Chapter 116: Great Dynasty
Today, many ministers were surprised to find that Emperor Zhengyong, who had not attended court for more than a month, suddenly attended court!
At the entrance of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, His Majesty's sedan chair was parked, and a group of eunuchs and guards had obviously been waiting for a long time.

Their eyes were filled with surprise, joy, and a hint of weirdness and suspicion.

Something big?

Otherwise, Emperor Zhengyong would not have been waiting for them in the Hall of Supreme Harmony so early.

All the civil and military officials looked at the five people in the front in surprise. The five people in the cabinet also looked at each other, wondering what they were thinking.

Some officials gathered together and discussed in low voices.

"Your Majesty is attending the court today. What happened?"

"I do not know……"

"Could it be because of the Bingzhou incident?"

"possible!"

"That eunuch Liu Chengen actually dared to take advantage of his official trip to Bingzhou to collect military expenses and levies, and exploit the kindness of Bingzhou. Yesterday, I heard that he wanted the gentry and noble families in Bingzhou to hold a 50th birthday party for him. He deserves to die!"

"I heard that he has already plundered more than 10 million taels of silver in Bingzhou. This is really abominable!"

"It can't be your Majesty's order, right?"

"Shh..."

A group of people were talking about it, but the faces of several cabinet ministers at the front of the team were normal.

Wang He said: "It seems that your majesty can no longer hold on and wants to deal with Liu Chengen."

Wang Ze snorted coldly and said, "What kind of person is Liu Chengen? He is just a dog by your majesty's side. He actually dares to use the power of others to blackmail the merchants and citizens of Bingzhou. He deserves to die!"

"Today, I must make another report. At least I must remove Liu Chengen from his position as the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department!"

"That's what I think."

Wang He nodded, then looked at the others: "What do you think, Mr. Lu, Mr. Li, and Lord Bing?"

The other three cabinet ministers also nodded and said, "Liu Chengen has caused too much trouble this time, and it will not end well."

"As long as you two colleagues speak up, I will certainly help you."

Among the five people, only the soldier prince hesitated and asked, "Does this matter have anything to do with your majesty?"

Wang Ze immediately said: "Your Majesty just asked Liu Chengen to go to Bingzhou to collect military expenses, which is normal."

"But Liu Chengen took advantage of your majesty's trust and did whatever he wanted in Bingzhou. Not only did he collect more 'levies', he even used his fiftieth birthday to amass a fortune."

"My family has sent me a letter telling me that Liu Chengen took at least four or five million taels of silver. He deserves to die!"

"Four or five million taels? The eunuch party is ruining the country! I am also responsible for this!"

"Your Majesty is righteous!"

A group of people filed into the Baohedian Hall and stood according to their positions.

Just after they entered the hall, teams of Jinyiwei, new recruits and Shadow Guards surged up from all around and surrounded the entire Baohe Hall.

"Your Majesty is here!"

In the hall, Zheng Yi walked out slowly. All the civil and military officials knelt on the ground and shouted, "Long live the emperor!"
"We pay our respects to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"

"Be flat!"

Zheng Yi said calmly, with his hands slightly supported.

The hoarse voice of the eunuch next to him immediately rang out: "If you have something to say, please report it. If not, please leave the court!"

"minister……"

"I have a report to make!"

Wang Ze came later but arrived first, suppressing the voice of the first official who was about to speak, and quickly stepped forward and spoke.

Zheng Yi smiled and said, "What important matter do you want to report, Lord Wang?"

"Return to your majesty!"

Wang Ze said, "Half a month ago, the eunuch Liu Chengen, who held the seal of the Imperial Household Department, went to Bingzhou on official business. He extorted Bingzhou merchants and civilians in Jinyang County and obtained a total of more than 15 million taels of silver, as well as many antique paintings, calligraphy, gold, silver and jewelry."

"Not only did this man embezzle a large amount of money, but he also used the name of his 50th birthday to force the merchants and people of Bingzhou to give him a large amount of money and treasures for him to squander."

"In addition! Liu Chengen also accepted more than 30 prostitutes from Bingzhou merchants and civilians for his own pleasure..."

"Wow...!"

Before Wang Ze finished speaking, the whole hall became bustling with activity.

"How could Eunuch Liu do such a thing?"

