frightfiction Chapter 1298
Chapter 1298
This morning at court, Zhu Youwei, unleashing her full power, left the ministers present feeling suffocated.
They had just delivered a series of blows, leaving Zhang Cheng bruised and battered. Then, the focus shifted to Yan Gao, the recently very active head of the Censorate.
Kill them as soon as they show their faces?
Is this an attempt by Duke Xu to completely seize control of the court?
"Is Your Majesty's questioning unfair?"
“We are imperial censors. When we encounter injustices that involve the emperor’s personal guards, we naturally have to offer our advice.”
"Even so, the people arrested by the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Imperial Guard last night have some problems."
"But in terms of their law enforcement methods, they are simply lawless."
"Shouldn't I offer my advice?"
"Since ancient times, scholars have died remonstrating with the emperor, and warriors have died in battle!"
"How did I end up being labeled a 'traitor'?"
When Yan Gao uttered these words with righteous indignation, the entire Golden Palace fell silent.
Judging from his posture, he seemed ready to die at any moment in order to speak out for justice.
If Zhu Youwei cannot produce any substantial evidence at this point and simply continues to label her with this accusation...
This court struggle, which will be recorded in history, will most likely leave a stain on Zhu Youwei's reputation, while leaving Yan Gao with a reputation for "not fearing imperial power and speaking out for justice."
"Dean Yan, when you question His Majesty about whether he was unfair, could you first ask yourself if you were truly impartial when you led the censors to impeach the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot during today's court assembly?"
Just as he finished speaking, Xiao Chen, who was standing at the end of the group of ministers, suddenly spoke up.
As a civil official who once traveled to Sichuan with Xu Shan, he was the fastest-promoted representative from a poor family.
He bears the deep imprint of being a 'fellow of Xu Shan'.
Just now, when Yan Gao and others were collectively impeaching him, he was one of the few who stood up and debated with the group of scholars.
Whether the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Imperial Guard acted lawlessly during law enforcement depended on the crime committed by the person they arrested.
"As far as I know, those arrested last night were all bribed by the eight great families of Jinzhou to deliberately spread rumors in the capital in order to slander Duke Xu, who is leading his troops to recover lost territory."
"A bunch of traitors who aid and abet evildoers, do you really expect the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Imperial Guard to treat them with courtesy?"
"If that's really the case, then wouldn't the hundreds of millions of soldiers who died in the Northern Liang army have died with their eyes wide open in disgrace?"
"You... Xiao Chen, you're trying to mislead us."
"Is Dean Yan also downplaying the seriousness of the matter and generalizing from a single instance?"
Unfazed by the other party, Xiao Chen directly confronted him angrily.
Just then, a piercing sound rang out outside the Golden Palace.
"Your Majesty, the Deputy Commander of the Northern Garrison and the Ministry of Justice hereby submits this urgent report."
"Xuan."
With Zhu Youwei's command, Qinglong, dressed in official robes, strode into the Golden Palace in no time.
"Assistant Magistrate of Justice, what brings you to this urgent report?"
"Your Majesty..."
“Cults in various parts of Yuzhou have misled the people and caused chaos in the local area, but have been suppressed by the Zhenfu Division.”
"After in-depth investigation, it was discovered that these cults were all funded by salt merchants from Yuncheng."
"Ok?"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Youwei frowned and said, "Yuncheng salt merchants? If I remember correctly, four of the eight great families of Jinzhou have salt wells in Yuncheng?"
"Yes! They are behind this. But it's not just these four companies."
"Who else?"
When Zhu Youwei asked this question, many ministers focused their attention on the Azure Dragon.
At this moment, Xing Tongzhi turned his head and looked at Yan Gao.
In that instant, many ministers in the court narrowed their eyes and stared at Dean Yan in astonishment.
"Officer of Justice, what are you looking at me for?"
Sensing the severity of these things, he said somewhat insecurely.
Because he knew that his family had a stake in the salt wells in Yuncheng.
When Qinglong linked the unrest in various parts of Yuzhou with the salt merchants of Yuncheng, he had a bad feeling.
"Your Majesty, the matter involves many complexities, including..."
"There is the Yan family from Jiangnan."
'boom.'
When Qinglong uttered these words, the vast Golden Palace erupted in uproar once again.
'Swish. '
In an instant, all the ministers, including the Grand Secretary, turned their gazes toward Yan Gao, whose face had turned deathly pale.
Who among those present wasn't a seasoned fox who had been entrenched in officialdom for many years?
The Azure Dragon, who rarely visits the court, suddenly made an urgent report today.
This is clearly not a coincidence.
It is highly likely that this was a 'sniper battle' meticulously planned by Xu Shan.
From Zhang Cheng just now, to Yan Gao now...
Xu Shan's attack from behind was precise and lethal.
Whether it's a mutiny by the garrison, a rebellion by a cult, or aiding and abetting the enemy and committing treason, it's enough to condemn them to eternal damnation.
"A bunch of nonsense."
"Spouting blood."
"Your Majesty, this is a conspiracy against our Yan family."
"Yes, our Yan family does have a stake in the Yuncheng salt wells, but we would never secretly fund the rebel army."
'Wow.'
When Yan Gao uttered these words in his eagerness to distance himself from the situation, the ministers present erupted in a cacophony of noise.
After Dean Yan finished speaking, he instantly realized...
He confessed without being asked.
Whether or not the rebels received funding can be further investigated.
However, your Yan family has dealings and exchanges of benefits with four of the eight great families of Jinzhou.
You admitted it yourself.
The actions of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Imperial Guard last night were all aimed at the 'remnants' of the Eight Great Families of Jinzhou.
You, the head of the Censorate, happened to lead your troops to impeach them during the morning court session.
Even during the court assembly, he shamelessly spoke of being "devoted to the public good."
Finally, he shamelessly declared, "Scholars will die for their principles, warriors will die in battle," to express his unwavering loyalty.
Looking back now, it's simply laughable.
"No wonder Dean Yan was so vehemently opposed to the actions of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Imperial Guard last night."
"It turns out that the Yan family had secret dealings and exchanges of benefits with the eight major families."
After abruptly saying all this, Xiao Chen added directly, "Your Majesty, I believe this case must be thoroughly investigated."
'Pah-ta-ta.'
Upon hearing this, Yan Gao staggered back several steps, then quickly lowered his proud head, knelt on the ground, and finally cried out, "Your Majesty, the matter I advised you about was entirely without selfish motives. And even less so..."
"Yan Gao!"
"Do you believe this?"
Zhu Youwei, having made the final decision, immediately questioned him.
At this moment, even the cabinet elders dared not step forward to dissuade them.
"Lin Pingzhi!"
"Xing Tongzhi..."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"The case of Vice Minister Zhang and Dean Yan shall be thoroughly investigated by the Northern Garrison and the Eastern Depot."
"All officials involved will be severely punished without exception, and there will be absolutely no leniency."
"Your subject (servant) obeys the decree."
With Zhu Youwei's order, Zhang Cheng, Yan Gao, and the others, who had been cursing Lin Pingzhi as a eunuch and the Embroidered Uniform Guard as henchmen before the morning court session, collapsed there, their faces ashen.