Water Margin begins as a captain in Yanggu County

Chapter 330 Su Qing's loyalty and righteousness are known throughout the land, how could I not know them?
In the main hall, hundreds of civil and military officials were waiting, as was the emperor.

Someone just reported that, although the news is a bit delayed, Su Wu is already almost at the gates of Bianjing.

The emperor was still asking, "He's coming from the north, so he should be close to the Left Gate. How long will it take him to arrive?"

The Imperial City is located north of Tokyo, so it's considered close.

Geng Nanzhong replied, "Your Majesty, as long as one travels quickly, one can come from the Wazi area, which is the closest, and arrive in three or four quarters of an hour!"

The emperor indeed uttered a single sentence: "I've been waiting impatiently for quite some time..."

Geng Nanzhong then smiled and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, we have already arrived here. Su Wu has already entered the city, so there is certainly no way anything can happen now!"

The emperor sighed deeply, "Alas... it's finally a heavy weight on my chest, but I can finally put it down."

At this moment, the emperor no longer hid anything from his officials. Soon, everyone would witness Su Wu being taken to prison in the palace.

Thus, everyone witnessed that from this day forward, the Emperor truly held all power over the world. This served as a warning, and perhaps some present still harbored doubts. After today, they would dare not hesitate any longer…

On the wide streets of Bianjing, someone was running, galloping anxiously, watching the countless swift horses running on the street.

These men were afraid they couldn't outrun those strong horses, but they dared not spur their horses and ride alongside the soldiers.

Something terrible has happened, something really serious, but I can't run fast enough to get the news out in time...

Su Wu wouldn't actually dare to ride his horse into the imperial city, would he?
No matter how worried you are, if you're slow on one step, you'll be slow on every step, and you'll have to watch helplessly as thousands of strong horses gallop away down the street...

Outside the Left Gate, there were still soldiers from the Palace Guard on guard. The booming sound was not clearly heard from afar in the capital. Only when they got close did they suddenly realize that countless armored knights had suddenly rushed out from the corner of the imperial city wall, towards the direction of the entertainment district!
At the entrance, there was a military officer who vaguely knew what major event might happen in the capital today, but he didn't know the details. He only saw the strong horse galloping in, and it was his duty to go to the gate to block it.

While blocking their way, he shouted, "Dismount! Dismount! How dare you ride a horse at the gates of the imperial city?"

Su Wu arrived, and he was the first to arrive. Seeing the general and his soldiers blocking the gate, he simply drew his spear, tucked it under his arm, and shouted, "Those who block the way shall die!"

The general was stunned for a moment. What was going on? He hadn't even considered the possibility of it...

For example, a mutiny in Tokyo or a rebellion was something that most people in the Song Dynasty would never imagine would happen...

The general was stunned, but Wu Song had already reached for his bow, nocked an arrow, and was about to shoot.

Unexpectedly, Su Wu turned around and said, "Scare him first!"

Wu Song knew that the arrow would only travel forty or fifty paces, slightly higher, before grazing the general's scalp and flying into the gate.

The general was so frightened that he trembled and scurried to the left or right.

Su Wu nodded without saying anything more. His horse slowed down slightly, turned, and he was the first to rush into the left side gate.

Just as the horses' hooves surged in like a long dragon, the general jumped up and shouted, "You can't just rush into the imperial city like this! It's a capital offense, a capital offense!"

Even if you wanted to block it again, it would be impossible.

They could only watch helplessly as thousands of strong horses charged in together. The soldiers guarding the city stood there dumbfounded. In the more than 100 years since the Song Dynasty, such a thing had never happened before.
The bluestone slabs within the imperial city are truly wonderful!
The iron hooves pounded on it, making a crisp, clear sound.

Su Wu had been to the palace many times and knew it well, including the location of the Chuigong Hall.

Su Wu wasn't worried about anyone escaping; he was focused solely on charging in!

However, he also gave instructions: "Second Brother, you take a battalion to the inner palace, capture all the palace maids and eunuchs, find the Emperor Emeritus's residence, protect him first, and wait for my order, then immediately invite the Emperor Emeritus to the Chuigong Hall."

"Understood!" Wu Song broke away from the group and walked. This huge square in front of the palace was his first time here. Wu Song even looked around to scan it. This was his first time entering the imperial city.

All soldiers are the same; they look around and see what they haven't seen before, thus broadening their horizons.