"There are more than 30 Datong women. I never knew that Eunuch Liu likes to play so much."

"He's a worthless eunuch, what's the point of playing with him!"

"Master Zhang, be more elegant and refined."

"I heard that the woman from Datong has mastered the unique skills of a graceful figure and natural charm, and her skills in bed are even more amazing..."

"I have also seen the women from Datong. They are tall, with big buttocks, plump breasts, and delicate facial features. They have the charm of a mature woman, which makes people linger!"

Many officials in the hall were discussing, and Zheng Yi heard it clearly. He coughed lightly and said, "We will discuss this matter later."

Wang Ze became anxious.

Talk about it later?

What do you mean?
He immediately shouted, "Your Majesty! Our Great Yu has been established for more than 300 years, and there has never been a eunuch so presumptuous!"

The voice was very loud, but it calmed down the originally noisy hall. Even Zheng Yi on the dragon throne was looking at Wang Ze with interest.

On both sides of the hall, the many eunuchs who were serving respectfully lowered their heads, but the glances they gave Wang Ze were full of anger and malice.

"His Majesty!"

Wang Ze immediately knelt on the ground and said loudly: "For the millions of merchants in Bingzhou, for the country and the people, and for the world of Dayu, I beg to execute Liu Chengen!"

"I second the proposal!"

As soon as Wang Ze finished speaking, Wang He, who was standing beside him, knelt on the ground and said loudly: "Liu Chengen's actions are to use your majesty's power to bully the local people. He is bullying his neighbors, extorting good people, and even interfering in local politics."

"If this continues, the country will no longer be a country, the people will be resentful, and even civil unrest will occur."

"Therefore, I request that Liu Chengen be executed!"

"My lord, second the motion!"

"My lord, second the motion!"

"Your Majesty, I second the motion..."

In the court, at least one-fifth of the officials knelt on the ground and asked for the execution of Liu Chengen.

As for replacing most of the remaining officials, many people agreed, but most of them were looking at the faces of others.

The smile on Zheng Yi's face disappeared. He looked at the people in the front and said calmly, "Lord Lu, what do you think?" Lu Xiangqing thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, Liu Chengen must represent the emperor's face. He bullies his neighbors and extorts the good. This is irrefutable evidence."

"We can arrest him, put him in jail, and hand him over to the three judges for trial to prove the law."

"My lord, second the motion!"

"My lord, second the motion!"

"Your Majesty, I second the motion..."

Another large number of officials stood up and expressed the same opinion as Lu Xiangqing.

Li Yuanhao and Zheng Zongbing also expressed their desire to severely punish Liu Chengen.

Now, at least 70% to 80% of the officials in the entire temple agreed to severely punish Liu Chengen.

There were less than twenty officials left, still standing on both sides, without making their stance clear.

At this time, Zheng Yi looked behind the five cabinet ministers.

There was also a minister there who did not express his attitude.

"Master Zheng, what do you think?"

Zheng Xuanyue, former governor of Jiangzuo, is now the Minister of Justice.

Zheng Xuanyue was from Jiangnan and did not belong to any aristocratic faction. He was a great scholar of the time and had many students all over the world.

Because of the case of Tian Wenjing, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Personnel, he was transferred to the central government and became one of the six ministers.

He has an elegant appearance and is about sixty years old, but his hair and beard are all black and he does not look old at all.

Zheng Xuanyue immediately stood up and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I have just entered the government and am not clear about this matter. Therefore, I have no opinion. Please make your decision."

Zheng Yi said: "It's okay, you are the new Minister of Justice, this matter is also within your jurisdiction, tell me your opinion."

Zheng Xuanyue said respectfully: "Your Majesty, Liu Chengen is the eunuch who holds the seal of the Imperial Household Department. He used the name of official business to bully his neighbors and extort local gentry. According to the law, he should be executed!"

Wang Ze, Wang He and others who were kneeling on the ground looked delighted. It seemed that the Minister of Justice from the South was still on their side.

"but……"

Zheng Xuanyue paused for a moment and then said, "Whether Eunuch Liu acted in accordance with Your Majesty's decree, I do not know. You can have someone bring Eunuch Liu back and let Your Majesty personally judge him."

Old fritter!
In his heart, Zheng Yi put a label on Zheng Xuanyue.

