Chapter 70 Public Trial and Identification of the Queen
Yu Zhengde went to the palace gate with a bundle of thorns on his back, and confessed loudly all the way: he had accepted 10,000 taels from Liu He to speak well of Wu Yuchu for his transfer back to the capital, but he really didn't know that the Wu family dared to accept 50,000 taels from Beiling.
When he arrived at the palace gate, the news that Wu Yuchu and his wife had accepted 50,000 taels of silver from Beiling spread to every corner of the capital like autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves.
Not long after he entered the palace, a small courtyard in the city caught fire. When everyone was putting out the fire, they found that the space under the bed was full of pottery jars, and the jars were filled with silver.
When the fire was put out, the silver was carried out, and it was exactly 50,000 taels.
Some knowledgeable merchants recognized the Beiling clan crest on the silver and soon shouted, "This must be the 50,000 taels that Wu Yuchu received. Let's go to the government office and check if this small courtyard is part of the Wu family."
"I'll go." A young man dressed like a student raised his hand.
It just so happened that an elder in his family worked in the government office.
"We'll go with you," another student responded, adding to the others, "If this courtyard is indeed the property of the Wu family, then this silver was earned by them through selling out their country and framing loyal officials. Please help keep an eye on it."
"The world has finally achieved peace, yet these corrupt officials dare to bring disaster upon the country. Everyone, please go ahead. We will keep an eye on the silver and wait for the officials to arrive."
An elderly man spoke first.
The Great Wei Kingdom had only been established for thirty years, and the older people had experienced the previous chaotic times and were particularly cherishing peace and stability.
Several older people of his age quickly echoed his words.
What happened here soon reached the ears of the people guarding the palace gate, and everyone rushed to the courtyard again.
The officials came quickly, but King Rong came even faster.
Moreover, his people soon found out that this small courtyard was indeed the property purchased by Mrs. Wu Liu He.
The evidence is conclusive.
Everyone was filled with indignation.
Prince Rong immediately went to the Ministry of Justice in person and asked the Ministry to publicly try Liu He, and the people followed him in droves.
In the Ministry of Justice prison.
Liu He was taken to the interrogation room, where two officers roughly tied him to a wooden stake.
Sitting high in front of the desk, Minister of Justice Xie Shen spoke coldly, "Liu He, who instructed you to collude with Beiling and murder the National Protection Army? Tell the truth, or don't blame me for severely punishing you."
These words were like a bucket of cold water pouring down on Liu He's head, and he was startled.
Even though she had seen those scenes, she still had some fantasy in her heart, but these words from Minister Xie completely shattered her fantasy.
It also pushed her hatred for the queen to its peak.
She had never admitted that she was responsible for the Huangshaling incident, but Minister Xie confirmed it right away, and what he wanted her to explain was identifying Yu Zhengde.
Once she is told, she will no longer have any value in living.
"You are so cruel." Liu He smiled bitterly.
She plotted against many people and did many bad things, but she considered herself loyal to the queen.
But the queen regarded her life as worthless.
She bit her mouth tightly.
"Liu He, tell me the truth, who ordered you to do all this?" Minister Xie frowned, looking displeased.
He had just received news from the Queen that he had to quickly obtain Liu He's testimony identifying Yu Zhengde, otherwise trouble might arise.
However, Liu He remained silent and just stared at him coldly.
"Punishment."
Xie Shen was anxious, and impatience appeared in his eyes.
He had just found out that the Huangshaling incident was actually done by the Queen. The Queen was his sister, a daughter of the Xie family. The Xie family and she shared the same fate.
What's more, if the Queen is implicated in this matter, it will not be good for the Prince either.
As soon as Minister Xie gave the order, officers came forward with torture instruments.
"Wait."
Shi Yu, supported by Dong Zang, entered the interrogation room. He looked at Xie Shen and said, "Sir Xie, we have discovered 50,000 taels of silver given to the Wu family by the people of Beiling. This is irrefutable evidence that the Wu family is a traitor.
This matter has infuriated Heaven and Man. I have asked the Marquis of Anyuan and the Junior Secretary of the Dali Temple to submit a petition to His Majesty, requesting that Liu He be tried in public to appease the public anger. Please remain calm and await His Majesty's orders."
After receiving the letter from the Queen, Xie Shen rushed to the Ministry of Justice. He was unaware of the discovery of the 50,000 taels of silver. He immediately looked at his personal attendant who wanted to stop Shi Yu but failed.
Seeing the attendant nodded.
He suddenly felt something was wrong, and when he came to the Ministry of Justice, he instructed someone to go to the emperor to impeach Yu Zhengde on the grounds that he had accepted money from the people of Beiling.
Combined with Liu He's testimony, the Huangshaling incident would be pinned on Yu Zhengde.
Now that the silver in Beiling has been discovered, it is impossible to throw dirty water on Yu Zhengde.
He twisted the written testimony in his sleeve. He had originally intended to sign it after Liu He tortured him. Now that Prince Rong was involved, how could he be forced to confess?
His eyes darkened. "I understand that Your Highness and General Wei have a deep brotherly bond. I will definitely find the person who truly harmed General Wei. Your Highness, rest assured."
He sighed again and said with pity, "My cousin is not in good health. This prison is not a good place. If your condition gets serious, the Queen Mother will blame my cousin for not taking good care of you.
My cousin, please go back first. I will inform you of the results as soon as I get them."
He tried to play the emotional card to coax Shi Yu away, and also to remind Shi Yu that he was the Queen Mother's son, the Queen Mother was a member of the Xie family, and they should be a family.
"It's okay. I have a clear mind and am not afraid of evil spirits." Shi Yu found a chair and sat down, "If Master Xie really cares about me, you can take the person out.
He will eventually be tried in public; it's only a matter of time. Quite a few people are already gathered outside, waiting."
"Your Highness, trying a case is no joke." Seeing that he showed no mercy to him, Xie Shen's face turned cold.
But he was extremely anxious, thinking about how to get rid of Shi Yu, the plague god.
But how could Shi Yu let him have his wish? He saw with his own eyes Wei Qingyan busying around and creating the current situation. How could he relax for even a moment?
Therefore, no matter how hard Xie Shen tried, Shi Yu just lazily leaned on the chair without even lifting his eyelids.
Until Du Xueyi and Gong Mingcheng came with the emperor's decree.
Also coming along was the current crown prince, Shi Mingxi.
Xie Shen had no other choice but to take the man to the lobby outside with a sullen face and interrogate him in public.
The prince had the same gloomy face as him. He didn't like the emperor being oppressed by Shi Yu and the people.
In his view, imperial power is supreme, his father is the Son of Heaven, and the authority of the Son of Heaven is sacred and inviolable. How can he be coerced by others?
He glanced coldly at the crowd around him with his half-closed eyes, which was chilling.
When he heard Liu He say that the real mastermind behind the Huangshaling incident was the Queen, the murderous intent in his eyes became real, and he clenched his fists and shouted, "Stop talking nonsense."
Liu He had already spoken, and there was no way back. He shouted, "It was the Queen who used the lives of my children to threaten us to obey her orders. When I was imprisoned, she also used the lives of my children to threaten me to bite the Minister of Revenue, Yu Zhengde.
This matter was carried out by my wife and I, following orders. My children were not involved and do not know the inside story. If anything happens to them, it will be the Queen's fault."
She knew she had no chance of survival and only hoped these words could save her children.
She shouted to the sky again, "Your Majesty, the Queen's evil deeds are far more than this. Back then, Concubine Shu of the Eastern Palace and her two children were also killed by the Queen. I know where the children are. Please allow me to enter the palace and tell you in person..."
Before she could finish her words, a pair of slender, cold white hands grabbed her neck and asked in a trembling voice, "Where is the child?"
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