The accusations against Duke Chongguo Zhao Chen for criticizing the new laws did not end with the court session.
Not only did it not happen, but it actually fermented within the last few days.
A group of ministers, led by He Ye, the Vice Censor-in-Chief, requested the emperor to investigate the matter.
On this day, the ministers stood outside the emperor's study, requesting an audience with him.
Meanwhile, the ministers, led by Grand Chancellor Xu Churen, vehemently denounced He Ye as a treacherous minister who had brought disaster to the country and its people.
The heir apparent is a matter of national security. How could the Censor-in-Chief not only fail in his duties but also slander the heir apparent at a critical moment? His intentions are despicable!
Shao Chengzhang came in from outside and said, "Your Majesty, Censor He, Censor Liu, Minister Duan, and the officials of the Censorate, the Censorate and the Supervisory Commission are outside requesting an audience."
"Let He Ye, Liu Yanzong, and Duan Zhijie in!"
Shao Chengzhang went out and said, "Censor He, Censor Liu, and Minister Duan, His Majesty wants you to come in."
The group exchanged glances and then entered the emperor's study: "Your humble servants pay their respects to Your Majesty."
"No need for formalities."
"Your Majesty, I dare to say that the Duke of Chongguo has criticized the new laws and is causing unrest among the people. I beg Your Majesty to severely punish the Duke of Chongguo!"
He also presented a written statement, saying, "Your Majesty, this is the report filed by Li Xingzhi, the pageboy of the Duke of Chongguo."
Shao Chengzhang took the letter of tribute and presented it to the emperor.
Zhao Huan opened it and said calmly, "In your opinion, my three ministers, how should I punish the Duke of Chong?"
Liu Yanzong mustered his courage and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that the title of Duke of Chong should be abolished and he should be demoted to a commoner!"
Duan Zhijie said, "Your Majesty, the new law concerns the foundation of the nation. Anyone who criticizes the new law should be thoroughly investigated!"
He also said, "Your Majesty, princes who break the law are punished the same as commoners!"
Zhao Huan crumpled the confession into a ball and threw it at He Ye's face.
The three justice ministers were taken aback.
The emperor roared, "Don't think I don't know what you're thinking! Investigate again for me!"
"His Majesty……"
"I order you to investigate again!"
"yes!"
Duan Zhijie, He Ye, and Liu Yanzong were all adept at understanding the emperor's intentions.
The emperor's anger was clearly aimed at protecting the Duke of Chong.
But the emperor said he would investigate again, which meant he was not going to let the matter go easily.
Therefore, all three of them understood each other perfectly.
The investigation will definitely continue, but the Duke of Chongguo must be kept out of the picture.
Thus, the three seemed to have discerned a signal: the Duke of Chong was not completely out of the running for the crown prince!
"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will immediately reinvestigate!"
The three men walked out in a disheveled state, while the ministers outside had already heard the emperor's angry voice coming from inside.
The three gestured for everyone to leave immediately.
From the perspectives of He Ye, Duan Zhijie, and Liu Yanzong, Duke Chongguo Zhao Chen should absolutely not be made crown prince.
It's not that the three of them had any conflict with Zhao Chen.
Instead, all three were ministers in the judicial system, and their style of doing things was that of a ruthless official.
Judging from Zhao Chen's personality, if he were to ascend the throne, he would absolutely not appoint such cruel officials.
Rather than doing that, it would be better to drive out the Duke of Chongguo as soon as possible to prevent future troubles.
However, the Duke of Chongguo was, after all, the emperor's son. The three underestimated the emperor's feelings for this son, thinking that criticizing the new laws would make the emperor make an impulsive decision.
They thought this because they believed the new law was very important to the emperor, and that the emperor was acting irrationally for the sake of the new law.
But now it seems that the emperor is becoming more and more rational and profound.
After leaving the palace, in the afternoon, the people from the Censorate arrived at the Li residence and immediately brought Zhao Chen's page, Li Xing, to the Censorate.
The military police officer from the Inspectorate had a ferocious look on his face: "Do you only know why we arrested you?"
