Chapter 97

It was already midnight by the time the demons danced around.

The Imperial City was brightly lit and the towering Tai Chi Palace was quiet again. It was as solemn and dignified as it was in the past. After all, at this moment, they had a backbone that they could rely on.

Song Ji sat on the Dragon Throne and glanced at the officials with different expressions. Finally, his eyes stopped on Liu Pingyang and Han Zhongyu who were kneeling on the ground and trembling. His voice was majestic and angry.

"Instigating Prince Yan to usurp the throne and tricking Prince Su to commit regicide, almost dragging the entire world into a quagmire. They are guilty of the most heinous crimes and should be executed. Someone, take off the official robes of these two thieves and send them to the nine regions to serve as a warning to others. "

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Your Majesty, please calm down! "

Liu Pingyang and Han Zhongyu immediately trembled and crawled forward on their knees. They did not know how to explain themselves.

All the civil and military officials looked on coldly from the sidelines. Even former colleagues and old friends had anger and hatred in their eyes.

Thud, thud, thud —

The sound of footsteps could be heard continuously. The internal guards rushed in and dragged the two wailing military officials out. The Wolf Guards and the Imperial Guards rushed into the Liu and Han residences almost at the same time.

As the "usurpation" incident subsided, Song Ji was back in charge. All the officials in the court secretly heaved a sigh of relief. At this moment, they thought of Su Of Gojoseon who had left Qinzhou to go to Chang 'an.

Since Su Of Gojoseon had brought a large number of troops out of Qinzhou, it was definitely a rebellion. Although Xu Buling was tricked, once the flag of rebellion was raised, there was no turning back. The matter was still very tricky.

They could not just let go of Su Of Gojoseon's rebellion because it was a misunderstanding.

If there was a first time, there would be a second time. If Su Of Gojoseon was still in charge of Xiliang, the Emperor would not be at ease, and the Courtiers would not be at ease.

The officials were silent for a moment. The Imperial Censor, Cui Huailu, stepped forward and was about to speak. Xiao Chuyang was the first to stand up and interrupt him.

"Your Majesty, Su Of Gojoseon has brought an army out of Qinzhou. His ambition is clear. Your Majesty, please summon the Six Princes to the capital to help the Emperor and quell Su Of Gojoseon's rebellion."

Cui Huailu took a deep breath and stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty."

The rest of the officials naturally seconded and waited for the Emperor's instructions.

Song Ji sat on the throne with a sorrowful look on his face. After a moment of silence, he said,

"The Prince of Yan, Liu, and Han conspired to deceive the Su King's crown prince. The crown prince was young and had been poisoned with a Gu worm. He had no way out. Although he committed a grave mistake, it was not out of his own will. He risked his life in front of the Taiji Palace to show his loyalty to the country.

Therefore, I don't blame Xu Buling, nor should I blame him! "

"…"

All the officials were relieved. With the Emperor's words, there was no need to kill Xu Buling. As long as Xu Buling was not killed, there was still room for discussion.

Xiao Chuyang raised his hand again and said in a clear voice, "Su Of Gojoseon has led an army out of Qinzhou. Even if there is a reason for it, he must be punished!"

Cui Huailu had been robbed for a whole day. He frowned and obviously did not look good.

The Cui family and Song Ji had been planning for so many years to uproot the Liu and Han warlord families today. They wanted to give a severe blow to Su Of Gojoseon and at the same time, peel off a few layers of skin from the powerful families such as Xiao and Lu.

According to the Cui family's original plan, after Song Ji 'died', Su Of Gojoseon would rebel, and only Song Yu could take charge of the situation in Chang 'an. All the officials were wise. They would not choose the young prince and support Song Yu. At that time, Xiao Chuyang and Liu Pingyang would naturally take the lead. The Cui family only needed to protect the prince. When Song Ji' resurrected ', the Xiao family would be finished on the spot.

However, Xiao Chuyang's performance today. First, he commanded the officials to order the six kings to destroy the Xu family and restore the country's prestige. Then, he protected Song Ji's prince with the Loyal Martyr. He did not allow Song Yu to take the throne even at the risk of having his family destroyed. He had the attitude of a minister who entrusted his son to the throne.

