Wife, you didn't really drug me, did you?

Chapter 474: The shock brought by the Eight Kings’ deeds

Even the adopted son of Prince Ruyang has come to file a complaint to the emperor. Upon hearing this, all the civil and military officials in the court were stunned. After all, forcing a local prince to send people to the capital to file a complaint to the emperor was no simple matter.

Tuotuo's face was solemn and he said nothing, but a huge wave of emotion was already rising in his heart.

After all, the killing move of Prince Ruyang's adopted son was much more serious than his crime of transferring the emperor's personal guards. Thinking of this, Tuotuo couldn't help but become nervous and looked at the person on the throne.

The emperor was stunned at first. Obviously, he did not expect that the adopted son of Prince Ruyang would come to Beijing to file a complaint. What kind of injustice must he have to go to Beijing to file a complaint?

Thinking of this, the emperor's eyes suddenly became sharp. He then looked at the civil and military officials who were discussing the issue, and finally said with the domineering attitude of a king: "Silence!"

The emperor roared, and the entire court fell into silence.

Although the emperor usually did not care about the court, and most people in the court were hypocritical towards him, no one dared to disobey the emperor's orders, because the immortal on land stood behind the emperor.

Living Buddha Phagpa.

As long as Living Buddha Bashiba is around, no one can shake the status of the Borjigin clan, the Golden Family.

In other words, in fact, the entire Daqian court's respect for the royal family now relies entirely on the Living Buddha. The Living Buddha has become a totem in the hearts of all Mulan people in Daqian and the object of worship by everyone. Therefore, as long as the Living Buddha is alive,

The royal family of Daqian has their own deterrent power. Even the arrogant Tuotuo dare not say that he dares to ignore the royal family. Even if he really completed his plan, he would have sidelined the royal family in the court, and the respect due to the royal family must not be reduced at all.

The Living Buddha's face made the Borjigin clan invincible. This was the reason why the emperors of Daqian liked to mess around. They didn't attend court, favored beauties, and caused chaos in the harem, but none of these could shake their rule under the big tree of the Living Buddha.

To put it bluntly, even if the worst outcome occurs, Daqian will become a constitutional monarchy. The emperor's position will be very stable, but he will have no power at most.

But now Tuotuo's plan did not succeed, and the emperor still had his unshakable power. At this time, the emperor rebuked all the civil and military officials in the court, and then said to the eunuch Zhao beside him: "Announce, the adopted son of Prince Ruyang enter the palace!"

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Zhao immediately spoke in his father-in-law's voice: "Announce, the adopted son of the King of Ruyang, Kuyuk Timur, enter the palace!"

After listening to Eunuch Zhao's announcement, Wang Baobao, who was waiting outside, straightened his clothes and strode towards the hall.

……

At this time, outside the capital city, in a forest, Chen Jie, Zhu Chongba, and Master Dharmapa were drinking and chatting happily.

As they chatted, they talked about today's events. Dharmaba said, "In fact, even if you send Hama to the capital, it will be useless to see the emperor. Tuotuo is very important to the emperor. If Tuotuo is here, the emperor can enjoy his harem with peace of mind. If Tuotuo is not here, who among the civil and military officials in the court can take up this important responsibility?"

"So, even if you send Hama to the capital and file a complaint against Tuotuo, I guess the emperor's attitude towards Tuotuo is just to praise him highly, then let him go lightly and give him a mild reprimand."

Dharmapa said while drinking.

After hearing this, Chen Jie looked at Damoba and said, "I don't think so. How can the emperor tolerate Tuotuo shaking his throne? Let alone the current emperor, even if it were me, I would definitely kill Tuotuo, no matter how capable he is. Old Zhu, do you think I'm right?"

Chen Jie looked at Zhu Chongba. After hearing this, Zhu Chongba's eyes flashed with murderous intent and he said, "Not only him, but also his remaining followers must be eradicated without a single one left alive."

Hearing Zhu Chongba's chilling words, Dharmapa looked at him and said, "The remaining gang members must also be dealt with. Tuotuo is powerful in the government and the country, and his students and former officials are closely connected with him. There must be tens of thousands of them. Should we kill them all?"

