Thief Emperor

Chapter 1073 Shengsheng Erlang
The following day, the traitor Wu Heng was transferred from the Nine Departments to the Three Judicial Departments for questioning.

The emperor issued an edict ordering Prime Minister Xu Ang to personally take charge of the matter, coordinate with officials from the three judicial departments, and carefully interrogate the traitor Wu.

His Majesty the Emperor himself may have truly broken down. He locked himself in the Ganlu Hall, refusing to see anyone. No matter who came, he claimed to be unwell and did not attend the subsequent court assemblies, leaving only Prime Minister Du Qian to preside over them.

There was nothing wrong with Prime Minister Du presiding over the court assembly, but several prime ministers clearly sensed that something was amiss. After the assembly, Prime Minister Du invited the other prime ministers to the Hall of State Affairs to sit together and discuss matters.

In the Hall of State Affairs, Prime Minister Du sat at the head of the table, looked at the other three prime ministers, and after a moment of silence, said, "His Majesty was perfectly fine just a few days ago. There's no reason for him to suddenly fall ill, Brother Ziwang."

He looked at Xu Ang and asked, "Did Eunuch Gu say anything to you?"

The day before the court assembly, the eunuch Gu Chang went to deliver an imperial edict to Minister Xu, ordering him to cooperate with the three judicial departments in the trial of Wu the traitor. In the past two days, only Minister Xu had contact with the inner court.

Even when Du Qian went to Ganlu Hall to request an audience, he was unable to see the emperor. Gu Chang stopped him, saying that the emperor was unwell and unable to receive his ministers.

Xu Ang also looked worried. He looked at Du Qian and said quietly, "The inner court only issued an imperial edict and said nothing more. If Prime Minister Du does not know about the affairs of the court, then we officials have even less way of knowing."

He lowered his voice at this point: "However, I always feel a little uneasy."

Du Qian remained silent for a moment before asking, "Have the three judicial departments begun questioning the suspects?"

Xu Ang shook his head slightly: "The person has just been sent to the Dali Temple prison. There are many other criminals in the Nine Departments. Some are being handed over to the Three Judicial Offices, and some are still on their way to Luoyang. In order to make this case more detailed, we will first interrogate the accomplices. When we have finished interrogating them, we will then interrogate Wu Ni."

Minister Du took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Brother Ziwang, about this matter..."

He looked at Xu Ang and emphasized, "There are no accomplices!"

This case involves the emperor, is an assassination plot, and even touches upon the previous dynasty. Such a case must be handled with utmost seriousness. Moreover, plotting treason can result in the execution of all relatives and friends!

The emperor simply handed the case over to the Three Judicial Offices, seemingly ignoring it completely. However, Prime Minister Du sensed some risks in the matter.

And it's a tremendous risk!

Perhaps the emperor is watching with indifference!

The four people present had all held high positions for many years. Even Xu Ang, who was originally a county magistrate and was always upright, had become shrewd and perceptive. Upon hearing Du Qian's words, he immediately understood the importance of the matter and quickly bowed his head, saying, "Don't worry, Prime Minister Du, I will definitely handle this case strictly."

He hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Prime Minister Du, there are some details I would like to report privately."

Du Qian didn't reply, but looked around before finally fixing his gaze on Tao Wenyuan. He paused for a moment, then asked, "Brother Tao..."

As is well known, Tao Xiangong has angered the emperor in recent years due to some matters, yet he has not been dismissed from his position as prime minister, simply because the emperor needs such a former official of the Wu Zhou dynasty in the position.

In fact, Tao Xiangong is no longer involved in many things.

Tao Wenyuan heard Du Qian's call and said with a wry smile, "Prime Minister Du, I also entered officialdom in Jiangdong a long time ago. If you include the Jiangdong court, it has been more than ten years now. Do I have to have any connection with the traitors of the old Zhou Dynasty?"

Du Qian nodded silently and said, "Alright, since Brother Tao is still in the Secretariat, we don't need to hide anything from others. Brother Ziwang, just say what you want to say."

Xu Ang looked around before finally saying, "Then I'll tell you."

He took a deep breath and said, "Yesterday, when we took Wu Ni from the Ninth Division, Wu Ni's cheeks were swollen, and he had been slapped on both sides of his face, and the injuries were obviously fresh."

He looked at Du Qian and murmured, "As the person in charge, I naturally have to ask the Nine Departments about this important criminal. What exactly happened to him, Chief Judge Meng..."

He smiled wryly and said, "Minister Meng only told me that this injury is not something to be asked about."

With just those five words, the four people present immediately understood the gist of the matter. Du Xiangong's unease grew heavier, and his breathing became more and more labored. He asked, "Brother Ziwang, where did you take over the Wu traitor from?"

"Chenliu Prince's Mansion".

Xu Ang said, "Minister Meng said that they asked the Prince of Chenliu to help identify Wu Ni's identity."

Prime Minister Du slowly stood up, looked around, and said, "His Majesty's attitude is unusual, and I am increasingly uneasy. This matter may become a major disaster."

As he spoke, he glanced at Tao Wenyuan and continued, "In any case, I need to know what exactly happened. I'm going to the Prince of Chenliu's residence, Brother Juzhong."

He cupped his hands in greeting to Yao Zhong and said, "You shall preside over the Secretariat for me."

Yao Zhong quickly stood up and returned the greeting with clasped hands: "Your humble servant obeys."

