Starting with his deathbed remonstrance to Zhu Yuanzhang, the emperors were brought to their knees.

During the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty, in the Fengtian Hall, just as the morning court session had begun, a powerful roar resounded.

"Zhu Yuanzhang, you ungrateful old bastard! You've forgotten your days as a commoner just because you've donned the imperial robes?!"

"You disregarded the differences in soil and water conditions and forced farmers to plant mulberry and cotton according to uniform standards, with those who disobeyed being severely punished or even exiled to the army! Countless families were torn apart, and countless lives were lost! You have ruined the people!"

"Huh? You're asking me what I ate that makes me so bold as to talk to you like this? Well, I'll tell you then, so listen carefully!"

"I ate pig's paw this morning. This thing weighs eight ounces, so it's also called 'Eight-ounce Pig'! It's so soft and tender that it's hard to pick up with chopsticks, so you have to cut it into eight pieces before eating it, hence the other name, 'Eight-Piece Pig'!"

"How about it? Doesn't it make your mouth water? Hahahaha!"

Looking at Zhu Yuanzhang, whose face was flushed red with rage on the throne, Li Qing showed no fear whatsoever. Instead, he stood in the middle of the hall, hands on his hips, laughing heartily.

The civil and military officials standing nearby were all stunned; it was the first time they had ever seen such a scene.

How dare a mere censor spout such nonsense to the emperor...

Does he think his nine generations of relatives are wholesale?

"Why aren't you saying anything? Are you mute?"

Li Qing stared at Zhu Yuanzhang, a mocking smile playing on his lips, and slowly took a step forward.

"How dare you!"

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly stood up, his figure as imposing as a tiger, and an imperial aura swept through the entire hall, even the Imperial Guards outside the hall were so intimidated that they held their breath.

"Our policy of promoting agriculture and sericulture is to ensure that the people of the Ming Dynasty are well-fed and clothed, and to make the country prosperous and powerful! How dare you, a mere brat, accuse us of acting out of selfishness and harming the common people?!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was like thunder. He stared intently at Li Qing, his eyes filled with murderous intent that seemed to devour him.

Li Qing remained unfazed and instead took another step forward, bringing him even closer to the throne.

He raised his head, looking directly into Zhu Yuanzhang's murderous eyes, and the smile on his lips deepened:

"I only have one question: Can mulberry and cotton trees from the south survive in the northern desert? Can mulberry roots grow on the dry land of Shaanxi?"

Li Qing's voice was not loud, but it clearly resounded throughout the entire hall. Every word was like a heavy hammer, striking the hearts of all the officials.

"Since you ascended the throne, you have reduced taxes and levies, allowing the people to recuperate and thrive. The people have just recovered from the harsh policies of the Yuan Dynasty and have finally acquired a few acres of land, hoping to harvest some grain to support their families."

However, an imperial edict forced the people to plant mulberry and cotton regardless of whether the soil and water were suitable for them, and those who failed to meet the quotas would be fined and sent to the army.

You call this encouraging agriculture and sericulture, but in my view, it's exploiting the people! It's forcing those who have just settled down back down the old path of displacement!

Aren't you afraid that a hundred years from now, the people will point at your tomb and curse you as a tyrannical ruler who drove them to their deaths?!

Every word he said hit Old Zhu right where it hurt.

Zhu Yuanzhang's face flushed red and then paled, turning from ashen to bright red, and finally purplish. He stared intently at Li Qing, his fingers trembling, and roared:

"Rebellion! Rebellion! This is insubordination and slander against the emperor!"

Someone come here!

"Drag this arrogant and disobedient bastard away!"

At a command, the Imperial Guards outside the hall immediately rushed in, carrying their ghost-head sabers. Two burly Imperial Guards grabbed Li Qing's arms from either side.

Li Qing's arm was held down tightly, but he showed no fear whatsoever. Instead, he burst into laughter, laughing so hard he almost fell over.

"Zhu Chongba! Whether it's death by a thousand cuts or the extermination of nine generations of your family, I will prove my innocence with my death today!"

But I'll make this clear! As long as this decree to force the planting of mulberry and cotton is not abolished, the Ming Dynasty will never be at peace!

The people can't survive, and sooner or later they will rise up in rebellion! When that happens, someone will walk the same path you took to overthrow the Yuan Dynasty!

If you're so capable, then kill everyone in the world who dares to speak the truth!

Li Qing's voice, like a thunderclap, resounded in every corner of the Fengtian Hall.

His words were piercing, each one striking at Zhu Yuanzhang's sore spot.

Zhu Yuanzhang was so angry that he trembled all over, his chest heaving violently. He pointed at Li Qing, his lips quivering, unable to utter a single word for a long time. Finally, he squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth:

"Great! Excellent!"

You dare call us a tyrant! You dare curse our Ming Dynasty to perish!

We'll grant your wish today!

He turned and shouted:

"Jiang Huan!"

Commander Jiang Huan of the Embroidered Uniform Guard trembled, immediately stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and his voice trembled:

"Your Majesty, I am here!"

"Cut this bastard in half!"

I will show the world the consequences of daring to speak such arrogant words!

"As you command!"

Jiang Huan accepted the order without the slightest negligence. He gave a wink to the Imperial Guards behind him, and two of them immediately grabbed Li Qing and began to drag him out of the hall.

Li Qing was being helped forward, but his head suddenly turned back to look at Zhu Yuanzhang on the throne.

His eyes held no fear, only resolve, and a hint of mockery.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

The Imperial Guards outside the palace had already dragged Li Qing out of Fengtian Hall. Outside the Meridian Gate, instruments of torture were already prepared, and the ghost-headed sword gleamed coldly in the sunlight.

Zhu Yuanzhang, sitting on his throne, watched Li Qing being dragged away. Enraged, he kicked over the footstool under the dragon table, sat down abruptly, and gasped for breath, his anger still burning.

The entire court remained silent with heads bowed, no one daring to utter a single word.

They all believed that Li Qing was doomed to die today.

But no one expected that just before the Imperial Guards were about to torture Li Qing, a system notification suddenly came from inside the hall, which only Li Qing could hear.

【Ding! 】

[The deathbed remonstrance has been completed, 8000 RMB has been earned, and the player is about to return to the modern era...]

Li Qing felt her consciousness being pulled away, and when she opened her eyes again, she was back in her rented room.

"call……"

"They're back."

Li Qing suddenly sat up on the hard bed.

He walked to the peeling paint on the full-length mirror in the rented room, and after confirming that his limbs were intact and his skin was unharmed, he finally breathed a long sigh of relief.

This is Li Qing's fifth time returning to the real world after being executed by Zhu Yuanzhang in the 21st year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty.

As you die more and more, you seem to get used to it.

From the unease he felt when he was first dragged out of Fengtian Hall by the Embroidered Uniform Guard to the fact that he could still make a mocking gesture at Zhu Yuanzhang on the throne before being escorted to the execution ground.

About a month ago, a "Death Confession System" suddenly appeared in his mind.

The rules are very simple: he will travel back to the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty and, as an imperial censor of the Censorate, remonstrate with Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang to the death, receiving a cash reward based on the degree of Zhu Yuanzhang's anger.

At this moment, a text was clearly displayed on the light blue system panel:

There are 5 days left until the next time travel. Host, please prepare to die for your cause!

As before, every time Zhu Yuanzhang ordered his execution, his consciousness would immediately return to the real world.

After receiving the corresponding cash reward, the system will also provide a countdown for the next time travel, giving him ample time to prepare.