Ming Dynasty: I, Yan Maoqing, am truly radiating auspicious energy!

Chapter 186 The Ultimate Torture! [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

"Does this guy really dare to kill someone?"

As Zhai Luan, Xu Zan, and Zhang Bi thought this to themselves, they also inexplicably became nervous and subconsciously looked at Zhu Houcong.

Your Majesty, things have come to this point, aren't you going to do anything about it?

If this isn't addressed soon, and someone actually dies, things will become even more difficult to handle!

If this causes a stir in the court and among the people, and public opinion is in an uproar, then whatever Your Majesty intends to do this time, you probably don't want things to develop to this point, do you?

In the end, this world still belongs to Your Majesty!

"..."

However, what they did not know was that Zhu Houcong's heart was also in an uncontrollable struggle at this moment.

He felt that things had developed to this point, and it was indeed time for him to step forward and call a halt.

If he were to step in now and punish both sides equally, ordering Yan Maoqing to release the people and commanding all the court officials to leave the palace, the matter could be quelled immediately, minimizing its impact.

However, doing so would be tantamount to acknowledging Yan Maoqing's misconduct, to the point where he could no longer stand idly by.

Then public opinion will naturally become increasingly one-sided.

The special privileges of the Western Depot, which were just handed over to Yan Maoqing, will definitely have a much weaker deterrent effect in the court in the future. Even if we insist on not taking them back, it will be no different from taking them back.

As a result, Yan Maoqing will probably be rendered useless.

Not only will he become a pariah in the court, but his position as the Crown Prince's tutor may also become precarious. It could even cause Yan Maoqing to lose faith in him and affect his future loyalty.

But if he doesn't step forward and call a halt.

If Yan Maoqing really caused someone's death, and in such a despicable way at that, it would be a serious matter.

It is indeed likely to cause a shock in the court and among the people, and public opinion will rise up... It is even possible that someone will take advantage of this matter and, like in the previous dynasty, launch a rebellion under the pretext of "purging the emperor's inner circle".

This was something Zhu Houcong absolutely did not want to see.

hesitate!

hesitate!

Zhu Houcong never considered himself an indecisive or hesitant person.

However, he found himself in an unprecedented dilemma, even more so than the "Great Rites Controversy," and for a time he was unable to make up his mind.

"That bastard who's practically emitting smoke has passed the ball right in my face again!"

Zhu Houcong suddenly realized that he shouldn't have come to observe secretly today. At least then he wouldn't have had to struggle like this, and he could have just waited for the results and figured out how to deal with it.

Even in the worst-case scenario, there are always solutions; it's just a matter of choosing the right course of action.

Ironically, it's precisely in situations where choices are available that the decision is most difficult to make, because deep down, one always desires a better outcome...

this moment.

Neither Zhu Houcong, nor Zhai Luan, Xu Zan, and Zhang Bi realized this.

Although they seemed to be detached from the matter at the moment, they were unknowingly being "interrogated" by Yan Maoqing. Each of them felt their hearts rise and fall with Yan Maoqing's words, actions, and expressions.

at this time.

"My lords!"

Seeing that Yan Maoqing remained unmoved by either soft or hard tactics, and unable to disregard the lives of his colleagues in the courtyard, Zhao Zhenji, in a moment of desperation, finally turned to face the group of high-ranking officials in scarlet robes and knelt down with a thud.
“Those colleagues are all loyal and patriotic men. I implore you, my superiors, to come to their aid. This beating is not an insult, but rather a testament to your merits. Please accept my bow!”

"I implore you, my lords, to come to my rescue!"

Officials of the fifth rank and below who were standing with Zhao Zhenji also knelt down and begged for mercy.

When people are in dire straits, they tend to instinctively pick on the weakest link.

Compared to Yan Maoqing, who was unyielding at this moment, these high-ranking officials in scarlet robes were clearly a little more accommodating.

Because they are not as flawlessly cunning as Yan Maoqing, they have weaknesses, and they have to care about their reputation, even if it means seeking fame and fortune.

As for the previous grudges among the "scholar-officials"...

Compared to the life and death of their colleagues in the institute, they clearly understood which was more important, and at this moment they could only temporarily put aside their grudges and prioritize the life and death of their colleagues.

"..."

The ball returned to the feet of Wang Xiude and the other high-ranking officials in scarlet robes.

Previously, Yan Maoqing had already used words to put them in a difficult moral dilemma.

If they are not flogged in court, then they are selfish people who disregard the lives of their colleagues for the sake of saving face.

If they were flogged in court, it would be tantamount to submitting to Yan Maoqing, thus breaking the privilege of "no punishment for high-ranking officials".

The actions of Zhao Zhenji and others, especially the statement "This cane is not a disgrace, but rather a testament to the merits of your superiors," have undoubtedly elevated them to a higher position while simultaneously providing them with a ladder to fall from grace.

