I play the role of Jiajing in Zongwu: What crime have I committed?

At this moment, Zhu Houcong finally understood how the Jiajing Emperor felt when faced with Hai Rui's "Memorial on Governance".

It felt like being force-fed excrement.

This is hardly a congratulatory message.

It was clearly a resounding slap across his face!

The further Zhu Houcong looked, the deeper his gaze became.

What a wonderful Cai Quan!

If these words, written with blood and tears, truly come from the heart, then he is indeed a rare pillar of the Liang Dynasty.

With such upright officials in court, the country can remain stable for several more decades.

But what if this was premeditated, orchestrated by someone...?

Whether there's an article or not, we'll know once it's been reviewed.

He wouldn't mind letting Tsai Chuan suffer a bit first.

"Rebellion! Rebellion!"

Zhu Houcong glared at him, exuding domineering aura, and roared in fury.

The straw ring on his head fell to the ground with a thud.

Even through the curtains, Lou Zhijing and the others could still feel the majestic power of the heavens.

"Who is behind Cai Quan's actions?"

Every word he uttered struck the hearts of everyone like a heavy hammer blow.

The chilling murderous aura emanating from behind the bright curtains caused the backs of all the court officials to be soaked with cold sweat.

"This is an attempt to force me to issue an edict of self-reproach and abdicate!"

"Investigate, find out who's behind Cai Quan."

Upon hearing this angry shout, Zhao Mengjing, who was outside the hall, instantly broke out in a cold sweat that soaked through his inner robe.

As the Minister of Justice, how could he escape responsibility when the officials in charge submitted such a memorial?

In desperation, his passive skill was activated.

The first non-stick pan of Daliang immediately thought of extricating itself from the situation.

He hurriedly announced in a loud voice, "Your Majesty, Zhao Mengjing, the Minister of Justice, has a memorial to present."

"Finally, someone has come forward to take responsibility."

Zhu Houcong's cold laughter pierced through the palace, like an ice blade pressed against Zhao Mengjing's throat.

"I knew it; the cabinet couldn't be without you, Zhao Mengjing."

"I didn't misjudge you. Tell me everything you want to say!"

Zhao Mengjing touched his forehead to the ground and said frankly, "Your Majesty, I humbly request that you let me see the congratulatory letter written by Cai Quan first."

"A congratulatory message?"

Zhu Houcong suddenly chuckled, but the laughter was even more chilling than his previous roar.

"Are you still saying that Cai Quan wrote a congratulatory letter?"

"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you allow me to see what Cai Quan wrote."

Zhu Houcong leaned down and asked, "Are you trying to say that you didn't know anything about it beforehand?"

"Your Majesty, I truly do not know," Zhao Mengjing kowtowed again.

"Hehehe, see? They're all more impressive than the last."

"First, clean yourself up before you try to outwit me."

“Zhao Mengjing, haven’t you heard that the devil is one foot tall, but the righteous are ten feet tall?”

"I dare not!"

Zhao Mengjing's forehead rested on the gold brick.

"Your Majesty is wise; I dare not deceive you in the slightest."

"Oh?"

Zhu Houcong suddenly laughed, but his laughter carried a chilling undertone.

Cai Quan slapped him in the face, so he was naturally angry.

If there is no reaction today, then tomorrow even more ministers will dare to ride roughshod over him.

But it wouldn't be accurate to say he was as angry as the Jiajing Emperor.

Now it's more about rewards.

And to have Cai Quan thoroughly investigated, to see if he was a legitimate and upright official or a tool of someone else.

However, now that Zhao Mengjing is not playing by the rules and is not saying what he should say, Zhu Houcong is no longer trying to evade the issue.

"Cao Zhichun, show it to him."

"Yes!"

Cai Quan's congratulatory letter was handed to Zhao Mengjing, who quickly opened it to examine it.

snort!

I'd like to see what earth-shattering, ghost-weeping content this is.

But the more Zhao Mengjing read, the more she realized how unlucky she was.

He made outrageous remarks, insulted the emperor, and criticized the imperial clan.

Cai Quan is quite a character, daring to write such treasonous words.

However, while this statement is somewhat absurd, upon closer examination it seems to make some sense.

However, now is not the time to reason with each other; it is time to distance ourselves from Cai Quan.

"Zhao Mengjing, do you think this congratulatory letter is well written?"

Zhu Houcong's fatal flaw was enough to crush Zhao Mengjing.

