Chapter 665
: Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao's Night Trial, Ming Dynasty will also have a "Nigh
Lu Feng investigates the Kunning Palace assassination case and leads to the discovery of Lin De, a corrupt official in the Jiaofang Bureau (Part 2)
Lind's legs seemed to have all the bones and muscles pulled out, and they were so limp that they could not move.
He fell to his knees with a plop on the smooth floor of Kunning Palace.
This dull sound, in the Kunning Palace where it was so silent that one could hear a pin drop, was like a sudden thunderclap, piercing and shocking.
At this time, cold sweat was pouring down Lind's forehead. Big beads of sweat rolled down uncontrollably like a flood that broke through a dam.
It flowed freely along his cheeks that were twisted with fear.
But in just a moment, the sweat completely soaked Lind's collar, leaving a large dark stain.
At the same time, the clothes on his back were already soaked with sweat.
She clung to his slightly trembling back, looking extremely embarrassed.
Now Linde seemed to be in an extremely cold environment with ice and snow. The bone-chilling coldness surged in from all directions, enveloping him completely.
Lind's heart was filled with fear and despair, and it felt like countless ants were gnawing at his internal organs.
Panic and helplessness completely overwhelmed Lind like a tide, making it difficult for him to breathe.
Lind knew better than anyone that once his shameful misdeeds were investigated in detail, he would surely face a catastrophic disaster.
Linde was seen lying on the ground, his eyes empty and confused.
He sighed inwardly, his mind was a mess and he still couldn't make any sense of it.
Linde didn't know what terrible end would be waiting for him next.
Is it imprisonment or even more cruel punishment?
Fear was like a tide, completely drowning him wave after wave.
Lind shrank back, with despair in his heart following him like a shadow.
In Kunning Palace, a place under the watchful eyes of the public, there was dead silence everywhere.
Only Lu Feng's voice, as cold as ice, cut through the suffocating silence like a sharp blade.
Lind's misdeeds, which were buried deep in the darkness, were mercilessly analyzed and exposed one by one.
"Lin De, you are the head of the Jiaofangsi, but you secretly colluded with merchants to collect huge bribes.
Taking advantage of his position to seek personal gain.
Not only that, you neglected your duty.
This resulted in assassins infiltrating the dancers of the Jiaofangsi, endangering the safety of the palace.
Do you plead guilty to these charges?
Lu Feng stared at Lin De who was lying on the ground with an eagle-like gaze, his voice cold and majestic.
Lin De's body trembled violently, and he lowered his head even lower, not daring to raise his head to look at Lu Feng.
His lips trembled slightly, and he wanted to explain, but he didn't know what to say.
Every time a crime was revealed, there were faint exclamations from all around.
Everyone's gazes were like sharp needles piercing Lind's body.
It made him feel uncomfortable and ashamed.
Lind collapsed to the ground, feeling hopeless and as if he was in an endless dark abyss.
All those ugly things that he had tried so hard to cover up in the past were now exposed nakedly in front of everyone, making him wish he could find a hole to crawl into.
At this moment, Linde's heart seemed to be filled with thousands of regrets and helplessness, but he was powerless to change the situation.
At this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang, who had been solemn and silent, slowly raised his head.
His eyes were as sharp as torches, scanning everyone in the hall.
The majesty and anger revealed in those eyes made everyone shudder.
Then Zhu Yuanzhang opened his lips slightly, and his low and majestic voice rang out in the hall like a huge bell, instantly breaking the oppressive and almost solidified atmosphere.
"Under broad daylight, Kunning Palace has become a place where assassins commit crimes. Where is our dignity? Where is the discipline of the palace?"
As soon as Zhu Yuanzhang spoke, every word hit everyone's heart like a heavy hammer.
Everyone present was so frightened that they dared not breathe. They all lowered their heads, not daring to look directly into Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes that were filled with majesty and anger.
The atmosphere in Kunning Palace, which had just relaxed a little, suddenly became tense again.
Zhu Biao turned to look at the trembling Lin De, his tone gentle with a hint of regret.
"In fact, Lord Lu has already given you a break, but you didn't know how to cherish this opportunity.
You must know that no matter whether you have problems with corruption or bribery, if there is an assassin among the dancers of the Jiaofangsi, you, as the Fengluan of the Jiaofangsi, cannot escape the responsibility.
Besides, corruption and bribery can only result in immediate execution at best, but if you are convicted of deceiving the emperor, the hundreds of people in the Lin family will probably suffer with you!"
Upon hearing Zhu Biao describe the consequences of this matter in such a serious manner, Lin De's face suddenly turned pale and he was terrified to the extreme.
He was seen rolling and crawling, and crawling in front of Zhu Yuanzhang in a panic.
Then Linde began to kowtow heavily, his forehead hitting the ground, making a dull sound.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please spare my life!
The small crime deserves death, it was all due to the small moment of confusion!
Please, Your Majesty, have mercy and spare my life!"
Linde's tears were streaming down his face, and his voice was trembling with extreme fear and was inarticulate.
"I am willing to atone for my sins. Please give me a chance, Your Majesty!"
He put his hands on the ground, his body trembling like a leaf in the wind.
He hoped that his earnest pleas would move Zhu Yuanzhang and give him a chance of survival.
Seeing this, everyone in the hall lowered their heads silently, and no one dared to plead for Lin De.
Only Linde's sad and desperate pleading sound echoed in the silent and depressing Kunning Palace, further highlighting the severity of the situation and Linde's helplessness and pity.
However, Lind's panicked plea for mercy not only failed to win the Holy Heart's mercy, but instead added fuel to the fire, leading to even more serious consequences.
"Big Boss, Big Three, you two saw it, right?
A selfish person like this only has himself in his mind!
Linde, since you want to live so much, we will help you.
According to my decree, Lin De, a ninth-rank official in the Imperial Music Bureau, was found to have committed corruption, accepted bribes, and deceived the emperor.
After investigation, there is solid evidence for the above charges.
Considering that he had done his job diligently in the past, he was allowed to make up for his crime with meritorious service.
However, every country has its own laws and every family has its own rules.
All male members of the Lin family will now be exiled to the frontier, and the female members will be selected to be recruited into the Jiaofangsi.
The rest will be temporarily put on death row. If Lind still does not repent and breaks the law again, he and his family will be executed!"
Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was cold but unquestionable. Every word he said was like a sharp blade, piercing into Linde's heart.
When Lin De heard Zhu Yuanzhang's order, he was struck by lightning.
The whole person collapsed to the ground in an instant, his eyes were empty and his face was ashen.
No matter what, Linde could not have imagined that his momentary action would not only push him into an irretrievable situation, but also cause his family to suffer a devastating disaster.
At this time, Linde was filled with remorse, but it was too late to change the situation.
Only the despair and sorrow in his heart completely drowned him like a surging tide.
Everyone in the palace was terrified when they heard the order. No one dared to say a word. Kunning Palace was once again shrouded in silence and fear.
At this moment of despair, Lin De suddenly remembered that his wife once said that two Jinyiwei came to rent a house from his father-in-law's house some time ago.
(End of this chapter)