“Speak if you have matters to present, otherwise, the court is dismissed!”

The grand assembly in the Taihe Hall.

Today, there are over two hundred capital officials attending court, each with a solemn expression, their eyes revealing nothing.

The Pseudo-Yan King has been defeated.

Not only was his army crushed, but he himself was captured alive and brought back to the Capital City.

And today, on this day of the Great Court, the matter of how to deal with the Pseudo-Yan King is to be discussed.

At the sharp voice of Liu Cheng’en, Cui Jinghao was the first to step forward:

“Your Majesty, the Pseudo-Yan King declared himself king, slaughtered his brothers, privately forged armor, left his feudal land without permission, committed treason, showed great disrespect, among thirty-seven charges.”

“I request the execution of the King of Yan!”

“I request the execution of the King of Yan!”

“I request the execution of the King of Yan!”

A wave of calls echoed, with over two hundred officials in the court loudly demanding the execution of the King of Yan, their voices reaching beyond the palace walls.

Zheng Yi said calmly: “Bring in the Pseudo-Yan King, Zheng Yuantao!”

“Bring in the Pseudo-Yan King, Zheng Yuantao!”

“Bring in the Pseudo-Yan King, Zheng Yuantao…”

Quickly, under the transmission of the eunuchs, the Pseudo-Yan King Zheng Yuantao was led into the hall by six Imperial Guards.

At this moment, he was still wearing the Python Robe, his eyes bright, his face calm.

As if today’s discussion was not about his fate, but rather a mere audience with the Emperor.

Looking at the Pseudo-Yan King Zheng Yuantao standing below the hall, Zheng Yi felt no emotion in his heart.

Zheng Yuantao?

What relation is there to him?

Today is merely going through the motions.

To maintain the stability of the Royal Family, the face of Great Yu, and the stability of the Imperial Court, it is highly unlikely that Zheng Yuantao will die.

However, his advisors, subordinates, and even other relatives, will undoubtedly perish!

“Zheng Yuantao.”

Zheng Yi spoke: “Do you have anything to say?”

Zheng Yuantao’s eyes suddenly brightened, and he shouted: “Zheng Yuanluo, there’s no need to pretend, does the world really not know how King Tang died?”

“I stand here today, merely a case of victor and vanquished.”

“If you want to kill, then kill me. If I frown, I am not a descendant of the Zheng Clan!”

“Audacious!”

Before Zheng Yi could speak, Cui Jinghao suddenly stepped forward: “King Tang’s treason, Your Majesty’s exile of him to Nanyue County, was already a great kindness.”

“He was attacked by rioters halfway and died at their hands. What does that have to do with Your Majesty?”

“Rioters?”

Zheng Yuantao sneered: “Are there rioters who can control a Bed Crossbow? Show me one if you can!”

“You…!”

“Ha!”

Zheng Yuantao glared at Cui Jinghao, sneering: “Cui Jinghao, the Thousand-year Purple Ginseng I gave you works well, doesn’t it? I heard you could handle three women at night, thanks to those ten pieces of Thousand-year Purple Ginseng from me!”

Cui Jinghao’s face changed drastically, quickly saying: “What Thousand-year Purple Ginseng, I have never seen it, stop slandering me!”

“Hahahaha, hahahaha…”

Zheng Yuantao suddenly laughed, surveying the surrounding officials, sneering: “With such an Imperial Court, with such officials, how does Great Yu have the face to meet the former Emperors?”

“Zheng Yuanluo, this throne of the Emperor originally belonged to my Yan King’s line, it is you who are the rebels!”

“Audacious!”

“Traitors, fit to be executed by all!”

“Someone, quickly seal his mouth!”

Many courtiers were furious again, cursing loudly at Zheng Yuantao.

And Zheng Yuantao was not conceding, continuously retorting to the courtiers.

“All of you have received gifts from this king, which shows you are also traitors to the country!”

“You! Do you remember the Thousand-mile Dragon-Scale Horse I gifted you?”

“And you, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue! Ten East Pearls I gifted you, treasures even Zheng Yuanluo didn’t have!”

“And you… Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice! Can you appreciate the ancestral court painting I gifted you?”

“You! Central City Military Department! The Beauty of Wu Country in your private residence, is she still charming?”

Through biting words, many courtiers were left speechless, none daring to confront him further.

Only a few officials continued to glare angrily at Zheng Yuantao, arguing loudly.

