CHAPTER 704: CHAPTER 433, THE PERSON I LEAST WANT TO SEE!

"Please have mercy, Dean," he pleaded.

With this kneel, he pleaded not only for himself, but also for his parents and his entire clan.

The Tang Family had been massacred for the crime of treason; he was the only one who had escaped the net.

Overturning the case was simple, yet not simple at all.

The simple part was that Tang Fei and his group had now gained some authority and even had the Emperor under their control.

They could make Zhong Daolong come forward to apologize, admitting that he had falsely accused loyal generals of crimes that never existed, opening the gates to a massacre.

The complicated part was that outsiders might think they were able to forcibly overturn the case only because they had imprisoned the Emperor...

Perhaps Tang Li truly harbored rebellious intentions back then?

Thus, it was time for a highly respected individual to step forward and speak up.

This person needed to hold supreme prestige among the people, deeply trusted and loved by them.

He needed to wield significant influence in both academic and political circles, a call to action from him would rally a congregation.

None fit this role better than Dean Shang Xiulin of the Imperial First Military Academy.

This wasn’t just a life-saving grace; it was a rebirth.

He could clear the Tang Family’s name of this disgrace and restore their glory, allowing them to once again lead the populace and become one of the Empire’s strongest families.

Although now, there was only Tang Fei from the Tang Family.

But he was confident in his own capabilities.

He believed that through diligence and hard work, one man could rebuild an entire clan.

The land was fertile, and the oxen were happy to frolic.

Shang Xiulin looked at Tang Fei and reached out a hand to help him up: "Stand up and speak."

"If the Dean does not agree, I will not stand up," Tang Fei remained still.

He joked, for if he missed this powerful ally, who else could he count on for such a matter?

Others were either insufficiently influential or not credible enough.

Engaging someone of questionable character would only backfire.

"You child... When they tell you to stand and talk, it means he has agreed," the old lady, now unwilling to see Tang Fei suffer, quickly came forward to help him.

Shang Xiulin gave his wife a helpless look; when had he agreed?

But regardless of whether it was for public duty or personal reasons,

Since Tang Fei had sought him out, he truly had to give his all.

"Stand up," Shang Xiulin looked at Tang Fei and said, "I can agree to take on this matter, but you should also understand, it’s not going to be easily resolved."

Overturning the case was like brainwashing; how could you make people accept a completely opposite answer to what they have conventionally known?

Tang Fei got up, looking gratefully at Shang Xiulin, and said, "I understand. The hardest part is making everyone acknowledge such fact without thinking it’s the victors forcibly altering history."

If most of the populace does not accept this answer, it would tremendously damage Shang Xiulin’s reputation and moral standing.

This would make people think that he had been bought by some faction, currently helping someone forcefully restore honor and whitewash...

Shang Xiulin, of course, understood such consequences, but still accepted the responsibility without complaint, proving he truly treated Tang Fei and Little Fatty like his own grandchildren.

At least Little Fatty was.

"With a Dean willing to step forward and champion the cause, all those who know the truth and champions of justice will surely respond... If not in one day, then in a month; if not in a month, then in a year or two..."

"As long as we keep at it, we will surely make the people understand the true events... letting them know that the Tang Family... has never failed the people of the Empire."

"Right," Shang Xiulin nodded and said, "Don’t rush; these things take time. Let me plan it out first and see where we should start..."

"Leave the professional matters to the professionals," Tang Fei said cheerfully, "With the Dean leading this cause, it’s as good as set in stone."

"I’ll do my best," Shang Xiulin sighed gently and added, "Tang Li was also my student... I do not wish for him to have died wrongfully..."

That was more than just dying wrongfully; it was being vilified even in death, nailed forever to the pillar of historical shame.

Luckily, he had a good son—his son who overturned the Zhong Royal Family, and regained control over much of the government...

If the Zhong family were still in power, who could overturn the case? Who would dare?