Zhu Chongba looked at Dharmapa and said, "Either don't do it, or do it completely! Don't spare any life, you must kill them all!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's words scared Dharmapa. He didn't expect that this honest-looking Zhu Yuanzhang could have such a strong murderous intention.

However, Chen Jie was not overly surprised, because later historical records showed that the Hongwu Emperor was as ruthless as he said now. In the four major cases of Hongwu, there was a lot of killing. Let's not talk about others, just take Hu Weiyong as an example.

As the last prime minister in history, he was involved in the shocking Hu Weiyong case, in which more than 30,000 people were implicated and executed.

It can be said that if what Tuotuo did were done by the Hongwu Emperor in later generations, it would definitely be a brutal massacre with no room for maneuver.

Dharmaba was shocked by Zhu Chongba's words. He looked at Chen Jie and said, "This is impossible. The emperor would never treat Tuotuo so harshly. Besides, you can't punish Tuotuo for his serious crime just based on the evidence that he assassinated Hama."

Chen Jie looked at Dharmaba and said, "Who said this is the only crime? The biggest crime we want to accuse Tuotuo of is not this."

"Hmm? That's not it. Assassinating the right prime minister is not the biggest crime. What exactly are you going to accuse him of?"

Chen Jie looked at Dharmapa and said, "Do you know who else is entering Dadu with Hama this time?"

Dharmapa was stunned and asked, "Who else?"

"The adopted son of the Prince of Ruyang, Kuyuk Timur, wants to sue the emperor for a major crime: Tuotuo privately reduced the power of the vassal states and intended to rebel. Can this crime punishable by death?"

Chen Jie looked at Dharmapa.

Dharmaba sucked in a breath of cold air, his face changed slightly, and after thinking for a long time, he said, "This crime is indeed serious, but it is impossible to get the emperor to order the execution of Tuotuo. In fact, if these are the only charges, the emperor will probably temporarily depose him, give him a warning, and he may not even leave the court."

Chen Jie looked at Dharmapa and asked, "Emperor, you favor Tuotuo so much? Why don't you kill him?"

Dharmapa said: "The emperor's reliance on Tuotuo is a reliance that is incomprehensible to common sense."

After hearing this, Chen Jie pondered for a long time and said, "What if we add the Eight Kings' Travels?"

Ok? !

After hearing these four words, Dharmapa was stunned and looked at Chen Jie with shock on his face: "The Eight Kings' Records, you still have the Eight Kings' Records!"

Chen Jie looked at Dharmapa and said, "That's right. If the emperor can't make up his mind, then I will let the kings make the decision for him!"

"I'll see what the emperor will decide this time!"

Chen Jie said as he looked at Dharmaba's shocked expression.

……

At this time in the palace, Wang Baobao straightened his clothes, walked up the steps to the Golden Palace, and when he stepped over the threshold, he saw all the civil and military officials in the court looking at him. An invisible pressure was pressing on him.

Wang Baobao took a deep breath, and despite the pressure of the gazes of all the civil and military officials in the court, he went straight to the front of the Golden Palace and knelt on his knees.

"Your Majesty, I, Kuokuo Timur, the commander of the Fifth Army of the White Deer Army, greet you. Long live the emperor!"

"Keep your head up!"

The emperor looked at Wang Baobao and said, Wang Baobao looked up, and the emperor looked at him and said, "Why did you come to Dadu when you were in Jiangnan?"

"I want to report the current left prime minister Tuotuo, who has no regard for the law, secretly reduced the power of the vassal states, and intends to rebel!"

Wow~
As soon as this charge was announced, the whole audience was in an uproar. Everyone looked at Tutuo in surprise. Tutuo was being looked at by everyone at this time, his face as gloomy as water, and he did not utter a word.

The emperor was silent for a moment after hearing this, then looked at Wang Baobao and said, "Kuokuo, do you know what you are talking about? You are accusing the left prime minister of the dynasty. If you make a false accusation, do you know what will happen to you?"

After hearing this, Wang Baobao said, "Your Majesty, if this is a false accusation, I am willing to die as an apology."

As soon as Wang Baobao finished speaking, the civil and military officials below looked at him in surprise, and then looked at the emperor.

The emperor looked at Wang Baobao and said, "Okay, I'll let you sue today, but you won't just make up stories without any evidence, right? Do you have any evidence?"

