82: Secret Letter

Chapter 82: Treasonous Secret Letters

"If there is any business to report, step forward; if none, the court is dismissed!"

The great court assembly was held in the Taihe Hall.

Today, over two hundred capital officials entered the court for an audience. Everyone wore a solemn expression, their eyes wandering as if deep in thought.

The Pseudo Prince Yan had been defeated.

Not only was his massive army shattered, but he himself was captured alive and escorted back to the capital.

Today, taking advantage of the grand court assembly, they were to discuss how to dispose of the Pseudo Prince Yan.

Accompanied by Liu Chengen's shrill voice, Cui Jinghao was the first to step forward and said,

"Your Majesty, the Pseudo Prince Yan declared himself king, slaughtered his brothers, privately forged armor, left his fief without authorization, committed treason, and showed gross disrespect, totaling thirty-seven counts of crime."

"Your minister implores Your Majesty to execute the Pseudo Prince Yan!"

"Your minister implores Your Majesty to execute the Pseudo Prince Yan!"

"Your minister implores Your Majesty to execute the Pseudo Prince Yan!"

Wave-like shouts rolled in. Over two hundred officials in the entire imperial court all chanted to execute the Pseudo Prince Yan, their voices carrying all the way outside the palace.

Zheng Yi said calmly, "Bring up the Pseudo Prince Yan, Zheng Yuantao!"

"Bring up the Pseudo Prince Yan, Zheng Yuantao!"

"Bring up the Pseudo Prince Yan, Zheng Yuantao..."

Soon, amidst the eunuchs' successive relay orders, the Pseudo Prince Yan, Zheng Yuantao, walked in with large strides under the escort of six Imperial Guards.

At this moment, he was still wearing a python robe, his eyes bright and his expression calm.

It was as if today's discussion was not about how to dispose of him, but rather an audience with the emperor.

Looking at the Pseudo Prince Yan, Zheng Yuantao, standing beneath the grand hall, Zheng Yi felt not a shred of emotion in his heart.

Zheng Yuantao?

What relation did he have to him?

Today was merely going through the motions.

To maintain the imperial family's stability, the face of Great Yu, and the stability of the imperial court, Zheng Yuantao would most likely not die.

But his advisors, subordinates, and even other relatives would undoubtedly die!

"Zheng Yuantao."

Zheng Yi spoke, "Do you have anything else to say?"

Zheng Yuantao's eyes suddenly lit up, and he shouted loudly, "Zheng Yuanluo, there is no need to put on a hypocritical act. Do you really think the people of the world do not know how the Tang King died?"

"For me to stand here today is merely a matter of victory going to the king and defeat to the bandit."

"If you want to kill me, then kill me. If this prince wrinkles even a single brow, I am no descendant of the Zheng clan!"

"Audacious!"

Before Zheng Yi could speak, Cui Jinghao suddenly stepped out of the ranks and said, "The Tang King committed treason, and Your Majesty exiled him to Nanyue County, which was already an immense act of grace."

"He was attacked by rebellious mobs halfway and perished at their hands. What does that have to do with Your Majesty?"

"Rebellious mobs?"

Zheng Yuantao scoffed, "Are there rebellious mobs that control bed crossbows? Find me one and let me see!"

"You...!"

"Heh!"

Zheng Yuantao glared at Cui Jinghao and sneered, "Cui Jinghao, was the millennium-old purple ginseng this prince gave you useful? I heard that you serviced three women in a single night all thanks to the efficacy of those ten roots of millennium-old purple ginseng from this prince!"

Cui Jinghao's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly said, "What millennium-old purple ginseng? This official has never seen any. Cease your baseless accusations!"

"Hahaha, hahahaha..."

Zheng Yuantao suddenly burst into laughter, glanced around at the surrounding officials, and sneered, "With such an imperial court and such officials, what face does our Great Yu have to face the various late emperors?"

"Zheng Yuanluo, this emperor's throne originally belonged to the lineage of the Prince Yan. You lot are the true rebels!"

"Audacious!"

"Rebellious subjects and treacherous sons deserve to be executed by everyone!"

"Men, quickly seal his mouth!"

The many court ministers grew angry again and successively cursed vehemently at Zheng Yuantao.

And Zheng Yuantao accepted all comers, continuously hurling retorts back at the various court ministers.

"All of you have received gifts from this prince. Thus, it is evident that you are also national traitors!"

"You! Do you still remember the thousand-li dragon-scaled horse this prince sent you?"

"And you, Vice Minister of Revenue! This prince sent you ten Eastern pearls—treasures that even Zheng Yuanluo does not possess!"

"And you... Junior Minister of Dali Temple! Can you still appreciate the previous dynasty's national painting bestowed upon you by this prince?"

"You! Central City Garrison Commander! Is that beauty from Wu Country in your private residence still pleasing?"

After a battle of wits and tongues, the many court ministers were actually scolded so thoroughly that not a shred of dignity remained, and no one dared to confront him further.

