Emperor Ming: Your Majesty, you have caused me so much suffering.

When Wang Zhi and the others saw Chen Yi and the other two return, and heard that Zhu Qiyu did not have a list of those to be executed, they were extremely surprised.

Wang Zhi asked, "What is Your Highness's explanation?"

Yu Shiyue shook his head and said, "It wasn't explicitly stated. They said they would hold a midday court session, but only told us to go to the Left Gate for a joint trial. The case file will have to be rewritten."

The ministers frowned slightly. Prince Cheng had publicly taken on the task of dealing with Wang Zhen in court, so it was impossible for him to back down now.

Hu Ying then looked at Chen Yi: "Imperial Censor Chen, in your opinion, what is His Highness's intention?"

Chen Yi knew that Yu Shiyue had already figured out Zhu Qiyu's thoughts, but he didn't say anything. He could only helplessly say, "Perhaps we came up with a bad idea, we should just report it truthfully."

Wang Zhi and the others understood immediately: the punishment must have been too severe, and the Prince of Cheng was dissatisfied. According to the case file, it was already the most severe punishment imaginable; the Prince of Cheng couldn't possibly be dissatisfied because the punishment was too lenient.

Yu Qian frowned slightly and said, "But we can't change it now. We need to conduct a joint trial first. Otherwise, if we treat this so lightly, wouldn't it make us seem like we have ulterior motives?"

Wang Zhi agreed with Yu Qian's words and sighed, "Let's wait and see."

The ministers nodded, but some doubts remained in their hearts. Could this ruler really be so sincere in his actions?

According to past practice, when a major case is involved, the officials would report it with a heavier sentence, and then the emperor would deal with it leniently. In this way, the emperor could demonstrate his benevolence, and the officials could also achieve their goal of upholding the dignity of the law. This was a win-win situation.

The order to execute Wang Zhen's entire clan was a way to give Zhu Qiyu a way out; if he could execute three clans, it would be considered that Zhu Qiyu was ruthless.

However, Zhu Qiyu seemed unwilling to follow this pattern, leaving Wang Zhi and the others somewhat at a loss.

It was noon.

When Zhu Qiyu arrived at the Zuoye Gate, he heard that a joint trial was to be held for Wang Zhen's case. Empress Dowager Sun had no choice but to send Li Yongchang. Although he couldn't change anything, he at least had to hear the specific punishment results.

After the officials had exchanged greetings, Wang Zhi spoke first, asking, "Your Highness, we have heard that this case has not been closed and still requires a joint trial. May we ask where we went wrong?"

"Don't you gentlemen think this case involves a wide range of people, and that some aspects are within the bounds of the law?"

The ministers' hearts skipped a beat, and their suspicions were indeed confirmed.

As the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Yu Shiyue could only bite the bullet and reply: "The main problem is that this case has a huge impact, and only severe punishment can appease public anger. Overall, it does lack a bit of human touch."

Yu Shiyue could not admit to having any personal bias in his judgment; he was definitely acting in accordance with the law. Otherwise, admitting it would mean that the officials had made a wrong judgment.

As the saying goes, the law is nothing more than human sentiment; the emphasis on it is simply because human sentiment is lacking.

Zhu Qiyu bluntly stated, "I do not know where you learned such bad habits, nor do I have time to speculate on your intentions. This behavior must not be repeated in the future, or you will be severely punished. This is a matter of life and death, not a business transaction where you can haggle. From now on, you must be firm and uncompromising. You even dared to come and test me; have I not informed you of the standards for this case?"

The officials wanted a severe punishment for this case because it was closely related to their own interests: firstly, they hated Wang Zhen's faction, and secondly, they wanted to eliminate the impact of the Meridian Gate massacre. Legally speaking, however, it was far from warranting such a severe punishment.

In Zhu Qiyu's view, this case should be handled according to the law. Is it possible that the current situation is solely Wang Zhen's fault, and Zhu Qizhen is completely blameless? If all the blame is placed on Wang Zhen and his cronies, wouldn't Zhu Qizhen be as pure as a white lotus?

Of course, these things cannot be said outright.

Wang Zhi and the others exchanged glances, then looked at Chen Yi with a questioning gaze.

Chen Yi was also bewildered at this moment. When did he receive the order?

"We are foolish and dull!"

Zhu Qiyu slowly said, "Wang Ji is a loyal minister of the Ming Dynasty. I said it myself. How can you all be so forgetful!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhi and the others instantly snapped out of their daze, breaking out in a cold sweat. The meaning behind those words was far more profound.

This shows that Prince Cheng had long considered dealing with Wang Zhen's faction and already had a standard for punishment in mind. The ministers thought that Prince Cheng wanted to protect Wang Ji and stabilize the war situation in the south, but they did not expect that there was such a deeper meaning.

