Wuxia: Ning Zhongze, who became a disciple of Mount Hua, is shrouded in blue silver.

His internal strength was steadily increasing, but the speed was indeed very slow.

A month has passed, and Zhao Qing has been in office for a full month.

During this period, the Embroidered Uniform Guard fabricated many wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice.

Liu Jian, the Grand Secretary of the court, was imprisoned in the Northern Garrison Prison by Zhao Qing and subjected to torture.

Court officials impeached Zhao Qing one after another, making him the target of public criticism.

Under pressure from all sides, Zhao Qing was forced to release Liu Jian.

Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Imperial Palace of the Ming Dynasty.

"Your subject Liu Jian impeaches Zhao Qing, the Northern Garrison Commander!"

"Zhao Qing is arrogant and domineering, handling cases without regard for evidence, abusing his power, extracting confessions through torture, harming loyal officials, and showing utter disregard for the law. Your Majesty, please investigate thoroughly!"

"Your subject Hai Rui impeaches Zhao Qing, the Pacification Commissioner of the Northern Garrison..."

"Your subject Yang Jisheng impeaches Zhao Qing, the Northern Garrison Commander..."

……

The court officials, in tacit agreement, jointly impeached Zhao Qing.

Those who impeached Zhao Qing were all upright, honest, and loyal ministers.

Corrupt and sycophantic officials defended Zhao Qing.

Zhao Qing fabricated numerous wrongful convictions, persecuted loyal officials, and acted arrogantly and domineeringly in handling cases, completely disregarding legal principles and evidence.

He would arrest anyone he didn't like, fabricate charges arbitrarily, and use torture to extract confessions.

People with weak wills either die unjustly or are forced to confess and be released.

Those who remained steadfast and unyielding were eventually tortured into confessing and imprisoned.

Zhao Qing used these methods to break through from the early stage of Grandmaster to the middle stage of Grandmaster.

During this period, he committed heinous crimes, triggering the blackening system multiple times.

Zhao Qing was well aware of the importance of personal connections in officialdom.

He colluded with many corrupt officials, exploiting each other.

Therefore, after being arrogant and domineering for a month, trouble finally came to him.

But this time was different. This time, many people stood up together, and Zhao Qing's cronies were unable to cope.

Zhu Houzhao was furious after hearing this!

Zhao Qing's actions were completely unexpected by Zhu Houzhao.

Zhu Houzhao originally wanted to support the Embroidered Uniform Guard and also planned to cultivate Zhao Qing.

But what Zhao Qing did in the past month was utterly absurd and shocking!

Even if he, as the emperor, wanted to protect them, he was powerless in the face of such a situation!

You can punish others as you please, but you even dare to touch the Grand Secretary!

You dared to imprison and torture even the Grand Secretary in the Imperial Prison, what else wouldn't you dare to do?

If we don't do anything about him, firstly, we won't be able to convince everyone, and secondly, Zhao Qing will become even more arrogant in the future.

Zhu Houzhao was considering whether to execute Zhao Qing directly.

But he couldn't make up his mind.

Finally, Zhu Houzhao deflected the blame, saying, "I never expected that Zhao Qing, the Northern Garrison Commander, would cause so much trouble in just one month. I was completely unaware of it."

"I will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly, and if the facts are true, I will punish them severely!"

After Zhu Houzhao made his stance clear, the civil and military officials in the court did not exert any further pressure.

Forcing the emperor now is a mistake.

Retreat is the right strategy.

After the court session, Zhu Houzhao asked Liu Jin, "Eunuch Liu, what do you think should be done with Zhao Qing?"

Liu Jin respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, Zhao Qing is too arrogant and must be punished."

"But he's still useful, and not easy to deal with."

"Therefore, this old servant suggests that Your Majesty not kill him, but rather make use of him."

Zhu Houzhao immediately pressed, "How will we utilize it?"

"Give him a chance to redeem himself."

"This way, we can both shut the ministers up and bribe Yang Huan."

Zhu Houzhao thought about it carefully and agreed with Liu Jin.

Zhu Houzhao didn't want to throw away Zhao Qing's fine knife.

……

In the Imperial Study.

Zhao Qing followed the eunuch into the imperial study.

He showed no fear whatsoever when he first met the emperor.

