GBP Chapter 104 The Ministers and Princes Enter the Palace
Chapter 104 The Ministers and Princes Enter the Palace
Royal study room.
"Your Majesty, several cabinet ministers, officials, and princes are requesting an audience outside the Imperial Study."
Eunuch Yongfu came to Emperor Dongqin's side and reported to him.
These people were at the pinnacle of power in Eastern Qin, and they almost never came to the Imperial Study together after court.
I never expected that we would all end up in the Imperial Study today.
Upon hearing Eunuch Yongfu's report, the Emperor of Eastern Qin ignored it and continued reviewing the memorials.
It was as if they hadn't heard Yongfu's report at all.
He knew very well why these people had come; he guessed it was because of the Imperial Guards surrounding the Prince Qi's residence.
This time, these people are probably going to get restless.
But there's no rush now, let's leave them to their own devices for a while.
After a short while, the Emperor of Eastern Qin finished reviewing the memorials in his hand and put down his pen.
"Send them in!"
Just as Eunuch Yongfu was at a loss, Emperor Dongqin slowly spoke.
Instruct Eunuch Yongfu to summon all the ministers and princes outside the palace.
"Your subject (son) pays respects to Your Majesty (father)."
The ministers and princes all bowed in greeting.
The Emperor of Eastern Qin ignored them and simply watched the ministers and princes kneeling on the ground.
After a hundred breaths, the Emperor of Eastern Qin slowly spoke: "No need for formalities."
"Thank you, Your Majesty (Father)."
The ministers and princes thanked the emperor and rose to their feet.
"What brings all these winds today?"
The Emperor of Eastern Qin spoke with a hint of mockery.
His words left the ministers and princes looking at each other, unsure of what to say.
"Your Majesty, I have come regarding the matter of Prince Qi. I wonder why the Imperial Guards have suddenly surrounded Prince Qi's residence?"
The car on the right wing wobbled and exited first.
After all, he supported the King of Qi and didn't want anything to happen to him, even though the King of Qi had been demoted from a prince to a duke.
However, with Consort Xian and Lingjian Manor behind him, Prince Qi still has a chance.
We can't afford to let anything happen to King Qi now.
"Are you also concerned about the King of Qi?"
The Emperor of Eastern Qin did not answer the Right Chancellor, but merely glanced at the other ministers and princes.
"Your Majesty, the Qi Prince's residence has been besieged. This is a matter of great importance, and we would like to know why."
Left Prime Minister Qi Ding said, forcing himself to speak.
Indeed, as he said, the matter of the Prince of Qi was too far-reaching, and if a convincing reason could not be presented, the court would likely be thrown into turmoil.
"It seems you've all come for the sake of King Qi! I never expected that something like this happening to King Qi would bring all the most powerful people in Eastern Qin here."
The Emperor of Eastern Qin spoke with a hidden meaning.
His words made everyone break out in a cold sweat.
The Emperor of Eastern Qin is implying that they are colluding with the King of Qi!
This was the first reaction of all the ministers and princes.
"Your Majesty, I am also worried that the matter of the Prince of Qi may cause some unnecessary trouble. After all, our Eastern Qin is currently engaged in a great war with Southern Qi, and we cannot afford any accidents!"
The driver on the right quickly explained.
He now realized that the matter involving the King of Qi this time was probably quite serious.
Regardless, his first priority was to protect himself, then find out what the King of Qi had done wrong, and then consider whether to rescue the King of Qi.
If things get too serious, he would rather abandon the King of Qi, or at worst, follow the example of the Grand Tutor and others and remain neutral, not helping anyone.
In fact, he had long considered giving up on the King of Qi, since taking sides would be too rash given the current state of the court.
Especially after the return of the Divine Martial King, although according to the rules the Divine Martial King was not allowed to inherit the throne, he was the first prince to be excluded from the throne.
But precisely because of this, they have absolutely no worries when it comes to doing things.
"Your Majesty, we are also worried about the impact on the war effort at the front."
The ministers and princes quickly offered explanations.
"I hope so!"
"The Prince of Liuyun privately amassed a private army of as many as 20, which also implicated many court officials, including the Prince of Qi."
"Do you now think there's anything wrong with the Imperial Guards surrounding Prince Qi's residence?"
The Emperor of Eastern Qin sneered. Did he really think he didn't know what these ministers were thinking?
However, an explanation was still given.
After all, they will need to cooperate in handling the subsequent matters.
Upon hearing that King Qi and King Liuyun were connected, everyone was shocked.
The story of Prince Liuyun has now spread throughout the entire capital, and everyone knows the enormity of his crime.
That's a heinous crime that could lead to the confiscation of property and the extermination of one's entire clan; anyone implicated in it would not have a good end.
Before the verdict on Liu Yun Wang's crimes has been announced, the Imperial Clan Court has already committed suicide. If Qi Wang is truly involved with Liu Yun Wang in any way, he probably won't have a good ending either.
"Father, isn't there some misunderstanding? How could Fourth Brother possibly be involved with Prince Liuyun?"
The Third Prince, the Prince of Han, could hardly believe it.
