Today, many ministers were surprised to discover that Emperor Zhengyong, who had not attended court for over a month, suddenly showed up!

At the entrance of Taihe Hall, Your Majesty’s carriage was parked, and a group of eunuchs and guards had clearly been waiting for a long time.

Their eyes were filled with surprise, joy, and a hint of peculiarity and suspicion.

Has something major happened?

Otherwise, it would be impossible for Emperor Zhengyong to be waiting for them at Taihe Hall so early.

All civil and military officials looked peculiarly at the five people at the very front, as the five Cabinet members exchanged glances, unsure of what to think.

Some officials gathered together, whispering in discussion.

“Your Majesty actually attended the Great Court today, has something happened?”

“I don’t know…”

“Could it be because of the Bingzhou issue?”

“Quite possible!”

“That scoundrel Liu Cheng’en dared to take advantage of the opportunity to go to Bingzhou for official duties to collect military funds, levy, and exploit Bingzhou’s good people. Yesterday it was even heard that he wants the Bingzhou gentry and Noble Clans to hold some kind of fiftieth birthday celebration for him. Truly despicable!”

“I heard he has already extorted over tens of millions of silver taels in Bingzhou. This, this, this is truly outrageous!”

“It can’t be by Your Majesty’s order, right?”

“Shh…”

A group of people discussed fervently, while the several Cabinet Ministers at the front of the line maintained their usual expressions.

Wang He said: “It seems Your Majesty can no longer withstand it and wants to deal with Liu Cheng’en.”

Wang Ze snorted coldly: “What is Liu Cheng’en but a dog around Your Majesty? Yet he dared to use his authority to exploit Bingzhou’s merchants and people, truly deserving death!”

“Today, I, as an old official, must report this, at least to remove Liu Cheng’en from his position as Chief Eunuch of the Ritual Department!”

“I, as an old official, also believe this.”

Wang He nodded, then looked towards the others: “Elder Lu, Lord Li, Prince Bing, what do you think?”

The other three Cabinet Ministers also nodded, saying: “This time Liu Cheng’en has caused such a stir, it’s hard to settle.”

“As long as both of you speak out, I am bound to assist with all my might.”

Among the five, only Prince Bing hesitated: “Could this matter be related to Your Majesty?”

Wang Ze immediately said: “Your Majesty simply instructed Liu Cheng’en to collect military funds in Bingzhou, which is quite normal.”

“But that Liu Cheng’en took advantage of Your Majesty’s trust and acted recklessly in Bingzhou, not only collecting excessive ‘levy,’ but also amassing wealth through his fiftieth birthday celebration.”

“My family has already sent a letter telling me Liu Cheng’en at least amassed four to five hundred thousand silver taels, truly deserving death!”

“Four to five hundred thousand taels? Eunuch Faction harms the nation! Count me in for this!”

“Prince, such righteousness!”

A crowd streamed into Baohe Hall, each standing at their designated place.

Just as they entered the hall, groups of Embroidered Uniform Guards, new soldiers, and Shadow Guards surged from surrounding corners, encircling the entire Baohe Hall.

“Your Majesty has arrived!”

Inside the grand hall, Zheng Yi’s figure slowly emerged, prompting all civil and military officials to kneel, proclaiming loudly:

“We greet Your Majesty, long live the Emperor!”

“Rise!”

Zheng Yi spoke lightly, gently raising his hands.

Beside him, an eunuch’s hoarse voice immediately sounded: “Speak if there is matter, retreat if there is none!”

“Your servant…”

“Your servant has a matter to report!”

Wang Ze, moving quickly, suppressed the voice of the first official ready to speak, stepping forward briskly.

Zheng Yi smiled and said: “What is it you wish to report, Wang Aiqing?”

“Reporting to Your Majesty!”

Wang Ze said: “Half a month ago, Chief Eunuch Liu Cheng’en of the Ritual Department went to Bingzhou for official duties. In Jinyang County, he extorted Bingzhou merchants, amassing over fifteen million silver taels in illicit gains and numerous antique calligraphy and paintings, gold and silver jewels, and more.”

“Not only did he fill his own pockets, embezzling large amounts of silver, but he also took advantage of his fiftieth birthday to force Bingzhou’s merchants to present large sums of money and treasures for him to waste.”

“Additionally! Liu Cheng’en also received more than thirty flowers girls from Bingzhou merchants to indulge in debauchery…”

“Wow…!”

Before Wang Ze’s statement faded, the entire hall erupted in discussion.