His colleagues and students, Tang Li’s teachers and classmates, merely spoke a few words on his behalf and either met with physical or social demise.

"You want to speak up for Tang Li, then from now on, don’t talk anymore."

He, too, was influenced by the incident of Tang Li and for decades had been unwilling to take up the role of Minister of Education, let alone vie for the position of one of the three chancellors.

He only wished to teach in the university, to nurture good talents, to enlighten the people more, to let them see further and think more clearly.

Most importantly, he wanted to maintain a just character and not be blinded by power.

"Thank you, Dean." Tang Fei bowed deeply, emotionally said, "on behalf of my father... thank you, teacher."

"Sigh."

Shang Xiulin waved his hand, remembering Tang Li, his heart was filled with a mix of emotions.

At that moment, the mobile phone on his wrist rang.

Tang Fei’s mind shifted, and in front of Shang Xiulin, he pressed the multidimensional projection, and Yan Jinnian’s face appeared before everyone.

"Director Yan, how did it go?" Tang Fei asked aloud.

"It’s been handled," Yan Jinnian said expressionlessly, "I sent over the Dean’s video. Chen Zhongping was very cooperative and agreed to personally escort them back to Phoenix City."

"That’s great," Tang Fei said happily. "Thank you for your hard work, Director Yan."

"It needed to be done."

After saying this, he hung up the call, his image disappearing from before everyone.

Clearly, Yan Jinnian’s mood was very bad.

The words Tang Fei spoke in front of Yan Wenli, though speculative, mostly represented what was in Yan Jinnian’s heart.

On one side was a blood feud, on the other, the godfather who had raised him...

He, too, was suffering.

After hanging up the phone, Tang Fei turned to the old couple Shang Xiulin and said, "It’s resolved. Big brother and sister are on their way back..."

"You should call them uncle and auntie," Shang Xiulin said seriously.

Tang Li was Shang Xiulin’s student, and he was of the same generation as Shang Xiulin’s children.

By seniority, Tang Fei indeed should call them uncle and auntie.

The old lady tapped Shang Xiulin on the arm and chided, "Let everyone call their own."

Then she turned to Tang Fei, her eyes smiling, "It’s good they are coming back... it’s really good... Little Fatty is coming back too... that’s great, truly great."

The old lady missed her children and longed even more for her grandchildren, thinking about the young lives disappearing broke her heart.

"Yes, finally the family can reunite," Tang Fei also felt happy for the Dean’s family.

Speaking of family reunion, the old lady immediately thought of Little Fatty and asked with concern, "What about Little Fatty? Is he alright? That child is strong-willed, facing such a big incident and not knowing to run away... I hope nothing bad happened."

She truly considered Little Fatty as part of the family.

With her son and daughter often away, Little Fatty who frequented their home for meals had genuinely bonded with them.

With such a drastic change in Phoenix City, how could Little Fatty cope?

"Little Fatty is fine," Tang Fei reassured. "I’ll have him come over to see you right now."

Before his words could finish, the room door was pushed open, and Little Fatty hurried towards Shang Xiulin and the old lady, excitedly said, "Master, Madam... are you alright?"

"We’re fine," Madam took Little Fatty’s hand, saying, "We’re totally fine, your brother has been looking after us... Are you alright?"

"I’m fine too," Little Fatty grinned goofily.

After killing Ye Shenyi, he had been bewildered for a long time.

Every time after using the Skull Hammer, it was like having a nightmare.

Hearing that his master and madam were sent to the Phoenix Palace, he had rushed over to visit them immediately.

Knock, knock, knock...

Someone was knocking outside.

Tang Fei opened the door and Lin Hai, a member of Ghost, stood at the doorway, saying, "Director, someone is here to see you."

Lin Hai was a member of Ghost stationed in the fifth unit, so he was used to calling Tang Fei "Director" in front of others.

"Sheng Xinhua, Miss Sheng."

Tang Fei immediately felt a headache.

They were the last people he wanted to see right now.