Chapter 70: Li Ruzhen Confesses His Crime

This scene stunned everyone present—whether Wei Zhongxian sitting above, or Zou Yuanbiao and Yang Lian, Yao Zongwen's actions were shocking to all.

Seeing Yao Zongwen truly about to dash himself, Wei Zhongxian was startled. If Yao Zongwen really did kill himself, then he himself would truly be finished.

The key wasn't whether Yao Zongwen lived or died, but that his task had been botched. If the task was botched, how would Your Majesty view him?

"Stop him, quickly stop him!" Wei Zhongxian abruptly rose from his chair, shouting in great alarm.

Zou Yuanbiao and Yang Lian also stood up, but they said nothing—indeed, in their hearts, they were overjoyed.

Just as expected, Yao Zongwen was a man of iron integrity, a model for scholars. As long as he dashed himself to death, then Wei Zhongxian would truly be finished! Good, dash well! Dash yourself dead, and we'll spread your name throughout the realm!

The yamen runners were also startled. They didn't have so many thoughts on their minds; they hurried forward to pull Yao Zongwen back.

Just at that moment, Yao Zongwen, who had charged to the pillar, suddenly stumbled and fell straight to the ground. This time, his head didn't hit the pillar—instead, his shoulder struck it.

The runners behind hurried up and pinned Yao Zongwen down.

Yao Zongwen still craned his neck and shouted loudly in abuse: "Wei Zhongxian, eunuch dog! You persecute the loyal and good—you'll die a miserable death!"

Wei Zhongxian watched this scene with an ashen face. He naturally knew he had been tricked.

This Yao Zongwen had done it deliberately!

What dashing himself to death? If he dared to die, he would have died long ago in the Eastern Depot's prison—why wait until now!

Now he was putting on a ruse of self-injury, seeking fame, building himself an image of one who fears not death.

Wei Zhongxian saw through this matter. He turned his head to look at Zou Yuanbiao and Yang Lian, and saw only their two slightly angry, stern faces.

Wei Zhongxian turned back. He knew he could not count on those two—they wished nothing more than for Old Wei to die on the spot. Even if they knew the truth, they would pretend not to.

He needed to think of a way out. If things continued like this, he would have no way to account for himself before the Emperor. Yao Zongwen had pulled this ruse of self-injury; the others might do the same.

If that truly happened, then he would be in trouble.

Wei Zhongxian looked at Yao Zongwen, who was still struggling, and a ruthless resolve rose in his heart. He should just kill him—but no matter, he still had others.

Zou Yuanbiao glanced at Wei Zhongxian, a smile appearing on his face. Things were indeed going as he had expected—Wei Zhongxian was done for this time.

"Guards." Wei Zhongxian called out, his expression exceptionally composed: "Take Yao Zongwen down and keep him under watch. Bring in the prisoner Li Ruzhen."

Seeing that Wei Zhongxian was bringing in Li Ruzhen, Zou Yuanbiao smiled once again.

He did not believe Li Ruzhen would fail to recant his confession. One had to know this was a capital crime—colluding with court ministers, framing a frontier defense minister, plus his previous crimes. If he admitted it, then it would certainly be a death sentence. Only by recanting this charge could Li Ruzhen survive.

Zou Yuanbiao could not think of any reason Li Ruzhen would admit guilt. To save his own life, he would certainly recant.

Before long, Li Ruzhen was brought up.

Wei Zhongxian looked at Li Ruzhen with a gloomy face, his expression exceptionally grave. Yao Zongwen had already recanted. If Li Ruzhen also recanted, then he would truly be in trouble.

"Li Ruzhen, this master asks you—colluding with Liu Guojin, using silver to bribe Yao Zongwen and the others to frame Xiong Tingbi—did this happen?" After Wei Zhongxian finished speaking, he stared intently at Li Ruzhen.

If Li Ruzhen were to say no, that would be the critical moment.

Zou Yuanbiao wore a smile, gently stroking his beard, his expression utterly serene. In his view, Wei Zhongxian was bringing disaster upon himself.

Li Ruzhen raised his head, glanced at Wei Zhongxian, and spoke respectfully: "It did indeed happen."

The moment these words were spoken, the hall fell instantly silent.

Zou Yuanbiao and Yang Lian both looked at Li Ruzhen in disbelief.

Had this man gone mad? This crime—he dared to admit it?

If he admitted this crime, then things would truly become troublesome. Thinking of this, Zou Yuanbiao couldn't help but rise to his feet. He looked up at Wei Zhongxian, asking himself over and over in his heart: "How did he manage this?"

Hearing Li Ruzhen's words, Wei Zhongxian breathed a sigh of relief. So he hadn't been wrong after all—Li Ruzhen had not recanted.

"When and where did you buy off Liu Guojin? Do you have evidence?" Wei Zhongxian looked at Li Ruzhen, suddenly slapping the gavel and shouting loudly.

"In reply to Eunuch Wei, Liu Guojin and I have always had a good relationship. Over these years, I have given him nearly a hundred thousand taels of silver in total, not counting various antiques, paintings, and calligraphy, as well as the estates and mountain forests in Liaodong."

Li Ruzhen spoke directly: "The evidence is simple. I have an account book—a ledger of gifts I gave to court ministers—and Liu Guojin is in it."

"Besides that, I also have correspondence between Liu Guojin and myself that can prove our relationship. Additionally, the one who delivered gifts to Liu Guojin's residence was my subordinate Liao Zhong, and the one who received the gifts was sometimes Liu Guojin's old servant Liu Chang." Li Ruzhen poured everything out like beans spilling from a bamboo tube, his expression utterly calm.

Though the words were spoken simply, the people in the hall broke out in cold sweat listening to them.

This time it was over—a major case was truly about to be uncovered.

Once Wei Zhongxian confirmed Liu Guojin's case, then the people in Li Ruzhen's account book would basically have no way to escape.

Wei Zhongxian sat in his chair, glanced sidelong at Zou Yuanbiao, and his expression calmed as well, the earlier panic gone.

Clearly, Li Ruzhen's betrayal had thoroughly become the last straw that broke the camel's back.

Zou Yuanbiao was truly panicked this time. He was no fool—at this point he could naturally see that Li Ruzhen had colluded with Wei Zhongxian.

The two had long since conspired together. Li Ruzhen's earlier recantation had been false, but this recantation was real.

Wei Zhongxian had been digging a pit from start to finish—he was trapping people!

Thinking of this, Zou Yuanbiao grew anxious at once. He had to stop this interrogation. If the questioning continued, then today would be impossible to wrap up!

Just at that moment, Yang Lian suddenly stepped forward, pointed at Li Ruzhen, and shouted in burning anxiety: "Li Ruzhen, you dare to recant your confession?"

At this moment, the most terrified was Yang Lian, and the most furious was also Yang Lian.

One had to know that Yang Lian had been the previous presiding judge. When he had conducted the interrogation, Li Ruzhen had not spoken this way.

Now, not only had Li Ruzhen admitted his guilt, he had also produced this mountain of ironclad evidence and solid witnesses.

What was this? This was a direct slap to Yang Lian's face!

If this matter became true, then how would he account for himself before Your Majesty? How would he account for the routine memorial he had submitted to Your Majesty?

Li Ruzhen glanced at Yang Lian and said expressionlessly: "Master Yang, what are you saying? Wasn't it you who told me to recant?"