Sacrificing the Chariot to Save the Marshal

What was even more subtle was that all the individuals implicated in this record were either distant relatives of the Xiao clan, relatives by marriage, or the sons of domestic servants.

Not a single one was a core, direct-line member of the Xiao clan.

Not a single one implicated Xiao Jie himself.

And even less so did any implicate Xiao Song.

It went from sacrificing a pawn to save the general, to sacrificing a rook to save the general, Gu Chengyin smiled faintly in his heart and continued reading.

At this moment, Xiao Jie's voice rang out again:

This booklet records all the relevant corrupt personnel, the amounts involved, the whereabouts of the stolen funds, and the confessions of those involved, as self-investigated by my Xiao clan.

He paused, his voice becoming resounding and forceful:

I dare not be negligent, much less harbor them!

I have ordered that all those implicated in the record be apprehended and imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice's dungeon, awaiting Your Majesty's judgment!

At the same time, Xiao Jie took a deep breath, all the embezzled funds, totaling five million, five hundred and thirty-seven thousand, eight hundred taels of silver, fifty-six thousand, four hundred taels of gold, and various jewelry and antiques, have been fully inventoried and sealed, ready to be handed over to the state treasury in their entirety at any time!

As his words fell, he suddenly made a move that shocked everyone.

Lifting the front of his official robes, he bent his knees and knelt heavily on the ground on the spot!

Thud!

The sound of his knees striking the golden bricks was particularly harsh in the great hall.

Xiao Jie touched his head to the ground, his voice sorrowful:

As the Minister of Personnel, I failed to discipline my clansmen, resulting in so many black sheep appearing within the family, hollowing out the state treasury and damaging the foundation of the nation.

I deserve ten thousand deaths for my crimes!

Therefore, I immediately resign from my position as Minister of Personnel to serve as a warning to others!

Xiao Jie raised his head and enunciated every word clearly:

I implore Your Majesty to punish me severely!!

The last two words were almost shouted.

The moment his voice fell.

In the ranks of the civil officials, all the officials belonging to the Xiao faction stepped forward in unison, as if they had received some kind of signal.

Dozens of people prostrated themselves on the ground at the same time.

They touched their heads to the ground and shouted in unison, their voices shaking the beams and pillars of the hall:

We implore Your Majesty to punish us severely!!!

The wave of sound echoed through the great hall like a tide.

This scene was visually striking.

A second-rank Minister and dozens of middle and high-ranking officials kneeling and pleading guilty at the same time, asking for severe punishment.

What kind of righteous dignity and courage to take responsibility was this?

Some veteran officials who had originally detested the Xiao clan's corruption could not help but be moved at this moment.

Some even thought to themselves that although the Xiao clan had produced scum, it was commendable that they had the courage to actively investigate themselves.

Only a few who truly saw through the situation sneered in their hearts.

Sacrificing the rook to save the general, cutting off a limb to survive.

Xiao Jie played this hand beautifully.

He took the initiative to admit the family's faults, even offered to resign, and handed over a significant amount of embezzled money.

This was to cover up the even greater corruption and to protect Xiao Song and the entire core group of the Xiao clan.

What was even more brilliant was the timing he chose.

Right when Gu Chengyin had just gained recognition for his status and was about to press his advantage.

He suddenly stepped forward to expose his family's scandals and voluntarily ask for punishment.

This was equivalent to tearing open a hole and admitting to a minor offense before the opponent's offensive could form a complete encirclement.

In this way, any further evidence Gu Chengyin threw out would be seen as being unforgiving.

After all, as an official, one should leave some leeway for future encounters.

And if Emperor Luo accepted Xiao Jie's plea for punishment, this matter would likely end here.

The result would be Xiao Jie's resignation, the Xiao clan handing over the stolen money, and offering up a few distant relatives to take the blame.

Then the core of the Xiao clan, especially Xiao Song.

Would remain completely unharmed.

Good calculation.

Truly a good calculation.

