The second prince was in a very happy mood today, and the third prince who was traveling with him was also smiling.
The emperor asked them to hear the case of Chen Qingzhi secretly mobilizing the black armored guards.
At first, when they heard that Tang Xueer went to see the emperor, they were really worried for a while, fearing that the emperor would look at the face of Tang Xueer and Chen Changfeng and make Chen Qingzhi's matter a big deal or a trivial matter.
But they didn't expect that the emperor's move that surprised everyone was to let them interrogate Chen Qingzhi.
This is the best time to cut off Chen Changfeng's wings.
The second prince and the third prince were even wondering whether the emperor also felt that Chen Changfeng was too powerful recently, so he intended to use their hands to suppress Chen Changfeng.
Arriving at the Ministry of Punishment, the second prince immediately saw the Minister of Punishment standing in front to greet him.
"Du Shangshu, today the Japanese prince and others have been ordered to interrogate Chen Qingzhi. I hope Du Shangshu will not hesitate to teach you." The second prince saluted Du Shangshu.
Du Shangshu was extremely surprised at this moment.
If he knew that the emperor would ask the second prince to interrogate the case, why would he inform Yao Xiaoren of this matter in the first place?
Du Shangshu thought that the emperor would not take action against Chen Qingzhi, after all, Chen Qingzhi was the son of the prince, Chen Changfeng.
Who would have thought...
"Don't worry, Your Highness, I will provide every convenience for the interrogation." Du Shangshu quickly expressed his loyalty.
He is now in a dilemma, and he dares not offend anyone.
Yao Xiaoren and Tang Mingren also came, and the emperor named them both to participate in the interrogation.
The two of them looked extremely ugly at this moment.
Although they are also interrogating, they are only jury. In other words, once the second prince and the third prince are the two chief judges, Chen Qingzhi will be sentenced to death.
They could only watch helplessly and couldn't say a word.
Yao Xiaoren boasted that he could figure out the emperor's actions, but this time, he really didn't understand.
If something happens to Chen Qingzhi in the hands of the second and third princes, with the temper of the prince Chen Changfeng, the whole capital will definitely be in chaos.
Even the two princes are very likely to die in Chen Changfeng's hands.
Yao Xiaoren did not feel that his worries were unfounded. He was really worried about the stability of the Ming Dynasty.
"Brother Tang, later you and I still need to try our best to save Chen Qingzhi's life, otherwise, the capital will be in chaos." Yao Xiaoren whispered to Tang Mingren.
Tang Mingren just nodded slightly and did not fully express his position.
He and Yao Xiaoren had different ideas. Yao Xiaoren was still worried about the Ming Dynasty, but Tang Mingren only cared about Chen Changfeng.
If something happens to Chen Qingzhi, Chen Changfeng can speed up his attack on the two princes, and even directly take the throne. Tang Mingren is the one who is most happy to see this happen.
Tang Mingren actually didn't care about Chen Qingzhi's life or death from the bottom of his heart. He only cared about the pros and cons of Chen Changfeng.
"Yao Xiang, Tang Shilang, today you two are ordered to serve on the jury. Please watch carefully later. I believe that Chen Qingzhi will explain everything." The second prince walked up to Yao Xiaoren and looked at the two of them with a smile.
.
The hearts of the two of them sank slightly. They knew that the second prince would not hold back Chen Qingzhi, but they did not expect that he would be so unscrupulous.
"Your Highness, Chen Qingzhi is also a third-grade general of our Ming Dynasty, and he is also someone whom His Highness the Crown Prince values..."
"Is Prime Minister Yao using his sixth brother to oppress me?" Before Yao Xiaoren could finish his words, he was interrupted by the second prince's cold words.
The second prince sneered: "The emperor breaks the law and is guilty of the same crime as the common people. Let alone a third-grade general. If I find out that there is someone else who mobilized the black armor guards, such as the prince Lao Liu, I will not bend the law for personal gain.
"
"Xiang Yao, this prince has always respected you. If you are interested, you can have a drink with me."
