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

Having thought this through, Li Qing no longer hesitated and loudly submitted his memorial:

"Your Majesty, I wish to impeach Zhan Hui in court!"

Zhu Yuanzhang forcibly suppressed his anger, coldly looked at the kneeling Zhan Hui, and sternly rebuked him:

"Confess all the other outrageous things you've done, lest others speak up and offend my ears!"

Others might have thought it was just the emperor's rage, but Zhu Biao was so intelligent that he instantly understood Zhu Yuanzhang's thoughts.

This is an attempt to give Zhan Hui a way out, to treat him leniently, and to spare his life!

Although Zhan Hui was obsequious, he was also a ruthless official who monitored all officials. Zhu Yuanzhang used him to reform the officialdom.

It can be said that Zhan Hui was a knife in Zhu Yuanzhang's hand, and he was highly valued by Zhu Yuanzhang. Today, he will probably be given a light punishment.

"Chen Tao, speak! Speak loudly! Expose this traitor's crimes, word for word!"

Zhu Biao immediately spoke up, interrupting Zhu Yuanzhang's calculations. His tone was firm, giving Zhan Hui no chance to argue.

Zhu Yuanzhang glared at Zhu Biao, but ultimately did not speak to stop him.

He knew in his heart that his son, seemingly kind, was actually stubborn, and that Zhan Hui was indeed a fool who did not understand the mind of an emperor and wasted the life he had given him.

You idiot, you deserve to die!

"I didn't expect Zhu Biao to be so effective this time..."

Seizing the opportunity, Li Qing stepped forward and roared in court:

"Your Majesty, I wish to impeach Zhan Hui!"

This man cruelly oppressed officials and oppressed loyal ministers. His cruel policies forced the people of the country to rebel. Now, the hearts of the people of the Ming Dynasty are scattered, the loyal ministers are disheartened, and the country is on the verge of collapse!

If this traitor is not eliminated, the foundation of the nation will surely collapse, and the Ming Dynasty will surely perish!

As soon as the words were spoken, the entire Fengtian Hall fell into a deathly silence; you could hear a pin drop!

The kneeling censors outside the hall all looked up, their eyes filled with shock as they stared at Li Qing, their hearts trembling.

Finally, someone dared to publicly expose Zhan Hui's heinous crime of forcing loyal ministers to rebel and causing chaos in the world!

Zhan Hui suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with venomous hatred as he stared intently at Li Qing, his killing intent overwhelming.

This person is really trying to drive him to his death!

"What are you glaring at me for? Feeling guilty?"

Li Qing retorted sharply, showing no sign of backing down.

"I dare to stand up and impeach you today, so I'm not afraid of your revenge later!"

If you're so capable, then use your power to kill me!

If I, Chen Tao, were to even frown, I would be unworthy to be a censor of the Ming Dynasty, unworthy to be a loyal and outspoken minister!

Zhu Yuanzhang took a deep breath, suppressing the anger surging in his chest, and said in a deep voice:

"Chen Tao, finish what you're saying, word by word, clearly!"

"Zhan Hui was a man who fawned on his superiors and bullied his subordinates, treating all officials like dirt and loyal ministers like servants!"

Li Qing's voice was firm and resonant, each word striking a chord in people's hearts.

"In my opinion, he is the cruelest official in the Ming Dynasty, surpassing even Zhang Tang of the Han Dynasty and Lai Junchen of the Tang Dynasty! With this man in power, loyal officials have no way out, and honest officials have no chance!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's face instantly darkened, and a murderous aura filled the entire hall.

Li Qing, showing no fear, stared directly at Zhu Yuanzhang and loudly proclaimed:

"Since ancient times, the stability of a country has depended on the unity of civil and military officials and the cooperation of the emperor and his ministers! But since Zhan Hui took power, he has oppressed the officials day and night and exploited his ministers without restraint!"

Forced to work overtime all night during the Lantern Festival, not allowed to attend the funeral of their mother, not allowed to rest due to injury or illness, no reward for meritorious service, severe punishment for innocent people, and framing and wanton humiliation at every turn!

The censors and officials throughout the land were driven to the brink of resentment and lived in constant fear by him; their hearts, loyal and virtuous, were chilled to the bone!

He raised his hand and pointed at Zhan Hui, letting out a fierce roar that echoed throughout the hall:

"Today, hundreds of censors outside the palace gates jointly petitioned the imperial court. This is not a rebellion, but a forced revolt! They have been driven to a dead end by this treacherous villain!"

