Dream of the Red Chamber: Start by gaining Zhao Yun's martial prowess, and be ennobled in a sin

Not to mention, the Great Han Law established by Emperor Taizu clearly stipulated that crimes committed by eight categories of people must be specially reviewed and submitted to the emperor for a decision.

They are respectively discussing relatives, old friends, virtuous people, capable people, meritorious people, noble people, diligent people, and guests.

The Marquis of Linchuan met the criteria of "meritorious service" and "nobility," meaning he was a person who had made great contributions to the court and whose rank was above marquis or a civil official of the second rank or above.

The law stipulates that ordinary judicial organs have no right to interrogate and convict those who commit crimes in accordance with the "Eight Deliberations" criteria. The case must be discussed collectively by senior officials of the Three Judicial Offices and then submitted to the emperor for a personal decision.

Of course, this doesn't mean the emperor would always be exempt from punishment. Considering political balance, the nature of the case, and the emperor's own will, the punishment might be lenient or severe.

This law, on the one hand, resembled the privilege of not punishing scholar-officials, but its main purpose was to strengthen imperial power and provide a legal buffer mechanism for the privileged class.

Its final outcome depends entirely on the emperor's will.

However, according to the legal procedures, only the emperor could order the punishment of these eight types of people!

Therefore, the Duke of Cheng used this as evidence to say that Jia Jing's actions were procedurally incorrect and constituted an overreach of authority in killing someone.

Emperor Jingsheng stared intently at the Duke of Cheng, without saying a word!

What are the Eight Deliberations? What is the exemption from death? What is the procedure?

Ultimately, it was because he lacked prestige that these people dared to come to the palace to reason with him.

If Emperor Taizu or Emperor Chengzu were in power, would they dare to force the emperor to abdicate like this?

In his later years, Emperor Taizu executed thousands of officials in a major case, including many high-ranking officials and nobles with titles of duke or marquis. They also had iron certificates of immunity from death and met the requirements of the Eight Deliberations.

But the Emperor Taizu could kill without hesitation, and who dared to say no?

Now, they dare to speak so arrogantly before me! This is utterly disrespectful and defiant!

When Wu Xun held military power during the Jingnan Rebellion, he only knew the Retired Emperor and not me, so he acted recklessly and disregarded the law. Now he knows the laws of the Han Dynasty!

When it comes to the law, I know more about it than you do!

A bunch of traitors and rebels!

Seeing that Emperor Jingsheng remained silent, the Marquis of Yongjia, standing next to the Duke of Cheng, followed closely behind and shouted:

"Indeed! Since the time of Emperor Chengzu, the Ba Shang camp has always been under the command of my Jingnan Wuxun!"

"That brat Jia Jing has only been in office for a day, yet he has already caused such a disaster, incurring the wrath of heaven and the resentment of the people!"

"Your Majesty should know that the Ba Shang camp has 100,000 troops and is not far from the capital."

"The soldiers have always respected Marquis Linchuan and Marquis Zhongqin, among others. If we don't deal severely with that brat Jia Jing this time, the soldiers might become restless and cause trouble in the capital, which would be no small matter!"

If the Duke of Cheng's words were merely a veiled threat, then the Marquis of Yongjia's words were an open and blatant demonstration!

Emperor Jingsheng's expression darkened; he frowned and said in a deep voice:

"Oh! What do you mean by that? If we don't punish Marquis Jingwu, will the Bashang camp rebel?"

"Is the Ba Shang camp only useful to the imperial court under your Jingnan Wuxun command?"

Marquis Yongjia replied stiffly:

"I had no such intention! I was merely worried about the court! As the saying goes, a country with honest ministers will not perish."

"Military affairs have never been trivial matters. Soldiers are different from ordinary civilians; if they were to cause trouble, it could lead to considerable unrest!"

"In my opinion, the best course of action is for the Duke of Cheng to regain control of the Ba Shang camp to appease the troops! Besides, Emperor Chengzu has said..."