After wasting nearly fifty years, he finally became one of the six ministries and a senior central official. Zheng Xuanyue is indeed quite capable.

And now he needs this kind of person to balance the power of the court.

Wang Ze said again: "Your Majesty, what Lord Zheng said is absolutely right."

"As the saying goes, if the emperor breaks the law, he is guilty of the same crime as the common people. Why should I be just a servant beside your majesty?"

"I ask the Imperial Guards to bring Liu Chengen back to the court for trial by the three courts, and restore order to Dayu!"

Is the emperor guilty of the same crime as the common people?
Who are you pointing at?
Zheng Yi's eyes were somewhat cold.

These aristocratic families are increasingly looking down upon him.

If it were a few years ago, he might have endured it.

But now...

"Lord Wang, this matter is not urgent. I will ask the Jinyiwei and the three departments to handle it."

Zheng Yi said indifferently: "By the way, didn't someone just want to make a report? What did they want to report?"

Seeing Zheng Yi lightly let the matter go, Wang Ze became anxious.

His father and the entire family are still being detained in the military camp by Liu Chengen. If they are not rescued, where will the Wang family's face be?
"Your Majesty, I..."

"I have a report to make!"

Wang Ze turned around suddenly and looked fiercely to see who had ruined his good fortune.

Not far behind him, Yuan Qichang was standing in the center with a tablet in both hands, ready to make a speech.

"Yuan Qichang, I am reporting an important matter to His Majesty, why are you in such a hurry?"

"It is also an important matter to close this matter."

"you……!"

"Okay, my dear Lord Wang."

Zheng Yi said, "When the grand court is over, I will give you an explanation."

"Your Majesty~!"

Wang Ze gritted his teeth and finally stood up helplessly.

Since His Majesty insisted on doing so, he had no choice but to find a way to report this to His Majesty in private.

Many officials returned to their posts. Zheng Yi said:

"Yuan Qichang, what do you want to report?"

"I, your humble servant, sue the Bingzhou aristocratic family, the Wang family of Datong and their accomplices, who are known as the eight great merchants of Bingzhou. During the war between Dayu and Wu, they secretly smuggled salt, iron, weapons, armor, etc. to Wu, and bribed the military commanders of Dayu's border army, causing Wu to march straight into our country and plunder countless cattle, horses, livestock, gold and silver from Dayu..."

"You fart!"

Before Yuan Qichanghua finished speaking, Wang Ze jumped out and shouted angrily: "Your Majesty! This man is slandering me. He is full of nonsense and slandering me. Your Majesty, please ask the Jinyiwei to kick him out!"

Yuan Qichang sneered, "Sir Wang, why are you so anxious? I haven't finished what I want to say yet."

"Oh, you are just a lowly fifth-rank official, yet you dare to sue me? Who ordered you to do that? Do you have any real evidence?"

Wang Ze said coldly: "I am from the Wang family of Datong. My Wang family has followed Emperor Taizong to conquer the world since the time of Emperor Taizong. My Wang family is loyal to Dayu. Your so-called evidence is nothing but slander!"

Wang He on the side had an even uglier expression on his face, but he did not say anything. Instead, he glanced vaguely at Yuan Qichang and Zheng Yi, who had an expressionless face sitting on the dragon throne.

Suddenly, I had a bad feeling in my heart.

"Oh?"

Yuan Qichang did not flinch and said, "Why don't you take a look at my evidence, Lord Wang?"

"Humph! I'd rather not look at this false evidence that slanders me."

Wang Ze bowed again and said, "Your Majesty, my Wang family is loyal to Dayu and has no second thoughts. This is known to all. I hope Your Majesty will severely punish treacherous villains like Yuan Qichang!"

"Oh? Yuan Qichang, what evidence do you have?"

Zheng Yi ignored Wang Ze and looked at Yuan Qichang.

Yuan Qichang immediately pulled out more than ten letters from his sleeves and said, "I have letters from the Wang family, the former Black Mountain Pass commander Turga, and Qian Mou, the leader of the Wu State spy organization 'Feiyanlin'!"

"The contents clearly record Wang's guilt. Your Majesty, please read it carefully!"

　Happy Labor Day everyone
　　
　
(End of this chapter)