C35 (1/2)
Zhao Mingtang was in the middle of being complacent, so he did not have any defenses in place as he agreed. Little Xuanzi winked at a minister, who raised his glass and toasted Zhao Mingtang.
”Master Zhao, I heard that you are in charge of the punishment in the Western Li Country. I have a case regarding the punishment that I have to discuss with you.”
”Go ahead.” Zhao Mingtang didn't think so, as the punishment case was naturally nothing for him.
”Well, there was a criminal who was supposed to be beheaded, but was hanged for negligence, and just as he was about to be buried, the fact that he was wrongly sentenced was discovered, and his family and the judge each had a word, and the family said: 'Whether beheaded or hanged is the death penalty, and the person is already dead, so let him be buried.'” And the judge said, 'Law is law, and punishment is execution. Even if a person dies, if the punishment is not executed, then the punishment will not be carried out. Therefore, the offender must be executed and be buried anew.' Master Zhao, how do you think we should judge this? ”
”Of course, we should execute beheading again. Law is law, and it is the unshakeable foundation of a country. Only by acting in accordance with the law is we correct.” Zhao Mingtang naturally chose the latter. Firstly, he was a judge himself, and secondly, in private, he was hostile to the people of Northern Yue. He firmly chose the more malicious answer.
”Master Zhao, he's already dead. Isn't that a bit unnecessary?”
”What do you youngsters know? So what if he's dead? Before the rules are enforced, they can't be considered to be dealt with according to the law.” Zhao Mingtang had been an officer for many years, so he was naturally unhappy to be questioned by this young lad.
”Well said. Envoy Zhao is truly worthy of being known as the Western Parting Judge.” Helian Xuanyin was laughing wildly in her seat. Zhao Mingtang felt that something was wrong, but he didn't know why, but when he looked at Helian Xuanyin's smile, he felt slightly uneasy. He prepared to leave, ”Thank you for entertaining me today, Your Majesty. This old servant has some alcohol to drink, so I'll take my leave first.”
”In that case, I will not force you. Envoy Zhao, please.”
”Your Majesty, then this box …” Of course, Zhao Mingtang wouldn't forget this most important thing. Helian Xuanyi casually waved his hand and said, ”That is a sign of my sincerity towards the Western Fairies. It is naturally for Zhao to bring you back to the Western Fairies.”
Zhao Mingtang heaved a sigh of relief. ”Thank you again, Your Majesty.” He turned to the door and called out, ”Someone, bring these two boxes back to the translation studio.” Sixteen military generals came in from outside the hall. They were people that Zhao Mingtang had brought with him.
Seeing that his men were busy moving boxes, Zhao Mingtang was secretly happy. This large box that was as long as a person had to hold a lot of gold, silver, and treasure. Fortunately, he had enough men.
However, very quickly, Zhao Mingtang's face turned dark, because no matter how much strength his subordinates used, the box didn't budge an inch. On the other side, his subordinates were sweating profusely while carrying the chests. On the other side, cold sweat also continued to pour out from his forehead. Who would have thought that even the Profound Wings would use this move.
”Envoy Zhao, it seems that you don't have enough men. Sigh, with my sincerity, I'm afraid it will be difficult for you to bring me back. How about this? Please accept my sincerity in my place.”
What did that mean? Zhao Mingtang was just struggling to come up with a countermeasure when he heard the words of Helian Xuanyin. He instantly felt unsettled. ”Someone, open the box.” Helian Xuan Yi laughed. It didn't matter if it was opened, as soon as it was opened, everyone felt their stomachs churning, followed by the sound of vomiting.
Inside the chest were two unrecognizable rotting corpses, emitting a foul odor. There were a variety of insects crawling around on the bodies, fat maggots crawling out of the corpses and rolling to the bottom of the chest.
The clothes had also been corroded, but it could still be seen that one was a woman dressed in the garb of the Empress Mother, and the other was a child dressed in the garb of the Emperor. Undoubtedly, this was Hui Fei and her son.
With great difficulty, Zhao Mingtang managed to suppress his nausea and angrily asked Helian Xuanyi, ”Your Majesty, what is the meaning of this!”
”Envoy Zhao, this is a gift from me to the West Li Country.” Helian Xuan Yi said, ”Two rotting corpses, what kind of sincerity is this!” ”Envoy Zhao, it was you who said that Hui Fei was a person of the Western Fairies and that she should be dealt with by the Western Fairies. If I hand her and her son over to you, won't that be considered good faith?”
Zhao Mingtang was so angry that he lost all reason.
”Since the person is dead, what's the use of handing it over?”
”Hahahaha, Envoy Zhao, this is also something you agree to.”
Zhao Mingtang panicked as his face filled with anxiety and anger. He angrily said to Helian Xuanyi, ”You are a dignified Son of Heaven, how can you speak nonsense. When have I ever accepted to bring back the two rotting corpses?!”
After receiving the signal from Helian Profound Wings, Little Xuan began to explain to this foolish emissary.
”Master Zhao, you said that Hui Fei is a person of your Western Li Country, and the punishment is yours. Hui Fei is dead, but didn't you just say that if you break the law and don't follow the rules, then it can't be counted as punishment, even if this person is already dead. But now, Hui Fei is just dead, our Northern Yue State did not treat her as much, on the contrary, we cared about the relationship between the two countries, and preserved her corpse until it was handed over to the people of Western Li Country to deal with, is this not considered sincere? Isn't this something that your Lord Zhao has personally approved of? ”
Zhao Mingtang was rendered speechless by the question. Only now did he realize that he had been fooled. From the very beginning, Helian Profound Wings had already set up a trap, leading him step by step into it. It seemed that he had really underestimated his opponent. There was no point in regretting it now. It was better to think of a way to escape.