The second prince's intention is very obvious, that is, he hopes that Yao Xiaoren will find his way back, leave Chen Changfeng, and join his army.
It even touched upon it in a meaningful way. If the transfer of the Black Armored Guards was related to Chen Changfeng, he would definitely pursue it to the end.
When the emperor breaks the law, he is as guilty as the common people!
Yao Xiaoren's heart sank slightly. He was still not sure whether the second prince's words were what the emperor meant.
If it was really the emperor's order, Chen Changfeng might not be able to escape so easily by then.
And now Chen Changfeng controls the Ming Dynasty's 200,000 border troops. If it really comes to the last step, no one can say what will happen.
"Your Highness, it's almost time. It's time to go to court for questioning." Du Shangshu of the Ministry of Punishment stood aside with a smile on his face.
He neither dared to offend the second prince, the third prince, nor Yao Xiaoren.
Although he is a minister of the Six Books, in front of these people, truthfulness is nothing.
"Then please ask Du Shangshu to bring Chen Qingzhi up." The second prince smiled lightly.
If Yao Xiaoren doesn't know the truth, he has to show him his methods.
Lest he, Yao Xiaoren, really thinks that he is not ruthless enough.
The second prince and the third prince took their seats, with Yao Xiaoren, Tang Mingren, and officials from Dali Temple sitting next to them.
On both sides were the officials from the Ministry of Justice in black clothes and black armor, holding a water and fire stick in their hands.
A ray of sunlight in the distance reflected on the floor of the main hall of the Ministry of Justice, making it difficult to open one's eyes.
"Bring Chen Qingzhi up." The Minister of Punishment ordered, and the sound of chains dragging the floor could be heard outside.
Chen Qingzhi's hair was disheveled, his hands were locked with heavy shackles, and the shackles at his feet tightly locked his legs.
The distance is only one foot, and even a simple step of the legs is difficult to do.
I can only move forward slowly by relying on the support of the officials from the Ministry of Justice.
Looking at Chen Qingzhi's body, the prison clothes were full of bloody whip marks, and the smell of blood could be smelled from a distance.
Yao Xiaoren's face was gloomy. The last time he saw Chen Qingzhi in the court, Chen Qingzhi was still a young general in white robes in his prime.
But at this moment, he looked like a dying old man.
How long has passed in between?
What kind of torture did Chen Qingzhi receive in prison?
How angry would Chen Changfeng be if he saw Chen Qingzhi's appearance at this moment?
"Your Highness, Chen Qingzhi is a hero of the Ming Dynasty, and His Majesty has never ordered his torture. Why did he become like this?" Yao Xiaoren said with a cold face and a very gloomy tone.
He is not worried about Chen Qingzhi now, but worried about what kind of waves Chen Changfeng will cause in the capital after knowing this.
The majestic hero of the Ming Dynasty was beaten like this before any guilt was judged.
If Chen Changfeng knew this, how could he give up so easily?
"Maybe he fell like this in prison, or maybe other prisoners bullied him, who knows?" the third prince sneered.
He thought about how embarrassed he was on the battlefield, but Chen Qingzhi, Xue Rengui and others were able to kill everyone, and were generously rewarded by the emperor after they came back.
Seeing Chen Qingzhi's tragic situation at this moment, the third prince felt extremely relieved.
When Yao Xiaoren heard this, he didn't know what to say for a moment.
Today I am just a jury. If I anger the second prince or the third prince, I am afraid that I will be kicked out of the Criminal Department Yamen on the spot.
If they succeed in attacking Chen Qingzhi then...
Yao Xiaoren said nothing, and Tang Mingren even more silently. The lobby of the Criminal Department was eerily quiet.
The second prince's eyes fell on Chen Qingzhi, thinking that Chen Qingzhi's master Huo Qubing was cooperating with Chen Changfeng in an attempt to deal with himself.
The second prince's eyes slowly became cold and stern, the stern look on his face flashed away, and he said in a cold voice: "Chen Qingzhi, do you know your guilt?"
Chen Qingzhi raised his head slightly, with a hint of joking on his face.