"That's the only way." The Emperor nodded solemnly. "Then choose ten young men with good moral character from within the borders of China and report them to the Goryeo Princess. She can choose herself and I will bestow them with fame and fortune. What does Teacher Gu think?! "
This method was appropriate and Gu Shunzhang had no objections. He smiled and nodded. The peace marriage was decided. The officials in the hall felt sorry for Lin San for giving up such a good opportunity. Some of them knew of his relationship with the Princess and secretly praised him for his brilliance. It was clear who was more important between the Goryeo Princess and the Princess of China. Official Lin's choice was correct.
Lin Wanrong was a little disappointed to have rejected a girl for no reason at all. However, when she thought of Qingxuan and Xian 'er's feelings for each other, she calmed down a lot.
Waiting for everyone to calm down, the old Emperor's tiger eyes swept across the hall and his voice became heavy. "Today, I have gathered all officials for a court discussion because a huge matter has happened in the court …"
This voice was like a clap of thunder in everyone's ears. The court instantly became silent. At this sensitive and restless moment, all the officials had serious expressions and didn't even dare to cough.
The Emperor sighed. His gaze was like lightning as it shot towards Chen Biqing. "Official Chen, you are the Supervising Imperial Censor and this case is being investigated by you and Lin San. What happened? Tell me quickly. "
Imperial Censor Chen's face was pale. He faintly understood why the Emperor had sent him and Lin San to investigate this case.
"Reporting to Your Majesty and officials, this lowly official has been sent by Your Majesty to assist Lin San and Official Lin to investigate the fire at the wangfu and the disappearance of Prince Cheng." Chen Biqing cupped his fists, sweat rolling down his forehead. His voice trembled as he said, "Official Lin is talented and intelligent. When he was searching the wangfu, he found an underground place in the lake in the backyard — — an underground secret palace!"
Although it was early spring, Official Chen's back was soaked in sweat. The implications of this matter were unprecedented. If he wasn't careful, countless heads would fall to the ground. He chose his words carefully and didn't dare to say a single word.
"Secret palace? What kind of secret palace? "The Emperor's eyes flashed and his face was ashen." Official Chen, what is inside? Tell me quickly. "
Everyone's gaze fell on Censor Chen. One could imagine how much pressure he was under. Chen Biqing didn't care about anything else and hurriedly knelt down. He fearfully shouted, "This official doesn't dare to say."
The Emperor laughed coldly, "You are the Supervising Censor, what else do you dare not say? Just tell us the truth and we will pardon you. "
"Thank you, your majesty!" Chen Biqing was drenched in cold sweat. He knelt on the ground and didn't dare to get up. "This secret palace is buried deep under the lake. There's an inscription at the entrance. It's called the Dragon Palace. The terrain is similar to the imperial palace in China. The interior of the palace was paved with golden bricks, colored glaze, jade and emerald. There was a fake golden hall, a pure gold dragon throne, a jadeite screen, a fake imperial study, and several side halls. In addition, according to the incomplete statistics before I went to the court, there were more than 1,200 eastern pearls, more than 2,000 catties of golden leaves, 500,000 taels of silver, and more than 200 boxes of jade, ceramics, calligraphy, paintings, and antiques. "
"How dare you!" The old Emperor's face was gloomy. With a flick of his sleeve, he flipped the paper and ink on the table. With a crash, the jade table on the table fell to the ground together with the ink. The pure white and translucent jade instantly shattered into foam, splashing in all directions.
"Your majesty, please quell your anger!" Chen Biqing kowtowed as if he was pounding garlic. His face was pale.
All the officials hurriedly knelt on the ground and shouted in fear, "Your majesty, please quell your anger! Your majesty, please prioritize the country and take care of your dragon body! "
Lin Wanrong was a cripple and naturally didn't need to kneel. The old man's face was as gloomy as the dark clouds in the sky. Even Lin Wanrong couldn't tell if he was really angry or just putting on an act.
The Emperor snorted and didn't ask everyone to rise. With a gloomy face, he said, "Official Chen, are you telling the truth? Were these really found in Brother Wang's residence? "
Chen Biqing hurriedly kowtowed. "How would I dare to deceive the emperor? The Dragon Palace that was dug up is still in the backyard of the residence. Official Lin can testify. "
"So, it's all true?" The Emperor shook his head with a pained expression and sat back down on the dragon throne.
