Huo Wujiu was well aware that if certain words weren’t spoken now, it would be very hard to say them the next time; if some lies were admitted, it would also be difficult to turn back.
For instance, Li Changning’s case.
In the beginning, Li Changning lied to Jiang Suizhou, saying that his legs couldn’t be cured. Wei Kai also disguised as Li Changning’s disciple instead of his subordinate. He had told those lies at that time, so if he now told Jiang Suizhou he could stand up, it would mean admitting to that lie.
Maybe he had no experience in lying, so he didn’t know how to face it. It could also be because he somehow had an inexplicable guilty conscience, not daring to let Jiang Suizhou know the thoughts behind his deception.
In a nutshell, his strong desire to share his joy with Jiang Suizhou was shoved back in with difficulty, as if a fishbone was swallowed and got stuck in his throat, pricking him painfully.
And this suffering of his naturally wasn’t known to Jiang Suizhou.
He was over at Xu Du’s, sitting together drinking tea.
The other day, he discussed this matter with Huo Wujiu to hear his opinion. Huo Wujiu also agreed with his risky plan, so he settled as such.
He gathered up all the original owner’s connections, found one hiding in the Ministry of Justice, and contacted him in secret. When that person knew Qi Min would be murdered, he was quite willing to help, so that person became the one who saved Qi Min’s life today in the courtroom.
Jiang Suizhou told him to start talking when the Hou Zhu was enraged—to spare Qi Min’s life for the time being, and assuming an indignant look, to cut the weeds and dig up the roots, ferreting out those traitors hiding behind Qi Min.
Pang Shao and Zhao Dunting’s plan was quite secretive. Even if it was their own faction’s people, there wouldn’t be many people who knew. As long as this official raised this idea, it was inevitable for these people to respond. After all, even if caught, it would be the officials that opposed Pang’s faction, and it would only benefit, not harm, them.
As such, Qi Min’s life was retained for the time being.
Afterward, another person went up on stage.
The courtroom was momentarily abuzz with noise.
Many court ministers agreed with the Ministry of Justice official’s idea. For a while, many of the officials knelt. All of them appealed to let Qi Min live for a few more days and dig out more information from him before letting him die.
The situation was very grave. The Hou Zhu was especially indecisive. Seeing the dissatisfied kneeling court ministers, he instantly gave an order: organize a thorough investigation on all officials related to Qi Min.
For a while, the crowd of officials dared not obey.
At this very moment, an official knelt down with a thump.
“Indeed, Your Majesty! Qi Min should be investigated, all others in the court that have had contact with Northern Liang deserve to die!” that official said. “But, this servant is worried. Your Majesty, please let this servant speak!”
All the officials looked over, and saw the one kneeling on the ground was a sixth rank official under Qi Min.
This official just passed the imperial examination a few years ago. Since entering the palace as an official, he had always worked under Qi Min. His relationship with Qi Min wasn’t considered very close, but he still was virtually in the same faction.
For a while, silence reigned in the court. Everyone waited for his next words.
The Hou Zhu said, “By all means.”
The official raised his eyes and looked around the court. He kowtowed, saying, “Letters were found in Qi Min’s residence. Because it was all taken unaware, he was caught red-handed. If Your Majesty goes to arrest him now with much commotion, there will definitely be someone taking some precautions and destroying any incriminating evidence. By then, even if there are spies, it will be hard to look into.”
The Hou Zhu found it reasonable.
He repeatedly nodded. “Then, what does aiqing* think?”
*aiqing – an affectionate term of address of a monarch toward a subject
The official grit his teeth, raised his head and said, “In the palace, Qi Min has several close colleagues and disciples. Even if this official does not mention this, Your Majesty must have been aware of this as well. What about sending imperial guards now to check these people’s houses? All of us officials will remain in the hall and will not leave until the search has concluded.”
For a while, the surrounding officials were greatly surprised.
What kind of approach was this? Treating all the courtiers like prisoners and detaining them in the same place, before dispatching troops to search the houses?
This was simply extremely absurd!
But everyone could tell, this boy was making a dangerous move. Knowing that Qi Min would fall, and he himself couldn’t get away from Qi Min, he sold Qi Min’s party in advance, turning the tables, ingratiating before the Hou Zhu.
