on his face, as if he was looking at his own blood.
"Don't worry, Grandfather!" Qi Mingjing said silently in his heart, and his hand in his sleeve unconsciously tightened the golden lock.
Qi Jing, who had been escorted to a carriage and was about to be sent to the palace for imprisonment, curled up in a corner, muttering: "I am the emperor... I am..."
The reason why Qi Jing was temporarily escorted back to his own palace was because Qi Mingjing had other plans.
What Ran Qingxuan fed him was just medicine to restrict him and prevent him from committing suicide.
"I am the true dragon emperor, I am the emperor. Even if you are of royal blood, so what? I am still the emperor!"
Originally, the court was in chaos but not announced, but soon a discordant voice was heard. Qi Mingjing turned to look at Qi Ren who was brought out from behind the carved dragon pillar and frowned slightly.
This is his blood brother, and it is the first time that the two brothers have met.
Qi Ren's roar echoed in the Golden Throne Hall. He was dragged out by two imperial guards, his dragon robe disheveled and his hair crown askew. He was struggling frantically to stand up.
Qi Mingjing stood in front of the dragon throne, his slender fingers gently stroking the armrests.
This was the first time he looked directly at this "brother" who was related to him by blood. His face was swollen and the whites of his eyes were bloodshot. There was no trace of the imperial majesty at all!
"The evidence of patricide and regicide is solid." Qi Mingjing's voice was soft, but it made the whole hall silent.
"Lord Zhao, what should be done according to the law for such a crime?"
The white-haired Zhao Ge Lao stepped out and said in a loud voice: "Your Highness, the crime of regicide shall be punished by slow slicing and the extermination of all nine generations of the clan."
Upon hearing this, Qi Ren suddenly laughed crazily: "Exterminate the nine clans? Then your Qi Mingjing is also among the nine clans!"
There was a dead silence in the hall. Shen Huai stood aside, staring at Qi Mingjing with burning eyes, and seemed to have no intention of helping.
Qi Mingjing also knew that this was the first test he would face before becoming the new king.
Thinking of this, Qi Mingjing suddenly smiled, and that smile made Qi Ren shiver unconsciously.
"I...will spare you the death penalty because of our blood relationship."
Qi Mingjing slowly took a few steps forward and said in a cold voice: "From today on, Qi Ren will be demoted to a commoner and banned from his old residence forever. He is not allowed to take even a single step out without a pardon."
When this verdict came out, the whole court was in an uproar.
Because it's too light!
Several generals could not help but offer advice.
"As for the Zhong family..." Qi Mingjing changed the subject and his voice suddenly turned cold.
"The Zhong family assisted Qi Ren in regicide and seeking the throne. Their crime is unforgivable. I hereby declare my will. The entire Zhong family shall be executed immediately!"
The word "execute" exploded like thunder. Qi Ren raised his head suddenly, and fear finally appeared in his eyes.
"No...Mother...she..."
Qi Mingjing looked down at him and said, "You should be thankful that I still allow you to live to pay tribute to her."
Chen Huai and Lord Zhao exchanged a gratified look. The new monarch's move showed both benevolence and dignity. He showed leniency to his blood brothers and was ruthless to traitors.
Ran Qingxuan was relieved. She was still worried that Qi Mingjing would not be able to adapt to the change of his status and his temperament would become as gentle as before...
"Take him away." Qi Mingjing waved his hand, as if brushing away a speck of dust.
When the imperial guards dragged the limp Qi Ren up, the former emperor suddenly burst into tears: "Mother! I am so sorry!"
The crying sound gradually faded away. Qi Mingjing looked out at the sunlight and sighed deeply in his heart.
"Your Highness..." Shen Huai hesitated to speak.
Qi Mingjing knew what the old minister wanted to ask: "Taifu, do you think that I am too kind to Qi Ren?"
"I dare not."
"In fact, letting him live is more painful than letting him die."
Qi Mingjing said softly: "He will face the wall every day and recall the sins he has committed. This is the cruelest punishment."
Chen Huai was stunned for a moment, and suddenly remembered that the retired emperor had said something similar when he dealt with the rebellious generals. At this moment, he seemed to see the shadow of his good friend in the new emperor.
There was a sound of orderly footsteps outside the hall. It was the sound of the imperial guards escorting Qi Ren and the officials of the Zhong family to the execution ground.
"Pass on the order." He suddenly said.
"Thoroughly investigate the matter of Gu Yanchen of the Gu family collaborating with the enemy and betraying the country. Don't let anyone involved go!"
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