Wang Baobao spoke directly, "I have evidence. Now all the five routes and eighty-one prefectures in Jiangnan have been taken over by Tuotuo. Six of the seven armies of the White Deer Army have been taken over by Tuotuo. In addition, the most important point is that my father, the pillar of the Daqian Nation, Prince Ruyang, has also been captured by Tuotuo and is now imprisoned in the Big Buddha Temple!"

"What! He even captured Prince Ruyang?"

After hearing what Wang Baobao said, everyone was stunned. They stared with their eyes wide open, not knowing what to say. The emperor also took a breath and was still digesting the shock brought by Wang Baobao.

At this time, Tuotuo's loyal subordinate, the Minister of Personnel, immediately stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I think that what Kuokuo said is completely false. He must have been instructed by a traitor to frame the Prime Minister!"

The emperor frowned, looked at him and said, "It is a fabrication. Why do you say it is a fabrication?"

The Minister of Personnel said, "Your Majesty, what kind of person is the Prince of Ruyang? He is the tenth strongest person on the Heavenly Ranking, especially in the military. Even the top few people on the Heavenly Ranking would find it difficult to capture him. And Lord Tuotuo does not have anyone who can capture the Prince of Ruyang, but he said that it was Lord Zuo Xiang who captured him. How is this possible? This is a complete false accusation!"

"Your Majesty, please take a closer look!"

After hearing this, the emperor nodded slightly. He knew the strength of his brother. Thinking of this, he looked at Wang Baobao and said, "Do you have anything to say?"

Wang Baobao said, "Your Majesty, Tuotuo forged an imperial edict, saying that Your Majesty invited him to the capital. My father was loyal to Your Majesty and had no doubts at all. He followed him directly to the capital after returning from Guangmingding. But when we entered the city, he unexpectedly detained us and then issued an order to plunder the military power in Jiangnan."

"My Ruyang Prefecture guards Jiangnan. My adoptive father taught us that the first thing is to be loyal to the emperor and love the country. Our Ruyang Prefecture guards Jiangnan in accordance with the rules of our great grandfather, and we guard the border for His Majesty. If His Majesty does not need us to defend the country and guard the border, we will immediately hand over the military power with just one imperial decree, but Tuotuo cannot control the military power."

"He Tuotuo is now the Prime Minister, second only to the emperor. If he controls the military power, then he will be able to combine civil and military power. In the end, the world belongs to Tuotuo or your Majesty. Your Majesty, please think twice!" Wang Baobao said to the emperor. After hearing this, the emperor looked at Tuotuo with a gloomy face and shouted angrily: "Tuotuo, you plead guilty!"

Tuotuo heard the emperor's words and sighed in his heart, knowing that the situation was hopeless. He immediately knelt down and said, "What I did was entirely for the country and the people of Daqian. Although it is true that the princes guard the country, it is a national policy, but now it is different from the past. Rebels are everywhere in the world, and the princes are independent and cannot effectively suppress the rebels."

"I thought that if the entire army could be integrated with the government, the country would be stable and the rebels could be wiped out. Everything I do is for Your Majesty and for Daqian!"

Tuotuo said while kneeling down.

After hearing Tuotuo's words, the murderous intent in the emperor's eyes slightly decreased. He glanced at Tuotuo and said, "You are confused!"

Tuotuo lowered his head even lower. The emperor angrily rebuked him, "Prince Ruyang is my cousin. His loyalty is commendable. You treat him like this. Isn't it chilling his loyalty? In addition, if you don't report it, you will reduce the power of the vassal state. This is an act of exceeding authority. How can you tolerate it?"

"If I continue to indulge you, how will the civil and military officials view me, and how will the people of the world view me?"

The emperor said to Tuotuo, who knelt down and said, "Your Majesty is right. No matter what punishment Your Majesty gives, I will accept it without complaint!"

After hearing Tuotuo's words, all the civil and military officials below said in unison: "Your Majesty, the Prime Minister has absolutely no selfish motives. Please understand clearly, Your Majesty!"

"Yes, although the Prime Minister has exceeded his authority, he has done it out of a sincere desire to serve his country. He just had good intentions but did something bad. I hope Your Majesty will show some leniency. I believe that the Prime Minister must have known that he was wrong and will definitely change for the better. I hope Your Majesty will give the Prime Minister a chance to mend his ways!"