"Pedantic, utterly pedantic!"

Zhao Mengjing immediately stated her position.

"How dare a mere pedantic scholar discuss the gains and losses of a monarch?"

"After studying for two years, you've forgotten what North and South are like!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Zhichun's gaze turned icy.

She said softly, "Master, if you give Cai Quan to me, I guarantee I will satisfy you."

The meaning of this is self-evident.

For the Eastern Depot, killing someone with a sword was far too easy.

Upon hearing this, the air in the hall seemed to freeze, and everyone held their breath.

Zhu Houcong slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping over Cao Zhichun, who was kneeling on the ground, before landing on Zhao Mengjing.

He certainly couldn't let Cao Zhichun kill Cai Quan in such a muddled way.

"Zhao Mengjing, what do you think should be done?"

"The three judicial departments will conduct a joint trial and thoroughly investigate this person," Zhao Mengjing said solemnly.

"Then let's go!"

Zhu Houcong's final, deafening roar sent chills down everyone's spine.

[Wear a grass ring, recite a quote from Emperor Jiajing, imitate Emperor Jiajing +3, reward: Great Heavenly General Pill]

Chapter 125 Trial of Cai Quan

Cao Zhichun personally led a team of agents from the Eastern Depot to Cai's residence in a menacing manner.

At this moment, the gates of the mansion were wide open, and there was not a single person guarding them.

The main hall was brightly lit by candles. Cai Quan, dressed in plain clothes, sat calmly in front of a black coffin.

"What a fearless madman! He's even prepared a coffin."

Cao Zhichun's sinister gaze swept over the coffin, and he sneered.

Upon hearing this, Cai Quan simply smiled faintly and calmly looked at Cao Zhichun: "I know that if I submit this memorial today, I will surely die."

"This coffin is for myself."

"Oh!"

Cao Zhichun suddenly let out a sharp laugh: "Once you're in the imperial prison, your life and death will be out of your control!"

He abruptly waved his hand and ordered sternly, "Guards, put on the heavy shackles!"

Several burly guards stepped forward and snapped a specially made sixty-pound cangue around Cai Quan's neck.

The heavy shackles made Cai Quan sway, but he quickly straightened his back.

"take away."

Cao Zhichun chuckled sinisterly, "I'd like to see how many of the thirty-six forms of torture in the imperial prison you can endure!"

The guards roughly shoved Cai Quan out, the heavy shackles leaving deep marks on the ground.

Before leaving, Cai Quan glanced back at the empty coffin one last time, a relieved smile appearing on her lips.

Although Cao Zhichun spoke harshly, he kept Zhu Houcong's instructions firmly in mind.

After entering the imperial prison, he specifically ordered that Cai Quan be locked in a relatively clean cell, and also gave instructions to the guards next to him.

"His Majesty decreed that this person may be tortured, but his bones and muscles must not be injured, and his life must not be endangered."

"Everyone, keep a close eye on this family!"

"Yes!"

Then, in the dark, damp, and sunless prison cell, Cao Zhichun slowly paced around Cai Quan.

"Lord Cai, I advise you to confess honestly."

"The methods used in this imperial prison are not something a scholar like you can withstand."

Seeing that Cai Quan kept his eyes closed and remained silent, Cao Zhichun signaled to the guards to bring out the finger-crushing device.

Two guards held down Cai Quan's hands from the left and right, and pinched the bamboo skewer between his fingers.

"Let's ask one more time,"

Cao Zhichun leaned down, his voice icy: "Who instructed you to submit this memorial?"

"Is it Prince Jing? Prince Yu?"

"Is it still that Sect Leader Mei from Jiangzuo?"

"Or is it someone else?"

Cai Quan slowly raised her head, her back still straight despite the heavy shackles.

He gazed calmly at Cao Zhichun, his voice soft yet clear.

"The Eastern Depot has set up a private torture chamber to force confessions from court officials, which violates Article 7 of Volume 3 of the Liang Code."

"As a principal officer in the Ministry of Justice, how could I, Cai, speak under the tyrannical power of a cruel official?"

Cao Zhichun's face darkened, and he was about to lash out when he saw that Cai Quan had already closed her eyes, appearing ready to remain silent.

"Great! Excellent!"

Cao Zhichun sneered, "Lord Cai, even if you don't say it, I understand perfectly well."

"Your memorial is full of words, pleading for the people of Jiangzuo, but in reality you are advocating for the Jiangzuo Alliance."