Chapter 693: Ye Shengyuan Panics (Part 3)

Chapter 693: Chapter 507: Ye Shengyuan Panics (Part 3)

“Since you know you won’t get much from it, why not do legitimate business? At least it’s safe. Why insist on doing this kind of business?”

“What I smuggle is just private salt, tea leaves, and medicinal herbs, and at most some gemstones and precious ores. These are things the court actually trades with Beihu as well; it’s just that they don’t allow the people to do so. As for smuggling weapons and armor, that’s the Green Blade Sect’s doing, and has nothing to do with me.”

“But didn’t the Green Blade Sect use the smuggling route you established?”

“That smuggling route was the one you developed through your connections with Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion. The Green Blade Sect cooperated with you and used this route; is this your testimony, correct?”

“Yes, Madam of Marquis Lingyang was my patient, and I exploited this relationship, deceiving her by saying that her illness required some precious herbs from Beihu. If we went through official channels, it would be too expensive and too consuming, so I used her entirely.”

“Really? Then how did the Green Blade Sect manage to use this smuggling route? Did you arrange for them to smuggle weapons and armor?”

“Of course not!” Ye Shengyuan immediately denied. Smuggling private salt and tea leaves at most yields excessive profit, which is indeed a crime punishable by death, but it’s far less serious compared to smuggling weapons and armor.

“Not, then how did Green Blade Sect come to use this route?”

“I hired people from the Green Blade Sect to ensure the safety of this route and help me establish connections with Beihu. Who knew they would exploit it, do those things behind my back, smuggle pig iron and weaponry, which has nothing to do with me!”

Green Blade Sect has been outlawed and they are being hunted. Although some of them were caught and jailed, their testimonies align with Ye Shengyuan’s.

It was simply the Green Blade Sect exploiting a loophole, using the smuggling route developed by Ye Shengyuan to profit from smuggling.

The logic was indeed a closed loop.

“Do you think someone involved in smuggling would share such secrets with others?”

“Yes, but the Green Blade Sect is affiliated under Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion. Marquis Lingyang needed money to grease various palms in the capital. I had smuggling connections with Beihu, so we actually both got what we needed. As for Green Blade Sect smuggling weapons and armor, trading with the enemy; that’s their business, unrelated to me.” Ye Shengyuan said.

“In that case, is it possible that it was Marquis Lingyang who instructed Green Blade Sect to smuggle and conspire with the enemy?” Pei Jian chuckled and asked back.

“I don’t know; Mr. Pei can ask the people of Green Blade Sect.”

“But the testimonies from Green Blade Sect say you instructed them to do this.”

“This is slander. The people from Green Blade Sect deliberately falsely accused me to shirk their punishment.” Ye Shengyuan denied.

“How can it be proven?”

“…” Ye Shengyuan was dumbfounded. Yes, when the testimonies of two parties conflict, how can it be proven that Green Blade Sect’s words are false?

“According to Green Blade Sect’s testimonies, smuggling, conspiring, and treason were all planned by you, Ye Shengyuan; Green Blade Sect merely assisted you. Marquis Lingyang knew of the activities but only took a portion of the profits from the channel, correct?”

“Incorrect. I only smuggled but did not conspire or commit treason. Marquis Lingyang indeed was unaware, I only gave some of the earned profits to Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion to grease the wheels and maintain the relationships on this smuggling route; otherwise, I know nothing.”

“Do you think I’ll believe you? Will the Imperial Envoy believe you? Will the court believe you?”

“That’s the truth. It’s out of my control if you don’t believe me.”

“Green Blade Sect was eliminated by the court, its assets seized, all members and disciples are being hunted down, even Sect Leader Shen Yidao is now a fugitive. Without evidence, who then is the mastermind behind the smuggling, conspiring, and treason?”

“Mr. Pei, what do you mean?”

“Ye Shengyuan, you’re a smart man. Such a major case is definitely going to be broken by the court, and there has to be a mastermind. Since Marquis Lingyang only helped you with connections, smoothened the smuggling route, and took a little channel fee, he indeed can be dealt with leniently. But since Green Blade Sect has not been brought to justice, it’s only you two as co-masterminds.” Pei Jian smiled slightly.

“As you wish.”

“Alright, since you accept this statement, then Mr. Su and I will proceed with this case accordingly and report it to the court!” Pei Jian said, “Do you know, once the charge of masterminding is confirmed, not only will your branch of the Ye Family face execution, but the entire Ye Clan will be implicated, from exterminating three clans to wiping out nine clans, none of this is within my control. And for the crime of conspiring and treason, there’s no need to wait until after autumn, not even an opportunity for pardon exists, once the decree arrives, execution will happen immediately!”

“Pei Jian, what do you mean?”

“Literally, the Ye Family and the Green Blade Sect smuggling, conspiring with enemies, treason, the crime is unforgivable, I recommend to execute their nine clans!” Pei Jian said.

“Pei, you’re too ruthless.”

“I’m ruthless? When you committed these crimes, why did you never consider what consequence you’d face?” Pei Jian sneered.

“I’m just smuggling, not conspiring and treason. Besides, for the crime of smuggling, it’s at most the punishment for me alone. How could it implicate the entire Ye Clan?”

“What if we also add rebellion?”

“Rebellion? Pei, you’re imposing baseless accusations, I demand to see the Imperial Envoy, to accuse you of slandering me!” Ye Shengyuan’s face changed; conspiring and treason could be debated, for indeed the smuggled weaponry and armor were crafted and transported by the Green Blade Sect. But once labeled with rebellion, not a single clan would be spared.

“Let me tell you, evidence is abundant for Green Blade Sect’s two attempts on the Crown Prince’s life. You and Green Blade Sect are co-conspirators in this, so you must bear the responsibility for these crimes as well.”

“No, impossible, I didn’t attempt to assassinate the Crown Prince!”

“Last year at Cloud-Riding Ridge, you tipped off the Green Blade Sect about the Crown Prince’s movements back to the capital, leading to the assassination attempt at Cloud-Riding Ridge. It was Shen Yidao, the Green Blade Sect’s leader, who acted personally. Fortune spared the Crown Prince; Fahai, the Great Master from Shanglin Temple, happened to pass by and saved the Crown Prince’s life. The elder in custody from Green Blade Sect confessed, that you were behind all the planning and directives.” Pei Jian said.

“Slander, it’s slander. Mr. Pei, I demand to see Imperial Envoy Mr. Su and Mr. Cui!” Ye Shengyuan cried out in fear.