The playboy county magistrate

"I am ordered to guard the border, protect the land and its people, and defend the frontier. All my actions are for the sake of the country and its people. I have no selfish motives, do not abuse my power, and would never collude with the enemy."

"The court has impeached me for three crimes, each word distorted and each sentence fabricated. Today, I will dismantle each charge one by one to prove my innocence and clear my name with irrefutable evidence."

The opening statement was so confident and awe-inspiring that it shook the hearts of all the court officials in the hall.

"Firstly, it is alleged that he abused his power on the border and arbitrarily handed over cities."

"The Second Prince of the Northern Desert, Tuoba Lie, went to the pass to request an audience without my permission. This was not because I had made a secret alliance with a foreign vassal state. Rather, it was because the Second Prince of the Northern Desert, Tuoba Lie, deliberately sought to curry favor in order to seize power and consolidate his position. He wanted to use my influence to suppress Princess Ning'an of the Northern Desert and solidify his own position as heir apparent. Throughout the entire process, it was Tuoba Lie who took the initiative to show sincerity and seek peace. I never initiated any secret dealings, nor did I ever make any promises of personal gain."

"Yunlan and Hanshuo are located in remote border areas, and have long served as springboards for raids from the northern deserts to harass the interior. The constant warfare has burdened the border people. In order to maintain good relations and protect himself, Tuoba Lie voluntarily ceded the cities to sue for peace. This was a concession made voluntarily by the enemy, not an arbitrary demand by your subject."

"After the handover of the two cities, I immediately pacified the displaced people and reduced their taxes. I also repaired the city defenses and reorganized the household registers. All of them were incorporated into the territory of Dayong, expanding the border defenses and stabilizing the northwest defense line. Every inch of land is for the use of the state, with not a single bit of private benefit."

Li Xuanzhi completely reversed the charge of collusion and abuse of power, turning it into a monumental achievement of expanding territory and securing the country's borders without relying on war.

Before the officials could react, the chief eunuch beside the emperor had already loudly continued reading.

"Secondly, the claim that he privately accepted bribes from the enemy and lined his own pockets is completely unfounded."

"The five hundred boxes of Flame-Cold Flowers were indeed a gift from the northern deserts as part of the peace treaty. However, after these items entered the pass, I did not keep a single box for myself, nor did I use a single flower."

"The soldiers stationed here on the frontier have been guarding this place for many years, and countless of them suffer from old wounds and accumulated fatigue. The army has always been short of medicines for treating injuries. I have prepared and distributed all the Yanhan flowers free of charge to comfort the wounded soldiers, treat their injuries and illnesses, and stabilize the morale of the army. The accounts for the whole process are clear, the inventory can be checked, and the distribution can be verified."

"All detailed ledgers, soldier rosters, and receipts for medicinal herbs are attached to the case file. The court can verify them at will, and the three ministries can investigate them at any time. How can there be any talk of embezzlement or misappropriation?"

Many courtiers in the hall subtly relaxed, their previously resolute minds beginning to crack.

But the biggest reversal is just beginning.

"Thirdly, they nurtured bandits to enhance their own power and deliberately created chaos."

Li Xuanzhi's brushstrokes suddenly became sharp and forceful.

"The remnants of chaos at the border are the result of unrest among the people of Shuangcheng and assassinations in the army at night, not the result of my allowing the bandits to remain. These are all the henchmen of Princess Ning'an of Mobei, deliberately stirring up trouble and framing her!"

These words caused an uproar throughout the hall!

No one expected that the real culprit behind this upheaval that swept through the court and the border would be Princess Ning'an of the northern desert!

The chief steward then spread out the thick stack of attachments and documents one by one and placed them in front of the emperor's desk.

The first volume contains the handwritten confessions of the captured assassins. They all confessed to being Princess Ning'an's direct secret guards, having infiltrated the border region for many years. They were ordered to incite civil unrest, assassinate generals, and frame the border governor.

Volume Two contains records of the entire process of evidence gathering at the border. It includes the trail of rumors circulating in the streets and the coded messages used by the assassins at their gatherings. The evidence is irrefutable and undeniable.

Volume Three contains reports voluntarily submitted by the people of the two newly acquired cities, as well as a list of soldiers receiving pensions. It clearly records all of Li Xuanzhi's measures for pacifying the people and pacifying the troops, and fortifying defenses. Each and every one is a testament to his practical achievements.

