The Return of the King: A Generation of Prodigies

"Well, I asked Zheng Guang to come to the palace to give him some advice and ask him to control his temper in the future."

"The Zheng family is not so easy to tame. If used well, it is an invincible blade, but if used poorly, it is a venomous snake that will bite back."

Ruan Yuhu's eyes changed at this time. To kill a snake, you have to hit it at its most vulnerable part. To deal with the Zheng family, this poisonous snake, you have to be more ruthless than them.

"In that case, I'll have to trouble you, aunt." Shen Tianjiao looked at Ruan Yuhu's expression at this moment, and knew in her heart that Ruan Yuhu must have a way to subdue the Zheng family.

Shen Tianjiao was not at ease no matter who the Zheng family was handed over to, but she was very relieved to hand it over to Ruan Yuhu.

In addition to being tyrannical and violent, the Zheng family is also good at scheming when it comes to those they want to use and those who can bring them benefits.

They will always take the trouble to please others. People can resist temporary flattery, but it is difficult to have the self-control to withstand it for a lifetime.

Compared to their brutal nature, the Zheng family's psychological warfare tactics are the most terrifying.

If no one can control the Zheng family, then even if the Zheng family can become an invincible sword in Shen Tianjiao's hands, Shen Tianjiao will not use it.

Because anyone can be a sharp blade, but if there is a poisonous snake behind the blade that may bite you back at any time, then the blade can only be destroyed.

"Why are you being so polite to me, kid?" Ruan Yuhu looked at Shen Tianjiao and smiled, then asked, "Jiaojiao, how do you plan to deal with the Gong family?"

"Well, there's a traitor in the family, Gong Chenghai can't escape the blame no matter what."

"I can spare the lives of his entire family, but I'm afraid the title of Duke of Tang won't be abolished until after his death."

Gong Chenghai may be spared the death penalty, but he will ultimately be sentenced to life imprisonment.

Although Shen Tianjiao and Ruan Yuhu found a good reason for him so that the Gong family members would not be exiled to the border.

But it is impossible to let Gong Chenghai continue to be the Duke of Tang without any punishment.

Even if Shen Tianjiao agreed, those court officials would not agree.

Therefore, the best way to punish him is to deprive Gong Chenghai of his title of Duke of Tang in advance and make him a powerless commoner.

Such a punishment not only demonstrated Shen Tianjiao's fairness, but also appeased the restless hearts of those court officials who wanted to stir up trouble.

In fact, whether the title of Duke of Tang was revoked or not had no bearing on the interests of the court officials.

Even if Gong Chenghai's title of Duke of Tang was revoked, it would never fall on them.

Moreover, although Gong Chenghai was given the title of Duke of Tang, he actually only held the title of Duke and did not hold any real power in his idle position.

Otherwise, even though he knew it was Qian Wanhe's fault, Gong Chenghai didn't dare to say a word and could only watch his son suffer.

But everyone has a competitive spirit. Even if it is just a decoration without real power, it still has the honorific title of Duke. The honorific title of Duke confers status and position.

There's nothing to be afraid of if you don't have real power. As long as you have a respectable title and feel superior to others, that's enough.

When the wall falls, everyone pushes it; when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. People tend to step on the powerful and flatter the weak. It doesn't matter whether you live a good life or not, but as long as there is someone who lives worse than you, that's good enough.

"Jiaojiao, what I mean is that the title of Duke of Tang can be revoked, but the Gong family cannot be reduced to common people."

Ruan Yuhu always considers issues from a long-term perspective, not just the present.

"Although Gong Chenghai has been stripped of his title of Duke of Tang this time, the Gong family still has deep roots in Shangjing."

"Gong Jianzhou is one of ours now. I think he's a promising talent. Gong Chenghai can't be used, but Gong Jianzhou can be used."

"If you strip Gong Chenghai of his title of Duke of Tang this time, causing the Gong family to completely lose their merits and status."

"If you want to use him to do things in the future, many of his actions will be restricted."

"Moreover, Gong Chenghai has offended many people in Shangjing City over the years. If he loses his protection, he won't survive long even if we don't kill him."

Shen Tianjiao frowned slightly. This was indeed another big problem. She looked at Ruan Yuhu and asked, "Then in your opinion, how should this matter be resolved?"

"In my opinion, Gong Chenghai's title of Duke of Tang should be stripped away. However, we can use this incident as an opportunity to give Gong Jianzhou a new title."

