In the prison of the Criminal Department, Li Jiantai came to see the arrested officials.
"Li Shangshu! You are finally here. What's going on with His Majesty?
But you said you would let us out?"
"Li Shangshu, we are all people with a good family background. We must not have our family confiscated and exterminated because of this kind of thing!"
"Li Shangshu, Your Majesty has issued an order. If we persist in our stubbornness, our lives will not be saved. What should we do about this matter?"
"Li Shangshu, although we are not afraid of being loyal to our country, it is really a bit aggrieved to die in such a way. Please give Li Shangshu some ideas for us!"
…
When the officials saw Li Jiantai, they all shouted.
Li Jiantai looked at these officials with disgust in his eyes, but he could not show it on the surface. Instead, he smiled and said: "Everyone, you must persist!"
"Your Majesty is very angry about this matter. What does his anger mean?
Show that what you have done makes His Majesty care!"
"Since Your Majesty cares, it means that the matter is half done. He is saying so harshly now, but without any action, it means that he is just scaring you!"
Li Jiantai wanted to take this opportunity to kill all these officials. In this way, the people who supported Zhu Cihong would be basically wiped out.
By then, Zhu Cixiang would not be able to cause any big troubles and could only go to Fengzhou to become an idle king, while Lin Fan could successfully ascend the throne and create a prosperous Ming Dynasty.
Listening to what Li Jiantai said, the imprisoned officials all showed bitter expressions and said solemnly: "Li Shangshu, this! We don't know what to do!"
"A few days ago, the people from the Criminal Department entertained us with delicious food and drinks, but now we haven't eaten all day!"
"That's right! This thing is obviously wrong. When the Minister of Punishment interrogated us, he did it with a fatal blow!"
"None of the three judges are friendly to us. All kinds of torture instruments were used during the interrogation. Look at my butt being spanked!"
…
The officials complained bitterly to Li Jiantai. Li Jiantai looked at how badly these people were beaten and said with a smile: "Everyone, this is the most critical moment. If you don't hold on, will you be worthy of His Royal Highness?"
Forehead……
We are worthy of His Highness the Crown Prince, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince must be worthy of us. For so long, he has not even thought of finding a way to rescue us!
"Li Shangshu, please speak more kind words for us with His Majesty!"
one person begged.
"Everyone, if I go and speak good words for you at this time, wouldn't it prove that you have surrendered to His Majesty?
When the time comes, what will the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty think of you?"
"At this time, all the people in the world are staring at your affairs. If you don't show your integrity as a scholar and prove your loyalty to the world, you will definitely be reviled after your death!"
Li Jiantai said in a deep voice.
this……
This group of people were all stupid. They never dreamed that they would be in such an embarrassing situation. They really couldn't take a step forward or take a step back!
"Li Shangshu, I'm waiting, I'm hungry!"
One person cried bitterly.
“What’s the point of being hungry?
When I was marching and fighting in the early years, what hardships did I not suffer?
Grass roots and tree bark are luxurious things!”
"You must go on a hunger strike now. As long as you don't eat or drink, His Majesty will definitely know about this. When the time comes, he will also be moved by your determination!"
"Remember! You can never compromise at this time!"
Li Jiantai said again.
"Li Shangshu, once we know this, we will never compromise with His Majesty!"
One person said.
"Li Shangshu, we must persist. Even if we die, we will be the rare loyal ministers and righteous men in the world!"
Another person said.
Li Jiantai watched these people regain their fighting spirit and nodded with satisfaction. Before leaving, he even had some steamed buns delivered to them.
"You must hide these steamed buns. Even if you eat them, no one will find them. You must die to prove your ambition!"
After Li Jiantai warned him, he quickly left.
"Wow! You are worthy of being Li Shangshu. Such loyalty can be learned from the heavens!"
"Li Shangshu serves the country and the people and is a role model for us!"
"Compared with Li Shangshu, we are really nothing. Li Shangshu is our guiding light!"
"We must work with Li Shangshu to assist His Royal Highness Crown Prince Zhu Cihong in ascending the throne!"
"Let's hide the steamed buns quickly. In the next few days, even if people from the Ministry of Punishment bring us meals, we won't be able to take a bite!"
…
The officials hurriedly hid the steamed buns and each found a corner to rest. In the evening, people from the Criminal Department finally delivered meals.
Du Buju brought his people here in person. When he saw a few people, Du Buju smiled and said, "Everyone, why do you have to risk the lives of your entire family just for the sake of gambling?"
"Come here, let's all eat. Today, I have prepared roast chicken for you. After eating, go to the palace to admit your mistake to His Majesty!"
snort!
After Du Buju finished speaking, the officials all snorted coldly. One official who was spanked said coldly: "Master Du, that's not what you said when you spanked me yesterday!"
"Haha! Mr. Zhao, it's not that I have to beat you, but my emotions have reached that point. It's inappropriate for me not to beat you. Should I let you go against me, the Criminal Department?"
"Moreover, people from Dali Temple and Honglu Temple are here, and you are still so arrogant. Isn't this looking for death?"
"The authority of Dali Temple is even higher than that of the Ministry of Punishment. If they want to attack you, I can't stop them! Besides, the people in Dali Temple are all members of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"
Du Buju persuaded with a smile.
"Bah! Then Lin Fan still dares to say that he is the prince, but he is just an illegitimate son with an unfair name and an unruly talk!"
One person said angrily.
"Hmph! Du Buju, you old bastard, you are a seller seeking glory, are you worthy of Emperor Taizu?"
Another person yelled.
"Du Buju! If I were you, it would be better for me to crash to death here than to live in an ignoble way!"
"Du Buju, if you still have any conscience, then take the initiative to stand up and fight against that dog prince to the end!"
Several people cursed angrily.
How could Du Buju betray Lin Fan? Even if he had the intention, he would not have the courage.
However, these people insulted him so much, which made Du Buju feel very uncomfortable. He said coldly: "Everyone, since you don't want to eat this roast chicken, just wait until tomorrow to get beaten!"
Du Buju originally thought that these people had been hungry all day. This was the time when they were hungry and their willpower was weakest. If he brought the roast chicken over, they would definitely admit their mistake.
Du Buju's idea was correct, but it was a pity that he came a step late, while Li Jiantai, the sixth brother, came earlier and successfully cut off these people's escape route.
"Damn it! I have to tell His Majesty about this!"
Du Buju cursed loudly, and then went into the palace to find Emperor Chongzhen.