Zhao Huan left the prison with a heavy heart. Just as Li Bangyan said, one misstep can lead to eternal regret. In the face of power and desire, Li Bangyan finally took the wrong step.
Li Bangyan was not a traitor of great evil. It was just that he did everything he could to overthrow his political enemies, and acted like a traitor.
Although Li Gang's military power had been taken back, these ministers all had their own forces. The Bai Shizhong and Wang Shiyong factions, the Li Gang and He Li factions, they all had their own calculations.
Whether advocating peace or war, it's all about cultivating one's own power. Ruling a large country is like cooking a small fish. Isn't he being too blind? Loyal ministers can be used, but mediocre ones must also be nurtured.
For example, if you send an upright minister like Meng Gu Rao or Chen Guo Ting to collect taxes or carry out a water conservancy project, they will not be able to do it.
If you send Bai Shizhong Wang Shiyong, they will do it perfectly, because they know how to be greedy, and only when there is a common interest will they work together.
These were the words Li Bangyan had advised him in prison: a tyrant ruler would indulge corrupt officials, while a wise ruler would exploit them. Zhao Huan thought what he said made perfect sense. It's not that I won't touch you, corrupt officials, but that you still have value. When you're no longer useful, I'll confiscate your property and exterminate your entire clan.
Li Bangyan's body was transported to Li Xiang's residence and left to his family to dispose of it, which was considered a great favor to the Li family.
"The Emperor has arrived, and all the ministers are here to attend the morning meeting!"
The morning bells and evening drums sounded, and all civil and military officials gathered in the Purple Palace.
In private, Cao Dongsheng grew increasingly hesitant to joke with Zhao Huan. Zhao Huan was, after all, growing up. No longer the young, fresh-faced brat he'd just ascended the throne, he was becoming more and more composed. His imperial aura was becoming increasingly apparent.
This kind of temperament will make you feel timid, make you follow blindly, and make you convinced.
After capturing Li Bangyan, Zhao Huan's authority in the court increased greatly, and few people dared to question the emperor anymore.
"My dear ministers. Li Rui, Wang Xiaodi, Li Bangde, Tang Ke, Geng Nanzhong and others betrayed our country and surrendered to the enemy. They caused countless soldiers of the Western Frontier Defense Army and the Qinfeng Army to die in grief. Although these people have been brought to justice, they still leave a name of infamy in the history of our Great Song Dynasty that will last for thousands of years! You, as ministers, should reflect on whether your actions are worthy of our Great Song Dynasty and the people of the world!"
Zhao Huan did not mention Li Bangyan, after all, he was the prime minister. The official announcement did not accuse Li Bangyan of betraying his country and betraying the enemy, but only accused him of forming a clique for personal gain and employing people without due process.
In fact, all the ministers knew that Li Bangyan was also one of the masterminds. The emperor did this to maintain the face of the court and to show his leniency to his ministers.
"Your Majesty, we are terrified!" All the ministers knelt down.
I have to teach these bastards and incompetent ministers a lesson from time to time.
"I know you will have another Li Rui, another Tangke Wang Xiaodi. But I might as well tell you that I, Zhao Huan, will drag you out of this Purple Palace, confiscate your property, exterminate your clan, and kill you without leaving a trace."
"We, your servants, swear to be loyal to the Song Dynasty until death!"
"Stop kneeling. Readers have said that kneeling isn't customary in the Song Dynasty. Stand up." (Swallow, this line is so distracting. The author shamelessly added it in, haha.)
"Don't kneel anymore, stand up." Zhao Huan achieved a result that satisfied him.
"Wu Ge!"
"I am here!"
"Then how did Deng Gui get in touch with the Jin people? Did he confess?"
Wu Ge bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Deng Gui confessed everything before he was even tortured. His father is Han Chinese, but his mother is Jurchen. He's been living in the streets for years, a scoundrel. He was a spy sent to Bianjing by Wanyan Zongmou. After arriving in Bianjing, he pretended to be a northwestern merchant, establishing connections with Li Rui. With Li Rui's help, he was able to infiltrate official circles and gather intelligence. He has close relationships with many officials."
"So he's a bastard, hahaha." Zhao Huan laughed loudly, and the ministers below also laughed.
Zhao Huan's expression immediately changed. "Investigate! Anyone who has close ties with Deng Gui will be severely punished if proven guilty!"
"I obey the decree!"
Zhao Huan asked again: "Such traitors should be punished by heaven and earth, why are they not being punished?"
Wu Ge smiled and said, "Deng Gui is just a clown. He confessed everything before he was even interrogated after being put into the prison."
"Then you must be punished, severely!"
The emperor had spoken, and the people below naturally dared not neglect it. Deng Gui was brought out of prison by the jailer.
"Master, where are we going?" Deng Gui was escorted by two jailers with iron shackles.
"Go have tea."
Deng Gui was skeptical. Could it be that someone had rescued me?
When he arrived at the interrogation room, he saw torture instruments covering the walls. There was also a large iron stove next to it, burning charcoal. Inside, several red-hot irons were burning. Deng Gui's legs immediately weakened.
When he looked again, he saw Li Xiaoyi and Xu Bingzhe had already been tied up nearby.
"I don't want tea, I want to go back." Deng Gui struggled.
"Go to hell!" The jailer tied him to a stake with an iron chain.
"Deng Gui, you have committed treason and betrayed military intelligence. You have led the Song Dynasty's Western Frontier Defense Force into a trap, and all the soldiers have perished in despair. The people of this city wish they could devour your flesh and drink your blood. By the Emperor's order, you will be subjected to the eighteen cruel tortures."
Deng Gui was so frightened that he said: "I have confessed everything.
Why are you still hitting me? Please let me go, ah~"
The jailers had the usual numbness on their faces of executioners, who were accustomed to this kind of torture.
One of the jailers took out a bull whip soaked in salt water from the bucket and swung it hard.
"Snap!" The sound of the bull whip was crisp and loud.
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