"This title doesn't need to be too grand; a Changyuan Earl will suffice. With his actions today, such as sacrificing his relatives for the sake of justice and sharing the burden of the country, he deserves this title."

"With this title, the Gong family will no longer be the target of public criticism in Shangjing City. This way, Gong Jianzhou will have no worries when he does things in the future."

"The era of the Duke of Tang's Mansion has passed, and the era of the Earl of Changyuan is about to begin. From now on, the Gong family will surely follow loyally to the end."

"The Gong family will be the strongest supporter of Mu'er ascending the throne and securing her throne in the future."

Ruan Yuhu wants more than just the Gong family to be grateful to her. She also hopes to make Gong Jianzhou Li Muyang's most loyal supporter.

She is now going to pave the way for Li Muyang, so that Li Muyang can have more supporters like Gong Jianzhou, and let them protect Li Muyang.

Shen Tianjiao now understood Ruan Yuhu's good intentions. The way a king employs people requires a balance between relaxation and tension, and the use of both kindness and severity.

No matter whether it is the Gong family or Gong Jianzhou, after this incident, they will be grateful to her as the queen and will definitely follow the Zhenbei Marquis Mansion more closely.

"I understand." Shen Tianjiao nodded and looked at Ruan Yuhu and said, "Aunt, do you want to go to Zhenghe Hall with me?"

Although today's incident is not a big deal, there are always a few difficult ones among the court officials.

After seeing how difficult they were to deal with, Shen Tianjiao now has a psychological trauma.

After all, those people are civil servants. We don’t know whether these civil servants have other abilities, but they are really good at speaking. They can talk a living person to death and even bring a dead person back to life.

Shen Tianjiao really doesn't have the energy to argue with them right now.

Ruan Yuhu took Shen Tianjiao's hand and said with a smile: "Don't be afraid, my dear Jiaojiao. There will naturally be someone to help you in the court today."

"Ah?" Shen Tianjiao looked at Ruan Yuhu in confusion, waiting for her to give her an answer.

"Go ahead, you'll know when the time comes." Ruan Yuhu patted Shen Tianjiao on the back, "I'm going to stay and deal with Zheng Guang."

In the Zhenghe Hall, before Shen Tianjiao arrived, the ministers had already gathered together and started their gossip time in groups of three or five.

The topic naturally revolved around Gong Chengyu being killed and hung on the city gate tower this morning.

As soon as Shen Tianjiao arrived at Zhenghe Hall, the hall, which had been noisy just now, immediately became quiet.

Now the majesty of the Queen is enough to shock the hearts of these court officials.

Shen Tianjiao had just sat down when she saw Gong Chenghai and Gong Jianzhou coming in.

After the rest and analysis of the pros and cons with Gong Jianzhou, Gong Chenghai was now fully awake and stable.

Nothing is more important than saving the lives of your family now. As long as there is life, there will be no shortage of firewood.

As long as people are alive, there is hope for everything.

Titles, fame, wealth and so on are nothing but passing clouds.

Today, the Empress was willing to let the Gong family go, which was already a special favor. It was only because of his dependence on the Zhenbei Marquis Mansion and the friendship between her son and several young masters of the Zhenbei Marquis Mansion.

Naturally, he accepted the honor bestowed upon him by the Queen with gratitude.

It's just a play. As long as he can save the lives of his family, let alone acting, he would be willing to go through fire and water right now.

Gong Chenghai brought Gong Jianzhou in, ran hurriedly to the front of the hall, and knelt in front of Shen Tianjiao.

"The guilty minister Gong Chenghai has come with his rebellious son to plead guilty to the Empress."

"Apologize? What's Duke Tang thinking this early in the morning?"

Seeing Gong Chenghai coming in, Shen Tianjiao was ready to act.

It is not easy to be the queen Shen Tianjiao. She has to handle the affairs of state and cooperate in acting from time to time. It is really not easy.

"To answer the Empress, I have failed to manage my family properly and have not disciplined my children properly. I didn't even know when my unworthy brother Gong Chengyu colluded with the Western Rong people and betrayed the country."

"This rebellious son of yours accidentally heard that Gong Chengyu was colluding with the Xirong people and betraying his country. In anger, he killed Gong Chengyu last night."

"Gong Chengyu's body was also hung on the city gate tower, and Gong Chengyu's crimes were written on the city gate tower to warn the people of Yunli not to emulate such shameless acts of treason."

As soon as Gong Chenghai said this, there was an uproar in the Zhenghe Hall, and the court officials began to whisper to each other.

"What? Gong Chengyu actually colluded with the Xirong people to betray the country?"

