OBS Chapter 142 The Purpose of the Sixth Prince of Qi
Chapter 142 The Purpose of the Sixth Prince of Qi
The case of Xu from Ruyin was so hotly debated that she was finally escorted to Beijing yesterday. The court, which had been arguing endlessly, erupted again after being quiet for a few days.
More than a thousand people from the Xu family traveled for more than ten days from Ruyin County to Beijing. They looked very miserable. The officials from the aristocratic family faction made a fuss about this, saying that the Xu family had not been convicted yet, so why should they be escorted to Beijing.
Some people also said that even if the Xu family was guilty, it was not enough for their property to be confiscated. Moreover, they were parading around in public in public, which was clearly equivalent to convicting the Xu family, which was seriously inappropriate.
The officials from the aristocratic faction immediately launched an offensive. On the surface, they were blaming the Investigation Bureau for its ridiculous behavior, but in fact, everyone's eyes were intentionally or unintentionally glancing at Prince Ning.
Wu Kun returned to the court yesterday with an appearance of triumph. The Judicial Bureau had made great contributions and Prince Ning was overjoyed. He even held a banquet to comfort Wu Kun yesterday.
I had originally thought I could have some glory when I came to court today, but I didn't expect that I would be in trouble as soon as the matter started.
Although he had nothing to do with the Criminal Investigation Department in name, he could not tolerate it at this moment.
"Your Majesty, let's not talk about the Xu family's case of worshipping evil gods. Just the fact that they hunted down the police officers is equivalent to treason. For the crime of treason, not only should the family property be confiscated, but the whole family should also be exterminated."
After Prince Ning finished speaking, he glanced coldly at the whole audience. The accusation of treason was put on him, and many officials dared not say a word on the spot, for fear of getting into trouble.
However, Xu Hongtu had spent so much money, and there were also those secret letters, so some officials in the court had no choice but to go ahead.
"Your Majesty, what Prince Ning said is biased. The Judicial Bureau handled the case rudely. The Xu family is a local aristocratic family and they just didn't want to be humiliated and had some conflicts. How could they hunt down the Judicial Bureau officials? As for treason, it is even more ridiculous. Xu Hongtu is still in the capital, and many members of the Xu family are officials in the court. How could they possibly rebel?"
Prince Ning's face was filled with anger. He pointed at the official and started to curse, "You were not in Ruyin, so how do you know that the Judicial Bureau handled the case in a tyrannical manner? The files clearly state that the Xu family surrounded the Judicial Bureau officials in the rented yard and even killed innocent people to frame the Judicial Bureau. But in your words, it's just because they were unwilling to be humiliated?"
When these words were spoken, all the ministers were shocked. This case was handed over to the Ministry of Justice for trial. Where did Prince Ning see the files?
Although everyone knows that Wu Kun is Prince Ning's man, saying it out loud and not saying it out loud are two different things. Now that Prince Ning has implicitly admitted the matter in front of all the civil and military officials in the court, the nature of this matter is different.
Lu Xi's face turned pale, and he slapped the armrest of the dragon throne: "This case has not even been tried yet, and you are arguing endlessly. This Hall of Supreme Harmony is the place where important matters of the court are discussed. Did the court give you salaries just to let you quarrel?"
When the emperor got angry, all the ministers fell silent.
Lü Xi was still angry, and ordered, "Wei Dongxian, have the Jinwu Guards guard the palace gates. If anyone argues about this matter again, no matter who it is, drag them out."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Since the emperor said so, everyone had to shut up. The Hall of Supreme Harmony, which was as bustling as a vegetable market just now, suddenly became so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.
Lu Xi was so angry that he just got up and left. Wei Dongxian quickly shouted to adjourn the court and hurriedly followed him.
The morning court was over, but the small court meeting had to be held. After all, there were still state affairs that had not been dealt with. More than a dozen important officials gathered in the Qianqing Palace. Lu Xi was still angry and it was obvious at a glance, so no one dared to speak.
