Read Novel Full Chapter 2665: The Situation Is Dire
Chapter 2665: Chapter 2665: The Situation Is Dire
"Ha."
Gong Jian let out a cold laugh at those words.
This was the funniest joke he had heard to date.
Over the years, he had carried out many tasks for the Emperor, yet it was the first time encountering such an official, who said everything but did nothing.
"So, the two princes kindly decided for the people, yet in the end, still need to clean up your mess? They’ve turned the matter into something that they deserved to handle, is that it? You truly are exemplary officials of Daqing!"
"Uh."
Prefect He was dumbfounded, his face turning crimson.
He didn’t mean that—it was just Dowager Consort Yu and the Fifteenth Prince. They, as minor officials, truly found it difficult to act.
"Lord Gong, it’s the Fifteenth Prince and Dowager Consort Yu who were sent to prison. As a subordinate... I’m just a lowly official; how dare I determine their guilt?"
"When the emperor breaks the law, he shares the same punishment as commoners, let alone merely a consort and prince." Gong Jian regarded them coldly, his voice equally frigid.
"Moreover, who asked you to immediately dispose of Dowager Consort Yu and the Fifteenth Prince? It was merely to provide an explanation, to appease the people; can’t you even do that much?"
Prefect He and his companions were rendered speechless; it wasn’t that they couldn’t do it, but they dared not.
Besides, with two princes within the government office, even if something arose, they wouldn’t need to face it alone; wouldn’t harsh words be better left to the princes?
How could they have anticipated not hosting the two princes, yet Lord Gong arrived first, leaving them with no defense even if they had a hundred mouths?
Gong Jian watched their silence, not forcing them to speak further, but instead thoroughly castigated them before letting them depart.
He himself then went to meet the princes.
...
"I didn’t expect you to arrive so swiftly; you seem quite urgent."
Upon meeting with Qian Jiyun, An Jiuyue poured a cup of tea for Gong Jian, and the three sat in the courtyard.
"Eager to see the condition of Ying City. According to the Emperor, it’s exceedingly grave." Gong Jian downed a cup of tea, his expression all seriousness.
Originally thinking the Emperor’s words only referred to severe drought—people lacking water and food—but upon arriving in Ying City, it was revealed that here lay not only natural disaster, but catastrophe wrought by man.
And this human catastrophe was far more egregious than the natural disaster.
"Since you’re here, leave the matter of Dowager Consort Yu to you. Regardless of face, we’ll back you on whatever arises." Qian Jiyun spoke forthrightly.
"Mm."
Gong Jian responded lightly.
Unceremoniously, he poured another cup of tea for himself and drank it in one go.
He wished to favor no one, especially after witnessing scenes at the government entrance with distressed people pleading for justice—despite the Fifteenth Prince being the Retired Emperor’s son, he would handle him accordingly.
"I don’t plan to show anyone favor."
The Retired Emperor? He can’t protect himself, and based on the ruthless and decisive style he had when ascending the throne, none of his sons would be preserved.
Back when the Retired Emperor first ascended the throne, he would eliminate his brothers with any pretext or excuse, killing or banishing them—few survived.
And those few brothers who did survive are now no longer around.
If the Emperor follows the past ruthlessness and decisiveness of the Retired Emperor, can any of these princes still retain their lives? Surely, they would all have perished by now, wouldn’t they?