Officials were disaffected, loyal ministers disintegrated, the court was filled with sycophants, and the world was filled with disillusioned people!

When loyal ministers lose heart, the empire is bound to collapse!

All of this is thanks to Zhan Hui!

Li Qing stepped forward, pointed at the trembling Zhan Hui, and continued to shout loudly:

"Your Majesty's founding of the nation was no easy feat; you fought countless battles to establish the vast Ming Dynasty!"

But now, Zhan Hui, for his own selfish reasons, has ruined the morale of the entire court and forced loyal ministers across the land to rebel!

"Does Your Majesty intend to stand by and watch your life's work be destroyed by this cruel official?!"

"presumptuous!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was furious. He slammed his fist on the table and stood up abruptly, trembling with rage!

He can tolerate greed and mistakes, but he absolutely cannot tolerate shaking the country or forcing loyal ministers to rebel!

Li Qing's words directly struck at his most fatal sore spot!

Are you getting anxious?

Things become easier when things get urgent!

Li Qing laughed heartily, advancing instead of retreating, pressing forward step by step without the slightest fear:

"What? Does Your Majesty only want to listen to Zhan Hui's flattery and not to the heartfelt words of a loyal minister?"

As long as this traitor is not eliminated, the officials will not be at peace, and the loyal ministers will not feel cold!

With the people's hearts lost and the foundation of the nation shaken, the ship of the Ming Dynasty is about to be scuttled by him!

"You scoundrel! You dare to spread alarmist rumors!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes were bloodshot, and he roared in fury.

"Aren't you afraid I'll chop off your head!"

Li Qing stepped forward, stretched out his neck, and acted with extreme arrogance, showing absolutely no fear:

"Come! Cut me down! I am willing to die for the Ming Dynasty, for a loyal subject, and for the country. I have long since disregarded life and death!"

My neck is right here, do whatever you want with it!

If I were to frown even slightly, I would not be worthy of being called an iron-willed censor, nor would I be fit to stand in this Hall of Supreme Harmony to plead for the loyal ministers of the realm!

"Jiang Huan! Drag this madman away and behead him!"

Jiang Huan, who was already poised to act outside the hall, rushed into the hall upon hearing this, ready to seize the person!

At the critical moment, a furious shout reverberated throughout the hall:

"Father! You must spare this man's life!"

Zhu Biao, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly stood up and shouted to stop him!

Jiang Huan abruptly stopped, his body frozen in place, caught between a rock and a hard place, his whole body tense!

"Jiang Huan! How dare you defy the imperial decree!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was furious and shouted angrily.

"Jiang Huan! How dare you lay a hand on me!"

Zhu Biao stood in front of Li Qing, his gaze sharp as knives, refusing to yield an inch!

Jiang Huan was on the verge of tears, feeling as if she were about to break apart.

On one side is a thunderous emperor, on the other a benevolent crown prince;

On one side was the order to exterminate the clan, and on the other was the Crown Prince's desperate protection.

He stood in the middle, not daring to move, as it seemed like no matter which way he chose, it was a dead end!

"Father, this man is a loyal minister of the country, a loyal minister who dares to speak the truth throughout the ages!"

Killing him would block the path of loyal advice from all over the world, destroying our own Great Wall—absolutely unacceptable!

Zhu Biao roared loudly, desperately pleading with him, his tone earnest.

"snort!"

Zhu Yuanzhang roared and drew his imperial sword, walking towards Li Qing.

"Biao'er! Wait until you ascend the throne and become emperor before deciding the life and death of the people! Get out of my way, I'll personally execute him!"

Zhu Yuanzhang thought that Zhu Biao would not dare to stop him at this point, but unexpectedly Zhu Biao suddenly stepped forward and blocked Li Qing's way.

He stubbornly refused to back down.

"Hey, interesting, Biao'er, are you going to disobey orders for this guy?"

Instead of getting angry, Zhu Yuanzhang smiled, and the anger on his face dissipated somewhat.

He casually tossed the sword aside, his eyes filled with satisfaction.

OK!

Biao'er has finally grown up!

However, Li Qing instantly sensed something was wrong.

Holy crap, this is bad!

With Zhu Biao blocking his way, he probably wouldn't die!

even……

There's even a chance of getting a promotion!

I don't want that kind of thing!

Li Qing suddenly shouted:

"Your Highness, don't worry about me! I, Chen Tao, am not afraid of death! Today, I will prove my innocence with my death!"