Qilin Palace.
While waiting for Ran Fang's arrival, the ministers also speculated from time to time as to why Ran Fang wanted to do this.
Of course, some people think that this matter has nothing to do with Ran Fang. Guess who spread the word?
When Ran Fang came in, all eyes were immediately locked on him.
Everyone's eyes are different, some are gloating, some are scrutinizing, and a few are looking at him worriedly.
He didn't pay attention to any of the looks in these people's eyes.
On the way here, Wei Liang had already told him the whole story. He was even more certain that someone framed him deliberately. Otherwise, how could someone tell Ying Zheng so quickly.
After thinking about this, he felt more relaxed.
He walked to the middle of the hall without squinting and bowed to Ying Zheng in a formal manner, with no hint of guilt in his expression.
"See Your Majesty."
Seeing him like this, the expression on Ying Zheng's face made it impossible to see any thoughts, and no one knew what his attitude was towards Ran Fang.
"Get up."
This time Ran Fang didn't say that there was no need to salute, which gave people the illusion that he was a little angry at Ran Fang, and now some people started to laugh secretly.
Ran Fang stood up, adjusted his official uniform, and said in a neither humble nor overbearing tone: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"I wonder what happened when Your Majesty called me into the palace today?"
Hearing this, Li Si, who was standing aside, took the initiative to speak, took a step closer to Ran Fang, and told what happened in the Qilin Hall just now.
Finally, he asked: "Do you have anything to say in defense, sir?"
"I believe that sir has nothing to do with this matter, but after all, it has happened. Sir, you should still give an explanation to His Majesty and the ministers."
Ran Fang looked suddenly enlightened, as if he had just heard about this.
However, that's not what he said.
He nodded, looked at Ying Zheng and said, "That's it."
"Your Majesty, I was investigating the matter before entering the palace. It is true that the matter was not reported from my palace."
"After my investigation, I found that this matter was spread from Xianyang City, and more than one person spread the news, just to cause a conflict between the imperial court and the head of Guizhou."
"Due to the corvee incident, the head of Guizhou has been resentful towards the imperial court for a long time. Whether this news is true or not, it is a good thing for the head of Guizhou. They naturally hope that it is true."
"If news comes out in the future that this matter is a lie, then Guizhou will riot at the same time, which will play into the hands of those behind it."
"So, I think this matter is by no means that simple. There must be someone who wants to use this to frame the imperial court, and they are really serious!"
"Your Majesty must investigate this matter thoroughly and never let the person behind it go!"
Maybe they didn't expect Ran Fang to say this and be so eloquent. It was different from the process they expected Ran Fang to explain in a panic and then beg for mercy.
After all, when something like this happened before, ordinary ministers followed this process.
These sudden remarks made everyone present change their expressions, especially those who clamored the loudest before Ran Fang arrived. They lowered their heads for fear of involving themselves.
Even Li Si didn't expect that Ran Fang had already started investigating and had already found out some information.
Although he learned the news, he didn't have time to investigate. Ran Fang actually walked ahead of him again. It seemed that Ran Fang thought more than he did.
Thinking about it, he said: "It is true. Not many people know about the abolition of corvee. It is inevitable that someone will get the news and use it to frame Sir."
"This matter must be investigated thoroughly!"
"Return to your innocence!"
Seeing that they shared the same hatred, a faint smile appeared on Ying Zheng's face.
He looked at the smile in Ran Fang's eyes, and when he glanced at the other officials, his expression obviously changed.
The officials did not dare to look up at Ying Zheng, nor did they feel any change in him. However, when Ying Zheng glanced over, they felt even more that they might have talked too much today.
But Ying Zheng had no intention of embarrassing them. He just asked Ran Fang: "Then how do you think this matter should be handled?"
Ran Fang had already thought of his words, and he respectfully replied: "I have already discussed the matter of corvée with Your Majesty."
"Now that things have reached this point, it's better to just go with the flow and make this matter a reality."
"And judging from the reaction of the leaders of Guizhou when they learned about this, they are very grateful to His Majesty, and they are full of praise for His Majesty."
"If this matter spreads to every corner of the Qin Dynasty, those who want to use Guizhou heads to control His Majesty, I am afraid no one will join them."
With Ran Fang's clear words, everyone present understood that he wanted to take this opportunity to implement the abolition of corvee.
These officials suddenly panicked. They originally wanted to pull Ran Fang down, but instead they dug a hole for themselves.
They are all people who disagree with the abolition of corvee, but no one dares to speak first now. After all, if anyone disagrees, he may be the one who spreads the news this time.
This put them in a dilemma. They all looked like they had eaten shit and stood there not knowing what to do.
When Li Si saw Ying Zheng's brows tightening, he would be very satisfied with Ran Fang's answer.
He immediately said: "Your Majesty, I think what you said is reasonable."
"Now that things have reached this point, sir, this method is the most effective."
Ying Zheng had already agreed to cancel the corvee before, and now this was an opportunity.
Before anyone else could react, Ying Zheng spoke up and said, "It is my will to abolish the corvee immediately. Workers in Guizhou must be paid wages."
"This matter will be supervised by Yuan Lai."
"As well as the people who investigated and leaked the matter, you will be responsible for it. We must find out the truth!"
Yuan Lai was the one who spoke ill of Ran Fang in the first place. Ying Zheng's direct agreement with Ran Fang's plan was enough to make him unacceptable, but he didn't expect that this matter would fall on him.
At this moment, he didn't know how to think. If he wanted to admonish Ying Zheng, he didn't know how to speak.
"...here."
Ying Zheng seemed not to notice his embarrassment and said calmly: "If nothing happens, please step back."
"Ran Fang stays."
"Here!"
Li Si walked in the front, and the ministers behind him wanted to ask for their opinions. Seeing Li Si's expression of keeping away from strangers, no one dared to come forward and talk.
On the other hand, Yuan Lai walked on the way out of the palace with a dejected look on his face. He really couldn't understand how this matter could have turned out like this.
"Why did it fall on my head?"
"Who did this in the first place? Let me find out when you go back. I will make sure to look good to him!"
