117: Great Dynasty

Chapter 116 Grand Court Turmoil

Today, many ministers were surprised to find that Emperor Zhengyong, who had not held court for over a month, had suddenly done so!

At the entrance of Taihe Hall, Your Majesty's sedan chair was parked, and a group of eunuchs and guards had clearly been waiting for a long time.

Their eyes were filled with surprise, pleasant astonishment, as well as a trace of oddity and suspicion.

Had something major happened?

Otherwise, Emperor Zhengyong couldn't possibly be waiting for them at Taihe Hall this early.

The civil and military officials all looked strangely toward the five men at the very front, and the five cabinet members also looked at each other in dismay, not knowing what they were thinking.

Some officials gathered together and whispered.

"Your Majesty is actually holding a grand court today, what on earth has happened?"

"I don't know..."

"Could it be because of the matter in Bing Province?"

"It's possible!"

"That eunuch scum Liu Chengen actually dared to take advantage of his official trip to Bing Province to collect military funds, levy apportionments, and squeeze the good people of Bing Province. Yesterday, I even heard that he made the gentry and noble families of Bing Province hold some sort of fiftieth birthday celebration for him. He truly deserves to die!"

"I heard he has already extorted over ten million taels of silver in Bing Province. Th-Th-This is simply too abominable!"

"Surely this couldn't be Your Majesty's order, right?"

"Shh..."

The crowd discussed animatedly, while the several cabinet ministers at the very front of the procession maintained their usual expressions.

Wang He said, "It seems Your Majesty can finally no longer hold out and wants to deal with Liu Chengen."

Wang Ze snorted coldly and said, "What is Liu Chengen? He's merely a dog by Your Majesty's side, yet he even dares to bully others by borrowing the tiger's might and extort our Bing Province merchants and citizens. He truly deserves to die!"

"Today, this old man will definitely submit another memorial to impeach him, and at the very least, strip Liu Chengen of his position as the Director of Ceremonial!"

"This old man thinks the same."

Wang He nodded, and then looked toward the others: "Elder Lu, Lord Li, Prince Bing, what do you think?"

The other three cabinet ministers also nodded one after another and said, "This time Liu Chengen has caused such a huge uproar that it won't be easy to clean up."

"As long as the two colleagues speak up, I will certainly assist with all my might."

Among the five, only Prince Bing hesitated and said, "Is this matter related to Your Majesty?"

Wang Ze immediately said, "Your Majesty merely let Liu Chengen go to Bing Province to collect military funds, which can be considered normal."

"But that Liu Chengen relied on Your Majesty's trust to misbehave in Bing Province, not only collecting excessive 'apportionments', but even amassing immense wealth under the guise of his fiftieth birthday."

"My family has already sent a letter telling this old man that Liu Chengen alone took at least four to five million more taels of silver. He truly deserves to die!"

"Four to five million taels? The eunuch faction is ruining the country! Count this Prince in on this matter too!"

"Your Highness is truly righteous!"

The group filed into Baohe Palace and stood according to their respective positions.

Right after they entered the main hall, team after team of Jinyi Guard, new recruits, and Shadow Guard surged from the surroundings, tightly surrounding the entire Baohe Palace.

"Your Majesty has arrived!"

Inside the grand hall, the figure of Zheng Yi slowly walked out, and the civil and military officials immediately knelt, shouting 'long live' in unison:

"We pay our respects to Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty, long, long live!"

"Rise!"

Zheng Yi said calmly, slightly supporting with both hands.

The hoarse voice of the eunuch beside him immediately rang out: "Submit memorials if you have matters, withdraw from court if you have none!"

"This minister..."

"This minister has a memorial to submit!"

Wang Ze arrived first despite starting later, suppressing the voice of the official who was first prepared to submit a memorial, and quickly stepped out of the ranks to speak.

Zheng Yi smiled and said, "Beloved Minister Wang, what important matter do you have to submit?"

"Replying to Your Majesty!"

Wang Ze said, "Half a month ago, the Director of Ceremonial Liu Chengen went on official business to Bing Province. In Jinyang County, he extorted the merchants and citizens of Bing Province, obtaining a total of over fifteen million taels of silver in illicit money along with numerous antiques, calligraphy, paintings, gold, silver, and jewels."

"Not only did this person line his own pockets and embezzle a massive amount of silver, but under the guise of his fiftieth birthday, he also forced the merchants and citizens of Bing Province to offer up massive amounts of money and treasures once again for his extravagance."

"Furthermore! Liu Chengen also wantonly accepted over thirty courtesans and women of pleasure from the merchants and citizens of Bing Province for his own dalliance..."

"Gasp...!"

Before Wang Ze's voice had even faded, the entire grand hall became lively and bustling.

"Liu Chengen is actually capable of doing such a thing?"