The eyes of everyone in the hall were now focused on the dragon throne.

How would Emperor Luo choose?

Would he accept Xiao Jie's plea and let this matter end with the Xiao clan's self-investigation?

Or would he give Gu Chengyin the chance to continue his counterattack?

Time passed minute by minute.

Emperor Luo did not speak.

He merely slowly picked up the Xiao clan's self-investigation record in front of him and casually flipped through a few pages.

His gaze swept over the names and strings of numbers.

There was no expression on his face, making it entirely impossible to read his thoughts.

And right at this moment.

Xiao Song, who had been standing silently in place, suddenly moved.

The old Chief Minister slowly stepped out and walked to the side of the prostrate Xiao Jie, but he did not kneel.

He merely bowed deeply toward the dragon throne.

Then, in an old and steady voice, he slowly said:

This old minister has failed in teaching his younger brother, causing Xiao Jie to fail in disciplining the clansmen and brewing today's disaster.

Xiao Jie's voluntary resignation is only right and proper.

However.

Xiao Song paused, raised his head, and looked calmly at Emperor Luo:

This old minister believes that this matter cannot stop at Xiao Jie alone.

The root cause of so many corrupt individuals appearing in the Xiao clan lies in our improper family traditions and lax discipline.

As the head of the family, this old minister cannot shirk the blame.

Therefore, I request to retire and return to my hometown to reflect on my mistakes behind closed doors.

At the same time, starting from today, the entire Xiao clan will undergo a ten-year rectification of family traditions.

Anyone with improper conduct or who perverts the law for bribes shall be expelled from the Xiao clan and never be employed again.

I hope Your Majesty will... grant this.

As his words fell, Xiao Song bowed deeply.

He did not kneel, but this bow was extremely deep, almost reaching ninety degrees.

The hall once again fell into a deathly silence.

This move by Xiao Song was... even more ruthless.

He not only supported Xiao Jie's resignation but also voluntarily punished himself.

He was even willing to give up the position of Chief Minister of the Grand Secretariat.

This was equivalent to adding another layer of insurance on top of Xiao Jie's strategy of sacrificing the rook to save the general.

Look at how sincere our Xiao clan's attitude in admitting our mistakes is; not only are those who should resign resigning.

Even I, the Chief Minister, have voluntarily asked to reflect on my mistakes behind closed doors. What more do you want?

If Emperor Luo were to continue pursuing the matter, it would seem somewhat unreasonable.

After all, Xiao Song was the current Chief Minister, having assisted Emperor Luo for decades; even if he had no merit, he had worked hard.

Now that he had voluntarily admitted his mistakes and punished himself, he had given enough face and a way out.

If they were still unforgiving, it would inevitably chill the hearts of the other veteran officials.

Some officials who had originally supported the prosecution now began to hesitate in their hearts.

Perhaps they should quit while they were ahead?

Xiao Jie resigning, Xiao Song reflecting behind closed doors, the Xiao clan handing over the embezzled funds, and giving up a few distant relatives to take the blame.

This result seemed acceptable?

It was better than completely tearing up all pretenses and triggering a massive earthquake in the imperial court.

The atmosphere in the hall began to subtly shift.

Many people secretly looked at Gu Chengyin, the Crown Prince's Tutor who had just gained recognition for his status and was about to launch an attack.

How would he respond at this moment?

Gu Chengyin still stood beside Luo Zhao, his expression calm.

He did not even look at the prostrate Xiao Jie, nor did he look at the bowing Xiao Song asking for punishment.

His gaze always remained on the dragon throne.

He was waiting.

Waiting for Emperor Luo's attitude.

Finally, after a long silence.

Emperor Luo slowly closed the self-investigation record in his hand.

He gently placed the booklet on the imperial desk, making a slight clicking sound.

Then, he raised his head, his gaze slowly sweeping over the prostrate Xiao Jie, over the bowing Xiao Song, over the civil and military officials of the entire court, and finally...

It landed on Gu Chengyin.