The once imposing chief censor's face instantly turned deathly pale, his body swayed, and he staggered half a step. The certainty and arrogance in his eyes vanished, leaving only panic.

He finally understood that their relentless impeachment efforts over the past few days were because they thought they had found a weakness in Li Xuanzhi.

Little did they know that from beginning to end, they were merely pawns that Princess Ning'an could discard at any time.

They were used and used to create momentum for others, becoming accomplices in framing loyal and virtuous people.

Princess Ning'an, who had vowed to give them a good life and make them superior people, had long since disappeared and had no intention of leaving them a way out.

Li Xuanzhi's reply ended with a long passage—

"Princess Ning'an lost her power struggle, and the border defenses ran out of ideas. Unable to confront our dynasty head-on, she secretly plotted and stirred up trouble."

"His heart is treacherous, and his schemes are insidious. He intends to disrupt our borders, our court, and the wise and benevolent ears of our Great Yong Emperor. He uses his own power struggles and personal grudges to stir up trouble between the two countries and agitate public opinion throughout the land."

"I have committed no wrongdoing whatsoever, but have only fulfilled my duty to defend the land, seek benefits for the country, and ensure the well-being of the people. The irrefutable evidence presented today is as clear as the sun and moon, and serves as proof of my sincere loyalty to the emperor and my love for the country."

The Golden Palace was deathly silent; you could hear a pin drop.

The entire court was silent as if trembling with fear; no one dared to utter a single word.

The officials who had previously seconded the impeachment motion and fueled the unrest all bowed their heads, their faces pale and ashen. They feared being held accountable by the Emperor and being accused of framing loyal officials and blindly following the emperor's orders to disrupt the government.

After a long while, the emperor on the dragon throne slowly raised his eyes. The deep scrutiny in his eyes faded away, replaced by a chilling aura of power.

His gaze swept over the flustered courtiers below the steps, his voice icy, echoing throughout the entire hall:

"Gentlemen, do you still believe today that Li Xuanzhi's crimes are unforgivable?"

No one answered, and no one dared to answer.

The impeachment proceedings, which lasted for so many days, have now vanished without a trace.

The emperor lightly brushed the scroll with his fingertips. "He defended the territory and expanded the borders, gaining two cities without firing a shot. He cared for his soldiers, distributing precious medicines to reassure the army. He pacified the displaced people, stabilizing the border cities and consolidating the foundation of the nation. Such a capable minister was repeatedly slandered by rumors and almost suffered injustice."

"This shows how terrifying the evils of gossip in the imperial court and the calamities of blind obedience truly are!"

As soon as he finished speaking, an overwhelming aura of power swept over him.

The emperor's gaze suddenly locked onto the chief censor.

"The Censorate, disregarding factual evidence, has wantonly impeached a high-ranking official. This has sowed confusion in the court and stirred public opinion. All censors who participated in the impeachment of Li Xuanzhi are hereby dismissed from their posts, demoted, investigated, and ordered to reflect on their actions in seclusion for three months!"

"Those who blindly echoed this sentiment, or who took sides without evidence, shall each be fined three months' salary as a warning!"

The former censors, stripped of their official hats and robes, all collapsed to their knees, their knees buckling.

His face was ashen, and his whole body trembled. Gone was the righteous indignation and imposing demeanor he once possessed when impeaching high-ranking officials.

The courtiers who echoed this sentiment all lowered their heads, none daring to raise their heads to meet the Emperor's gaze.

The punishment of a three-month salary deduction may seem lenient, but it serves as a stark warning. It publicly condemns their mistake of blindly following rumors and undermining the court.

The hall remained deathly silent for a long while before the emperor spoke again:

"Since Li Xuanzhi took charge of the border, he has assessed the situation and made strategic plans. He has not depleted the national treasury's grain reserves, nor damaged the army's armor. He has captured two cities, settled displaced people, comforted wounded soldiers, and strengthened border defenses. He has resolved border threats before they could materialize and thwarted enemy plots before they could be launched. His achievements benefit the nation and all the people."

"Minister Li Xuanzhi, who oversees the border affairs, has handled border matters appropriately and is well-versed in the overall situation. He is hereby bestowed with one hundred taels of gold, one thousand bolts of brocade, and ten jars of imperial wine! All matters concerning the northwest border defense shall be under Xuanzhi's command. No official in the court may offer any unwarranted advice or obstruct his decisions!"