Chapter 102 Awards
Ma Xiuli was the father-in-law of King Ning. King Ning kept the fact that he took Fu's daughter as a concubine a secret from others, but not from him.
The assassin who murdered the father and son of the Fu family was arranged in advance by him in order to ensure that the daughter of the Fu family could enter the Ning Wang Mansion.
Unexpectedly, a mysterious person intervened and caused him to fail in his attempt to stop it.
From then on, Prince Ning could no longer get his hands on the Fu family's wealth.
"Yes, Your Majesty. The Fu family has been imperial merchants for generations. They have made a lot of money thanks to the court. It is their responsibility to donate their wealth to build water conservancy projects."
"That makes sense. Most businessmen are only interested in profit and rarely think of giving back to the court and the people. I think this can be used as a reminder to other imperial merchants. They should take the Fu family as an example."
"Yes, if the imperial merchants have too much money, it will easily cause trouble. It is better to let them take out money on their own initiative to fill the national treasury and do something practical for the people."
......
Matthew Li started the discussion, and then all the officials began to speak one after another, expressing their opinions.
Emperor Yongping and Li Shengzhou remained silent, allowing the officials to speak freely.
Only King Ning cursed them silently in his heart, scolding them for being nosy and stupid.
Prince Ning was the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, a high rank, so he had a seat in the court.
Originally, he thought that if the Fu family failed, there were still two royal merchants that could be used.
I didn't expect these court officials to discuss things so bluntly in the court.
How could he openly form an alliance with the Imperial Merchants?
Matthew Li just thought that the Fu family was ignorant and wanted to use the officials' words to make them lose everything.
Who would have thought that he would indirectly trick his own son-in-law.
"It seems that you have a lot of arguments about this matter. Let's discuss it later. Do you have anything else to report today?"
When Emperor Yongping saw that the discussion of the court officials had met his expectations, he interrupted them.
"Your Majesty, I have a memorial to make."
The one who appeared this time was Yu Jinming.
What he wanted to talk about was the case of Prince Huai assassinating Chu Chengyi.
"Speak."
When Emperor Yongping saw him step out, his expression became serious.
All the court officials had a natural awe for the Dali Temple, so the court fell silent in an instant.
"Your Majesty, Prince Huai..."
Yu Jinming recounted all the crimes that Prince Huai had committed, and presented all the evidence and testimony to the court.
"Rebellious son, this rebellious son, he is so cruel and cruel that he deserves to be killed."
Emperor Yongping slammed the table and stood up, looking extremely angry and ready to kill.
The court officials were so frightened that they dared not say a word.
Some of Prince Huai's former subordinates still wanted to speak up for him, but when they saw Emperor Yongping's reaction, they gave up the idea.
"In the case of Prince Huai, how should the sentence be determined according to the law?"
After Emperor Yongping calmed down, he looked at Yu Jinming again.
"In reply to the emperor, according to the law, he should be exiled for three thousand miles."
Yu Jinming reported the matter seriously.
"Prince Ning, Prince Huai and you are born of the same mother. What do you think about this?"
Emperor Yongping did not respond to Yu Jinming's words, but looked directly at where Prince Ning was.
"In reply to the emperor, according to the laws of this dynasty, the emperor is subject to the same punishment as common people if he breaks the law. Prince Huai's failed attempt to assassinate the crown prince is considered a premeditated murder attempt, and he should be exiled for three thousand miles according to the law."
Prince Ning had a simple and honest face and spoke very straightforwardly.
People just think he is really brainless.
After all, Prince Huai is his biological brother, born of the same mother. Will he die if he pretends to beg for mercy?
He doesn't even care about the feelings of his leader and his followers. He is indeed useless.
"What do you think, my Lords?"
Emperor Yongping did not comment on Prince Ning's words.
His gaze shifted away from Prince Ning and swept over the court officials.
"Your Majesty, I have something to say but I don't know whether I should say it or not."
The person who spoke was Du Hongdao, the Left Chief of the Censorate, the grandfather of Princess Shou, a veteran official in his sixties who had served in two dynasties.
"My dear Du, please feel free to speak your mind."
