Royal Gold Magistrate

Fang Zheng’s face instantly darkened.

It wasn’t that he was worried about anything else, but if penicillin’s reputation was ruined, wouldn’t he become a historical sinner?

Was this matter really not going to pass?

Yan Guoan was still vividly describing, “Those fifty-plus people died in various ways, but they had one thing in common – their chests all had a depression pressed into them!”

“What’s even more terrifying is that those depressions were pressed into the prisoners’ chests after they had died! According to the coroner’s report, many of them had fractured sternums and ribs.”

“The dead should be respected, but Fang Zheng, that cold-blooded fiend, actually dared to do something so abhorrent to the deceased!”

“I once found the guards who had witnessed this matter at the time. When asked about it, they were still utterly terrified! I even heard that three of the guards present at the scene had suffered mental breakdowns!”

“This matter has spread far and wide in the city. Now, many commoners are afraid to walk the streets at night, fearing they’ll be captured by the rumored demon, poisoned to death, and then have their corpses defiled.”

Yan Guoan was in utter anguish, constantly pounding his own heart, wailing, “I endured all of this!”

“But why did Fang Zheng have to involve the crown prince? How could the nation’s heir apparent associate with such a person?”

“Just a few days ago, I even heard that the crown prince and Fang Zheng had openly beaten up Doctor Hu.”

“Originally, although the crown prince’s temperament was a bit unruly, he could still absorb some learning from books. But he absolutely could not have behaved like he did today, spending all day playing around and even killing people. This is all thanks to Fang Zheng! I implore Your Majesty to pass holy judgment!”

Fang Zheng narrowed his eyes as he looked at Yan Guoan.

Seeing him beating his breast and stamping his feet, Fang Zheng felt a bit puzzled in his heart. The dogs in the imperial court really did learn quickly – their acting skills were improving so rapidly.

Li Yuanzhao listened to Yan Guoan’s words, his heart filled with rage. His fists clenched tightly, wishing he could personally jump in and give him a few punches!

He actually dared to spout nonsense right to his face? Did he have a death wish?

He had originally called him “Teacher Yan” and respected him, but now that he was throwing his face back, the crown prince wouldn’t show any mercy…

But then he turned his head and saw Fang Zheng gesturing at him. Li Yuanzhao calmed himself and sat back down.

Murder…defiling corpses…beating the doctor…the crown prince’s involvement…these words kept echoing in Emperor Jing’s ears.

The emperor was also gradually growing angry, but his reason told him there might be many issues within. He looked at Fang Zheng and said in a heavy voice, “How do you explain this, Lord Fang?”

Fang Zheng tidied his sleeves and sighed. “I did indeed poison over fifty people to death.”

“But the reason behind it was not that I enjoy killing. It was to develop a new medicine to treat the princess’s chronic illness…”

“At first, I listened to Doctor Hu’s words, believing that the princess might have a lung disease. I had a folk remedy on hand specifically for treating lung diseases. To ensure its safety, I specially used death row prisoners to test the medicine.”

“The depth of feeling between the crown prince and princess is something I admire. I grew up without any siblings, but seeing the crown prince’s urgency, I empathized with him. That’s how this matter came about.”

“Although the medicine failed, fortunately, the princess’s illness was cured…”

Yan Guoan looked at Fang Zheng and coldly laughed. “Fang Zheng, have you gone mad? Since the medicine failed, how could the princess…”

“Lord Yan, the princess’s illness was indeed cured by Fang Zheng,” Emperor Jing’s voice suddenly rang out. Yan Guoan’s expression instantly froze.

Everyone knew that the princess was in poor health, but after she was cured, the emperor had never told outsiders about it.

Their family’s private matters could be joyfully discussed behind closed doors…who would have thought that Yan Guoan would stumble right onto this landmine.

Yan Guoan was still unwilling to give up. He gritted his teeth and said, “Fine! Curing the princess’s illness was a great merit. But how do you explain defiling the corpses? Don’t tell me you have the ability to bring the dead back to life?”

Fang Zheng felt a bit helpless. This was truly difficult to explain.

Telling ancient people about chest compressions – who would believe it?

But left with no choice, he still spoke, “That wasn’t defiling corpses. It’s called external chest compressions. If someone suffers a sudden illness and this method is used, there may be hope of saving their life.”

“Your Majesty, I suggest this method can be promoted throughout the land. It would also be of great use in the army and could save countless lives.”

“Nonsense! The ribs and sternum were all fractured from the compression. You call this saving people?” Yan Guoan shouted sternly.

Fang Zheng rolled his eyes. “Do you know better, or do I? Did you cure the princess, or did I cure the princess?”

“Your Majesty, these fifty-four people were carefully selected by me. Allow me to describe them to you one by one.”

“The first one was called Feng Sandun, a resident of the capital, twenty-seven years old. In a household in the southeast of the city, he brutally murdered a family of five surnamed Chen. The youngest daughter was only three years old and was raped…”

“…”

“The last three were a gang, all drifters from out of town. These three specialized in eating infants, believing that consuming babies would make them immortal. In Rufu village, they ambushed and killed two pregnant women, sliced open their bellies, then cooked and ate them!”

After recounting everything, the anger in Fang Zheng’s heart was also stirred up. He swept his cold gaze across the entire hall and slowly said:

“These fifty-four people committed heinous crimes! I merely used them to test medicine. If not for testing medicine, if I saw them, I would have chopped off their dog heads one by one!”

“Letting them live until autumn would be showing them mercy…With that said, I have nothing more to say. Whatever punishment there is, I will accept it all!”

The court officials all fell silent after hearing this. Emperor Jing’s brows also gradually relaxed.

As Fang Zheng recounted the evil deeds of the fifty-four people in a calm voice, a chill ran down everyone’s spines as they listened.

These people deserved to die to appease the people’s anger! If they were merely poisoned to death, it could practically be considered lenient…

Fang Zheng’s actions could be considered righteously stepping in where the public good required.

Li Yansong was curiously observing Fang Zheng among the crowd. This man seemed glib, but who would have thought he possessed such conviction and courage. It was truly unexpected.

Seeing that Yan Guoan made no further moves, Emperor Jing spoke, “These people indeed deserved to die, but the nation has its laws. How could you take matters into your own hands? However, considering your great merit in curing the princess, the two deeds cancel each other out.”

Upon hearing this, Yan Guoan was also shocked beyond belief. He never imagined…never imagined…that Fang Zheng would muddle through this once again! Damn it!

By the time he wanted to say more, the emperor had already made his stance clear.

Yan Guoan urgently said, “There’s also the matter of Doctor Hu being…”

“Enough! That quack harmed people. Never mind Fang Zheng – I want to personally execute him myself!” Emperor Jing raged, the mere mention of that quack doctor igniting his fury.

“Although Doctor Hu’s medical skills were lacking, how could Fang Zheng beat up a lower official? If this is permitted, where would the imperial authority be?” Yan Guoan retorted without thinking.

The surrounding people all shook their heads…he had lost his mind. Why wasn’t he looking at His Majesty’s attitude in this situation?

“Teacher Yan, do you have any other questions? No need to ask anyone else. I’ll tell you everything myself!”

Li Yuanzhao had stepped forward…