Chapter 251

Emperor Qianlong stared at Heshen who was collapsed on the ground, then looked at the scenes of "his own" muddle-headed indulgence on the sky screen, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

There was the annoyance of the truth being exposed, the rage at Heshen's deception, the shame of his own muddle-headedness in his later years, but more of it was a complex, indescribable emotion—

The sky screen tore open the truth of this "master and servant" relationship between him and Heshen, exposing the ugliness under his "Old Man of Ten Completions" halo to the world!

"Heshen..."

Emperor Qianlong's voice was dry and cold, echoing in the deathly silent hall.

"What the sky screen said... do you have anything to say?"

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, please see clearly!"

Heshen finally found a little voice, weeping and kowtowing.

"This servant is loyal to Your Majesty, and Heaven and Earth can testify!"

"This must be someone jealous of this servant's favor from Your Majesty, framing this servant! These demonic words from the sky screen cannot be believed, Your Majesty!"

"Demonic words?"

Emperor Qianlong sneered, pointing to the scrolling list of specific shops, fields, and treasures on the sky screen.

"Are these also demonic words?"

"Those pawnshops, silver shops, 8,000 qing of land of yours, are they also demonic words? And... plea-bargaining silver..."

Mentioning "plea-bargaining silver," Emperor Qianlong's eyes became even colder; this system was approved by him.

But the sky screen revealed that most of the silver went into Heshen's private pocket, which was equivalent to slapping his face, saying that he was used by Heshen as a signboard for gathering wealth!

Heshen was speechless, just kowtowing desperately, his forehead instantly covered in blood.

Just then, the sky screen's punishment descended in an unexpected way.

【In view of Heshen embezzling 800 million taels, wealth rivaling "ten nations," his crimes are monstrous. However, his wealth was originally taken from the people.】

【Now, the Heavenly Dao punishment is descended:

One, reduce his lifespan by ten years!

Two, the 800 million taels of silver (estimated) he embezzled will be divided equally among all the poor commoners in the Great Qing by the power of the Heavenly Dao! Every household, according to the number of people, will receive it.】

【Heavenly Dao Declaration: This silver is the people's fat and blood and should return to the people.

From this moment on, any official, tyrant, or bandit who dares to rob, deduct, or exploit the silver received by the common people will be struck by heavenly thunder, killed on the spot, and their soul will be scattered!】

Once this punishment came out, the world was stunned!

Reducing his lifespan by ten years, for Heshen in his prime, this punishment was simply too light.

But dividing this 800 million taels of silver directly among the poor commoners of the world?

And also using "heavenly thunder" to protect it?

This... this was simply an unprecedented punishment method!

"Divided among the commoners?"

Liu Bang almost jumped out of his seat.

"800 million taels? Just like that... divided? This... is this immortal a god of wealth?"

Ying Zheng narrowed his eyes.

"Taken from the people, returned to the people? Hmph, it's direct."

"It's just this heavenly thunder... interesting."

"It seems this Heavenly Dao immortal doesn't trust officials and tyrants at all."

Other emperors of various dynasties also discussed it, most feeling this punishment method was strange, but after thinking about it, they felt extremely happy—

The money the corrupt official cared about most was divided directly among the commoners he exploited, and there was the Heavenly Dao watching, no one could rob it, which was more uncomfortable than killing him, right?

Qianlong era time-space.

The moment the sky screen's words faded, a gray light full of decay fell into the Hall of Mental Cultivation, shrouding Heshen.

Heshen only felt his body empty, as if a part of his fundamental vitality had been drained, his face visibly haggard, and a few strands of white hair appeared on his temples.

Ten years of lifespan, reduced.

Immediately after, something even more magical happened.

Throughout the Great Qing territory, in countless poor villages and alleys.

Those poor commoners who were shocked, angry, and numb by the "800 million taels" number on the sky screen suddenly felt something heavy and cold in their bosoms, under their pillows, or in broken earthenware pots...

There were some heavy and cold things.

Taking them out, they were actually silver ingots of excellent quality!

The size varied according to the number of people in the household, but it was enough for a family of five to live without worry for several years.

At the same time, they naturally understood in their minds.

This money came from "Heaven punishes Heshen, returns silver to the people," and it was protected by the Heavenly Dao; whoever dared to rob it would be struck by lightning!

After a brief shock, it was a wild joy and wailing that swept across the country!

"Heaven has opened its eyes! Heshen's money has been returned to us!"

"Silver! Real silver! A reward from Heaven!"

"Thank you, Blue Sky Lord! No, thank you, Heaven!"

Many commoners knelt and kowtowed to the sky, weeping with joy.

Some clever ones immediately hid the silver, but the stability and joy in their hearts had not been felt for decades.

There were also some ruffians, bailiffs, and even small officials who initially had crooked thoughts.

But remembering the sky screen's warning of "heavenly thunder," they were scared and didn't dare to act rashly.

The entire bottom layer of Great Qing society was surging because of this "heaven-sent windfall," but was deterred by an invisible Heavenly Dao pressure, maintaining a strange balance.

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Emperor Qianlong's expression shifted uncertainly.

The sky screen's punishment was equivalent to roasting him and the court on fire.

Heshen's money was divided directly among the commoners by the Heavenly Dao, and the court didn't get a single coin.

Moreover, he couldn't pursue it, and even more so couldn't "re-collect" it, because there was "heavenly thunder" watching.

This... this was simply slapping the court and him, Emperor Qianlong, in the face!

Telling the people of the world that the court couldn't be relied on, the emperor couldn't be relied on, and only the Heavenly Dao could make decisions for you and return the money to you.

A burst of stifled air blocked Qianlong's chest, and he stared at Heshen, who was trembling on the ground and withered from the reduction of lifespan, his murderous intent rising.

However... the sky screen only reduced Heshen's lifespan by ten years and did not execute him immediately.

Moreover, the scene played by the sky screen next made Qianlong and everyone else stunned.

Only to see on the sky screen, it didn't end immediately, but played a few... seemingly opera scripts?

But the characters were actually Heshen and another official named Ji Xiaolan!

First segment:

【(Scene: Prison cell. Heshen brings wine and food to visit Ji Xiaolan, who was framed and imprisoned)】

Heshen 【smiling】: "During the Three Kingdoms, Cao Cao boiled wine to discuss heroes, and he said 【The heroes of the world are only you and I】. Tonight, Heshen has the same feeling!"

Ji Xiaolan 【sneering】: "Lord He, how can great evil and great good be listed together? Are you praising me or insulting me?"

Heshen 【waving his hand】: "Fine, fine, fine, you are loyal and I am treacherous, you are honest and I am corrupt, you are virtuous and I am evil. The world's clean name is all taken by you, and the world's evil name is all taken by me. Then can't you and I have a drink?"

(In the scene, Heshen raises his glass, Ji Xiaolan hesitates for a moment, and finally raises his glass, the two drink together, the atmosphere strange.)