At this moment, Yao Zhong was very cooperative, but he was actually quite calm and collected.

Regardless of what Wu Zetian confessed or what he said to His Majesty the Emperor, he is the one least likely to be implicated in this matter.

Because... Yao Juzhong was a member of the Jinling Literary Society, a proper official of the new dynasty, and had no connection whatsoever with the Wu Zhou dynasty.

At this time, Yao Xiangong's background was, among all the ministers, dazzling and flawless.

It should be noted that even Xu Ang was once a county magistrate during the Wu Zhou dynasty and a former official of the Wu Zhou.

After Du Xianggong addressed Yao Zhong, he bowed to Xu Ang and said, "Brother Ziwang, this case is the biggest case since the founding of the country. We must be strict. No matter who is involved or which family is involved, as long as they confess, they should be taken to the prison of the Three Judicial Offices for questioning!"

"If all else fails, have Prince Jin help escort him to the Jingzhao Prefecture prison!" He looked at Xu Ang, who was hesitant, and said seriously, "Although the imperial decree puts you, Brother Ziwang, in this position, I won't let you bear the responsibility alone. If anything happens, we'll share the burden!"

Xu Ang bowed deeply and said, "With Prime Minister Du's words, I have the confidence to do my job."

Du Xiangong simply bowed in return, then strode away from the Secretariat and hurried to the Prince of Chenliu's residence.

After he left, the three prime ministers exchanged glances, and Xu Ang exclaimed, "Prime Minister Du truly deserves the title of prime minister; he is a pillar of strength."

Minister Yao remained calm and said softly, "Minister Du has always been insightful, I'm afraid..."

"Something really big is about to happen to the imperial court."

As he spoke, he glanced at Tao Wenyuan and said slowly, "Let's all be careful in our duties."

Tao Xiangong stood up, glanced at his two colleagues, and silently turned and left.

"If anyone falsely accuses me, Prime Minister Xu will come and arrest them directly. I will not flee."

Having said that, the oldest prime minister also left with his hands behind his back.

Xu Xiangong watched his retreating figure, sneered, and then cupped his hands to Yao Zhong, saying, "Prime Minister Yao, you've worked hard. I'm off on my errand."

"Don't dare to take it seriously."

Yao Zhong quickly returned the greeting and said solemnly, "Brother Ziwang, please take good care of me."

…………

Meanwhile, in the Prince of Chenliu's residence, Minister Du was invited into the main hall. He didn't even have time to drink tea; he simply looked at Wu Yuanyou and asked, "Your Highness, has His Majesty visited you?"

Wu Yuanyou opened his mouth wide, but couldn't say a word. After a moment, he said with a bitter face, "Prime Minister Du, I only ask to live out my remaining years in Luoyang. I don't want to care about or ask about anything. We've known each other since we were young. Please consider our past friendship."

"Spare me."

The two were indeed childhood friends who grew up together in Chang'an, and were even about the same age. However, Du Qian had no mood to make friends with him at this moment. He took a deep breath and gritted his teeth, saying, "Your Highness, I need to know what exactly happened!"

He looked directly at the Prince of Chenliu and clenched his fist: "I am the Prime Minister of the Great Tang Dynasty. There should be no matter in the court that I cannot know. Just tell me. If His Majesty blames me, I will take full responsibility and will not implicate you in the slightest!"

After saying this, seeing that Prince Chenliu was still hesitant, Du Qian's face immediately turned cold: "Your Highness, your position as the Second Prince and Third Regent is not legitimate. If you don't speak up today, we will be enemies. I, Du, will make sure this position is rightfully yours in my lifetime!"

This position should have belonged to the deposed Emperor Wu Yuancheng.

Hearing Du Qian's words, Wu Yuanyou sighed and gritted his teeth, saying, "Damn it, we can't afford to offend anyone now!"

"That's all."

He sat down next to Du Qian, looking helpless: "Let me tell you, let me tell you."

After saying that, the King of Chenliu sighed, "That night, I was almost scared to death."

After he finished speaking, he recounted the story of the Emperor's personal arrival that night, and also learned most of his conversation with Wu Ni.

Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Du's expression changed drastically. He stumbled and staggered away from the Chenliu Prince's Mansion. After getting into the sedan chair, he took a deep breath to calm himself down. He closed his eyes and pondered for a while before slowly speaking.

"Enter the palace."

Several sedan bearers responded, and the sedan chair was carried all the way into the imperial city. When they arrived at the palace gate, Prime Minister Du got out of the sedan chair, and they quickly arrived at the entrance of the Ganlu Hall.

As soon as he arrived at Ganlu Palace, he was stopped by Eunuch Gu, who bowed with a smile and said, "Prime Minister, His Majesty is unwell and has instructed that he will not see anyone for the next few days. If you have any urgent business, I will inform him for you."

Minister Du shook his head: "I want to see His Majesty in person."

Ignoring Gu Chang, he walked all the way to the entrance of Ganlu Palace and called out "Your Majesty" several times.

No one ever responded.

Du Qian's unease grew stronger. He felt that his old buddy of twenty years might suddenly unleash his ferocity.

Although it's highly unlikely he'll be hurt, but...

As the prime minister, he had to take on some responsibility for the sake of the court.

So, Prime Minister Du took a deep breath, stood at the entrance of Ganlu Hall, and shouted loudly.

"Erlang, Erlang!"

"See me! See me!"

(End of this chapter)