The move that the four major families of Liaodong made for Liu Fu can be called anything, no matter what.
I can do anything that isn't written in the Han law, even if I'm doing something wrong. Your Han law doesn't stipulate that I can do this, but it also doesn't stipulate that I can't do this. So, on what grounds do you punish me?
What is your basis for this claim?
It all started when the Later Han dynasty gained control of the country, but before it could even govern properly, there was no way to do it. There was no talent to be found. From the founding of the dynasty until now, it hadn't even been a year, let alone a few months, or even half a year. There was simply no time to perfect many things, and these cunning and shrewd people took advantage of the situation.
If it were any other princes without the means to do so, they would have been driven mad long ago. Helpless, they would have had to come before these aristocratic families, beg for forgiveness, say a few kind words to make peace, and make a promise that they would not interfere with each other again and would no longer antagonize these troublesome local bullies.
In this way, the four major families, these local power brokers, achieved their own interests, and after the two sides made peace, things became much easier to handle.
But what they didn't expect was that Liu Fu, who didn't play by the rules, was chosen instead.
If you dare to do anything that's not prohibited by law, I'll dare to destroy the evidence and smear you!
It should be noted that when the 140,000-strong Pingding Army was causing chaos in Dongjun, it was Liu Fu who led his troops to defeat them. In the end, not only was Ouyang Fang killed, but more than half of the rebels were killed or wounded, and the rest were all taken prisoner. They are now being sent to the north to build the Great Wall as atonement.
Liu Fu not only eliminated the Pingding Army and quelled the rebellion, but he also personally handled the delivery of evidence of the Pingding Army's rebellion to the imperial court.
Now he's forged several of your handwritten letters and dragged the people of the four major families into the Pingding Army rebellion. It's a dead end, so what can you do to deal with it?
At this moment, the atmosphere at the entrance of the Huang residence changed instantly. The Huang family head, who had been confident and assured that Liu Fu would not find any fault with him just before leaving, was now like a frightened bird, putting on an act in front of Liu Fu.
The old man, with snot and tears streaming down his face, knelt on the ground and pleaded repeatedly:
“Your Majesty, my Huang family is innocent! My sons, under my strict upbringing, are all well-versed in etiquette and law, loyal to the emperor and patriotic, and have never had the slightest thought of rebellion. This... this letter must be a fabrication by someone with ulterior motives who dislikes our Huang family and is trying to frame us!”
"This old man begs Your Majesty to see the truth! I beg Your Majesty to see the truth!"
Liu Fu smiled at this moment:
"You think you can convince me with just empty words? Then how do you explain the evidence I have that is genuine?"
Liu Fu asked the crowd behind him with amusement:
"You say that the irrefutable evidence is right in front of me, and so are Master Huang's empty words. Should I believe the evidence, or should I believe Master Huang's empty words that have no evidence whatsoever and are just self-justifying nonsense?"
Upon hearing Liu Fu's question, the old Huang family head blushed and was immediately rendered speechless.
After all, they've already found the "evidence." If you don't have any truly useful methods, how can you expect to clear your name?
Is it that easy?
The head of the Huang family understood that his third son would never write this letter. He immediately called his third son out, and by then, hundreds of people who had been arriving intermittently had also rushed out.
The head of the Huang family pointed to his son:
"Third brother, tell me, did you actually have an affair with Ouyang Fang, the leader of the Pingding Army? The letter is dated a month ago. Where were you then, and who can testify to that?"
"And what are you all standing there for? Quickly invite the experts in the East City who can authenticate these notes to come and examine them. Wouldn't that tell you if they're real or fake? Hurry up and go!"
Although the head of the Huang family was afraid, he did not lose his mind.
He knew that the only way for the Huang family to survive was to work on their alibis and authenticate the handwriting.
But Liu Fu refused to give an answer:
"There's no need for your Huang family to hire someone to authenticate the handwriting. Our government office will handle that itself. As for alibis, you'll need to provide witnesses during the court hearing, and then I'll send someone to summon them for questioning. How can you expect to find evidence before the hearing even begins?"
After being easily refuted by Liu Fu with a few words, Liu Fu cupped his hands and said:
“Old Master Huang, although you are the descendant of a meritorious official and have a son serving as an official in the court, the matter of rebellion that I am involved in is of great importance. You must come with me to the yamen no matter what.”
Having said that, Liu Fu immediately issued an imperial decree:
"Guards! Take the head of the Huang family and all his children, grandchildren, and family members to the imperial prison and lock them up for interrogation at a later date!"
"This... Your Majesty, I am innocent! If anyone is to be arrested, it should be the third son of the Huang family, not me!"
Upon seeing that Liu Fu was actually going to arrest his entire family, the Huang family head immediately pushed forward his third son to take the blame.
It's not that he's a ruthless tiger who would sacrifice his own son to take the blame.
If all members of the Huang family are imprisoned now, who will be left to maneuver outside?
Then the only option is to settle for second best and send the third son in first. As long as I'm still alive, I can try to find a way to resolve this matter.
But how could Liu Fu give this old fox a chance?
"The letter clearly states that the heads of the four major families have all agreed to this matter. Patriarch Huang, I would like to trouble you to come with me."
"If I have truly wronged you, I will give you justice, compensate you for all your losses, and personally apologize. But if I have not wronged you, hmph! I will bring you to justice, and don't blame me for not showing any mercy then."
Upon hearing Liu Fu's words, the Huang family head knew he was doomed.
How could a monarch ever make a mistake?
Even if the king is wrong, the ministers must all agree that the king is not wrong, and that it is all the ministers' fault.
Since Liu Fu has imprisoned them in the imperial prison, what justice can he possibly offer? Do you really expect him to give you justice, ruin your lifelong reputation, and then personally go to the Huang family to apologize and compensate them for all their losses?
That's absolutely impossible!
At this moment, the head of the Huang family knelt down and pleaded:
"Your Majesty, this old man has a few words he wishes to say to you privately. Please grant me the opportunity to speak!"
The Huang family is now truly at their wits' end.
He had a son who was a high-ranking official in the court, and no one else could do anything to the Huang family. In fact, according to the principle that anything not prohibited by law is permissible, even the princes could not take action against the Huang family.
But you also have to consider who the opponent is. Against others, the Huang family will certainly stand firm.
However, for a prince as resourceful as Liu Fu, there was simply no way to resist him.
To survive, you have to put all your chips to the table...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com