Chapter 195 I am guilty of a thousand deaths
Li Shanchang looked puzzled and glanced at Deng Qianqiu out of the corner of his eye.

At this moment, his face seemed to be dim all of a sudden.

But he still kept his composure, so his eyes subconsciously fell on Zhu Yuanzhang.

At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Deng Qianqiu in surprise.

"Are you talking about Hu Weiyong?"

Deng Qianqiu answered loudly: "Your Majesty, it is Hu Weiyong."

"Where?" Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes widened slightly, and his chest rose and fell. This time, he was really excited.

Thinking that if Hu Weiyong went out to sea, even if he was the emperor, he would be unable to do anything to this man, he couldn't help but feel countless hatred in his heart that he couldn't vent.

But Zhu Yuanzhang thought about it carefully and realized that since Hu Weiyong had planned it in advance, once he escaped, it would be harder than climbing to the sky to catch him.

To the extent that Deng Qianqiu's words are now so certain that it seems a little hard to believe.

Could it be that the cunning Hu Weiyong was really caught by Deng Qianqiu?

When Zhu Yuanzhang asked where Hu Weiyong was, everyone actually looked at Deng Qianqiu nervously.

Everyone understands that if Hu Weiyong is still in the capital, it will cause great disturbances both inside and outside the court.

Deng Qianqiu responded: "Your Majesty, I am outside the Meridian Gate, waiting for your summons."

Meridian Gate...

When these words were spoken, many people's hearts were broken at once.

Some people even looked miserable.

Li Shanchang was still sitting upright, looking nonchalant, but hidden beneath this calm exterior, his old heart seemed to begin beating wildly.

Zhu Yuanzhang was overjoyed when he heard this. His eyes sparkled and he asked in surprise, "Really? It was captured in Zhenjiang?"

Deng Qianqiu said truthfully, "Yes, they were in Zhenjiang. They had dozens of ships, floating down the river. Fortunately, the Qianhu Office was well prepared and arrived in Zhenjiang early. They ordered the local waterway inspectors to pull up the iron chain across the river, and only then were they stopped. Fortunately, we were one step ahead of them, otherwise... they would have really gotten away."

Zhu Yuanzhang took a deep breath, his heart filled with joy, and said with a flushed face: "Good, very good, I really look forward to meeting Hu Weiyong all the time! Very good, summon him, bring him in."

There was silence in the hall.

But then the sound of eunuchs' footsteps could be heard.

But the sound of these footsteps seemed to be stepping on the hearts of the ministers in the hall, making their emotions fluctuate.

Soon, someone brought Hu Weiyong, who was tied up, to the palace.

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced around and saw that it was Hu Weiyong. Excitement and anger rose in his heart at the same time.

He had a stern look on his face, then he smiled meaningfully.

"Hu Qing...I hope you are well."

Hu Weiyong seemed to have prepared himself mentally.

Thinking about how I had planned everything, but ended up like this.

During the entire escort, I felt regret and fear in my heart, but... after going through all this, now... I am left with only despair.

"Your Majesty, I have seen you."

Hu Weiyong said slowly.

At this moment, he seemed to still want to maintain his decency, perhaps wanting to leave the last bit of a good impression on the world.

The ministers looked at Hu Weiyong nervously.

Li Shanchang still sat quietly, with his back to Hu Weiyong, and did not turn around to look at the people entering the hall like the others.

However, he was very familiar with Hu Weiyong's voice. When he heard Hu Weiyong's voice, he subconsciously closed his eyes, revealing a look of tiredness and a bit of melancholy.

Zhu Yuanzhang was in a very good mood at this time. He looked at Hu Weiyong with sharp eyes and asked with interest: "Where is Hu Weiyong going?"

Hu Weiyong raised his head slightly and looked upwards, saying, "Your Majesty..." Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly interrupted him and said, "You don't have to call me your majesty. At this point, you and I are no longer the king and the minister. I admire your courage now. I never thought that you, who used to be so humble in front of me, would have such courage and such a mind."

Hu Weiyong did not feel ashamed. He just sighed and said, "I expected that I would fail this time, so I had to escape. The only thing I didn't expect was that fate would play tricks on me and I was ambushed and captured by Deng Qianqiu. This was something I never expected. Now... since it has come to this, I have nothing to say. Now the only option is death."

Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes slightly, and then said: "Death? How can death be so easy?"

Hu Weiyong smiled bitterly and said, "Even if I suffer physical pain again, so what? When I was caught, I was worried, but now... I don't care. A man who can reach this point can finally leave a name in the history books for thousands of years. Whether it is a good name or a bad name, it doesn't matter. It is enough for a man to have such an experience."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him grimly. Seeing Hu Weiyong's stubborn attitude, he sneered and said, "So you are fearless and have given up everything."

