Even emperors have it tough, so don't be too picky about the entries.

The crowd looked at each other, unable to believe what they were hearing.

This isn't some witchcraft case anymore; this is a major case of treason and collusion with the enemy.

What's even more surprising is that Han Cao remained kneeling there, his expression unchanged.

He even chuckled softly in the deathly silence.

"His Majesty."

Han Cao raised his head, his gaze open and honest:

"These attempts to frame me are utterly clumsy. If it were truly my doing, why would I be so foolish as to hide incriminating evidence in a secret compartment in my own study? Why would I wait for someone to search it?"

"For such a heinous crime as confiscating property and exterminating an entire family, the evidence could be destroyed with a single fire; who would keep it?"

Chen Shao nodded. "Prime Minister Han is right."

"Prime Minister Han is a veteran of three reigns and served the retired emperor for more than 20 years. He is half the pillar of the Great Yan Dynasty."

"You say this letter is a forgery, and I believe you."

These letters were indeed forged by Chen Shao.

The purpose was not to convict Han Cao through this.

Rather, it was to continue to embolden them.

"The defeat at Shuangmu City involved many factors and was not a war that Han Xiang could control. Let's put this matter aside for now."

Chen Shao then changed the subject, "What about what happened in the third year of Qing'an?"

"In the third year of Qing'an, the Northern Mang invaded the south, and the Great Yan rose up in resistance. They had already achieved victory, but under your manipulation, Han Cao, they sought peace with the Northern Mang."

"Your Majesty, extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. If we do not negotiate peace, the Northern army will march south and cause immense suffering, and the losses will far exceed three prefectures and seventeen counties."

"I'm not blaming you for that. I'm asking, why do you indiscriminately kill innocent people?"

Everyone who heard this turned pale.

Old stories have been unearthed.

Two major events occurred in the third year of Qing'an.

When the Northern Barbarians marched south, the veteran general Zhong Mu led 3,000 defenders in a fierce battle at Wild Wolf Valley for seven days and seven nights, killing more than 20,000 enemies and forcing the Northern army's vanguard to retreat.

When the battle report reached the capital, the entire city set off firecrackers. The retired emperor was overjoyed and bestowed upon the emperor a sword.

While we may offer gifts, we still need to negotiate peace.

General Zhong received the imperial edict and rushed back to the capital from the north, wanting to ask the retired emperor why.

Before even entering the city gates, he was arrested by Han Xiang on charges of plotting a rebellion. As for the evidence, it was naturally fabricated.

Zhong Mu was sentenced to immediate execution, his family property was confiscated, and his wife and daughters were sent to the brothel.

The second incident involved Qin Fengxiao, a supervising secretary in the Ministry of Revenue, who submitted a memorial to stop the peace negotiations. He was also accused of secretly communicating with the Northern Barbarians and sentenced to have his entire family executed.

The two were the beginning; within half a month, the imperial court went on a killing spree.

Anyone implicated was killed without mercy.

Kill until there are no more advocates of war left.

Even after Chen Shao ascended the throne, everyone was thinking about moving south... perhaps this was the seed of disaster sown at that time.

Chen Shao's tone suddenly turned stern:

"I ask you, if you're going to negotiate peace, then negotiate peace. Why must you resort to bloodshed in the court?"

"You may deny the authenticity of these letters today, but could those drops of loyal blood be forged?"

"Were those severed heads real or fake?"

So that's what he came for.

Han Cao was not surprised at all; on the contrary, he calmed down a bit.

He guessed that Chen Shao might use this incident to change the atmosphere in the court and turn the entire court into a warmongering faction.

In that case, it wouldn't even be as serious as a witchcraft case.

Han Cao looked up and stared directly at Chen Shao, completely calm.

"true."

"But this old minister has a clear conscience."

"At that time, the Northern Mang army of 100,000 was pressing on the border, and the pro-war faction in the court was pressuring the emperor every day, demanding that His Majesty mobilize the entire nation's strength to go north and fight to the death."

"But they didn't know that at that time, the national treasury didn't even have enough silver to cover the army's food supplies, so how could they fight?"

"If we don't use an iron fist to suppress them, tomorrow more than 100,000 troops will march south to capture the emperor, storm the capital, and overthrow the state. That would be the greatest tragedy."

"Those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trifles. If Your Majesty considers this a crime, then this old minister is willing to bear the blame."

"Just for..."

