Jiuxi

Chapter 856 854 [Tit for tat]

This indignant minister was none other than the God of Wealth of the Great Qi court, the Minister of Revenue Jing Qingshan.

After him, a large number of court officials expressed their opinions. Even those civil officials who were particular about official etiquette were furious at this moment.

The three nobles sitting above had never experienced such a scene before, especially Li Daoming, who was only five years old. He was obviously frightened. If Queen Ning had not been accompanying him, he would definitely not have been able to sit steadily.

In the end, Xu Zuo couldn't stand it anymore and spoke up to stop the commotion in the hall.

Empress Dowager Xu's voice sounded at the right time. She briefly stated the cause of Li Zongben's death. According to Xue Nanting's suggestion, she changed the strangulation of the palace maid to stabbing with a knife, and did not change other details.

When he heard that the female official named Jin Qiaolan had not been caught yet, Jing Qingshan said solemnly: "Your Majesty, I think this case is very serious. A few palace maids would never dare to commit treason. They must have been instructed by someone."

Empress Dowager Xu pondered and said, "Does Minister Jing have any doubts about the candidate?"

"I would like to talk about what happened before the late emperor was assassinated. I hope the Queen Mother will allow me to do so."

"Minister Jing, just speak frankly."

Hearing Empress Dowager Xu's answer, Jing Qingshan turned his head, pointed his sharp eyes at Lu Chen, and said in a cold voice: "Duke Qin, I dare to ask, is the assassination of the late emperor related to you?"

The officials were in an uproar.

This time even Xu Zuo couldn't calm down.

Xue Nanting could not help but frown and said, "Minister Jing, as an important official in the court, how can you speak nonsense? If you have real evidence, you can announce it in public, and you can't make innuendos. On such an extremely important issue, you must not speak nonsense!"

Jing Qingshan apologized, "Please calm down, Prime Minister Zuo. I did not slander you without any reason. I just had too many doubts in my heart and had to consult Duke Qin in person."

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Lu Chen asked calmly, "What does Minister Jing want to know?"

Jing Qingshan calmed down a little and said in a deep voice, "Not long after the Duke returned to Beijing, the late Emperor held a banquet in the palace to entertain him. Is this true?"

"Have."

"After the banquet, the late emperor wanted to re-employ Han Zhongjie, but the Duke was adamant and refused to give in. May I ask if this is true?"

"Have."

Lu Chen responded calmly, and then asked: "I remember that Minister Jing was not present at the time. I wonder how you know so much about it?"

Facing the gazes of the ministers that gathered around him, Jing Qingshan said with a look of sorrow: "The late emperor mentioned this matter before when he summoned me. Does the Duke find this strange?"

"It's not strange, just a casual question."

Lu Chen said calmly, "What else do you want to know? Why not tell me everything in one breath?"

"it is good."

Jing Qingshan was obviously determined today, not worrying about whether this would offend Lu Chen. He raised his voice and said, "The Duke holds the power of the border army, and has become a powerful official in his twenties. This is not a slander from this humble official. On that day, the late emperor summoned all the officials to discuss whether to rescue Dai State. The Duke reprimanded Linjiang Marquis as if no one was around, disregarding the rules of the court, and finally walked away in disdain, openly defying the court. All powerful officials in ancient times were like this."

Lu Chen could feel that the atmosphere in the hall was becoming increasingly solemn, but he just frowned slightly and did not rush to refute the other party.

Jing Qingshan continued, "Whether in the center or the border, a balance must be formed. This is the ancestral system of the Great Qi, which is to prevent the emergence of treacherous tyrants. The former Minister of War Ding Hui was assassinated as the governor of Dingzhou as soon as he arrived in Dingzhou, which is enough to prove that Dingzhou lacks the most basic respect for the court. At that time, I suspected that this was done by the Duke, but the late emperor still chose to believe you. After all, you have made many contributions to the Great Qi over the years, and everyone would praise you as the pillar of the country."

At this point, he showed resentment on his face and gritted his teeth and said, "If the late emperor didn't trust you so much, there wouldn't be such a turmoil today!"

In fact, this is also the truest thought in the hearts of some court officials.

Looking at the court and the country, there are not many people who are capable of committing regicide, and even fewer who have the motive to do so. After all, in the two years since the emperor took office, he has neither abused the people nor treated officials harshly, and he has even rarely punished palace maids with a cane.

Only Lu Chen's power was too great for the emperor to accept. The contradiction between the emperor and his subjects became increasingly acute, even to the point of being made public.

