mtl008 Chapter 260 Brother Cui is not a treacherous official
Chapter 260 Brother Cui is not a treacherous official
Once the imperial decree was issued, the court erupted in chaos, with voices of astonishment, doubt, and indignation rising and falling. Shen Yuxi, however, seemed oblivious. He turned his gaze to Cui Zhihao, a chill creeping into his eyes.
The Cui family of Qinghe is a prestigious and deeply rooted clan. For many years, they have been engaged in open and covert struggles in the imperial court. On the surface, they respect the imperial family, but in reality, they secretly obstruct and attempt to control the government in order to pursue their own family interests.
This Cui Zhihao, relying on the reputation of the Cui family of Qinghe, usually acts arrogantly and disregards the laws and regulations of the country.
"Although Cui Zhihao of the Qinghe Cui family has made a good recommendation, he relies on his status as a scion of a prominent family and dares to disregard the laws and regulations of the country. It seems that he has long harbored rebellious intentions. He is hereby removed from his post as the Prefect of Youzhou and shall never be allowed to serve as an official again in this lifetime."
Shen Yuxi's words were like nails, striking everyone's hearts.
Caught off guard, Cui Yan, the head of the Cui family of Qinghe, turned grim in an instant, secretly resenting Shen Yuxi for betraying him and ruining Huai'an's career.
But having served in the imperial court for many years, he maintained a composed demeanor on the surface, while inwardly scoffing: "It's better if he doesn't take this official position; the Cui family of Qinghe can afford to support him."
Shi Wanxia was also shocked. She didn't care about the emperor's reward at all. What filled her with doubt and worry was why the emperor would cut off Brother Cui's career.
In her heart, although Cui Zhihao came from a prestigious family, he was generous and righteous, and had taken good care of her. He often discussed people's livelihood and current affairs with her, and even helped her submit her suggestions to the emperor. How could he suddenly be severely punished like this?
Cui Zhe, Cui Zhihao's uncle, seeing the situation was turning bad, quickly stepped forward to plead for mercy: "Your Majesty, please calm down. Huai'an did not intend to violate the law. Please be lenient with him!"
Cui Yan, the head of the Cui family of Qinghe, also stepped forward to plead for mercy. After all, this was his nephew, and how could he ruin his future because of a woman?
"Your Majesty, please forgive Cui Huai'an's mistake. He only did not want his talents to be buried."
Shen Yuxi scoffed and said coldly, "My two ministers, I haven't finished speaking yet, and you're already pleading for mercy. Do you really think you're the ones who call the shots in this court?"
He was furious, his eyes fixed on them. Cui Zhe and Cui Yan immediately knelt down and begged for mercy, repeatedly saying, "Your Majesty, please calm down! We had no such intention!"
Shen Yuxi took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and slowly said, "During Cui Zhihao's tenure as the prefect of Youzhou, he embezzled disaster relief funds and grain, enriching himself and causing people to be displaced and starving to death everywhere."
"I considered his merit in recommending the young lady and intended to treat him leniently, but he showed no remorse and even attempted to collude with officials outside the court to defy the imperial decree. How can such a serious crime be forgiven with a few words of pleas?"
Shen Yuxi sat high on the dragon throne, his hands gripping the armrests tightly beneath his dragon robe. His angry gaze swept over the assembled officials below, finally settling on Cui Zhihao.
Choi Ji-ho stood tall and straight like a pine tree, his face calm, seemingly oblivious to the whispers around him.
Last night, he was summoned to the palace. The moment he stepped into the imperial study, he knew the choice he was about to face.
The candlelight flickered, and Shen Yuxi's voice was deep yet undeniable: "Minister Cui, I intend to appoint Shi Wanxia as a lady-in-waiting. She is exceptionally talented and insightful, and can help me clear away the clouds and see the sun."
"But as you also know, the conservative forces in the court are stubborn, and without a pretext, I will find it difficult to win over the people. You must bear the blame."
Cui Zhihao's heart skipped a beat; how could he not know the implications? Shi Wanxia was just a woman, yet she had the nation and its people at heart. He had watched her develop her strategies for governing the country and her policies for benefiting the people, and he admired her greatly.
Now, the emperor wants to pave a career for her, using him as a scapegoat. But looking at the resolute look in the emperor's eyes, he knows that this is already a fait accompli.
