Zhao Huan was overjoyed. This was exactly what he had been waiting for. He waved his hand at the captain and said, "Stop!"
Kong Feizhou stopped fighting, and Zhao Huan angrily said, "Tell the truth! Are you sure it was two hundred taels? Why did Huang Shiren say it was three thousand taels?"
Gu Zhihe dared not hide it anymore: "Your Majesty is wise, it is indeed two hundred taels, and I did not take a tael more!"
"Hahaha..." Zhao Huan laughed heartily, "Gu Zhihe! I've issued an order that anyone found guilty of embezzling even 20 taels of silver will be executed without mercy! You actually accepted 200 taels in bribes. I won't even bother asking about the antiques, calligraphy, and paintings in your home, or where you got the 5,400 taels of silver. Just for accepting these 200 taels in bribes, I sentence you to immediate execution!"
Gu Zhihe was like a puddle of mud. Routine, all routine. Isn't it true that telling the truth can lead to a lighter sentence? I didn't expect this bastard emperor to use this trick. If I had known earlier, I would rather die than confess. Now he has taken the initiative to confess to accepting a bribe of 200 taels. Who can he blame?
Zhao Huan smiled and said, "Gu Zhihe, Huang Shiren is already dead. If you had held on to your words, you could have died without any evidence, but you actually admitted to embezzling two hundred taels. I will not be able to sate the people's anger unless I kill you! Come on, drag this corrupt official out and chop him off!"
Gu Zhihe slid off the stool and fell to the ground, his temper still lingering. This time, the executioner was not a bailiff, but was led away by the imperial guards. Less than a cup of tea later, the guards came to report that Gu Zhihe had been executed.
Zhao Huan laughed heartily: "Adjourn!"
The outside of the government office was already crowded with people. When they saw the magistrate of Bo County being taken out to be beheaded, the victims from Bo County applauded and celebrated.
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