Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

Tong Guan put Zhang Hao down, not even glancing at the panicked wine supervisor from Huangzhou, but instead sized up Gao Zhao, saying with a smile, "The imperial court is a solemn place for discussing state affairs; how can one harm or take a life out of anger!"

Looking at this military officer who was currently the most powerful in the Song Dynasty and could rival Cai Jing, Gao Zhao dared not be presumptuous in the slightest. He scratched his head sheepishly and said, "I was just joking around. I didn't use any force. I was just trying to scare him..."

Tong Guan smiled without saying a word. He had served Li Xian since he entered the palace at a young age, following him on his campaigns. Later, he personally led troops in battles in the south and north. In his decades of military life, he had seen all kinds of situations!

Whether Gao Zhao was just joking or had murderous intent was obvious to him.

However, Tong Guan did not expose him. He smiled slightly and let it go, turning back to his class. But in the instant he turned around, he gave Gao Qiu a half-smile.

Gao Zhao breathed a sigh of relief when he saw him leave, secretly rejoicing that the little Tong Guan was nothing more than that; the young master's single blow had scared him away!

Emperor Huizong breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that a crisis had been averted. Tong Guan was indeed a good man, sensible and discreet, and he did not betray the trust Emperor had placed in him!

Take another look at Gao Zhao. What a piece of trash! A troublemaker! He's over fifty, how could you do that to him!

He didn't even bother to glance at Zhang Hao; at his age, he didn't even understand the rule of accepting defeat in a bet!

Not only was he not bright enough, but he was also so narrow-minded that he openly fought in the imperial court, and almost got himself killed!

Whether you live or die is none of my concern, but you cannot implicate me!

I aspire to be a wise and benevolent ruler, a sage emperor for all time!

How can I be disgraced and stained because of you!

He beckoned, and the palace guards immediately stepped forward, grabbed Zhang Hao without saying a word, and dragged him away!

The officials looked at each other with different expressions. Although the Song Dynasty treated its scholars and officials well, it was not without its limits!

Over the years, many people have been punished for their words, exiled or demoted, and some have even been beheaded.

Otherwise, do you think Su Shi wrote several poems that led to his death during the Wutai Poetry Case? Because there was a real precedent!

The officials were not surprised by Zhang Hao's fate; some even gloated and applauded. Of course, others, like Gao Zhao, felt sorry for him, as if they were witnessing a shared sense of sorrow.

Emperor Huizong glared disdainfully at Gao Zhao, who was feigning concern, then looked at the ministers who had impeached Gao Zhao and said gently, "My ministers, do you wish to continue questioning him?"

Seeing Zhang Hao's fate, these people felt a pang of sorrow and hesitated. Speaking up for someone would certainly have its benefits, but if it meant jeopardizing their own future, it would be a losing proposition!

"Continue questioning!" Just then, a man stepped forward and declared loudly, "We are different from Zhang Hao. We have come here solely for justice and fairness. We must get to the bottom of this and restore justice to the world!"

The others turned their heads in surprise, and after a moment of stunned silence, they realized that they could not back down now.

If we were to retire, we would inevitably be ridiculed and treated like Zhang Hao.

Advancing might not end well, but retreating will certainly ruin your reputation!

They had no way back, they could only forge ahead!

"That's right, we've come for justice!" the crowd agreed in unison. One of them stepped forward and questioned, "According to Zhang Hao, only one of the five pawnshops was problematic. So, what is the basis for Gao Gemen's seizure of the other four?"

Faced with the questioning, Gao Zhao remained calm and composed, saying lightly, "Zhang Hao is a treacherous minister; his words cannot be trusted!"

The group nodded and waited for him to continue.

Gao Zhao blinked, looking confused. "I've finished speaking, why are you still looking at me?"

The group was stunned for a moment before they realized, "Are you kidding me?"

Is this what you call evidence? Is this what you call reason?

The leader took a deep breath to calm his agitated emotions and said in a deep voice, "Master Gao, since Zhang Hao's words cannot be trusted, please provide something that can be trusted!"

