In the Golden Phoenix Hall of the imperial palace.
The emperor was already dressed neatly. He had a purple gold crown on his head, a yellow dragon robe, a golden dragon belt on his waist, and a pair of qilin boots on his feet. He looked mighty and dignified.
Hundreds of civil and military officials stood on his left and right. Prime Minister Song Lirui was the head of the civil and military officials, while Luo Gongming was the head of the military. They all bowed to the emperor and shouted, "Long live the emperor."
After the ceremony, everyone stood in their positions strictly and did not make a sound.
"Summon Yang Wu into the hall." The emperor raised his hand gently and said to the eunuch on his right.
"Summon Yang Wu into the hall." The eunuch shouted at the top of his lungs toward the outside of the hall.
Immediately after, the guards outside the hall shouted the same words again and again until they left the hall.
Yang Wu, who had been waiting outside the palace for a long time, strode into the palace.
"Big brother, we will wait for you outside." Shou Hou shouted at Yang Wu.
Lu Zhi also said, "My lord, we will wait for your safe return."
Yang Wu did not look back. He waved his hand at them and walked toward the palace.
After he walked in, the door of the palace was slammed shut. Murderous aura filled the air.
Yang Wu had repeatedly disobeyed the emperor's orders. How could it be peaceful when he went to the palace this time?
Yang Wu's senses were extremely sharp. As soon as he entered the palace, he was surrounded by all sorts of powerful auras. There were at least twenty Kings hiding in the palace, but he didn't feel the slightest bit of fear. He still walked into the palace with his head held high.
Yang Wu came to the front of the Golden Phoenix Hall. He saw two large pillars with dragons and phoenixes on the left and right. They gave off an ancient aura. There were also nine auspicious beasts lined up in the corridor. They were like living creatures, guarding the hall together with eighty-one guards.
Compared to the Barbarian Tribe Leader's residence, the Great Xia Dynasty's palace was indeed much more luxurious than the Barbarian Tribe Leader's Association. Every brick and tile here was luxurious.
After Yang Wu entered the hall, he felt many pairs of eyes looking at him. Every pair of eyes contained different auras, but most of them were filled with the intent to devour people.
Yang Wu being disrespectful to the emperor was the same as being disrespectful to the civil and military officials. In their hearts, he was a traitor and deserved to be executed.
Yang Wu ignored them. He raised his head and looked at the Emperor, cupping his hands and saying, "This subject, Yang Wu, greets the Emperor."
"How dare you, Yang Wu. Why aren't you kneeling in front of His Majesty?" Someone shouted.
"Yang Wu is being rude. Why haven't you kneeled yet and begged the Emperor for forgiveness?" Another person said.
"Traitor Yang Wu, if you don't kneel down now, you will be sentenced to death."
…
These civil and military officials were much more agitated than Yang Wu. As soon as Yang Wu spoke, they began to scold and curse him.
The Emperor, who was sitting on the dragon throne, also showed dissatisfaction. However, he didn't say anything and just calmly watched the civil and military officials scold Yang Wu.
Yang Wu was indifferent. No matter how much the civil and military officials scolded him, he just ignored them and didn't pay them any attention.
His attitude infuriated the civil and military officials even more. If they could, their gazes would tear Yang Wu to shreds.
After these people were tired of scolding, the Emperor finally opened his mouth and asked, "Yang Wu, do you know your crime?"
Yang Wu rudely raised his head to look at the Emperor and replied with a smile, "Your Majesty, this subject doesn't know my crime."
"How dare you, little brat. You disobeyed the imperial edict and didn't kneel in front of me. This is the crime of offending your superiors. You dare to not admit your crime?" The Emperor shouted furiously.
There was a king's aura floating around his body. That aura was enough to make any official tremble in fear.
Yang Wu still said, "This subject doesn't know my crime."
"Good Yang Wu, do you really think that you can ignore my words just because you made some contributions? Someone come, drag him out and behead him. "The Emperor angrily said.
The guards outside the hall immediately rushed in and prepared to arrest Yang Wu.
Yang Wu faintly said, "Your Majesty, did you not see the peace contract I signed with the Barbarian Race?"
"What, do you want to use this contract to threaten me?" The Emperor said with a frown.
"Of course Yang Wu doesn't dare, but there is a clause in the peace contract. I, Yang Wu, will be the 'peace ambassador' for the two countries for ten years. No matter what crime I commit, I won't die. If I die, the contract will become invalid. Your Majesty, don't forget that this is a contract with your dragon seal. Once it is broken, it will harm the country." Yang Wu said with a proud expression.
After the Emperor heard these words, he was instantly stunned.
He had personally read the peace contract between the two countries. There was indeed a clause that mentioned Yang Wu as the 'peace ambassador'. It was added at the request of the Barbarian Race. He didn't expect that it would become a reason for Yang Wu to counter him.
"Your Majesty, Yang Wu can be spared from death, but he can't escape punishment. This subject thinks that he is arrogant and despises the Emperor's prestige. He should be crippled and locked up in prison for the rest of his life." A civil official stood out and said.
This person was the third rank civil official, Ji Meng. At the same time, he was also one of Song Lirui's most capable students. He was only forty-one years old and was expected to become one of the six ministers in the next five years. He was also known as one of Song Lirui's successors.
Right now, Ji Meng was one of the vice ministers of the Ministry of Personnel. There were many officials in the court who had to go through him. Although his authority couldn't be compared to the Ministry of Personnel, he still couldn't be underestimated.
