AWB Chapter 151 Please, Your Majesty, make the decision.
Chapter 151 Please, Your Majesty, make the decision.
"Your Majesty is mistaken!" Faced with the emperor's sophistry on behalf of Qin Jinghao, the censor stepped forward to refute him.
Seeing the stubborn censor, the emperor's temples throbbed.
Of all people to run into, it had to be the censor.
At the same time, he had always believed that the censor and the grand commander were loyal to him, but now that they had appeared with Qin Xuanyu and testified against the crown prince, the emperor had to think twice.
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince's secret minting of private silver reveals his ambition, which is detrimental to the stability of the country. If I hadn't happened to be visiting the border with the Grand Commandant and the Prince of Qin, I wouldn't have stumbled upon this transaction. Moreover, their people even tried to silence me, which I witnessed firsthand." The Imperial Censor righteously accused Qin Jinghao of his crimes.
The Grand Commandant also stepped forward to echo, "Your Majesty, please punish him severely! The Crown Prince is a role model for all people. If he is not severely punished, more and more people will follow his example, and then the country will be in danger!"
"Alright, did you both see the Crown Prince participate with your own eyes? You believe them just because they say it's the Crown Prince? Grand Commandant, Imperial Censor, you two are being too arbitrary!"
The princeling faction stood up and defended the prince.
"Ha, the evidence is conclusive; all the correspondence has been found. What misunderstanding could there be?"
"Letters can also be forged!"
"So you mean someone framed the Crown Prince? But who would frame him? In the court, His Majesty only has the Crown Prince as his child. Are you suggesting it was the Prince of Qin?"
"What a joke! If the King of Qin had truly wanted that, Your Majesty wouldn't have had a chance back then!"
Everyone was terrified!
This censor really dares to speak his mind!
Everyone instinctively looked at the emperor.
As expected, the emperor's face was so black it looked like ink could drip from it, and his clenched fists made everyone involuntarily shrink back, silently mourning for the censor.
Just when everyone thought His Majesty would surely punish the censor and behead him, they found that His Majesty actually held back, his expression inscrutable, and everyone dared not say a word.
I have a feeling that His Majesty is holding back, just waiting for the right opportunity to explode.
However, the most panicked among them were the prince's henchmen, who cried out, "You...you...what nonsense are you spouting!"
He quickly knelt down, "Your Majesty, please understand, this humble subject did not mean that."
Qin Xuanyu's men had been secretly observing his reaction. Seeing that he hadn't reacted at all, they didn't say anything and remained silent.
But at that moment, Qin Xuanyu nodded slightly, and they understood.
The Minister of Rites stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that His Highness the Crown Prince only minted private silver and did not cause any other greater harm. A minor punishment is sufficient as a warning."
He appeared to be speaking for the Crown Prince, but in reality, he was stirring up trouble.
What do you mean by "merely minting private silver"? Isn't that quite harmful?
The circulation of private banking funds will affect various prices, leading to economic chaos in the country. Over time, the consequences will be far more serious than a few words can suggest.
"That's not right. Recently, some places have seen unprecedented price increases, but the people don't have much money. They are suffering terribly, and some have even starved to death because they can't afford to eat. Isn't that a big deal?"
"Your Majesty, I initially thought it was an isolated incident, but now, considering the broader context, this is a clear indication of the harm caused by the circulation of private banking funds. Such incidents will only increase in the future, and we must give the people an explanation."
The Minister of Revenue stepped forward to refute this.
Others kept their eyes down, afraid to speak out for fear of saying the wrong thing.
"Your Majesty, please give the people an explanation!"
"Your Majesty, I second the proposal!"
"His Majesty!"
"..."
Led by Gu Linsen, more and more people requested that the Crown Prince be severely punished.
The emperor rubbed his temples, his head aching, and said in a somber tone, "Crown Prince, what else do you have to say?"
Qin Jinghao knew that his chances of winning were slim, and any further explanation would be futile.
He glared angrily at Qin Xuanyu and Gu Linsen. They really were getting along very well!
"Father, it is my fault. I did it all for the sake of my Eastern Chu Kingdom! The Western Ti Kingdom is eyeing us covetously, and there are constant conflicts. I wanted to get more silver to provide more supplies for the Eastern Chu Kingdom's army, but I never expected that my subordinates would circulate it privately, causing such harm. I was wrong to misjudge people. I am guilty!"
Qin Jinghao readily admitted to the matter, while also minimizing the harm it would cause to himself.
Gu Linsen sneered.
As expected, the King of Qin guessed correctly.
"Your Highness, please don't downplay the issue. I simply don't believe that a lowly subordinate like myself would dare to make decisions beyond the Crown Prince's authority. Moreover, if what you say is true, then Your Highness has indeed misjudged people and misused them. Others will also wonder if Your Highness will be able to manage this vast Eastern Chu Kingdom in the future!"
Gu Linsen delivered his prepared remarks, even predicting what Qin Jinghao might say next, leaving Qin Jinghao speechless.
"Enough!" The emperor stopped them from arguing any further. "The crown prince's private minting of silver coins has caused a bad influence. He will be confined to his quarters for six months to reflect on his actions and will be fined three years' salary as a warning to others!"
"Your Majesty, the people also need an explanation," the censor offered a rather oblivious "friendly reminder."
The emperor, barely suppressing his urge to kill, issued a proclamation: "The Crown Prince misjudged people, leading to this situation. Publicize the punishment for the Crown Prince. Are you all satisfied now?"
The emperor gritted his teeth in anger.
"Your Majesty is wise!"
"Alright, court adjourned!"
"Wait a minute!" Gu Linsen interrupted.
"Is there anything else you're not satisfied with, Minister Gu?"
"Your Majesty, this matter is resolved. I have another matter to ask Your Majesty to decide!" With that, Gu Linsen knelt down.
The emperor's heart skipped a beat, a bad premonition rising within him. His subconscious told him he couldn't let Gu Linsen continue.
"Let's talk about it after court," the emperor waved his hand.
"Your Majesty, please grant me justice!"
Gu Linsen did not get up, but continued to shout.
"You... Gu Linsen, do you really think I wouldn't dare to do anything to you?" The emperor was so angry that he gritted his teeth.
"Your Majesty, even if I die today, I beg Your Majesty to grant me justice!"
"you……"
"Your Majesty, why don't we hear what General Gu has to say?" the censor suggested.
Those around him echoed his sentiments, leaving the emperor in a difficult position. "Very well, very well indeed!"
The emperor could only sit back on his dragon throne, feeling agitated.
Even the emperor himself felt frustrated by his position.
But what can he do? His claim to the throne wasn't recognized by the people in the first place. Insisting on it would do him no good.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Gu Linsen stood up and said towards the door, "Come in!"
Then, the Second Elder, dressed in the uniform of a guard, slowly walked in.
The moment Qin Jinghao saw the Second Elder, he almost couldn't stand up...