“Eunuch Liu could actually do such a thing?”

“Over thirty Datong women, who knew Eunuch Liu loved that kind of play?”

“He’s a eunuch without a bird, what’s he playing at?”

“Lord Zhang, a bit of decorum, a bit of decorum.”

“I hear Datong women have honed their skills, possessing graceful figures and alluring bones, excelling in the art of the bed chamber…”

“I, as an old official, have also seen Datong women, tall and slender, ample hips and breasts, with delicate features, full of mature woman’s charm, truly unforgettable!”

In the hall, many officials discussed fervently, and Zheng Yi listened clearly, lightly coughing: “This matter will be discussed later.”

Wang Ze grew anxious.

Discuss later?

What does this mean?

He immediately shouted: “Your Majesty! Great Yu has stood for over three centuries, never has a eunuch been so rampant!”

This sound was loud, but it also managed to subdue the original commotion in the hall, even drawing a curious gaze from Zheng Yi on the Dragon Throne towards Wang Ze.

The eunuchs respectfully serving on both sides of the hall, though with their heads bowed low, cast furious and malicious glances at Wang Ze.

“Your Majesty!”

Wang Ze immediately knelt down, shouting loudly: “For the millions of Bingzhou merchants, for the country, for the Great Yu World, I request the execution of Liu Cheng’en!”

“I second the motion!”

As soon as Wang Ze’s words finished, Wang He immediately followed suit, kneeling and shouting loudly: “Liu Cheng’en’s actions were leveraging Your Majesty’s authority to masquerade as a local tyrant. He exploits neighbors, extorts good people, and even interferes in local affairs.”

“If this goes on, the nation will fall, the people will harbor resentment, and it might even spark civil unrest.”

“Therefore, I request the execution of Liu Cheng’en!”

“I, second the motion!”

“I, second the motion!”

“I, second the motion…”

In the Imperial Court, at least one-fifth of the officials knelt down, requesting the execution of Liu Cheng’en.

The remaining majority of officials, even though some expressed agreement, mostly observed the expressions of others.

Zheng Yi’s smile disappeared, and he looked at the few people at the forefront, saying calmly, “Lu Aiqing, what do you think?”

Lu Xiangqing thought for a moment and said, “Your Majesty, Liu Cheng’en surely represents the Emperor’s face. He oppresses his neighbors and extorts honest people, and the evidence is conclusive, irrefutable.”

“He can be arrested and imprisoned, handed over to the Three Ministries for trial to verify the law.”

“I support this motion!”

“I support this motion!”

“I support this motion…”

A large group of officials stood out, expressing the same opinion as Lu Xiangqing.

Li Yuanhao and Zheng Zongbing did the same, stating the need to severely punish Liu Cheng’en.

At this moment, at least seventy to eighty percent of the officials in the hall agreed to severely punish Liu Cheng’en.

Only less than twenty officials were still standing on both sides without expressing their stance.

At this moment, Zheng Yi looked behind the five Cabinet Ministers.

There was also a minister there who hadn’t expressed a stance.

“Lord Zheng, do you have any opinion?”

The former Jiangzuo Governor’s Office Zheng Xuanyue, now the Minister of the Ministry of Justice.

Zheng Xuanyue is from Jiangnan, not belonging to any Noble Family faction, considered a great Confucian of his time, with students all over the world.

Due to the case of Assistant Minister Tian Wenjing, he was transferred to the central government, becoming one of the Ministers of the Six Ministries.

He appears scholarly, about sixty years old, but his hair and beard are black, showing no sign of old age.

Zheng Xuanyue immediately stood up respectfully and said, “Your Majesty, I am new to the Imperial Court, and do not know much about this matter, so I have no opinion, requesting Your Majesty’s judgment.”

Zheng Yi said, “It doesn’t matter, you are the new Minister of the Ministry of Justice; this matter also falls under your jurisdiction. What is your opinion?”

Zheng Xuanyue replied respectfully, “Your Majesty, as the Chief Eunuch of the Ritual Department, Liu Cheng’en oppressed neighboring areas and extorted local gentry under the guise of official duties, and according to the law, he should be executed!”

Kneeling on the ground, Wang Ze, Wang He, and others revealed a pleased expression, indicating that the Ministry of Justice Minister from the south was actually on their side.

“However…”

Zheng Xuanyue paused briefly before continuing, “Whether Eunuch Liu acted in accordance with Your Majesty’s decree is something I do not know. It would be proper to have him brought back for Your Majesty to personally adjudicate.”

