fifth form

Chapter 3088 Even Tian Fen is no good.

The Crimson Sky Sword was the imperial sword used by Emperor Gaozu to establish the Han Dynasty.

This sword not only holds special commemorative significance but also possesses irresistible power, symbolizing the hope for the royal family's legacy.

The theft of the Crimson Cloud Sword may seem like just losing a sword, but in reality, it was almost as important as the loss of the Imperial Seal of the Qin Dynasty.

Those involved in such incidents will be thoroughly investigated. Those who are honest and upright will be spared, as long as they are not framed or manipulated, and they are not afraid of investigation if they are honest and upright.

But people who are dishonest in their daily lives will have a hard time. Even if it has nothing to do with the Crimson Sky Sword, any investigation will uncover a lot of problems, which will lead to a lot of unbearable trouble.

Before becoming prime minister, Tian Fen was a man of impeccable character and no problems could be found. However, after he rose to the highest position in the court, Tian Fen felt that he had some serious issues.

Reaching this position was no longer a matter of whether Tian Fen was willing or not, but rather that countless temptations would come rushing in.

Various antiques, cultivation artifacts, and gold and silver treasures are given away for free. Talented retainers recommend themselves to the mansion. A beautiful and noble woman is secretly sent to the mansion. Many different kinds of events occur and develop more and more deeply.

These things don't happen all at once, but rather accumulate from small things to a large one.

Once things started, they were impossible to stop, and some things even hit Tian Fen's Achilles' heel with remarkable precision.

For example, Tian Fen was amazed by the beauty of the Princess of Yan twenty years ago and once said that he would marry the Princess of Yan. Now the Princess of Yan has sent her daughter, and the daughter's face is almost exactly the same as the Princess of Yan twenty years ago.

How could Tian Fen resist such a temptation? He was really in a hurry to cultivate outside every day, because once he returned to the manor, he would have no mind to cultivate.

Moreover, the daughter of the Prince of Yan brought not only women, but also precious medicines and magical artifacts.

All these factors led Tian Fen to turn a blind eye to certain things.

Tian Fen was genuinely worried that some of his retainers might have attempted to steal the Crimson Cloud Sword, since he was truly capable of doing such a thing.

But if Tian Fen were to investigate himself, how could he possibly find out that his mansion receives guests every day? To this day, Tian Fen still doesn't know exactly how many guests he has, what their names are, or what talents they possess.

Upon learning the news, Tian Fen rushed to Weiyang Palace in a great hurry.

"Che'er, the Crimson Sky Sword was passed down to you. You should be able to sense it. Why don't you just find the sword directly!"

After a brief meeting, the Empress Dowager tentatively offered suggestions.

She no longer did everything for the new emperor as before, but instead offered suggestions as much as possible. Whether the new emperor listened or not was another matter.

"Your Majesty is joking. A sword is a sword, and a person is a person. How can a person and a sword perceive each other?" the new emperor shook his head and said.

"Is the sword really lost?" the Empress Dowager asked doubtfully.

“I didn’t take a sword,” the new emperor nodded.

"Dongfang Shuo, you failed in your duty to protect the sword and deserve to be executed," the Empress Dowager said solemnly.

“The Crimson Sky Sword has only temporarily left my hands. As long as the Prefectural Governor of the Capital investigates thoroughly, he will surely be able to return the sword,” Zhang Xuezhou said. “Your Majesty will not punish me just because the Crimson Sky Sword has been out of my hands for a short time!”

"When will the Crimson Sky Sword return to your hands?" the Empress Dowager asked.

“This matter is up to Her Majesty to decide,” Zhang Xuezhou said.

"How can I be the one to decide things?" the Empress Dowager asked in surprise.

“If Her Majesty says the Crimson Sword will be recovered in two days, then it will be two days,” Zhang Xuezhou said. “As long as the thief is in the Imperial City, Magistrate Zheng of the Capital will surely find a way within these two days!”

"Oh?"

The Empress Dowager responded softly, no longer reprimanding Zhang Xuezhou.