"Over thirty Datong women, you wouldn't be able to tell that Liu Chengen likes to play so much?"

"A eunuch without a bird, what the hell is there for him to play with!"

"Lord Zhang, be a bit more cultured and refined."

"I heard that Datong women possess the peerless skill of graceful figures and naturally charming bones, and their skills in bed are considered second to none..."

"This old man has also seen Datong women—tall figures, full hips and plump breasts, delicate facial features, and possessing the distinct charm of mature women that makes one linger and forget to return!"

The numerous officials in the grand hall discussed animatedly. Hearing this clearly, Zheng Yi gave a light cough and said, "This matter will be discussed later."

Wang Ze grew anxious.

Discussed later?

What does that mean?

He immediately said loudly, "Your Majesty! Since the founding of Great Yu over three hundred years ago, there has never been a eunuch so audacious!"

This voice was extremely loud, and it also quieted down the originally boisterous grand hall. Even Zheng Yi on the dragon chair looked at Wang Ze with great interest.

On both sides of the grand hall, the many eunuchs serving respectfully lowered their heads, but the out-of-the-corner glances they cast at Wang Ze were filled with anger and malice.

"Your Majesty!"

Wang Ze immediately knelt on the ground and said in a clear voice, "For the million merchants and citizens of Bing Province, for the safety of the nation, and for the world of Great Yu, this minister requests the execution of Liu Chengen!"

"This minister seconds the motion!"

As soon as Wang Ze's voice fell, Wang He at the side immediately knelt on the ground as well and said in a clear voice, "Liu Chengen's actions involve borrowing Your Majesty's heavenly might to act as a fox exploiting the tiger's power in the localities, oppressing neighbors, extorting the good people, and even interfering in local political affairs."

"If this continues, the country will no longer be a country, the common people will voice grievances everywhere, and it may even trigger a rebellion."

"Therefore, this minister requests the execution of Liu Chengen!"

"This minister seconds the motion!"

"This minister seconds the motion!"

"This minister seconds the motion..."

Above the court, at least one-fifth of the officials knelt on the ground one after another, requesting the execution of Liu Chengen.

As for the remaining majority of officials, many also expressed agreement, but most of them were watching the expressions of others.

The smile on Zheng Yi's Face vanished. He looked toward the few men at the very front and said calmly, "Beloved Minister Lu, what do you think?"

Lu Xiangqing considered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, Liu Chengen undoubtedly represents the Face of the Son of Heaven. His oppression of neighbors and extortion of good people are supported by conclusive evidence that cannot be refuted."

"He can be arrested and imprisoned, and handed over to the Three Judicial Offices for a joint trial to uphold the legal code."

"This minister seconds the motion!"

"This minister seconds the motion!"

"This minister seconds the motion..."

Another large batch of officials stood out, expressing the same meaning as Lu Xiangqing.

Li Yuanhao and Zheng Zongbing did the same, expressing that Liu Chengen should be severely punished.

By now, throughout the imperial court, at least seventy to eighty percent of the officials agreed to severely punish Liu Chengen.

Only fewer than twenty officials still stood on both sides without stating their stance.

At this moment, Zheng Yi looked behind the five cabinet ministers.

There was also an official there who had not stated his stance.

"Lord Zheng, what opinions do you have?"

Former Jiangzuo Left Administration Commissioner Zheng Xuanyue, now the Minister of the Ministry of Punishments.

Zheng Xuanyue was a native of Jiangnan and did not belong to any noble family faction. He was a great Confucian scholar of the current age, with his disciples filling the world.

Because of the case involving Junior Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel Tian Wenjing, he was transferred to the central government, becoming one of the ministers of the Six Ministries.

He had a scholar-like and refined appearance, aged around sixty-something, but his hair and beard were completely black, showing no signs of aging.

Zheng Xuanyue immediately stepped out of the ranks and respectfully said, "Replying to Your Majesty, this minister has newly entered the imperial court and is not yet clear about this matter, therefore this minister has no opinion; please let Your Majesty make the sacred judgment."

Zheng Yi said, "It doesn't matter, you are the newly appointed Minister of the Ministry of Punishments, and this matter also falls within your jurisdiction. State your own opinion."

Zheng Xuanyue respectfully said, "Your Majesty, as the Director of Ceremonial, Liu Chengen used the name of official business to oppress neighbors and extort gentry. According to the law, he should be executed!"

The expressions of Wang Ze, Wang He, and others kneeling on the ground lit up with joy. It seemed that this Minister of the Ministry of Punishments from the south still stood on their side after all.

"However..."

Zheng Xuanyue paused for a moment before continuing, "Whether Liu Chengen acted according to Your Majesty's imperial decree is something this humble minister does not know. People can be sent to bring Liu Chengen back so that Your Majesty may personally interrogate him."

Old scoundrel!

