hsntnovel Chapter 2171 The Last Chance
Chapter 2171 The Last Chance
Just after Wang Xuance left, Pei Ziyu and General Li seized the opportunity and prepared to inform the criminal officials of the facts.
When the criminal officials heard that King Ji came here to kill them, they were all shocked and then looked as pale as death.
"It's over. It's too late."
"No chance."
Everyone fell into despair. That was King Ji. It would be too easy to kill them, not to mention that there was evidence of their crimes.
"Don't be so discouraged, it's too early to be discouraged now.
Pei came here today just for this matter."
Pei Ziyu saw everyone's reaction and immediately tried to persuade them.
"Yes, Pei Changshi just said that there is a way to save us. Pei Changshi, I wonder if there is any way to change King Ji's decision."
As soon as Pei Ziyu finished speaking, someone asked as if they had grabbed a life-saving straw.
The others also looked at Pei Ziyu eagerly, waiting for Pei Ziyu to come up with a solution.
"Everyone, I have already found out that the reason why His Royal Highness Prince Ji took revenge was because he lost a lot of money.
I have also heard that Prince Ji is a greedy person, so we can definitely start from that aspect.
Today, King Ji likes money, so we will give him money. I believe that after King Ji accepts the money, he will forgive you. "
Pei Ziyu said bluntly, without beating around the bush.
"Send money? Will Prince Ji accept our money?"
"Yes, even if we accept it, how much can we give? If it's too little, I'm afraid King Ji won't be interested."
After hearing Pei Ziyu's words, someone below raised questions.
"Pei Changshi, don't waste your time talking to them now. Let me do the talking."
General Li, who was standing by, looked at the scholars and said anxiously:
"Everyone, the solution is very simple. Confiscate the money you have embezzled and impose a double fine. The two of us will then go to the emperor and plead for you.
Saving your lives should not be a problem, and if it goes well, you may even be able to keep your current official positions.
What do you think? "
"Really?"
Everyone was a little surprised when they heard what General Li said. Wasn't it a little too direct? Could Prince Ji be a corrupt official?
"Everyone, what General Li said is true. As long as you are willing, General Li and I will help you with this matter.
But before that, he had to get through to one person, the presiding judge, Wang Xuance.
We know that Wang Xuance has no one to rely on in Prince Ji's mansion and his salary is not much. If everyone gives him some money, this matter will be easier.
If he can help, there is still hope of keeping your official positions.
What do you think? "
After General Li finished speaking, Pei Ziyu added that relationships must naturally be managed from top to bottom, which is the rule in officialdom.
The one below refers to Shitou and Wang Xuance, and the one above refers to King Ji.
After a moment of silence, Cui Zhiheng was the first to stand up and say:
"Pei Changshi, if this is really the case, I am willing to accept double the punishment and give 2,000 strings of cash to Wang Changshi.
As long as my life can be saved, it will be fine. As for the official position... as long as people are alive, there is a chance. "
Cui Zhiheng spoke very firmly. He had finally figured out that no matter how much money you have, it is useless as long as you have a life to spend it.
This experience made him realize a lot of truths.
Only when facing death will people understand what are the most precious things.
"Okay, since Captain Cui has agreed, I will inform the Chief Secretary Wang later and have him join me in pleading for you in front of King Ji.
I believe that His Royal Highness Prince Ji will agree to pardon your death sentence, and it is not impossible for you to continue to serve."
Seeing someone made the first choice, Pei Ziyu nodded immediately. He also breathed a sigh of relief that someone had chosen the right path.
"Pei Changshi, I am also willing to accept the punishment and give two thousand strings of cash to Wang Changshi."
"Same here, I am willing to accept the punishment."
"I accept the punishment, as long as I can save my life."
With this start, people followed suit in an instant. Everyone expressed their willingness to pay money to accept the punishment, and were willing to pay two thousand strings of cash to establish connections with Wang Xuance.
In the end, only a dozen people were left silent, but with anxious expressions on their faces.
"Why? You don't want to?"
Pei Ziyu frowned when he saw it.
"Pei Changshi, it's not that we don't want to, it's just... we don't have that much money?"
One of them said awkwardly.
"No money? Have you squandered all your money?" General Li, who was impatient, asked immediately.
"Master Pei, I dare not spend a penny of the money I earned. I kept it all in the house.
My ancestors have all been farmers, and I am tired of living in poverty."
When the official said this, his hands trembled and he burst into tears.
A dozen other officials like him were also secretly sad.
Pei Ziyu fell silent upon seeing this. There were more than a dozen officials here, and double the salary would cost at least hundreds of thousands of strings of cash.
Even if he wanted to help, he probably couldn't do anything.
He knew that the remaining officials were either from ordinary people or from humble backgrounds, and some were small local nobles.
These people have no support, unlike others who can ask their families for money, and their families have no property.
The whole family depends on them for support.
"Alright, I will explain your situation to Wang Changshi, but you must return all the money you embezzled."
Seeing a dozen people crying, Pei Ziyu finally said.
He could only give it a try.
"Thank you, Mr. Pei, and thank you, General Li." More than a dozen people bowed and expressed their gratitude.
"Don't thank me too early, it's still a different story whether it will work or not.
I have just said that this time we are bribing King Ji, and you have no money, so it is difficult to persuade King Ji.
I have only reported your affairs to Prince Ji, hoping that His Royal Highness Prince Ji will be merciful and let you go.
Otherwise, there is nothing we can do.”
Pei Ziyu waved his hands. There were some things he didn't say, for fear that these people would develop a rebellious mentality and affect their actions.
His Highness Prince Ji is greedy for money, how could he let you escape this disaster without paying? Then you have been imprisoned for nothing.
Moreover, even if Prince Ji showed mercy and released them, they would still be dismissed from their posts, and it would be impossible for them to be reinstated.
At that time they will become white clothes and will never be hired again.
It would be better to die then. But they can't say anything now, their own affairs are more important.
After more than a dozen people expressed their gratitude, Pei Ziyu said to the others again:
"Everyone, now that the matter has been decided, I will find an opportunity for you to write a letter to your families later.
At this time, life is the most important thing. Money is external things, so don't be too calculative.
One more thing, keep your mouth shut, admit your guilt, and don't say anything else.
Talking too much will do you no good and may even cost you your life. Do you understand?"
(Today this reason is strong.
I went to get something from the car this morning. As soon as I got in, it started to rain heavily outside. I didn’t have an umbrella, so I was trapped in the car.)