Today they endured this flogging with "humiliation".

In the future, his reputation in the court will surely rise even higher, while Yan Maoqing's reputation will be completely ruined. How can this not achieve the purpose of this trip?
At this moment, this originally difficult problem has become much easier to solve...

"Continue the execution!"

Yan Maoqing did not hesitate. When the time was up, his face turned cold and he waved his hand down.

"Wait a minute!"

Wang Xiude finally shouted out at this moment, glaring at Yan Maoqing with a face full of humiliation, and yelled loudly,
"Yan Maoqing, we are not afraid of you today, but because you are despicable and shameless, threatening the lives of your colleagues. We could not bear to see our colleagues die tragically, so we had no choice but to accept it!"

"This staff is not bestowed upon you, but received for righteousness, inherited for the sake of my colleagues, and borne for the sake of my conscience!"

"From this day forward, we will never share the same sky with you!"

"bring it on!"

As he spoke, Wang Xiude lifted his scarlet robe and, like the other officials below the fifth rank before him, lay prostrate on the ground, yet still stubbornly held his neck upright.

"It's a promise, let's go!"

Seeing this, the officials in scarlet robes followed suit, all lifting their robes and prostrating themselves on the ground in this unyielding posture.

"Hehe, then let's fight. Whoever begged for it can do the fighting."

Yan Maoqing merely curled the corners of his lips into a disdainful sneer and gestured towards Zhao Zhenji and the others kneeling on the ground, begging them.

Damn it, in officialdom, it's all about acting!

Look at the acting skills of these "scholar-officials," which one of them is not more superb than those young heartthrobs of later generations?
Moreover, when delivering lines, they don't use "12344321" as a substitute; their impromptu delivery makes each word vivid and moving, saving the screenwriter the trouble of writing them.

But.

Others might not dare to lay a hand on them, only honest people like Zhao Zhenji would. And even if they did lay a hand on them, they would still be relatively honest.

really.

"On behalf of my colleagues in the academy, I thank all my superiors. I apologize for any offense."

Zhao Zhenji and the others kowtowed again in gratitude, then rose and picked up their court staffs, going to the side of these high-ranking officials in scarlet robes.

"..."

Seeing this, Zhai Luan, Xu Zan, and Zhang Bi glanced at Zhu Houcong again.

Your Majesty, now that things have come to this, are you really sure you're going to ignore it? Are you absolutely certain?
Although it seems unlikely that any deaths will occur for the time being, the situation will probably only become more serious once these high-ranking officials in scarlet robes are flogged in court.

"..." Zhu Houcong gritted his teeth inwardly, his heart still churning.

If just moments ago he felt only struggle, now a glimmer of anticipation has crept into his heart.

Because Yan Maoqing did it!

This smoking thing actually made these high-ranking officials in scarlet robes, whom even he couldn't do anything about, obediently prostrate themselves on the ground, even if they were unwilling, they had no choice but to accept the caning punishment!
He even felt a strange sense of jealousy.

Because something he couldn't do, that scoundrel Yan Maoqing actually did it, doesn't that make him seem inferior to Yan Maoqing?

Fortunately, he also found a self-consistent reason.

Because of their different identities, the shackles they bear are also different.

What a subject like Yan Maoqing can do, the emperor absolutely cannot do. For example, Yan Maoqing's despicable act of robbery today—even if he were to do it, he would have to do it through someone else and would have to do everything he could to cover it up…

at the same time.

Zhu Houcong also recalled Yan Maoqing's previous actions.

This seemingly reckless scoundrel is actually cautious and meticulous in every way, and even a little bit afraid of death.

Therefore, he couldn't help but harbor some hope, always feeling that Yan Maoqing wouldn't let things really get out of control, and that perhaps he had a backup plan...

If he loses his temper and interrupts, it might put Yan Maoqing in a passive position.

hold on!
Let's wait and see... Anyway, things have already come to this point, how much worse can it get?
"Snapped!"

"Ouch!"

The cane finally fell on the buttocks of the group of high-ranking officials in scarlet robes.

Someone cried out in pain, their back arching involuntarily, and turned around to glare angrily at Zhao Zhenji and the others behind them.

You fucking dare to actually hit me?!
……

The number of high-ranking officials in scarlet robes was already small, and they were all beaten up in no time, one by one with a staff.

However, just when everyone thought it was over and that Yan Maoqing could release the people and go back to plan how to use today's events to stir up a storm in the court and among the people.

But then, Yan Maoqing's repulsive voice suddenly rang out again at just the right moment:

"Please don't rush to get up, everyone."

"?!"

Everyone looked at Yan Maoqing with confusion, not understanding what he meant by those words.

Zhu Houcong, Zhai Luan, Xu Zan, and Zhang Bi also looked suspicious, none of them could figure out what kind of trouble Yan Maoqing was up to this time.

"If I remember correctly, you all just swore in public that you would be my sworn enemies from this day forward."

