Chapter 145: If Xiao Yan is not eliminated, the aristocratic family will never have peace
If Xiao Yan had accepted what he said frankly, Qian Baokun might have hesitated, but when he saw Xiao Yan's face full of guilt and a frown when he learned that he had put the account book matter on the Qian family, and even wanted to speak up to defend him, the little hesitation he had left disappeared completely.
"It's me who has dragged down Governor Xiao today and caused you to commit a taboo. But if we hadn't raided the Lu family unexpectedly, it would have been difficult to find these incriminating evidences."
Qian Baokun knelt again not far from Xiao Yan and kowtowed to Emperor An. "Lord Xiao was wholeheartedly serving Your Majesty. To maintain the stability of the court, he knew that this was a crime of treason and usurpation, but he did not hesitate. He should not be censured by Your Majesty just because of the coercion of the noble families. If Your Majesty wishes to punish Lord Xiao, please let me take the punishment for him. I am willing to relinquish my position as Minister of Revenue to appease the anger of the noble families."
"Minister Qian." Xiao Yan said anxiously, "This matter has nothing to do with you. This is all my fault."
His face, which had been calm since entering the palace, was now tinged with anxiety.
"Your Majesty, the Ministry of Revenue is an important position and must not be easily moved, let alone handed over to those outsiders."
"Minister Qian is an honest official who has never sought personal gain. His stewardship of the Ministry of Revenue has enriched the national treasury over the years. There are many who covet the position of Minister of Revenue within the court. If Your Majesty truly punishes Minister Qian, wouldn't that mean handing over the power of the Ministry of Revenue to those who seek personal gain?"
"If Your Majesty wishes to punish me, then please do so. Minister Qian has devoted his whole life to Your Majesty. I beg Your Majesty to understand."
Qian Baokun never expected that a smart man like Xiao Yan would take the blame even though he knew he could escape it. He immediately became anxious.
Xiao Yan was usually so smart, why did he suddenly act so stupid now?!
He was certain that with the evidence in hand, Emperor An would never hand over the position of the Ministry of Revenue to anyone else. Moreover, the aristocratic families and court officials were eyeing it covetously, and the imperial power was already under their control.
Even for the sake of his own throne stability and control over the court, Emperor An would not easily punish him severely, allowing people from aristocratic families to obtain power in the Ministry of Revenue and hold the financial power of the court.
But Xiao Yan was different. Although he was a close minister to Emperor An and seemed to be extremely powerful, he was ultimately just a eunuch. All the status he had now was due to Emperor An's trust and favor.
Once he loses the emperor's favor, he will fall from the top of the world into the quagmire overnight. Without the emperor's favor and appreciation, how could those people from the aristocratic families let him go?
Qian Baokun couldn't help but glare at Xiao Yan. "Your Majesty, don't listen to his nonsense. This is my fault, and I am willing to accept the punishment."
"Minister Qian, please don't talk nonsense. This is all my fault." Xiao Yan frowned, "Your Majesty, this is my fault. I took the initiative to break into the Lu family. This has nothing to do with Minister Qian."
Qian Baokun was furious: "Why did you lie to His Majesty? My son got the account book, and I was the one who asked for your help..."
He tried his best to hint to Xiao Yan to shut up and go down the stairs, but Xiao Yan was stubborn and said, "I got the account book. It has nothing to do with Minister Qian!"
"You..." Qian Baokun was angry, annoyed and helpless. He just wondered how this person could be so honest.
Qian Baokun wanted to speak, but Emperor An suddenly shouted coldly: "Have you said enough?"
He looked at the two people below who should have been blaming each other, but instead changed their usual behavior and rushed to take the blame. Neither of them was willing to let the other take the blame, and their words seemed to imply that he wanted him to use himself to appease those people from the aristocratic families.
Emperor An's face grew increasingly gloomy. After a moment, he suddenly shouted, "Do you think this is such a great opportunity? You're still allowed to snatch it away?"