"Enough!" Emperor Jingsheng roared, slamming the cups and saucers on his desk onto the ground.

His cold, hard face was clouded with anger, which he could no longer suppress.

"A bunch of arrogant and unruly soldiers, how dare you deceive the emperor like this! I see you're not here for Marquis Jingwu! You're here for the military power of the Ba Shang camp and for me!"

"But let me tell you, I am not an emperor emeritus born of women in the inner palace. I am a descendant of the founding emperor, a man of unyielding integrity and unyielding courage!"

"I grew up among the common people in the provinces. What haven't I seen? I've been emperor for nine years, witnessing both invasions by the Qing dynasty and peasant rebellions. What haven't I experienced? Do you think I'm afraid a bunch of rebel troops will sweep me away!"

Emperor Jingsheng's face was solemn, and his cold voice rang out in the hall like a thunderbolt, exploding in the heart of Wu Xun, the leader of the Jingnan rebellion.

Just as everyone was somewhat at a loss, the eunuch's announcement came from outside:

"Your Majesty! General Zhang Yi is requesting an audience outside the palace, saying he is acting on the orders of Marquis Jingwu, Jia Jing, to deliver a memorial and several volumes of case files!"

"Summon them!" Upon hearing Jia Jing's name, Emperor Jingsheng suppressed his anger. Although he didn't know why Jia Jing had sent someone to do this, he still immediately issued the summons.

A moment later, Zhuque strode in, seemingly oblivious to the murderous glare from Wu Xun of the Jingnan Rebellion and the heavy atmosphere in the hall.

After bowing, he handed the memorial and case files to Xia Shouzhong.

Emperor Jingsheng had no idea what Jia Jing had sent, but he opened it immediately to take a look.

With a stern expression, Emperor Jingsheng sat behind his desk, first reading the memorials, then turning the pages of the case file in his hands. Xia Shouzhong then served Emperor Jingsheng another cup of tea.

The Jingnan Wu Xun below was filled with a mixture of shock and anger after being rebuked by Emperor Jingsheng.

They hadn't expected Emperor Jingsheng to be so tough; they feared they wouldn't be able to get their military power back today!

But Jia Jing must be punished no matter what!

As long as Jia Jing is no longer appointed as the military governor of Ba Shang, Wu Xun will still have a chance to regain military power in the future.

The group exchanged glances and secretly reached a consensus!

Meanwhile, Emperor Jingsheng was flipping through the case files faster and faster.

His anger became increasingly difficult to suppress, and a rare fierceness even crept into his eyes and brows.

"Ping!" Another crisp sound.

Emperor Jingsheng slammed the newly presented teacup onto the floor again! He swayed, clutching his forehead, clearly enraged to the extreme!

Seeing that Emperor Jingsheng seemed to be unwell, Xia Shouzhong quickly stepped forward to help him, but Emperor Jingsheng pushed him away with one hand.

Emperor Jingsheng composed himself, his gaze sharp as a knife as he looked at Wu Xun, the general of the Jingnan Campaign, in the hall, and said coldly:

"Summon Zhang Tingyu, Grand Secretary of the Wenhua Hall; Li Guangdi, Grand Secretary of the Wuying Hall; Chen Tingjing, Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion; and Gong Dingzi, Grand Secretary of the Baohe Hall, to an audience!"

Seeing Emperor Jingsheng's imposing manner, Xia Shouzhong knew that the matter Jia Jing had reported was of great importance, so he quickly went down to order someone to summon several Grand Secretaries.

The Grand Secretaries usually worked in the Wenyuan Pavilion in the southeast corner of the Meridian Gate, which was located in the inner court and not far from the Qianqing Palace.

Of course, this arrangement also made it convenient for the emperor to summon him at any time to consult on political and military affairs.

Before long, Zhang Tingyu and the others arrived at the Qianqing Palace. After glancing at the Duke of Cheng and the others standing to the side, they roughly understood what was going on!

How could their cabinet not have received news of such a major event as the murder of the Marquis of Linchuan?