In his heart, Zheng Yi slapped a label on Zheng Xuanyue.

Having wasted nearly fifty years of time to finally become one of the Six Ministries and a high-ranking central official, this Zheng Xuanyue indeed possessed some skill.

And right now, he was precisely in need of such people to balance the forces of the imperial court.

Wang Ze said again, "Your Majesty, what Lord Zheng said is extremely right."

"As the saying goes, if the Son of Heaven breaks the law, he is guilty of the same crime as the commoners; why spare merely a domestic slave by Your Majesty's side?"

"This minister requests that the Jinyi Guard bring Liu Chengen back for a joint trial by the Three Judicial Offices, to return a bright and clear universe to Great Yu!"

If the Son of Heaven breaks the law, he is guilty of the same crime as the commoners?

Who are you insinuating with this!

Zheng Yi's gaze was somewhat cold.

These noble clans and great families were increasingly paying him no heed.

If it were a few years ago, he might have endured it.

But now...

"Beloved Minister Wang, this matter is not urgent. We will naturally have the Jinyi Guard and the Three Judicial Offices handle it."

Zheng Yi said indifferently, "Right, wasn't there someone else who wanted to submit a memorial just now? What was the matter presented?"

Seeing Zheng Yi lightly gloss the matter over, Wang Ze grew anxious.

His old father and entire family were still detained in the military camp by Liu Chengen. If they weren't rescued soon, where would the Wang family's Face go?

"Your Majesty, I..."

"This minister has a memorial to submit!"

Wang Ze turned his head abruptly and glared fiercely to see who was ruining his good deed.

Not far behind him, Yuan Qichang was standing in the center holding his huan tablet with both hands, preparing to submit a memorial.

"Yuan Qichang, this official is currently submitting a critical matter to Your Majesty, what are you in such a rush for?"

"The matter this subordinate has is also a critical matter."

"You...!"

"Alright, Beloved Minister Wang."

Zheng Yi spoke, "After the grand court concludes, We will naturally give you an explanation."

"Your Majesty~!"

Wang Ze gritted his teeth and ultimately had no choice but to stand up helplessly.

Since Your Majesty insisted on this, he had no alternative either and could only think of a way to submit a memorial to Your Majesty again in private.

The numerous officials returned to their positions, and Zheng Yi said:

"Yuan Qichang, what matter do you have to submit?"

"This minister accuses the noble families of Bing Province, the Datong Wang clan and their accomplices known as the Eight Great Merchants of Bing Province, of privately smuggling large amounts of salt, iron, weapons, armor, and other goods to Wu Country during the war between our Great Yu and Wu Country, and bribing the border military generals of our Great Yu, causing Wu Country to drive straight in and plunder countless cattle, horses, livestock, gold, and silver from our Great Yu..."

"Bullshit!"

Before Yuan Qichang could finish speaking, Wang Ze jumped out and shouted angrily, "Your Majesty! This person is spouting venom and talking utter nonsense to slander this official. I ask Your Majesty to have the Jinyi Guard beat this person out!"

Yuan Qichang sneered and said, "Lord Wang, what are you in such a rush for? This official's words aren't finished yet."

"Heh, a mere fifth-rank official actually dares to accuse this official! Who instigated you in the end? Do you have solid, undeniable evidence?"

Wang Ze said coldly, "This official comes from the Datong Wang clan. Our Wang clan has followed the Grand Progenitor to conquer the world since the reign of the Grand Progenitor. Our Wang clan is loyal and devoted to Great Yu; your so-called evidence is nothing more than vicious slander!"

Wang He's expression at the side was even uglier, but he did not speak out. Instead, he covertly glanced at Yuan Qichang, as well as the expressionless Zheng Yi on the dragon chair.

In his heart, a rather bad premonition suddenly arose.

"Oh?"

Yuan Qichang did not back down at all and said, "Why doesn't Lord Wang take a look at this official's evidence?"

"Hmph! False evidence used to slander this official—there's no need to look at it."

Wang Ze cupped his hands again and said, "Your Majesty, our Wang clan is utterly loyal and devoted to Great Yu with absolutely no disloyal intentions. Heaven and Earth can witness this feeling! I hope Your Majesty will severely punish a treacherous villain like Yuan Qichang!"

"Oh? Yuan Qichang, what evidence do you have?"

Zheng Yi did not pay attention to Wang Ze, but instead looked toward Yuan Qichang.

Yuan Qichang immediately took out more than a dozen letters from his sleeve and said, "This humble minister has letters here between the Wang family, the former Black Mountain Pass garrison general Tuerga, and Qian Mou, the leader of the Wu Country spy organization 'Feiyan Forest'!"

"The contents within clearly record the criminal evidence of the Wang clan. Please, Your Majesty, examine it clearly!"

Happy Labor Day, everyone!