The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 1241

King Yinglan immediately understood what had happened.

"Weren't you all talking non-stop just now? Why are you suddenly speechless?" Xu Tian asked them coldly.

They kept their heads down, unsure of what to say.

After all, they never expected that Xu Tian would find out everything so quickly.

Unable to bear it any longer, King Yinglan spoke up, "I think they were just a little greedy, and they didn't do anything wrong. Can't we forgive them?"

If I can make them grateful to me, my future plans will be more successful.

Xu Tian had already guessed that King Yinglan would speak, but his expression remained calm. "I asked you to stay not because I wanted you to speak for them, but for other reasons."

King Yinglan completely disregarded Xu Tian's words, saying, "They have always been working for the benefit of the people; they were just momentarily blinded by their own thoughts."

Hearing King Yinglan's words, the civil officials were deeply moved. They wished they could kowtow several times before the king to express their gratitude.

"How could you think that? Have you done something like this before? Should I go and check the books again?" With a bright smile, Xu Tian immediately threw out three questions.

He wanted to see how the King of England would answer him.

King Yinglan was somewhat lost in thought, never expecting Xu Tian to ask such a question.

If the investigation were to proceed in earnest, King Yinglan knew that many more officials might continue to run into trouble, and the situation at that point could become truly dangerous.

"Aren't you afraid something might happen?" King Yinglan asked Xu Tian.

What a greenhorn! He dares to do anything.

King Yinglan felt that he was simply a genius like Xu Tian.

"To borrow your words, I only want to bring happiness to the people; I have no other intentions," Xu Tian said firmly, his expression becoming even more serious.

King Yinglan was speechless, completely taken aback by Xu Tian's words.

There was nothing he could do; what Xu Tian had just said was absolutely correct, and he and Xu Tian were completely on different wavelengths.

Unwilling to deal with King Yinglan any longer, Xu Tian turned his attention back to the civil officials: "I wonder if any of you have anything to say in your rebuttal? I can let you refute it, and then..."

Xu Tian deliberately left the rest unsaid, wanting them to understand on their own.

How could they not understand? They could only worry anxiously inside.

"This..." King Yinglan wanted to say a few more words.

Before he could even speak, Xu Tian interrupted King Yinglan: "If you condone them, this kind of thing will definitely continue to happen in the future. What will you do then? Haven't you thought about that?"

As he spoke, Xu Tian wanted to add more, but then thought better of it, figuring that King Yinglan should understand his thoughts.

But King Yinglan has not completely given up yet; he still wants to continue speaking.

Xu Tian continued to question King Yinglan rather bluntly.

Completely speechless, King Yinglan lowered his head with a cold face.

Seeing that King Yinglan remained silent, the civil officials became even more frightened.

“You should understand your current situation. There’s no need to keep pleading; it won’t help anyone.” Xu Tian glanced at King Yinglan secretly before speaking calmly.

With a slight tremor, a civil official asked Xu Tian with concern, "Lord Marquis, what exactly do you intend to do to us?"

They have been officials for several years; even if they haven't made any great contributions, they have certainly worked hard.