Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 759: Chapter 370 Severe Punishment for the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen_2

Prince Chu only mentioned the matter of stealing copper, without speaking of the assassination attempt on him organized by the Crown Prince. However, just the matter of stealing copper to forge weapons was enough to shock everyone in the world.

The Emperor did not speak, his expression inscrutable, leaving everyone unsure of his thoughts.

The ministers below were as silent as cicadas in winter.

Prince Dai and Marquis Xuanping, however, were extremely excited, their eyes filled with wild joy. They had waited for so many years for the day the Crown Prince would be deposed; how could they remain calm?

At this moment, the Imperial Censor stepped forward. In a righteous tone, he declared that the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen had stolen copper and forged weapons with the intent to rebel, urging the Emperor to deal with them according to the law.

Duke Zhen, who was also the son of the Xie Family Patriarch, hurriedly knelt down, loudly declaring their innocence, claiming that someone had deliberately framed the Crown Prince and the Duke Zhen Country Mansion, and pleaded with the Emperor to discern the truth.

The Imperial Censor let out a cold laugh on hearing this. He pointed out that Prince Chu had clearly explained everything earlier, and with both witnesses and evidence present, how dare Duke Zhen still claim innocence? Was he taking the Emperor and the entire world for fools?

Duke Zhen kowtowed while arguing that neither the Crown Prince nor the Duke Zhen Country Mansion had any intention to rebel.

The ministers supporting Prince Dai began to press the issue. They questioned why, if the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen Country Mansion had no rebellious intent, would they steal copper from Peng City and secretly forge weapons at Mount Wuhua? Could it be that stealing copper and forging weapons was just a game for the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen Country Mansion?

Ministers supporting Prince Chu also began to accuse the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen Country Mansion. Together with those supporting Prince Dai, they bombarded Duke Zhen with questions one after another.

There were few ministers in court these days who supported the Crown Prince, leaving both them and Duke Zhen powerless to counter the barrage of accusations from the ministers supporting Princes Chu and Dai.

Among them, some ministers supporting Prince Jing berated the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen for poisoning Prince Jing, who was far away in Jinling.

At this moment, the ministers supporting Prince Chu remembered that when Prince Chu went to Peng City to investigate the copper theft, he was repeatedly assassinated by those sent by the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen.

Another charge was thus added to the Crown Prince’s record: fratricide. The ministers supporting Princes Dai, Chu, and Jing bitterly accused the Crown Prince of being cold-hearted and inhumane.

The Imperial Censors all stepped forward to request the Emperor to severely punish the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen, insisting that leniency was not an option.

Today, for once, the ministers were united. Usually, they were divided into several factions, each arguing for their master. But today, they were unanimously denouncing the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen.

Duke Zhen and his allies were no match for the group of ministers. Facing continuous condemnation and questioning, they were utterly unable to refute. They knelt on the ground, pale and full of terror.

The Emperor still said nothing, quietly watching the united front of ministers below.

Seeing the Emperor’s delay in expressing any opinions, Prince Dai hesitantly stepped forward and knelt down. He first kowtowed three times to the Emperor, then, with a pleading tone, asked the Emperor to spare the Crown Prince.

The Emperor was not surprised at all by Prince Dai’s plea for the Crown Prince.

Prince Dai first appealed to the Emperor on an emotional level, saying the Crown Prince was the Emperor’s eldest son and the late Empress’s child, designated as the heir from a young age. He continued, mentioning the Crown Prince’s intelligence and benevolence from childhood, his care for his younger brothers, his filial piety, his consistent practice of copying Buddhist scriptures to bless the late Empress, and his respect for the Emperor. Finally, he argued that the Crown Prince’s numerous mistakes were due to Duke Zhen’s manipulation.

His expressions and tone were exceedingly sincere as he pleaded with the Emperor to give the Crown Prince another chance.

On hearing Prince Dai’s words, Prince Chu could not remain silent. He too kneeled, pleading on behalf of the Crown Prince.

Whether or not Princes Dai and Chu sincerely sought mercy for the Crown Prince, as his younger brothers, they could not just stand by and watch the Crown Prince get into trouble without helping; otherwise, they would be labeled as unfilial and disrespectful.

The Emperor naturally understood that Prince Dai’s plea was performative, whereas he suspected that Prince Chu had some genuine concern.

Although the Imperial Censor knew that Princes Dai and Chu were merely feigning their pleas, he had to oppose their entreaties. He solemnly and firmly contradicted Princes Dai and Chu’s pleas and once again urged the Emperor to severely punish the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen.

Other ministers echoed the Censor’s words, earnestly asking the Emperor to deal with the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen in accordance with the law.

In the main hall of Chengguang Hall resounded the chorus of "May Your Majesty severely punish the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen to uphold the law of the state!"

The Emperor glanced at Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu, his tone devoid of any emotion as he asked, "Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu, do you think I should punish the Crown Prince?"

Upon hearing the Emperor’s question, the ministers immediately fell silent, uniformly turning their gaze to Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu.

Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu exchanged a glance before Grandmaster Liu stepped forward. He first saluted the Emperor, then spoke respectfully, "The Imperial Censor is correct. The Crown Prince and Duke Zhen have gravely violated the laws of Great Zhou. Please, Your Majesty, handle it impartially."

"Prime Minister He, what is your opinion?"

Prime Minister He said, "Your Majesty, both the theft of copper and the private forging of weapons are serious crimes, especially the latter, which, according to the laws of Great Zhou, is punishable by extermination of the entire family."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor slightly raised his eyebrow: "Are you suggesting I should confiscate the entire Duke Zhen Mansion?"

Prime Minister He said righteously, "According to the laws of Great Zhou, it should be so."

As soon as he finished speaking, other ministers immediately voiced their agreement.

"Should the Crown Prince also be exterminated?" the Emperor asked deliberately.

Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu quickly stated that there was no need to exterminate the Crown Prince, but given the egregious actions he committed, he no longer deserved to be the heir of Great Zhou.

The Emperor’s expression suddenly turned very gloomy, his tone icy: "Are you asking me to depose the Crown Prince?"

Grandmaster Liu, undeterred by the Emperor’s anger, boldly suggested that the Crown Prince’s lack of virtue disqualified him from his position.

Prime Minister He followed Grandmaster Liu’s words, directly requesting the Emperor to depose the Crown Prince.

Ministers supporting Prince Dai and Prince Chu had been waiting for the words "depose the Crown Prince." They had said many things, but did not dare utter this phrase, recognizing its gravity.

Other ministers dared not rashly ask the Emperor to depose the Crown Prince; they had been waiting for Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu to speak up.

As high-ranking and trusted ministers of the Emperor, it was most appropriate for Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu to propose the Crown Prince’s deposition. Moreover, they would not have dared to bring up such a significant matter as deposing the Crown Prince without the Emperor’s tacit approval.

Now, hearing Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu suggest deposing the Crown Prince, other ministers recognized it was aligned with the Emperor’s intent.

Since the Emperor wished to depose the Crown Prince, it was their duty as ministers to give full support.