Only a very small number of officials were still glaring at Zheng Yuantao and arguing loudly.

As for the other officials who had accepted bribes from Zheng Yuantao—such as beauties, money, fine horses, antiques, and other stolen goods—they were terrified and did not dare to confront him again.

Quite a few people even knelt on the ground, trembling with fear.

For example, the Commander of the Central City Garrison, Zhao Jingyi!

What he had accepted was a beauty from Wu Country!

To put it lightly, it was merely accepting bribes.

To put it gravely, harboring a woman from Wu Country was a crime tantamount to treason!

After a full cup of tea's time, Zheng Yuantao's expression remained leisurely, as if he had not come to submit to the law, but rather to debate.

The many court ministers were actually debated by him to the point of being speechless.

The reason was very simple.

Among the many court ministers in the entire imperial court, at least seventy percent of them had accepted bribes from him!

Some had returned them, but others had secretly kept them.

At this time, Lu Xiangqing suddenly walked up to Zheng Yuantao and smiled indifferently, "Prince Yan's Heir, this old minister has not accepted your bribes."

"Oh?"

Zheng Yuantao asked in return, "What insights does Elder Lu have?"

"Everything you have done today is merely out of unwillingness to accept defeat. Am I right or wrong?"

Zheng Yuantao's gaze changed abruptly, and then he cursed angrily, "Of course!"

"This prince sits upon hundreds of thousands of subjects in Yan, with two thousand Dragon Cavalry and eighty thousand infantry under my command. Such strength is sufficient to contend for hegemony in the Central Plains."

"Who would have thought that we would be annihilated by the bizarre immortal treasures under Zheng Yuanluo's command... Such an outcome is something Gu absolutely refuses to accept!"

"With such court ministers and such an emperor, how can he be qualified to be the master of this Great Yu!"

"Hmph!"

Lu Xiangqing let out a cold shout and said, "My lord's throne is ordained by heaven and naturally protected by immortals and gods. That heavenly lightning annihilating you rebel armies was also ordained by heaven!"

"As a descendant of the Zheng clan, instead of thinking about guarding your homeland and resisting foreign tribes, you engaged in fratricide, killing your elder and younger brothers. With what face can you face your ancestors for what you have done?"

"How does what you have done differ from beasts, and how could you sit upon this realm!"

"You...!"

Zheng Yuantao glared at Lu Xiangqing, but had no words to refute him.

He had indeed sent gifts to Lu Xiangqing, but Lu Xiangqing had thrown him and the items out together.

This person was impervious to all entreaties, caring only for a lifetime of unblemished integrity!

His killing of his elder and younger brothers was a fact, witnessed by countless people.

On this point alone, there was no way to refute it.

Zheng Yuantao glared at Lu Xiangqing, took a deep breath, and said, "I will not engage in a war of words with you."

"Zheng Yuanluo, do you not want a reputation for benevolence and virtue? I am standing right here, come and kill me!"

"Hahaha..."

"Furthermore! Under my control, there is an account ledger recording the specific bribes that my father and I have given to the important ministers of the court over all these years."

"The number of people and the amount of wealth are enough to make you look sideways in shock!"

"And... under my command, there are also over a hundred letters written to me by important court ministers, among which many show the intent of first- and second-rank grand ministers to pledge allegiance."

"Zheng Yuanluo! Those letters and account ledgers are almost about to be found by the Jinyi Guard under your command, right?"

"How is it... Do you dare to kill me? Do you dare to kill me?!"

"Hahahaha..."

Zheng Yuantao laughed loudly, while the entire imperial court fell into absolute silence, with no one daring to speak.

Some people were covered in cold sweat, others were pale-faced, and their eyes were lifeless.

Even more court ministers were so frightened that their legs went weak, and they collapsed straight onto the ground.

Seeing this, Zheng Yuantao's eyes were filled with disdain.

Just at this moment, Cui Jinghao suddenly stepped out of the ranks and said, "Your Majesty."

"This minister is advanced in age and lacks energy; I earnestly request to retire."

"Whoosh...!"

As soon as Cui Jinghao finished speaking, the many court ministers began to whisper among themselves, sounding just like a vegetable market.

"What is Elder Cui doing? Why is he requesting retirement at a time like this?"

"Shh, could it be that Elder Cui also accepted the Pseudo-Yan..."

"Didn't you hear? The Pseudo Prince Yan sent Elder Cui ten roots of millennium-old purple ginseng!"

"No wonder I heard a few days ago that Elder Cui took a twenty-first concubine..."

"Hiss..."

Whispers filled the lower ranks, while Zheng Yi watched this group of court ministers with great interest.

Beasts in human clothing?

Human faces, beastly hearts?

They were not enough to evaluate this group of people.

The entire imperial court was just like a grand drama where one party finished singing and another stepped onto the stage.

And in today's grand drama, Zheng Yuantao was undoubtedly the protagonist.

As for the villains, naturally they were the court ministers who had accepted his bribes.

