The Prodigal Son

Zhao Luan took the report and examined it carefully.

Gao Yi lowered his brows, a question lingering in his mind.

Why did this report have to come at this particular time of year?

Something's definitely not right!

It's like it was delivered at this exact time on purpose!

Zhao Luan stared at the report for a while, then handed it to Shangguan Youyi: "Read it!"

Shangguan Youyi accepted the order and immediately read the memorial aloud: "Your subject, Du Zhiwen, respectfully reports to Your Majesty..."

The content that Shangguan Youyi read out was similar to what Qin Yu had said.

This was indeed the report that Du Zhiwen had sent back earlier.

However, the ministers had differing opinions upon hearing Shangguan Youyi's voice.

Some people believed that this was indeed a report sent back by Du Zhiwen, but many more people did not believe it at all.

Many people, including Cui Xu and Su Yu, suspected that the letter was fake.

Zhao Luan simply didn't want to punish him, so she casually wrote this letter to give Qin Yu a way out.

But to Gao Yi, this meant something else entirely.

Zhao Luan wanted to protect Qin Yu, but also wanted to reprimand and punish him.

She's currently playing the "good cop" role, protecting Qin Yu. Right now, she needs someone else to play the "bad cop" role and advocate for Qin Yu's punishment.

At that time, Zhao Luan could not only punish Qin Yu, but also tell Qin Yu that she had done her best to protect him!

In this way, Qin Yu is punished, and he can also be made grateful to her!

This is the art of power of emperors!

At present, important officials such as Lü Chunqiu, Su Yu, and Feng Shinan have not uttered a word, and they are clearly all in the Qin family's faction!

This white-faced role must be played by him, and only he can play it!

His Majesty surely hopes he will step forward and play the bad cop!

Only Qin Yu understood that Zhao Luan was trying to teach him a lesson.

This female devil is deliberately trying to ruin my New Year!

Amidst the skeptical gazes of the assembled officials, Shangguan Youyi finally finished reading the report.

When she got to the end, Shangguan Youyi deliberately changed the date.

The date on which Du Zhiwen wrote the memorial was changed to three days prior, to match Yun Ying's statement that she had just received the memorial.

After Shangguan Youyi finished reading, Zhao Luan nodded and looked at Qin Yu: "It seems that I did indeed misunderstand you! Alright, let's leave it at that!"

Qin Yu sensed something was wrong and quickly said, "Your Majesty..."

"Your Majesty, I have something else to say!"

Gao Yi interrupted Qin Yu once again, speaking first.

Now, he's the one playing the bad cop with Zhao Luan!

For both public and private reasons, he had to cooperate with Zhao Luan and play the bad cop!

Zhao Luan frowned slightly, a hint of impatience on her face. "What does Prime Minister Gao want to say?"

What's wrong with this old man today?

He simply wanted to teach Qin Yu a lesson first, and then find an excuse to gradually strip Qin Yu of his official positions after the New Year.

The court is about to adjourn, yet he insists on harping on this matter.

Why can't I just give Qin Yu a good beating?

Gao Yi, taking Zhao Luan's words as mere acting, solemnly declared, "In my opinion, regardless of the reason, selling official positions is unacceptable!"

Hearing Gao Yi's words, Qin Yu almost burst out laughing.

This old man finally said what he wanted to say!

Zhao Luan glanced at Qin Yu discreetly, then turned coldly to Gao Yi: "Qin Yu's selling of official positions is also for the sake of the court, and Lord Du has already vouched for Qin Yu! Does Gao Xiang only feel satisfied when I mistreat meritorious officials?"

Zhao Luan's warning was already quite strong.

But Gao Yi had already fully immersed himself in his own storyline.

In his view, Zhao Luan was putting on an act for Qin Yu and his ministers!

"Your Majesty is mistaken! Selling official positions and titles brings endless harm! This precedent must never be set!"

