r18novel Page 629
Page 629
In the imperial court, all the officials bowed and pleaded, "Your Majesty, please demote the Prince of Huai to a commoner and hang his head on the city wall for three days!"
Emperor Yuanjing slowly rose, his face cold, and looked down at the officials in the court.
The muscles in his face twitched slowly, and the veins on his forehead bulged out. Suddenly...
He suddenly overturned the large table in front of him, with a loud crash.
Immediately afterwards, the old emperor's heart-wrenching roar echoed through the hall:
“The Prince of Huai is my younger brother. What are your intentions in wanting to demote him to a commoner?”
Do you want me to issue an edict of self-reproach? Do you even respect me?
"I have lost my brother, as if I had lost an arm. You show no compassion, and have been gathering at the palace gates for days on end. Do you intend to force me to my death?!"
The old emperor's face was contorted with rage, his eyes bloodshot, resembling a grief-stricken and helpless old beast.
This left the assembled gentlemen stunned.
Emperor Yuanjing reigned for thirty-seven years. His image as a shrewd and cunning ruler with superb political skills was deeply ingrained in the minds of his civil and military officials.
They never imagined that one day this profound emperor would be so grief-stricken.
This attitude, displayed before the courtiers, contrasted sharply with the established impression, inexplicably evoked a sense of sorrow.
The arrogance of the courtiers was immediately dampened.
“When I was still the Crown Prince, the late Emperor was wary and suspicious of me. My position was unstable, and I was always trembling with fear.”
It was the Prince of Huai who silently supported me all along. It was simply because we were born of the same mother and had a deep bond as brothers.
"Back then, Prince Huai wielded the sword that protected the nation, killing enemies and defending the territory for the empire."
"Without his fearless courage in the Battle of Shanhai Pass, how could the Great Feng Dynasty be so prosperous today? You should all be indebted to him."
Interrupted so "brutally" by Emperor Yuanjing, the courtiers were momentarily at a loss for words and remained silent for a long while.
But that's okay, there will always be someone in the hall who is willing to be the vanguard and charge into battle.
Governor Zheng loudly proclaimed, "Your Majesty, merits and demerits do not offset each other."
It is a fact that the Prince of Huai has made meritorious contributions over the years, but the court has already rewarded him for his merits, and the people love and respect him greatly.
Now that he has committed an unforgivable crime, he should naturally be severely punished. Otherwise, it would be His Majesty bending the law for personal gain.
Emperor Yuanjing roared, "You worthless wretch! These past few days you've been running around the capital, slandering the royal family and the princes!"
"I have considered your diligence and hard work over the years; even if you haven't achieved anything remarkable, you have certainly put in the effort, and I have tolerated you until now."
"The case of the Prince of Huai is still pending. The Prince of Huai did not massacre any civilians, did he?"
"As long as his case remains unresolved, he is innocent. Your slander of the prince is a capital offense!"
"His Majesty!"
Wang Zhenwen suddenly spoke up, interrupting Emperor Yuanjing's rhythm, and said loudly, "We can talk about the matter of Governor Zheng later. Let's discuss the matter of Prince Huai first."
Emperor Yuanjing gave him a deep look, his gaze sweeping over Wang Zhenwen before pausing for a moment at a certain spot.
Yao Lin, the Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Rites, said loudly, "I want to impeach Grand Secretary Wang Zhenwen for instructing the former Minister of Rites to collude with the demon race and blow up Sangbo."
The officials looked at each other, their expressions strange.
In the past few days, Wang Zhenwen led his officials to besiege the palace gates, gaining notoriety and becoming known as the vanguard of "forcing the emperor to his death".
It seems only natural that he would be impeached at this time.
The Grand Secretary raised his head and said in a deep voice, "Your subject begs to retire!"
Imperial Censor Zhang Xingying stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, Chief Minister Wang is corrupt and has brought disaster to the country and its people. He must not be allowed to live.”
Imperial Censor Zhang was one of Wei Yuan's men.
