Zhu Yunying suppressed his displeasure and said, "Marquis Heqing, this is the Fengtian Hall. If you can't control your mouth, I will send someone to help you!"

Zhang Lin immediately knelt down cleanly and neatly, as if he were afraid, "Your subject knows his crime."

They knew nothing of their crimes. Most of these military officers looked down on civil officials, and in earlier years there were many instances of military officers beating or verbally abusing civil officials. These military officers genuinely despised civil officials.

Zhang Lin appears to be apologizing, but it's not because he feels he has offended or humiliated the civil officials; it's simply because the emperor is displeased, so he wants to show his attitude.

Zhang Lin and the others naturally had no objections to the current emperor's status and background. In particular, as members of the Chang faction, they felt a natural affinity for the emperor.

Chang Mao also stepped forward at this time, hoping to help Zhang Lin out. "Your Majesty, the Marquis of Heqing has just received his title and has been serving in the military for a long time, so he is ignorant of etiquette and law. The Marquis of Heqing has slandered his colleagues, and I hope Your Majesty will punish him severely."

Zhang Lin's eyes widened in an instant; he felt as if he had been betrayed.

As Zhang Lin glared at Chang Mao with murderous intent, Zhu Yunying slowly asked, "The Marquis of Heqing is indeed unruly, daring to spew vulgarities even in court. Duke of Kaiping, what do you think I should do to punish him?"

Chang Mao answered without hesitation, saying, "Your Majesty, I think the punishment should be three months' salary and ten strokes of the military rod."

"I'll fine you half a year's salary. You military officers have followed the Emperor Emeritus in conquering the world, and you have made great contributions." Zhu Yunying did not accept the punishment entirely, but said, "I hope you military officers will not be arrogant. It is still necessary to govern the world with scholars. You military officers should not be arrogant and domineering just because of your fathers' and grandfathers' merits. I am grateful for your military achievements and do not want to punish you severely."

The emperor's words made many civil and military officials feel a bit strange. They could sense the emperor's emphasis on civil officials (and military merits), but it seemed that the emperor was also trying to smooth things over, simply removing Zhang Lin from the list, or perhaps giving him a minor punishment as a warning.

Zhu Yunying continued, "The Marquis of Heqing is arrogant. Drag him away and give him twenty strokes of the military rod. The Duke of Kaiping will oversee the execution!"

"Your Majesty!" Zhang Lin, kneeling on the ground, was dumbfounded, feeling wronged and angry. "Your Majesty, I am innocent!"

Chang Mao quickly accepted the decree, saying, "Your subject accepts the decree."

After saying this, Chang Mao quickly stood up and seemingly casually kicked Zhang Lin. However, the performance was too obvious, and everyone noticed something amiss.

Zhang Lin wasn't completely stupid. Although he felt wronged and thought Chang Mao was shameless, after seeing Chang Mao's repeated winks, he seemed to come to his senses and understand something.

So he knelt down neatly and quickly, and even though he was unwilling, he still said, "Your subject thanks you!"

The Great Han General dragged Zhang Lin away from Fengtian Hall, and Chang Mao followed closely behind.

"You bastard!" Chang Mao said in a low voice as soon as he left the main hall, "What does Zhang Wen, who is two-faced, have to do with us?! If it weren't for the fact that the late Marquis Heqing was from Fengyang, we wouldn't be doing this thankless task of protecting you, you fool."

Zhang Lin was indignant and said, "Lord Kaiping, we, the martial heroes, are of one family. When Marquis Huining suffered misfortune..."

"How many military officers have suffered in the past?" Chang Mao lowered his voice and said viciously, "If you don't want to lose your title, you'd better behave yourself. If you get a beating, go and thank the emperor, and then submit a memorial of apology!"

Seeing Zhang Lin's unconvinced expression, Chang Mao said fiercely, "The Marquis of Huining has overstepped his bounds, and you think you can protect him?! We, the martial arts heroes, are of one heart and one mind, and we shouldn't lose our friendship and betray His Majesty's favor over these matters."

Zhang Lin still looked defiant, which made Chang Mao feel deeply powerless. Perhaps his father-in-law had felt the same way years ago when facing him, the "brother-in-law of the emperor."

If it weren't for the fact that Zhang Lin was still part of the Chang faction, and if it weren't for the fact that although Zhang Lin was reckless, he was still quite brave, Chang Mao would have genuinely wanted to ignore him.

Consider how illustrious the Duke of Kaiping was, always busy with countless important matters. And now, he's actually being entrusted with the care of such a fool!

We need to find someone, someone to keep an eye on idiots like Zhang Lin. Chang Mao was also certain that there was more than one idiot like Zhang Lin; we can't let these fools ruin His Majesty's important affairs!

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