Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 578: Chapter 298 Crown Prince and Prince Dai Punished_3

The Emperor glanced at Prince Dai, and with a meaningful expression, said, "First investigate Zhang Nan’s embezzlement; as for other matters, we will look into them later."

The Emperor’s words immediately raised the hearts of all the ministers present.

"Of course, if someone confesses voluntarily, I can show leniency," the Emperor said with a smile. "If Grandmaster Liu discovers anyone’s corruption and bribery in the end, you should be aware of the consequences."

"Gulp," many ministers swallowed hard in fear.

"Oh right, don’t think that just because you embezzled a little, it won’t matter. Also, don’t assume that if many are involved in corruption, the law won’t punish the masses," the Emperor continued, a cold smile curling up at his lips. "The idea that the law won’t punish the masses doesn’t work with me. If you all participate in embezzlement, I will show no mercy. Those who deserve death will be executed, and those who deserve exile will be exiled."

There are plenty of people in the world who want to be officials. Kill a thousand corrupt ones, and there will be new officials to take their place.

"Grandmaster Liu, I have no patience. I give you three days to thoroughly investigate this matter."

"Your servant obeys," Grandmaster Liu responded. Three days was enough for him.

The Emperor looked at Sun Kui and ordered, "Go and tell the Imperial Guard to bring the paddles."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Before leaving, Sun Kui gave a deeply sympathetic glance at the ministers who had been arguing earlier.

The ministers felt a sudden ominous premonition upon hearing the Emperor call for the paddles.

A moment later, Sun Kui returned to the court.

"Your Majesty, everything is ready."

The Emperor glanced at the kneeling ministers below, waved his hand, and said, "Take those who were arguing earlier outside and give them each twenty paddles."

As expected!

"Thirty paddles for the Crown Prince and Prince Dai."

The Crown Prince and Prince Dai hadn’t expected to be punished too. They did not dare to plead but instead needed to thank the Emperor.

The Imperial Guard entered the court and, under Sun Kui’s command, dragged away the ministers who had been arguing in the court earlier.

These ministers were already weak in the knees from fear of the Emperor. Now, learning they were about to be paddled, they were dragged out like corpses.

They were pressed to the ground by the Imperial Guard, and as they were beaten, they loudly thanked the Emperor.

The Crown Prince and Prince Dai were in front of the ministers. Without any special privileges, they lay on the benches, obediently lying on the ground like the ministers.

The Imperial Guard was impartial, striking the Crown Prince and Prince Dai with the same force as the ministers—not too light, but not overly heavy.

If their buttocks were all beaten to a pulp, they wouldn’t be able to attend court the next day, and then there would be no one to handle court matters.

Sun Kui specifically instructed the Imperial Guard not to beat too hard but to ensure their buttocks were swollen; otherwise, the ministers wouldn’t remember the lesson.

With Prime Minister He and the rest of the well-behaved ministers, the Emperor watched the Crown Prince and Prince Dai get punished like a good show.

Shen Hu and his group watched the ministers getting punished, finding it all quite delightful and amusing. If the Emperor weren’t present, they would have clapped their hands.

The Emperor watched, but the ministers being beaten dared not utter a sound of pain. Not only that, but they also had to smile and thank the Emperor.

Seeing the ministers make faces uglier than crying as they were beaten, Sun Kui was overjoyed, nearly unable to hold back his laughter.

The Emperor watched for a while and then left. Shen Hu and his group did not leave, instead continuing to gloat over the situation. With the Emperor gone, they laughed out loud, mocking loudly and giving no face to those being beaten.

The Crown Prince and Prince Dai’s faces turned beet red with shame, wishing they could find a hole to hide in.

The ministers got twenty paddles, but the Crown Prince and Prince Dai got thirty. Until the Crown Prince and Prince Dai weren’t done being paddled, they couldn’t get up.

Once the Crown Prince and Prince Dai finished receiving their thirty paddles, only then did the ministers dare to stand up.

Shen Hu and his group saw the ministers waddling with their sore buttocks and laughed out loud once more.

In the Imperial Study, Grandmaster Liu and Prime Minister He were reporting to the Emperor about the Minister of Agriculture’s corruption.

Grandmaster Liu and his team were already aware of Zhang Nan’s embezzlement and bribery and had informed the Emperor long ago. The Emperor hadn’t acted against Zhang Nan because he wanted to catch bigger fish with a long line, but unexpectedly, a minister mentioned it today.

Since a minister had reported it, it couldn’t be ignored, and the Emperor had to order an investigation.

"Zhang Nan is the Crown Prince’s man," Grandmaster Liu reminded the Emperor very directly.

The Emperor naturally understood what Grandmaster Liu meant. He remained silent with a stern face.