Cunning old fox!

Zheng Yi mentally labeled Zheng Xuanyue.

After nearly fifty years of trials and tribulations, he finally became one of the Six Ministries’ leaders and central official; Zheng Xuanyue indeed has skills.

And now, this is exactly the kind of person needed to balance the forces in the court.

Wang Ze further said, “Your Majesty, what Lord Zheng said is very true.”

“Just as the saying goes, ‘The Emperor breaks the law and is punished equally with commoners,’ why should it only be a servant beside Your Majesty?”

“I request that the Embroidered Uniform Guard bring back Liu Cheng’en, be tried by the Three Ministries, and return a clear sky to Great Yu!”

The Emperor breaks the law and is punished equally with commoners?

Who are you hinting at!

Zheng Yi’s eyes showed some indifference.

These Noble Clans are increasingly disregarding him.

If it were a few years ago, he might have put up with it.

But now…

“Wang Aiqing, there’s no rush, I will naturally have the Embroidered Uniform Guard and Three Ministries handle this.”

Zheng Yi said indifferently, “By the way, wasn’t there someone wanting to report something just now, what matter was it?”

Seeing Zheng Yi casually brushing the matter aside, Wang Ze became anxious.

His father and entire family were still detained in the military camp by Liu Cheng’en, and if not rescued soon, the Wang Family’s reputation would suffer greatly?

“Your Majesty, I…”

“I have an impeachment to make!”

Wang Ze suddenly turned his head, angrily trying to identify who ruined his chance.

And not far behind him, Yuan Qichang stood with the ceremonial tablet in both hands, ready to report.

“Yuan Qichang, I’m reporting an important matter to Your Majesty, why are you in such a hurry?”

“The matter at Xia Pass is also important.”

“You…!”

“Enough, Wang Aiqing.”

Zheng Yi spoke, “After the Great Court session ends, I will naturally give you an explanation.”

“Your Majesty~!”

Wang Ze bit his lip and ultimately stood up helplessly.

If His Majesty insists, there’s nothing he can do and can only find another way to report privately to His Majesty.

As the numerous officials returned to their places, Zheng Yi said:

“Yuan Qichang, what matter do you wish to report?”

“I accuse the Bingzhou Noble Clans, Datong Wang Clan, and their associates, who claim to be the eight major merchants of Bingzhou, of smuggling salt, iron, weapons, and armor to the Wu Country amidst the Great Yu and Wu Country war. They also bribed our Great Yu Border Army generals, allowing Wu Country to swiftly invade, plundering countless of our Great Yu cattle, horses, livestock, gold, and silver…”

“You’re barking lies!”

Before Yuan Qichang could finish, Wang Ze jumped out angrily and shouted, “Your Majesty! This person slanders with malicious words and lies, defaming me. Please have the Embroidered Uniform Guard expel this person!”

Yuan Qichang sneered, “Lord Wang, why are you in such a hurry? I haven’t finished my speech yet.”

“Hah, you, a mere fifth-grade official, dare to accuse me, under whose instructions are you acting? Do you have any solid evidence?”

Wang Ze said coldly, “I come from the Datong Wang Clan, our Wang Clan has been loyal to Great Yu since the time of Emperor Taizong, with no other intentions. Your so-called evidence is nothing but slander!”

Wang He beside him had a more composed expression but didn’t speak. He glanced discreetly at Yuan Qichang and at Zheng Yi on the Dragon Throne, who remained emotionless.

In his heart, an unsettling premonition suddenly arose.

“Oh?”

Yuan Qichang didn’t back down and said, “Lord Wang, why not examine the evidence I have?”

“Hmph! Fake evidence slandering me, no need to see it.”

Wang Ze cupped his hands and said, “Your Majesty, my Wang Clan is loyal to Great Yu with no ulterior motives, heaven and earth can attest to this. I hope Your Majesty severely punishes Yuan Qichang, this treacherous and wicked person!”

“Oh? Yuan Qichang, what evidence do you have?”

Zheng Yi ignored Wang Ze and looked at Yuan Qichang.

Yuan Qichang immediately took out more than ten letters from his sleeve and said, “I have evidence of correspondence between the Wang Family, the former Black Mountain Pass garrison commander Turga, and Qian Mou, the leader of Wu Country’s spy organization ‘Feiyan Forest’!”

“The contents therein clearly record the Wang Clan’s crimes, requesting Your Majesty to verify!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep