News of Yan Guoan’s death spread rapidly throughout the capital.

Countless officials were shocked.

Unjustly killing a high official was hardly the act of a benevolent ruler! Now that the empire was unified and on the path to great governance, His Majesty had started wielding the knife against important ministers before things had even settled down.

Using the knife was one thing, but at least give a reason!

Was dissatisfaction with district management reason enough for execution?

Such natural disasters happened everywhere, so why kill only Yan Guoan?

The officials were furious, shocked, and panicked. If His Majesty had followed legal procedures to execute someone, they might not have reacted so strongly. But now His Majesty was recklessly killing whoever he pleased. If the blade fell on their own necks in the future, would anyone speak up for them?

In their anger, the crowd quickly identified a suspect: Fang Zheng.

There was only one possibility for His Majesty’s unjust execution of Yan Guoan – Fang Zheng must have been behind it.

Everyone at court knew of the long-standing grudge between the two. Who could have imagined that this young man could be so vicious!

If the Crown Prince were to ascend the throne one day, wouldn’t Fang Zheng be able to target anyone he wanted?

…

The next day at court, Emperor Jing sat high on the dragon throne.

Below, a large group of officials knelt, with quite a few standing scattered about.

Those standing were mostly senior ministers and Cabinet Elders who knew the inside story. Those kneeling were mainly from the Hanlin Academy.

At the forefront was Hanlin Scholar Yang Yingcai.

Kneeling on the ground, his face flushed with emotion, he said, “Why did Your Majesty unjustly execute Yan Guoan? Are there villains by your side constantly offering slanderous counsel?”

“This is a matter of great importance. If there isn’t a reasonable explanation, I fear scholars across the empire will lose heart!”

“Then, students throughout the land will become disaffected. This is not a blessing for the nation!”

“All one hundred and twenty members of the Hanlin Academy are kneeling outside the palace gates, imploring Your Majesty to consider carefully!”

“When slander is heeded and loyal ministers are dismissed, if Your Majesty cannot embrace worthy officials and distance yourself from villains, we are willing to kneel before Your Majesty indefinitely!”

Li Yansong and others sighed continuously. They had already discussed this privately, but some people just wouldn’t listen.

Yan Guoan had already shown signs of becoming the new generation’s leader in the Hanlin Academy. He had broad connections and profound knowledge.

Many were willing to follow him, so quite a few Hanlin Academy members harbored ill feelings towards Fang Zheng.

Especially the younger generation, full of passion, firmly believed that Fang Zheng had used slander to bewitch His Majesty.

He hadn’t expected the backlash to come so quickly…

Guo Tianyang watched this group expressionlessly, feeling great disdain.

The lower ranks of the court had been changing rapidly in recent years, and many people didn’t know His Majesty’s methods. They had truly become fools from too much studying, not knowing whose hand held the knife!

Emperor Jing looked at those below with amusement, seeing many still kneeling outside the hall.

Then he spoke, “So… who is this villain you speak of?”

“The villain is Fang Zheng!”

Yang Yingcai didn’t speak, but a Hanlin scholar at the back of the group stood up.

Emperor Jing glanced at him, then suddenly noticed someone standing beside him. Curious, he asked, “Oh? Why aren’t you kneeling?”

The standing man was Hanlin Editor Yang Fengfan.

Yang Fengfan straightened his expression and respectfully said, “In response to Your Majesty, this subject believes Your Majesty has keen insight and no villains by your side. Your Majesty’s actions surely have their reasons.”

Emperor Jing smiled. This was a true villain – a traitor had emerged from the Hanlin Academy. Interesting.

Fang Zheng also curiously looked back, only to see Yang Fengfan winking and making faces at him.

Ever since cozying up to Fang Zheng, Yang Fengfan had become a pariah in the Hanlin Academy, shunned by his colleagues daily.

But he was thick-skinned. As long as he clung to Fang Zheng’s leg, his future was still bright.