But those who accepted bribes such as beauties, money, steeds, and antiques from Zheng Yuantao were trembling with fear, not daring to confront him.

Many were even kneeling on the ground, trembling.

For example, the Commander of the Central City Military Department, Zhao Jingyi!

He accepted a beauty of the Wu Country!

At the low end, it’s merely bribery.

To the high end, hiding a woman of the Wu Country is a crime akin to treason!

After a full tea’s time, Zheng Yuantao was still at ease, as if he wasn’t there to face justice, but to debate.

Many courtiers were rendered speechless by his debates.

The reason was simple.

Among the many courtiers of the entire Imperial Court, at least seventy percent had accepted bribes from him!

Some returned them, but others held onto them secretly.

At this moment, Lu Xiangqing suddenly approached Zheng Yuantao, smiling faintly: “Heir of King Yan, Old Chen did not accept your bribes.”

“Oh?”

Zheng Yuantao retorted: “What insight does Elder Lu have?”

“What you did today, is just because you’re discontent, am I right?”

Zheng Yuantao’s eyes suddenly changed, then he angrily cursed: “Of course!”

“This king commands tens of thousands of subjects in Yan Land, with two thousand Dragon Cavalry and eighty thousand infantry, such strength is enough to compete for the Central Plains.”

“Who would have thought, crushed by the bizarre Immortal Treasures under Zheng Yuanluo’s command… This result, how could I accept it!”

“With such courtiers, with such an Emperor, how can they rule as the Lord of Great Yu!”

“Hmph!”

Lu Xiangqing coldly declared: “The throne is ordained by Heaven, with the protection of the Immortal Gods, and that Celestial Thunder that destroyed your rebels was also Heaven’s decree!”

“As a descendant of the Zheng Clan, instead of defending the homeland and resisting the Alien Race, you engage in fratricide, what face do you have to meet your ancestors?”

“What you’ve done, how does it differ from beasts, and how do you plan to rule this world!”

“You…!”

Zheng Yuantao glared at Lu Xiangqing, but could not rebut.

He indeed sent gifts to Lu Xiangqing, but they were thrown out along with the person.

This person was impervious to bribery, intent only on a lifetime of integrity!

He committed fratricide, which many witnessed.

This alone was irrefutable.

Zheng Yuantao glared at Lu Xiangqing, taking a deep breath: “I won’t engage in a war of words with you.”

“Zheng Yuanluo, don’t you want a reputation for virtue and wisdom, then come kill me as I stand here!”

“Hahaha…”

“Moreover! I have in my possession a ledger, detailing the bribes my father and I have given to various prominent courtiers over the years.”

“The number of people and the amount of money will surely startle you!”

“Moreover… I have over a hundred letters from influential ministers in the court, some of which show a willingness to pledge allegiance to me.”

“Zheng Yuanluo! Those letters and ledgers must have almost been found by the Embroidered Uniform Guard under your command.”

“So, do you dare to kill me? Do you dare?!”

“Hahaha…”

Zheng Yuantao laughed heartily, while the entire Imperial Court fell into a solemn silence, with no one daring to speak.

Some people were drenched in sweat, while others had pale faces and vacant eyes.

Some courtiers were so frightened that their legs went weak, causing them to collapse directly onto the ground.

Seeing this, Zheng Yuantao’s eyes brimmed with disdain.

At that moment, Cui Jinghao suddenly stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty.”

“This minister is advanced in age and lacking in energy, and I humbly request to retire.”

“Wow…!”

As soon as Cui Jinghao finished speaking, many courtiers began to murmur in low voices, like a bustling marketplace.

“What is Elder Cui doing? Why is he asking to retire now?”

“Shh, could it be that Elder Cui has also accepted gifts from the Pseudo-Yan…”

“Didn’t you hear? The Pseudo-Yan King gave Elder Cui ten pieces of Thousand-year Purple Ginseng!”

“No wonder I heard a few days ago that Elder Cui took a twenty-first concubine…”

“Hiss…”

Amidst the numerous discussions, Zheng Yi watched the courtiers with great interest.

Beasts in human clothing?

Beast-hearted humans?

Such terms are not sufficient to describe this group.

The whole court seemed like a grand drama, where different actors took turns on the stage.

And in today’s drama, Zheng Yuantao was undoubtedly the main character.

The villains, naturally, were the courtiers who accepted his bribes.

For instance, Cui Jinghao.

As for his own role?

A spectator?

Or the director?