"Oh!" Gao Zhao seemed to suddenly realize something, smiled apologetically, and said, "Those five families are in cahoots, working together in the same boat, seemingly five families, but in reality they are all one group!"

After Gao Zhao finished speaking calmly, he fell silent again. The official, being experienced, quickly pressed him for evidence: "Does Gao Zhao have any proof for his conclusion?"

"Indeed, without evidence, such a conclusion is slander and falsehood..."

Seeing that the conversation had finally gotten to the point, everyone quickly chimed in with their support, speaking with great confidence.

There's no other reason than that they know the situation of those four companies better than anyone else, and there's absolutely no problem with them; at least, it can't be found out on the surface!

Before they could finish speaking, Gao Zhao interrupted, "Yes!"

"Yes? Yes what?" The crowd didn't understand what he meant and looked bewildered. Did I know better than you whether it was true or not?

Gao Zhao ignored them, turned to Zhao Ji, took out a piece of agate and presented it, saying respectfully, "This was seized by your subject from the Shunchang Treasury. Please take a look, Your Majesty!"

The eunuch immediately stepped forward, took the agate, and presented it to the emperor's desk.

Emperor Huizong took the document and examined it closely. He found it exquisite and vaguely familiar, but he couldn't quite place it. Just as he was about to ask, a person suddenly rushed out from the ranks of the palace, knelt down, and burst into tears.

"Your Majesty, you must do justice for me!"

Zhao Ji looked at the person in the hall, his expression one of astonishment. He quickly waved for someone to help him up, and hurriedly said, "Quickly, get up and speak!"

The officials were also astonished and hurriedly stepped forward to help him up. This person was of special status; he was Xiang Zongliang, the Prince of Yongjia, the Grand Master of the Palace, and the Military Governor of Ninghai Army!

He also had another identity: he was the younger brother of Empress Qinshengxiansu!

Empress Xiang was Zhao Ji's legal mother and a key figure in his decision to overrule public opinion and establish him as emperor!

Therefore, Emperor Huizong of Song (Zhao Ji) naturally had to show Xiang Zongliang sufficient respect and courtesy!

After being helped up, Xiang Zongliang continued to wail, heartbroken.

Upon seeing this, Emperor Huizong (Zhao Ji) quickly asked, "Why is the Prince of Yongjia so sorrowful?"

Suppressing his grief, Xiang Zongliang pointed to the agate in Zhao Ji's hand and said painfully, "This was a burial item bestowed by the temple when my father passed away in the ninth year of the Xining era!"

"Whoosh..."

An uproar immediately erupted inside the Yanhe Hall!

Xiang Jing offended members of the New Party and was forced to leave the capital, where he was transferred to a local post. However, he soon fell seriously ill.

On his way back to the capital after receiving an imperial edict, he died in Zizhou. The emperor sent envoys to fetch his remains and buried him in the Xiang family ancestral cemetery in Fengtai Village, Bianyang Township, Kaifeng. The emperor bestowed upon him the inscription "Loyal, Diligent, and Virtuous Relative" on his tombstone. His funeral was conducted with great pomp and ceremony.

The funeral was also of extremely high standard, with court suspended for three days, and he was posthumously awarded the title of Attendant-in-Ordinary and the posthumous name of Kangyi.

Emperor Shenzong personally went to the outskirts of the city to offer sacrifices, and Empress Xiang visited the tomb three times.

And now his burial items have appeared here, what does that mean?

That ancestral grave not only buries Xiang Jing, but also Xiang Minzhong!

"Good, good, good!" Zhao Ji's face was ashen, his eyes flashing with murderous intent. He gritted his teeth and uttered three "good"s in quick succession. Then, he turned around and roared, "Gao Zhao, listen to my command!"

"Your subject is here!" Gao Zhao responded and stepped forward, bowing as he awaited orders.

"I'll give you another thousand men. Take down all these lawless traitors, dead or alive!"

"I obey your decree!"