nucmednet Chapter 194 Imperial Envoy
Chapter 194 Imperial Envoy
Just when the atmosphere was tense and depressing, Duke Gu walked into the Golden Palace, holding several heavy pieces of evidence in his hands, and walked in with a heroic and arrogant look. Grand Tutor Liu and others looked at Duke Gu holding the things in his hands, his face was pale without a trace of color, and his body was shaking constantly.
Duke Gu walked to the center of the hall, bowed respectfully to Emperor Mingqing, and reported to him, "Your Majesty, I have conducted a thorough investigation according to your order. This is the evidence I found in the residence of Grand Tutor Liu and the residence of the Minister of Works. Please have a look, Your Majesty."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Mingqing narrowed his eyes slightly and asked the eunuch beside him to bring the evidence to him. He took the evidence from the eunuch's hand and read it carefully page by page, his face becoming increasingly gloomy.
Master Liu and others were so frightened that they broke out in cold sweats and trembled continuously.
Emperor Mingqing was furious after reading the evidence. He slammed the account book on the dragon table, shocking Liu Taishi and others. "As important officials of the court, you dare to be so bold and presumptuous, deceiving the emperor, being corrupt, and not caring about the lives of the people. Your crimes are simply unforgivable!"
Upon hearing this, Master Liu and the others were so frightened that they trembled all over and kept kowtowing and begging for mercy: "Your Majesty, please spare my life. I know I was wrong, I know I was wrong..."
Emperor Ming Qing remained stern and unmoved by their pleas for mercy. After a moment of silence, he asked Duke Gu: "Duke Gu, in your opinion, how should we deal with them?"
Duke Gu said in a deep voice: "I believe that corruption, bribery, and oppression of the people are crimes of great disrespect and should be severely punished. The main culprit should be executed and his property should be confiscated. The accomplices should be demoted to commoners and exiled to the border as a warning."
Emperor Mingqing nodded in agreement: "Just as you said. Liu Taishi, the Minister of Revenue, and the Vice Minister of Works will be taken to the Heavenly Prison immediately and executed at noon tomorrow at the Meridian Gate. The rest of the officials involved in the case will be demoted to commoners and exiled three thousand miles away, never to return to the capital."
As soon as these words were spoken, Grand Tutor Liu and others were so frightened that they collapsed to the ground, their faces filled with despair, and they allowed the guards to take them away.
After they were taken away, Duke Gu said to the emperor in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, the emperor is guilty of the same crime as the common people. The Fourth Prince colluded with Liu Taishi and others, and was corrupt and took bribes. He harmed innocent people. His behavior is extremely bad. I beg the emperor to be vigilant and punish them severely to rectify the government and calm the people."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Mingqing looked deep in his eyes and said in a deep voice: "Duke Gu is right. The Fourth Prince has only committed such a serious crime. I will never tolerate it. Come, pass the order down. Immediately throw the Fourth Prince into the Sky Prison, confiscate his property, demote him to a commoner, and exile him three thousand miles away, never to return to the capital." After all, he was his own son, and he did not put him to death.
Duke Gu didn't say much when he heard this. It was already very good that the emperor punished the fourth prince in this way.
After passing down the order, Emperor Ming Qing waved his hand to let Duke Gu leave. After Duke Gu left, Emperor Ming Qing began to think about sending an imperial envoy to deal with the flood in Jiangnan, and soon a candidate came to his mind - Ning Chengyan, the son of Duke Ning, was an honest official with outstanding political achievements. He was capable, able to endure hardships, and able to appease the people. He had dealt with disasters in the places he was appointed to deal with many times, and he was the best candidate for this task.
At the same time, Ning Xiaotian, who had returned to the Ningguo Mansion, called his eldest son into the study, told him what happened in the court, and then said to him: "The emperor will most likely send you as an imperial envoy to deal with the flood in Jiangnan this time, so you should pack your things in advance."
Ning Chengyan nodded and said, "Yes, father."
Ning Xiaotian warned him earnestly: "When you go to Jiangnan to control the flood, you must ensure your own safety. Don't just care about others and ignore yourself. You must remember that you will be a father soon, so don't take your own life lightly."
His eldest son has a selfless heart and puts the safety of the people above his own, which makes Ning Xiaotian both relieved and worried.
Ning Chengyan heard this, a hint of tenderness flashed in his eyes, and he said softly: "Don't worry, father, I will protect myself and won't let anything happen to me."
His wife is now pregnant and his sister has been found. He has to fulfill his responsibilities as a father and make up for what he has owed to his sister over the years. He will never let anything happen to himself.
Ning Xiaotian felt relieved after hearing this and continued, "The flood in Jiangnan is serious. Not only will you be responsible for flood control, disaster relief and appeasing the people, but you will also have to deal with corrupt officials. Bring more people with you this time."
After saying that, he thought of something and said, "Let's take the second brother with us this time. He is not mature enough and needs to experience some things."
Ning Chengyan nodded.
At dusk, Eunuch Gao, who served as the emperor's attendant, came to the Ningguo Mansion with the imperial edict and read out the emperor's decree ordering Ning Chengyan to serve as the imperial commissioner to go to Jiangnan as soon as possible to control the flood.
Ning Chengyan accepted the order and thanked Eunuch Gao. After that, the whole family surrounded Ning Chengyan.
"Yan'er, you must be careful on this trip and ensure your own safety." Jiang warned Ning Chengyan with a worried look on her face.
Ning Chengyan nodded and said soothingly, "Mom, don't worry, I will protect myself and nothing will happen to me."
"Husband, the children and I are waiting for you at home. You must return safely." Song Wenyin looked at Ning Chengyan with reluctance.
Ning Chengyan promised her gently, "Wen Yin, I will return safely."
Ning Hui said seriously, "Brother, I want to go with you."
As soon as he finished speaking, Ning Chengxiao beside him slapped him on the head.
"Why are you causing trouble, little brat? Just stay home. I will go with my brother."
Ning Hui covered his head and complained to Ning Chengxiao in dissatisfaction, "Second brother, a gentleman should use words instead of fists. Can you please not hit me on the head? If you hit me on the head, how can I get married in the future? And I'm already eleven years old, how can I be a kid!"
Everyone couldn't help laughing when they heard his words, and the sad atmosphere of the upcoming separation was broken by him.
Ning Chengxiao looked at his angry appearance and said with a smile: "You really are my little sister."
Ning Hui glared at him angrily when he heard that. Just when he was about to scold him without considering their brotherly love, he heard him say, "Ning Hui, stay home obediently, and I won't ask you to pay me back for the money you owe me."
Ning Hui: "..."
Forget it, if I don’t go, I won’t go.
When he has money in the future, he will take his sister to visit Jiangnan.
"Okay, write me a written agreement later." Ning Hui said to Ning Chengxiao with a smile.
Ning Chengxiao raised his eyebrows and said, "Ning Hui, don't you believe in my character?"
Ning Hui said seriously: "I don't believe you."
Ning Chengxiao: “…”
"Puchi." Ning Sangsang, who was listening to them quietly, couldn't help but laugh out loud, and then successfully attracted everyone's attention to herself.
"Ahem." Ning Sangsang coughed lightly and waved at Ning Chengxiao and Ning Hui who were looking at her, "You guys continue."
After saying that, Ning Sangsang turned her gaze to Ning Chengyan and said to him, "Brother, you must take good care of yourself when you go to Jiangnan to control the flood this time, and you must return safely."
Ning Chengyan smiled and nodded, "Sangsang, I will."