Chapter 676: Playing the Long GameChapter 1171: Who Says I'm Wrong

Li Chen understood Hu Pi's meaning and said calmly, "Are you going to use your own life to exchange for the lives of your two sons"

"Hu Pi trembled and said, 'Your Majesty, I am old now and know that I have failed as a father. These two sons of mine have gone astray, it is not their fault but mine. A son's disobedience lies with the father. All I ask of Your Highness is to leave me a bloodline.'"

Li Chen sneered: "Do you think I'm making a deal with you You come to exchange your two sons, and then their mistakes will be ignored"

"This palace promises, you ask them, will they agree or not!"

Li Chen pointed at the commoners around him and angrily shouted at Hu Pi: "You are colluding with each other, forming gangs, and preying on the people of Qin. What have these ordinary people done wrong They work hard to earn a living to support their families, but in the end they are exploited by you one after another, unable even to guarantee basic necessities. Do you have the audacity to plead for mercy"

"Manipulating grain prices, illegally selling government salt, forming cliques for personal gain, Hu Pi—you've been an official your whole life, you should be clearer than anyone else what the consequences are for these three crimes!"

Li Chen's words were forceful and echoed through the air like thunder.

All the people present were deeply moved.

"Great!"

"His Royal Highness is right!"

This is our good prince! He acts for the people!

"Just kill these corrupt officials!"

The common people's feelings are simple and fervent. If they think something is good, they won't hesitate to give you applause. But if they think something is bad, their scolding will definitely not be lacking.

What these people are saying now reflects their truest thoughts.

Their demands are not high, as long as someone can make decisions for them and give them a life they can live.

Li Chen was very pleased.

At least these people's reactions show they haven't completely lost hope in the imperial court and still recognize their crown prince.

A regime, if it loses the support of the people, is not far from collapse.

And at that moment, Hu Pi raised his head and shrieked, "Your Highness!"

“I may have committed crimes, but the law does not punish the masses. Even with these serious offenses, it wouldn't warrant the annihilation of my entire family. So why are so many officials gathered around your Highness Human nature is inherently filled with greed and desire. If Your Highness demands that this pond be crystal clear, then all the fish within will have to die first. At that point, the clear water would become stagnant, and could Your Highness alone support the heavens”

These words stopped Li Chen's steps as he was about to go into the rice shop.

Turning to face Hu Pi, whose face was etched with despair and determination, Li Chen said: "Law does not punish the multitude That's because it shows leniency outside the law. In this palace, there is no law that cannot punish everyone."

"You say that greed and desire are inherent to human nature. This palace is not a saint, and this palace also has desires. How can this palace demand others to be saints"

This palace allows others to make mistakes, and even permits them to do small things for their own selfish gain, but this palace has always had one bottom line.

Fixating his gaze on Hu Pi, Li Chen said word by word: "Don't let the common people live in misery. Whoever lets the common people suffer, I will make them suffer as well!"

After saying his piece, Li Chen turned and left, without another glance at the dejected Hu Pi.

Behind me, there were cheers that almost lifted the roof off, and some older folks, tears streaming down their faces, cried out in disbelief that justice had finally been served.

Back at Mi Xing, Li Chen began issuing orders.

"Chen Tong!"

"At your service!"

Chen Tong clasped his fists, held his breath and focused intently, not daring to be even slightly careless.e being pushed to the brink of death. But setting that aside, what were the consequencesThe rebellion failed, Zhao Xuanji is still alive.Not only is he still alive, but he still holds his position.Eve...