He didn’t care about being called a villain or not. Yang Fengfan had figured it out – His Majesty favored Fang Zheng, so following and flattering Fang Zheng was surely the right move!

“Minister Fang, they’re all calling you a villain. What do you think?”

Fang Zheng was already cursing up a storm in his mind.

His Majesty was truly an expert at stirring up trouble. He hadn’t wanted Yan Guoan to die either, but now he was suddenly saddled with this huge black pot. There was no way to salvage his reputation after this!

He looked up to see Li Yuanzhao winking at him, and angrily said, “This subject is not a villain. I think Lord Yang, despite his age, is quite the pushover!”

“???”

A pushover? For a moment, the court was bewildered by his meaning.

After thinking for a while, they understood. Many people kneeling on the ground started shaking with suppressed laughter.

Yang Yingcai’s face turned red, his eyes wide with hatred as he glared at Fang Zheng.

You make lewd jokes in court, and you claim you’re not a villain?!

Emperor Jing’s eyes widened, “Stop talking nonsense!”

“Lord Yang, how long do you all plan to kneel?”

“If Your Majesty cannot embrace worthy officials and distance yourself from villains, we will kneel before Your Majesty indefinitely!”

Fang Zheng was pondering whether he should change his name to Fang Worthyofficial when he looked up and saw Emperor Jing’s cold smile. His spirits immediately lifted.

Seeing His Majesty’s expression, it was clear he wouldn’t compromise. Who knew what he had planned next.

Emperor Jing spoke, “Very well. Since you gentlemen are so willing to kneel, then kneel you shall.”

“If you get hungry, I will have the imperial kitchen send food to you!”

I’ll add some laxatives to it too! Emperor Jing thought to himself.

Fang Zheng’s excitement began to build. These curs dared to target him? If he didn’t retaliate, he wouldn’t be Fang Zheng! he thought to himself.

Since he had already offended them thoroughly, he might as well go all out!

As Fang Zheng was considering how to deal with these people, Yang Yingcai spoke up.

His voice was extremely sorrowful: “We are willing to remonstrate to the death!”

“Remonstrate to the death?” Emperor Jing stood up, looking down at the officials. “You speak of the empire when you open your mouths and close them, but have you ever truly considered the common people?”

“People like Yan Guoan, I will execute without hesitation whenever I encounter them.”

“Now that you’re willing to stand up for him, I have no objections. If you want to kneel, then kneel. This empire won’t fall apart without any of you.”

“It’s a good opportunity for me to see the integrity and courage of my officials. Court dismissed!”

With these words, many people below immediately wavered!

They had come to make trouble, but they hadn’t planned on kneeling forever! Kneeling for an hour would be the death of them!

How could they back down now?

Yang Yingcai was in despair. He wasn’t afraid of kneeling, but he feared Emperor Jing’s attitude.

If things continued like this, the country would be ruined!

Just as Emperor Jing was about to leave, Fang Zheng stepped forward and said loudly, “Your Majesty, please wait!”

“Oh? You have something else to say?”

Fang Zheng said solemnly, “Your Majesty, kneeling like this will cost lives!”

“The ministers in court are all pillars of the state. If problems arise because of this, wouldn’t it affect the livelihood of people across the empire?”

Many people raised their heads in surprise, looking at Fang Zheng curiously.

What was going on? His Majesty hadn’t yielded, but his lapdog had turned on him first? There might be hope!

Emperor Jing was unusually disappointed to hear Fang Zheng opposing him.

Frowning, he said, “What do you mean? Are you saying I’m wrong?”

Fang Zheng respectfully said, “Your subject doesn’t mean that! Your subject means that kneeling on the ground is too grueling.”

“I humbly suggest we relocate these scholars to Dengjin District. The water there is of excellent quality and highly buoyant. Kneeling in such conditions would be far less strenuous!”

Instantly, all the Hanlin scholars widened their eyes, staring at him.

Fang Zheng, you son of a bitch!