Guo Hong had not immediately presented the memorial to the Son of Heaven, instead using the method of complaining about his grievances in the golden hall to reveal the inside story. Yang Fan had warned him to do this.
Yang Fan was well aware of Zong Chuke's current status in the Wei Faction, and the Wei Clan would not sit by and watch as such a capable general fell from power.
Moreover, if Guo Yuanzhen were to be dismissed for his inaction, the Wei Clan would be able to take the hundreds of thousands of soldiers of the Anxi Protectorate into their pocket. Based on this point alone, the Wei Faction was certain to protect Zong Chuke.
Thus, if the evidence was presented to the imperial court, the matter might be manipulated behind the scenes and left unsettled. Given Empress Wei's control over the Emperor, this matter was likely to go along with the mistake. But if the matter was publicly exposed in court, the situation would be completely different. The Emperor could not ignore even the most basic rules.
Now that Guo Hong had exposed the truth, Li Xian ordered people to present the confessions of Sao Ge and Guo Yuanzhen, as well as the confessions of Lv Shousu and Ashina Zhongjie. After personally perusing them, his face instantly darkened.
He had not known about Zong Chuke's embezzlement, and now that he saw this evidence, Li Xian was furious. Although there were only written confessions, he believed that Guo Yuanzhen and Sao Ge's confessions were the truth. It was a very simple reason. Sao Ge had already declared himself to be sweating. If he had not truly been wrongly accused and truly wanted to rebel, there would have been no need for him to do this.
Li Xian coldly glanced at Zong Chuke and sternly said, "Zong Chuke, what do you say?"
Zong Chuke gave a deep glance in the direction of Empress Wei's curtain, then calmly bowed and loudly said, "Your Majesty, this subject has been wrongly accused! This subject is loyal to his duty, careful with his words and self-cultivation. How could this subject do something that would disappoint Your Majesty? Moreover, that Zhou Yiti is far away in the Western Regions. How could this subject collude with him? "
Li Xian was enraged. Throwing the letter forward, he sternly shouted, "In that case, how are you going to explain Ashina Zhongjie and Lu Shousu's confessions? Could it be that you want us to escort Ashina Zhongjie to the capital to confront you face to face before you are willing to bow your head and admit your guilt?"
Zong Chuke lowered his head. "This subject is terrified! This subject does not dare! But … this subject is innocent! This subject is innocent! "
"You!"
Li Xian angrily pointed at Chu Ke of the Sect. His quibbling made his hair stand up in anger, and his face flushed red. Behind the bead curtain, Empress Wei coughed lightly and leisurely said: "Your Majesty, please do not be angry. Zong Chuke has always been loyal to the country. In this qie's view, accusing him of asking for bribes is not very likely."
Li Xian frowned and said in a slightly resentful tone, "Empress!"
Empress Wei was unconcerned and continued: "Logically speaking, Zong Chuke is the prime minister of the present court. If he wants to ask for a bribe, who knows how many people will rush to the prime minister's residence like a flock of ducks.
Why would Zong Chuke go so far to extort a Hu tribe? How much money can those nomadic tribes have to be worth the coveting of our Tang dynasty's prime minister? Of course, this qie believes Guo Hong's words are not false. But has Your Majesty considered that Zhou Yiti cannot use the title of prime minister to intimidate others? "
Hearing this, Li Xian was unconsciously moved. Thinking carefully, it seemed that what the Empress said was very reasonable. From the bottom of his heart, he was not willing to believe that his favored Zong Chuke was so insatiably greedy. Also, because of the hardships the Empress had suffered for him in her early years, and the inferiority he felt from losing his normal functions as a man, he did not have the courage to go against his wife's wishes.
Zong Chuke sighed inwardly and hurriedly bowed. "Empress is wise!"
Empress Wei smiled faintly and said: "If the Emperor wants to escort Ashina Zhongjie back to the capital for questioning, it is not impossible. But the journey is long, and the return trip will take at least half a year. By the time the Emperor investigates the truth and deals with it, it will take about a year.
