Accidentally dressed as an empress

Yunxiu stood up and said righteously, "Your crimes are not based on the words of others. This government has already sent people to investigate secretly and has obtained solid evidence.

You instructed your men to collude with bandits, killing civilians and shattering countless families. You also attempted to bribe officials and interfere with judicial justice. These actions are an even greater crime."

At this time, the people in the hall shouted: "Punish Master Li severely! Give us justice!" The sound was like surging waves, shaking the walls of the courtroom so much that they seemed to tremble slightly.

Upon seeing this, Master Li's face turned pale as paper. His legs gave way, and he collapsed to the ground, muttering, "It's over, it's over..." But there was still a hint of unwillingness in his eyes, as if he were still planning a final struggle. "Although I have dealings with bandits, I have never been involved in any killing. I only...only conducted business with them and provided them with supplies. I beg you, sir, to have mercy on me. I beg you to spare my life!"

As he spoke, he fell to his knees and kowtowed repeatedly, trying to seek Yunxiu's forgiveness.

Yunxiu continued, "Don't try to take any more chances. This government will handle this according to the law. Your evil deeds will be punished accordingly. This will give the people of this city an explanation and allow the majesty of the law to be demonstrated."

Yunxiu's gaze was as sharp as a torch, fixed on the collapsed Master Li. She softened her tone, but remained dignified. "You think you have absolute power in this city, but you don't know that the law is so strict that nothing escapes. This government has thoroughly investigated your shameful activities. Not only did you collude with bandits to seize the people's land, leaving countless people homeless, but you also hoarded food during years of disaster, driving up prices and causing countless innocent people to starve to death on the streets."

Master Li's lips trembled as he tried to defend himself but his words were incoherent: "I... I am also doing this for my family... To protect myself in this chaotic world..."

Yun Xiu shouted angrily, "Self-preservation? You are satisfying your own selfish desires at the expense of the people! Have you ever considered the pain and despair of those you persecute?"

Outside the hall, people gathered in a crowd, and everyone's face was filled with anger and hatred.

They clenched their fists tightly, stared at the direction of the court, and listened attentively to Yunxiu's every word.

When Yunxiu exposed Mr. Li's crimes with conclusive words, the crowd instantly exploded like a lit powder keg.

A woman with a weathered face, veins bulging on her forehead and bloodshot eyes, shouted with all her might, "This evil man deserves to be hacked into pieces! He destroyed my family. My sister was murdered by him and the bandits. To this day, not even her remains have been found!"

As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes, but she wiped them away roughly with her sleeve. There was only deep hatred for Master Li in her eyes.

"Let him pay with his life!" A white-haired old woman also shouted tremblingly, her voice becoming sharp and shrill with excitement.

"My poor son, a small peddler who roamed the streets, was falsely accused of collaborating with bandits and brutally murdered simply because he refused to sell his goods at a low price. This Mr. Li is nothing short of an evil spirit; he must not be let off lightly!"

"My mother toiled her entire life, but because she refused to give up the few acres of our family land, she was beaten to death by Master Li's men. Our family has suffered so much over the years, and this vengeance must be avenged!"

"My grandson was born clever and well-behaved, but Master Li's daughter took a fancy to him and wanted to take him away to be her servant. My daughter fought back desperately, but they slandered her as a thief, imprisoned her, and ultimately died unjustly. My poor grandson has been missing ever since, and he was most likely murdered. Master Li's evil deeds are simply too numerous to list!"

"If these evildoers are not severely punished, it will be unjust and unforgivable. Where is the law? Although we are ordinary people, we will never tolerate such evil deeds rampant under our noses!"

Others responded, shouting in anger, one wave higher than the other. "Kill him! Avenge the dead!" "Such a scumbag doesn't deserve to live!"

The entire space outside the court was filled with this surging public opinion. The voice seemed to break through the walls of the court and completely drown Mr. Li in righteous condemnation.