After hearing this, the emperor frowned. In fact, he was a little hesitant to make up his mind to deal with Tuotuo.

After all, Tuotuo really understood his heart. He liked beautiful women, so she helped him choose concubines. He liked pleasure, so she helped him enjoy himself.

It can be said that his identity is similar to Yan Song of Ming Jiajing and Heshen of Qing Qianlong.

The emperor was quite dependent on them because they were able to meet all of his needs. That was why this situation occurred.

So when the emperor saw Tuotuo kneeling down and all the civil and military officials in the court tried to persuade him, he thought for a moment and sighed, "It is I who have spoiled you. You no longer need to be the prime minister. You should be demoted to stay at home first and then study other matters!"

The emperor spoke, and his meaning was very clear. He would remove Tuotuo from the position of prime minister and not touch anything else for the time being. He would wait until the right time in the future and then promote Tuotuo back.

Thinking of this, the emperor had made up his mind, but at this moment he suddenly heard Lao Hama shout: "Your Majesty, I think this is inappropriate!"

Hearing this, the whole audience was in an uproar, because this old guy, who was usually weak and could be bullied, suddenly became so tough. This shocked everyone present. They didn't understand what had happened to this old guy. Why did he suddenly become a different person?

Hama was kneeling on the ground at this time, saying nothing, but his attitude was very firm, and it seemed that he was really forcing the emperor to make a decision.

The emperor frowned at Hama, wondering when his uncle had become so ignorant. He looked at Hama and said, "Old Prime Minister, what are you doing?"

Hama said: "Your Majesty, I have something to report!"

After hearing this, the emperor looked at him and said, "What do you have? Tell me quickly!"

After hearing this, he looked at Hama and said, "Your Majesty, dealing with Tuotuo's matter is a serious matter. It cannot be treated as a joke. Just dismiss him from his position as prime minister and that's it."

"If Your Majesty does this, it will chill the hearts of the princes of the world. After all, he has arrested Prince Ruyang, and he also wants to reduce the power of the princes in the previous life. Now the whole world is shocked. If Your Majesty does not punish him severely, these princes will not agree."

"If the kings start a rebellion, then our Great Qian will never have peace! Your Majesty!"

Lao Hama said with tears in his eyes. After hearing this, the emperor said, "Is it so serious? Can't the kings understand my good intentions? Although Tuotuo made a mistake, it is understandable."

After hearing this, Wang Baobao didn't say anything, but secretly looked up at Lao Hama with surprise in his eyes. He probably didn't expect that the emperor would be so stupid. It was simply appalling.

Since ancient times, it has never been so outrageous for an emperor to favor treacherous ministers. He is going to reduce the power of the princes, which will shake the foundation of Daqian and the emperor's position.

Thinking of this, Old Hama was silent for a moment, then slowly took out a scroll from his sleeve and said, "Your Majesty, the kings may not really understand your Majesty's good intentions."

The emperor looked at Old Hama in shock, then looked at the scroll he was offering with both hands and asked, "What is that?"

Lao Hama said: "This is the biography of the Eight Kings brought by Kuokuo!"

what!
After hearing this, everyone in the court widened their eyes in disbelief. The Eighth King's Travels, is this really the Eighth King's Travels?
For a moment, everyone stared at the old emperor with wide eyes. They knew very well what the Eight Kings' Biography represented. It was the imperial sword given by Emperor Taizu to the kings to check and balance the powerful ministers. It also represented the attitudes of the kings.

To put it bluntly, although the Daqian court is located in the central government, if it offends the princes, the consequences will be disastrous, especially in this era when rebels are rampant. If you are not careful, the foundation of the country may be shaken, which will be a huge blow to the entire Daqian.

What's more, the meaning behind the "Records of the Eight Kings" is even more terrifying. What is the "Records of the Eight Kings"? The "Records of the Eight Kings" is a joint memorial submitted by the kings. If the emperor does not approve the memorial, then the kings may resort to military remonstration.

By the way, this military remonstrance is the legendary one of clearing the imperial court.

It was also a prelude to rebellions by vassal kings throughout history. It could be said that this was the ultimatum for many vassal kings.

It also means that this matter has completely angered many princes. If the emperor does not give them a satisfactory answer, then they will find a satisfactory answer themselves!