At present, Suo Ge has already occupied Anxi and cut off the communication between the four towns and the Central Plains. The trade routes of the Western Regions have been cut off. Zhou Yiti is leading an army to suppress them. Regardless of victory or defeat, it will be a disaster of war that will implicate countless people. How can Your Majesty bear this?
The Tubo and Turkic Khaganate will not let go of this good opportunity. If they take the chance to raise their troops and sow discord, persuading Suo Ge to ally with them, the Western Regions will once again be in flames of war. It is unknown when peace will return. "
Li Xian thoughtfully said: "En! Empress' words are very reasonable. Then according to Empress' words, what should Zhen do? "
Empress Wei said: "Your Majesty, with Guo Hong's testimony today, it is enough to prove Guo Yuanzhen and Suo Ge's innocence. In this qie's view, the most important thing is to pacify Suo Ge and restore Guo Yuanzhen to his military position to pacify the situation in Anxi. "
Hearing this, Li Xian repeatedly nodded his head. Empress Wei continued: "This qie believes that Your Majesty only needs to acknowledge the righteousness of the Suo Ge Ten Families Khaganate, and then the Turkic Ten Families can be brought back under your rule. The four towns of Anxi will be restored without a fight.
Your Majesty originally thought that Guo Yuanzhen, as Anxi Protector-General, watched as Suo Ge and Ashina fought for loyalty and integrity. Later on, when Niu Shicheng was attacked, he did not promptly rescue him and thus punished him. Now it seems that all of this was Zhou Yiti's slander because he coveted the position of Protector-General. "
At this point, Empress Wei paused for a moment, her eyes suddenly turning cold: "This Zhou Yiti first used the name of Prime Minister to extort foreign chieftains, and then he slandered important ministers, corrupting the discipline of the court. He should be severely punished to serve as a warning to others."
Li Xian happily said: "Empress' words are very appropriate. Then … let it be done."
Li Xian turned his head and issued the edict according to Empress Wei's wishes. As soon as Guo Hong heard that his father was out of danger and had been reinstated, even though he was unable to overthrow Zong Chuke, it was an extremely good result for him and his son. He immediately kowtowed in thanks.
Unexpectedly, Imperial Censor Cui Wan did not want to let the matter rest.
At present, the court of the Tang dynasty was completely controlled by the Wei faction, but this did not mean that all of the officials had become members of the Wei faction. It was just that all of the important positions were controlled by the Wei faction, and the operation and execution of the court's power was controlled by the Wei faction.
The Censorate was the headquarters of the Imperial Censors. Not everyone had the right to enter this place. Although the Imperial Censor was an important position and did not have many benefits, due to tradition, to enter the Censorate, one first had to be a scholar. Just this one rule limited many officials who were lucky enough to enter.
There were naturally many officials who were scholars and had joined the Wei faction. However, even if they weren't the heads of a yamen, they were still officials in important places, or in places that were not high but were full of benefits. It was impossible for them to swear loyalty to the Wei faction, so they were sent to sit on the cold bench in the Qingshui yamen.
As a result, the Censorate was one of the few places that had not been occupied by the Wei faction. Now that he had finally found a reason to attack Zong Chuke, how could Cui Wan let it go so easily? Seeing that Empress Wei was about to throw a pawn to protect the general, Cui Wan immediately stepped out of the crowd and shouted: "Wait, subject still has a memorial!"