Qian Baokun and Xiao Yan shut up at the same time.
Emperor An's eyes were cold. "Given the way you two were just now, Liang Chunrong and the others saying you two were colluding would be an understatement."
"What crime are you guilty of? You broke into the Secretariat and dismissed an official. And you're actually rushing to take the blame. Are you even thinking of rushing forward with your heads on the line for a crime as serious as beheading or exile?"
"I dare not." The two of them lowered their heads.
Emperor An said coldly, "I see there's nothing you dare not do. Others are rushing to shirk responsibility, but you're rushing to confess. Who did I say I would punish?"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the hall was stunned.
Qian Baokun couldn't help but look up: "Your Majesty?" He hesitated: "You won't punish us?"
“No!”
Xiao Yan was also stunned for a rare moment. After reacting, he couldn't help but hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, the aristocratic families will not let this matter go easily. If you insist on protecting this humble minister and Minister Qian, they will definitely not let it go..."
"You were ordered to search the Lu family, and Qian Baokun was checking the accounts for me. What right do they have to refuse to give up?"
Qian Baokun and Xiao Yan couldn't help but widen their eyes, as if they had never expected that Emperor An would confront the aristocratic families because of them. It was also as if they were surprised that Emperor An would take over the Lu family's affairs directly, not only not punishing them but also making excuses for them.
Both of them were shocked at first, and then their faces showed emotion. Qian Baokun's eyes were red, and he wanted to repay the favor with his own life.
"His Majesty……"
"Do you think I can't even protect you two?"
The two of them hurriedly said, "We dare not."
Song Jinxiu stood aside, looking at the furious Emperor An in silence. He was fooled by the two men with just a few words and took the initiative to excuse the two people who should have been severely punished. Not only did he not pursue the serious faults of the two, but he covered up the mistakes with the imperial edict and even took the initiative to take responsibility for today's affairs. Suddenly he realized how naive and ridiculous he was in the past.
He originally thought that he was no different from these people in the court, and was even not inferior to anyone in terms of talent and intelligence. The only thing he lost to these old ministers was age and political achievements.
If he had been born twenty years earlier, he would have been able to go higher and further than them, and even become a key figure in the court, making His Majesty look at him differently.
But now, seeing how Xiao Yan and Qian Baokun easily grasped Emperor An's lifeline, they took advantage of the emperor's intolerance of the aristocratic families to provoke him into estrangement with the aristocratic families, and completely tied the two of them to the interests of imperial power, making them united against the aristocratic families and easily resolving the crisis.
Song Jinxiu finally realized how naive his previous arrogance was.
Qian Baokun is fine, but Xiao Yan is not much different in age from him. He can easily win the heart of the emperor, and he has never relied on what outsiders call flattery and luck.
Compared to this guy, he is much more immature, and it is not unfair at all that he lost to him.
Tang Ning was able to obtain this man's protection and have such a brother by his side, which was much better than staying with a mentally ill man like him.
Song Jinxiu suddenly stepped forward, knelt on the ground, and kowtowed to Emperor An, saying, "Today's incident was not the fault of Governor Xiao and Minister Qian. The Lu family embezzled grain, murdered important officials, and used tactics to obstruct the Privy Council's investigation. I am acquainted with the son of the Lu family and have frequented the Lu family, so I learned the inside story. In order to atone for my mistake, I reported the Lu family. Only then did His Majesty order Governor Xiao and Minister Qian to investigate."
"Governor Xiao and his men were ordered to search the Lu family. Secretary Lu and his men gathered important officials to kneel before the palace and threaten Your Majesty. This is truly disrespectful. Your Majesty is wise, so how could you compromise with this?"
Song Jinxiu was thin and pale, but when he spoke, Emperor An looked at him sideways:
"Governor Xiao and Minister Qian are the backbone of the court. They should not be coerced by the aristocratic families. As a guilty minister, I am willing to share your majesty's worries."
Emperor An narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "Song Jinxiu, do you know what you are talking about?"
