The prince is more stable

Chapter 275: Laying out a Trap
Zhou Zhi's case was not a big one, in fact. In the final analysis, it was nothing more than a seventh-rank censor who, in order to win credit, colluded with some people, conspired to cause trouble, and forced the emperor to revoke his decision.

This statement can be taken lightly or seriously.

In the history of the Song Dynasty, if the emperor made a decision that was not recognized by his ministers, the ministers would usually jointly submit a petition to dissuade him. This was an upright behavior and there was nothing to say. The rest was just a verbal battle between the emperor and his ministers in the Golden Palace, and whoever won had the final say.

What Zhou Zhi did was actually similar in nature.

But the only mistake he made was that he was discovered by Zhao Xiaoqian before he even started.

If he had not been discovered, there would have been nothing wrong with submitting a petition to stop the incident in an upright manner.

If discovered, it would be considered conspiracy and treason, and the person would be punished with death.

Although these are similar events, their natures are completely different. This is the danger of stepping into the court.

Zhou Zhi's case was not a big one, but under Zhao Xiaoqian's manipulation, it became a major case.

Once any case involves the word "treason", a group of people are destined to die, a group of people will be arrested, and many families will be implicated.

Zhou Zhi was doomed to die, and even if a god fed him elixir mouth to mouth, he couldn't be saved.

But Zhao Xiaoqian didn't want him to die yet. Liu Dan was wrong in what he said. Zhou Zhi still had surplus value, and Zhao Xiaoqian wanted to use him to do another thing.

As for Zhou Zhi's accomplices, the two Hebei officials, their value is more important than Zhou Zhi.

It is not surprising that two Hebei officials were involved in the Zhou Zhi case.

There are few clean officials. When Bing Jingwu interrogates Zhou Zhi, it is impossible for him to focus only on the charge of treason, but he also wants to dig up all of Zhou Zhi's past.

These two officials from Hebei were most likely involved in Zhou Zhi's past accounts.

Zhao Xu had issued an order in the court that Zhou Zhi must continue to dig deeper, so these old accounts cannot be easily let go, and all the officials involved must be brought to justice by the Imperial City Division.

As for what old cases the two Hebei officials were involved in, it doesn’t matter.

What is important is how to arrest people, in what way to arrest them, and how to use the action of arresting Hebei officials to accomplish another unrelated task.

This is what Zhao Xiaoqian is focusing on.

"Liu Duzhi, keep Zhou Zhi alive and let him keep breathing. If he is about to die, find a doctor to treat him." Zhao Xiaoqian patted Liu Dan's shoulder and said.

Liu Shan looked at him in astonishment, but did not dare to ask any more questions. Duke Zhao's order must have a deeper meaning, so he just obeyed his orders.

Zhao Xiaoqian got on the carriage and told Chen Shou to go to Yanfu Palace.

In Funing Palace, Zhao Xu was quite surprised by Zhao Xiaoqian's sudden request for a meeting.

"What new thing has Zi'an made?" Zhao Xu asked expectantly.

Zhao Xiaoqian: "Uh, forgive my stupidity, I haven't made anything new recently..."

Yes, there are sanitary napkins and bras, but you don’t need them.

Give it to the Empress Dowager and the concubines in the harem? Zhao Xiaoqian would be scolded to death by the Empress Dowager and the concubines. Zhao Xu probably wouldn't be happy with him either, so it's better not to mention it.

If Di Ying has the opportunity to enter the palace to meet the empress dowager and concubines in the future, it would be safer to let her do this favor.

Zhao Xu laughed: "If you are stupid, everyone in the world will become a fool. Tell me, why did you suddenly enter the palace?"

Zhao Xiaoqian immediately said, "I request the emperor's permission to mobilize the troops."

Zhao Xu's smile froze and his expression instantly became serious.

Mobilizing troops was no joke. The imperial guards of the Song Dynasty were not usually mobilized easily unless there was a major incident. Otherwise, once mobilized, it would inevitably cause discussion among the court and the public. Then, a large number of court officials would submit memorials, crying and saying that "war is a dangerous thing"...

"You'd better give me a perfect explanation." Zhao Xu stared at him.

"Have you forgotten that I was ambushed in the canyon?" asked Zhao Xiaoqian.

Zhao Xu was startled, his expression suddenly darkening: "Any ideas?"

Zhao Xiaoqian said honestly: "No, but...it's possible."

A smile appeared in Zhao Xu's eyes: "Tell me in detail."

"Yes, I have another request. This matter requires not only the deployment of troops, but also the creation of some public opinion."

"If the matter can be accomplished, I will definitely agree to it." The emperor and his minister sat in the hall and talked in whispers, and the whole matter became more and more specific and clearer under their discussion.

An hour later, Zhao Xiaoqian walked out of the palace with half a tiger talisman for mobilizing troops in his arms.

…………

Zhao Xiaoqian did not participate in the court meeting the next day, but Zhao Xu was furious in the Golden Palace.

After investigation, it was found that there were more than eleven officials involved in the case of treason by the Supervisory Censor Zhou Zhi, and Bingjing Wu uncovered a larger conspiracy.

When you pull out a radish, you bring out the mud. Zhou Zhi's radish brought out a lot of mud.

At the court meeting, all the ministers felt insecure as they watched Zhao Xu standing in the hall and cursing, scolding the Ministry of Personnel for not conducting strict investigations, scolding the Council of State for not being able to judge people, and even scolding Zhang Dun, after all, it was he who promoted Zhou Zhi.

Zhang Dun stood in the hall with a confused look on his face. Zhao Xu said that the Zhou Zhi case had led to a bigger conspiracy and the matter was very serious. It was said that it was related to a general in the northern border town.

To be more specific, Zhao Xu did not say it clearly, but the ministers were not fools. Anyone who could stand in the Golden Palace was the best of the best. Zhao Xu's vague words showed that the matter was very serious.

Throughout history, the fewer words you say, the bigger the matter.

So the ministers used their imagination and were shocked to find that after reasoning, it might really be a big case.

The commander-in-chief of the northern border town was involved in Zhou Zhi's case, which means that what Zhou Zhi did was not just treason. Could it be that he was also... colluding with foreign countries?
Isn’t the northern border town the border between Song and Liao?
What on earth did Zhou Zhi do?
Who is the coach involved?
The court officials who had had interactions with Zhou Zhi in the past were now terrified and stood trembling in the crowd.

This damn thing is getting bigger and bigger. Even though I am only friends with Zhou Zhi and have never participated in his conspiracy, it is hard to say whether the Imperial City Bureau will involve them as well.

Zhao Xu's face was cold in the Golden Palace. After cursing for a while, he finally got tired of it.

Finally, Zhao Xu issued an edict with a cold face, ordering the Imperial City Division to conduct a thorough investigation into the case and to continue to dig deeper into the Zhou Zhi case. All those involved in the case, regardless of their official positions or titles, should be arrested and imprisoned first.

This was an era that was extremely tolerant of scholars and officials, but tolerance had a bottom line.

You have committed treason, colluded with border commanders, and colluded with foreign countries. Do you still expect the court to be lenient with you?

It was rare for Zhao Xu to get so angry in front of his ministers, and none of them dared to say a word.

When it comes to the imperial power, anyone who dares to show his head will be killed instantly. Whoever speaks out at this time will be in trouble.

Including Zhang Dun, all the ministers stood in the Golden Palace with their heads bowed and remained silent, like quails, obedient and helpless.

Zhao Xu's face was still gloomy and dark, and no one noticed the smile that flashed in his eyes.

Today we are creating public opinion for Zhao Xiaoqian, taking advantage of the situation to curse people, and exaggerating the matter as seriously as possible.

Acting is acting, but the cursing is real, and it feels so damn good.

Since he took power, various contradictions between the monarch and his subjects have gradually accumulated. After today's scolding, Zhao Xu's whole body and mind were completely relieved.

Finally, Zhao Xu flicked his sleeves fiercely and returned to the harem angrily.

In the Golden Palace, the ministers looked at each other, some were sad, some were secretly happy.

After a long time, Zhang Dun sighed tiredly, turned around and left the Golden Palace first.

The ministers followed Zhang Dun out of the palace gate. The court procession of hundreds of people was unusually quiet today. A depressing atmosphere filled the air, so heavy that it was suffocating.

The official just scolded too harshly, causing serious psychological trauma to everyone.

At this moment, people did not dare to blame the government, but they gritted their teeth at the audacious Zhou Zhi.

Why hasn't this killer died yet?
If he were alive, who knows how many major cases the Imperial City Bureau would have uncovered. How could he be so bold?

You're just a seventh-rank censor. Do you want to go to heaven?

After the court meeting, the city of Bianjing became tense.

The Imperial City Bureau followed the order and rushed out.

First, the Imperial City Administration sent personnel to various government offices in Bianliang to investigate various archived documents and correspondence from many years ago, screen and check the resumes of officials at all levels, and at the same time seal up many archives and documents of the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War.

The officials in Bianjing City remained silent about the actions of the Imperial City Administration, but the people did not care. They loved gossip, so rumors flew around, becoming more and more bizarre.

The capital of the Song Dynasty was plunged into unprecedented tension because of today's court meeting.

(End of this chapter)