"Gong Chenghai, how do you manage your family? Your own brother committed such a heinous and treasonous act that harmed the dignity of the nation right under your nose, and you only found out about it now?"

Shen Tianjiao was furious and started to attack Gong Chenghai.

"As an important official of the country, you actually allowed your family to collude with the enemy. Gong Chenghai, how many heads do you have? How many lives do you have in your Gong family to bury with Gong Chengyu?"

"Please forgive me, Queen. All the mistakes I made are my fault. I am willing to take all the responsibility myself. Please forgive my family, Queen."

Although he knew it was an act, Gong Chenghai's fear only grew.

Since his grandfather passed away, both his father and he have achieved nothing, with no ability and no achievements. This is what really scares Gong Chenghai.

Without real skills and strength, he has no say and no confidence in front of Shen Tianjiao.

Shen Tianjiao remained silent for a long time. After suppressing her anger, she said, "Who killed Gong Chengyu?"

"In reply to the Queen, Gong Chengyu was killed by my son Gong Jianzhou."

"He also accidentally stumbled upon the evidence of Gong Chengyu's collusion with the Xirong people and betrayal of the country."

"But my son is young and ignorant, and he acts rashly and impulsively. After he found out the evidence of Gong Chengyu colluding with the Xirong people and betraying the country, he didn't tell me, nor did he report the case to Jingzhao Prefecture."

"Instead, he killed Gong Chengyu with his own strength."

"The boy did not act with courage. After killing Gong Chengyu, he hung Gong Chengyu's body on the city gate tower, making Gong Chengyu's crimes known to the public."

"It is to warn the people of Yunli not to emulate the actions of shameless villains like Gong Chengyu. Anyone who collaborates with the enemy and betrays the country will surely die."

"I, a sinner, was incompetent and failed to discover Gong Chengyu's evil deeds in time. I attempted to assist the enemy in destroying the foundation of our Yunli Kingdom. I deserve death."

"But please, Queen, please spare my son's life for the sake of his wholehearted dedication to the country and his willingness to sacrifice his own family for the greater good."

After saying this, Gong Jianzhou kowtowed heavily to Shen Tianjiao.

"You are truly an old fool. How can we expect you to help the country if you can't even manage your own household?"

"You are not even as good as your own son. You are not worthy of the title of Duke of Tang."

Shen Tianjiao stood up, lifted the pearl curtain and jade screen, walked in front of the court officials, and looked at the father and son of the Gong family who were kneeling on the ground.

After a long pause, he spoke, "Come and draft an imperial decree. From now on, Gong Chenghai's title of Duke of Tang will be revoked. All members of the Gong family will have to vacate the Duke of Tang's mansion within three days."

"Gong Chengyu colluded with the Western Rong people, secretly communicated with the enemy and betrayed his country. Gong Chenghai was incompetent and allowed Gong Chengyu to do evil. Both crimes should be punished together, and the entire Gong family should be exiled to the frontier."

"But considering that his son Gong Jianzhou is a loyal, brave, patriotic man who hates evil, for the sake of the stability of the country and Yunli."

"He didn't hesitate to sacrifice his own family for the greater good. Not only did he kill Gong Chengyu, he also hung his body on the city gate tower, exposing his crimes to the public as a warning to the people of Yunli."

"This action is a model for the people of Yunli to emulate, so I will only strip Gong Chenghai of his title of Duke of Tang, and the Gong family will be spared the suffering of exile to the frontier."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great grace." When Gong Chenghai heard Shen Tianjiao publicly announce the pardon of the Gong family members and that they would not be exiled to the frontier, he felt completely exhausted, his whole body limp, and he fainted in the hall.

Gong Chenghai looked useless and fainted because he couldn't bear the pressure due to such a small matter. Shen Tianjiao's contempt for him was even deeper.

Shen Tianjiao had more important things to do at the moment, and was too lazy to bother with Gong Chenghai.

Poor Gong Chenghai could only lie down in the hall for the time being. Because Shen Tianjiao didn't give the order, no one dared to come forward and carry Gong Chenghai away.

Shen Tianjiao looked at Gong Jianzhou, who was kneeling upright, and said, "I have always been clear about rewards and punishments. If someone does something wrong, I will punish them severely. If someone does something right, I will not turn a blind eye to it."

"Although Gong Chenghai is a foolish and confused man, as his son, you, Gong Jianzhou, are a man of understanding, courage and strategy."

"Your father's virtue is unworthy of his position and he is not worthy of being supported by the people, but you are different."