Gao Yi said in a deep voice, "May I ask Your Majesty, if all the civil and military officials are selling official positions under the guise of serving the court, where is the integrity of the court? Where is the dignity of the court?"

"Isn't Minister Gao's statement an overstatement?"

Yang Jichun said in a deep voice, "There are always special circumstances in everything, so we can't generalize."

"This concerns the fate of the nation; there are no special circumstances to speak of."

Gao Yi angrily rebuked Yang Jichun, but did not argue with him. He turned to Zhao Luan and asked, "Your Majesty, may I ask if it is appropriate for me to recommend talented people for official positions in exchange for their gifts?"

Zhao Luan hesitated slightly, then said in a deep voice, "These two matters should not be confused!"

Gao Yi completely ignored Zhao Luan's increasingly unpleasant expression and continued, "Then may this old minister ask Your Majesty again, that tomorrow I will go to a remote area of ​​the court to see who the corrupt officials are, and I will spread the word that whoever gives me gold and silver will be promoted by this old minister. Is that acceptable?"

"This...of course not!" Zhao Luan was forced to answer.

"Yes, His Majesty knows it won't work!"

Gao Yi, even more assertive, declared, "If all court officials followed Qin Yu's example, using the guise of serving the court to fabricate various reasons for selling official positions and titles, and all went off to amass wealth, wouldn't the court be in complete chaos?"

Zhao Luan remained silent.

She realized that Gao Yi was determined to make her severely punish Qin Yu today!

Seeing Zhao Luan remain silent, Gao Yi became even more convinced of his judgment and continued, "Your Majesty, the human heart is the most vulnerable to testing!"

"Which official in the land doesn't want to climb the ranks? How can Qin Yu guarantee that none of those who try to buy their positions from him are capable ministers?"

"If a capable minister is framed and bribed for promotion, and then punished afterwards, doesn't Your Majesty find it a pity?"

"Qin Yu's actions could be interpreted as acting in the best interests of the court, but they could also be seen as plotting to murder for profit!"

"Qin Yu has indeed rendered meritorious service, but if Your Majesty tacitly approves of Qin Yu selling official positions and titles, it would be condoning and protecting such behavior, damaging the dignity of the nation..."

Gao Yi unleashed his full firepower.

Moreover, it is based on sound reasoning and evidence.

Zhao Luan wanted to refute, but Gao Yi left her speechless.

"Your Majesty, Prime Minister Gao's words make sense!"

"Yes, I didn't think much of it before, but after hearing what you said, I've realized the danger it poses!"

"If this sets a precedent, how should similar incidents be handled in the future?"

"Your Majesty, for the sake of the nation and its people, we implore you to severely punish Qin Yu..."

This prompted several ministers, including Su Yu and Cui Xu, to offer their advice.

Some even knelt down, pleading with Zhao Luan to severely punish Qin Yu.

Qin Yu lowered his head and chuckled to himself.

It has to be said that Gao Yi is indeed a good talker; he's practically become his own mouthpiece!

Zhao Luan glanced at Qin Yu, and seeing Qin Yu's lowered head and suppressed laughter, she couldn't help but feel a burning hatred.

asshole!

Don't think that just because of this I can't deal with you!

Zhao Luan took a few deep breaths and glared at Gao Yi with annoyance: "Then, Prime Minister Gao, how do you think this matter should be handled?"

Right now, this matter can't be taken lightly.

If Qin Yu is not severely punished, I'm afraid the officials will really follow his example!

Gao Yi straightened his back and said solemnly, "According to the laws of the court, anyone who sells official positions and ranks for more than five thousand taels of silver shall be executed!"

Holy crap...

Qin Yu's face darkened.

This old bastard, you're causing trouble, and now you want to take my life?

Just as Qin Yu was about to retort, Gao Yi suddenly changed the subject, "However, Qin Yu has rendered great service to the court, and his initial intention in selling official positions was good. This old minister believes that Your Majesty may consider this matter and allow his merits and demerits to offset each other!"