Liu Yanzong's words shocked everyone present.

As expected of someone from the Censorate, he's used to doing things that involve bloodshed and violence, and he's always talking about executing nine generations of a person's family.

Zhou Chao looked at Liu Yanzong with disdain. Ever since Xu Churen was demoted, he had become the Censorate's number one target.

Just like how audits in later companies specifically target the finance department.

The relationship between these two is now like oil and water.

Zhao Huan asked calmly, "Why do you say that, Minister Liu?"

"The Chen family committed three major crimes: First, they privately established armed forces to oppose the imperial court; second, they evaded taxes and lined their own pockets; and third, they colluded with Western barbarians to incite riots, resulting in the tragic deaths of 60,000 people."

Liu Yanzong's words were forceful and resonant, like knives and swords, as if he wanted to cut every member of the Chen family into pieces.

Zhao Huan said in a deep voice, "Liu Yusi, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want."

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines, sensing the anger in the emperor's tone.

Many people started criticizing Liu Yanzong. The emperor was in a good mood, so why did you have to say such unpleasant things at this time? Did you find life boring?

"Your Majesty, everything I have said is true. If I have deceived you, I am willing to lose my head."

"Where's the evidence?"

Liu Yanzong took out several letters from his pocket and presented them to the emperor.

Zhao Huan read it carefully once.

Zhou Chao said, "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance and needs further investigation..."

Before he could finish speaking, Yu Yunwen stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I have also received some information about this matter."

"Oh, please speak freely, Master Yu."

“A month ago, I sent someone to Guangnan. There was a report that the Western barbarians were killing people indiscriminately, and there was also a report that the Chen family was disregarding human life. This is somewhat consistent with what Imperial Censor Liu said. However, this matter is of great importance, and I need to handle it with caution before I have thoroughly investigated it. I was unable to report it to Your Majesty.”

Zhao Huan took a deep breath and glanced at Liu Yanzong.

This matter is probably not as simple as it seems on the surface.

Zhao Huan asked, "Liu Yusi, what is the background of that Chen family?"

"The Chen family was originally a prominent family in Guangzhou Prefecture. The former prefect of Guangzhou, Chen Zhaohong, was the eldest son of the Chen family. After resigning from his post and living in seclusion, he was quite prestigious in Guangzhou Prefecture."

"I don't believe that a resigned prefect could cause such a huge uproar in Guangzhou." Zhao Huan's face was grim, clouded with gloom, making him look extremely unpleasant. He was unfamiliar with Chen Zhaohong, who was an official from the era of Emperor Huizong of Song.

However, without anyone protecting him, Chen Zhaohong would never have been able to wield such influence in Guangzhou Prefecture after resigning from his post.

The atmosphere suddenly became serious.

"What has the Chen family been doing all these years?"

"Your Majesty, nine years ago, in response to the court's call, the Chen family sold 10,000 mu of fertile land and took advantage of the new policies to start a business. Speaking of which, four years ago, the Chen family also donated 10,000 shi of grain to the South China Sea Navy."

Zhou Chao said cautiously, "If the Chen family is truly as Liu Yusi said, then their entire clan should be exterminated. However, the court still needs to be cautious when making decisions and must have concrete evidence."

The Song Dynasty of today is vastly different from what it was a few years ago.

In the first year of the Jingkang era, in order to quickly eliminate the conservative faction, the emperor adopted extremely radical methods to cruelly suppress everything.

But now is a period of rapid development for the Song Dynasty, everything is moving fast, and everything is changing.

In this situation, what is needed is stability of people's hearts; otherwise, things are very likely to collapse.

His other point was that the letters Liu Yanzong pulled out were likely forgeries.

As for what Yu Yunwen said, there is no evidence. Even if he is the prime minister, he cannot make baseless accusations.

Otherwise, if it causes social unrest, no one can bear the responsibility.

Zhao Huan's gaze shifted to Yu Yunwen. He knew what Yu Yunwen was thinking and why Yu Yunwen had not reported the matter of the Chen family after discovering it.

Without anyone protecting her, how dare the Chen family act recklessly?

Yu Yunwen clearly didn't want to alert the enemy, and was thinking of following the clues to find out more people.

But now Liu Yanzong has exposed the matter without a word, and the dozens of officials present will inevitably leak the news.

After tomorrow, officials in Guangnan East Road will either die in bed or become scapegoats.

Zhao Huan tapped his long, slender fingers lightly on the table. Everyone held their breath, as if they could feel an oppressive aura emanating from the emperor, as powerful as Mount Tai.

"What further evidence do I need? One is my Censorate, and the other is the Prime Minister of the Great Song Dynasty. They have both accused a local family. What further evidence do you think I need? Are you saying that my Prime Minister and my Censorate are conspiring to deceive me?"

Zhao Huan's tone became rather irritated, and his expression turned stern as he pursed his lips and furrowed his brows.

"Your subject dares not!"

"Open a case! Liu Yanzong, you are to thoroughly investigate this matter for me!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty, I believe this matter is also closely related to the new policies of Guangnan Prefecture. I request Your Majesty to withdraw the new policies." Zhou Chao was still unwilling to give up. He had originally been talking about the new policies, but Liu Yanzong had led him astray halfway through. He was so frustrated that he felt like vomiting blood.

Yu Yunwen then said, "Your Majesty, this is not the time to discuss the new policies in Guangnan. We should immediately dispatch a large army to quell the rebellion."

"I have already sent a letter to Li Bao, ordering him to lead 20,000 elite troops to Guangzhou to quell the rebellion."

The ministers were slightly taken aback. The emperor had just returned today, yet he had already sent a letter to Li Bao. The emperor's actions were faster than expected.

In other words, the purpose of summoning the ministers this time was no longer to devise strategies to quell the rebellion.

That's right. The emperor's opening remarks were about his views on the Guangzhou riots and the opening of the Yi Road, but he didn't say what would happen to Guangzhou next!

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