The prince is more stable

Chapter 532: Escape from Prison
Thanks to Liu Dan's hard work overtime, confessions of more than 30 criminal officials including Liu Xianzhen were produced one after another.

The fact is just as Liu Dan said. As long as he wants, he can get a confession from anyone. This guy has been in charge of Bingjingwu for many years and has been firmly sitting on the position of the most perverted person in Bingjingwu. He is indeed capable. His boss Zhao Xiaoqian had to write a big "admiration" to him.

Zhang Dun sent people to urgently deliver the confessions of more than 30 criminal officials to Yanfu Palace.

Also sent along was a joint memorial from Zhang Dun and the heads of the three judicial departments, which gave a detailed description of the causes and consequences of the case and the actions of the criminals, with every detail being detailed.

In addition, there were the confessions of 42 criminal officials including Han Wei, the evidence of atrocities against the people and seizure of fertile farmland sent from Zhending Prefecture, and the joint letter from officials, gentry and landlords of the nine counties under the jurisdiction of Zhending Prefecture.

At this point, the entire chain of evidence in this case has been complete, and it is consistent and completely fixed. It has become an ironclad case that cannot be reversed even by the Jade Emperor.

In Yanfu Palace, Zhao Xu's face turned pale as he read the confessions of Liu Xianzhen and others, and he became more and more angry.

Zhao Xu slammed the table and threw the confession in his hand out fiercely. A pile of confessions fluttered in the palace like flowers scattered by a fairy.

"Liu Xianzhen, Chen Huan, Qiao Rongzhi...damn it!" Zhao Xu said through gritted teeth.

The case has been proven, and it is settled. The occupation of land is one thing, but what is excessive is that more than 400 lives were lost.

For personal gain, people can be so cruel and crazy. Are these people still the moral gentlemen who studied the books of sages in the past?

They read the books of sages, took exams on the books of sages, and achieved success and fame, but in the end they became the enemies of the sages and the demons in the world. If such people were allowed to live, how would Zhao Xu explain to the people of the world?

Outside the Funing Palace, Zheng Chunhe stood outside the palace door and looked carefully. Seeing that Zhao Xu's face was ashen and he was obviously furious, Zheng Chunhe tactfully retracted his head and did not dare to enter the palace.

But Zhao Xu, in his rage, still spotted him and said unhappily, "What are you doing sneaking around? Get in!"

Zheng Chunhe hurried into the hall and stood nervously in front of Zhao Xu.

"What's the matter?" Zhao Xu asked coldly.

"Your Majesty, Su Zhe, Su Shi, and over thirty officials in the court have jointly submitted a petition requesting that you carefully examine the case of Han Wei and Liu Xianzhen, and especially carefully consider the treatment of Hejian Prince Zhao Xiaoqian. Do not allow meritorious officials to be disgraced and bring hardship to the country."

Su Che and others jointly submitted a memorial, and their words were very subtle, but any discerning person could see that they were pleading for Zhao Xiaoqian.

Zhao Xu's expression softened a bit, and he said coldly, "Do we still need them to plead for Zi'an? I also want to release Zi'an, but it has to be done legitimately, without causing any criticism or giving anyone any grounds for gossip."

Zhao Xu then pointed to the confessions scattered on the ground and said, "Before today, there was no reason, but now there is a reason."

"Liu Xianzhen and the others have confessed everything. Since the case has been confirmed, Zi'an's unauthorized killing of Han Wei and other officials, while unacceptable under the law, is excusable. A light punishment will suffice, and there's no need for a heavy sentence."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Chunhe's fair and beardless face showed joy.

From a personal perspective, Zheng Chunhe certainly stands on Zhao Xiaoqian's side, not to mention the benefits and mansions that the Chu Palace and Zhao Xiaoqian have given him over the past two years.

Just talking about Zhao Xiaoqian, he had no airs towards Zheng Chunhe and was humble, treating him like a friend. This feeling alone was very comfortable. Zheng Chunhe didn't want Zhao Xiaoqian to fall into trouble more than anyone else.

Zheng Chunhe then said happily, "Your Majesty is wise. Your Highness, the Prince of Hejian, has found a wise ruler. I will serve you wholeheartedly and wholeheartedly."