After figuring this out, the emperor's face became solemn, and Tuotuo, who had thought he had escaped this disaster, suddenly became gloomy and looked gray and dull.

At this time, all the civil and military officials in the court held their breath, for they knew the importance of the Eight Kings' Report.

At this time, the emperor took a deep breath, then stretched out his hand to the eunuch Zhao beside him and said, "Give it to me!"

After hearing this, Eunuch Zhao immediately held up the Eight Kings' Biographies, slowly walked to the emperor, knelt down and handed it to the emperor.

The emperor then took the Eight Kings' Biography and slowly opened it. After reading the contents, the emperor took a deep breath.

"Read it to you, my dear friends."

Eunuch Zhao took it, unfolded it, and read it slowly.

All the civil and military officials in the court listened attentively and looked in the direction of the emperor. As Eunuch Zhao read out the statement, the emperor's expression became uncertain. Everyone took a deep breath. It seemed that the emperor had changed his mind.

As soon as Eunuch Zhao announced the list of kings, all the ministers in the court were speechless. The power of the eight kings' deeds was indeed enough to shock people on the spot.

Tuotuo was also frightened after hearing this, this time it was for real.

On the other side was Tuotuo's number one henchman, the Minister of Personnel, who stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty!"

The emperor looked at him and asked, "My dear, is there anything I can do for you?"

Then the Minister of Personnel said, "Your Majesty, this Prince of Qi, Li Siqi, has been a hegemon in the northwest and has never been subject to the king's rule. Now he is instigating the other princes to write letters to force the emperor to abdicate. This is a crime of great disrespect. Your Majesty, please punish him!"

Ok?
After hearing this, everyone looked at the petition from the Ministry of Personnel with expressions of disbelief on their faces.

This guy still wants to protect Tuotuo at this time. He really deserves to be the number one henchman under Tuotuo. Of course, this has a lot to do with the fact that the Minister of Personnel's wealth and status all rely on Tuotuo. In other words, as long as Tuotuo falls, all the people under Tuotuo's command will be in trouble. At this time, he cannot protect them, but he has to protect them.

Thinking of this, the Minister of Personnel said, "Your Majesty, I think that the memorial submitted by the kings is an act of forcing the emperor to abdicate. If Your Majesty follows their advice, and they make even more excessive demands in the future, will Your Majesty do it or not?"

"Lord Tuotuo, although he made mistakes, he was wholeheartedly doing it for Your Majesty. These princes have soldiers and generals. If Your Majesty keeps giving in, they will develop a domineering character in the future. What will we do then?"

After hearing this, everyone in the field fell into deep thought, with their brows furrowed. They did not expect that the Minister of Personnel could explain it from this angle. He was worthy of being Tuotuo's number one henchman, and he had some talent.

Old Hama didn't care what the Minister of Personnel said at this time. Instead, he looked at him and said, "Haha, Chaolu, what you said sounds good. These princes are all royal relatives. How could they have the intention of forcing the emperor to abdicate? Besides, this power was given by Grandpa Taizu. Are you saying that Grandpa Taizu's policy is wrong?"

Upon hearing this, the Minister of Personnel said, "Grandpa Taizu is of course right, but I am afraid that people's hearts are no longer as they used to be!"

At this time, Lao Hama said: "Haha, well, even if what you said is right, you also know that the Eight Kings' Travels may be followed by a purge of the court. If the kings come to the capital to defend the emperor, how will you respond?"

After hearing this, the Minister of Personnel said, "If the enemy comes, we will stop him. If the water comes, we will block it with earth. Let them enter the capital quickly. We also have the Baoxiang Army to fight against them."

"Can the Baoxiang Army alone resist all the kings in the world?"

"Then there is King Ruyang. The White Deer Army and the Precious Elephant Army have joined forces. Can't the two main armies of the empire stop the kings of the world?"

The Minister of Personnel looked at Old Hama and said.

After hearing this, Old Hama laughed out loud and said, "Haha... You still know about the King of Ruyang. Isn't the King of Ruyang one of the kings in the world? You are the one who arrests people and employs people."

"You think Prince Ruyang is your servant!"

Old Hama shouted angrily at the Minister of Personnel!

(End of this chapter)