Li Xian furrowed his brows and looked at him with displeasure. Cui Wan said: "Your Majesty, subject deeply agrees with Empress' suggestion to immediately appease the Tu Cavalry and reinstate Protector-General Guo to pacify the situation in the Western Regions and prevent the Tubo or Turks from taking advantage. However … "
Cui Wan pointed at Zong Chuke and said sternly: "The reason for this action is that Guo Hong has presented evidence. But regarding the matter of Zhou Yiti forcing Suo Ge to rebel, whether it was Zhou Yiti who used Prime Minister Zong's name to ask for bribes, or whether Prime Minister Zong instructed Zhou Yiti to ask for bribes on his behalf, we cannot make wild guesses. "
Cui Wan took a step forward and held his scepter: "Your Majesty, if it was Zhou Yiti who used Prime Minister Zong's name to ask for bribes and thus forced Suo Ge to rebel, resulting in this military disaster, Zhou Yiti's crime cannot be punished! But what if it was Prime Minister Zong who asked for bribes and caused trouble on the borders? This subject believes that this matter should be thoroughly investigated! "
Zong Chuke flew into a rage and pointed at Cui Wan: "The one surnamed Cui, you are a fame-seeking person. For the sake of your own reputation, you have repeatedly slandered me and now you are making wild guesses. What is your intention? His Majesty and Empress have already made a decision on Zhou Yiti's case. Are you going to defy the edict? "
Cui Wan responded tit-for-tat, his voice much louder than Zong Chuke's: "As an imperial censor, I am the Son of Heaven's eyes and ears! All officials who are treacherous, villains who set up cliques, and tyrannical and disorderly, impeach! All officials who are wretched, corrupt, and corrupt, impeach! All scholars who are not upright, who submit petitions to change the constitution, and who hope to be promoted, impeach! I have the power to impeach the officials, clarify the injustice, and supervise the various departments. Prime Minister, do you think I can't impeach you? "
Both of them were good at debating. For a moment, they talked non-stop, each making their own arguments. Above the golden hall, only their roars could be heard incessantly. Li Xian said helplessly: "My two beloved officials, pay attention to your official conduct and stop arguing."
The two of them engaged in a war of words, turning a deaf ear to Li Xian's words.
Li Xian continued helplessly: "My two beloved officials, we have already made a decision on this matter. Both of you may leave."
Cui Wan and Zong Chuke argued until their faces were red, but they still ignored him.
Li Xian was furious. He abruptly picked up the 'Trembling Mountains and Rivers' and slammed it with all his might. A loud "pa" resounded in the golden hall. Zong Chuke and Cui Wan were stunned. Only now did they realize that they had lost their etiquette in front of the ruler.
Cui Wan adjusted his official hat, which had been crooked because of the angry argument. He was completely unconcerned. He was an imperial censor and had special privileges in this aspect. He was not afraid of the Emperor's rebuke. Zong Chuke, on the other hand, blushed. He was the prime minister. Such an action was truly embarrassing.
Zong Chuke hurriedly adjusted his attire and asked for forgiveness from Li Xian. Li Xian tried hard to make his voice sound gentle. He said: "My two beloved officials, even though you two have lost your etiquette, it is all for the sake of the imperial court. We are very comforted and will not accuse you.
My two beloved officials are both loyal and good. Do not harm the harmony because of your bigotry. How about we make the decision today. From now on, the two of you will become sworn brothers with different surnames. From now on, you will work together to protect our country. There will be no more meaningless disputes. "
"What?"
Hearing Li Xian's preposterous words, not only were Zong Chuke and Cui Wan dumbfounded, but all the civil and military officials were also dumbfounded. Yang Fan stood at the head of the military class. His face twitched and he almost could not hold back his laughter. Such a Son of Heaven was truly unparalleled under the heavens!
Zong Chuke and Cui Wan looked at each other, their gazes strange. The two of them had just been fighting to the death like fighting cocks. The Emperor had intervened and actually allowed them to become sworn brothers with different surnames?
Li Xian saw the two of them looking at each other with strange expressions. His face could not help but darken. Displeased, he said, "What? Could it be that we cannot be the mediator? Do the two of you want to defy the imperial edict?"
Zong Chuke's eyes quickly flickered. He turned to Cui Wan and cupped his hands. "Imperial Censor Cui is older than this Zong and should be my elder brother. Elder brother, please accept this younger brother's bow! "As he spoke, he clasped his hands three times toward Cui Wan.
Li Xian stroked his beard in delight. Cui Wan stood there, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. He did not know how to respond. Seeing that he did not return the greeting, Li Xian frowned slightly and urged, "Cui Wan, why haven't you …"
Just as Li Xian spoke to this point, he saw a palace guard hurriedly rush over. Arriving in front of the Emperor, he knelt down on one knee and said in a deep voice, "Your Imperial Majesty! The Right Servant is at the residence of Yang Zaisi, a third-rank subordinate of the Hall of Governmental Affairs. He has sent someone to report the death! "
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