Song Jinxiu's expression was calm. "I obtained that account book from the hands of Lu Sanlang. I also heard from Lu Zhinian myself that the Lu family assassinated important officials."
"Governor Xiao and Minister Qian were ordered to search the Lu family. It was I, a guilty minister, who reported the Lu family to the authorities, that led to what happened today. I, a guilty minister, am willing to serve as your majesty's vanguard and testify against the entire Lu family."
Qian Baokun couldn't help but look at Song Jinxiu in surprise, then looked at Xiao Yan.
What's going on with this Song family's eldest son?
…
The court officials outside the hall had no idea what was happening inside. They only knew that after Xiao Yan led Song Jinxiu in, there seemed to be no movement in the main hall.
Although Grand Tutor Liang, who had previously been kneeling and begging Emperor An to severely punish Xiao Yan, did not leave, he also stopped shouting at the top of his lungs. Although the other court officials from the noble families continued to loudly request an audience, as time passed, their mouths gradually became dry and they became dizzy from the sun.
Seeing the young eunuchs bringing in tea, they couldn't help but clear their throats. They felt the thirst getting worse, as if a knife was pulling at their throats, making them unbearable.
Some people suddenly remembered what Xiao Yan had said before.
Lu Chongyuan had to beg for the Lu family. He had the Queen and the Fourth Prince, and he couldn't let the Lu family be humiliated and its reputation tarnished, affecting the imperial harem. But what about them? They were working so hard for the Lu family, but what was their intention?
The family is one, sharing honor and disgrace.
Lu Chongyuan often used this to get them to stand up for the Lu family, but if they were the ones being humiliated today, would Lu Chongyuan stand up for them just like they stood up for the Lu family?
He knew clearly that those words were meant to provoke conflict, and he also knew clearly that Xiao Yan had no good intentions when he said those words before. But once some things have caused discord, they are like sprouts taking root in the heart, and the slightest wind and rain will be enough to block out the sky and the sun.
Lord Lin, who had been mocked by Xiao Yan earlier, turned away with a pale face. "Lord Lu, even though we've begged on our knees, His Majesty hasn't summoned us. Xiao Yan is deeply favored by His Majesty, so I'm afraid he won't punish him so easily. Besides, the Lu family was at fault for today's incident. Lu Zhinian hasn't been found yet, and Qian Baokun was also offended by him and sided with Xiao Yan."
"If His Majesty is truly fooled by Xiao Yan, even if we kneel here and die, it will probably be useless. It would be better for us to return first and impeach him at the morning court tomorrow..."
A court official who had been kneeling for a long time said, "Lord Lin is right. Xiao Yan is treacherous and cunning, and Qian Baokun is not easy to provoke. Why don't we go back and think of a way to appease Qian Baokun and win him over first, so as to avoid throwing the Ministry of Revenue's support to that bastard Xiao Yan..."
The people of the aristocratic families seem to be united, but in fact they are not of one mind. They advance and retreat together because of the entanglement of interests, but they each have their own calculations in private.
Hearing that these people had actually retreated, Lu Chongyuan's face instantly turned grim. He spoke in a deep voice, "I know what you are all thinking. If Qian Baokun had the slightest possibility of winning us over, I would never have gone this far with him. But since he's with Xiao Yan today, it's clear that there's no chance of reconciliation between us."
"That's because your Lu family's son bullied the Qian family's daughter first..."
"Sanlang would never do such a despicable thing!"
Lu Chongyuan's face was filled with anger. He was indeed a little disappointed with Lu Zhinian, and was also angry that he had been causing trouble one after another recently, causing constant trouble for the Lu family. However, that was the child he had raised with his own hands, and he knew Lu Zhinian's character very well. He would never bully the girl from the Qian family.
He had already asked Lu Zhao about what happened before. It was obvious that Lu Zhinian was going for Song Tangning. Miss Qian was going the same way as Song Tangning. Lu Zhinian might have bumped into her unintentionally, which was used as an excuse by the Qian family.
