RPAGF Chapter 200 Impeachment by Officials
Chapter 200 Impeachment by Officials
The next morning.
Before dawn, Lin Chen was dragged out of bed by Chu Yueyao.
"Husband, wake up! There's a court assembly today, we can't be late."
As Chu Yueyao spoke, she deftly picked up the warm python robe and put it on Lin Chen.
Lin Chen could barely open his eyes, so he leaned his head on Chu Yueyao's shoulder and mumbled a complaint:
"What kind of ridiculous rule is this? The rooster hasn't even crowed yet..."
It's one thing for the emperor to work himself to the bone, but he also has to drag all the officials in the country down with him...
The time for this morning meeting will be changed sooner or later...
Chu Yueyao was amused by Lin Chen's childish grumbling and carefully tied her belt:
"My husband doesn't go every day, so just bear with it."
Besides, wasn't there a rumor yesterday that someone in court might be talking about what happened that night? How can I not go and set things quiet?"
"Who's so stubborn, unable to see the bigger picture?" Lin Chen finally opened one eye and yawned.
"Well, I need to go and observe!"
……
Inside the Taiji Hall.
The civil and military officials stood in neat rows according to their ranks, each with their eyes downcast, but their peripheral vision was constantly glancing upwards.
Empress Zhao Lingyang sat upright on the dragon throne, her face calm and expressionless, revealing neither joy nor anger.
"My lords, is there anything you wish to report?"
The clear, melodious voice broke the silence.
Before the words had even finished, the civil servants were at the very front of the line.
An elderly minister with white hair and beard, dressed in a purple robe embroidered with cranes, stepped forward, his steps both trembling and steady.
He was none other than Wei Sanchao, a veteran of three reigns and Grand Tutor.
"This old minister has something to report!"
His voice was loud and clear, carrying an old but still vigorous spirit, instantly attracting the attention of everyone in the hall.
"Please speak, Grand Tutor," the Empress said calmly.
Wei Sanchao took a deep breath and said loudly:
"Your Majesty! Today, this old minister wishes to impeach Prince Lin Chen of the North for several serious crimes!"
coming!
A very low buzzing sound filled the hall.
Many ministers, though their heads were bowed, had their ears perked up.
"Firstly, indiscriminate killing of innocent people violates the laws of nature!" Wei Sanchao said with a pained expression.
"The night before, the Prince of Zhenbei mobilized his private army to carry out a large-scale massacre in the capital. Hundreds of people were decapitated overnight, and their corpses were even hung on the city walls for public display!"
Your Majesty, the capital is the seat of the emperor, the most virtuous and important place. How can such a cruel thing be done?
Blood was hanging all over the city walls. How would merchants and ordinary people view our Great Yan?
Where is your benevolence? Where is your dignity? Your Majesty!
When he got excited, Wei Sanchao's white beard trembled, and he almost burst into tears.
Several ministers immediately stepped forward.
Minister of Justice Zhou Huanzhi, with a stern face, cupped his hands and said:
"Your Majesty, I second that opinion! The Prince of Zhenbei, without the approval of the Three Judicial Offices, has arbitrarily resorted to private punishment. Where does this place the law of the land? If this precedent is set, the consequences will be endless!"
A censor from the Censorate was also filled with righteous indignation:
"Your Majesty, it is a grave taboo to send such fierce troops as the 'Great Snow Dragon Riders' into the city!"
He also arbitrarily imposed a curfew, causing widespread panic and resentment among the people of the capital!
In the eyes of the Prince of Zhenbei, is there still any regard for the laws of the court? Is there still any regard for His Majesty's divine authority?
"I second that proposal!"
"I second that opinion!"
In the blink of an eye, seven or eight people stepped forward, all of high rank, mainly upright officials and some conservatives.
Each quote, drawing upon classical texts and historical precedents, speaks of the words of sages and the laws of our ancestors, all with one central theme:
Lin Chen's actions were too barbaric and arrogant; he must be severely punished!
