Chapter 476 [Posthumously Conferring the Title on King Zhao and Welcoming Back His Widow]
Unable to bear the pressure of being roasted on the fire, Lu Sui signed the receipt form of Yuelai Escort Agency with trembling hands.
A huge amount of silver is right in front of them, but no one dares to have any bad thoughts among so many people. This is the goods of Yuelai Escort Agency, and it is in front of the Dali Temple. Who would be so bold as to touch it?
Zhang Yuan was very enthusiastic and efficient in finding someone to count the silver. After taking inventory of the silver, it was found that it was indeed 300,000 taels. Moreover, the inscription on the silver was exactly the same as the inscription on the batch of military pay that was recorded as "embezzled" by the Zhaoping Marquis Mansion!
Things have developed to this point, and the truth is already on the table.
After clearly listing all the witnesses and evidence, Zhang Yuan, who was responsible for publicizing the case, gave a summary to the onlookers.
"The case of treason in the Zhaoping Marquisate and the case of embezzlement of military funds were all framed by traitors!"
"Zhao Pinghou Mansion is innocent!"
When the people who had been waiting from dawn to afternoon heard the verdict, many of them shed tears of excitement.
"Master Zhang, you are truly a fair and selfless official who speaks up for the people. We will always remember you!"
"Master Zhang, if you make this case public, I don't know how many people you'll offend. You must be very careful!"
Everyone at the scene today has witnessed the efforts made by Zhang Yuan, and the voices of the disabled are heard everywhere.
Zhang Yuan's eyes welled up as he listened to the thanks from the crowd in front of the Dali Temple. He looked towards Linlang Street, his eyes a little lost. He didn't know what his fate would be after the details of this case were made public, but at least now he had a clear conscience, worthy of his master's teachings and the trust and entrustment of the people!
Just as the crowd was dispersing from the west gate, someone suddenly ran all the way to the Dali Temple. He was panting, but he couldn't hide the excitement in his tone: "Master Zhang! The snow on Linlang Street has stopped!"
Zhang Yuan was shocked when he heard the news, then nodded excitedly: "That's great!"
The strange June snow on Linlang Street stopped immediately after the injustice at Zhaoping Marquis Mansion was redressed. There couldn't be a more coincidental thing in the world.
Even those who did not believe in the theory of retribution from ghosts and gods were greatly shocked after hearing the news. They began to believe that this snow was God speaking up for the loyal and good people in the Zhaoping Marquis Mansion!
The news that Marquis Zhaoping's mansion was innocent and the snow on Linlang Street had finally stopped spread like wildfire throughout the capital and then to all parts of Dasheng.
The pressure came to Emperor Qingning.
In the imperial study, Emperor Qingning summoned his confidants, and Zhang Yuan and Xue Wei's father, Grand Tutor Xue, were excluded.
Jiang Lili's father, the Minister of Personnel Jiang Zhoulin, lowered his head and was very nervous. The news that Marquis Zhaoping was innocent had spread, and the evidence was conclusive. The emperor could not come down now. If he wanted to stop the people from talking, he had to restore the innocence of Marquis Zhaoping and bring the widow of Marquis Zhaoping back to the capital to compensate her.
Doesn’t that mean Jiang Lili will come back alive?
Will she make public the fact that she and Jiang Wanyue set her up to lure wolves to kill Marquis Zhaoping?
I originally thought that the Zhaoping Marquis Mansion could not be any darker, but I didn’t expect that Zhaoping Marquis and his two sons were all dead, and there was an inexplicable snowfall to overturn their verdict.
No one expected things to develop to this point.
There are already rumors circulating in Dasheng that Zhaoping Hou Mansion is blessed by God and it is destiny!
There is no way to find out why it is snowing, so there is really only one explanation: it is all God's will.
This was what most upset Emperor Qingning. What was the significance of him, the emperor who was revered as the Son of Heaven?
His face was gloomy, and it was impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry. "What do you think of the reversal of the case at the Marquis of Zhaoping's mansion?"
The Right Prime Minister stroked his beard and stepped forward, saying, "Your Majesty, now that things have come to this, we can only follow public opinion and punish the murderer who framed the Zhaoping Marquisate. We will welcome the Zhaoping Marquisate's widow back to the capital and restore the Zhaoping Marquisate's reputation and clear their name."
"When Marquis Zhaoping and the Crown Prince returned to the capital, didn't Your Majesty issue the imperial edict and token conferring the title of King Zhao on Marquis Zhaoping? However, before the official enthronement, something happened at Marquis Zhaoping's mansion."
The Right Prime Minister took Emperor Qingning's concerns into consideration as he spoke: "After all, the Marquis of Zhaoping and his sons have already perished. Conferring the title of king upon the deceased in the coffin will not affect the political situation. We are doing all this for the outside world to see."
Emperor Qingning's temples throbbed with pain upon hearing this. "Punish the murderer who slandered the Zhaoping Marquis' Mansion? Now the spearhead is pointing at Yao Chengping. Do I have to deal with him, the fierce tiger general guarding the northwest?"
"He and Xue Wei have always been a check and balance between them. If he is dealt with, won't Xue Wei become the only one in the northwest?"
Emperor Qingning was furious. The 300,000 taels of silver were hidden so deep, but Xue Wei actually found them. Moreover, Xue Wei was usually very cautious in everything he did and would report to him in advance. This time, he was really unexpected.
"Xue Wei's direct delivery of 300,000 taels of silver to the capital is truly inappropriate. I find it hard not to suspect he's a remnant of Marquis Zhaoping! This is the day I've been waiting for."
"To be honest, the person to be punished is not Yao Chengping, but Xue Wei!"
"You guys, quickly come up with an excuse to remove Xue Wei from the position of Governor of Northwest China!"
Upon hearing this, the ministers looked at each other in embarrassment. What Xue Wei had done in the northwest was so great that there was nothing wrong with it. As for the emperor's angry gift of silver, in the eyes of the people, it was Xue Wei's timely provision of evidence to clear the name of Marquis Zhaoping's Mansion. It was a manifestation of justice and enthusiasm, and there was nothing wrong with it no matter how you looked at it.
The Right Prime Minister gave a bitter laugh and said, "Your Majesty, if you want to punish Xue Wei, there are many ways to do it in the future, but right now we must resolve the matter of the Marquis of Zhaoping's Mansion. We must quickly silence the people's complaints."
"Given Xue Wei's influence, if he has any ulterior motives and tries to make a fuss about the Marquis of Zhaoping's mansion, things will become increasingly troublesome."
Emperor Qingning was silent for a long time.
Then Zhou Jushan was called over.
"Zhou Jushan, convey my order!"
Zhou Jushan walked into the imperial study slowly and unhurriedly: "Your Majesty, what are your instructions?"
"The Marquis of Zhaoping's mansion was framed by treacherous individuals and suffered injustice for three years. I am deeply distressed and overwhelmed with guilt. I hereby posthumously confer the title of First Rank Zhao Wang on Xin Chong, Marquis of Zhaoping, second only to the Regent. I also posthumously confer the title of Crown Prince of Zhao and First Rank General, and posthumously confer the title of Second Rank Grand Protector General on Xin Cheng."
Emperor Qingning suppressed his dissatisfaction and comforted himself as he said that it was a posthumous title for a dead person, so all he needed to do was build a better tomb for him and add some burial objects.
"Renovate the Marquis Zhaoping Mansion according to the highest royal palace regulations."
"We have chosen the nearest auspicious day and have sent a First-Rank Prince's procession to Haizhou Island to bring back the coffins of Prince Zhao and his son, as well as Prince Zhao's widow."
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