"The emperor has found the assistance of His Highness the Prince, just as Liu Bang found Zhang Xiao in the early Han Dynasty, and Liu Bei found Zhuge Kongming in the late Han Dynasty. With the cooperation of the ruler and his ministers, they can reverse the fate of the nation and establish a stable political system. In the future, they will surely destroy the Liao and conquer the Xia, unify the country, and bring glory to the ancestral temple with their unparalleled achievements."

After hearing such powerful flattery, Zhao Xu couldn't help but smile even though he was angry.

"You old dog, you only know how to pick up nice words to flatter me. Look at your face now, you are a typical treacherous villain." Zhao Xu scolded with a smile.

Zheng Chunhe observed his expression and said carefully, "Your Majesty, the imprisonment of the Prince of Hejian has caused great resentment among the people of Bianjing. From yesterday to today, no fewer than dozens of people in Kaifeng have come to the streets to protest their injustice."

"The common people are all speaking out for the Prince of Hejian. Many are willing to risk being caned by the prefect to speak up for His Highness. It's said that the Kaifeng prefect, Lü Jiawen, is so troubled by this that he's almost driven crazy."

Zhao Xu was stunned. After a long silence, he sighed, "The people's hearts cannot be deceived! When the court is unfair, there will always be people who are willing to stand up for justice."

After a long silence, Zhao Xu suddenly said, "This case must be concluded as soon as possible. We cannot delay any further. Otherwise, if the news spreads to the prefectures and counties of the Song Dynasty, who knows what kind of chaos will arise!"

"Zheng Chunhe, have the Council of State issue an order to display the confessions of the officials implicated in the case, the evidence, and the written affidavits from Zhang Dun and the three judicial officials to all ministries and offices. Order all officials in the capital to take heed of this warning."

After a pause, Zhao Xu's eyes flashed with murderous intent, and his tone gradually grew colder. "Vice-Minister of State Liu Xianzhen, Minister of the Imperial Household Chen Huan, and over thirty other officials implicated in the case will have their crimes made public. They do not need to wait for the autumn execution. In three days, all of them will be beheaded in public. Their property will be confiscated, their relatives will be enslaved, and their descendants will be barred from taking the imperial examinations for three generations."

Zheng Chunhe bowed to receive the order, then hesitated for a moment before asking cautiously, "Your Majesty, where is the Prince of Hejian?"

Zhao Xu glanced at him and said, "How do you think I should deal with Zi'an?"

Zheng Chunhe was shocked and said hurriedly: "I am a eunuch, how dare I interfere in state affairs? I know my crime."

Zhao Xu snorted calmly and said, "Zhao Zi'an's arbitrary killing of Han Wei and 42 other criminal officials was illegal, but it was not wrong. Han Wei and his men had already aroused resentment among the people of Zhending Prefecture. If Zhao Zi'an had not acted promptly, there might have been unrest. Even if Zi'an's handling of the matter was inappropriate, a light punishment would have been sufficient."

"Send down the decree and release Zi'an from the Dali Temple prison. His dismissed position does not need to be reinstated for the time being. We will see how the court reacts."

Zheng Chunhe lowered his head, a subtle flicker of joy on his face. He calmly accepted the order and slowly left the Funing Hall. Inside the Funing Hall, Zhao Xu sat alone in a chair, lost in thought.

As an emperor, he had a clear understanding of the current situation of the Song Dynasty.

The Song Dynasty is now in a very critical period. Through the results of the two Song-Liao Wars, the monarch, his ministers and the people have established military confidence. Now is the time to seize the opportunity and realize Zhao Xu's ideal.

The Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, the destruction of the Liao Dynasty, the pacification of Western Xia, etc., which seemed unattainable in the past, now seem to be within reach. Under such circumstances, Zhao Xu needs to continue to use Zhao Xiaoqian.

It was because of Zhao Xiaoqian's existence that the Song Dynasty was able to turn its fortunes around today.

But right now, such a thing happened. It is undeniable that Zhao Xu's strategic intentions have been delayed by this incident. What he needs to do now is to quickly resolve all the troubles and get the strategy he and Zhao Xiaoqian had originally set back on track.

