As the incense stick burned out, Jiang Yu once again entered the imperial prison.
This time, the prison was completely silent.
Since the prisoners in the dungeon were all unarmed and had nothing to kill, Jiang Yu was still a little curious about how they would kill Old Madam Fan.
But when she saw the state of Madam Fan's death with her own eyes, Jiang Yu still subconsciously raised her eyebrows.
The bloodstains on the wall were clearly visible. It was obvious that Madam Fan would not have deliberately run into the wall. Madam Fan's hands were trembling, and Wenchangbo's face was also pale. He and Madam Fan had just dragged Madam Fan and slammed her against the wall.
It took three collisions before Old Madam Fan finally breathed her last.
“Mother is dead. You said... you would spare our lives.” Wenchangbo pleaded with his eyes, “You can’t go back on your word.”
"Of course I will not go back on my word."
Jiang Yu glanced at the lifeless Madam Fan. She had been killed by the child she had raised. She wondered what it must have felt like to die.
She loved watching dramas of family members killing each other.
"You may be spared the death penalty, but you can't escape punishment." Jiang Yu turned her back and curled the corners of her lips. "I've already thought of a place for you to go."
How could she possibly let the Fan family have an easy time?
A few days later, news broke that Madam Fan had committed suicide by hitting her head against a wall in prison. At the same time, news also broke that the former wife of the Marquis of Dingyuan had been expelled from the Fan family.
In no time, the rumor that Madam Fan died out of guilt spread rapidly among the people.
"Have you heard? When the Empress Dowager heard the news that Old Madam Fan had committed suicide by hitting her head against a wall, she went to the Emperor to plead for the Fan family."
"Could it be that the Empress Dowager intends to pardon the Fan family?" Some people who didn't know the inside story joined in the commotion.
"Where!" A storyteller-like man stood with his hands behind his back. "The Empress Dowager said Fan Feng deserved to die, but she pleaded for the Earl of Wenchang and his wife, and the Emperor decreed that the Earl of Wenchang and his wife be released."
"but--"
The man then changed the subject, saying, "The gates of the Wenchang Earl's Mansion are nailed shut, so food can only be thrown in from the outside. Moreover, Madam Fan's coffin is placed inside the Wenchang Earl's Mansion."
"This is......"
The Wenchang Earl's Mansion should be turned into a tomb.
"The Empress Dowager is kind-hearted. She asked the Earl of Wenchang and his wife to fulfill their filial duties to Old Madam Fan. This should also be an attempt to show filial piety on behalf of the late Lady Dingyuan."
When the rumors circulating among the people reached Jiang Yu's ears, she curled the corners of her lips. She wondered if the couple would be scared out of their wits. Sometimes, death is better than life.
"Mother."
Gu Qingyan's voice rang out, "I have dealt with all those in the court who are connected to the Fan family."
Have they all been processed?
"Cut the weeds and eliminate the roots. Father told me that we cannot give the enemy any chance to rise again." Hearing Gu Qingyan bring up Gu Lin as a cover, Jiang Yu's doubts were dispelled. Gu Lin could indeed say such a thing.
Gu Qingyan breathed a sigh of relief. His mother didn't know that he... had already read her thoughts and knew about the evil deeds the Fan family had committed against her in their past life.
How could he possibly allow anyone connected to the Fan family to have a chance to rise above others?
"A loving mother and filial son, yet blood relatives turn against each other."
Jiang Yu spoke softly, what an ironic scene.
......
With the conclusion of the imperial examinations, Gu Qingyan selected many talented young people and placed them in important positions within the Daqing officialdom.
What followed was Gu Qingyan's iron-fisted methods, and one corrupt official after another fell from power. Qin Wei personally led Gu Lin's imperial guards to search and confiscate the property of each household according to the list.
Countless gold and silver treasures were moved into the palace. Some officials who wanted to resist were targeted by Gu Lin and never saw the sun rise the next day.
The court officials also gained a clearer understanding of the new emperor. Behind the new emperor was a force that none of them could afford to offend.
Perhaps they were elite troops left behind by the Marquis of Dingyuan's mansion.
It could also be...
An instinctive fear gripped the Daqing court, and Gu Qingyan swiftly purged the court.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: From this day forward, any official in the court who embezzles more than one hundred taels will be punished, and those who embezzle more than five hundred taels will be executed immediately."
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
The Hall of Supreme Harmony.
“His Majesty’s ruthless methods have left everyone in the court feeling insecure,” Master Meng said softly during a break from teaching Gu Qingyan.
"What instructions do you have for me, Master?"
"It's not so much about giving advice, but rather that a combination of kindness and severity is the best approach." Master Meng looked up at Gu Qingyan. "It's a good thing for the Emperor to establish his authority upon his first ascension to the throne, but he also needs to keep the people's hearts firmly in his grasp."
"What does His Majesty intend to do with the gold and silver confiscated from the corrupt officials' residences?"
"Half of it was put into the national treasury, and the other half was used to prepare granaries and establish schools."
"It seems I was overthinking things." A smile appeared in Master Meng's eyes. He had thought that the Emperor, being young, might not have considered this matter, but he hadn't expected the Emperor to be so thorough.
“A friend told me that low grain prices hurt farmers, and that such a method would only harm the people. It would be better to prepare granaries for unforeseen circumstances.”
Gu Qingyan thought of Gu Lin's earnest face under the candlelight, his face filled with a reverence that even he himself was unaware of: "Children are the future of Daqing. By establishing schools, Daqing will have more talented people in the future."
"Your Majesty's friend is indeed farsighted."
Gu Qingyan nodded. "He is the most capable person I have ever met besides the Empress Dowager."
Only someone like that can be Gu Qingyan's father.
......
Because Jiang He was carrying the coffin, it took him several times longer than usual to reach the outskirts of Lingzhou City.
The gates of Lingzhou were tightly closed. The soldiers patrolling the city wall were so frightened when they saw Jiang He that they hurriedly ran to report. Upon seeing this, Jiang He revealed a long-lost smile, "What a bunch of cowards."
"My lord, when shall we attack the city?"
Hearing Chang Qing's words, a sharp glint flashed in Jiang He's eyes. "Don't attack the city yet. Send someone to shout from the city walls. If they are willing to surrender, I will not go on a killing spree."
Will they surrender?
Chang Qing rubbed his head. How could a soldier accept his fate without fighting on the battlefield?
“Before I came, I didn’t think so,” Jiang He sneered, “but after seeing their cowardly behavior just now, I really can’t say for sure.”
"This humble general understands; Your Excellency is trying to win hearts and minds."
Chang Qing scurried to the foot of Lingzhou city wall, clearly ready to take the lead himself.
"I am Chang Qing."
He opened his mouth with a strong and energetic voice, introducing himself.
"Your damned emperor should all remember me." Chang Qing straightened his back, exuding utter arrogance. "Our Marquis said that if you surrender immediately, we will forgive and forget. Otherwise... you know the consequences yourself."
"I don't have much patience left. By noon tomorrow at the latest."
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