If you're made a fake emperor, why did you change the country's name?

Prime Minister Gan looked regretful and pretended to reminisce.

"A few days ago, I saw Minister Dong leading a large contingent of soldiers west of the city on the road, and I asked him about it."

Upon inquiry, it was learned that Minister Dong had discovered a human trafficking den and intended to rescue these poor children with his soldiers before sending them to the Prefectural Magistrate.

Prime Minister Gan turned to look at the civil officials in the crowd.

"Right? Lord Sun?"

A civil official in a blue robe was stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening.

"Ah...yes, yes, that's exactly right!"

Lord Sun nodded repeatedly, speaking with certainty:

"At that time, Minister Dong told me that he would send it over in the next two days. I was wondering why it hadn't been sent over yet. Now I see that it was temporarily placed at home for recuperation."

Minister Dong is a man of noble character and integrity; he is truly a great philanthropist!

Prime Minister Gan nodded in satisfaction, then sighed with feigned regret.

"What a pity, Minister Dong was harmed by treacherous officials!"

A few voices suddenly rang out from the crowd in agreement.

"Lord Dong is truly a blessing to the people!"

"Lord Dong is such a philanthropist!"

"A tremendous injustice!"

These words were like sparks, igniting the already doubtful hearts of the people.

More and more voices of agreement gradually emerged.

The woman holding her daughter stood there, stunned, looking at her daughter and then at the crowd around her.

She opened her mouth, about to say something, but was suddenly pulled to the ground.

"If you don't want to lose your daughter, keep your mouth shut!"

The woman was startled and quickly lowered her head, fearfully carrying her child away from the crowd.

Prime Minister Gan looked at the situation before him and a smile appeared on his lips.

Just then, a loud shout rang out.

"The Emperor has arrived!"

The dragon-drawn carriage procession slowly made its way through the cleared passage.

The surrounding people all knelt down.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

The civil officials also knelt down.

Prime Minister Gan, leaning on his cane, stepped forward and bowed in greeting.

"This old minister greets Your Majesty."

Zhao Yu stepped down from the imperial carriage, his gaze sweeping over the crowd before finally settling on Prime Minister Gan.

"I just heard the Prime Minister say that Dong Zuo is a great philanthropist?"

Prime Minister Gan remained neither humble nor arrogant.

"This is just my speculation. With the evidence of the prefect's wealth and family fortune, he can be considered an honest and upright official."

Zhao Yu chuckled.

"They've managed to absolve themselves completely."

Gan Chenglian hurriedly replied.

"I dare not. As the head of all officials, I have the responsibility to set an example. Whether the officials are good or bad, I dare not absolve myself of this responsibility."

He paused, pretending to want to say something but holding back.

"only……"

Zhao Yu looked at him and chuckled inwardly.

This acting skill is at the level of a supporting actor.

"The Prime Minister speaks frankly and without reservation."

Prime Minister Gan bowed and said.

"But as the head of all officials, I do not wish for any of them to suffer injustice."

Zhao Yu smiled.

"Oh? Then, according to the Prime Minister's opinion, what should be done?"

Prime Minister Gan bowed again.

"Your Majesty dares not overstep your bounds. You are the supreme ruler of Great Liang. Even if you treat Great Liang as a plaything, you cannot be punished."

This is an attempt to lower the public's perception of them; they've certainly played a clever game.

Zhao Yu chuckled and spoke without any hesitation.

"I do wish that the Great Liang would be under my control, so that the people could live in peace and prosperity, free from the worries of hunger and cold."

But even my imperial edict can't leave this capital city, Prime Minister, don't you think?"

Prime Minister Gan frowned, clearly not expecting the Emperor to answer in this way.

You must know that Zhao Yu used to value the throne and power more than his own life.

Such implicit metaphors, if rendered meaningless, are never spoken aloud.

Prime Minister Gan secretly wondered, could it be... that Zhao Yu has truly become enlightened and his personality has changed drastically?

"What did Your Majesty say?"

"Your Majesty's words cannot leave the capital?"

"this……"

The surrounding people began to murmur amongst themselves.

Prime Minister Gan's heart tightened.

Not good.

If this is not handled properly, the people may find out about the things the five families used to frame the young emperor.

This poses a serious threat to the ruling position of their five clans!

He quickly spoke up.

"Your Majesty, the most important thing now is to do what we can to avoid discouraging the scholars of Liang."

Zhao Yu sneered inwardly.

The old fox has finally shown his true colors.

"What should we do according to the Prime Minister's suggestion?"

Prime Minister Gan bowed and said.

"In my humble opinion, the best course of action is to govern Daliang according to the law. You may consult the Minister of Justice."

A scholar with a small mustache and shifty eyes stepped out from the crowd.

"Your subject Dong Mo greets Your Majesty."

Zhao Yu looked at Dong Mo.

On the way here, I heard Meng Qianshan say that the court is basically made up of people from the five major families, and that the five major families have completely sidelined the power in various regions.

Looking at it now, it's almost certainly true.

"Minister Dong, according to the laws of the Great Liang Dynasty, what crime have I committed?"

Dong Mo's eyes darted around, and he pretended to hesitate.

"Your Majesty, this is a serious crime. Perhaps... Your Majesty should not share the law with these lowly people."

Zhao Yu chuckled.

Such clumsy acting, isn't it just an attempt to elevate him to a high position?

However, it's hard to say who will ultimately be caught.

Zhao Yu feigned seriousness and gave a cold snort.

"Even the emperor is subject to the law when he breaks it! Speak!"

Dong Mo was overjoyed.

"Your Majesty, those who plot against officials of the court shall have their entire families executed, and the second-in-commands be beheaded."

He paused, drawing out his words.

"However, His Majesty was misled by treacherous officials and acted unintentionally. All that is needed is... castration!"

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd.

"What?"

"His Majesty is about to be..."

"Oh my god!"

Zhao Yu stood there, silent for a long time.

No wonder Zhao Yu ran away.

With such an arrogant attitude, any other emperor would probably be driven to death by it.

You can't kill them, but if you're polite, they'll take advantage of you.

When Prime Minister Gan saw that Zhao Yu remained silent, he assumed that Zhao Yu was afraid.

"Your Majesty, compared to the might of the Great Liang, what harm is there in these two ounces of meat?"

He waved.

"Someone, prepare a knife for His Majesty."

Zhao Yu looked at Prime Minister Gan, feigning doubt.

"Prime Minister, is there no other legal solution?"

Prime Minister Gan shook his head.

"Your Majesty, the emperor is subject to the same laws as commoners; this is something Your Majesty said yourself."

Zhao Yu feigned a sigh.

"Alright, then there's nothing I can do about it."

Prime Minister Gan was overjoyed.

"Someone, prepare..."

Before he could finish speaking, the sound of a handcart came from the passageway leading to the square.