RWNEFE -Chapter 615 The Death of Wu Yanzhi

Before Wu Yanzhi could even react, a group of soldiers had him restrained and tied up tightly.

One soldier holding a portrait stepped in front of him. Comparing the image, he said, “This is him. The imperial criminal Wu Yanzhi has been captured. The court has ordered: any resistance will be met with immediate execution!”

Wu Yanzhi, dazed, was instantly jolted awake.

He was the Prime Minister of the Great Zhou, not an imperial criminal!

“Who are you?” he demanded.

“I am—”

“I am the Prime Minister of Great Zhou, Wu Yanzhi! If you know what’s good for you, leave immediately. I, in consideration of your—oh!”

Before he could finish, a fist smashed into his face.

“Stop talking nonsense, or don’t blame the soldier’s knife for not recognizing you.”

“Take him away!”

Arrogant! These ruffians were audacious, daring to impersonate court officials.

With a blade pressed to his neck, Wu Yanzhi dared not resist. He believed the court would surely send troops to rescue him.

Even if he were taken into a bandit den, His Majesty would dispatch soldiers.

He had served the court with distinction, a trusted minister, the right-hand of the emperor.

Yet these people were so brazen as to tie him up.

Did they not know that the emperor, besides focusing on the northwest, was also devoted to suppressing bandits?

They were walking straight to their doom, blind to the danger.

Wu Yanzhi cursed inwardly, but when they arrived at the local government office, he was dumbfounded.

What’s going on?

Wasn’t this supposed to be a bandit hideout?

Why is it a government office?

“Reporting, sir, the imperial criminal Wu Yanzhi has been captured and brought to justice.”

“He’s been imprisoned; I will write to the capital immediately.”

Wu Yanzhi’s heart sank. A bad premonition gripped him.

“I am—”

“Shut his mouth, drag him down.”

The officials seated in the hall, impatient, dismissed him without a word.

Wu Yanzhi’s words were cut off, his mouth gagged, fists and kicks accompanying his throw into a cell.

Six days later, the capital replied: execute him on the spot.

Those six days were pure torment for Wu Yanzhi. Every time he tried to plead, he was met with more beatings.

He dared not shout, and he did not want to die.

Alas, despite all his efforts, no one paid him any heed.

The day before his execution, the jailers brought him a “last meal.”

“Eat, and be a well-fed ghost tomorrow.”

Two dishes—one meat, one vegetable—and two steamed buns. Compared with the black, meager porridge he’d had for six days, it was a world of difference.

The ominous feeling only grew stronger.

“I am Wu Yanzhi, Prime Minister of Great Zhou! I must see His Majesty!”

“I have urgent matters for His Majesty, matters of utmost secrecy! If the emperor knows, I am sure I will be richly rewarded!”

The jailer walked off without looking back, instructing the guards at the corner, “Whatever he says, don’t believe a word. Don’t be fooled by his smooth talk. Tomorrow is execution day; the higher-ups will personally inspect the body.”

“Yes, sir!” the guards replied.

…

It’s over. Truly over!

Wu Yanzhi slid to the ground in despair, crying and laughing, his voice rising.

“Shen Lanxi, you liar! The whole world has been fooled by you…”

“Shen Lanxi, may you die a terrible death…”

…

“Let me out, Your Majesty! I was wrong! I have urgent matters to report, matters concerning the late emperor!”

“I am willing to give all my wealth—please spare me and my family!”

“Your Majesty, I am willing to die! Please spare my family!”

“Please, Your Majesty…”

No matter how he cursed or pleaded, no one responded.

The next day, on the execution platform, the dignified minister of nearly thirty years in two dynasties had his head severed.

Officials from the capital carefully examined the body before taking it away.

News of Wu Yanzhi’s death quickly reached the capital:

“Wu Yanzhi colluded with the barbarian tribes of the northwest, attempting to sell our defense plans!”

“Good riddance—well deserved!”

“Wu Yanzhi’s death has removed a great threat to Great Zhou!”

“Considering this, the emperor’s mercy in not exterminating the entire Wu family is remarkable.”

“People like him should have no descendants.”

…

Shen Lanxi read the reports from the northwest and had them sealed.

“Wu Yanzhi had long harbored treachery. This journey to the northwest revealed his true colors early.”

“The emperor is wise. No matter the situation, His Majesty can turn disasters into blessings.”

Shen Lanxi smiled: “Ministers need not comfort me. I still have many oversights, and in the future, I ask all officials to supervise each other—we, sovereign and ministers, must work together.”

Liu Yanhui returned: “Your Majesty, Minister of Justice Wei Jie was implicated because of women in the inner household. Even if he were guilty, it would be negligence, not malice. I am confident Your Majesty will punish lightly, letting him off this time. With Wei Jie’s caution, he will learn from it.”

“I also implore Your Majesty to forgive Wei Jie this time. He is upright and incorruptible. The Ministry of Punishments has verified that the events stemmed entirely from his wife’s family.”

“Madam Wei is simple-minded, and the wrongdoing she committed was due to deception by her natal family.”

“Your Majesty, Wei Jie has formally divorced his wife and turned over all illicit gains, confiscating all property. After careful calculation, Wei Jie has never accepted a single coin from others; his estate was leased. Except for the stolen silver his wife was tricked into accepting, his household savings amount to only seventy-eight taels.”

“Your Majesty, Wei Jie is a clean, upright official—a rare good minister!”

Shen Lanxi’s expression softened.

“In truth, I have already verified that Wei Jie is indeed a righteous, incorruptible official. Unfortunately, an honest official struggles to judge domestic affairs—his wife implicated him.”

Many officials sighed.

Shen Lanxi continued: “When we previously revised the marriage laws, most adjustments were for concubine taxes. Just now, inspiration struck me, and I have decided to revise the marriage laws again.”

The ministers were stunned. Weren’t they here to plead for Wei Jie? Why bring up law revision?

“If faced with a wicked wife, one may divorce; if faced with a wicked husband, one may separate. If someone is malicious, there was no previous divorce law.”

“Moreover, the malicious party must compensate for the victim’s reputational and financial losses. If they have no assets, they must mine to repay.”

“There are plenty of coal and salt mines in the western mountains and salt lakes—let the wrongdoers work there to repay debts.”

“In cases like Wei Jie’s wife, even if she is easily deceived, it does not excuse her from responsibility.”

“Ministry of Punishments, what do you advise?”

The officials discussed and proposed solutions: “If someone stabs another claiming it was unintentional—even if proven so, harm was still caused. I suggest sending Madam Chen to the western mountains for fifteen years.”

“Minister Liu is right, but we cannot target only Madam Chen. She was not the mastermind. Sending her to the west for fifteen years is reasonable. The true mastermind is her natal family.”

“I propose strict enforcement and that Wei Jie’s case serve as a warning. Madam Chen’s family, who accepted bribes, deserves execution. I recommend full extermination of the family, with all officials witnessing the punishment.”