The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 428

"My first question is, why did you tamper with the blueprints? Who instructed you to do so?"

“It was my greed that made me guilty. I was blinded by greed. No one instructed me. It was all my own choice.” Wan Duo’s answer was a little shaky, but his tone was steady, which showed that he was not very afraid of Xu Tian’s interrogation. It was as if someone had given him a script to memorize in preparation for this questioning.

"Second question." Xu Tian wasn't satisfied with Wan Yuan's answer; he clearly sensed that the other party had come prepared. "Where did you get the materials you used?"

"Yes......"

Without exception, Wan Yuan answered all the following questions fluently.

The Minister of Works standing nearby was very satisfied with the performance of more than 10,000 yuan.

“Lord Xu Tian, ​​since Wan Yuan has confessed to everything, shouldn’t we consider his confession and grant him leniency, and his resistance and grant him severe punishment?” The Minister of Works spoke up for Wan Yuan.

He glanced at the trembling ten thousand yuan with a mocking look, his eyes full of admiration.

'This time, the scapegoat they found is good.'

Xu Tian did not miss the moment when the Minister of Works made eye contact with his men.

“I’m sorry, I can’t give him a lighter punishment.” Xu Tian shook his head and refused. He said, “This kind of person who disrupts the school’s progress and slows down all our projects can be considered to be defying orders. I am just an official under orders, and I can’t give him a lighter punishment.”

“This matter was entrusted to us by the Emperor. If we remake the tables and chairs now, we will definitely miss the deadline. The fine of more than 10,000 yuan must be imposed severely.”

Xu Tian's unwavering words surprised everyone present.

"Lord Xu Tian, ​​please reconsider? I believe His Majesty wouldn't risk execution for such a trivial matter." The Minister of Works was also somewhat flustered upon hearing this, not expecting the problem to be so serious.

"My lord, I know I was wrong. Please don't hold it against me. I will never do it again. Please don't punish me severely." Wan Duoyuan panicked upon hearing this.

Last night, the Minister of Works' men didn't tell him the problem was that serious. They just made him take the blame and assured him they would treat his family well and reunite him with them as soon as possible.

“No! If I forgive you, how can I expect those workers to respect me?” Xu Tian refused the more than 10,000 yuan without hesitation.

"But... Your Excellency, I truly know I was wrong." Wan Duoyuan frequently looked at the Minister of Works, hoping the other party would save him.

However, the Minister of Works not only didn't even glance at the ten thousand yuan, but instead looked away, which can be described as extremely ruthless.

"Lord Xu Tian, ​​if you intend to punish me severely, what will be the consequences?" The Minister of Works asked this question, almost emphasizing each word as if he were the one being punished, not someone else.

"Of course, it's a capital offense." Xu Tian's lips curled up slightly. He wasn't worried about how Wan Yuanyu would continue to act after he said that.

"This is too serious." Upon hearing this, the Minister of Works turned pale instantly.

He was secretly glad that he had found a scapegoat; if he had confessed himself, he probably would have collapsed to the ground long ago.

"Heavy?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Tian sneered and said, "Minister, I just told all of you that this mission was commissioned by His Majesty. You have delayed His Majesty's issuance of the order. If you don't turn back after ten thousand yuan, then I will turn back."

“I’m just a lowly supervisor. The design and supervision have been repeatedly tampered with. I could have reported this to His Majesty long ago, but I’ve refrained from doing so because we’re colleagues. Now that something this serious has happened, I won’t tolerate it anymore.” With that, Xu Tian summoned Qin Xian and the others outside and ordered, “Drag Wan Yuan out. His crime: Disobeying an imperial decree!”