After thinking for a moment, Zheng Yi spoke, “Elder Cui, your experience will be of great help to me in addressing deficiencies and assisting in governing the nation.”

“There’s no need to speak further of retirement.”

“Your Majesty…”

Cui Jinghao wanted to say more but was interrupted by Zheng Yi:

“Summon the Embroidered Uniform Guard!”

“Summon the Embroidered Uniform Guard!”

Soon, several weary-looking Embroidered Uniform Guards walked in briskly.

Zheng Yi asked, “Have you found any secret letters or ledgers?”

The Embroidered Uniform Guards exchanged looks, and the lead guard responded earnestly, “Your Majesty is truly wise beyond compare. Indeed, we have just acquired a ledger and several dozen secret letters.”

“However, it wasn’t us who found them. They were voluntarily handed over by a concubine of the Pseudo-Yan King.”

“Hmph…”

Zheng Yuantao sneered, “If it weren’t for my arrangements, do you think you would have been able to find what I hid? Such folly!”

“Enough, bring the ledger and letters here!”

“Yes!”

The guards stepped forward and soon placed a thick blue-covered ledger before Zheng Yi and the other courtiers.

Along with several dozen secret letters!

The seals on these letters were visibly torn open, indicating that their contents had already been viewed.

The watching courtiers instinctively swallowed hard at the sight of these ledgers and letters.

If these documents were seen by His Majesty, they would be doomed!

The best outcome would be exile, or even execution of their entire families!

Zheng Yi rose and approached these pieces of evidence with interest, pacing back and forth.

Zheng Yuantao’s eyes were full of ridicule, intending today to unmask Zheng Yuanluo’s hypocrisy!

How will you handle the betrayal by so many courtiers?

With that thought, Zheng Yuantao felt a thrill of excitement.

I lost.

But don’t think you can have it easy!

Looking at the pile of ledgers and letters, Zheng Yi’s gaze slowly moved to the many courtiers.

Some trembled with nervousness, others were ashen-faced, some were sweating profusely, while others watched coldly.

Particularly, Cui Jinghao’s eyes were filled with regret, anger, and pleading.

But mostly, helplessness.

Zheng Yi’s heart stirred, and he suddenly said, “Liu Cheng’en.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Bring the flint and a fire basin.”

“Yes!”

Soon, a large, half-human-sized fire basin was brought forward.

The attire of the many officials was filled with confusion, not knowing what His Majesty intended.

Some seemed to recall something, their eyes full of excitement and fervor, and they prostrated themselves.

Even Zheng Yuantao seemed to recall something, looking at Zheng Yi in horror.

Zheng Yi turned back two steps, coming to the Dragon Throne, but did not sit.

Instead, he spoke, “My dear loyal ministers, you are all pillars of the nation, and I can discern this in my heart.”

“In the past, none could confidently say they could defeat the power of Pseudo-Yan, myself included.”

“Today, Pseudo-Yan seeks to use these letters to sow discord between me and my loyal ministers, a scheme that must be thwarted!”

“Thus, today, I shall burn these ledgers and letters to ashes to ease your hearts.”

As soon as he finished speaking, dozens of courtiers, unable to hold themselves any longer, kneeled down, shouting, “Your Majesty is wise!”

The other courtiers followed suit, kneeling and shouting, “Your Majesty is wise!”

With a single glance from Zheng Yi, Liu Cheng’en hurriedly opened the flint, igniting all the ledgers and letters.

Amidst the dancing flames, Zheng Yi’s voice sounded again: “From today onwards, I hope that my loyal ministers will dedicate themselves completely to protecting Great Yu and governing the nation.”

“Should I discover anyone committing further misdeeds, they shall not be spared lightly!”

“Your Majesty is wise!”

“Your Majesty is wise!”

“Your Majesty is wise!”

Amid the resounding acclamations, Zheng Yuantao collapsed softly to the ground, his eyes full of despair.

“I… lost!”

At this moment, Zheng Yi’s gaze suddenly caught sight of a little eunuch rushing over, nearly colliding with the Imperial Guard, who quickly stopped him.

Zheng Yi’s eyes shifted; could this person be… from the Shadow Guard?

Could it be… trouble in the Harem?

Zheng Yi immediately said, “The Pseudo-Yan King’s treason is to be held under the custody of the Imperial Clan Court and dealt with according to instructions.”

“Without my command, no one is allowed to visit.”

“Yes!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep