"Your Majesty, Lord Wei would never embezzle military pay, Your Majesty!" Xu Wei kowtowed continuously. "Your Majesty is wise. He attacked Hetao to recover lost territory, and now he is old and died on the battlefield. He sacrificed his life for his country. You must not slander him like this, Your Majesty! I will never participate in the embezzlement of military pay!" His voice became hoarse.
"I'm not stupid. He's been corrupt for a long time, and there's solid evidence. I've heard about your correspondence with him. I'm sick of people like you!" The emperor stood up, his voice filled with anger. "You still want to be reinstated? Take him away and throw him in death row! Imperial Household Department, take your pens and draft an imperial edict!"
It is a taboo for civil officials to make private friends with military officers on the border, not to mention that it involves embezzlement of military pay.
The emperor was furious, and several people knelt down to plead for Xu Wei. How could Xu Wei possibly have conspired to embezzle military funds?
The emperor became even angrier and punished several people with beatings or salary reductions.
Wang Yuan stood there quietly without saying a word.
Xu Wei's constant petty actions were enough, but last time he had even directly remonstrated with Wang Yuan, indicating his intention to eliminate him. Luo Shenyuan knew from the handwriting that it came from the Liaodong Provincial Governor, one of Wang Yuan's trusted aides, and framing others was Wang Yuan's specialty. Knowing that Xu Wei had provoked Wang Yuan this time, and that the corruption was definitely Wang Yuan's doing, many of the court's political factions cast cold glances at him.
Although the emperor punished those who pleaded with him by forcing them to kneel and beating them with a stick, the thought of Zhou Shuqun's death and Xu Wei's frame-up infuriated all those with courage in the court. One after another, the six secretaries knelt down to plead for mercy, with Yang Ling leading the way.
There were calls everywhere, and there were very few Qingliu Party members who refused to kneel. Among them, Luo Shenyuan stood in the second row and was very conspicuous.
Luo Shenyuan closed his eyes. He knew many people were looking at him.
His eyes were even filled with surprise and doubt. After all, he was Xu Wei's favorite disciple and the most influential person in the Qingliu Party.
He would definitely anger the emperor, so he would not kneel. He thought of how Wang Yuan had used him, and how hoarse his voice had been just now, and he didn't know what to feel.
The emperor laughed. "Alright, alright. Everyone who kneels today will go to the Meridian Gate and receive ten strokes of the cane. Anyone who pleads again will receive another ten strokes of the cane! No promotion for life!"
After he finished speaking, he threw the book down and left. Only then did the Imperial Household Department perform the ceremony to dismiss the court.
Luo Shenyuan slowly descended the steps of the imperial palace. Many people were being led to the Meridian Gate for beatings. The biting north wind was incredibly cold. Wang Yuan walked ahead, waiting for a long time.
"Lord Luo." Wang Yuan turned around and looked at him, smiling, "Why don't you plead for your teacher?"
"The facts are unclear, so I dare not speak rashly." Luo Shenyuan said.
"Lord Luo is a wise man." Wang Yuan narrowed his eyes. Many people surrounded him. "Talking to a wise man is the easiest. I admire Lord Luo's caution."
"Thank you, Lord Wang, for your appreciation."
Luo Shenyuan knew that Wang Yuan was showing goodwill to him. Those who obeyed deserved this goodwill, and even some rewards. If Luo Shenyuan surrendered to him at this time, Wang Yuan would express great goodwill and sincerity, which would be a signal to the Qingliu Party.
Wang Yuan left after saying this. The upright officials who passed by Luo Shenyuan looked at him with complicated, even cold, expressions. Everyone knew he was Xu Wei's favorite student, promoted through exceptional means, rising to the position of Minister of Works in just a few years. He was now a pillar of the Qing school.
Xu Wei was about to die, and as the backbone of the Qing School, he didn't even plead for his teacher? Instead, he acted indifferent as if nothing had happened and spoke to Wang Yuan. This guy was really cold!
Luo Shenyuan said nothing and went back to the mansion.
The snow had started to fall again, so heavy it broke the branches of trees. As soon as he got off the carriage, Yang Ling caught up with him.
"Luo Shenyuan——"
Luo Shenyuan turned around and saw Yang Ling, who had just returned from the Meridian Gate. His face was ashen as a livid color as he walked towards him.
"Teacher got into trouble and was put on death row. Everyone knelt down to plead for him, but you remained unmoved. You know how well he treated you!" Yang Ling couldn't help but think of Xu Wei's usual kind smile. "Are you so afraid of having your power taken away? All the kindness he showed you went to waste! And you're still talking to that bastard Wang Yuan!"
Luo Shenyuan seemed to have no reaction. He gathered his cloak and continued walking towards the mansion.
Seeing him like this, Yang Ling grabbed him and continued, "I'm not as hard-hearted as you, Lord Luo. My teacher has been kind to me, and I know how to repay the kindness. I've come here today to tell Lord Luo that if he chooses Lord Wang and climbs up the social ladder, we are naturally not worthy of his association."
Luo Shenyuan was held back by him, unable to move. He silently watched the heavy snow falling from the inky sky. Yang Ling was angry, but what was he angry about? Everyone had the right to be angry, but not him.
"You are so heartless and ungrateful, you're a perfect match for that bastard!"
When Luo Shenyuan heard this, he turned around abruptly and sneered: "Between us, you are still the stupid one!"
"Do you think Xu Wei treats me well? How well?" Luo Shenyuan pressed him. "If he treated me well, would he allow me to be in the spotlight, framed and suppressed? If he really treated me well, would he be on guard against me? Yang Ling, think about how he treats you."
Yang Ling was stunned by his question.
"You clearly possess the talent to be the top scholar, yet he placed you in the second-best class and personally accepted you as his student, precisely because he wanted to keep others from noticing you. He assigned you to the position of Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, protecting you under his wing. Finally, he arranged for you to become the Director of the Imperial College, hoping that you would have students all over the country and a successful career. Is that right?"
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