There was a subtle sense that the case of the missing Crimson Sword was somehow getting closer to her. Although the Empress Dowager and the new Emperor had reached an agreement and were of one mind, the Empress Dowager did not rule out the possibility that the new Emperor might use drastic measures to reorganize the court. In such matters, she could only cooperate, not hinder the new Emperor.

The theft of the Crimson Cloud Sword was an irresistible event; anyone involved would find it difficult to escape, and even Tian Fen was no exception.

"Your Majesty, I... I had no use for the Crimson Sky Sword. I definitely didn't do this. Those scoundrels who are pointing fingers should have their tongues pulled out!"

The Empress Dowager stopped talking, and Tian Fen felt that she hadn't said anything at all, nor had she pleaded for him.

Tian Fen had no choice but to speak up and prove his innocence, but such things are not so easy to prove and get rid of trouble.

"Uncle, why are you in such a hurry?" the new emperor said casually. "If the loss of the Crimson Sky Sword has nothing to do with you, then it certainly won't involve you!"

“But…but Zheng would definitely have conducted random searches and investigations back then, this…”

"My palace is open to all ministers every day, and the main halls of the inner palace are open to the Three Dukes, Nine Ministers, and Censors. But is it forbidden to go to my uncle's residence?"

Tian Fen made a strong argument, but before he could finish, the new emperor had already used himself as an example.

This example left Tian Fen speechless. If he made any further demands, it would be a case of the prime minister being above the emperor and overstepping the bounds of propriety.

The emperor who had been so polite to him just two years ago was indeed different now. Back then, Tian Fen didn't need to come to the palace to ask for permission. If the emperor didn't allow it, even the new emperor's close advisors couldn't openly enter his residence.

Now, he is powerless to stop the impending inspection.

The change was so rapid that Tian Fen was somewhat unaccustomed to it.

But that's how imperial power works: a hopeless emperor will cause people to become disaffected and gamble on other things, while an emperor who gives hope can unite people's hearts and minds and let them know who will be the center of the dynasty for the next few decades.

When the new emperor bared his fangs, everything changed.

In the past, Tian Fen could assign tasks to his subordinates with a wave of his hand, but now his subordinates need to carefully verify the information to avoid misinterpreting the emperor's decrees.

From taking on all the responsibilities to becoming a middleman, a very direct transfer of power has occurred.

All those factions, those three thousand retainers, all that power, money, and connections—none of it mattered anymore.

As long as he doesn't attempt to overthrow the Han Dynasty and seize the throne to replace the new emperor, everything he has done before will be in vain.

"Some people saw that I had risen up, so they stole the Crimson Sky Sword, thinking of forcibly pressing me back down and making me a grandson emperor and a son emperor forever on that throne," the new emperor laughed. "Uncle, you wouldn't think so too, would you?"

"Tian Fen's loyalty to Your Majesty is as clear as day. Wherever Your Majesty points, Tian Fen is willing to charge forward in that direction!"

Tian Fen's heart skipped a beat.

In just a few words, the new emperor's teeth were like a sharp blade.

Such words are useless for an emperor who has no power and cannot influence the Han Dynasty, but when the cohesion and centripetal force are concentrated on the new emperor, such words are extremely powerful.

As long as the new emperor doesn't lose his mind and decide to slaughter all the court officials, if he names them one by one, none of the officials will be willing to side with the target, making it difficult for them to band together against him.

Tian Fen quickly expressed his opinion and lowered his head.

He occasionally glanced at the Empress Dowager, but she kept her eyes fixed straight ahead, clearly unable to get involved or help him get rid of the matter.

"We must find a scapegoat to take the blame for this disaster!"

Tian Fen felt a deep sense of despair.

He can't withstand an investigation himself, and if he doesn't want to suffer the consequences, he can only let others suffer first.

But Tian Fen couldn't help but have a headache. The Crimson Sky Sword was unique, and there was no fool who would admit to stealing it. And who could produce the Crimson Sky Sword?