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A deathly silence fell over the Imperial Court. Everyone held their breath, stealing glances at Luo Hui.

The Minister of Personnel's face was so dark it could have dripped water, but to everyone's surprise, he calmly straightened his sleeves and stepped forward.

Luo Hui said evenly, "Your Majesty, I discovered what Minister Pang mentioned long ago. In fact, these officials who accepted bribes were bait I deliberately planted."

His words sent the entire court into an uproar.

Luo Hui took a ledger from inside his robes. "This records all the illicit money they handed over, totaling eighty-seven thousand taels of silver. Every last tael has been deposited in the Imperial Treasury. As for the officials who offered the bribes, I had their names secretly recorded and was preparing to submit them to Your Majesty for judgment."

He turned toward Pang Jin and sneered. "Minister Pang, your eagerness to investigate is understandable, but you have been rather too hasty."

A cold gleam flashed through Pang Jin's eyes. "Minister Luo, I have every right to suspect you did this after the fact to cover your tracks."

Luo Hui did not argue that point. Instead, he produced another ledger and said, "My investigation revealed that seven of the thirteen investigators serving under Minister Pang of the Ministry of Justice are convicted criminals. Two are even convicted murderers! They routinely use brutal torture to extract confessions. Last year alone, three innocent civilians were beaten to death! During their investigations, they also frequently destroy civilian property and injure innocent people."

Pang Jin replied without the slightest hurry, "Those men are atoning for their crimes through meritorious service. The Imperial Court pardoned them to serve the authorities, which also keeps them from offending again. That principle has held true since ancient times. As for interrogations and