In other words, it is not impossible for Lu Chen to kill the king, even though there are still a lot of uncertainties, such as how Lu Chen could reach into the palace and drive so many people to die for him.

It is difficult for people to remain clear-headed when they are extremely angry. This is the state of Jing Qingshan and some court officials at the moment.

Of course, it is impossible to convict a powerful duke based on these speculations alone. Jing Qingshan seemed to be venting his anger.

Queen Mother Xu knew this very well, so she continued to sit high above and did not interrupt.

Queen Ning's mood at this moment was extremely complicated.

Because of Lu Chen's two key statements in the harem before, she was very grateful to this young minister. Otherwise, if she allowed Li Zongjian to continue to stay in the harem, or let Empress Dowager Xu take care of Li Daoming day and night, she knew that she would not be able to reverse the situation and would definitely disappoint her marital relationship with the emperor.

When she heard Jing Qingshan's series of questions, she couldn't help but clench her hands secretly, and looked at Lu Chen who was still calm and confident, hoping that he could refute Jing Qingshan.

Lu Chen naturally stopped paying attention to Queen Ning at this moment. What he did before was not only for the future, nor was it because he suddenly felt sympathy for the poor orphans and widows, but it was necessary to delay the plans of Queen Dowager Xu and Li Shizhi before the arrival of the Dingbei Army and the Feiyu Army.

He looked around at the courtiers with complicated expressions and said calmly, "Minister Jing's intention is that because there are some conflicts between me and the late emperor, I should have someone kill Ding Hui first before doing something so daring as regicide?"

Jing Qingshan said bluntly: "No matter what, there is always suspicion on you!"

"Well, I have a few questions for you, too."

Lu Chen's eyes were slightly cold, and he said loudly: "According to your slander, I obviously have been harboring rebellious intentions for a long time. It is absolutely impossible that I just had this sudden impulse. Otherwise, how could I order the personal maid of the late emperor to do this? Is that right or not?"

This is the simplest logical inference.

Assassinating the king is not an easy task. It is impossible to do it without conspiracy and preparation several years in advance.

Jing Qingshan certainly couldn't lie with his eyes open, so he could only nod and say, "Yes." Lu Chen sneered and said indifferently, "If you say so, why should I go back to Beijing?"

There was dead silence in the hall.

Jing Qingshan was speechless.

Empress Dowager Xu did not look very happy.

At this time, a calm voice sounded: "Duke Qin is indeed eloquent, but in my opinion, even if Minister Jing's inference has no real evidence, it cannot clear the Duke of Qin of suspicion. Now that the assassin has disappeared, it does not mean that the Duke of Qin can be safe and sound, because the late emperor has long discovered your rebellious intentions."

The ministers looked in the direction of the voice and saw that it was the head of the Jinlin Li family, the Minister of Personnel, Li Shizhi.

Lu Chen looked up at this noble official, a faint smile appeared on his face, and asked, "What do you mean by this, Minister Li?"

Li Shizhi did not directly address Lu Chen's question, but instead said sternly: "Prime Minister Xue, Prime Minister Xu, do you really intend to watch this man standing calmly in the court and forget the instructions of the late emperor?"

Everyone's attention was instantly focused on the two prime ministers.

Xu Zuo's lips moved as he looked at Lu Chen not far away. There seemed to be thousands of words in his eyes, showing his struggle.

Xue Nanting's face was solemn. After a moment, he turned to Lu Chen and said slowly, "Seven days ago, the late emperor ordered the Secretariat to draft an edict and sent the Junior Supervisor of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Yuan Yuji, to Longlin City in Hezhou to arrest Gao Huan, the former Minister of Justice, and his brother Gao Que, because the two were suspected of planning the assassination of the emperor in the mausoleum two and a half years ago. Four days ago, the late emperor summoned me, Prime Minister Xu, and Minister Li to the palace to explain the strange details of the case that year, and told the three of us that the two assassins hidden among the craftsmen were instructed by Ning Bugui, the remnant of the Ning family in Changle."

When some ministers heard the name Ning Bugui, they suddenly realized something. They more or less knew the story of the Ning family's downfall. After all, it was a big uproar back then and everyone knew about it.

Under everyone's extremely solemn gaze, Xue Nanting seemed to be hesitant.