Moreover, how could he bear to let Miss Shi's talent and ambition be buried by this secular court? After a brief silence, he raised his head slightly and accepted this unfair arrangement: "Your Majesty, I am willing to obey."
At this moment, in the imperial court, Shen Yuxi was very satisfied with Cui Zhihao, who had remained silent and had not offered any explanation.
He looked at Cui Zhe and the others with a solemn expression, and subtly raised his hand, signaling the censor and the vice minister of the Court of Judicial Review to present the evidence that had been prepared in advance.
Cui Zhe stepped forward and took the few sheets of paper that seemed light yet incredibly heavy with both hands. His eyes swept over them, and the list of crimes on them was shocking: embezzlement of military funds, spreading rumors with enemy countries, colluding with local gentry to oppress the villagers...
Each and every one of these matters could lead to death, and the familiar signature and seal from Huai'an at the end was like a knife twisting in his heart.
His hand holding the paper trembled uncontrollably, his eyes instantly reddened, and he was filled with grief: "This foolish boy, he actually ruined his future for a woman."
Cui Zhe recalled the past, when Cui Huai'an followed him since childhood, reciting classics and studying military strategy. His intelligence and upright character were all carefully nurtured and cultivated by him.
How could he not know the child's temperament? Huai'an would never commit such a heinous act, yet now he has signed such a charge, and his reputation is completely ruined.
Cui Zhe was in tears, but he was helpless, after all, this was a tacit understanding that Cui Huai'an and His Majesty had already reached.
Upon seeing the evidence, the ministers in the imperial court erupted in a cacophony of reactions: some were astonished, some questioned, and some secretly delighted.
Those who were shocked never expected that Choi Ji-ho would commit such a serious crime; those who questioned it secretly wondered if there was something else going on behind the scenes; and those who were secretly pleased hoped to use this opportunity to suppress their rivals who had a grudge against the Choi family.
"Your Majesty, such a heinous crime deserves execution according to the law!" An imperial censor stepped forward indignantly, but his eyes secretly glanced at Shen Yuxi, as if testing the emperor's will.
Shen Yuxi snorted coldly: "Although Cui Zhihao's crimes are heinous, considering his family's many years of merit and his role in recommending Miss Shi, I will spare him the death penalty but remove him from his official post. His career in this life is over. I hope he will behave himself in the future."
When Choi Ji-ho heard the verdict, his expression remained unchanged, but his heart was filled with mixed feelings.
He didn't care about the official position. From the moment he agreed to the emperor's request, he was prepared. However, the thought of not being able to work with Shi Wanxia again and work together for the well-being of the people of Cangling inevitably made him feel lonely.
He looked up at the sky outside the hall, his thoughts drifting far away.
Cui Yan's face turned deathly pale. He knew his family had suffered a major setback before the emperor, but he still clung to a sliver of hope, attempting to salvage the situation.
"Your Majesty, I have failed to properly discipline my clan members, leading to their misbehavior. I am willing to accept my punishment. I beg Your Majesty to consider the loyalty of the Cui clan of Qinghe to the court over the years and grant them leniency."
Shen Yuxi's gaze was piercing: "Minister Cui, loyalty is not just talk; it must be proven with actions. I hope the Cui family of Qinghe can reflect on their actions and examine themselves. If they can truly serve the court and the people in the future, I will certainly not treat them unfairly. But if they remain obstinate..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but the threat was palpable.
Inside the Golden Palace, the atmosphere was so heavy it seemed almost palpable. Sunlight streamed through the carved window lattices, casting dappled shadows, but failed to illuminate the somber faces of the crowd.
Upon hearing the accusations against Cui Zhihao, Shi Wanxia's delicate body trembled, her almond-shaped eyes widened in shock and disbelief.
In her heart, Brother Cui was a man of great learning and profound knowledge, and he was always courteous and polite. Back in Youzhou, she had personally witnessed Cui Zhihao's tireless efforts for the people.
At that time, Youzhou was a barren land and the people lived in poverty. However, after Cui Zhihao took office, he worked day and night to survey the terrain and plan water conservancy projects.
He personally led the people to dig ditches and build dikes, which brought life back to the parched land and enabled agriculture and sericulture to flourish.
In those days, his busy footprints could be seen everywhere in the fields, and his words of concern for the people could be heard in the markets and streets.