Chapter 237: Quibbling
"Your Majesty, Prince Cheng requests an audience." Eunuch Li reported in a low voice.
The emperor on the dragon bed started coughing before he could say anything.
The Fourth Prince quickly calmed him down and said, "Father, this Fifth Prince must be here to plead for Su Fengzhang and He Jun. If you don't want to see him, I'll go out and send him away."
Unexpectedly, the emperor shook his head and said, "Forget it, let him in."
Prince Cheng walked in quickly and was surprised to see that the person serving at the bedside was the fourth prince instead of the eldest prince. After all, after the crown prince was deposed, the relationship between the father and son was not as good as before, and the emperor usually favored the eldest prince more.
His eyes flashed, and he knelt on one knee. "Father, the matter of Xijun Wang Su has not yet been fully investigated and concluded, yet today, someone from the Ministry of Justice came to search our house. This is quite rude and truly despicable. If I hadn't intervened in time, it would have chilled the hearts of the soldiers on the front lines."
Before the emperor could speak, the Fourth Prince said coldly, "Fifth brother, what you said is wrong. It's precisely because we haven't investigated thoroughly that we need to investigate thoroughly. It's a serious crime of treason. I know you have a good relationship with them, but you can't act recklessly."
Prince Cheng retorted, "Father, Lord Xi, Prince Su, is still fighting bravely in Yunzhou. How can we treat their families so poorly?"
The emperor beckoned: "Come and take a look at this memorial."
Prince Cheng went over to open it and saw that it was a secret letter from Yunzhou. He didn't know which group of people they came from, but they claimed that the two people who had lost contact had surrendered to the enemy.
After reading it, Prince Cheng's expression remained unchanged as he sneered, "What nonsense! It's all slander."
The Fourth Prince said angrily, "Surrendering to the enemy is such a serious crime. How dare they say such nonsense if they don't have evidence? Fifth brother, it's one thing for you to have a good relationship with them, but this is a matter of state. You can't just focus on personal feelings."
Prince Cheng said, "Prince Xi is the prince of the Great Zhou, of noble status, and the He family is full of loyal and honest people. Since He Jun was born into the He family, how could he defect to the enemy country?"
"Su Fengzhang is even more impossible. He has worked his way up to the high position he holds today. His parents and relatives are all in the Great Zhou. How could he do something so self-destructive?"
The Fourth Prince: "They were defeated and captured. What wouldn't they do to survive?"
"My wife, children, parents, brothers and sisters, whose life can be as important as mine?"
Prince Cheng sneered, "Since you think this way, do you think everyone in the world is a coward?"
The fourth prince said angrily, "Old Five!"
Prince Cheng, however, ignored the Fourth Prince's grim expression and stared at the Emperor, shouting, "Father, let's not talk about Su Fengzhang. Ah Jun was also raised under your care. He also carries the blood of the Great Zhou royal family. How could he possibly defect to the enemy?"
The emperor closed his eyes and uttered, "Ah Jun is indeed of royal blood, but he is also from the He family. What if he resented me for what happened to the He family back then, and that's why he committed such a treasonous act?"
The Fourth Prince said proudly, "Indeed, He Jun is targeting the Xu family in every way. It's obvious that he still remembers what happened back then."
Prince Cheng knelt and shouted, "Father, I guarantee with my life that He Jun and Su Fengzhang will never commit treason."
"Can your life guarantee that Yunzhou will not be lost and the Great Zhou will be worry-free?" The Fourth Prince sneered.
Prince Cheng: "Father, we still don't know what happened in Yunzhou. If they really surrendered to the enemy, it would be impossible to hide it. Why haven't General Meng Xiao and General Chen sent us an urgent report?"
The Fourth Prince: "Who knows if they are afraid of taking the blame, so they concealed it."
Prince Cheng continued, "Father, please allow me to lead the troops to Yunzhou and investigate the truth."
The Fourth Prince objected, "Father, there are only 100,000 troops left near the capital. These people must not be handed over to my fifth brother. If he goes like Prince Xi and never returns, who will protect you, Father?"
"According to your son's opinion, the women of the He and Su families should be strictly interrogated. They must know some information."
Prince Cheng angrily said, "Fourth Prince, the matter has not yet been thoroughly investigated, and you are going to kill the elderly, the weak, women and children?"
"What do you mean by killing someone? It's just a strict interrogation. Can't we interrogate them too?"
"What kind of place is the Ministry of Justice? They are all weak women. Wouldn't they be skinned alive if they went in there? Besides, Madam He and Madam Su are both old. How could they possibly endure such hardship?"
The emperor coughed and frowned, saying, "Alright, since we can't find any evidence, let's not touch the women of the He and Su families for now. They're just a few women, so what's the harm in arresting them?"
The Fourth Prince wanted to say something more, but the Emperor shook his head and said, "No need to say more."
"Let's not talk about others. He Jing is my niece, the princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Are you going to lock her up too?"
The Fourth Prince then realized this and thought to himself that he should not have allowed the two families to marry back then. Behind Princess Hejing stood Prince Rong, and Prince Rong held a special position in the Emperor's mind, so it would not be easy to touch her.