Li Shizhi saw this and said in a cold voice: "The late emperor also said that Ning Bugui is still alive because he is protected by Duke Qin! I was shocked to hear this, and immediately sent people to investigate secretly. I found that Ning Bugui is indeed still alive, and even living a comfortable life. He actually walked among the prominent families in Jiangnan with swagger, intending to connect and plot big things. Fu Yangzi of the Fenglin Fu family is a witness! When I learned about this last night, I knew it was not good, but I didn't dare to enter the palace rashly in the middle of the night. I originally planned to enter the palace to meet the emperor early this morning, but I didn't expect-"

His eyes turned red, and he said sternly: "I don't want to be late!"

Hearing these accusations, Queen Ning's heart seemed to be gripped by an invisible hand.

She couldn't help but think of the family dinner in the palace that day and Lu Chen's response during the meal.

Is it...

Do not!
Queen Ning woke up suddenly. If Lu Chen really did it, Queen Mother Xu behind him would never allow the situation to develop in this direction, because she knew very well that what happened in the second half of last night was absolutely inseparable from the support of Queen Mother Xu.

But what should she do now?

Xue Nanting and Xu Zuo did not deny Li Shizhi's words, which proved that it was true. At least the late emperor had clearly expressed his suspicion of Lu Chen.

Earlier, Jing Qingshan's doubts were more like a momentary emotional outburst, and it was difficult for everyone to believe that Lu Chen took the risk because of some suspicion. However, at this moment, Li Shizhi and the two prime ministers expressed completely different opinions.

If Ning Bugui and Gao Huan were indeed accomplices in the assassination attempt two and a half years ago, and Lu Chen was shielding these two people, then the suspicion on him would increase infinitely.

After all, if there is one, there will be two. Moreover, the failure two and a half years ago allowed Lu Chen to secretly plan and infiltrate. Now that the time is ripe, he has killed the person, which is logically reasonable.

But until now, the most powerful evidence is still missing, and that is Ning Bugui.

Lu Chen shook his head and smiled, then said frankly, "You have said so much, but it is full of suspicion, conjecture, and slander. If you want to accuse someone, you can always find a pretext. If you can frame an innocent person with just a few words, I will doubt my own judgment and whether it is the right decision to devote my whole heart and soul to this court all these years and risk my life for it."

"Duke Qin, there is no need to say that. No one can convict you without evidence."

Li Shizhi no longer tried to hide his edge, and said bluntly: "If you didn't harbor Ning Bugui, you wouldn't be suspected of much."

Lu Chen narrowed his eyes and asked, "Minister Li is planning to search Duke Qin's mansion?"

Li Shizhi said in a deep voice: "No one can deny the Duke's wisdom. Even if you really harbored a wanted criminal, how could you hide him in the Duke's mansion? I have another idea. Perhaps for the Duke, the 3,000 cavalrymen stationed outside the city are the safest place. The Duke has countless elite soldiers under his command, and these 3,000 cavalrymen are the best. Who dares to break into their camp and take people?"

Amidst the silence, Yuan Xingqin, the commander of the Beijing Army's brave camp and the Minister of Military Affairs, nodded and said, "It is indeed possible."

The ministers were in awe.

Yuan Xingqin's status is certainly not as high as the three dukes, but in the current situation, he holds 50,000 troops from the capital in his hands, which makes him a force that cannot be ignored in the court.

Li Shizhi looked at Lu Chen steadily.

After a moment, Lu Chen still asked calmly: "I wonder how Minister Li wants to investigate?"

Li Shizhi said without hesitation: "Of course, this matter must be decided by the Empress Dowager."

Queen Mother Xu heaved a sigh of relief and said, "Marquis Linjiang, are you willing to share the worries of the court and lead the troops to the camp of the three thousand cavalrymen outside the city to investigate?"

Marquis Linjiang is another commander-in-chief of the Beijing camp. He is one of the three powerful military heroes in the capital, along with Shen Yulai and Yuan Xingqin. He is also the commander-in-chief of the Beijing army's Jinwu camp, Chen Lanyu.

He did not answer Queen Mother Xu immediately. Instead, he turned his head and looked at Lu Chen with a deep gaze.

"If Linjiang Hou were to investigate——"

Facing the suspicious looks of most people in the hall, Lu Chen's tone suddenly relaxed and he gave an answer that even Li Shizhi had not expected.

"Why not?"

Li Shizhi's mind raced. He originally thought that Lu Chen's reaction would be very intense, and planned to wait until then to reveal another secret, so as to further solidify the suspicion on Lu Chen and win the support of the majority of court officials. However, he did not expect Lu Chen to play by his own rules.

While he was hesitating, Chen Lanyu had already bowed to the three nobles and said calmly, "I am willing to go."

(End of this chapter)