The Framed General Toolman 06

"Just wait."

Liu Wenhui never expected that the moment he finished packing his belongings, a servant would rush in to report that the Emperor had opened the gates and surrendered.

"What? Is he an idiot?" Liu Wenhui couldn’t help but curse aloud.

The servant was momentarily stunned by his audacity to insult the Emperor but then cautiously added, "Rumors say the rebels captured Liu Guxia, the Emperor’s most beloved..."

Liu Wenhui’s legs gave way. He knew full well that with Fang Zhiyi now in control of the capital, his own misdeeds might soon come to light. And then...

Fang Zhiyi stood in the grand hall, hands clasped behind his back as he coldly surveyed the assembled court officials.

Anyone who met his gaze felt a chill run down their spine. How had they never noticed how terrifying this man was before?

As for the new Emperor, Fang Zhiyi had kept his word—letting him reunite with Liu Guxia.

"Where is Liu Wenhui?"

The officials exchanged uneasy glances. Liu Wenhui had claimed illness and skipped court yesterday. Naturally, he was absent again today.

"Report!" A soldier burst into the hall. "General, Liu Wenhui was intercepted at the West Gate trying to flee!"

"Excellent!" Fang Zhiyi laughed heartily. "Bring him to me... in one piece."

The soldier bowed and accepted the order, though he wasn’t entirely sure why the general emphasized "in one piece." Perhaps it meant not a single hair out of place?

Watching Fang Zhiyi idly toying with the items on the imperial desk, an elder statesman finally lost his patience.

"Fang Zhiyi! Your actions are nothing short of treason!"

Fang Zhiyi gave him an amused glance, picking up a jade ornament from the desk before tossing it back. "Oh? Do elaborate."

The officials exchanged bewildered looks. Fang Zhiyi wasn’t even angry? Even the highest-ranking military governors at the front seemed surprised by his calm demeanor.

The elder stepped forward indignantly. "When your father died, you, as the eldest son, failed to return and mourn—that is unfilial! Leading the northern army under the pretense of 'cleansing the court' to storm the capital—that is disloyal! Holding the Emperor’s consort hostage—that is dishonorable! You are a man without loyalty, filial piety, or honor!"

Fang Zhiyi nodded, as if acknowledging the accusations, then waved over a soldier and whispered a few words into his ear. The soldier’s eyes widened before he hurried away.

"Anyone else have something to say? Speak now."

The courtiers were stunned. Fang Zhiyi genuinely didn’t seem angered. Was he truly guiltless? He had come specifically for Liu Wenhui, who had just tried to escape. Had Liu Wenhui manipulated the new Emperor into targeting the Fang family? There were whispers that the old General Fang’s death was suspicious—could it be...?

Another official stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "General Fang, now that Liu Wenhui has been captured and the traitor removed, shouldn’t you seek the Emperor’s pardon for your actions?"

Fang Zhiyi smirked. "Pardon? What crime have I committed?"

The elder official pointed an accusing finger. "Do you mean to usurp the throne yourself, Fang Zhiyi? Aren’t you afraid of history’s judgment? You’ll tarnish your family’s name forever!"

The mention of usurpation made the military governors exchange meaningful glances.

Fang Zhiyi casually took a seat on the throne. "I’m not afraid. A ruler’s duty is to care for the people, to ensure their prosperity, to protect our soldiers, to guarantee that the people are fed and clothed, and to punish corrupt officials—not to fear some unseen 'iron judgment of history.'"

"Well said!" The military governors applauded.

"Let me ask you all—what has the Second Prince accomplished since taking the throne? What did he do during the locust plague in the northwest?"

The officials lowered their heads in recollection. Someone had indeed submitted a report about the locusts, but the Emperor, following Liu Guxia’s advice, ordered the people to eat the insects. The locusts turned out to be poisonous, killing many, but the local officials suppressed the news, leaving the Emperor unaware.

Fang Zhiyi scoffed. "And what about the Lijiang floods? What did our new Emperor do then?"

The courtiers’ heads sank even lower. When the Lijiang River overflowed, displacing countless families, the Emperor—urged by Liu Guxia’s desire for a boat ride—commissioned a lavish dragon boat to "inspect" the disaster. Liu Guxia had declared that bran was inedible, accusing officials of embezzlement, leading the Emperor to execute several men in rage. The replacement officials, fearing reprisal, distributed pure white rice to the starving—only to exhaust the supplies in under half a month. The new officials had to sell their own properties to cover the shortfall.

Even in good years, white rice was a luxury for commoners. During famine, bran porridge was a lifeline. The treasury’s funds were meant for flood control, hiring laborers, and purchasing grain—not for extravagant rice handouts.

The elder official raged, "What the Emperor does is none of your concern, you traitor!"

One of the military governors lost his temper, unsheathing his sword with a metallic ring that sent the courtiers stumbling back.

The soldier Fang Zhiyi had sent away earlier returned, whispering into his ear and handing him a slip of paper.

Fang Zhiyi stood and clapped mockingly. "Bravo! You’re Lu Xuan, aren’t you? A mere vice minister under the late Emperor, now a grand secretary. Impressive."

The elder official straightened proudly. "Spare me your sarcasm. Kill me if you must—at least history will remember me with honor!"

Fang Zhiyi grinned. "Really? Did you know your son forces women into prostitution?"

Lu Xuan froze, then pointed a shaking finger. "How dare you slander me!"

Fang Zhiyi waved him off. "No need to get worked up. I have proof." He unfolded the paper. "Your nephew beat two laborers to death over a wage dispute. Ah, and your brother—quite the entrepreneur, investing in brothels? Wait... Lu Xuan, you have a bastard son? Now that’s juicy."

Lu Xuan’s chest heaved. He had half-believed the accusations about his nephew, but the mention of a secret son confirmed Fang Zhiyi was lying.

"You—you vile slanderer!"

Fang Zhiyi signaled, and several "witnesses" in plain clothes were brought forward, all loudly accusing Lu Xuan and his family of various crimes.

Lu Xuan trembled with rage, unable to utter a word. Fang Zhiyi strolled over and murmured just loud enough for him to hear, "When my father was alive, you undermined him at every turn. I heard you and Liu Wenhui were awfully close around the time he died. Don’t expect history to remember you kindly. Spreading filth is my specialty. Care to guess how history’s 'iron judgment' will read?" He glanced meaningfully behind Lu Xuan, who turned to see the court historian scribbling furiously.

"Ah!" Lu Xuan spat blood and collapsed to the floor.