His martial arts skills are already very high. If he is determined to escape, no one in the palace can stop him!

Zhao Qing therefore acted without fear.

"Your subject Zhao Qing greets Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Zhao Qing clasped his hands in a gesture of respect to Zhu Houzhao.

But according to his official rank, he should kneel down.

Zhao Qing did not kneel.

He was wondering whether he should just kill Zhu Houzhao.

Killing a king is a grave crime.

He knew that regicide would bring a lot of trouble, but if it would bring him great power, then all that trouble would be worth it.

"You audacious Zhao Qing, do you know your crime?"

Zhu Houzhao immediately slammed his hand on the table and stood up, pointing at Zhao Qing and questioning him sternly.

"Your Majesty, I am unaware. Please enlighten me!"

Zhao Qing answered calmly.

"Eunuch Liu, read it to him!" Zhu Houzhao ordered.

Liu Jin immediately took out the prepared memorial and began to read it aloud, line by line.

Zhao Qing's actions have been fully recorded, and each charge is enough to warrant his death ten times over.

Zhu Houzhao did not kill Zhao Qing.

If he really wanted to kill Zhao Qing, he would have ordered someone to arrest him long ago; he wouldn't have summoned him personally.

"Your Majesty, I am guilty and beg for punishment."

Zhao Qing did not deny the charges, because most of them were true and could not be denied.

"Hmph, you're quite the honest one!"

Zhu Houzhao sneered and turned his back to Zhao Qing.

After a long silence, Zhu Houzhao finally spoke: "Your crimes are so grave that even ten beheadings couldn't atone for them!"

"But I remember your meritorious service in suppressing the rebellion, and given your short tenure, it's inevitable that you would make mistakes."

"Now I'm giving you a chance to atone for your sins. Do you accept?"

Zhao Qing immediately said, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!"

Since he thanked me, it means he will definitely accept the opportunity.

Zhu Houzhao directly ordered: "Go to the Mongol Yuan, infiltrate the Prince of Ruyang's residence, and steal their military secrets."

"Do you dare to go?"

Zhao Qing immediately replied, "Your subject obeys the decree."

"Let's leave tomorrow."

After Zhu Houzhao finished speaking, he waved for Zhao Qing to leave.

But Zhao Qing then said, "Your Majesty, I need to ask you for something to make it easier to sneak into the Prince's residence."

"What is it?" Zhu Houzhao asked.

"Design blueprints for the Hongyi Cannon!"

Zhao Qing replied.

Zhu Houzhao gasped in shock, thinking: "You actually dare to want this!"

The Hongyi Cannon was a weapon unique to the Ming Dynasty, possessing immense power and capable of determining the outcome of battles.

Its design blueprints are a top secret of the Ming Dynasty and must not be given to Zhao Qing casually.

Zhao Qing immediately replied, "Your Majesty, how can we catch the prey without offering bait?"

"The best way for me to enter the Prince of Ruyang's residence is to offer a pledge of allegiance."

"If Your Majesty gives me a design drawing, I will give you complete military secrets of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty."

Zhu Houzhao stared at Zhao Qing, deep in thought.

Zhao Qing's words make sense.

Only by giving up small gains can you gain big gains.

Zhu Houzhao was not a good emperor, but he was bold and decisive.

Zhao Qing seemed very confident, so Zhu Houzhao decided to take a gamble.

"good!"

"I can give you the blueprints for the Hongyi Cannon, but if you're not satisfied with the result..."

Zhao Qing immediately replied, "Then bring me my head!"

"Haha, okay, go ahead."

Zhu Houzhao laughed and waved for Zhao Qing to leave.

Zhao Qing returned to the mansion and told the four women.

All four women said they wanted to go with him.

But Zhao Qing felt that this operation was too dangerous, and bringing them along would only be a hindrance.

Meanwhile, Zhao Qing and Zhu Houzhao had also devised a plan.

……

The next day, Zhao Qing barged into the Ministry of Works alone.

They killed many people and stole the blueprints for the Hongyi cannon.

Zhu Houzhao was furious and ordered the arrest of Zhao Qing, and imprisoned his entire family.

The imperial court publicly announced that Zhao Qing's wife and daughter would be executed three days later, in order to force Zhao Qing to show himself.