Su Wu was the first to run ahead. The Chui Gong Hall was not actually the main hall, but a side hall. The Chong Ning and Funing Halls were the main halls on the central axis.

However, the main hall is generally not used, and it is not used for ordinary court assemblies. It is only used for major court assemblies and important events.

Su Wu just kept running around the grand halls and squares.

However, from inside the main hall, countless clattering sounds could be heard from the south. The emperor immediately asked, "What's going on?"

Geng Nanzhong was also completely confused. He quickly turned around to look at the square outside the main hall, but he couldn't see what was going on.

Geng Nanzhong was even more puzzled, so he hurried over and looked around when he reached the entrance of the main hall.

I saw it! I saw many palace maids and eunuchs suddenly running towards the corner of the front hall, in a great panic.

Among them were also some guards who patrolled the imperial city, who were now fleeing in panic...

Geng Nanzhong wasn't stunned at all; he immediately realized what was happening and shouted to those around him, "Someone come here! Someone come here!"

At the entrance of the main hall stood armored warriors wielding golden maces, their weapons consisting of a golden mace attached to a pole several meters long. There were also armored warriors wielding long spears.

These are all ceremonial guards; they look imposing and powerful.

But today, there were indeed people hiding on the left, right and behind the main hall. About two hundred of them were daredevils prepared for Su Wu. When they heard the shouts, they gathered at the entrance of the main hall.

The armored soldiers lined up, instantly blocking the entrance to the main hall.

Geng Nanzhong felt relieved, and behind him, the Emperor on the high platform asked, "What exactly happened?"

Geng Nanzhong couldn't answer. He glanced at the emperor, then looked outside the palace. They're here...

Armored cavalry turned around from the front hall, their footsteps echoing on the bluestone slabs. One or two at a time, a large group quickly emerged, their horses slowing down considerably. The leader was clad in armor, but not in iron helmet, while the soldiers on either side wore iron helmets on their heads, their faces completely obscured.

"It's Su Wu!" Geng Nanzhong shouted, turning around and yelling again, "Your Majesty, Su Wu has arrived with his troops! Su Wu is plotting a rebellion! Su Wu is plotting a rebellion!"

At that moment, the entire hall erupted in commotion as civil and military officials alike crowded towards the entrance to see what was happening...

The emperor trembled, lifting the hem of his golden dragon robe, and rushed down the steps, calling out as he went, "How many soldiers? How many soldiers?"

How many?

Geng Nanzhong was already outside the door. He glanced around, but how many? He didn't know either!
All that could be seen was a dark mass of knights, seemingly endless, arriving and filling the entire square in a short time.

It was Su Wu. Su Wu was right below the steps of the imperial palace. He had stopped his horse there and was dismounting.

On the steps of the palace, two or three hundred armored soldiers, along with Geng Nanzhong and numerous officials inside the threshold, all stood motionless, watching Su Wu's movements.

Su Wu was climbing the steps alone, without anyone with him.

The steps aren't very high, only twenty or thirty.

Su Wu has arrived.

Summoning his courage from who-knows-where, Geng Nanzhong pushed his way out from the ranks of armored soldiers and demanded, "Su Wu, are you plotting a rebellion?"

Su Wu stood still, a dozen or twenty paces away from the crowd at the gate, without speaking or carrying any weapons.

Su Wu glanced around and said succinctly, "It's unexpected that Lord Geng still possesses such courage!"

Geng Nanzhong seemed to have found a lot of courage and said, "You traitorous scoundrel, stop showing off your power here. There are tens of thousands of soldiers in various government offices in the capital city, and there are more than 200,000 imperial guards outside the city. With your troops, how dare you act recklessly?"

Su Wu nodded and gestured slightly: "Lord Geng, things have come to this point. Come closer, and I'd like to discuss this privately with you... see if you can spare my life, what do you say?"

Upon hearing this, Geng Nanzhong felt reassured. He turned around to look at the emperor, but he couldn't see him. The emperor was not in his line of sight; instead, the officials were crowding around to see him.

Geng Nanzhong raised his hand and pointed at Su Wu again, shouting: "Traitorous ministers, everyone has the right to kill them! Whoever steps forward to capture Su Wu will be promoted nine ranks, granted a title, and rewarded with ten thousand taels of gold!"

Right before their eyes, only Su Wu had come up, no more than twenty steps away. If everyone rushed forward, killing Su Wu would be a piece of cake.

