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

"As an official appointed by the imperial court, is it not true that you collude with outlaws and plot to rebel?"

Cai Quan remained silent upon hearing this.

Seeing this, Cao Zhichun had no choice but to let the guards carry out the executions first.

As the bamboo skewer tightened, Cai Quan trembled with pain, cold sweat pouring from her forehead.

"Stop resisting, just tell me!" Cao Zhichun urged again.

Cai Quan's face was contorted in pain, yet she still gritted her teeth and said, "What I did was entirely of my own volition, and has nothing to do with anyone else."

Cao Zhichun narrowed his eyes, then signaled to the guards to relax.

"Lord Cai, my family has lived for decades, what kind of people haven't we seen?"

"What truly great philanthropists are there in this world?"

"You risked your life to submit this memorial; surely you have some ulterior motive?"

"Tell me, what is your purpose in smearing His Majesty? Are you trying to defend certain people?"

He leaned close to Cai Quan's ear and whispered, "If you're willing to confess, we can release you immediately."

Why suffer this pain for someone else's sake?

Cai Quan struggled to lift her head, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.

"You're overthinking it, Eunuch Cao. I have nothing to say."

Seeing that Cai Quan still did not speak, Cao Zhichun straightened up and sighed.

"Continue the torture."

Before long, Cai Quan's plain clothes were soaked with blood.

Cao Zhichun squinted at the stubborn scholar, secretly surprised.

An ordinary person in this situation would have been begging for mercy long ago.

Although the person in front of me was pale, his eyes were still clear as ever.

"Lord Cai, why bother?"

Cao Zhichun feigned a sigh and gently swept Cai Quan's bloody wound with a whisk.

Cai Quan suddenly coughed violently. He struggled to lift his head, and a mocking smile appeared on his blood-stained lips.

"Since Eunuch Cao has gone to such great lengths, why not just give me a quick and decisive answer?"

Meanwhile, Suzaku's figure silently disappeared into the shadows outside the torture chamber.

Through the Zhuque's perspective, Zhu Houcong took in everything inside the torture chamber.

Cai Quan's unyielding spirit vividly appeared in his mind.

Although the person was covered in blood and gore, his back remained straight.

And a stubborn smile lingered on his blood-stained lips.

It was as if they were mocking the methods of the Eastern Depot.

Zhu Houcong could probably guess that what he wrote came from his own heart, rather than being instructed by someone behind the scenes.

He was fiddling with the wooden mallet in his hand when he suddenly opened his eyes and spoke to Yan Song, who was standing to the side.

"By imperial decree, Cao Zhichun is to immediately cease the interrogation, and Zhao Mengjing shall personally conduct the interrogation. Furthermore, no torture shall be used thereafter."

A writer's pen is more powerful than a million soldiers.

A mouth that cannot be pried open by torture may still be pried open by words.

After Yan Song left, a meaningful smile appeared on Zhu Houcong's lips.

He wanted to see whether Cai Quan was an inflexible and pedantic scholar or a wise and courageous minister like Hai Rui.

If he is truly a capable minister like Hai Rui, then we should make good use of him.

The following day, the main hall of the Ministry of Justice was solemn and dignified.

Officials from the three judicial departments stood on either side, while the presiding judge, Zhao Mengjing, sat high in the hall.

Unlike last night's private torture by the Eastern Depot, today's interrogation was conducted entirely in accordance with the laws of the imperial court.

"Cai Quan."

Zhao Mengjing slammed the gavel, the sound echoing in the empty hall.

"Today is a joint trial by the three judicial departments. I am questioning you, and you must answer truthfully!"

Despite her injuries, Cai Quan still stood tall.

"Sir, please ask. I will answer truthfully."

"Under the guise of a congratulatory memorial, you have committed a heinous act of treason. This memorial, which is like a mad dog barking at the sun and hurling insults at the emperor, has filled all the ministers of the Six Ministries and Nine Courts with righteous indignation!"

Zhao Mengjing asked, "Now I want to ask you, is this something you did under the direction of someone, or is it something you did out of your mind to gain fame?"

Cai Quan took a deep breath, her voice soft yet each word resounding.

"Since His Majesty has shown the memorial to you gentlemen, I will speak frankly today."

"I submit this memorial to uphold the proper conduct of the ruler and clarify the duties of a subject!"

He surveyed the officials in the hall with piercing eyes.

"Everything I have said and every argument I have made is true."

"Which one of them is not the word of a sage?"

"Gentlemen, you are all scholars who have studied the classics and assisted the Emperor in governing the country. After reading my memorial, would you think that my words are outrageous and that I am seeking fame for my honesty?"

Chapter 126 A Nation's Weapon

Inside the Wanshou Palace, the candlelight flickered. Zhu Houcong slowly closed the interrogation record from the joint trial by the three judicial departments during the day, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"What a fine Cai Quan."

