Before dawn, in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
One by one, the civil and military officials of the Great Zhou Dynasty were waiting there early in the morning.
More than three years have passed since the bloody night at Tiandu.
The political situation was lukewarm, and although Zhou Zhenxiong's intentions were unpredictable, he rarely resorted to violence.
However, after the Tianxiong Ranking was announced yesterday, the Zhenwu Division destroyed the Dafeng Escort Agency.
What this means is self-evident.
Everyone knew that Zhou Zhenxiong was furious.
When the emperor is angry, millions of corpses will float in the water.
Nobody wants to be the one getting stabbed in the head.
In front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Ling Aotian, clad in battle armor, surveyed the surroundings like a hawk.
Originally, he shouldn't have been the one to guard the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
But today, Zhou Zhenxiong ordered him to stand guard at the court assembly.
How could he not understand why?
That person knew about what the Ling family had done and tacitly approved of it.
The grudge against Haizhou can be avenged!
Ling Aotian was certain!
"Master Kong from the Jixia Academy has arrived!"
Just then, a high-pitched voice called out from outside the palace gates.
Kong Fang?
He's here too?
Ling Aotian narrowed his eyes, staring intently at the figure walking towards the palace gate.
Kong Fang also noticed Ling Aotian, but he didn't pay attention to Ling Aotian's gaze. Instead, he greeted the group of civil and military officials of the Great Zhou Dynasty and then stood in the first row.
Besides him, there was another person standing in the first row.
That person was none other than Zhou Kaijiang, the twelfth on the Heavenly Hero List and the Prefect of the Imperial Clan Court.
His eyelids were drooping, and he looked sleepy.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
I don't know how much time passed, but when the first ray of sunlight shone down.
From deep within the palace walls came Yu Huachun's voice.
Immediately afterwards, a group of red-robed eunuchs appeared in everyone's sight, carrying the imperial carriage with light steps.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects! Long live the Emperor!"
A unified sound rang out, and Zhou Zhenxiong stepped down from the carriage.
"Rise!"
......
"My lords, I have been unwell recently and have not attended court for a long time. I am sorry to have troubled you all!"
Today in the court, all the officials spoke freely.
Whether it's unresolved matters or loyal advice for the emperor and the country.
I will give you an answer on the spot!
Zhou Zhenxiong said with a smile.
As soon as he finished speaking, someone stepped forward.
"Your subject Zhou Kaijiang pays his respects to Your Majesty!"
"The Prince of Zhenhai, Zhou Yugan, has been killed by a traitor. I request permission to personally lead the imperial guards to apprehend and kill Chen Kui."
The speaker was none other than Zhou Kaijiang.
As soon as he opened his mouth, the expressions of the civil and military officials all changed.
No one expected that Zong Ling, who usually didn't get involved in anything, would be the first to step forward.
He not only mentioned the Haizhou incident, but also requested permission to apprehend and kill Chen Kui.
No one knew what he was thinking.
After all, this is not an easy job.
"An old steed in its stall may still aspire to gallop a thousand miles."
"The Prefect truly lives up to his reputation as a model member of the Great Zhou royal family. I approve this matter!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After bowing, Zhou Kaijiang stood back down, his eyelids drooping, and he seemed to have fallen back into a drowsy state.
With Zhou Kaijiang leading the way, one by one, the civil and military officials of the Great Zhou stepped forward.
However, after Zhou Kaijiang, no one mentioned Haizhou again.
No one mentioned it, and Zhou Zhenxiong didn't ask either.
The court assembly proceeded in an eerie atmosphere.
......
These old foxes are really patient!
Ling Aotian looked around at everyone with a sense of boredom.
Of course, he didn't mention the matter of Haizhou.
The emperor's mind is unpredictable, and he doesn't want to be the one to stick his neck out.
Suddenly, Ling Aotian realized that someone was watching him.
As soon as he turned around, he met Yu Huachun's slightly meaningful gaze.
Got it!
Ling Aotian stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, I have something to report!"
