svetikya Page 628
Page 628
It seems that this was anticipated, as checkpoints were set up at the palace gates in advance.
No one was allowed to enter or leave, and the courtiers were unsurprisingly kept outside.
"Get out, we want to see you."
"The Prince of Zhenbei is utterly depraved and deserves to die!"
"However, our affairs after death are not yet settled. We must plead for the 380,000 people of Chuzhou City!"
An official shouted loudly, his voice righteous and awe-inspiring, as if he were the embodiment of justice.
"As a prince, he actually intended to slaughter the people; he deserves to die!"
“The Prince of Huai should be demoted to a commoner and his body left to rot in the wilderness, to give the world an explanation.”
The crowd was in high spirits, and the hypocrites dressed in official robes of various colors began to storm the checkpoints.
"presumptuous!"
The commander of the Imperial Guards glared at the assembled officials and shouted at them.
"Anyone who dares to enter the palace will be killed without mercy!"
"Pooh!"
Zheng, the white-haired provincial governor, spat a thick wad of phlegm at him.
Far from being afraid, he was furious!
"I stand right here today, dare to strike me with your sword?"
"I'm not afraid to tell you, I personally chopped off the head of the Prince of Zhenbei!"
Upon hearing Zheng Xinghuai's words, all the civil officials were filled with awe and respect!
The head of the former number one warrior of the Great Feng Dynasty, the Prince of Huai, was actually cut off by a civil official!
Zheng Xinghuai, the Provincial Governor of Chuzhou, deserves to be remembered in history!
The commander of the Imperial Guard dodged the spitting phlegm, his scalp tingling.
He really didn't dare to draw his knife and kill someone. Although trespassing into the palace was a capital offense, rules are rules, and reality is reality.
Who are these people in front of me?
The Grand Secretary, Minister of the Six Ministries, Vice Minister, a member of the prestigious Hanlin Academy, and a Supervising Secretary of the Six Offices.
The phrase "衮衮诸公" describes these people.
The soldiers were strong and healthy, and it was no problem for them to hold off these old men.
He was spat on, kicked, and slapped, but he wouldn't back down an inch.
The more the Imperial Guards refused to budge, the more the civil officials protested.
At first, it was just a dozen or so high-ranking officials from the imperial court causing trouble, but gradually, other minor officials from the imperial city's government offices also joined in the fun.
The city gate was in an uproar, with both sides locked in a stalemate.
In a corner not far away, Xu Qi'an pulled back Xu Xinnian, who was about to step forward.
"Brother, what are you doing here?" Xu Erlang was taken aback.
"What are you doing here?" Xu Qi'an asked back.
Xu Erlang's expression was serious: "I just heard that there was a great victory in the north, and that the Marquis of Jingning and his entourage brought back the remains of the Prince of Zhenbei."
The matter of the Prince of Zhenbei, driven by his own selfish desires to be promoted to the second rank, actually led to the massacre of the city!
Brother, tell me, is it true?
Xu Qi'an abandoned his carefree attitude and nodded.
“The Prince of Zhenbei was captured by my master, and the people elected Lord Zheng Xinghuai to execute him.”
Xu Erlang felt a sharp pain in his chest, staggered back two steps, and his eyes instantly reddened.
"The Prince of Zhenbei should be infamous for ten thousand years, the Marquis of Jingning should have his merits inscribed on a stone, and Zheng Xinghuai should be forever remembered in history!"
Xu Qi'an patted his younger brother on the shoulder, "Judging from the attitude of that person in the palace, it seems that they don't want to convict the Prince of Zhenbei."
"Civil officials are skilled with their pens, but their speaking skills are lacking."
"Do you remember when, at the Buddha Fighting Conference, my brother's words disturbed the high monk's resolve?"
"Brother, please wait here. I'll be right back." Xu Cijiu lifted his long robe and strode forward.
Fortunately, this was discovered; otherwise, 380,000 lives would have been lost in vain!
Throughout history, there have been very few people as cold-blooded and cruel as him!
If I cannot express my true feelings today, I fear that my nineteen years of studying the classics will have been in vain this New Year.
Finally, upon reaching the edge of the crowd, Xu Xinnian focused his energy, his face contorted slightly.
"Get out of my way!"
The noise suddenly stopped, and the scene became quiet.
Many people unconsciously recall the scene during the Buddhist debate, where Xu Cijiu's sharp words angered the Buddhist monk Jingchen.
The crowd silently parted to make way.
Xu Xinnian ignored the stares around him and took a deep breath.
He shouted loudly, "I have heard that the Prince of Huai, for his own selfish reasons, intends to massacre the entire city and exterminate the entire population!"
"Mother, it is true that my mother is not pleased, therefore I have come here."
Damn it, this is so freaking annoying...
As the sun gradually moved westward, only Xu Erlang remained at the palace gate.
This outburst lasted for two whole hours.
He dictated a manifesto, quoting classical texts and reciting it fluently, speaking in a strange and sarcastic tone.
Ultimately, the emperor only agreed to see Wang Zhenwen.
However, this is just an excuse.
Wang Zhenwen waited for a long time at the entrance of the Imperial Study, but was never granted an audience.
"Your Excellency, His Majesty is overcome with grief and has acted improperly, so he will not see you."
Upon hearing the eunuch's words, the light in the Prime Minister Wang's eyes gradually dimmed.
"His Majesty needs time to calm down. As you know, the Prince of Huai is his younger brother."
His Majesty and Prince Huai had a deep and abiding affection for each other since childhood. Now, he's suddenly gone.
The chief minister nodded blankly, strode away, and didn't look back.
After seeing off Chief Minister Wang, the old eunuch entered the palace.
"Your Majesty, the Grand Secretary has returned."
Emperor Yuanjing grunted in response, but did not open his eyes, instead closing them to rest.
"Who are the people gathered at the palace gate?"
The old eunuch said in a deep voice, "Everyone who was supposed to come has come."
Emperor Yuanjing snorted coldly, "I knew it. These dogs are always biting each other, and half of it is just an act."
"Hateful, despicable, deserves to die!"
He was angry for a moment, then regained his composure and asked, "Has Yuan Xiong, the Left Censor-in-Chief, arrived?"
The old eunuch thought for a moment and shook his head: "It seems I didn't see it."
"Make a note of those who did not come today, and do the same for the next few days," Emperor Yuanjing ordered.
"Yes!"
Five days later.
The Golden Palace!
The emperor looked somewhat haggard, with puffy eye bags and bloodshot eyes.
It fully portrays the image of an elder brother who has lost his younger brother.
Many people exchanged silent glances, a chill running down their spines.
Zheng Xinghuai, the Provincial Governor of Chuzhou, strode forward.
"Your Majesty, the General of Chuzhou, Prince Huai, colluded with the leaders of the Witch God Sect and the Earth Sect for his own selfish gain, and was promoted to the second rank."
The intention was to massacre the 380,000 people of Yunzhou City. Since the founding of the Great Feng Dynasty, this atrocity was unprecedented.
"I beseech Your Majesty to demote the Prince of Huai to a commoner, and hang his head on the city wall for three days, as a public announcement to the world."
Emperor Yuanjing stared intently at him, his face expressionless.
Chief Minister Wang then stepped forward, saying, "The Prince of Huai's actions have angered both Heaven and the people, and the capital has already been in an uproar."
"Your Majesty, please demote the Prince of Huai to a commoner and hang his head on the city wall for three days."