We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

Chapter 878 Follow Me into the Palace

Seeing the old man's righteous look, ready to die for his loyalty at any time, Li Che's anger quickly cooled down.

After all, he was a soul that had experienced the baptism of information explosion in later generations. In this life, he had also dealt with many so-called literati, and he instantly saw through the old guy's thoughts.

He simply wanted to provoke me so that I could execute him in a rage and gain the reputation of a loyal minister who died for his advice in history.

If I really killed all nine or even ten of his clans in a rage, what else would I gain except solidifying my reputation as a 'tyrant' and making this old man famous forever?

Li Che naturally would not do such a loss-making business.

So, within just a few breaths, Li Che had a plan in mind.

Everyone saw the anger on the emperor's face melt away like ice and snow, quickly turning into a playful smile.

For some reason, they suddenly saw the shadow of someone in Li Che.

Li Che leaned forward slightly, looking at the old man who was kneeling on the ground, and asked calmly: "From what you just said, every word you said was about the false emperor Li Ming. It seems that you are loyal to him?"

"If you're so loyal, why don't you go south with him, but stay in the imperial capital instead? Could it be that you're reluctant to leave the prosperity of the capital?"

The old man didn't expect Li Che to react like this. He was stunned for a moment, then stiffened his neck and said, "Humph! My family has lived in the imperial capital for generations, and my roots are here. Why would I leave my hometown?"

"You can kill me or chop me up, it's all up to you. It's nothing more than death!"

"Well said!" Li Che clapped his hands in praise, his smile growing wider. "It's human nature to miss one's homeland."

"Since you are so attached to your homeland and unwilling to leave the imperial capital, I will grant your wish today!"

When the old man heard Li Che suddenly say this, he suddenly had a bad feeling in his heart.

Before he could ask in detail, Li Che had already looked at the group of kneeling officials behind him and asked, "What is this person's name, and what position does he hold in the pseudo-emperor's court?"

Immediately, an official eager to show off rushed to answer: "Your Majesty, this man is Sun Ting, an official in the pseudo-emperor's court who is appointed as the Imperial Censor!"

"Grand Censor? A third-rank official in the imperial court!" Li Che nodded, seeming a little regretful. "Although he is a loyal minister to the false emperor, he is still a loyal minister. After all, he is devoted to serving his master. His actions may be despicable, but his heart can still be considered loyal."

"If I do not commend and promote such a 'loyal' minister, wouldn't that be a lack of judgment?"

His gaze returned to Sun Ting and he announced loudly:

"Sun Ting's loyalty is commendable. Although his talent is hidden in the dark, his aspirations are worthy of encouragement!"

"I have specially decreed that Sun Ting be promoted to the rank of Jinzi Guanglu Dafu, a third-rank official! I have also granted him a residence... Oh, since he already has a family home, he should stay in his original residence!"

Sun Ting and all the ministers were stunned. What was this?

Not only was he not killed, but he was also promoted?

But Li Che's next words made them feel a chill.

"Come here!" Li Che ordered his personal guards, "Take this newly promoted Jinzi Guanglu Doctor back to his residence."

"From now on, Doctor Sun must rest and reflect at home. Without my permission, you are not allowed to leave the house!"

"I have people guarding her in twelve-hour shifts, providing her with three meals a day and four seasons of clothing. All expenses will be paid from my treasury. I must provide for her well!"

"But! He must not be allowed to see any outsiders. He must be kept under strict watch and absolutely no chance of suicide must be given!"

Sun Ting then realized that this so-called support was actually the worst kind of house arrest.

As for the Purple Light Doctor, he was just a civil official with no power or money. It sounds like that, but it was just a title.

Sun Ting was so angry that he was shaking all over. He pointed at Li Che and cursed, "You...you tyrannical monarch! How dare you humiliate a loyal minister like this? If you have the guts, give me a quick death!"

Li Che's smile turned cold: "Bullshit! I'm just fulfilling your loyalty!"

"Since you are so knowledgeable and loyal but have nowhere to confide your thoughts, spend the rest of your life slowly telling your stories to the walls of your home and to the sky!"

Seeing Sun Ting's face getting paler, Li Che still didn't let him go and said word by word:

"The historian will record the conversation between you and me today."

After saying that, he glanced at Taishi Ying at the back of the team.

Tai Shi Ying had already brought a small notebook with him and had not stopped writing since entering the city.

"I want you to live, and I want you to live well, so that you can witness with your own eyes my Daqing sweeping across the world, eradicating its accumulated ills, and ushering in a prosperous and glorious era far surpassing that of the pseudo-emperor!"

"In the future, when history books meticulously comment on your 'loyal advice' today, against the backdrop of this glorious era, it will appear ridiculous and short-sighted!"

"The more powerful Daqing becomes, the more infamous your reputation will become!"

"I want you to live and become this mirror!"

At this point, Sun Ting already knew what was about to happen. He could no longer stand and collapsed to the ground.

Li Che turned to look at the other kneeling officials, and his voice returned to calmness:

"I keep him here as a reminder to myself."

"If I become incompetent and fail to govern the country in the future, causing the people to suffer, then Sun Ting's words today will be the advice of a loyal minister who 'does not obey a tyrant,' and I will naturally be infamous for eternity."

His eyes swept across the crowd sharply:

"But if I work hard to govern the country, I can make the country peaceful and prosperous!"

"Then, the one who will be infamous for eternity is Sun Ting!"

"He is blind and fails to recognize the true dragon, slandering the Holy Lord. I want him to witness all this with his own eyes!"

When the ministers heard this, they were all shocked and cold sweat broke out on their backs.

The emperor's move was a hundred times more cruel than killing people directly.

This will take a long time to completely erase a person's beliefs and reputation, making his life worse than death!

It may be useless to ordinary people, but they would rather lie down like this.

But for a "noble" like Sun Ting who values ​​reputation more than life, it was like digging up his ancestral grave.

How could they dare to say anything else? They all bowed and shouted, "Your Majesty's wisdom and foresight are profound. We are in awe!"

Li Che no longer paid attention to the ashen-faced Sun Ting, but instead looked at the other officials who were standing there. He asked calmly, "What about you guys? Are you planning to go back to the mansion with Doctor Sun to recuperate?"

Those people were already scared out of their wits by Li Che's tactics.

They originally wanted to follow Sun Tingbo to gain a reputation for not serving two masters. If Li Che killed them in anger, they would at least be described as "loyal" in history books.

At the very least, he is a loyal and foolish minister, which is a good reputation.

But now the emperor does not kill him, but instead keeps him in captivity with high positions and generous salaries as a warning to all officials.

If Daqing really becomes prosperous, won't they become a laughing stock for all eternity?

"Your Highness...Your Highness acknowledges his guilt!"

Several people could no longer hold on and fell to their knees, begging for mercy.

Li Che looked at them, a hint of sarcasm passing across his lips.

It turns out that this is what is called the "character of a civil official."

Ha ha.

He said no more, flicked his sleeves and turned around, his voice calm but majestic:

"My dear ministers, please stand up and follow me into the palace."