Among the remaining ministers, the military officers all held their tablets, eyes downcast, seemingly oblivious to everything.
Some civil officials exchanged furtive glances, waiting to see what would happen next.
Su Wenyuan, the Minister of Rites and Lin Chen's uncle, frowned, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back.
The Empress listened quietly until they finished their impassioned speeches, then she slightly raised her eyes:
"Have you finished speaking?"
All the officials fell silent.
"Now that you ministers have finished speaking, I also have a few questions to ask."
The Empress slowly stood up and walked down the imperial steps.
The skirt embroidered with golden dragons swept across the smooth ground, carrying an invisible pressure.
"First, should those people killed by the Prince of Zhenbei have been killed?"
Wei Sanchao straightened his back: "Your Majesty!"
Even if someone is guilty of heinous crimes, the Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Censorate should jointly investigate the case, ascertain the facts, determine the crime according to the law, and punish them accordingly!
This is the established law of the state; how can it be allowed to be unilaterally exercised by private individuals?
If everyone could carry a knife and enforce the law, what use would the imperial court and legal system be? Wouldn't the world descend into chaos?
These words were well-reasoned and carried weight, and many neutral officials nodded slightly in agreement.
"To punish according to the law?" The Empress repeated softly, then suddenly smiled, though the smile was somewhat cold.
"Does the Grand Tutor know the backgrounds of those killed by the Prince of Zhenbei?"
Before Wei Sanchao could answer, the Empress continued speaking to herself:
"There are seventeen spies in the Northern Frontier, the one who has been in hiding for twelve years."
Nine Shadow Guards from Dongli and five Sorcerers from Nanyue.
There were also over a hundred spies and assassins sent by the Central Plains Demonic Path sects, such as the "Hehuan Sect" and the "Corpse Refining Sect".
These people hid in the streets and alleys, some as merchants, some as actors, and some even infiltrated the ranks of minor officials.
The Grand Tutor ordered the Three Departments to conduct the trial—intending to invite the ruler of Beishuo and the emperor of Dongli to confront him.
Is it still possible to get the demoness from the Hehuan Sect to obediently sign and affix her seal?
Wei Sanchao paused, "This..."
"Secondly," the Empress stopped a short distance in front of Wei Sanchao, her gaze sweeping over the ministers who had seconded her opinion.
"The reason for deploying the Great Snow Dragon Riders into the city is that these bandits are all highly skilled, cunning, and ruthless."
The Imperial City Guard is understaffed, and the troop movements in the capital region will take time.
If we don't strike with overwhelming force, hitting them decisively in one blow, and they scatter and hide, or become desperate and harm innocent bystanders, who will be responsible?
"Is it you, Grand Tutor, or Minister Zhou?"
Zhou Huanzhi, the Minister of Justice, was sweating profusely and dared not reply.
"Third, the curfew is disturbing the peace?" The Empress's tone turned cold.
"If there had been no curfew that night, these desperados would have been allowed to roam the city, fight, and even take civilians hostage."
Who should be held responsible for the deaths and injuries caused?
Is it the Prince of Zhenbei, or you pillars of the nation who constantly preach "benevolence" and "propriety" yet turn a blind eye to the truly imminent crisis?
The Empress spoke the last four words slowly, with a chilling undertone.
The ministers who had been speaking righteously just moments before were now pale-faced and their backs were covered in cold sweat.
Although Empress Zhao Lingyang was usually dignified, this was the first time she had asked such a sharp and direct question.
Wei Sanchao's face was flushed and pale, but he still tried to argue:
"Your Majesty, even so, the procedure is still..."
Just then, a eunuch's slightly shrill voice came from outside the hall, carrying a barely perceptible... tone of schadenfreude:
"The King of Zhenbei has arrived!"
Everyone's head turned towards the entrance of the main hall.