Chapter two hundred and ninety-eight: the head iron
Chen Mao's actions successfully stopped the debate in the court temporarily.
The case of King Zhennan, after more than half a month of fermentation, and with the promotion of someone behind the scenes, has already become well known to everyone in the government and the public. It can be regarded as a major case that the whole court pays attention to.
But this case is a official matter after all.
Therefore, during the trial, apart from the major clan members attending the trial, the only people who knew the details were the officials who participated in the trial.
Chen Mao took it out at this moment, which naturally attracted the attention of many ministers.
Immediately, a chamberlain presented the memorial in Chen Mao's hand to the emperor.
As if he was afraid that the emperor would keep the matter a secret, after the memorial was presented, there was only a moment's pause before Chen Mao took the initiative to speak.
"Your Majesty, during the trial, King Zhennan refused to confess to the slander of Ren Temple. However, there are poems as physical evidence and the witness of the restaurant clerk brought by King Guangtong, King Yangzong and others, which can prove that King Zhennan is indeed
He once slandered Renmiao."
"After the incident was discovered by Zhu Huiyan, the former Crown Prince of Min, King Zhennan deceived the court again, sent people to steal poems, and framed his eldest brother. The evidence was conclusive and it was an unforgivable crime. Now King Zhennan has been detained in the Zongren Mansion.
We are in prison, awaiting His Majesty's disposal."
There was silence in the court hall for a moment, and then there was a buzz of discussion, as if a pot had exploded.
Amidst a burst of noisy discussion, Luo Tong, the left deputy governor, stepped forward and said.
"Your Majesty, this case is of great importance. As a minister, King Zhennan disrespected his father, which is disloyal. As a younger brother, he ignored his brotherly love and framed his eldest brother, which was disloyal."
"The heavenly family has its own moral order, and the clan should abide by its duties. These disloyal and disloyal people are really the scum of the clan. I ask your majesty to severely punish these people, deprive them of the throne, and imprison them for life to police the clan!"
Just like the noisy discussion that had just started suddenly, as Luo Tong's words fell, the elders seemed to have been turned off, and they fell silent again for an instant.
"...The Heavenly Family has its own ethical order, and each clan should abide by its duties..."
None of them were fools. Even if they hadn't realized it before, they all vaguely understood something after hearing Luo Tong's words.
What is ethical order and what is duty?
Are he really just talking about the brothers from Prince Min's Mansion?
After the elders figured it out, they were frightened for a while.
This Luo Tong is too bold!
However, something bolder is yet to come.
This time in the Zhennan King case, Chen Mao was the presiding judge, and in addition to Luo Tong from the Metropolitan Procuratorate, Xue Xuan from Dali Temple was co-tried.
Mr. Xue is a great Confucian, abides by etiquette and is good at debating.
Compared to Luo Tong and Chen Mao, Mr. Xue spoke more straightforwardly and stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, I think that simply cutting off the throne is not enough to warn the world! The crime of King Zhennan is not to slander Renmiao and frame his eldest brother."
"Our dynasty was founded on the principle of filial piety and brotherhood. For many years, the King of Zhennan knew clearly that his eldest brother Chen was wronged, but he sat and watched as his eldest brother was imprisoned within the high walls of Fengyang and died in depression."
"This man is still dignified, living in the position of the heir apparent, showing himself to be a wise man, and making everyone in the clan praise him as a wise man. This is not just deceiving others, it is also a hypocrite that deceives the emperor, the court, and the world!"
"For such a person who is so treacherous as to be loyal, so false as to be true, and so evil as to be kind, the Heavenly Family should take this as a warning, expose his crimes to the world, imprison his descendants in Fengyang, and guard the ancestral mausoleum for generations to atone for his sins!"
There was silence in the court hall.
The old man silently sweated for Mr. Xue.
This old man really dares to say that!
The King of Zhennan sat back and watched his brother's unjust death without caring, and settled down as the heir apparent to show his virtuousness to others.
No matter how you listen to these words, you always feel that they are alluding to today’s world.
The Supreme Emperor is now trapped in the north, and his life is always in danger. However, he has commanded and won the battle of Oara, and both the government and the public are called the British Lords.
This implication is too obvious!
He secretly looked up the imperial steps, and sure enough, the emperor's face had darkened.
All civil and military officials booed and silenced. There was silence, and everyone's eyes were focused on the emperor.