Zhao Xu had no choice but to decide not to reinstate Zhao Xiaoqian's dismissed position for the time being. He also had to consider the public opinion of the court officials and leave room for maneuver for himself and Zhao Xiaoqian. The attitudes of the prime ministers and envoys in the Council of State and the Privy Council were also very important.

…………

Dali Temple Prison.

Liang Zhui excitedly opened Zhao Xiaoqian's cell door and said with a look of joy, "Your Highness is delighted!"

Zhao Xiaoqian, who was meditating in the cell, was startled when he heard this and blurted out, "Did your wife give birth?"

Liang Zhui's expression froze and his eyes widened in shock.

This amount of information...

Zhao Xiaoqian immediately changed his words: "Sorry, I just had a dream and I didn't come back to my senses."

Liang Zhui shook his head and smiled again, "Your Highness, an imperial decree has arrived from the palace. Liu Xianzhen and more than 30 other criminals have been convicted of crimes. The emperor has issued an order to release them and return them to Your Highness."

"Congratulations, Your Highness, you have finally escaped from your punishment!"

Zhao Xiaoqian's face was very calm. This result was within his expectations. The only surprise was that he had expected that he would have to stay in prison for at least two more days, but he did not expect Zhao Xu to release him so readily.

It seems that both Zhao Xu and Zhang Dun were disgusted by this case and wanted to close the case quickly and put the matter to rest.

Liang Zhui's position was too low, so naturally he didn't understand the thoughts of the bigwigs in the court. He said happily, "Your Highness has long known that he will be able to escape. He has only been temporarily blinded. Fortunately, the emperor is wise and discerning, and can distinguish loyalty from treachery. A meritorious official like Your Highness will definitely not be treated unfairly."

As he spoke, Liang Zhui helped Zhao Xiaoqian pack up the bedding in the cell.

Zhao Xiaoqian's eyelids jumped, and he quickly stopped him: "What are you doing?"

Liang Zhui was stunned and said, "Help His Highness pack his luggage. You have been released..."

"That's not necessary! Do you think I still want these luggage?"

Liang Zhui agreed with what he thought. With Zhao Xiaoqian's pampered nature, how could he possibly want these luggages that had been marinated in the stench of the prison?
Liang Zhui smiled awkwardly and bowed, saying, "Your humble servant respectfully escorts Your Highness out of prison."

Zhao Xiaoqian winked at him. "We've been together for two or three days now. We've developed some feelings for each other, right? Are you so impatient to get rid of me?"

Liang Zhui smiled bitterly and said, "Your Highness, would you like to hear what you are saying? This is a prison, an unlucky place. Do you really want to stay here permanently?"

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed heartily and patted him on the shoulder: "Just kidding, you're a nice guy, let's be friends. Come visit the Prince of Chu's mansion when you have nothing to do, and I'll treat you to good wine and good food."

Liang Zhui bowed with honor: "It is a great honor for me to be considered a friend by Your Highness."

"You're welcome. Friends should help each other. Who knows, if I do something wrong in the future, I might end up in your hands. Then..."

Liang Zhui said hurriedly, "No, no, stop it! Don't dare say that again. It's too unlucky. Pah, pah, pah!"

With the respectful farewell of Liang Zhui and the jailers, Zhao Xiaoqian slowly walked out of the Dali Temple prison.

When he walked outside, the dazzling sunlight made him squint his eyes. It took him a while to adapt. Looking at the lush trees, flowers and plants around him and breathing the fresh air, Zhao Xiaoqian smiled.

"I also have a criminal record, a story, and a past... Just two words to describe me: 'vicissitudes of life'!" Zhao Xiaoqian murmured.

When Zhao Xiaoqian walked out of the main gate of the Dali Temple, he was surprised by the scene outside.

There were huge crowds of people, attracting everyone's attention.

Countless officials and common people gathered in the open space outside the Dali Temple, probably thousands of people. The crowd was silent, and everyone's eyes were focused on Zhao Xiaoqian, staring at him intently.

In front of the crowd, Zhao Hao, Feng Shi, and Di Ying looked at him with tears in their eyes.

(End of this chapter)