The emperor coughed and continued, "Surrendering to the enemy is a serious matter that will lead to the confiscation of one's family and the extermination of one's ancestors. We cannot rely on just one side of the story. I will send someone to Yunzhou immediately to investigate this matter."
The Fourth Prince's eyes moved, and he immediately said, "Father, your Majesty, I am willing to go."
Despite this, he was absolutely certain that the emperor would never let him go.
As expected, the emperor shook his head and said, "You three brothers are not suitable. The situation in Yunzhou is critical. I am worried about any of you going."
The emperor had more to think about. His health was getting worse and worse. He only had two adult princes, and he could not afford to lose either of them.
As for Prince Cheng, it was even worse. If even he left, who would control the imperial guards, who could mobilize troops outside the capital, and who would protect him as the emperor?
At this moment, a voice came from the door: "Brother Emperor, please send this humble servant to Yunzhou."
The emperor looked up and saw Prince Rong coming in from outside in military uniform.
He frowned and asked, "Ah Le, I'm afraid your body is..."
Prince Rong said, "He won't die. Your Majesty knows that this young man is the most suitable candidate."
The emperor finally hardened his heart and said, "Okay, I will appoint you as an imperial envoy and send you to Yunzhou to investigate this matter immediately."
After a pause, the emperor, somewhat worried about his brother, said, "Have General Song lead 10,000 troops to escort Prince Rong. We must not let anything happen to Prince Rong."
Prince Rong nodded, stood up and left without even glancing at anyone else.
The Fourth Prince reminded him subtly, "Father, Prince Rong is He Jun's father-in-law after all, and He Jing is Prince Rong's only daughter. Will he..."
"Others might, but Ale never will." The emperor's words were powerful.
The Fourth Prince was about to say something else, but the Emperor said, "I am tired, so please all leave. Do not disturb me unless it is important."
The Fourth Prince had no choice but to swallow the rest of his words and turned to leave.
The two brothers walked outside, and Prince Cheng asked in a cold voice, "Fourth brother, what do you mean by this?"
The Fourth Prince's eyes flashed, and he simply said, "Fifth brother, I, your fourth brother, am also forced to do this. After all, this is a matter of life and death for the Great Zhou. I can only act according to the law."
"What a good way to act according to the law." Prince Cheng sneered and turned away.
The Fourth Prince was not afraid at all. In his opinion, Prince Cheng must be won over, but if Prince Xi and Su Fengzhang made great contributions, the strength of Prince Cheng's lineage would increase greatly, which would also be a headache.
Now that Prince Xi and Su Fengzhang are dead, this guy has lost his right-hand man. What can he do even if he is dissatisfied with him?
Prince Cheng walked out a short distance and saw the eldest prince waiting in front.
Seeing Prince Cheng approaching, the eldest prince patted her shoulder with a comforting look and said, "Fifth brother, now you know what kind of person the fourth brother is. He was holding back before and asked Minister Xu to give up the throne to Su Fengzhang. Everything was just a show."
"Once you reveal your flaws, he won't be able to bear it any longer."
"Fifth brother, you might as well reconsider this after you return. Your eldest brother may not have other advantages, but he is tolerant."
Prince Cheng just sneered at this. He knew very well what kind of people the eldest prince and the fourth prince were. It was just like the pot calling the kettle black.
When he walked out of the palace gate, Prince Rong was waiting not far away. When he saw him, he said, "Get in the car!"
After Prince Cheng got on the carriage, Prince Rong asked in a cold voice: "What are you doing? Collaboration with the enemy is a crime that will cost you your life. If I go a little later, He Jing will suffer!"
Prince Cheng gave a bitter laugh and explained, "Uncle, whether you believe it or not, I am not aware of this matter."
After hearing this, Prince Rong became even more worried: "You really don't know? Could something have happened in Yunzhou?"
Prince Cheng was also worried. He believed that the accusation of treason was definitely false, but the fact that He Jun and Su Fengzhang had lost the battle and disappeared was true. Now he didn't know what the situation was.
Thinking of this, Prince Cheng pleaded, "Uncle, I would like you to help me with this trip to Yunzhou."
Prince Rong nodded and said, "After I leave, please help me take care of He Jing."
"I've spoiled He Jing. Even now, she's pregnant, she still has that bad temper. The He family has people around, so why should she whip me? I'm afraid that after I'm gone, the princess won't be able to control her, and she'll cause a big mess."
Prince Cheng immediately said, "Don't worry, uncle. I will take good care of He Jing and will not let them suffer any injustice."
Prince Cheng was relieved at this: "She has listened to you since she was a child. With you around, I can feel more at ease."
Suddenly, Prince Rong asked again, "Afang, are you really unaware of what happened in Yunzhou? He Jun is honest, but Su Fengzhang is full of tricks. Didn't he inform you before he left?"
Prince Cheng was helpless: "Uncle, if I knew, I wouldn't be so worried and anxious."
Prince Rong waved his hand and said, "If you don't know, then you don't know. If it weren't for your unusual relationship, I would have thought you would know something or two. These two brats are really something. They caused such a shocking incident the moment they went there. It's a pity they were so careless."
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