Li Xing was both nervous and scared, and quickly shook his head.
"To slander the Duke of Chongguo for criticizing the new laws and to incite conflict within the imperial family is a serious crime, punishable by beheading as a warning to the public at best, and execution of the entire family at worst!"
Upon hearing this, Li Xing was so frightened that he lost his composure.
He stared at Liu Yanzong, who was sitting to the side drinking tea, and exclaimed in horror, "Liu Yusi, I didn't lie, I didn't lie!"
The military policeman slapped Li Xing several times, making his mouth bleed.
Liu Yanzong said, "I will ask, and you will answer."
"Yes, yes, yes!"
"Whom does Chong Guogong have the closest contact with most on a daily basis?"
"In reply to Imperial Censor Liu, Chongguo Gong has been in close contact with Hanlin Academician Shi Xiang Gong on ordinary days."
Shi Xun? That man is a staunch supporter of the new law. Going to cause trouble for him would only create trouble for yourself, so he absolutely cannot be touched.
"Anything else?"
"The Duke of Chongguo often visits the Empress."
"Anything else?"
"And...and the Prince of Yun comes to see the Duke of Chong from time to time!"
Liu Yanzong raised an eyebrow: "Prince Yun?"
Seemingly remembering something, Li Xing quickly said, "Liu Yusi, I remember now. A month ago, when the Duke of Chongguo and I were reading Prime Minister Shi's 'New Commentary on the Analects,' the Prince of Yun came to see the Duke of Chongguo. The two of them discussed the 'New Commentary on the Analects,' and the Prince of Yun said that the 'New Commentary on the Analects' was a heretical doctrine. Now that the foundation of the Great Song Dynasty is in decline and the political situation in the court is turbulent, the Duke of Chongguo should go to the southwest, stay away from the turmoil, and seek a position in the military to prepare for the future!"
Liu Yanzong's ears immediately perked up.
Prince of Yun?
Zhao Kai, oh Zhao Kai!
I was just thinking of killing you and then going to the emperor to claim credit.
Do you know that the emperor has long wanted to get rid of you?
You yourself don't know how to restrain yourself, and you even went to the Duke of Chongguo to court death.
You think you can act recklessly just because the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager are backing you up?
The military police of the Inspectorate quickly took out pen and ink and recorded everything Li Xing said.
Liu Yanzong sneered inwardly: I can't touch the Duke of Chongguo for now, let's kill the Prince of Yun first!
Therefore, at the second morning court session, the Censorate immediately impeached the Prince of Yun.
The confession was presented to the emperor.
The voice of the Imperial Censor He Ye, resounding from below, was full of confidence: "Your Majesty, the Prince of Yun has criticized the new laws, spread heresies, and misled the people. I request Your Majesty to severely punish the Prince of Yun!"
Liu Yanzong immediately stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the Prince of Yun harbors malicious intentions, sowing discord between Your Majesty and the Duke of Chong and his son, intending to disrupt the court. He should be thoroughly investigated!"
When the other ministers saw that it was about impeaching a prince, they naturally all kept to themselves and did nothing about it.
Since the new emperor ascended the throne, two princes have been killed.
The relationship between court officials and princes should be kept as far apart as possible.
Now, anyone who dares to speak up for the prince would be courting death.
Zhao Huan was overjoyed.
He was thinking of sending all the princes out to be enfeoffed, but he was worried that the princes would resist too much, and some of them would not be able to bear it and would hang themselves. If that happened, it would be bad for the emperor to be blamed for the evil people who forced innocent princes to their deaths.
But things are different now.
With the Prince of Yun used as a sacrifice, the other princes naturally felt insecure, as if the capital city of Tokyo were a place of inferno.
If we were to proceed with the enfeoffment, the resistance would be significantly less.
The emperor calmly said, "Liu Yusi!"
"Your subject is here!"
"Investigate this case thoroughly."
"I obey the decree!"
All the ministers felt a chill run down their spines; it seemed that yet another prince of the Great Song Dynasty was about to die.
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