Emperor Yongping nodded, signaling Du Hongdao to speak frankly.
"Your Majesty, I believe that the crime of Prince Huai should not implicate the innocent."
Du Hongdao is old and speaks in a rather gentle manner.
Everyone waited for a long time, and finally heard him say this.
For a moment, I was a little confused.
Aren't we still discussing how to convict Prince Huai? Why are we talking about implicating innocent people again?
In the case of Prince Huai, who is the innocent person implicated?
"My dear Du Aiqing, what do you mean?"
Emperor Yongping pretended not to understand and asked with a puzzled look on his face.
"Your Majesty, the innocent people I am referring to are Princess Huai and her mother's parents."
Du Hongdao had a calm expression and spoke every word very seriously.
"This......"
Emperor Yongping pretended to be embarrassed.
Prince Huai's guilt has not yet been determined. Isn't it a little early for Du Hongdao to say this?
Oops, I don’t know which part is not arranged well.
This scene is a bit difficult to sing.
"Your Majesty, although the imperial merchants do make money with the help of the imperial court, this also shows that they are smarter than ordinary merchants.
Since the Fu family has donated 80% of their wealth to the court to help build water conservancy projects, the matter of Prince Huai's exile should no longer involve them.
After all, after going to Ninggu Pagoda, no matter how smart the Fu family is, they can no longer make money for the court."
Du Hongdao recited all the short essays he had memorized in advance in one go.
Alas, he is a troublemaker and finding faults is his specialty.
He really can't do the job of speaking well of others.
"Your Majesty, I think what Du Yushi said makes sense.
Exonerate the Princess Huai and her parents from being implicated by the Prince Huai, and give them a plaque of "righteous merchants" as a reward for the Fu family's donation to build water conservancy projects."
Li Shengzhou took over Du Hongdao's words at the right time.
After saying this, he waited quietly for Emperor Yongping to make his final decision.
Half of the ministers had not yet reacted, while the remaining half were wondering whether they should speak out in opposition.
"Lord Li, Lord Du, what you two said makes a lot of sense.
The Fu family is a righteous family, and the court cannot let people down. The matter of Prince Huai will no longer involve Princess Huai and the Fu family. As for the plaque of Ci Yi Shang, I have also agreed. "
With a wave of Emperor Yongping's hand, the Fu family escaped perfectly from Prince Huai's misfortune.
"My dear Lord Yu, Prince Huai..."
"Father, I have something to say. Please listen to me."
Emperor Yongping was about to convict Prince Huai when he heard a woman crying outside the palace.
All the court officials were shocked.
This Qinzheng Palace is not a place for a woman to come.
"Lin Fu."
Emperor Yongping frowned and ordered Lin Fu to go and see the situation in person.
He didn't need to think to know who the person who was making trouble in the Qinzheng Hall and claiming to be his daughter-in-law was.
However, as long as she doesn't break into the palace, there is no need to pursue it too much.
"Your Majesty, it's Princess Huai. She kneeled down on the steps in front of the palace and asked me to hand you the box. She also said..."
Lin Fu quickly returned from outside the palace and approached Emperor Yongping to whisper something.
This is... another person who wants to donate his wealth?
Water represents wealth. Wasn't what his obedient granddaughter said right?
If this is true, then why would he worry about the treasury being empty and the troops guarding the border being without food and fodder?
If you let your well-behaved granddaughter pee once a day, can't you just wait for people to come and give you money?
"Nonsense, let her go back to Prince Huai's mansion and stay there."
Emperor Yongping wanted to sympathize with the Fu family and ordered Fu Ronger and Prince Huai to divorce.
This would prevent her from being killed by King Huai again as happened in the book.
But seeing that she is determined to help Prince Huai, I'm afraid it may be difficult to do so.
Lin Fu ran out to deliver the message. When Fu Ronger saw that he did not return the box, she happily got up and left.
"We will discuss the matter of Prince Huai later. Can you please return to your report?"
Emperor Yongping became angry when he saw that all the court officials turned their heads to look outside the palace.
These people are not paying attention to the important matters, but are focusing on unimportant things.
Really free.
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