noffsinger Chapter 1197 Agreement Chapter 3
Chapter 1197 Agreement Chapter 3
Just when everyone thought Huai Shaoyong was dead, a soldier reached out and checked Huai Shaoyong's breath, then reported: "Sir, he is still breathing. He must have just fainted from fright."
"not dead?"
The people all breathed a sigh of relief.
Although Huai Shaoyong was no good, they weren't heartless people either. It would be unpleasant for anyone to see a living person suddenly die right before their eyes.
"It's good that he's not dead..." Jiang Zhiming also breathed a sigh of relief, looking at the unconscious Huai Shaoyong with disdain, and said, "Lord Shen, what should we do next? I will follow your instructions."
Shen Zheng straightened up, wrapped the oiled paper and put it in her bosom. She said to the guards, "Take Huai Shaoyong back to the government office and ask a doctor to check if he is in any danger. Also, send someone to Tongan County to invite Doctor Li Shiyuan."
Right now, the only one who can help her is probably Lee Si-won.
"And these two dead rats." Shen Zheng looked at the bamboo cage on the ground and sighed softly, "Burn them together with the bamboo cage, and then find a place to bury them."
"Yes!"
Huai Shaoyong was dragged away by the government soldiers, and the area where the experiment had just been conducted was also surrounded by the government soldiers.
Everyone was still shaken, feeling as if the past half day had been a dream. They had come to watch the exciting awards ceremony for the second round of interviews, but who would have thought that they would witness one outrageous thing after another.
Shen Zheng stepped back onto the awards stage. Sunlight streamed through the clouds onto the vermilion stage, making her figure appear even more upright.
The crowd below gradually quieted down, and all eyes turned to her.
"Gentlemen," Shen Zheng said, her gaze sweeping over the crowd below, "I'm sure you've all seen what happened just now. Huai Shaoyong, a student of Luming Academy and a scholar who has achieved the rank of Xiucai, is addicted to 'Ling San' (spiritual powder), has lost his mind, is disrespectful to his teachers and officials, and even regards this deadly poison as a treasure. After discussing with Lord Jiang, we unanimously agree that his conduct is unworthy of being called a scholar, and his virtue is unworthy of being called a Confucian scholar!"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone knew what Shen Zheng was trying to say.
As expected, Shen Zheng paused for a moment, then spoke in an even harsher tone: "Today, I hereby announce that, effective immediately, Huai Shaoyong is stripped of his scholar title and shall never again participate in the imperial examinations!"
"Hiss—never allowed to participate in the imperial examinations?" A commoner exclaimed in surprise, thinking that Shen Zheng's punishment seemed a bit too harsh: "Huai Shaoyong was poisoned before he was like this, and he's banned from participating in the imperial examinations for life... What will happen when he recovers?"
"Pah!" a commoner immediately retorted, "It's still uncertain whether he has a future! Besides, he ingested the poison himself; no one forced him! He brought this upon himself; who can he blame? And have you forgotten? He not only ingested the poison himself, but he also secretly poisoned Chief Hou and the others! Do you really want someone like that to be your official in the future?"
The phrase "parent officials" has awakened the people's minds.
Yes, if Huai Shaoyong recovers and continues to take the imperial examinations, and by some stroke of luck passes with flying colors and becomes an official, wouldn't it be ordinary people like them who suffer?
This is not possible!
The people shook their heads vigorously, loudly protesting: "Huai Shaoyong is not fit to be an official! We support Lord Shen's decision!"
The voices of support were overwhelming.
Shen Zheng raised her hand and pressed down, then took out an oil paper packet from her bosom and held it up high, saying, "As for this thing... the fact that two rats went mad and died suddenly today, and that Huai Shaoyong refused to take it again, is the most serious warning! This thing is by no means a precious tonic, but an evil substance that can corrode bones, disturb the mind, and take lives. Short-term consumption may make one feel clear-headed, but long-term exposure will inevitably lead to madness and ultimately a sudden death!"
As she spoke, Shen Zheng softened her tone, her gaze sweeping over the crowd below the stage once more, her words earnest: "Currently, this substance has just appeared in the Great Zhou Dynasty, and the court has no explicit regulations prohibiting its use. We don't even know how many people in Liuyang Prefecture are secretly consuming it. However, I'm sure you all share my sentiment that you cannot stand by and watch your friends and relatives cause harm. Therefore, today I would like to establish three rules with you all!"
The people composed themselves and waited quietly for Shen Zheng to speak.
Shen Zheng said, "First, any student or scholar who dares to consume or spread 'spiritual powder' will be dismissed and severely punished once the government verifies it, regardless of their academic rank!"
"Great!!" The people cheered sincerely.
Shen Zheng added, "Secondly, if anyone is seen consuming, spreading, or selling 'spiritual powder,' immediately report it to the government office. Once verified, the government office will reward them handsomely!"
"Third, those who have already taken the medicine should not take any chances and should immediately go to the government office to register!"
The people below the stage heard everything clearly. As soon as Shen Zheng finished speaking, they raised their hands and said, "Lord Shen, please rest assured, even if there is no reward, we will report it to the authorities immediately! After all, this thing can drive people mad. Nobody wants to be stabbed in the street for no reason, right?"
The other people raised their hands in agreement.
At this moment, they were perfectly clear in their hearts that helping the government was actually helping themselves.
Once "spiritual powder" spreads throughout the Great Zhou, all the people will suffer, and no one can escape it.
Especially if officials become addicted to drugs, the lives of ordinary people will be far worse than just "miserable".
Seeing the sincerity in the people's expressions, Shen Zheng nodded and said, "Now that the trouble has just begun, as long as we are united and investigate and prevent it early, we will surely be able to nip it in the bud. Let's leave it at that for today. Candidates who have not yet received their rewards can collect them at the service station."
After saying that, Shen Zheng was about to step down from the stage when Jiang Zhiming quickly climbed up the stage and ran to her side.
"Please wait a moment, everyone!" Jiang Zhiming called out to the people who were about to leave.
"Today, I would also like to make a statement here." This time, Jiang Zhiming didn't waste any words and got straight to the point: "Regarding this 'ban on the spread of poison,' Fuzhou Prefecture will follow your esteemed administration's lead. After I return, I will immediately lead people to search the entire Fuzhou Prefecture and, together with your administration, use swift and decisive measures to prevent the spread of poison!"
"Bravo!" Thunderous applause erupted from the audience.
From this moment on, Fuzhou Prefecture became their "comrade-in-arms" in Liuyang Prefecture.
Half a moment later, the crowd dispersed, but Shen Zheng remained standing by the platform, lost in thought.
Jiang Zhiming dared not disturb her and could only stand quietly beside her.
"Lord Shen, Lord Jiang." Suddenly, Hou Yirui led his men from the side and bowed, saying, "Today, I thank you both. If it weren't for your discerning eyes, my entire Luming Academy would probably... have been unable to escape the ravages."
Shen Zheng snapped out of her daze and turned to look at Hou Yirui.
Hou Yirui looked much older now than he had this morning.
Shen Zheng said, "I hope that Headmaster Hou will conduct a thorough investigation after returning to the academy to see if any students or teachers in the academy are taking the same poison as Huai Shaoyong."
Hou Yirui paused, a deep sorrow flashing across his eyes. "Thank you for your guidance, Lord Shen. I will investigate immediately upon my return."
Shen Zheng nodded, and after a moment of silence, asked the question that had been lingering in her mind since earlier: "Headmaster Hou, have you seen Huai Shaoyong's parents recently?"