The Ming Dynasty: The most ruthless imperial grandson, Old Zhu begged me not to kill him.

Chapter 167 Li Shanchang Attends Court Again
Tie Xuan was furious as he looked at these people.

Now that this evidence is right in front of them, these people still dare to deny it.

Zhu Xiong Ying quickly spotted the young men from various families who had been captured. These men were not particularly loyal to their patriarchs.

They were a bunch of bullies who preyed on the weak and feared the strong. When these punishments were presented to them, before the torture even began, they spilled everything like beans.

Soon these people told everything, including how they received the orders and how they eventually transferred the land to their own owners.

As for the local government, the heads of each family had already established good relations with them and would not make things difficult for them.

After all of this was said, the nobles were extremely angry.

These guys are truly hateful; how dare they betray us! If this weren't happening in the imperial court, they probably would have already taken action.

Let's just kill those traitors.

Seeing that the matter could no longer be concealed, Marquis Yongjia, Zhu Liangzu, made a bold decision and shouted directly.

"Your Highness, we did indeed make some mistakes in this matter, but we are willing to make compensation. In addition, we have a special imperial edict that will be issued next time, which can exempt us from punishment as long as it is not a serious crime such as rebellion. We are willing to use the imperial edict to redeem ourselves!"

Everyone was taken aback when they heard this; no one expected that these people would actually put out the imperial edict.

At the beginning of the founding of the dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang issued iron certificates of immunity from death to the nobles, and so far no one has used them. Could it be that someone has set a precedent today? Everyone looked at Zhu Xiong Ying.

If they really received this imperial edict, it would mean that they could not touch any of the Huaixi nobles who had committed crimes.

If this imperial edict is not used, it would mean that Zhu Yuanzhang's previous promises are null and void, which would inevitably leave a stain on Zhu Yuanzhang's record, and this would be a great act of filial impiety.

If Zhu Xiong Ying really does this, he will inevitably be despised by others, and it seems that he is indeed in a dilemma.

Zhu Xiong Ying looked at these people and said with a smile.

"You are all meritorious officials of our Great Ming Dynasty. Since you have the imperial edict and iron certificate in hand, you can indeed be spared death once. In that case, please hand over the imperial edict and iron certificate!"

Marquis Yongjia, Zhu Liangzu, and others were extremely unwilling, as this item was proof of their merits.

After fighting on the battlefield for so long, braving wind and rain to finally obtain something, it has now been lost just like that.

He sighed deeply and took out the imperial edict from his robes.

After they handed over all these imperial edicts and certificates.

Hu Weiyong sighed. If only they had known this would happen, why did they do it in the first place? He had told them to be more restrained long ago, but they wouldn't listen, and now trouble has arisen.

At this moment, Marquis Zhu Liangzu of Yongjia knelt on the ground, his face filled with sorrow.

"Your Highness, this old minister is willing to resign and return to his hometown, but this time we have spent all the money our families have worked so hard to earn in the war for the country!"

"If we go back like this, we may freeze and starve to death in no time. May Your Highness grant us some rewards to reward us for our meritorious service on the battlefield?"

Marquis Fei Ju of Pingliang and others were all like this.

The court officials nodded in agreement; it wasn't a big deal.

Although these people made some mistakes, they also had some merits. Giving them some rewards can make them grateful for His Majesty's kindness. Otherwise, they would really become meritorious officials who starved to death in the history of the Ming Dynasty.

Just then, a voice came from outside.

"Your Highness, the Duke of Han requests an audience!"

The court officials were in an uproar upon hearing this.

Korean Prince Li Shanchang? What brings him here?

Since the last time Duke Li Shanchang of Han lost face and was sent by Zhu Xiong Ying to marry into his family, Duke Li Shanchang of Han has been claiming to be ill and has not seen anyone. Now, however, he has actually appeared in the court.

"Since the Korean duke has arrived, let's announce it!"

Korean Prince Li Shanchang walked in step by step, leaning on a cane. He was not wearing court robes, but rather a worn-out scholar's outfit.

Once inside the main hall, he looked at Zhu Xiong Ying and said...

"This humble subject, Li Shanchang, pays his respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

The expressions of the court officials changed involuntarily.

Li Shanchang referred to himself as a commoner, which meant he did not acknowledge himself as an official of the Ming Dynasty. He embarrassed Zhu Xiong Ying in front of everyone, probably as revenge for the previous grudge against Zhu Xiong Ying.

Zhu Xiong Ying was all smiles and didn't take the matter seriously.

"So it's the Duke of Han! Please rise. It seems your self-cultivation at home has been quite effective; you are now calm and composed. Excellent!"

"As people get older, they should rest more. Otherwise, what will happen if they get angry too much? Someone, bring a chair for the Korean Duke!"

A guard had already brought over a chair and placed it to the side.

Li Shanchang sat down without any qualms.

Zhu Xiong Ying looked at Li Shan Chang and asked.

"What advice does the Lord of Korea have for me?"

Korean Prince Lee Sun-chang sighed and looked at his clothes.

"This is the outfit I wore when I first came to power. Over the years, we've been through thick and thin together. Some of my old brothers have passed away early, and some are still here, but there are very few left in this court!"

"We have spent half our lives fighting wars and half our lives governing the country, all we hope for is peace and prosperity for our Great Ming. Although these people have made some mistakes, they do not deserve to die!"

"The world is at peace now, and the situation is much better than during the Yuan Dynasty!"

"We old brothers have finished our work, it's time for us to step aside!"

"Your Highness, the future of the Ming Dynasty belongs to you young people. We are old and useless. It's time for us to return to our hometown!"

"Therefore, this humble subject has come specifically to bid farewell to His Highness the Crown Prince, and requests permission for this humble subject to return home in glory!"

The ministers in the court bowed their heads.

It must be said that Li Shanchang sometimes protected and even shielded the nobles of Huaixi.

However, he was undoubtedly excellent in politics. Li Shanchang played an indispensable role in the fact that the Ming Dynasty was able to stabilize so quickly.

It's a pity that he's now old and frail, which does sound rather sad.

When Zhu Xiong Ying saw that Li Shan Chang stopped talking at this point, he knew that Li Shan Chang must be asking for benefits for himself and these Huai Xi nobles. He was just a regent, and all the money was in the hands of that old fellow Yang Si Yi. Where would he get any money?
Moreover, these nobles from Huaixi have amassed a fortune that would last them for generations. Compared to them, I am clearly the poor one.

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded, her face full of emotion.

"The Duke of Han has devoted his life to serving the country, yet now he has to return to Fengyang Prefecture to farm for a living. I am truly uneasy about this!"

(End of this chapter)