Although his younger brother is a bit stupid, he wouldn't do something like colluding with the Flowing Cloud King!
Moreover, the Queen Consort of Qi is the legitimate daughter of the Right Chancellor. With the Right Chancellor's support, there is absolutely no need for him to collude with the Prince of Liuyun.
"Misunderstanding? We have evidence and witnesses, what misunderstanding could there be?"
The Emperor of Eastern Qin snorted coldly, grabbed a stack of testimonies from the desk, and threw them at the King of Han.
Upon seeing this, the King of Han immediately picked up the book closest to him and began to read it.
I don't know if I don't see it, I'm startled when I see it.
The record above actually describes the collusion between the King of Qi and the King of Liuyun.
The King of Han still didn't believe it, so he picked up another letter, opened it, and found that it really was the King of Qi's handwriting.
With such irrefutable evidence, it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for the King of Qi to overturn the verdict.
The King of Han's face also turned extremely ugly.
Seeing the King of Han's expression, the others also stepped forward to pick up the booklet and letter to examine them.
Upon seeing this, everyone's expression turned extremely grim.
They never expected that King Qi was actually connected with King Liuyun.
These pieces of evidence and letters have already definitively proven the King of Qi's crimes.
"Your Majesty, are all of these true?"
Even the Right Chancellor, Che Huang, could hardly believe that this was really done by the King of Qi.
If the King of Qi really did that, he would probably be implicated as well.
He didn't want to get involved.
"Prime Minister, the evidence is irrefutable, yet you still don't believe it? Are you trying to exonerate the Prince of Qi? Or are you also involved?"
The Emperor of Eastern Qin said coldly.
His words frightened the Right Chancellor so much that he immediately knelt down.
"Your Majesty, you have been wronged! This old minister knew nothing of this matter!"
The liaison officer on the right hurriedly cried out for justice.
He can't let this label be attached to him, otherwise his whole family might lose their lives.
"Injustice? Is that so?"
The Emperor of Eastern Qin looked at the Right Chancellor, clearly not believing his words.
After all, the Right Chancellor was the father-in-law of the King of Qi, and the King of Qi would consult the Right Chancellor on everything he did, so he knew this.
"Your Majesty is wise. This old minister truly knew nothing about this matter. This old minister is willing to guarantee it with his life."
"If this old minister is implicated in this matter, I am willing to be torn apart by five horses."
When the Right Chancellor saw that the Emperor of Eastern Qin did not believe him, he directly made a solemn oath.
Emperor Dongqin was shocked after hearing the Right Chancellor's words. He never expected the Right Chancellor to make such a vicious oath.
He just wanted to give the Right Chancellor a warning.
The Left Prime Minister and others were also somewhat surprised; this Right Prime Minister was truly ruthless.
"Right Chancellor, there's no need for this. Please rise!"
"The evidence against King Qi is conclusive. You only need to cooperate with King Shenwu. As for how King Shenwu handles it, that's up to you."
"Do you understand?"
The Emperor of Eastern Qin gave the order.
He knew that the Right Chancellor was not involved in this matter.
Even if it were the King of Qi, he probably believed it was Qin Wu's doing.
However, he didn't want to pay attention to the Prince of Qi. The Prince of Qi had been abusing his power and influence for years, relying on the Spirit Sword Manor behind him, and he had long been dissatisfied with him.
Moreover, in his mind, not only the King of Qi, but even the King of Han could not possibly take the throne.
He absolutely would not allow such a powerful maternal relative to exist.
"I understand."
The ministers immediately accepted the order.
They realized that the Emperor of Eastern Qin was determined to deal with the Prince of Qi.
"Father, you mustn't! Fourth Brother is still your son! If Ninth Brother is allowed to handle this, Fourth Brother will have no way out."
Upon hearing the words of the Emperor of Eastern Qin, the King of Han immediately shouted.
No matter what, the Prince of Qi absolutely cannot die; he is his own younger brother, even if he loses his right to vie for the throne.
The power he wields is also an asset to him.
He couldn't stand by and watch King Qi be killed by King Wu of Qin.
"Yes! Father, this matter cannot be left to Ninth Brother!"
"Father, you mustn't!"
"..."
The princes all knelt down and said.
They wanted the King of Qi to lose his right to the throne, but he absolutely could not die at the hands of Qin Wu.
This would likely allow Qin Wu to gain access to the private information held by the King of Qi.
With these things, they could control the power of the King of Qi.
This is definitely not a good thing for them.
They all wanted to take over the power of the King of Qi.
"Hmph, do you really think I don't know what you're thinking? I'll leave this matter to the Divine Martial King; you don't need to say anything more."
"That's it, all of you may leave!"
The Emperor of Eastern Qin snorted coldly.
Do his sons think he's a fool?
Do they really think he doesn't know what they're thinking?
"roll."
When the Emperor of Eastern Qin saw that his sons were still kneeling on the ground, he threw a teacup at them.
"Your subject (son) takes his leave."
Seeing that the Emperor of Eastern Qin was angry, the ministers and princes knew that the matter was settled and could only take their leave.