Ji Xiaolan: Kill Qianlong at the beginning

He Shen glanced at Mo Li, then at Emperor Gai Zhang, and said, "Your Majesty, for such a trivial matter as garden construction, you have confessed your guilt and appeased the people. This shows the Emperor's open-mindedness and magnanimity in both civil and military affairs. In contrast, I, your servants, can only examine my conscience and reflect on myself. How can I speak? I feel deeply ashamed. Very ashamed. Ashamed to the point of shame. Your Majesty."

Emperor Gai Zhang chuckled and said, "After hearing what you have said, I feel much more at peace. For the sake of my homeland and the people, you nobles, please do not try to persuade me any further. Okay, let's leave it at that."

Heshen smiled and nodded, then returned to his seat.

As soon as he returned, Mo Li appeared and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to say."

The Emperor asked Mo Li to speak.

Mo Li said, "It has been a law since ancient times that any crime must be punished. Our emperor has a broad mind. Since he has committed the crime, he must be punished. Otherwise, if word gets out, the people will think that the emperor's confession is superficial."

Emperor Gai Zhang thought to himself, Mo Li, if I don’t kill you, you’ll have to be nice.

He said, "Okay, you are right. Master Mo, please give me a suggestion on how to punish me."

Heshen stared at Mo Li.

Mo Li said, "Since ancient times, the punishment is either torture or exile. As the saying goes, no official should be punished. Our emperor is the true emperor, so why should he be beaten..."

He Shen couldn't stand it any longer and said, "What? You still want to hit the emperor?"

Mo Lixin wanted you to listen to what I had to say, "You can't hit me."

"Nonsense." Heshen said as if it was a matter of course.

Mo Li said, "Since we can't fight, then the only option is exile."

Emperor Gai Zhang put away his folding fan and said, "How far should I be exiled?"

"Three thousand miles." Mo Li said bravely.

"Three thousand miles? Who is in charge of the country?" Emperor Gai Zhang raised his eyebrows.

"Yeah, who cares?" Heshen also echoed.

Li Qiye said calmly, "Your Majesty, the common people are exiled three thousand miles away. Our emperor is the true emperor, walking like a dragon and treading like a tiger. I think three hundred miles is enough."

Emperor Gai Zhang said, "Lord Mo, I didn't expect you to take such good care of me. I have been to the south of the Yangtze River many times. Thousands of miles are nothing to worry about. Three hundred miles is just what I want to go out and relax. Okay, it's approved."

He Shen was anxious and said, "Your Majesty, this is absolutely unacceptable."

Emperor Gai Zhang said, "Don't be so nosy. I just want to ask one question, my dear ministers."

All civil and military officials stood in line.

Emperor Gai Zhang continued, "Who is willing to travel three hundred miles with me?"

Except for Mo Li, all the other officials knelt down and said, "I am willing to go."

Emperor Gai Zhang said Mo Li's name.

Mo Li said, "I'm here."

Emperor Gai Zhang said, "You don't want to go with me."

Mo Li said, "I deserve to die, Your Majesty. First, I don't think he can go with so many people, so I don't want to kneel down and say something cheap. Second, please allow me to make a suggestion."

The Emperor said, "That's right."

Mo Li said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Just as he was about to walk up from the middle, Heshen said, "You dare."

Mo Li walked up from the side again.

Then he said, "Your Majesty, have you forgotten? Two years ago, you exiled me and Ji Xiaolan three thousand miles away. So I know how hard it is to be exiled. I thought to myself, if I can avoid it, why not?"

Emperor Gai Zhang waved his hand, motioning him to come over and talk.

Mo Li moved closer.

Emperor Gai Zhang said, "You are holding a grudge, aren't you? Last time I sentenced you to three thousand miles, and this time you insisted on making me walk the three hundred miles. I...how could I bear not to let you accompany me to walk the three hundred miles?"

Mo Li said "oh", with bitterness in his voice.