The guards on either side looked at each other upon hearing this. Not to mention the armored soldiers who were only twenty or so steps below the imperial steps, they had heard countless legends about Su Wu in recent years.

It is said that this man is invincible in battle, always leading the charge and capable of taking on a hundred men single-handedly.

Should we... go for it or not?
Geng Nanzhong shouted even louder, "Charge! Kill this traitorous national villain, quick!"

Someone did take a step forward, but suddenly Su Wu also took a step forward, and the person who had taken the first step immediately pulled back.

All Su Wu saw before him were panicked faces. He cried out, "Lord Geng, can't you really spare my life? I, Su Wu, have never wronged the Emperor, never wronged the nation! I, Su Wu, have died a hundred times on the battlefield. I don't mind dying today, but I want to die knowing why. Lord Geng, come forward and say a few words in private, so that I can die knowing why..."

Why does Su Wu keep repeating this?

It's actually very simple: it's all about persona!

Everyone here is shrewd and calculating; everyone understands the current situation.
Many others in the know also understood that today's purpose was to imprison Su Wu...

When Su Wu's story gets out, it's because he was forced into a corner and had no choice but to beg for his life...

It was the court officials who framed loyal officials, the emperor who was extremely harsh, and no one who could give Su Wu a way out.

This is Su Wu's personal persona, but there is another aspect to consider, namely, his status as the retired emperor.

In any case, as long as the Duke of Zhou feared rumors and Wang Mang remained humble before his usurpation, Su Wu would always have to be a good person, a victim, and a weakling until the very last moment.

One can gain... the innate compassion of humankind!

Anyway, in stories, legends, and casual conversations, Prime Minister Su is truly a good man, good in every way, devoted to the country, the people, and the nation. Unfortunately, there are too many bad people in this world, who always push Prime Minister Su to the brink of despair, just like how he pushed Di Qing in the past...

When major events occur, it will be much easier for the world to accept them.

Then we heard Geng Nanzhong shout something.
The prevailing sentiment was: "Traitors and rebels deserve to be punished by everyone!"

However, Geng Nanzhong was also very clever. He actually went down the steps again and shouted: "Gentlemen, soldiers, you have all been deceived by Su Wu. You do not know that Su Wu is a traitor. As long as you retreat today, we will forgive your past mistakes and only punish the ringleaders!"

Geng Nanzhong still has some tricks up his sleeve...

The shouts subsided, and the armored knights remained motionless; their faces were obscured by iron shields, revealing no expression whatsoever.

In an instant, a chilling atmosphere filled the air.

Naruda shouted, "If you don't spare my brother's life today, you will all die with me!"

Lu Da clearly knew that Su Wu's life or death was hanging in the balance today, and he also knew that if Su Wu died, countless people would soon perish, and he, Lu Da, would be the first to be affected.

Lu Da had seen too many of these filthy Tokyo people. He disliked and looked down on none of them, even though he didn't recognize them. This was because Lu Da had witnessed the filth of Tokyo firsthand!

As soon as Lu Da replied with those words, Geng Nanzhong felt a chill in his heart. He turned back to look again, his eyes still searching for the Emperor.

Su Wuzhuang looked helpless and said, "Lord Geng, what have I done to offend you in the past? Why are you so determined to kill me? Why? I'm fighting for my country with all my heart, why do you have to force me like this? Can't you really speak to me privately and spare my life?"

Geng Nanzhong didn't answer for a moment, and he kept turning back to look...

What about Pai Shih-chung?

"Master Bai..." Geng Nanzhong called out.

Bai Shizhong was also watching from the scene. Hearing the shouts, he waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "You say it, you say it..."

"Lord Li..." Geng Nanzhong called out to Li Bangyan again.

“It’s always been Prime Minister Geng who makes the decisions,” Li Bangyan replied.

"Lord Geng!" Su Wu called out.

Geng Nanzhong turned back to look at Su Wu with a worried expression. What should we do? What should we do?
“Then go and talk to him…” A voice came from inside the hall, and it was the emperor’s voice.

Geng Nanzhong heard and understood, so he told him to appease Su Wu and put the matter at hand aside for now!

Geng Nanzhong swallowed hard, glanced at Su Wu, and finally took a step forward, but he still forced a defiant tone: "What else do you have to say?" Su Wu waited, watching Geng Nanzhong's throat bob as he slowly approached, taking only a dozen or twenty steps.