Yan Maoqing didn't keep them waiting long, and said with a half-smile,
"As we all know, we all share the same sky."

"Since you all have already made yourselves sworn enemies, then I have no choice but to make yourselves sworn enemies as well."

"So, regarding the remaining two hundred strokes of the cane... I can still give you all a choice. I wonder if you've decided to endure it here, or if I'll lead the Imperial Guards to arrest you tonight and personally supervise the execution?"

While speaking.

"Squeak—!"

The gates of the Imperial Household Department were quickly opened, and several court officials who had been dragged inside were finally thrown out by minor officials.

Then, with a loud "bang," it closed tightly again.

This could be considered keeping one's word. Since all the court officials outside had taken the punishment for these people, Yan Maoqing indeed did not continue to make things difficult for them.

But it is at this very moment.

Only then did everyone realize that among the court officials who had been arrested by the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, there was already a high-ranking official in scarlet robes.

In other words, Yan Maoqing didn't care about the rule of "no punishment for high-ranking officials" from the very beginning, and he wasn't afraid at all.

I don't care if you're wearing a scarlet robe, a green robe, or a blue robe, just drag them in and start fighting.

Moreover, judging from the fact that the blood had seeped through the lining of their buttocks, as well as their pale faces and lips, these people were clearly suffering from severe injuries.

If Wang Xiude and the others had resolutely refused that blow, Yan Maoqing probably would have beaten them, including this high-ranking official in scarlet robes, to death. After all, they had only been beaten twenty-odd times in the Imperial Household Department and were already in such a terrible state...

"Gulu..."

Upon seeing this scene, Wang Xiude and the others felt a jolt in their hearts, and some unconsciously swallowed.

At this moment, how could they not understand the weight of Yan Maoqing's words, "personally supervise the execution"?

Twenty-odd strokes were enough to leave them in this terrible state; two hundred strokes would probably kill them several times over, leaving them with absolutely no chance of survival...

Moreover, through this situation, they have already seen that Yan Maoqing is definitely a man of his word. If he says he will go to arrest and execute someone overnight, he probably really won't wait until later.

So, they were once again caught in a dilemma.

Is this going to kill me?

Do you still have any sense of shame?

Being forced to endure two hundred strokes of the cane here was a true humiliation, tantamount to rubbing their dignity into the ground.

Most importantly, the presence of Zhao Zhenji and his group of unyielding officials here confirms their reputation for being cowardly and afraid of death.

But what if you lose your life?

Land, property, beautiful wife, concubines, luxury goods... all gone!
Even if the emperor later revoked the Western Depot's privileges from Yan Maoqing, or even punished Yan Maoqing to give an explanation to the world, what would it have to do with them?
What can they gain besides lying dead underground with their rotten asses sticking out?
Why should we risk our lives to plant trees so that others can enjoy their shade?
"Taking an inch and wanting a mile..."

At that moment, the same idiom came to mind for Zhu Houcong, Zhai Luan, Xu Zan, and Zhang Bi.

Even Zhai Luan, Xu Zan, and Zhang Bi felt a chill creeping up their backs without realizing it.

Although in their view, things have escalated to this point, and Yan Maoqing is facing an almost unsolvable dead end.

But for these high-ranking officials in scarlet robes, what they faced was also an unsolvable dead end.

This is a game for the cowardly!
What's most terrifying is that Yan Maoqing was able to maintain the initiative despite being in such a passive situation, turning the tide step by step, and even trapping these high-ranking officials in a dead end with each move.

This is even the ultimate torture!
Every time Yan Maoqing opened his mouth, he was precisely targeting their sore spots!
With each attack, Yan Maoqing was pushing their limits with extreme precision!
With each choice, Yan Maoqing cruelly tore away their disguises!
Just watching from the sidelines, all three of them felt suffocated.

They couldn't help but wonder how much they would be able to defend themselves against Yan Maoqing's relentless and unpredictable attacks.

at last.

"let's hit!"

One of the high-ranking officials in scarlet robes could no longer endure Yan Maoqing's torment and uttered a righteous and stern cry that was already quite unconvincing to Zhao Zhenji and the others.

"Gentlemen, a wise man doesn't fight a losing battle. We are not afraid of death, but we have no choice but to prioritize the greater good!"

"If we suffer today, who will restore order to the world? Who will restrain the treacherous and wicked? Who will speak up for the millions of lives?"

"The net of Heaven is vast, its meshes are wide, yet nothing escapes it!"

"Let's wait and see how long these treacherous officials can run rampant!"

These words immediately garnered a strong response from many high-ranking officials in scarlet robes, who all rallied with enthusiasm and raised their arms in unison.
"That's absolutely right. With treacherous officials in power, we bear a heavy responsibility and must not act impulsively. We must prioritize the overall situation!"

"The world will judge what happened today!"

"..."

(End of this chapter)