I, the prince, only want to be deposed.

Chapter 100 I'd rather die on the city wall

"Father?"

Gongsun Jingsheng had to stop and look at Gongsun He anxiously.

"You have no joke!"

Gongsun He frowned and asked,
"The emperor has already issued an order, and no matter who you go to, it cannot be changed... Tell me first, have you done anything vile recently that would be punishable by death according to Han law?"

It is now clear that someone wants Gongsun Jingsheng to die.

This person could be Liu Ju, or Wei Qing and Wei Zifu, or even the Emperor Liu Che!

As for the reason why Gongsun Jingsheng wanted to die.

In fact, there are only a few possibilities. The most likely one is that Gongsun Jingsheng did something that deserves the death penalty, but it is not convenient to make it public, otherwise it might damage the reputation of the royal family or the Wei family. Therefore, some people want to send his son away quietly in this way and put an end to it once and for all.

"No, father. You know that although I am a little arrogant, I only treat people below me and never offend the powerful easily."

Gongsun Jingsheng cried with his round face wrinkled,

"Although I am a bit greedy, I am just a lieutenant general and have no real power. Even if I want to take advantage of my position to embezzle some money, I can't do it."

"Also, although I am involved in some small businesses on weekdays, I am just a middleman who makes a lot of money at most."

"It's just these few things. How can it be a capital crime?"

"..."

Gongsun He also fell silent after hearing this.

Gongsun Jingsheng either did not dare to do the first two things or was unable to do them, so they were indeed not capital crimes.

But this last item...

"Tell me in detail, what business are you involved in?"

"It's just a slave trade. It's not against the law, let alone a capital crime."

"..."

Gongsun He pondered for a moment and asked:

"Have you investigated the origins of those slaves being sold? Are they all decent people?"

The slave trade and human trafficking in this era are two completely different concepts.

Non-good people refer to slaves who were converted through legal means, such as descendants of slaves, prisoners of war, people who were demoted for crimes, and other people who were registered as slaves for officially recognized reasons.

A good man, on the other hand, was a commoner or a commoner who was registered in the household register.

Non-good people can buy, sell and transfer freely.

However, forcing innocent people into slavery without permission, or forcing them to be sold through means such as robbery and abduction, was a serious crime under Han law and was severely punished.

The Han Dynasty law clearly stipulated that this kind of human trafficking behavior was called "kidnapping and selling people."

Anyone who commits this crime will be sentenced to death by crucifixion (the body will be dismembered after being executed). Anyone who knowingly participates in the sale of human beings will also be guilty of the same crime!
"This……"

Gongsun Jingsheng lost his confidence instantly when asked this question, and said honestly with a sad face,
"Father, you know that few people doing this kind of business are honest. I am just a middleman, so how can I care about these things..."

"Confused!"

Gongsun He was so angry that he slapped Gongsun Jingsheng on the round face.
"I taught you not to associate with those profit-driven businessmen, but you didn't listen and even mixed with them. Is it because the money I give you is not enough?"

"Now look what has happened. We have been dragged into this by them, right?!"

"If you die outside this time, you can't blame others. You deserve to die!"

When he heard that even his father had sentenced him to death, Gongsun Jingsheng was so frightened that he lost five of his six souls. He immediately knelt on the ground, hugged Gongsun He's legs and cried:
"I know I was wrong. Father, please save me this time because I am a filial son. I will never do it again!"

"Father! Father! Can you bear to watch your son die?"

"Humph--"

Gongsun He snorted loudly. Even though he had spoken harshly just now, he would not give up on his precious son.

He also knew that "kidnapping and selling people" was extremely common in the slave trade.

This situation cannot be stopped even if the court imposes severe punishments, so it is not entirely Gongsun Jingsheng's fault.

After all, he was not directly involved in it. Liu Ju, Wei Qing, Wei Zifu, and the emperor would not kill him for such a small matter. At most, they would reprimand him and let him go. So his harsh words just now were also meant to scare Gongsun Jingsheng, so that he would completely cut off contact with the merchants in the future to avoid making a bigger mistake.

"Nothing else?"

"It's gone, it's really gone! Even if I want to do something bigger, I don't have the ability to do it!"

"If you still want to live, then listen to me. Immediately check whether the slave traders you deal with have 'stolen and sold people'. Once you find out, tie them up and send them to Jingzhao Yin in person for trial. This will count as making up for your crime and you may still have a chance!"

"I'll go right away! I'll catch them all in one fell swoop. No one will escape. Even if they're innocent, I'll make up a crime for them!"

"besides!"

Gongsun He stopped Gongsun Jingsheng who was about to go out.

He knew that doing so was just to let his son publicly express his attitude of a prodigal son, which could be considered a small achievement and a way to win a little favor.

This is not the key...

Then he pondered and said:

"A few days ago, you asked the Crown Prince to give you the lucrative job of allocating military supplies and fodder. Are you thinking of embezzling military funds?"

“Yes, a little bit…”

"Asshole! Beast! How could I give birth to such a bold and reckless beast like you? Do you want to take my life away with you?"

Gongsun He couldn't help but slap him again.

This may be the main reason!
He was also a person who led troops to fight in battles. He served as General of Light Chariots, General of Cavalry, and General of the Left. He was also awarded a title of nobility for his military achievements. His strength was undoubtedly unmatched by ordinary people.

After these two slaps, both sides of Gongsun Jingsheng's face were swollen, and blood was flowing from the corners of his mouth and nostrils.

"Alas! At this point, your father cannot save you. I can only hope that the prince will show mercy to you for the sake of our family..."

Gongsun He was in no mood to feel sorry for his son at the moment. He just sighed helplessly and said,

"This time, the prince served as the military supervisor in the expedition against Western Qiang."

"You should behave well in front of the prince along the way and see if he is willing to give you a chance."

"If he really doesn't give you a chance, you'd better die on the city wall. If you die under the sword of the supervisor because of cowardice, our Gongsun family will never be able to hold our heads up again!"

"have you understood?"

"Go ahead, first go and handle the affairs of those slave merchants beautifully, and show your attitude to those who want you to die..."

……

That night, in the Greenhouse Palace.

After making love, Liu Che lay comfortably on the couch, still savoring the joy he had just experienced.

Li Yannian's sister is indeed extraordinary.

Not only does she have an unparalleled appearance, a slender figure, and enchanting dancing posture, but her methods of serving people are also extremely unique, which makes people fascinated and unable to stop.

"Li Qing'er, you are very good. I want to reward you. Tell me, what reward do you want?"

Liu Che suddenly asked.

Upon hearing this, Li Qing'er didn't even bother to put on her clothes, and immediately turned over and knelt before Liu Che:
"I am of humble origin, and I am flattered to receive your majesty's favor. How dare I ask for more!"

"What I have given you, how can you ask for anything?"

Liu Che reached out and pulled Li Qing'er over to embrace her, one hand drawing circles on her creamy skin.

"What's wrong with being born in a humble family? If I want you to be noble, you can be noble. Isn't it the same for Wei Zifu and Wei Qing..."

"Speaking of which, besides Li Yannian, do you have other brothers and sisters?"

Li Qing'er's body trembled slightly, and she said softly:

"In reply to your majesty..., I have an elder brother... um... called Li Guangli, and a younger brother, called Li Ji..."

"Summon them to the palace tomorrow. If they are talented, I will not bury them."

(End of this chapter)