Sima Lie's expression was resolute, as if he had made a great sacrifice.
However, Wen Dashou couldn't help but laugh when he saw this scene.
Sima Lie's acting skills are truly superb; anyone who didn't know better would really think that His Majesty's words still carried weight.
However, Wen Dashou knew this was the time for them to put on a show of acting, and his expression immediately changed to one of deep emotion.
"Your Excellency, there's no need for such formality. If I, a mere criminal, were to harm you, how could I possibly bear it!"
Wen Dashou hurriedly bowed and said.
Sima Lie waved his hand.
"General Wen, there's no need to be so polite with me. I will ask His Majesty to pardon your crimes at tomorrow's morning court session."
Upon hearing this, Wen Dashou stopped refusing and immediately knelt down.
"Your Excellency's kindness and virtue are beyond my ability to repay. If you ever need my assistance in the future, I will be willing to go through fire and water without fear."
Upon hearing Wen Dashou's words, both Qiu Beiming and Sima Lie nodded in agreement.
Although they lost several elite soldiers today, it seems it was all worthwhile.
"Alright, General Wen, please rise. From now on, I will have to rely on your assistance more often in the court."
Sima Lie helped Wen Dashou up, patted him on the shoulder, and said earnestly.
Wen Dashou nodded quickly.
"If I am able to return to the court in the future, I will follow the Prime Minister's lead without question!"
Hearing this, Sima Lie became satisfied.
Sima Lie then ordered his men to remove the shackles from Wen Dashou's body.
"Lord Wen, although I cannot allow you to return to court and go home right now, if you have any requests, please feel free to speak them. Whether it is fine wine or beautiful women, I will certainly satisfy you immediately."
Sima Lie looked at Wen Dashou and asked with a smile.
Sima Lie was already very familiar with this process of bribing people.
Wen Dashou hesitated for a moment, then revealed a fierce expression.
"Your Excellency, I do not desire beautiful women and fine wine right now. I only wish to kill the foreman who insulted me before. Is that permissible?"
Sima Lie and Qiu Beiming were both stunned upon hearing Wen Dashou's words.
They thought Wen Dashou would want a beautiful woman, but they never expected that all he wanted was revenge.
"No, is that not allowed?"
Wen Dashou looked uneasy.
Sima Lie and Qiu Beiming then realized what was happening and quickly said with smiles.
"Hahaha, why not? Men, drag that scoundrel here so General Wen can avenge him!"
Upon receiving Sima Lie's order, someone was immediately dispatched to find the foreman who had previously humiliated Wen Dashou.
"Thank you very much, Your Excellency!"
Wen Dashou happily cupped his hands in greeting.
Seeing his happy and excited appearance, Sima Lie and Qiu Beiming exchanged a glance and then smiled knowingly.
Although a person who holds a grudge is not a good person, they are even more worried if Wen Dashou is the kind of person who keeps quiet and doesn't retaliate.
His frank desire for revenge only proves that he has no ulterior motives.
A short while later, Sima Lie's guards dragged the former overseer back.
However, the man's mouth was full of blood, as his tongue had been cut off.
"Your Excellency, this dog was cursing all the way here, and I had no choice but to cut out his tongue."
The guard offered a casual explanation.
However, Sima Lie and his group knew very well that this was to prevent the person from revealing the truth.
Otherwise, if Wen Dashou found out that everything today was an act, he might have some doubts.
Wen Dashou, looking completely unconcerned, picked up the hammer still covered in bits of meat and walked toward the foreman.
The overseer shook his head frantically, pointing directly at Sima Lie.
Upon seeing this, Sima Lie's expression turned cold.
"What, you dog? Weren't you quite arrogant when you poured my porridge and stomped on my steamed buns? Now you want to beg the Prime Minister to save you? No way!"
Wen Dashou sneered and smashed the foreman's hand with a single blow.
Seeing that Wen Dashou had no doubts whatsoever, Sima Lie finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Wen Dashou did not stop, continuing to smash the overseer's hands and feet with his hammer.
The foreman was in so much pain that he defecated and urinated, but he had no power to resist whatsoever.
Finally, after torturing him to the point of exhaustion, Wen Dashou brought down his hammer, killing the foreman.
After doing all this, Wen Dashou let out a long, satisfying breath.
"Your subordinate thanks the Prime Minister for his kindness!"
Wen Dashou cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Sima Lie.
Sima Lie nodded, completely relieved that he had nothing to worry about Wen Dashou.
...
The next day, the morning court session began.
"If you have something to report, speak now; otherwise, the court may adjourn."
As usual, Qin Yu leaned listlessly against the dragon throne at the court assembly, looking at the officials below with an impatient expression.
"Your Majesty, I have something to report!"
At this moment, Sima Lie stepped forward.
"Oh, what is it, Prime Minister? If it's nothing serious, you can make your own decision."
Qin Yu waved his hand casually.
Seeing this incompetent ruler neglecting his duties, a group of people below couldn't help but secretly complain.
Since this foolish emperor is so eager to entrust everything to the prime minister, why doesn't he also hand over the dragon throne to the prime minister to sit on?
"Your Majesty, what I want to talk about is the matter of the selection of the commander of the Western Camp in the capital, which I mentioned before."
Upon hearing him mention this, Qin Yu looked bewildered.
"What Western Camp Commander? When was that said?"
Seeing that Qin Yu didn't even remember this matter, the group of court officials felt it was absurd.
Sima Lie took a deep breath.
However, he had grown accustomed to the foolishness of this incompetent ruler and was no longer surprised by it.
"Your Majesty, the former commander of the Western Camp was assassinated, and it was you who instructed me to select a new commander."
Sima Lie cupped his hands and said.
"Oh, I think that's true. So, Prime Minister, have you found a suitable candidate?"
Qin Yu scratched his head, then casually asked.
Sima Lie nodded.
"Your Majesty, I believe that Wen Dashou, the former Director of the Treasury Department of the Ministry of War, is qualified to serve as the Commander of the Western Camp."
However, upon hearing his words, Qin Yu looked completely bewildered.
"And who is Wen Dashou?"
When the courtiers below heard his question, they almost collapsed to the ground.
This incompetent ruler is simply outrageous; he can't even recognize all his own ministers.
"Your Majesty, Wen Dashou committed a serious crime by handing over the imperial army's weapons to the Xiongnu. It was you who personally ordered him to be imprisoned."
Anfu, who was standing to the side, quickly bowed to Qin Yu and explained.
Upon hearing this, Qin Yu immediately exploded.
"What? This person is a criminal? No, Prime Minister, choose someone else!"
Qin Yu waved his hand, refusing without the slightest hesitation.
If Sima Lie had hesitated before, seeing Qin Yu's immediate and unwavering refusal now only strengthened his resolve to appoint Wen Dashou as the commander of the Western Camp.
“Your Majesty, Lord Wen did not collude with the Xiongnu, but was ambushed by them, which is why he lost the weapons. Therefore, this case was a misjudgment from the beginning.”
Sima Lie quickly cupped his hands and said.
However, upon hearing this, Qin Yu frowned in displeasure.
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