Su Wu took two steps forward and spoke up: "What is it that you cannot resolve? Why must you, Lord Geng, cut off our supply lines at the heart of Jingdong? My tens of thousands of troops are stationed outside, and without supplies and provisions, they will all die at the hands of the Jurchens. These are men who are willing to die for their country, an army with outstanding achievements. Why must you kill them like this? Lord Geng, why have you gone to such lengths? Are the Jurchens not the enemy? On the contrary, are I, Su Wu, and the troops of Jingdong the enemy?"

These words immediately caused a buzz among the civil and military officials in the main hall.

Geng Nanzhong had already approached and was right in front of Su Wu: "You withdraw your troops, and let today's events be considered as if they never happened. As for the matter of Jingdong, let's discuss it again, shall we?"

Su Wu suddenly said softly, "If Lord Geng wants my life, I will take yours as well..."

The voice was very soft, and Geng Nanzhong didn't hear it clearly, so he leaned forward and asked, "What?"

"I said, I will kill you today!" Su Wu said softly.

This time, Geng Nanzhong heard it clearly, his face turned pale with shock, and he took a step back: "How dare you!"

Whether he dared or not was a given; Su Wu already had his sword in hand, and with a single step forward, he would kill; with a swift stroke, a head would roll off.

The horrified expression was still on the rolling head.

"oops!"

"Oops..."

"Hey!"

Strange shouts rose and fell, the officials, all in high positions, had no idea how many lives had been taken, yet they could decide everything with a single word.

Today, I truly witnessed someone drawing their sword to behead someone in the blink of an eye, and everyone was so frightened that they cried out in alarm and turned their heads away, not daring to look any longer.

"What is this? What is this all about?" Bai Shizhong shouted, his words incessant: "Su Wu, what are you doing? Why can't you just say things properly? Why do you have to do this? Now look what's happened, how are we going to clean this up..."

Su Wu said, "He whispered in my ear that I am going to die today, and that I will take him down with me even if I die!"

Bai Shizhong quickly added, "Oh dear, who said you were going to die today? His Majesty didn't say anything. It's a misunderstanding, a real misunderstanding..."

Two or three hundred armored soldiers and a hundred or so civil and military officials crowded at the entrance of the main hall, facing Su Wu alone, their faces all deathly pale.

Su Wu carried a long sword, which was still dripping blood. A head rolled down the ground, and a body gushed out blood, splattering a lot on Su Wu.

The headless body was still twitching on the ground.

Su Wu spoke again: "Master Bai, come and tell me, I also have something I want to show you... This is a very important matter, we must discuss it carefully!"

Bai Shizhong felt a chill on his neck and quickly said, "I...I...Su Wu, you can't kill me anymore! I have no grudge against you!"

"What are you saying? Mr. Bai, I, Su Wu, was forced into this situation. You have no grudge against me, and I truly have something to discuss with you!"

As Su Wu spoke, he flicked his sword, sending a trail of bright red blood across the ground before sheathing it.

Seeing Su Wu sheathe his sword, Bai Shizhong felt much relieved and turned to look at the Emperor...

Where is the emperor?
Oh...the Emperor is trembling in the shadows by the door?
I'm really shaking...

This this……

"Master Bai!" Su Wu called out.

"Here they come..." Bai Shizhong indeed emerged from behind the armored soldiers, and as soon as he appeared, he said again, "Don't draw your sword, don't draw your sword!"

Su Wu nodded: "Master Bai, we have met many times in the past. I, Su Wu, am not a violent person. I, Su Wu, am a scholar. You saw the Emperor Emeritus in person. How could you not know?"

"Yes, yes, yes..." Bai Shizhong nodded repeatedly, adding, "We have no grudges against each other, no grudges against each other..."

He then began to walk forward, and as Su Wu took a step forward to meet him, Bai Shizhong immediately stopped and said, "Let's talk this out, let's talk this out!"

Su Wu nodded and stopped walking, waiting for Bai Shizhong to come over on his own.

Bai Shizhong did indeed walk over, but stopped about four steps in front of Su Wu.

Su Wu stopped trying to greet him and reached down to touch the side of his armor where the leather straps connected...

Just by seeing Su Wu raise his hand, Bai Shizhong's body trembled, and he almost turned and ran away. It wasn't drawing his sword; it turned out he wasn't drawing his sword after all...

Su Wu took out an object, which was actually clothing, a silk undergarment, a real garment.

There were words on the clothes, and Su Wu held them out, saying, "Master Bai, take a look at this!"