If it was Lin San who reported this, everyone would more or less have some reservations. However, this time, Censor Chen Biqing had seen it with his own eyes. Lin San didn't say a word at the side. This matter was set in stone. Looking at the Emperor's face that alternated between red and white, no one dared to say anything else.
"All of you may rise!" The Emperor was silent for a long time before he tiredly waved his hand.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The officials carefully got up, their movements light. They didn't even dare to make a sound with their clothes for fear of disturbing the furious Emperor.
The old Emperor's expression was dejected and he seemed to have aged ten years in an instant. Tears appeared in the corners of his eyes. "It has been more than twenty years since my father passed the throne to me. Since I ascended the throne, I have followed the will of heaven to rule the country. I have fought the barbarians in the north and pacified the foreigners in the south. It can be said that I have racked my brains in everything and never had a good night's sleep. Even if I can't be considered wise, I don't think I can be considered a fatuous ruler. Why did someone have to make things difficult for me, and it's my own brother — — "He wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes and sighed helplessly." My beloved officials, tell me, why is this happening?! "
The Emperor's tiger-like eyes were filled with tears as he swept his gaze across the surroundings. The officials hurriedly shrank their necks back. No one dared to answer him.
The Imperial Preceptor Gu Shunzhang slowly rose and cupped his fists. "For the sake of the country, Your Majesty, please take care of your dragon body and don't be too sad. Prince Cheng is disobedient. What has happened has already happened. There is no benefit in saying more. It must be quickly dealt with to appease the hearts of the people in court. Only then can the soldiers at the frontlines be free of worries and fight to the death with the Turks. We can raise the prestige of our China. "
"Teacher Gu, thank you for your reminder. This disciple will remember." With the Imperial Preceptor's presence, the old master hurriedly wiped away his tears. His anxious expression gradually calmed down. He sighed and said to Lin Wanrong, "Lin San, where is Prince Cheng now?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, I received a tip-off that someone was going to cause trouble in the south of the city. At the start, I thought it was some small thieves who didn't have eyes and didn't pay much attention. Who would have thought that after a while, I discovered that the number of thieves increased. There were at least five thousand of them. They were all well-equipped and well-trained. They formed a group and charged at the soldiers with a ferocious momentum. " Official Lin's expression was sincere. He spoke as if it was the truth. "In this kind of situation, in order to maintain the peace of the capital, the brothers of the City Defense Yamen fought back. Not only did they defeat the invading enemies, they even made an unexpected discovery — —"
The Emperor grunted. "What unexpected discovery?"
"It was really unexpected — — I actually found the figure of Prince Cheng among those people. Because we suspected that Prince Cheng might have been kidnapped by the thieves, our City Defense Yamen risked their lives to save him. We sacrificed five hundred brothers. Just as we were about to succeed, there was a sudden change — — "
This kid was born to be a glib talker. It was a matter that everyone was afraid of and stayed away from, but he was like a storyteller. He had to make it up and down. At the crucial moment, he swallowed half of it. How could the officials not be angry when they heard this? Gu Shunzhang furrowed his brows. "Lin San, His Majesty is busy every day. Pick the most important things to say. Don't speak in riddles."
"Yes, yes, this kid knows his mistake." This Old Man Gu was unfathomable. Lin Wanrong did not dare to underestimate him. He hurriedly laughed and continued, "Just as we were about to rescue Prince Cheng, a person suddenly appeared from behind Prince Cheng. He was five feet tall and had a waist circumference of ten feet. He had a black beard and thick eyebrows. He looked very valiant. Later, we found out that this person was a general raised by Prince Cheng. His name was Zhao Wu. He tied gunpowder to his body and kidnapped Prince Cheng. He kept saying things that we did not understand — — "At this point, he stopped and looked at the Emperor.
The old man's eyelids drooped. He said indifferently, "What words did you not understand? If you speak in riddles again, I will make it so that you won't even be able to sit in a wheelchair!"
Lin Wanrong laughed. "That Zhao Wu said — — 'Prince, you can't. A soldier can be killed, but not humiliated. With your noble bloodline, how can you kneel and surrender? Zhao Wu is untalented, but he is willing to accompany you into this disaster! Qi Yue, you bastard, why do you want to frame Prince Cheng? Prince Cheng, everyone can surrender, but you cannot! '— — Sigh, what does he mean? I really don't understand! "
Everyone looked at each other. This general was obviously trying to persuade Prince Cheng not to surrender to the imperial army. How could he not understand? Everyone knew what he was saying and that he was lying. But at this moment, who dared to expose him?
