Chapter 025 The Second Killer
It was originally believed that the play in front of the Wenying Palace was to test his unparalleled supernatural power, so Sun Shaozong used the Spring and Autumn style of writing to conceal the clumsy performance of the three young eunuchs.
But who could have thought that the tricks involved were so deep? !
Sun Shaozong glanced at Earl Yongyi speechlessly, then stole a glance at the emperor's expression.
He had roughly guessed the true identity of Earl Yongyi, but he didn't know whether the words "dismissal and investigation" just now were approved by the emperor or Earl Yongyi was just talking to himself.
If it is the latter, there may be some hope.
If it is the former, then there is no point in saying anything. It is better to plead guilty and go home to live a leisurely life with a wife and children - anyway, with the protection of the cheap big brother, life will not be too difficult.
"hehe."
At this time, Emperor Guangde chuckled twice and asked calmly, "Sun Shaozong, do you have anything to say about what Earl Yongyi just said?"
Tsk~
There is really no clue in Emperor Guangde's tone and expression.
Let’s give it a try first!
Sun Shaozong took a deep breath and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I would like to ask Earl Yongyi, does your surname contain the character 'Niu'?"
Apart from the grandson of the Duke of Zhenguo and the current inheritor of the first-class baron Niu Jizong, no one else would care so much about the death of Ambassador Niu.
Upon hearing this, Earl Yongyi's face darkened even more. Without waiting for the emperor's order, he said angrily, "So what if it is, so what if it is not? You failed to provide adequate protection, which resulted in the assassination of the special envoy and brought shame to the court. Shouldn't you be punished?!"
Sun Shaozong ignored him, but forced a look of sorrow on his face, knelt down and said, "Since it is Lord Niu who is here in person, I have nothing to say."
After all, he had been in the officialdom for a few years [although it was only a district bureau], and he knew that if he directly shirked the responsibility at this time, it would only leave a worse impression on his superiors. Therefore, he did not say anything clearly, but only beat around the bush to show that he was full of grievances.
Niu Jizong was not stupid. When he heard this, he knew that Sun Shaozong was hinting at him to suppress him. Just as he was about to expose his dirty thoughts, Emperor Guangde asked curiously, "Why do you have nothing to say when Lord Niu is here?"
Just with this "eh", Sun Shaozong felt refreshed!
Because the emperor obviously had no intention of playing a double act with Niu Jizong, otherwise there would be no need to continue asking questions.
"His Majesty."
Sun Shaozong fell to the ground, without even raising his head, and said, "Lord Niu's loss of his loved ones is already a tragedy in the world. How can I, a general, tell him clearly that Special Envoy Niu was at fault? Therefore, I have nothing to say."
The repeated words "I have nothing to say" have actually put the blame on Niu Yongxin, which is probably more heartbreaking than saying anything at all.
Niu Jizong became even more angry after hearing this. He didn't care that he was speaking to the emperor. He jumped up and cursed, "What a shameless villain! My brother died for his country, and you dare to slander him in front of me! You are really worthy of death, worthy of death!"
As he spoke, he also fell to his knees and howled, "Your Majesty, my Niu family is full of loyal and brave people. Our heart to serve the country is known to the sun and the moon. I will never tolerate the reputation that my father, grandfather, and uncles have earned with their lives being destroyed by the mouth of a villain! I beg you to execute Sun Shaozong as soon as possible to set things right!"
Damn~
This is clearly an attempt to silence the witness!
Moreover, he even deliberately dragged out the old Duke of Zhenguo to be used as a bargaining chip.
Sun Shaozong didn't think that he could defeat the leader of the Four Kings and Eight Dukes, so he quickly protested, "Since Lord Niu keeps saying that I am a villain, then I can only..."
"Shut up!"
Niu Jizong had guessed at this time that his unreliable brother must have done something extraordinary in Qianxiang Country and was caught by Sun Shaozong.
So why would he let Sun Shaozong speak freely ?
He first shouted to interrupt Sun Shaozong's words, and then said sternly: "This kind of villain's sophistry will only dirty your majesty's ears if you continue to listen! Your majesty, please quickly issue an order to execute this beast, restore the innocence of the Zhenguo Mansion, and give justice to my brother!"
Oh my god!
He didn't even allow for a distinction, and his words implied an intention to force Emperor Guangde!
What frustrates Sun Shaozong the most is that under his aggressive momentum, Emperor Guangde actually showed some signs of wavering!
"His Majesty!"
If he delayed any further, he might really be taken out and beheaded.
Sun Shaozong hurriedly took out a booklet from his bosom and said anxiously: "If it is only my own words, it may not mean anything! But I have the confessions of 73 people in the embassy, including five of Niu's personal servants and maids. It is enough to prove that Ambassador Niu embezzled money and food from the embassy during his tenure, and..."
Niu Jizong scolded again: "Bold Sun Shaozong, you actually forged a confession!"
But his life was at stake, so how could Sun Shaozong have the time to pay attention to him?
He raised the booklet above his head with both hands and said loudly, "All the positions of the embassy's servants and other employees will be sold at a fixed price. The traitor who poisoned me was also recruited by Lord Niu - there is an account book inside as evidence, please preview it, Your Majesty!"
This is another trump card that Sun Shaozong prepared besides 'relying on foreign powers'!
He spent a lot of effort on these testimonies and account books - if it weren't for the investigation of the case, Sun Shaozong had already established supreme authority within the embassy, he might not have been able to do it so thoroughly.
When Niu Jizong heard this, he felt very disappointed.
He hesitated, trying to stop Sun Shaozong from presenting the booklet, but the eunuch Dai Quan had already trotted forward to take it and swiftly presented it to Emperor Guangde.
Niu Jizong moved his feet, but finally did not dare to stop him. He lowered his head dejectedly, but glared at Sun Shaozong with unwilling eyes.
Emperor Guangde took the booklet and flipped through it. Although the writing was a little poor, every detail was clearly organized and was as good as that written by an experienced official. He couldn't help but think more highly of Sun Shaozong and made a decision on the assassination case.
Pah~
He slammed the booklet shut and sneered, "Great! A family full of loyal heroes, a sincere heart that shines through the sun and the moon, and a man who died for his country!"
These three consecutive " What a great one" sounded colder and colder!
Niu Jizong's face turned pale after hearing this. He dared not to act arrogantly anymore. He kowtowed three times and said in a trembling voice: "I am terrified. I have failed to teach you well. I..."
"enough!"
Emperor Guangde threw the booklet in front of him impatiently and said, "For the sake of the old Duke of Zhenguo, you should return the salary he withheld to the national treasury. I will just pretend that these bullshit things never happened - leave!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"
Niu Jizong hurriedly picked up the booklet and walked out in a panic, hunched over.
After he disappeared outside the door, Emperor Guangde had a smile on his face. He extended his hand to support him and said kindly, "Get up. Since you have done nothing wrong, I will reward you greatly! Tell me, what do you want?"
In fact, this is just a cliché.
Generally speaking, the ministers were all deeply moved after hearing this, and would obediently say that they would follow the Majesty's instructions and would not disobey their words - in this way, the emperor could take out the rewards he had prepared long ago, and then the monarch and his ministers would live in harmony and happiness.
But Sun Jizong didn't follow the routine this time. When he heard this, he immediately prostrated himself and said, "Your Majesty, I want to transfer to a civilian position!"
