Free Web NovelChapter 399: Chapter 399: Repay with Death
A vein throbbed in Xu Jie’s temple.
He opened his mouth to defend himself, but his heart pounded with panic when he saw Xu Fengchi’s certain expression.
If they could even get their hands on those two letters, he had no idea what other evidence they might have.
’But no matter what, I absolutely cannot confess to this crime today! Otherwise, it’s a dead end!’
’No, it’s not just me. All the others who are implicated—’
Just as Xu Jie was racking his brain for a way to escape the charges, another voice rang out.
"I also have a report for the throne!"
The hall fell silent. All eyes turned in unison, only to find, to their astonishment, that the speaker was Zhao Hanguang.
Many exchanged bewildered glances. Why would he step forward now?
Xu Jie, however, froze for a moment before his face suddenly turned deathly pale, as if a dreadful thought had struck him.
His hands began to tremble.
Emperor Muwu’s expression was grim. "Speak!"
Zhao Hanguang knelt and bowed his head to the floor. "I wish to impeach Suinan Governor Xu Jie. Four years ago, he secretly bribed an official of the Guanglu Temple, Li Duo, and used the farewell banquet for General Huo Yucheng as an opportunity to poison him. This caused General Huo to fall violently ill during the campaign, leaving him wracked with pain and leading to his devastating defeat at Tongtian Pass!"
As his words faded, the entire hall was plunged into a dead silence.
Who could have imagined that Xu Fengchi wouldn’t be the only one impeaching Xu Jie today!
Coming from Zhao Hanguang, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, the accusation was a bombshell.
The moment Xiao Chengxuan saw Zhao Hanguang step forward, his mind went blank.
Hearing Zhao Hanguang’s accusation left him utterly thunderstruck.
He stared wide-eyed in disbelief, almost thinking he was hallucinating. ’Has Zhao Hanguang gone mad?’
Yet Zhao Hanguang remained kneeling, not once glancing in his direction. Every word he uttered was like a heavy hammer, striking down with brutal force.
"On the eve of General Huo’s departure, Xu Jie held a farewell banquet. He had instructed Li Duo in advance to add a slow-acting poison to the wine. At first, there would be no symptoms. But after three days, an intensely itchy red rash would break out. Half a month later, the skin would begin to ulcerate, leaving the victim drained of both vitality and blood."
Zhao Hanguang took a deep breath.
"Though army physicians accompanied the expedition, the conditions were harsh and couldn’t compare to being in the capital. The poison was especially insidious; an ordinary doctor could never have detected it. By the time anyone realized something was wrong, the toxin had already seeped deep into his organs, and he was beyond saving."
A look of pained guilt filled his eyes as he pressed his forehead hard against the floor.
"And so, General Huo was grievously wounded in battle, only to pass away a few days after being escorted back to the capital in custody!"
All the officials present were aware of this.
Although Huo Yucheng had not died at Tongtian Pass—his life spared only by the desperate protection of his officers—his condition had been little better than death.
Both his legs were broken, his liver was damaged, his internal injuries were severe, and his body was covered in countless wounds from swords, spears, and arrows.
He was unconscious when carried into the Heavenly Prison.
Huo Yucheng had been a warrior his entire life, a master of martial arts. Even in defeat, a man of his skill should not have sustained such devastating injuries.
And yet, at Tongtian Pass, he had come within an inch of losing his life.
The kinsmen of a younger generation who accompanied him were all killed in action.
At the time, everyone had chalked it up to the sheer brutality of the battle. But now... it seemed there was foul play involved.
Emperor Muwu’s face was livid. "Do you have proof of these claims?!"
Zhao Hanguang replied, speaking each word with deliberation. "Some time ago, I was drinking with Li Duo. In his stupor, he confessed to everything, revealing that he had poisoned the general under Xu Jie’s orders. He even seemed proud of it. I was horrified. Knowing the immense gravity of this revelation, I dared not act rashly. Instead, I feigned ignorance and began a secret investigation. Three days ago, I managed to find the servants who worked at that banquet. One of them testified that Li Duo had indeed left the feast under some pretext. On his way back, he intercepted a servant who was about to serve wine, took the jug, and said he would pour for General Huo himself."
"That servant is at my residence now. If Your Majesty has any doubts, he can be summoned immediately for confrontation!"
If the officials had been doubtful before, they now understood that the matter was settled. This was an undeniable fact!
Xu Jie felt as if the blood had frozen in his veins, and his mind went completely blank.
’He never imagined these long-buried secrets would one day be dragged back into the light!’
’That useless Li Duo! And to think Zhao Hanguang actually went and rounded up all those old servants!’
Xu Jie instinctively glanced in a certain direction, his eyes filled with a desperate plea for help.
Xiao Chengxuan kept his gaze fixed on the floor, but a cold sweat was already breaking out on his back.
Xu Jie’s gaze burned into him like a brand, filling him with dread.
’He knew with perfect clarity: Xu Jie was finished.’
’Anyone with eyes could see that Xu Fengchi and Zhao Hanguang had come here together today, determined to take down Xu Jie!’
’If they didn’t have irrefutable evidence, these two men, always so cautious and conservative, would never have made such a decisive move!’
’It was indisputable!’
’Xu Jie was a dead man.’
’Xu Jie’s death was of no consequence, but if he went mad and started dragging others down with him—’
Xiao Chengxuan’s fists clenched and unclenched before he finally spoke.
"This matter is of the utmost gravity! I implore you, Father Emperor, to conduct a thorough investigation! Whether someone intentionally plotted against General Huo all those years ago, or whether someone is now using the General’s case to eliminate a rival, the truth must ultimately be brought to light and justice served!"
His tone was decisive and his words earnest.
After speaking, he turned and gave Zhao Hanguang a deep, meaningful look.
’Even now, he couldn’t believe it. He never thought Zhao Hanguang would betray him like this!’
’He had never fully trusted people like Han Yao or Ye Heng. They were nothing more than opportunistic sycophants scrambling for wealth and power. He used them when they were convenient and discarded them when they weren’t. It all boiled down to two words: self-interest.’
’But Zhao Hanguang was different.’
’The man possessed the proud integrity of a true scholar. That was why he’d never tried to sway him with wealth, choosing instead to bind him through favors and kindness.’
’Logically, Zhao Hanguang should have been loyal to the death. He would never do something like this!’
’What on earth—’
But the next moment, a shocking scene unfolded before his eyes.
Zhao Hanguang straightened up. He didn’t look at Xiao Chengxuan, but stared straight ahead, his eyes filled with grim resolve.
He slowly removed his official hat and placed it on the floor.
Xiao Chengxuan’s heart lurched as a powerful sense of foreboding washed over him.
He opened his mouth to stop him, but it was too late.
Zhao Hanguang’s voice was hoarse. "As Minister of the Ministry of Rites, I was derelict in my duties. I failed to perceive the danger in time, which indirectly led to the deaths of General Huo and the eighty thousand soldiers at Tongtian Pass. My crime is worthy of death! I can no longer bear to wear this hat, nor am I fit to wear these robes! Only death can be my atonement!"
The moment the words left his mouth, he abruptly stood and flung himself headfirst toward a nearby pillar!
Xu Fengchi was the closest, and his expression changed instantly. "Wait—"
THUD!
The sickening thud echoed like a crack of thunder in the ears of all present.
The heavy scent of blood filled the air.