These things should have been done by Cui Huailu, but Xiao Chuyang had taken them all.

However, Xiao Chuyang was the current Prime Minister. He had accumulated a lot of power, so it was not surprising that he had the courage and means.

Cui Huailu hesitated for a moment, but he could only nod.

"Your subject agrees!"

The Son of Heaven, Song Ji, had seen Xiao Chuyang's performance when the country was in danger. At this moment, he was naturally gratified and even a little touched.

After all, if Song Ji really died today, without Xiao Chuyang and Cui Huailu to protect the prince, Song Yu would definitely take the throne, and his line would be wiped out.

As long as Xiao Chuyang and Cui Huailu did not relent, Song Yu would not be able to become the Emperor. Even if he sat on the throne, he would be a commander without an army, unable to command the officials.

Song Ji originally wanted to change his face, but after seeing Xiao Chuyang's performance today, even if Song Ji was asked to change his face, he would not do it.

Having such a loyal and tough Prime Minister in the court to preside over the overall situation was better than supporting a puppet Prime Minister. No matter how influential the Xiao Family of Huainan was, it was not as threatening as the Su Of Gojoseon and the Xu Family, who had a lot of troops.

Song Ji glanced at Xiao Chuyang and gently raised his hand.

"Today, my dear officials, Xiao and Cui have suffered."

Having received advice from his sister, Xiao Qi, Xiao Chuyang naturally looked solemn. He bowed and said,

"Your Majesty, please decide quickly on how to deal with Su Of Gojoseon. When the Xiliang Army arrives at Qianyang Pass to meet the enemy, it will be too late for Guo Zhongxian's troops to intercept them."

Song Ji looked at the court officials and was silent for a moment. Then he sighed,

"The Xu Family is full of Loyal Martyr. Old General Xu opened up this land for Dai Yue. Emperor Xiaozong once said, 'Share the riches and honor with the Xu Family'. I have always remembered it. The people of the world still remember the glory of Old General Xu on the battlefield. Now that the world is not at peace, Su Of Gojoseon has always been my right-hand man …

Su Of Gojoseon and Xu You were like brothers in the capital. We studied together and drank together. Although we have not seen each other for twenty years, I still treat him as my own brother. I have always trusted him and never guarded against him …

Xu Buling's innocence can be seen by heaven and earth. He was tricked by the Prince of Yan. It is my fault. I did not teach my brother well and manage my officials well. I do not blame Xu Buling or Su Of Gojoseon! "

"Your Majesty is wise!"

The officials quickly seconded the motion.

Xiao Chuyang spoke again, "Xu Buling had his reasons. He was tricked by the Prince of Yan. Your Majesty is magnanimous and forgave Xu Buling. It is a wise move. However, Su Of Gojoseon has already led his troops out of Qinzhou towards Chang 'an. This is no different from rebellion. He must be punished! "

"I agree!"

All the court officials bowed, in line with Xiao Chuyang's words.

Song Ji raised his hand and rubbed his forehead. He looked like he could not bear it anymore.

"Su Of Gojoseon and I are like brothers. He has always been impulsive. He definitely does not have any intention to rebel. He is just anxious to save his son. That is why he made such a bad move. Xu Buling has been framed by evildoers and is already seriously injured and at the end of his rope. We have wronged them, father and son. Send Xu Buling back to Suzhou and have him withdraw his troops. "

"Your Majesty, you cannot!"

"Your Majesty!"

Seeing that Song Ji was so magnanimous and reasonable, the Courtiers became anxious.

Xu Buling killed the Emperor for a reason. He could be forgiven. However, how could Su Of Gojoseon let bygones be bygones when he rebelled to save his son?

A vassal lord with a large army led his army to save his son because his son killed the Emperor. If he let it go, what would happen if other vassal lords followed suit?

However, it was impossible to execute the entire Xu Family. Su Of Gojoseon had rebelled. There was no way to execute the entire family. However, he could not let it go just like that.

He had to think of a compromise punishment. It would allow Su Of Gojoseon to accept it and retreat back to his fief. The imperial court would not lose face.

Cui Huailu reacted quickly this time. Before Xiao Chuyang could think of a punishment, he quickly stepped forward and revealed the plan that he had been brewing for many years.