"allow!"
"The Battle of Haizhou was truly peculiar."
Although Zhenhai King and Lord Lan were killed by Chen Kui, he was not the only murderer.
Moreover, his helpers are very likely not those Jianghu outlaws from the Canghai Sect.
Your Majesty, please thoroughly investigate all those involved!
After Ling Aotian finished speaking, all the officials and civil servants fell silent.
It's here!
Kong Fang remained calm, but a slight ripple was stirring within him.
This time, the Jixia Academy will face the enraged Zhou Zhenxiong.
"Your Majesty, I second that proposal!"
Inside the hall, voices of agreement echoed continuously.
"Can anyone tell me how much time has passed since the events in Haizhou?"
The smile on Zhou Zhenxiong's face vanished, and a hint of murderous intent appeared in his eyes.
"Your Highness, it has been over a month!"
Ling Aotian replied.
"Oh, a month has already passed!"
OK!
very good! "
Zhou Zhenxiong said sternly, "My ninth brother, the King of Zhenhai, has died, and the truth has not been found out in a month."
"Minister Nangong, what do you have to say?"
"My lord, you are guilty!"
Minister of Justice Nangong Chende knelt on the ground, offering no defense for himself.
"You are guilty, of course you are guilty!"
"If it weren't for Zhenxiang's good performance in Nanzhou, I would have killed you!"
Zhou Zhenxiong suddenly changed the subject and mentioned Nangong Zhenxiang at this moment.
No one knew what he was planning to do.
"You yourself request to retire, so I think the position of Minister of Justice should be handed over to Zhen Xiang!"
The sudden turn of events stunned everyone.
The rank of a chief official is already at its highest.
It was only natural that Nangong Chende was dismissed from his post for his inaction.
But the fact that Nangong Zhenxiang was promoted to the position is puzzling.
It wouldn't be accurate to call this suppression.
After all, the Minister of Justice was still in the Nangong family.
It's somewhat strange that it's not suppression.
If the Martial Arts Alliance develops steadily and surely, it will be able to rival powerful institutions like the Zhenwu Division in the future.
As the founder, Nangong Zhenxiang's status will inevitably be elevated to an unprecedented level.
Zhou Zhenxiong's unreasonable move completely disrupted all the plans.
"Your Majesty, the Martial Arts Alliance is newly established. If Zhenxiang leaves, I'm afraid..."
"Minister Kong, isn't there a celestial being named Jiang Lan at the Jixia Academy?"
Before Kong Fang could finish speaking, Zhou Zhenxiong interrupted him: "It just so happens that Yan Qing is seriously injured and in seclusion, and Yuwen Haotian is missing."
"Let Jiang Lan leave the academy and assume the position of Grand Commander of Zhongzhou, leading the other twelve states to advance the establishment of the Martial Arts Alliance."
"Furthermore, I hereby issue an edict praising Li Fan, the 'Overlord Blade,' for his meritorious service in quelling the rebellion in Nanzhou."
He was granted the title of Marquis of the Great Zhou Dynasty, with a fief of ten thousand households, a hereditary title!
As for his fiefdom, he may choose any location he wishes to enter in the capital!
"Zhou Shenpeng, the second son of the Prince of Zhenhai, has rendered meritorious service in quelling the rebellion. He is hereby granted permission to succeed the Prince of Zhenhai!"
Kong Fang lowered his head, his heart filled with bitterness.
The Emperor's heart alone can decide the fate of the world; I am no match for him.
Zhou Zhenxiong's bestowal of honors was simple and straightforward, leaving no room for criticism.
Nangong Town's elephant rises high!
The matter in Haizhou was wiped clean, and Li Fan was granted a title of nobility.
This was originally the demand of the Jixia Academy.
But the more this was the case, the more uneasy Kong Fangbian felt.
If Zhou Zhenxiong were to unleash his fury in the imperial court today, that would be one thing.
The calmer things are, the more severe the backlash will be in the future.
......
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com