Bai Shizhong took a step forward, reached out and took the clothes, turning them over and over until he found the front and back.

There weren't many words, and when Bai Shizhong took a look, he was stunned: "This...this..."

Su Wu also asked, "What do you think we should do, Master Bai?"

At this moment, Bai Shizhong's mind was completely blank, and he could only reply with one sentence: "How would I know what to do?"

Su Wu nodded and said, "Yes, you don't know what to do, and neither do I... Lord Bai, since most of the civil and military officials are here, why don't you read it aloud, and we can discuss it together? This is a matter of national importance and a matter of great importance to the country, so it would be best if we discussed it together!"

"What are you reading?" Bai Shizhong was a little stunned, looking at Su Wu in front of him and then at the crowd behind him.

"Read it, just keep reading!" Su Wu said sternly, his gaze suddenly turning fierce, and he met Bai Shizhong's gaze as he turned around.

“Read it, read it…” Bai Shizhong nodded repeatedly, then said, “I will read it. Such a matter of national importance should be discussed by all officials!”

"Then read it..." Su Wu urged again, his hand seemingly reaching for the hilt of his sword at his waist.

"I read...sigh..." Bai Shizhong straightened his clothes again and began, "I have heard that of all human relationships, the father and son come first; of all social distinctions, the ruler and the subject are of utmost importance. Recently, some sons have abused their power, oppressing their fathers; some ministers have formed cliques, corrupting the court; some have even imprisoned their own fathers, subjecting them to all sorts of humiliation. I am deeply worried day and night, fearing that if moral principles are not upheld, others will follow suit, etiquette will decline, and the nation will cease to exist. How can I face the people then? How can I govern the world? You are a high-ranking official and a close relative of mine. You should consider the importance of the nation and my benevolence, and gather loyal and righteous heroes to annihilate the treacherous clique and restore peace to the nation. Our ancestors would be fortunate indeed! This edict is entrusted to you. Please heed it carefully and do not fail my trust..."

It's not very long...

After reading it, the signature is there, the inscription "Unrivaled Under Heaven" is there, and the vigorous and elegant "Slender Gold" calligraphy is there too...

Inside the main hall, there was a constant buzzing sound!

After Bai Shizhong finished reading, he turned around and looked around.

Su Wu also said, "This is originally a family matter between father and son, but it is also a matter of national importance. What should we do? Gentlemen, pillars of the nation, what should we do?"

Suddenly, a sharp voice rang out from inside the hall: "A forged imperial edict! A forged imperial edict! A forged imperial edict!"

He emerged from the crowd, his long sleeves billowing as he shouted incessantly.

Su Wu himself said, "I am also worried that this might be a forged imperial edict. I urge all my colleagues to consider this carefully!"

Then Su Wu said to Bai Shizhong, "Quickly, spread this to all my colleagues for their review!"

Bai Shizhong turned his head away, but his steps were slow, as he was hesitant, conflicted, and uneasy.

But then Emperor Zhao Huan suddenly strode forward, rushed directly to Bai Shizhong, snatched the imperial edict from his belt, crumpled it into a ball, and shouted to those around him, "This is a forged edict, it must not be spread!"

Su Wu did not stop him. He was a loyal and righteous minister. How could he dare to be disrespectful to the emperor?
Su Wu could only sigh, "Alas... what can I do? What can I do? I, Su Wu, am afraid I will die here today!"

Su Wu never stopped talking about dying.

Unexpectedly, the Emperor suddenly turned around, took a few steps to Su Wu, and said, "Minister Su, you and I were once deeply devoted to each other. I have never doubted you. Today's matter is a misunderstanding. If there were anything detrimental to you, I truly knew nothing about it! It must be that Geng Nanzhong. It is he who has been controlling the affairs of the court all along. All of you ministers can testify that he has been secretly acting against my will! Minister Su's loyalty and righteousness are known throughout the land, how could I not know?"

Su Wu was so frightened that he immediately bowed deeply and said, "Your subject is terrified!"

Standing up, Su Wu turned to look at everyone, and then glanced at Liu Guangshi.

Then he turned his head and looked at the civil and military officials in front of him.

Su Wu continued, "I am truly terrified. I have come to this point. Whether I take this step or the next, I will die. All the world's infamy rests on me. After my death, I will inevitably be despised by thousands, and my descendants will curse me endlessly for generations. How did I come to this? How did I come to this..."

As Su Wu spoke, he was already on the verge of tears.

