Since things had already come to this, Rao Qinghe's last bit of hope was swept away.
He trembled, and his face started to twist. He didn't dare to hide anything. He decided to tell them everything about his fear of death.
If he hid anything, he would definitely be cut into pieces. At this moment, there was only one thought in his mind, and that was to live.
"Your Highness, please spare my life! " Please spare my life, Your Highness. Please forgive me. I've never touched these women, and I don't dare to touch them. Your Highness, please believe me…" Rao Qinghe tried his best to prop himself up and kowtow to Li Jian.
"The witnesses and evidence are all here. Why do you have to deny it? Do you want to be cut into pieces in court?!”Li Jian shouted sternly.
"Dong dong dong"
After three kowtows, Rao Qinghe knew that if he didn't say anything, he would probably die without a burial place.
" Your Highness, all of this was done by Zhangsun Wuba. I am just a puppet of his. I beg Your Highness to investigate. I did not bully anyone. If Your Highness does not believe me, you can ask the women in the hall. They know that I did not taint their chastity. I am guilty. I helped the tyrant and assisted Zhangsun Wuba in his evil deeds. I also have my own difficulties. I did not kill anyone. Your Highness, please investigate."”Driven by his strong desire to live, Rao Qinghe finished his long speech in one breath.
Zhangsun Wuba?
Li Jian retracted his gaze and stared at Rao Qinghe.""This king asks you, what is the relationship between Zhangsun Wuba and Zhangsun Wuji?”
"Your Highness, Zhangsun Wuji is Zhangsun Wuba's uncle. Zhangsun Wuba has occupied most of the fertile farmland in twenty counties of Bing Province, including Kuang County.”
Rao Qinghe said respectfully. Right now, all he wanted to do was to spill the beans and atone for his crimes. His life was the most important thing.
Hearing this, Li Jian understood that the battle in the court was already very intense. Several factions were fighting.
Zhangsun Wuji was clearly supporting Li Chengqian, while Chu Suiliang and Du Ruhui were Li Tai's main supporters.
As for Prince Li Zhi of Jin, he received the endorsement of Wei Zheng and Fang Xuanling.
Li Er was in a terrible state. Li Chengqian was too domineering, cruel, and impatient. He was not like him at all. Instead, he was very much like Emperor Yang of the previous dynasty.
In Li Er's heart, Green Sparrow Li Tai was his favorite successor. He often praised Li Tai with the words 'deeply like my bow, and like me with my heroic'.
However, Li Chengqian was the eldest son and had the right to inherit the throne. He was also the prince who received the most support from the officials in the court and was now the Crown Prince.
To shake Li Chengqian's position, only Li Chengqian himself could make a big mistake. Otherwise, Li Er could not change it casually.
As for Li Jian, let alone Li Er, no one in the entire Tang Empire could see him as a competitor for the position of Crown Prince.
In the main hall, the women knelt down and reported that Rao Qinghe had indeed not defiled them.
Then, the one who committed the most heinous crime was undoubtedly Zhangsun Wuba.
"Rao Qinghe, this king asks you, where is Zhangsun Wuba now? Tell me the truth!" Li Jian said sternly.
" Reporting to Your Highness, Zhangsun Wuba will be coming to Kuang County today. He comes every seven days to rape women and plunder money. The reason why he comes every seven days is because there are seven counties in Bing Province under his control. These seven counties all have similar incidents happening in their own counties…"
Pa!
Before he finished speaking, a gavel sounded.
The entire desk bounced up from the slap. One could imagine how powerful it was.
"Your Highness, please spare my life! I…I will definitely bring him here. He might already be on his way.”
Rao Qinghe hurriedly begged for mercy. His head kept banging as blood seeped out of his forehead. The stone floor of the hall was already red.
Seeing Li Jian's sharp and cold gaze, Rao Qinghe's entire body trembled and twitched.
Li Jian didn't say a word and thought quietly. If he killed Zhangsun Wuba, then he would be openly making an enemy of Zhangsun Wuji. Even if there was conclusive evidence that Zhangsun Wuba bullied the people and raped the women, it was still uncertain how Li Er would make a decision.
If Zhangsun Wuji led his forces to launch an all-out attack on him, would he be able to make sufficient preparations to deal with that overwhelming attack?
At this moment, the entire hall was so silent that one could hear a pin drop.
Luo Binwang knew that the more silent the situation was, the more furious the thunder would be!
Drawing his sword!
This was inevitable. He had the system, unparalleled martial strength, and unparalleled wisdom. What was there to be afraid of?
"Where is Xue Rengui?" Li Jian ordered.
"I'm here! What orders does Your Highness have?" Xue Rengui walked out of the formation with his halberd in hand and bowed respectfully.
"Bring Rao Qinghe and three hundred soldiers to intercept Zhangsun Wuba and capture him alive. This Prince wants him to give an explanation to the villagers. There's no need to worry too much. Even if there are other court officials with him, bring them all!”Li Jian said slowly.
"Yes, Your Highness! What if Zhangsun Wuba resisted? Blades and spears had no eyes. It was said that Zhangsun Wuba was quite strong and was a general of Zhangsun Wuji's gang.”Xue Rengui said.
"Four words, kill without mercy! There's no need to think too much. Go!" Li Jian waved his hand without hesitation.
"Understood!" Xue Rengui didn't waste any time. He held the Heavenly Halberd in one hand and picked up Rao Qinghe with the other like an eagle catching a chick. Then, he strode out of the hall.
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