ministers from the Imperial Council, along with the Shangshu (ministers) of the six major ministries: personnel, household, rites, war, justice, and works. These are the highest administrative officia...Chapter 135: The Prince Is Wise

"Your Highness! Every word I have spoken is true, without a shred of falsehood. My family's rice vat contains account books that can verify each and every claim!"

Completely bereft of support, Jiang Zhou, terrified out of his wits, lay in the snow and kowtowed frantically.

In the muddy snow, mud splashed everywhere, coating Jiang Zhou's half body like he had taken a mud bath.

But he, however, didn't care at all. He shrieked in a heart-wrenching voice, "Your Highness, for my many years of toil, both hard work and hardship, please show mercy! For my honest confession, grant me a way to live! I am willing to give away all my wealth, just beg Your Highness for a path to life!"

And his words, clearly audible to all the Imperial Guards and Jinyiwei around him, as well as those disaster victims.

The Yulin Guards and Jinyi Guards were alright, they just glared at Jiang Zhou with icy eyes.

As rank-and-file soldiers, what they hated most were corrupt officials.

Corrupt officials not only plunder the people's livelihood but also drink their blood.

And those refugees, each and every one of them was filled with rage. Their eyes blazed with intense hatred as they stared fixedly at Jiang Zhou.

Had it not been for the thousand Imperial Guards maintaining order around him, just these surging masses of disaster-stricken people would have torn Jiang Zhou to pieces.

Looking at Jiang Zhou, who was filthy and utterly disheveled, Li Chen sneered coldly, "Do you remember what this palace just said"

Jiang Zhou's pleas for mercy were abruptly cut short.

"This palace has said, today you must die. The only difference is how you die."

Jiangzhou fell to the ground with a thud, his face pale with terror.

At this moment, Li Chen's voice came like a bolt from the blue, filled with immense pressure.

“The traitor Jiang Zhou has acted with partiality and broken the law, colluding with officials and merchants to sell inferior goods as superior ones. He has disregarded human life, ignored the well-being of the people, and treated imperial edicts as mere playthings. His wickedness is truly unbearable! If he is not executed, it will be impossible to appease the grievances of the people! By order of His Majesty, who entrusted me with the regency, I hereby decree that he be beheaded immediately!”

"Su Pingbei!"

Li Chen shouted, "Set up twenty poles here, each three zhang high. Suspend the Jiangzhou on one of them, letting the common people and disaster victims strike it with stones. Even if its bones don't rot, this pole won't fall."

"As for the remaining nineteen individuals, all those implicated in this case, regardless of their official position or rank, shall be dealt with accordingly."

Li Chen's words sent a shiver down everyone's spine.

Such an extreme punishment, this Jiang Zhou can be said to have set a precedent for this dynasty.

Before him, no one had ever been treated like that.

"There are still Jiang Zhou’s household filled, and exterminate three families of his."

"Today, I shall use the Jiang family's blood to cleanse the eyes of those corrupt officials in court who have yet to be exposed. Let them open their eyes wide and see clearly what it means when heaven calls, and what it means to face karmic retribution!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, before Su Pingbei could even receive orders, all the thousands of disaster victims on the field knelt and shouted towards Li Chen, "Your Highness is wise! We are overwhelmed with gratitude!"

"Your Highness is wise, we are deeply grateful!"

"Your Highness, we are overwhelmed with gratitude!"

Cheers surged like waves, swelling and cresting in the throng of disaster victims. Each wave was higher than the last, ultimately culminating in a roar that sounded like a mountain echo or a tsunami.

The guards of the Imperial Army, surrounded by snow and wind, were filled with excitement as they watched Li Chen.

At this moment, these elite soldiers of the Qin dynasty's Imperial Guard truly pledge their allegiance to the Crown Prince.

There is no need to boast about military achievements; that is what generals are supposed to do.

You don't need to be a strategist; that's the responsibility of generals.

What they need is a ruler who truly cares for soldiers and civilians alike, a king who puts the welfare of all his people first.

Li Chen looked at these sincere and grateful disaster victims, his heart trembling slightly.

What is it called when the hearts of the people are available It is called the hearts of the people being available.

With the people on his side, he would not fear losing his throne!

"Oh! Hahahahaha!!! Ahhahahahaha!!!"

A surge of people roared, and Jiang Zhou suddenly stood up, laughing heartily.y would never be satisfied. Instead, the more incompetent I appeared, the happier they would be. Don't bother yourself with court affairs; they have nothing to do with you. Just focus on serving me we...