"I will clear your name, I will clear your name, and the world will not say anything more. What is there to talk about life or death? Minister Su is a loyal and righteous minister, a pillar of the country, my right-hand man, my right-hand man!"

Zhao Huan clutched the crumpled imperial edict tightly in his right hand, while waving it repeatedly with his left, extremely excited.

Unexpectedly, Su Wu said, "Your Majesty, the edict in the belt may be fake. Perhaps Tong Guan and Tong Shu have deceived and misled me. The royal family is a model for the world. How could such a thing violate the principles of morality and ethics? I will die a hundred times, but I beg the Emperor Emeritus to see it. Everyone knows that the Emperor Emeritus's kindness to me is beyond compare. Your Majesty's throne was also personally abdicated by the Emperor Emeritus, which was originally a beautiful story. Now that such a storm has arisen, it is clear that there are treacherous officials in the court. Your Majesty has already made it clear that Geng Nanzhong wanted to kill me for his own selfish reasons, and Tong Guan may also be doing so for his own selfish reasons. Therefore, he fabricated this edict in the belt. I beg the Emperor Emeritus to see it. In this way, the world will be clear, and only I will be guilty and deserve to die!"

When Su Wu spoke, how could his words not be earnest and his eyes red?
Above were the entire court of civil and military officials, two or three hundred elite warriors from Tokyo, and also some golden-armored warriors and long-spear armored soldiers.

Below are more than two thousand loyal and righteous soldiers.

In the middle are Su Wu and the emperor, one excited and the other in tears.

Oh... there's also Geng Nanzhong, whose head is separated from his body. He still looks horrified with wide eyes, and his headless torso is still twitching.

The white jade steps were stained with a pool of crimson blood...

The ferocious dragon was stained crimson...

These were the scenes the emperor saw with his own eyes, constantly looking back and forth...

He's been put on hold here!
For a moment, the entire room fell silent.

Whether they knew the truth or not, understood or not, their hearts were in turmoil...

Beneath the imperial steps, Lu Da was moved to tears, and Liu Zhengyan even took out his iron armor and wept...

Even my own husband is so difficult!
How could anyone have known before? We only saw him busy with national affairs; we never imagined he had been forced into this situation.

Liu Guangshi was dumbfounded. He realized that the Prime Minister Su on the imperial steps was not someone to be trifled with...

Fortunately, I didn't make a wrong step back then, and fortunately, I wasn't misled by the so-called "all military affairs of the Song Dynasty are in my hands"...

Fortunately, Master Su brought Liu Guangshi with him today. If he hadn't, Liu Guangshi didn't dare to think about the consequences...

Master Su, Brother Su Wu, still values ​​me... and is still a man of great loyalty and righteousness...

Suddenly, Liu Zhengyan shouted, "Your Majesty, gentlemen, please invite the Emperor Emeritus!"

He knew that Su Xianggong had to see the Emperor Emeritus today. Only by seeing the Emperor Emeritus could he explain everything clearly to the civil and military officials, so that he would not be criticized and insulted in the future...

Lu Da chimed in, "That's right, I am no traitor or rebel, we should invite the Emperor Emeritus!"

After Lu Da finished speaking, he immediately looked at Liu Guangshi again.

Liu Guangshi didn't even need Lu Da to come; he had already spoken up: "Gentlemen, please invite the Emperor Emeritus here..."

Bai Shizhong was also caught in the middle, looking in front and behind, and then at Li Bangyan: "Prime Minister Li, you are also a prime minister, why don't you join the discussion..."

Li Bangyan frowned, and everyone around him looked at him. He had no choice but to walk out of the crowd, but as he did, he spread his hands and said, "This... how am I supposed to discuss this?"

Su Wu bowed and said, "Gentlemen, Your Majesty, please make a decision and truly restore my innocence... I do not ask for acquittal, but only for leniency, so that I may suffer less condemnation from the world..."

What was Su Wu doing?
He was doing his best to mitigate the negative impact of this incident, and even more so, to completely humiliate Emperor Zhao Huan in front of everyone...

If this matter had truly been a rash act of recklessness, it would have led to endless troubles. All of this was the result of Su Wu's meticulous planning and scheming.

(Brothers, this is 7500 words. I'm exhausted from writing this chapter today. I just wanted to write something exciting, logical, and different from others. I racked my brains and carefully considered every word. I'll be back tomorrow!)

(End of this chapter)