Minister of Personnel, Wang Wen, did not look surprised. He bowed to the emperor seated on the throne, "Your Majesty, I beg you to seal off Renshou Palace and thoroughly investigate this case!"
At this mont, all the ministers in the hall buzzed in surprise. Even Shaobao Yu Jie furrowed his brows.
"What are you suggesting, Minister Wang? The culprit is rely a janitor in Renshou Palace. But you want to seal off the entire palace, where does that leave the Empress Dowager?" the Deputy Auxiliary of the Cabinet, Shaobao Gao Gu, slapped back in anger.
Minister Wang Wen responded cheekily with a smile, "You have misunderstood , Shaobao Gao. My proposition is only to prove everyone in Renshou Palace innocent."
As the two of them argued, Li Xuan was sneaking a peek at the Jingtai Emperor enthroned above.
The Emperor, appearing in his early thirties, had a square face, big ears, and regular features, much like a younger Yu Jianji. However, his complexion was a bit pale. Seated on the throne, he radiated dignity and authority without showing anger.
Li Xuan thought to himself, so this is my future father-in-law? Quite a handso and authoritative figure, he looks every bit the part of a ruler.
Just then, the Jingtai Emperor seed to notice his gaze, looked his way, and gave him a smile. Li Xuan imdiately straightened his expression and made a slight bow to the Emperor.
"I believe Minister Wang is wrong!"
The debate among the court officials was escalating, even Daxueshi from Zuochun House, Shang Hong, stood up, "Can you provide any evidence linking the Empress Dowager to this cri? If not, on what grounds should we seal off Renshou Palace? This action violates filial piety and disrupts social norms, and will surely stir up public unrest——"
Then, Princess Changning, Yu Yunhuang, walked in looking dark-faced, followed by Dudu Tongzhi, a captain in Xiuyiwei, Zuo Daoxing. They both kneeled in front of the throne.
"Your Majesty, I have found that Li Weiyang is a disciple of the Changsheng Sect."
"Changsheng Sect?" Shaobao Yu Jie cast a sideways glance at Yu Yunhuang, then looked to Zuo Daoxing, "Is this true?"
Li Xuan also turned his gaze to them. He knew that the Changsheng Sect was an organization ford by the remnants of the Mongwu people in Central Plains, nad for their faith in Changsheng Heaven.
Disciples of the Changsheng Sect were usually concentrated in the Jin Dynasty’s court because eunuchs and officials from the Mongwu Era were often taken in and recruited to serve in the palace of the Jin Dynasty, causing several upheavals.
It wasn’t until the Xuande Era that the power of the Changsheng Sect within the court of Jin began to decline.
Zuo Daoxing hesitated for a mont, but finally said cautiously, "The cultivation technique Li Weiyang practices is definitely from the Changsheng Sect! We found so Visualization Charts and statues related to Changsheng Sect Martial Law in his residence."
Shaobao Yu Jie frowned: "What about Fei Yuan? Why would he conspire with Li Weiyang? I know him--he cos from a prominent family in Huaibei. Surely, he wouldn’t be involved with the Changsheng Sect?"
"We haven’t figured that out yet," Zuo Daoxing answered with a cold expression on his face. "However, we found out that Dr. Fei is a widower, with no children. His wife and parents died years ago, and now he lives alone."
Listening to this, the courtiers in the palace broke into another round of buzzing. Minister Wang Wen sneered," "With no children... interesting! Your Majesty, from what I know, Fei Yuan, the Wujing Boshi, has always been on good terms with the Zhanshi Governnt officials, Daxueshi Shang Hong, and other mbers of the prince’s party in the Hanlin Academy——"
At this mont, including Shang Hong, the officials from the Hanlin Academy all turned as pale as paper.
However, the Jingtai Emperor interrupted Wang Wen before he finished, "Stop, Minister Wang!"
When the hall regained its quietness, the Emperor, with a solemn face and chilling gaze, looked at his officials, "I suspect that this cri was committed by the Mongwu people to sow discord among our ministers and pave the way for the Mongwu army’s southward march."
He then looked at the Deputy Auxiliary of the Cabinet, Shaobao Gao Gu, and Minister of Revenue, Xiao Ci, "I order you two to ensure that the military funds required by Minister Yu are made available within three days to prepare for the enemy."
Gao Gu and Xiao Ci exchanged a glance, both wearing expressions of helplessness. They knew that the funds required by Yu Jie this ti were a large sum, but they also understood that they had no opportunity to argue. Therefore, they bowed and replied in agreent.
After hearing this, Li Xuan secretly admired his ’father-in-law’. He thought to himself, the Emperor’s political acun and overall perception are truly comndable.
At this point, further investigation of this case is aningless and would only lead to disunity among the ministers, benefiting the Mongwu.
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