If that's the case, then those who aren't closely involved with Wang Zhen should not be punished. If Wang Ji is the standard, and even minor officers were punished in the previous report, then Wang Ji should at least be dismissed if he doesn't die.

Zhu Qiyu glanced at the assembled officials and said, "Speak up. Let's all be frank with each other. Hiding things from each other is not the way to get along."

"Your Highness, we confess our guilt."

Now that Yu Shiyue was no longer under pressure, he spoke frankly: "According to the laws of our Great Ming Dynasty, Wang Zhen's crimes are heinous and he should be punished by extermination of his clan and confiscation of his property. His nephews Wang Shan and Wang Lin, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard Ma Shun, the eunuch Mao Gui, Wang Changsui, and the director of the Imperial Observatory Peng Deqing are sentenced to beheading and their property confiscated. Their relatives are enslaved, and the others are demoted and exiled."

"As for the supervising eunuch Guo Jing, there is conclusive evidence presented by the censor that he sided with Wang Zhen and privately manufactured dozens of jars of arrowheads to send to the Oirat Mongols. This is a crime of treason and he should be executed by slow slicing. The supervising eunuch Cao Jixiang has been misappropriating military equipment and harboring brave warriors for many years, with ulterior motives. He should also be detained and brought back to the capital to be executed by slow slicing!"

"As for Wang Zhen's followers who died during the Northern Expedition, a decision will be made later."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Qiyu's expression improved considerably. This was in accordance with the law; those who deserved to be killed should be killed, and those who didn't deserve to be killed shouldn't be implicated through collective punishment.

Zhu Qizhen is destined to bear the responsibility for the northern expedition; even if Emperor Taizu were to be resurrected, it wouldn't make a difference!

"Guo Jing and Cao Jixiang were executed on the spot to serve as a wake-up call to the troops! If anyone breaks the law, these two will be their example!"

"Here you go!"

Zhu Qiyu said with a softened expression, "Gentlemen, let's be more frank with each other in the future. I am not very talented or wise, and I cannot understand your unfathomable depths. Therefore, I will be more straightforward and honest. This will also make the court more efficient, and you can all rest earlier, right?"

If we're talking about scheming and intrigue, these are all shrewd individuals who have survived countless battles. Zhu Qiyu has no chance of winning. So, he should act openly and honestly. Since he already has the throne, the advantage is his.

"We are ashamed!"

The ministers were overjoyed. Could it be that the Prince of Cheng was still a gentleman? The last emperor with such gentlemanly conduct was Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty. If so, it would be a blessing for the ministers.

Fortunately, Zhu Qiyu was unaware of what his ministers were thinking, otherwise he would have taught them how to write the words "overthinking"!

Just as everyone had reached a consensus and the atmosphere was becoming more harmonious, officials from the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of War arrived together once again.

What bad luck! What bad luck!

Zhu Qiyu and his ministers all had dark expressions, which suggested that nothing good was coming.

This lineup configuration was just seen a few days ago, so it feels very familiar.

"Your Highness!" the two officials asked hesitantly.

"Just say it!"

"Your Highness, His Majesty went to Datong to knock on the gates, claiming that he was related to General Guo Deng by marriage, and demanded that Guo Deng open the gates for a meeting. Guo Deng firmly refused, saying that he was 'ordered to defend the city and knew nothing about other matters.' However, the people of Datong are uneasy and worried about being accused of disobeying imperial orders."

Zhu Qiyu was speechless and looked up at the sky. This Zhu Qizhen was too shameless.

To use marriage ties for moral blackmail like this is ridiculous. Guo Deng's great-grandfather Guo Ying's sister was indeed Consort Ning of Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang, but that was three or four generations removed. Zhu Qizhen was not from Consort Ning's lineage, but a descendant of Empress Ma. To consider these as marriage ties is shameless.

However, Guo Deng was indeed tough, and he didn't promote the wrong person. Just for that toughness, Guo Deng deserved the position of general.

The fact that the people of Datong were in a state of panic was indeed a big problem. After all, Zhu Qizhen was still the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and these generals still had a natural sense of awe for the emperor. Just because Guo Deng was not afraid did not mean that his subordinates were not afraid.

"Eunuch Li, go to the inner palace and inform the Empress Dowager of this matter."

Li Yongchang cursed his bad luck inwardly. He should have known better than to come and eavesdrop. What had he heard? At this moment, he could only respond respectfully, his mind filled with dread.

"This servant obeys!"

"Your Highness, we must make a plan as soon as possible!"

Chen Yi couldn't stand it anymore; this was utterly shameless, utterly shameless!

"Execute Wang Zhen's case immediately! As for other matters, you gentlemen can decide for yourselves!"

After saying this, Zhu Qiyu got up and left with Xing'an and Cheng Jing.