By directly speaking to the Emperor, he had clearly expressed his position. He was destined to be at odds with Yang Wu. Many times, his opinion represented part of Song Lirui's opinion.
After Ji Meng stood out, a few other civil officials also immediately stood out to impeach Yang Wu.
"Although Yang Wu has made contributions, it's all because he relied on the prestige of the heavens to achieve military merits. This subject thinks that he should be executed on the spot as a warning to others."
"That's right. Although the peace contract was signed by Yang Wu, he's just a subject of our court. He can't represent the fate of our country. It's not a big deal to execute him. Besides, the Barbarian Race won't know."
"I don't think it's good to treat a subject who has made contributions like this. Just imprison him and break his limbs."
…
These civil officials looked refined and cultured, but their bones were filled with ruthless methods and thoughts.
Yang Wu turned to look at them with a playful expression. He waited for them to finish speaking before asking, "Have any of you ever been on the battlefield to kill the Barbarians? Do you know how many soldiers at the border have shed tears and blood in exchange for this peace? During the first war, if it wasn't for me, Yang Wu, how could we have achieved such a great victory at the border? The second time the Barbarians came to negotiate peace, they had already surrounded more than a hundred thousand soldiers of our army. Even Heaven Realm experts had appeared. With just one order, our army would have been completely annihilated and no one would have survived. If it wasn't for me, Yang Wu, who had gone deep into the Barbarian Race and had a good chat with the Barbarian Race's chief, the Barbarian Race's army would have already marched into Royal City.
You don't know how to speak. "The military official on the right understood the sadness in his words. Immediately, another military official agreed," Your Majesty, the Guardian General is right. The Barbarian Race is powerful. Although our army isn't afraid of them, if we really fight, there will still be many casualties. This subject thinks that the Guardian General's contributions will make up for his mistakes. Let's forget about it. "
"This subject thinks that it's good to demote General Yang Wu to Deputy General as punishment. Otherwise, the soldiers' hearts will be cold." Another military official said.
The civil and military officials had different standpoints, so they treated Yang Wu differently. The people on the left and right started to confront each other.
The civil officials advocated for a heavy punishment for Yang Wu, while the military officials advocated for a light punishment for Yang Wu. The Main Hall was very lively.
"Enough, all of you, shut up." The Emperor scolded in dissatisfaction. After everyone was arranged, he said to Prime Minister Song and Luo Gongming, "Prime Minister Song, General Luo, how do you think we should deal with Yang Wu?"
"Kill him!" Prime Minister Song only replied with two words calmly, but these two words were filled with a strong killing intent.
Luo Gongming said, "Yang Wu should be rewarded for his military contributions, but he should be punished for his disobedience. His contributions won't make up for his mistakes."
His words were equivalent to not saying anything. In fact, he still didnt say whether Yang Wu should be killed or not.
The Emperor was very depressed. In the past, he would have ordered Yang Wu to be beheaded without hesitation. Yang Wu was too hateful. He actually used the contract to threaten him, making him unable to kill him even if he wanted to.
At this time, a voice sounded outside the hall: "Huangshang, Prince Fu An is asking for an audience."
Usually, in the morning court, Prince Fu An does not need to participate. They have no ability to make decisions. But now, Prince Fu An suddenly asked for an audience, which was very intriguing.
The Emperor hesitated for a moment, then said, "Let him in!"
Soon, Prince Fu An came in and kneeled down, then shouted: "Long live."
"Imperial younger brother, get up. I wonder why you want to see me this time?" The Emperor asked. In fact, he already knew that it must be related to Yang Wu.
"This imperial younger brother, I beg the Emperor to forgive Yang Wu." Prince Fu An said while kneeling on the ground.
Prince Fu An's words instantly shocked all the people present. Who doesn't know why the Yang Family was raided? It was because of Prince Fu An. At that time, he was the one who killed the Yang Family first. Even the Emperor didnt receive the news until the Yang Family was raided. If he got the news one step later, he is afraid that the Yang Family will be wiped out. But now, Prince Fu An came to ask to let go of Yang Wu, which was simply puzzling.
Yang Wu also narrowed his eyes. His eyes flashed with a sneer. He couldnt understand why Prince Fu An wanted to do this. He didnt speak for the time being. Let's see what the other party wants to do first.
"Imperial younger brother, why do you say that?" The Emperor asked in surprise.
"Yang Wu is a meritorious minister. If he is executed, it will inevitably cause dissatisfaction among the officials and common people. Even if he disobeys the imperial decree in public, he is still young and impulsive. Not to mention, the Emperor has already ordered him to be the Emperor's son-in-law. You are also his father-in-law. In the future, we will be a family. How can a family kill another family? What do you think?" Prince Fu An said in a reasonable manner.
This time, the civil and military officials remembered that the Emperor had indeed issued an imperial decree to marry Princess Tang Xiaohan to Yang Wu.
Prince Fu An mentioned it in public, which undoubtedly pushed Yang Wu to the edge of the storm.
If Yang Wu agreed, then they would be a family, and the past would be written off. If Yang Wu did not agree, then there would be nothing left to say, and he would be executed on the spot.
It has to be said that Prince Fu An's proposal really hit the nail on the head.
"Yang Wu, are you willing to marry my beloved daughter and become the Emperor's son-in-law?" The Emperor looked at Yang Wu and asked.
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