Cao Zhichun bowed respectfully, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, and said cautiously, "Master, this Cai Quan is indeed arrogant."

"Relying on the fact that their master forbade Lord Zhao and his men from using torture, during the joint trial by the three judicial departments, they actually used the 'Great Liang Code' as a sword, leaving Lord Zhao and his men speechless."

Zhu Houcong chuckled.

"The law does not apply to high-ranking officials. This is a fair and just trial by the three judicial departments, not your treacherous imperial prison. Therefore, torture is not permitted."

Cao Zhichun whispered, "This man is eloquent; every word he utters hits the nail on the head. Not a single official from the Three Departments can out-argue him."

"My lord, please hand him over to me, I..."

"That's enough."

Zhu Houcong raised his hand to interrupt, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes.

"You are no match for him."

He slowly rose, walked to the window with his hands behind his back, gazed at the deep night, and said calmly, "Tomorrow, I will personally interrogate him."

Cao Zhichun was suddenly shocked, never expecting the emperor to value Cai Quan so much.

"My lord, Cai Quan is an unruly man, and I am worried that he may disturb His Majesty's presence."

Zhu Houcong said meaningfully, "If that were the case, that would be good."

If he could be like Hai Rui, wouldn't I be able to reap another wave of rewards?

The following day, Zhu Houcong, wearing a black cloak, quietly arrived at the deepest part of the imperial prison under the protection of the Eastern Depot guards.

In the dimly lit stone chamber, only an oil lamp flickered with a faint light.

Cai Quan, wearing heavy shackles, sat on a stone bench and slowly looked up when he heard the iron gate open.

The cloak's shadow completely obscured Zhu Houcong's face, making it impossible to recognize him.

"His Majesty has a few questions for you, and he has ordered me to ask them."

Zhu Houcong deliberately lowered his voice, which echoed in the stone chamber.

"I'd like to know how you would answer."

Cai Quan moved her wrist, which was chafed and bleeding from the shackles, with difficulty.

"Since His Majesty has inquired of me, I will answer to the best of my knowledge."

Cai Quan tentatively asked, "May I ask, sir, which government office do you serve in?"

"Just like you, I serve in the Great Liang Dynasty. You just need to give my reply."

"Then please ask."

At that moment, Cai Quan suddenly straightened her back.

Zhu Houcong walked to the grand master's chair and sat down, saying calmly, "In your memorial, you have blatantly denigrated the current emperor, stating directly that he is not a wise ruler."

"So, who is the wise ruler in your mind?"

"Yao, Shun, Yu, and Tang."

Cai Quan answered without hesitation.

"What a silver tongue."

Zhu Houcong sneered.

Yao, Shun, Yu, and Tang are exemplary sage rulers throughout history.

They fulfilled the world's various expectations of a wise ruler.

For example, diligence in government and love for the people, frugality and self-discipline, appointing the virtuous and capable, and humbly accepting advice.

Cai Quan's answer was actually irrelevant and merely a hollow remark about ancient sages.

That wasn't the answer he wanted either.

"Your Majesty's question is: among all the princes, who is worthy of being the wise ruler you envision?"

Cai Quan paused for a moment, then spoke.

"I have no answer to this question."

Zhu Houcong pressed further, "Is it that you have nothing to say, or are you afraid of implicating the so-called 'wise ruler' in your eyes?"

"This question misinterprets what I said in my memorial to the throne, and I naturally disdain to answer it."

"Hehe, what a profound subject!"

Upon hearing this, Cai Quan suddenly looked up and said, "Sir, could you please relay my words to the Emperor verbatim?"

"explain."

"All the people under heaven regard the Emperor as their father. Since I receive the Emperor's salary, I naturally regard the Emperor as my father as well. Why should I seek another wise and virtuous ruler?"

Cai Quan's voice gradually gained strength.

“Every word I said in my memorial was true.”

"The current emperor engages in Taoist practices and rituals, and undertakes large-scale construction projects; he regards the world as his private property and uses his own will to control the hearts of the people."

"This led to extravagance at the top and greed at the bottom, exhausting the people's wealth, causing the country to fall into chaos and the people to suffer."

"The Great Liang Dynasty had tens of thousands of officials, yet not a single one dared to speak frankly and offer advice. If I do not speak, the glorious annals of history will be judged by future generations."

"I speak alone today because I do not wish to see Your Majesty leave a bad name for all eternity!"

coming! coming!

This is the taste!

Really fragrant!

Zhu Houcong quickly replied, "Are you the only one who is a loyal, virtuous, and wise minister?"

"I am merely a loyal minister."

Zhu Houcong roared, "Insulting the emperor and father, and you call yourself a loyal minister?"