Emperor Yuanjing remained silent for a long time, glancing out of the corner of his eye at Wei Yuan, who seemed to be in deep meditation.
He said calmly, "Your Excellency the Grand Secretary has worked diligently and made great contributions to the Empire. I trust you."
The balance that Emperor Yuanjing created has now become his greatest constraint.
Anyone else would have been dismissed without a second thought.
But Chief Minister Wang is not an option; he is currently the only person in the court who can check and balance Wei Yuan.
Finally, Wei Yuan stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, please severely punish the Prince of Zhenbei, convict him, and give the people of the world an explanation."
The officials immediately echoed his sentiments, but this time, Emperor Yuanjing glanced at it and then his gaze sharpened!
"Where is Yuan Xiong, the Left Censor-in-Chief?!"
The people he had arranged to attend this court assembly were nowhere to be found.
At first, I was so focused on acting that I didn't even notice.
Wei Yuan said in a deep voice, "Yuan Xiong is suspected of accepting bribes of 800,000 taels of silver, forcibly occupying 128 hectares of farmland, and forcibly taking three women. He has already been imprisoned by the night watchman."
Emperor Yuanjing suddenly stood up!
"Wei Yuan, who gave you permission to deal with Yuan Xiong! I did not issue an edict!"
The men were stunned!
Wei Yuan actually investigated and punished a minister without even informing the emperor!
Could the rumors be true? Are the night watchmen about to rebel?
"Where is the Duke of Cao?!" Emperor Yuanjing was unwilling to accept it.
Wei Yuan continued to stand firm, stating, "The Duke of Cao is suspected of killing 236 innocent people and claiming credit for them, and of forcibly seizing 38 hectares of military farmland."
"He embezzled 820,000 taels of military pay and misappropriated thirteen tribute items. He is already in the dungeon of the night watchman's office... and committed suicide out of fear of punishment."
wow...
Wang Zhenwen's beard trembled as he looked at Wei Yuan...
Old man, are you really going to rebel?
A dignified Duke, you just kill him like that!
The ministers were even more frightened. Those who had originally wanted to say a few words on behalf of Emperor Yuanjing to please him were now terrified and fell silent.
Wei Yuan looked around at the assembled officials and let out a long sigh of relief.
This battle was won with such a favorable wind, it was incredibly gratifying!
"Where is Prince Li...where are my brothers...where is my uncle!"
Wei Yuan raised an eyebrow; Empress Zhen De had almost let something slip.
"King Li lived a life of peace and tranquility; what crimes could you possibly accuse them of!"
Wei Yuan, unperturbed by praise or criticism, replied, "I am well, Prince Li."
"However, whether or not the young prince should be punished for forcibly taking a woman and causing her serious injury is still uncertain."
"Wei Yuan!" Emperor Yuanjing was furious!
"You eunuch! Are you trying to rebel?!"
"His Majesty!"
Wei Yuan shouted, and the entire hall trembled!
The officials were stunned once again!
This is the aura of a martial artist!
Wei Yuan is going to use force... no, Wei Yuan doesn't know martial arts.
Emperor Yuanjing said tremblingly, "Wei Yuan! You haven't crippled your martial arts!"
"Wei Yuan, you have deceived the emperor and deserve to die!"
Wei Yuan stood in the center of the main hall, unmoved.
"Your Majesty!"
"Your subject has recovered his cultivation level to that of a second-rank martial artist!"
"Soon, I will be able to lead the men of Dafeng on a northern expedition against the Witch God Sect!"
"In the end, His Majesty was confused!"
"Your subject, Wei Yuan, is not a eunuch!"
wow...
Everyone is at a loss.
Emperor Yuanjing was paralyzed.
Wei Yuan, that old silver coin, always plans things out before he acts.
What's wrong with me today? I've become young again, just like a young martial artist.
Emperor Yuanjing, panting heavily, said, "Wei Yuan, have you truly recovered your cultivation as a second-rank martial artist?"
"It's absolutely true! A second-grade Dao Integration martial artist...can regenerate severed limbs!"