Lu Chongyuan looked at the people around him and said, "Sanlang has indeed made some mistakes recently, but you all have watched him grow up. Do you really think he would do something as shameless as bullying a woman?"
"The Lu family was indeed at fault today. They failed to discipline Sanlang, allowing him to cause trouble and giving Xiao Yan an excuse. However, Xiao Yan's intrusion into the Lu family's home wasn't just about the Lu family's reputation."
"You all know exactly what His Majesty wants. The conflict between Xiao Yan and us is irreconcilable. If you all retreat today, the nobility and inviolability of the aristocratic families will become a joke. From now on, everyone will be able to ride on your heads. How can we even have a place in this court?"
"If Xiao Yan is not eliminated, the aristocratic family will never have peace."
Those people showed hesitation on their faces, and Master Liang also had a serious expression, pursed his lips and said nothing.
Feng Qiuli had been quietly standing aside. Unlike the Cui family, he did not directly refuse to enter the palace. Instead, he "depended" on the Lu family's request without much presence. But at this moment, he suddenly spoke:
"To eliminate Xiao Yan, we are naturally willing to contribute, and the Feng family is also willing to stand with the Lu family. However, there is one thing I want Lord Lu to tell us truthfully. Did Xiao Yan find anything he shouldn't have when he brought people into the Lu Mansion today?"
Lu Chongyuan said in a deep voice: "Of course not."
Xiao Yan and his companions entered the mansion today unexpectedly, but the Lu family was not stupid, and they would never put those shameful things in a conspicuous place.
What's more, Xiao Yan didn't dare to stay in the Lu family for long. The Black Armored Guards entered the mansion for less than half an hour before leaving in a hurry because other people arrived. Even if they really took something away from the Lu family, it would not be anything that could cause serious damage to the Lu family.
Although he was frightened for a while when Xiao Yan and the black-armored guards entered the mansion, after he came to his senses, Lu Chongyuan had already personally checked several secret rooms and secret cells in the mansion, and found that all important things were found.
Feng Qiuli raised her eyes: "What about Lu Zhinian? He knows a lot about the affairs of the aristocratic families..."
"He won't betray the Lu family!" Lu Chongyuan said decisively.
Feng Qiuli looked up at him and asked, "Mr. Lu, are you sure?"
“This old man…”
Just as Lu Chongyuan was about to say that he was sure that Lu Zhinian would never betray the Lu family, the door of the Imperial Palace, which had been closed before, suddenly opened, and the attendants who served Emperor An walked out.
Lu Chongyuan's voice suddenly faded away, and he turned his head to look over there. The court officials who had previously had their own thoughts also fell silent.
Grand Tutor Liang avoided the shade and quickly asked, "Eunuch Feng, has His Majesty summoned us?"
"Don't worry, Grand Tutor Liang. His Majesty is currently discussing matters with Governor Xiao and Minister Qian. He will naturally summon you when he has time."
Upon hearing this, Grand Tutor Liang's heart skipped a beat.
Although Emperor An hated the aristocratic families in the past, when faced with their "coercion", he would usually compromise for the sake of the overall situation. However, this time he was so tough.
The most important thing is that although he was not summoned, the door of the Imperial Palace was opened. Grand Tutor Liang immediately felt uneasy, and Lu Chongyuan's expression also changed.
Sure enough, the next moment, Eunuch Feng suddenly spoke up, "Your Majesty has decreed that Lu Zhao, the Minister of Personnel, has colluded with officials from the Southern Region, embezzled grain, and disregarded the laws of the court. He is to be imprisoned and rigorously interrogated."
"Lu Chongyuan, the Minister of the Central Secretariat, has been accused of poor parenting, causing unrest in the Qi family. He is under house arrest until Lu Zhao's case is fully investigated before further action is taken."
All the people kneeling in front of the hall were extremely quiet.
Lu Chongyuan felt as if struck by lightning, and only heard a buzzing in his ears.
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