As for the head of Xiao family, he frowned slightly with eyes filled with doubts. From the looks on the Emperor, the one who embezzled millions of silver must be from his Xiao Residence.
"Your Highness, I'm being wronged." Disregarding how others would look at him, Marquis Ling knelt down on the ground at once and cried out his grievance.
As long as he didn't admit to it, what can Xiao Qi Feng do to him?
Xiao Qi Feng took a glance at Marquis Ling with anger in his eyes, but his face remained ice-cold, "Whether or not you are wronged, take a look at these before saying anything." He said as he threw the book in his hands onto the floor. Once Marquis Ling saw it,doubts arose in his heart. Could it be that they have found evidence of it? This wasn't supposed to happen.
Marquis Ling assumed that Xiao Qi Feng was making a bluff. If he had a hold on him, he would have already made a move based on his character, why would he leave it until now?
The more he thought it was so, the more he felt that was a possibility. He quickly composed himself and picked up the book on the floor to have a look. He remained composed while scanning its contents at first, but his expression suddenly changed when he saw the end of the book. His eyes widened in disbelief.
Seeing Marquis Ling's expression, Qiao Tian Chang couldn't help but sneer, "If Marquis Ling still insists that you are being wronged, I can tell you how many people I have found and where I have found them."
If Marquis Ling still continued to be in denial, then he would have lived for nothing all these years.
Marquis Ling Wu fell weakly to the ground, dropping the book in his hands while in a state of daze.
When Duke Xiao saw the evidence, his complexion changed drastically. This was really the case and moreover, it was his son, Xiao Ming Ren, who did it.
He stared at the book in his hands with anger burning in his eyes, and looked gloomy and dreadful. Did he think that it was too peaceful at home and wanted to find trouble for them?
And while everyone was restless upon receiving those two pieces of news, Qiao Tian Chang suddenly spoke, "The Qiao family raised an army on their own, smuggled salt, which amounted to 70% of the salt smuggling activity in our state. Your Majesty, please mete out severe punishment for them."
Qiao Tian Chang's words were cold, like the cold wind during winter. They couldn't believe at all that Qiao Tian Chang would actually touch the Qiao family.
At the same time when everyone felt the danger, they were wondering whether Ling Residence, Xiao Residence and the Qiao Residence, had provoked this Great General. Otherwise, why would he find trouble with them the moment he returned? Wasn't this something clear and easy to see?
Nobody knew what they were thinking, but Xiao Qi Feng knew that Qiao Tian Chang would not let this matter end like this, and thus he said.
"Marquis Ling, on the account of your contributions, I will spare your life. Your capital offense can be exempted, but it is difficult to escape from being punished. I will punish you severely with 100 strokes on the back and remove your rank of nobility. If there is a next time, you will not be let off and will be beheaded. Xiao Ming Ren of Xiao's Residence has embezzled the funds for the disaster relief; he will be executed him immediately." Xiao Qi Feng ordered in a cold tone as he looked at Marquis Ling and Xiao Yi Lin below.
After that, he opened his mouth again, "The Qiao family raised an army on their own and smuggled salt. Three generations are to be beheaded, and generations henceforth are to be exiled."
This punishment was considered a light one considering how grave an offence of smuggling salt was, with nine generations to be beheaded. However, the punishment given this time was only for three generations, which was already a heavenly grace.
And the punishment of removing Marquis Ling's noble status for raising an army on his own was also a very light one.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Duke Xiao seemed to have aged in a split second. Xiao Ming Ren was the son of his first wife, as well as his child whom he loved most dearly. Usually, he wouldn't be this unreliable, yet he ended up committing such actions.
"Court dismissed." Xiao Qi Feng solemnly said as he left with a cold look.
Qiao Tian Chang stood up, and as he walked past Xiao Yi Lin, the corners of his lips hooked up to reveal a bloodthirsty and sinister smile. "That is what it means to fight until one's last gasp." he said and left.
Hearing those words caused Duke Xiao's expression to immediately reveal how dejected he was. He finally understood why His Majesty had meted out such a light punishment to the Ling Family and the Xiao Family: Qiao Tian Chang and his wife would definitely not let them have a quick death.
Xiao Yi Lin had guessed correctly. Qiao Tian Chang indeed did not want him and the others to die that quickly. If they died too quickly, how would they get to experience the pleasure at getting revenge?
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