"What happened next?!" Gu Shunzhang asked. In this golden hall, other than the Emperor, only he had the right to speak.
"Because Prince Cheng was kidnapped, we did not dare to act rashly. Who knew that the general called Zhao Wu would go crazy and ignite the gunpowder on his body. At the critical moment, it was Prince Cheng's subordinate, Qi Yue, who loyally protected Prince Cheng. Only then did Prince Cheng escape death. But Prince Cheng's legs — — "
"What happened to Brother Cheng's legs?!" The Emperor stood up in shock and asked anxiously. The concern on his face could be seen clearly.
Lin Wanrong shook his head and sighed, "Fire and water are merciless. When the gunpowder ignited, Prince Cheng's legs were blown away from his knees — —"
"Brother Cheng — —" The Emperor gave a mournful cry. In his agitation, his body continuously trembled and looked like he was about to fall. Luckily, Gao Ping who was beside him hurriedly protected him, "Emperor, don't be too sad. The dragon's body is more important!"
Prince Cheng had committed such a great crime but the Emperor still remembered him. The daren in the hall were all moved by this benevolence. Lin Wanrong's eyes were sharp. He saw a thread of viciousness and happiness at the corner of the old tutor's teary eyes. Even though it was just a blink, it landed in his eyes.
"Brother Cheng — —" The Emperor's old tears rolled down. He held Gao Ping's hand and struggled to stand, "Lin San, where is Brother Cheng now? Zhen wants to see him! Imperial doctor, quickly summon the imperial doctor. They must heal Brother Cheng's legs — — "
The Emperor had been extremely benevolent to Prince Cheng. All the officials were deeply moved. Only Lin Wanrong understood it the best. He faintly said, "Emperor, the imperial doctor is currently treating Prince Cheng."
"Okay, zhen will go see him now — —" The Emperor didn't care about the discussion and didn't even call for the end of court. He started to walk out but was stopped by Gu Shunzhang who cupped his hands. The imperial tutor's expression was calm, "Emperor, according to what Imperial Censor Chen just said, it is not suitable for you to see Prince Cheng now."
"Teacher Gu, why is that? Zhen can't even see my own brother? "The Emperor might have lost his composure but he didn't dare to be disrespectful to Teacher Gu.
Gu Shunzhang nodded slightly, "Emperor is a wise ruler. You must understand the principle of 'ruler before subject, then brothers'."
"Ruler before subject, then brothers?" The Emperor muttered to himself, "Teacher Gu, you mean to tell me to first punish Brother Cheng's crimes and then talk about brotherly relations with him?"
Teacher Gu's expression was solemn and meticulous, "Emperor, this isn't what this official wants. It is the law of China. It's said that if a prince breaks the law, he will be punished the same as the commoners. If Prince Cheng really has bad intentions and plans to rebel, if we don't punish him for his crimes, then how will the law exist, how will justice exist? How will Emperor face the people of the world?! "
This was strange. Gu Bingyan and Prince Cheng were ants on the same rope but Old Man Gu was encouraging the Emperor to punish Prince Cheng. Wasn't he afraid that his precious son would also be beheaded? Lin Wanrong was puzzled.
With the imperial tutor's warning, the Emperor also calmed down. He closed his eyes, his hands flat behind his back. He was silent for a long time. Who dared to continue this topic? All the daren hurriedly retracted their heads, afraid that the Emperor would point them out.
"Xu Wei, you speak!" No one dared to say anything. The Emperor was a bit annoyed. He pointed at Xu Wenzhang who was in the first row on the right and called out his name.
Tonight, with the imperial tutor present, other than the look that Xu Wei had given Lin Wanrong at the beginning, he basically didn't make a sound. Seeing that the Emperor had chosen him, Old Xu stepped out and raised his hands, declaring: "Emperor, if a prince breaks the law, he will be punished the same as the commoners. What the imperial tutor has just said is the foundation of governing a country. This old subject agrees."
The crime of rebellion, if it was punished the same as the commoners, then there was only death. Xu Wei's words were concise, but the weight was heavy. He and Prince Cheng had fought for many years. Everyone was clear of the grudges between them. Seeing him advocate strict punishment, no one was surprised.
