This lesson taught Zhao Yan to be more cautious. It was true that many people in the Ministry of Works had been promoted by his own hand, but not all of them were loyal and upright; many had simply used him as a stepping stone.
The Ministry of Punishments acted swiftly. Before long, those who had broken the law while knowing it were executed. Their actions had caused an extremely vicious impact, and without severe punishment, others would likely have been tempted to follow suit.
They died justly.
Chapter 655