"In this subject's opinion, it is true that Su Of Gojoseon is eager to save his son. However, it is also true that he led his army out of Qinzhou and came to Chang 'an. If he is not punished, it will be difficult to calm the hearts of the officials and the people. However, on account of the Loyal Martyr of the Xu Family, Your Majesty can remove Qinzhou and Weizhou. Let Su Of Gojoseon shrink his territory to Lanzhou. It will be enough to punish him slightly. Then, send Prince Su back to Suzhou. This will also show Your Majesty's magnanimity. Su Of Gojoseon will be grateful. "

Song Ji looked like he could not bear it. After hesitating for a long time, he let out a long sigh, as though he was wiping away his tears and beheading a horse.

"Forget it. Write a letter and send it to Su Of Gojoseon!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Cui Huailu hurriedly bowed. He turned his head and gave a look to the eunuch waiting at the side of the hall. He signaled for him to quickly send the news to Chen Cang, in case there was a fight that would not end well.

The officials also sighed in relief. This punishment was just right. Send his son back to keep his title. Su Of Gojoseon clearly would not want to die with him. It was good to know when to stop.

And the imperial court could also take back the Qinzhou and Weizhou that they had wanted for sixty years …

When they thought of this, many officials trembled. They suddenly came back to their senses and found it hard to believe.

This time, no matter how he thought about it, the biggest winner was the Emperor who had been stabbed in the back …

After this usurpation, the aristocratic families of generals in the Great Yue Dynasty would probably be suppressed badly. The two largest families, the Liu Family and the Han Family, would be uprooted, and many positions would be vacated for generals from poor families. This seemed to be what Song Ji had always wanted to do after he succeeded to the throne …

Qianyang Pass was three hundred miles away from Chang 'an, and Qinzhou was three hundred miles away from Chang' an. They had always been a thorn in the eyes of the imperial court. Now that they had taken back Qianyang Pass, Qinzhou, and Weizhou, the border of Su Of Gojoseon's fief would be at Lan Province. It was a thousand miles away from Chang 'an, and there were eight dangerous passes. They did not have to worry about the Xu family breaking into Chang' an in ten days …

This scheme …

When the officials came to their senses, they were all extremely shocked.

Song Ji did not seem to have done anything from the beginning to the end, but when it was time to end, he took all the benefits and even obtained the great prestige of a "wise emperor". He also cut down the family of generals and Su Of Gojoseon. If it were not for Xiao Chuyang's good performance, he would probably have been stabbed.

Although the officials did not dare to believe that the Son of Heaven was manipulating things behind the scenes, it was often said that whoever benefited the most was the mastermind.

After such a torment, Song Ji directly cleaned up the imperial court and removed all the potential threats left by Emperor Xiaozong. With such a righteous and decisive action, even a fool would not believe that Song Ji did not know about it.

But the one who usurped the throne was Song Yu, the one who killed the emperor was Xu Buling, and the one who rebelled was Su Of Gojoseon.

Song Ji did not seem to have done anything from the beginning to the end …

No!

The Courtiers suddenly remembered that on Wangjiang Platform, Song Ji, who did not speak much from the beginning to the end, was pierced through the heart by a sword in the end.

That Song Ji, who was wearing the dragon robe, was definitely dead and could not be saved.

And now, although Song Ji, who was sitting on the dragon throne, looked pale, it did not look like there was a hole in his chest at all.

That was a substitute!

What a good 'one peach kills two soldiers'!

Song Ji indeed did not do anything. He only watched coldly from the side.

After Song Yu made the crucial move, Song Ji only sent a substitute for Song Yu to kill, and then he blew up Song Yu, Liu, Han, and Su Of Gojoseon.

After that, he appeared to stabilize the chaotic situation, killed Liu, Han, and Song Yu, and removed part of Su Of Gojoseon's fief. Not only was it justified, it also made people feel that he was benevolent. Perhaps Su Of Gojoseon would even shed tears of gratitude.

This skill!

The officials all bowed with their hands down. As they listened to the footsteps disappear from the golden hall, their eyes were filled with indescribable shock and fear.

How could the officials not be afraid of a ruler with such tyrannical schemes!