In the Name of Empress-Chapter 336 - 230: Missing Him on the Seventh Day (Part 3)

Sif kept drawing circles on the paper to express her agreement, but the last few names made her frown.

"They continued taxing privately under the Empress’s name despite the grain tax exemption policy?"

"Yes."

"Why only three years?" Sif squinted, her eyes filled with murderous intent.

Raikkonen understood Sif was very angry; he could even guess what Sif was about to say, but his duty was oversight, and he had to act according to the law.

He calmly explained, "Abuse of power plus dereliction of duty, with severe circumstances, indeed starts at three years."

"This is not abuse of power and dereliction of duty; this is treason, undeniably a capital crime."

Sif lightly pardoned these tax officials from three years of imprisonment and thoughtfully arranged the gallows for them.

"Her Majesty the Empress is kind-hearted, exempting taxes for the farmers who suffered and are struggling this year. These deceitful bastards are not taxing privately, but undermining the farmers’ support for Her Majesty."

She turned her gaze to Ados and gently asked, "Ados, am I right?"

"Lord Count is right. Treason is indeed a capital crime, but executing more than forty tax officials at once might have a bad impact, right?"

Though tax officials are grassroots clerks, they are still part of the bureaucratic system.

He certainly didn’t want Her Majesty the Empress to set a precedent for sentencing officials to death, so he tentatively proposed a moderate suggestion.

"Lord Count, treason is indeed a capital crime, but in judicial practice, this charge is rarely directly used for sentencing to death. I suggest removing these pests from the ranks of officials and imposing double the penalty, making them serve at least six years, which can also be a deterrent."

Although Ados wasn’t very familiar with the tax officials, he was still trying to reduce their sentences.

Other officials also came to their senses and hurried to join in the plea.

They didn’t dare to defend these pests, but they also didn’t want to see the tax officials swinging on the gallows; persuasion was necessary.

Lord Count always listened to reason, with so many speaking up, perhaps the impact wouldn’t be too wide.

Some pleaded, while others just watched coldly.

Vice Minister of Internal Affairs Tony stood motionless like a clay stump.

The newly promoted Personal Guard Captain Jes remained expressionless, though he felt slight disdain internally.

He knew well what these officials were internally thinking.

He certainly didn’t deign to scrape profits from the poor. The family business was running well, having expanded into overseas markets with his introduction and lacking for nothing financially.

He decisively supported the Empress’s decision but always kept things clear, not wanting to speak up here.

Sif clearly saw through the officials’ little schemes.

Though there were many pleading, it was a matter of principle, and she couldn’t compromise. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Roland once said that killing one chicken can scare a group of monkeys; these tax officials were the chickens, and the high-ranking officials in the conference hall were the monkeys.

The chicken must be killed.

Sif’s icy glare sent chills through those pleading.

They dared not speak further, feeling something indescribable.

They originally thought it was Lord Governor’s heavy murderous aura, with Her Majesty the Empress being gentle and easygoing; now it seemed fortunate that Governor Roland reined in Her Majesty.

Governor had only been gone for a few days, and she aimed to execute dozens of grassroots officials; it was too terrifying.

Governor Roland, please return quickly!

Finally enduring until adjournment, watching Sif depart, the ministers felt relieved.

The pressure Sif brought them was no less than Roland’s.

She possessed insightful, intelligent eyes, and no ulterior motives could escape.

She didn’t punish any of the present people, yet made everyone wary.

After the meeting, Ados looked at the ministers’ vivid expressions, growing more admiration for Sif.

Her Majesty the Empress, though young, sometimes impulsive and even a bit naive, but her judgment of people was spot-on.

Never play tricks before her.

Those foolish tax officials, with their blood, helped Her Majesty complete a warning; their death was not in vain.

Under the reverent gaze of everyone, Sif returned to her room, opened her notebook, pondered for a moment, and wrote a line of graceful cursive.

"The seventh day of Roland’s absence, I miss him."