In the end, it was An Changqing who spoke first: "Your Majesty, the Sixth Prince of Northern Qi will visit next month. How should we respond? Please give us your instructions."
It would have been better if An Changqing didn't say anything. As soon as he mentioned this, Lu Xi's face became even uglier, because Northern Qi had sent a letter a few days ago saying that the sixth prince would come to visit.
Three years ago, when the Prince of Yan was plotting a rebellion, the State of Qi was even more ruthless than the State of Yan and occupied sixteen prefectures and counties in the north of Dasheng. The hatred between the two countries could be said to be as deep as the sea. However, according to the letter from the State of Qi, the Sixth Prince's visit was actually aimed at Lu Xi.
The letter said that the country wanted to resolve past grievances with Dasheng, and even promised to return several prefectures and counties as a sign of sincerity.
"Ministers, what do you think of the visit from the Sixth Prince of Northern Qi?"
Several cabinet ministers expressed their opinions one after another, and they basically came to the same point: if Northern Qi could really return the prefectures and counties, then everything would be negotiable.
Lu Xi frowned. These guys in the cabinet were good at managing domestic affairs, but they were really not good at foreign affairs. After talking for a long time, nothing was said usefully.
"Prime Minister An, what do you think the Sixth Prince of Northern Qi wants to do by visiting?"
An Changqing frowned and said, "Your Majesty, Dasheng and Qi are at odds, but Qi suddenly showed goodwill. They must have some ulterior motive. I think we should strengthen our border defense to prevent fraud."
Shi Qian saw that Lu Xi was looking at him again, and before Lu Xi could speak, he quickly said, "Your Majesty, I think that returning the prefectures and counties is pure nonsense. The crown prince of Qi was executed, and the other princes are busy fighting for power. The Sixth Prince came to visit at this time. Could it be that he wants our Dasheng to help him seize the throne?"
An Changqing immediately retorted: "What the Prime Minister is worried about is not appropriate. This is a letter from the state. If the Sixth Prince of Qi does not have a suitable excuse, how dare he say in the letter that he will return the prefectures and counties."
Everyone frowned. After a while, Shi Qian suddenly thought of a possibility. He was about to speak, but when he saw so many people in the hall, he held back and said nothing.
His little action was seen by An Changqing next to him. When their eyes met, they immediately understood each other's thoughts.
These two old rivals now have the same idea.
After several ministers talked some nonsense again, Lu Xi waved his hand impatiently to send them away. Just as he was about to take a rest, Wei Dongxian came to report that the two prime ministers wanted to see him.
Lu Xi was stunned. How come he came back just after leaving?
"My two prime ministers, is there anything important?"
After An and Shi looked at each other, Shi Qian gave way and said, "Prime Minister An, you speak first."
An Changqing bowed to him and thanked him, then turned to Lu Xi: "Your Majesty, I guess the purpose of the Sixth Prince of Qi may be to target Your Majesty."
"at me?"
Lu Xi didn't react for a moment: "What do you mean?"
Shi Qian added: "I suspect that the Sixth Prince wants to marry Your Majesty."
As soon as these words came out, the air in the hall seemed to freeze instantly. Lu Xi's eyes were furious, and his whole body burst into a powerful aura: "He dares!"
An and Shi were silent as a cicada, and dared not say a word.
After a while, Lu Xi finally calmed down and asked, "Why do you two have such thoughts?"
An Changqing said: "Your Majesty, the Sixth Prince of Qi is not as old or powerful as the other princes. If he wants to win the battle for the throne, he may have to seek help from outside, and Your Majesty is..."
An Changqing didn't say the rest of the sentence, Shi Qian added: "Your Majesty, the Sixth Prince of Qi is of the same age as Your Majesty and has never been married. I think he is planning to marry..."
"enough!"
Lu Xi interrupted Shi Qian with a loud shout: "This is absolutely impossible."
Shi Qian added: "But if it is true..."