The Emperor snorted and said angrily: "Wang Xiong is zhen's blood brother, just like zhen's two hands and two feet. As a person, how can he break his own hands and feet? Yu Wenzheng, speak. "
The one called Yu Wenzheng was precisely the scholar from the Pavilion of Literary Splendour who had just recommended Lin San to be betrothed. Even Lin daren admired his boot-licking skills. Seeing that he was standing behind Chen Biqing, it seemed like his status wasn't low.
"This subject thinks that the Emperor's heart is broad, benevolent and benevolent. The wisdom hidden in your chest is not something that us officials can guess. As long as it is the Emperor's idea, then it must be wise. We only need to deeply comprehend it and use our hearts to experience it. Even if we studied for a lifetime, it would be hard to understand one ten-thousandth of it. "Yu Wenzheng's expression was stern, his voice loud, causing Lin Wanrong's eardrums to ring.
The Emperor nodded with a slight smile: "Beloved Subject Yu, speak your thoughts directly. Zhen will not blame you."
"Yes. This subject thinks that with the crimes that Wang Ye has committed, if the Emperor metes out the punishment heavily, that would be placing righteousness above family and setting an example for the people of the world. The people would respect and love the Emperor even more. It is said that if the ruler and the subject are of one heart, great things can be accomplished. If the punishment is light, then that is the Emperor's benevolence and magnanimity, using virtue to enlighten the people. It can be said that the people will remember the Emperor's benevolence and will restrain themselves. The rise of our China is just around the corner. "
This Yu Lao Xiong spoke for half a day and gave a pile of flattery, but it was the same as saying nothing. Talented people will appear in every generation. Hearing this Yu Lao Xiong's words, Lin daren felt ashamed of his inferiority.
The Emperor then called out Chen Biqing's name. Imperial Censor Chen saw that the Emperor didn't seem to be willing to mete out heavy punishment to Cheng Wang. He thought for a while and carefully said: "With Cheng Wang's crimes, even beheading would not be too much. Only our Emperor is benevolent and treats his brothers well, not willing to kill each other. This subject is moved and grateful, but this great crime must be punished. This subject thought and found a solution. Since Wang Ye's legs are crippled and he is a cripple, then it would be better to take away his title and send him to the border. The soldiers will monitor his words and actions, and he will never be able to return to Jing, to spend his last years in a remote place. This action would punish his crimes and show the Emperor's benevolence. The people of the world will respect him. Isn't this the best of both worlds? "
"This subject objects!" Xu Wei hurriedly said: "Chen da ren is indulging him! Cheng Wang has a rebellious heart, angering the heavens and the people. If he isn't severely punished, how can he answer to the people of the world? "
"Xu da ren, it isn't just killing people to be punished. Taking away his title and sending him to the border is also a great punishment. Carrying out benevolent policies towards a crippled person can even better reflect our Emperor's wisdom, martial prowess, and virtue. "
The two were at each other's throats in the Royal Court. Seeing that they were about to start arguing, the Emperor angrily slapped the Royal Court: "Enough! The two of you, don't say another word. "
Xu Wei and Chen Biqing hurriedly stopped talking and didn't dare to say another word. The Emperor snorted and slowly said, "I know what all of you are thinking, and I also know that all of you are thinking for our Great Hua Dynasty. Brother Cheng Wang is zhen's blood brother. The Imperial Family only has me and him left. How can zhen be cruel to him? When the previous Emperor was alive, zhen had made an oath that in this life, zhen would never harm a brother. The officials can forget, but zhen will not dare to forget. Zhen will never do such a thing as killing each other! Therefore, according to Minister Chen's words, take away Brother Wang's title and send him to a remote place in the north of Sichuan. He will be supervised by the garrison there and will never be able to return to Jing. "
Xu Wei wanted to say more but the Emperor glared at him angrily and Old Xu was completely silenced.
What send him to the border, wasn't this releasing a tiger back into the mountains? Was the old man crazy?! Lin Wanrong was so anxious that he almost jumped up!
"Teacher Gu, do you think zhen's punishment is appropriate?!" The Emperor's eyes were eager and looked at Gu Shunzhang anxiously, clearly seeking his support.
"Very good, very good!" Gu Shunzhang nodded approvingly at the Emperor. There was an indescribable mysteriousness in his smile. "Your Majesty's strategic planning is appropriate. This is the true style of a Monarch!"
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