For instance, Cui Jinghao.

As for his own identity?

A spectator?

Or the director?

After thinking for a moment, Zheng Yi spoke, "Elder Cui is vigorous despite his age. This emperor still needs an experienced person like Elder Cui to check for omissions and fill in gaps, assisting us in governing the realm."

"Regarding the matter of retirement, speak no more of it."

"Your Majesty..."

Cui Jinghao wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by Zheng Yi:

"Summon the Jinyi Guard!"

"Summon the Jinyi Guard!"

Soon, several dusty Jinyi Guards walked in briskly.

Zheng Yi asked, "Have you all searched out any secret letters or account ledgers?"

The few Jinyi Guards looked at each other in dismay, and the leading Jinyi Guard sincerely said, "How is Your Majesty so divine and resourceful? This subordinate and the others indeed just obtained an account ledger and dozens of secret letters."

"However, they were not searched out by us; rather, a concubine of the Pseudo Prince Yan initiative handed them over to us."

"Heh..."

Zheng Yuantao sneered, "If not for this prince making such arrangements, relying just on the likes of you, you still wanted to find things hidden by this prince? What utter daydreaming!"

"Very well, bring the account ledger and secret letters here!"

"Understood!"

Several people stepped forward, and soon placed a thick blue-covered account ledger in front of Zheng Yi and the many court ministers.

And... dozens of secret letters!

The wax seals of these secret letters had obviously been torn open, proving that the contents inside had also been read by someone.

Looking at these account ledgers and secret letters, the many court ministers subconsciously swallowed a mouthful of saliva.

If these account ledgers and secret letters were seen by Your Majesty, they would undoubtedly die!

Their best outcome would also be exile, or even having their entire family executed!

Zheng Yi stood up, walked over to these pieces of evidence with great interest, and paced back and forth.

Zheng Yuantao's eyes were filled with mockery; everything he did today was precisely to strip away the hypocritical true face of Zheng Yuanluo!

When facing the betrayal of many court ministers, how would you dispose of them?

Thinking of this, Zheng Yuantao's heart was filled with excitement and thrill.

I have lost.

But don't expect to have an easy time either!

Looking at the account ledgers and secret letters littering the ground, Zheng Yi's gaze slowly swept toward the many court ministers.

Some were trembling all over with tension, some were pale-faced, some had cold sweat streaming down, and others were glaring coldly.

Especially Cui Jinghao's gaze, which contained remorse, anger, and pleading.

But more than anything, it was helplessness.

Zheng Yi's heart stirred, and he suddenly said, "Liu Chengen."

"this servant is here."

"Fetch a flint and a fire basin."

"Understood!"

Soon, a large fire basin over half a person tall was brought up.

The many officials in the grand hall were full of confusion, not knowing what Your Majesty was up to.

Some people seemed to remember something, their eyes filled with excitement, thrill, and submission.

As for Zheng Yuantao, he also seemed to recall something, looking at Zheng Yi with a face full of shock.

Zheng Yi turned back two steps, arriving before the dragon chair, yet did not sit down.

Turning around, he spoke, "My beloved ministers, all of you are the pillars of the country; this emperor naturally has my own discernment in my heart."

"Back then, when the Pseudo-Yan was strong, no one could be confident of defeating them in battle, and this emperor was no exception."

"Today, the Pseudo-Yan intended to use these letters to drive a wedge between this emperor and my beloved ministers. Their intentions deserve to be executed!"

"Today, this emperor shall burn these account ledgers and letters to ashes to set your minds at ease."

As soon as his voice fell, dozens of court ministers who could no longer hold on hurriedly knelt to the ground and shouted, "Your Majesty is wise!"

Seeing this, the other court ministers also knelt down one after another and shouted, "Your Majesty is wise!"

With a single glance from Zheng Yi, Liu Chengen hurriedly opened the flint and ignited all these account ledgers and letters.

Amidst the leaping flames, Zheng Yi's voice came again: "After today, this emperor hopes that all beloved ministers can devote your utmost efforts to protect Great Yu and govern the realm."

"If this emperor discovers anyone committing crimes and violating the law again, they will definitely not be spared lightly!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Amidst the mountains of shouts of long live, Zheng Yuantao collapsed limply onto the ground, his eyes filled with despair.

"I... have lost!"

Just at this moment, out of the corner of his eye, Zheng Yi suddenly saw a little eunuch hurriedly rushing over, almost crashing into the Imperial Guards before being hastily blocked by them.

Zheng Yi's gaze shifted slightly; this person seemed to be... a Shadow Guard?

Could it be that... something happened in the inner palace?

Zheng Yi immediately said, "The Pseudo Prince Yan has committed treason. Escort him to the Imperial Clan Court, awaiting further disposal."

"Without this emperor's command, no one is permitted to visit."

"Understood!"

Seeking monthly votes~

Seeking monthly votes~

Seeking monthly votes~

Seeking monthly votes~

Seeking monthly votes~