Hu Weiyong's face still looked calm, and he sighed, "I dare not, these are just some heartfelt words. I know what your majesty wants now, you want me to cry bitterly and kneel down to beg for mercy... But I have been with your majesty for a long time, how could I not know your majesty's methods? For your majesty, what I did today is already unforgivable, no matter how much I beg for mercy, your majesty will never show mercy. Since this ending is already destined, then... why should I do this and stage a crying drama?"

After a pause, Hu Weiyong continued, "If my guess is correct, Your Majesty still hopes to get something out of me. Haha..."

Hu Weiyong laughed loudly, looked around, and continued, "Your Majesty wants to know how many people are colluding with me, and how many are my accomplices... This... Actually, there is no need to guess, I will tell you the truth. Among all the civil and military officials in the court, how many have not received my favor? How many have not been my accomplices? Over the years, I have recommended many people, openly or secretly. How many of them can be in the court if they are not my accomplices? If Your Majesty wants to kill my accomplices, then you might as well kill everyone in this palace, leaving no one alive."

After hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's brows darkened and his expression suddenly changed.

Many officials were already trembling with fear, and those who were not closely involved with Hu Weiyong were deeply worried.

On the contrary, those who had deep ties with Hu Weiyong felt relieved. In any case, if everyone in the government was Hu Weiyong's accomplice, then they could breathe a sigh of relief, after all... the law does not punish everyone.

At this time, Hu Weiyong smiled and continued: "May I ask all the ministers, how many of you have never flattered me? How many of you have never benefited from me? And how many of you have never been recommended by me? Why not stand up and tell Your Majesty with confidence?"

All officials were silent.

There were people who wanted to stand up. They really had no connection with Hu Weiyong, but if they stood up at this time, it would be tantamount to standing in opposition to all the civil and military officials in the court. So they dared not say a word.

At this time, someone actually asked: "Am I one?"

Hu Weiyong glanced at the person who was speaking, his face suddenly turned cold, but he still said: "Deng Qianqiu, you don't count."

Deng Qianqiu blinked and said, "Why don't I count?"

Seeing that Deng Qianqiu was not giving in, Hu Weiyong gritted his teeth in his heart. If it weren't for this guy, he would not have taken such a risk and ended up as a prisoner today.

His eyes were filled with hatred, and he said coldly: "The methods I have used in my life can be said to be invincible. But I ran into you and stumbled! This is fate, and there is nothing to say. Your Majesty understands what I mean, and the civil and military officials in the court also understand what I mean. Deng Qianqiu, why are you making a fuss here?"

Deng Qianqiu smiled, but he understood his intention. Hu Weiyong was just trying to drag all the civil and military officials into the water. For the suspicious Zhu Yuanzhang, these words alone were enough to make him doubt all the civil and military officials.

And what about the civil and military officials? Were they not also afraid, fearing that one day they would be held accountable?

When the water is too clear, there will be no fish. In this world, how many people dare to claim that they are absolutely innocent?
Before Hu Weiyong died, he wanted to drag a group of people down with him! He even... seemed to want to bring bloodshed to the world.

Deng Qianqiu said: "Keep talking, I'm listening."

"What?" Hu Weiyong seemed to feel his heart broken when he saw Deng Qianqiu. He sneered and said, "What are you listening to?"

Deng Qianqiu said: "Do you think that your little trick can make everyone feel insecure?"

Hu Weiyong smiled, but suddenly looked at Li Shanchang and said, "Mr. Li...shouldn't you say something at this time?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the hall was filled with fear.

Li Shanchang...

When Hu Weiyong said the word "Mr. Li", it was enough to scare people to death.

Because Hu Weiyong alone is enough to make people afraid, and if Li Shanchang is involved, then... no one in this palace can be called innocent.

All the civil and military officials in the court, even the dog in front of the palace gate, are probably related to Li Shanchang!
Li Shanchang was originally sitting on a brocade cushion with his back bent, resting his mind with his head closed, but at this moment, he opened his eyes tiredly.

He sighed, and instead of looking at Hu Weiyong, he continued to look at Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned slightly and stared at Li Shanchang, as if weighing the pros and cons. Finally, he said, "Mr. Li, could you please tell me something?"

Li Shanchang opened his mouth but sighed. He knew that the wisest choice for His Majesty was to kill Hu Weiyong immediately. This was the reason why it was said that it was a rare opportunity to be ignorant.

But it is obvious that His Majesty wants to get to the bottom of things, and now he has other opinions.

Without hesitating for too long, Li Shanchang stood up with a slight tremor, then prostrated himself on the ground, kowtowed again and again: "I am guilty of a thousand deaths."

(End of this chapter)