Han Cao placed his hand on his chest, his expression solemn:

"Let the Great Yan Dynasty be great again!"

"We, your subjects, have all studied the books of sages and learned the ways of the saints. Our hearts are filled only with the interests of the Great Yan Dynasty; we never act out of personal favoritism!"

At this moment, he was fearless and openly defied the emperor, displaying a true Confucian spirit.

These words made Chen Shao laugh in anger.

Not only did they not mention the Way of the Sages, but mentioning Chen Shao only made them angrier.

He never swears, he just can't help it.

"Bullshit!"

"If a sage did not have a sword in his hand, he would not only be chased around by the southern countries, but would have died somewhere long ago."

"A true Confucian scholar is one who can ride a horse and fight to the death to defend his dignity; one who only knows how to talk and surrenders to the enemy is at best a half-baked scholar."

"You've all wasted your time reading books. You've turned fighting on horseback into empty talk. You've gone too far and castrated the entire spirit of Confucianism."

"Sages valued abundant martial virtue, but you only know the helpless lament of fallen flowers. Those who can wield a spear are as rare as phoenix feathers!"

"If this continues, there will only be one outcome: the people will be ravaged by foreign tribes, and civilization will be trampled by iron cavalry."

Chen Shao had held back these words for a long time.

I have to get this off my chest.

Today is a good opportunity to scold everyone present.

These are all officials who rose through the ranks of education, yet they have lost the backbone that scholars should possess. What kind of behavior is this?

If this continues, the country will cease to exist.

Today, he not only wants to take down Han Cao, but also to correct this unhealthy trend.

"A true man draws his sword when he sees injustice, yet you haven't even understood the hidden 'Rules' in the Analects, and you presumptuously claim to have a clear conscience, and dare to mention the way of the sages!"

"How utterly absurd!"

"I have said before that history may remain silent for a time, but it will never fail the loyal and brave. Today I will give those loyal and brave people justice."

"Guards! Imprison Han Cao immediately and bring him for a joint trial by the three judicial authorities!"

Han Cao stared at Chen Shao silently, his face gradually becoming ferocious, and he even regained some of the charisma he had when he held power over the court. Suddenly, he burst into laughter.

"Your Majesty, you have a thousand excuses to kill this old minister."

"Whether it's witchcraft or treason today, it's nothing more than a knife you've already planned!"

"But don't forget, everything this old minister did was instigated by the Emperor Emeritus. Arresting me is a slap in the face to the Emperor Emeritus. Does Your Majesty think that everything the Emperor Emeritus did in the past was wrong?"

If we accuse Han Cao of treason today, the history books will record it tomorrow, saying it was at the behest of the retired emperor.

The retired emperor sold out his own country...

How will history view the Great Yan Dynasty?

Other emperors might have been more wary.

Chen Shao, being a time traveler, cared least about these things.

I won't listen, that's just nonsense. Not only will I investigate, I'll investigate him thoroughly.

"Take it away, take it away."

"Regarding the events of the third year of Qing'an, and whether the Prime Minister colluded with the enemy, Bai Bingbing, you have half a day to thoroughly investigate and get to the bottom of this!"

Chen Shao waved his hand, and immediately the Imperial Guards dragged the shouting Han Cao away.

...

"Bring Yun Zhongzi up."

Bai Bingbing stood there, her expression changed, and she was filled with shame.

"Your Majesty, the Embroidered Uniform Guard just launched a full-scale search of the capital, and no one paid attention to Yun Zhongzi. In fact... he managed to slip away in the chaos... This humble servant has failed in his duty."

"Um?"

Chen Shao glanced around and, sure enough, there was no one in sight.

"Never mind, there will be other opportunities in the future."

Bai Bingbing continued:

"Your Majesty, I have interrogated Han Cao's trusted steward. According to his confession, Yun Zhongzi's true identity is the High Priest of the Northern Mang Shamanism Cult, personally sent by Empress Helian Yunni."

Even though he knew it was Helian Yunni who did it, Chen Shao couldn't help but curse.

"Helian Yunni, you son of a bitch, you just wait!"

But unfortunately...

At that moment, a notification sounded in my mind.

[Ding! Your words have been obeyed and are now effective.]

"???"

..............

(There are 4 chapters in total, nearly 9000 words. The second chapter seems to be stuck in the review process. Actually, I haven't written anything yet, and I've been revising it for a long time.)