Yunxiu raised her hand slightly, signaling everyone to be quiet, and continued, "The law will give a fair judgment. This government will list all your crimes one by one and submit them to the higher authorities for approval.

Your wealth will be confiscated according to the law and used to compensate the victims and their families; none of your accomplices will escape and will be punished along with you."

Master Li was completely despairing and fell to the ground crying, "Sir, I know I was wrong. I am willing to confess everything. I only ask for a lighter sentence..."

Yunxiu's expression was stern. "It's too late to repent now. But if you can truthfully confess all your crimes, including the details of your collusion with other forces and all the evil deeds you have committed over the years, this government will consider appropriate consideration within the scope of the law."

Mr. Li nodded repeatedly and began to confess in a trembling voice. He spoke of the heinous crimes one after another, and the court was filled with solemnity.

As Master Li continued his instructions, the atmosphere in the courtroom grew increasingly tense. Yunxiu ordered Tan Juan to record every detail, her brow furrowed at times, her gaze flickering with determination at others.

"You said that you agreed on a secret code with the bandits outside the city, using specific fireworks in the city as a signal for response? Or was it some other signal?" Yun Xiu pressed on step by step, not missing any key point.

Master Li wiped the sweat from his forehead and stammered, "Yes...it's under the old locust tree in my backyard. Every full-moon night, if three red lanterns are lit, it means there are goods to be handed over. When the bandits see the signal, they will enter the city through the small path in the back mountain."

Yun Xiu's heart trembled, and she continued to ask, "Besides the gold, silver and treasures, are there any other prohibited items in the goods you handed over?"

"Yes... there are some illegal salt and weapons. I want to sell these things to other places through bandits to make greater profits." Master Li didn't dare to look up, and his voice was as low as a mosquito.

When the people in the hall heard this, they couldn't help but gasp. The smuggling of salt, grain and weapons was a capital crime.

An old man trembled and said, "This Mr. Li is absolutely evil. He even dares to do such a thing. He is really bringing disaster to the country and the people!"

Yunxiu took a deep breath and said, "How dare you! Do you know that smuggling salt, grain, and weapons is a serious crime?"

At this time, a yamen runner hurried into the courtroom and whispered in Yunxiu's ear, "Sir, according to what Master Li said before, we have seized a large amount of illegal salt, grain, weapons, and correspondence with bandits in one of his secret warehouses."

Yun Xiu nodded slightly, and looked at Master Li with a more determined look: "What else do you have to say? Now that we have witnesses and evidence, according to Yunguo law, selling illegal salt, grain, and weapons is considered treason and should be punished by the execution of the entire family!"

Master Li's face was ashen, and he sat on the ground like a puddle of mud, muttering to himself: "I deserve to die, I deserve to die..."

After a moment, he seemed to suddenly remember something, and he raised his head abruptly, his eyes filled with pleading. He crawled forward on his knees a few steps, and cried to Yunxiu, "My lord, I know I have committed an unforgivable crime. I am willing to accept any punishment, even if it means being cut into pieces, I will never complain.

"But my family is not guilty. They are all innocent. I am the only one who bears this blame! Sir, I have confessed everything. I have told you all the details of my collusion with the bandits without reservation. I only ask you to let my family go! They know nothing and should not be implicated!"

Yun Xiu sat behind the case, his face stern, his eyes brimming with dignity and justice. He spoke without hesitation, "The law of the land is as strong as a mountain. How can you bargain with me? The crimes you have committed have brought disaster to countless people. According to Yunguo law, such a serious crime warrants the execution of your entire clan!"

"You're now thinking of using your own selfish interests to protect your entire family. This is truly wishful thinking." Yun Xiu shouted, "Come here, imprison the entire Li family and execute them in three days!"

Yunxiu turned to face the people in the hall and said loudly, "My fellow villagers, this government will definitely give you fairness and justice. No matter who it is, as long as they break the law, this government will not tolerate it."

The people knelt on the ground and shouted, "Thank you, sir, for your wisdom!"