I Just Want to Die, but the Empress Wants Me as Her Chief Minister

Xu You: “Your Majesty, I set up private salt and iron operations, imposed harsh taxes, and amassed troops for my own power. Every one of these is a capital offense. I beg you to sentence me to death!”

The Empress: “??? You call this ‘imposing harsh taxes’? (Looking at the gold and silver piled up in the county treasury.)

You call this ‘leaving the people destitute’? (Looking at the smiling people in the streets.)

You call this ‘rebellion’? (Looking at the hundred thousand fierce troops sworn to die for Xu You.)

My dear subject, you're clearly a pillar of the state. I will not allow you to die!”