Zhu Qiyu glanced at the group of ministers who were having a great time just now, and finally cast his eyes on Xue Xuan, and said calmly.
"A warning? Who did Xue Qing ask to be a warning?"
The ministers felt a burst of pressure coming towards them, and they quickly lowered their heads and did not dare to speak. However, many ministers who were standing slightly closer could catch a glimpse of the emperor's face from the corner of their eyes, which was frighteningly cold.
"According to what Xue Qing and Luo Qing want, does it mean that I can only take a warning by sending an envoy immediately to welcome back the Supreme Emperor at any cost?"
Faced with such strong pressure from the emperor, Xue Xuan's expression remained as usual.
Since he dared to stand up and say these words, he naturally expected the possible results.
The old man lifted up the hem of his robe, knelt on the ground and said.
"I dare not show the slightest disrespect to His Majesty. However, the case of King Zhennan has shocked the government and the public, and the world is stunned. Etiquette, law and ethical order are the foundation of national stability."
"There is such a big case in the Tian family of the clan, and the Supreme Emperor is in the north of the country. He is in danger. It is inevitable that people all over the world will talk about it, which will damage your Majesty's reputation."
"I believe that the imperial court should send an envoy as soon as possible to welcome the emperor back to show his majesty's holy virtue and the filial piety of the whole family."
Although Xue Xuan was just the newly promoted Minister of Dali Temple, his status in the court was far beyond what the current official position could match.
Not only was he highly qualified, but he was an upright official and was outspoken. He was once dismissed for offending Wang Zhen and had a good reputation as a scholar.
More importantly, during the years after he was dismissed from office and stayed at home, he devoted himself to academics, lectures and studies, forming the so-called "Hedong School". He had disciples spread across several provinces and was a Confucian master admired by everyone.
At least in today's court, few people can surpass him in terms of Confucian attainments alone.
Therefore, although what the old man said was outrageous, no one stood up to refute it.
Of course, it's not completely absent.
Soon, the newly appointed Minister of Civil Affairs, Wang Wen, stood up angrily and reprimanded.
"Corrupt Confucianism!"
Although Mr. Wang is now in the position of Heavenly Official, his temperament has not changed. When he opens his mouth, he will follow the most irritating place.
Arriving in the palace, Wang Wenran and Xue Xuan looked at each other awe-inspiring and said.
"The case of King Zhennan certainly shocked the government and the public, but what does this have to do with His Majesty?"
"Your Majesty and the Supreme Emperor have a deep brotherly relationship, which is well known throughout the world. At that time, Your Majesty was the late emperor's middle son, and when he was older, he would join the feudal country. The Supreme Emperor took care of the brotherhood and repeatedly tried to persuade him to stay. During the northern expedition to Oara, he left all state affairs to your Majesty.
.”
"After the Battle of Tumu, the Supreme Emperor went on a hunt in the north. His Majesty was still seriously ill and was still sick. He was busy with state affairs and repeatedly sent envoys to welcome the Emperor back. The friendship between the heaven and the family is evident."
"Nowadays, both the government and the public are looking forward to the emperor's return to the south, but they are also very cunning, asking for more and more. His Majesty has the overall situation in mind and endures the pain of separation among brothers, just for the sake of the stability of the country."
"Now, you are taking advantage of the topic and making such wild remarks to slander His Majesty. What is your intention?"
Wang Wen's appearance was already intimidating, and he was blessed by his status as a heavenly official. At this moment, his beard and hair were spread out, and he asked every step with such impressive momentum that the officials could not help but boo.
However, Xue Xuan was not afraid at all and spoke.
"Master Tianguan's ability to criticize you is still the same as before. When did I ever say something arrogant to Your Majesty?"
"Your Majesty is wise and wise, and his judgment is known to both the government and the public. However, not everyone in the world can read and understand reason. The common people are ignorant and are good at listening to rumors."
"Although the case of King Zhennan has nothing to do with His Majesty, after the case is announced, rumors will inevitably spread, causing those who do not know the inside story of the family to make unreasonable claims against Your Majesty."
"I am acting in a public spirit and admonishing Your Majesty to welcome the Emperor back. What's wrong with that? But Lord Tianguan elevated an ordinary court meeting to the level of slandering His Majesty. Could it be that he harbors old grudges and wants to frame Xue for his disloyalty and unrighteousness?"