Royal study room.
Yang Guozhong still trembled and knelt on the ground, while Yan Zhenlin and the ministers stood quietly.
Zhu Tianzheng looked at Yang Guozhong with a gloomy face.
The latter's face was as white as paper, and he knelt down quickly, "Your Majesty, please spare my life. I deserve to die for my crime, and I don't want to, but..."
He burst into tears.
Zhu Tianzheng angrily scolded: "You bastard, please tell me everything clearly. If there is even the slightest omission, I will cut the five horses into pieces."
Yang Guozhong was so frightened that his face was as white as paper, and he quickly said: "I deserve to die, I said..."
"During the ambush, the Queen suddenly gave birth and could not move, so I stayed to protect the Queen. Later, the Queen suffered from dystocia and passed out. The Red Lotus Sect also got on board. They killed everyone on sight. The guards were no match. Even I can't defeat you."
"But I swear to protect the Queen and the young prince to the death. When I see the Red Lotus Sect trying to snatch the young prince, I swear to the death to refuse."
"But I am no match for them at all. They are threatening the lives of the Queen and the little prince. If I don't cooperate, they will kill the Queen and the little prince."
"I have no choice but to cooperate and report to His Majesty after preparation."
Zhu Tianzheng said angrily: "Then why didn't you say it?"
"Chenchen..."
Yang Guozhong looked panicked, sweat pouring from his forehead.
"explain!"
Zhu Tianzheng's eyes flashed coldly.
Yang Guozhong's face was as blank as a blank sheet of paper and he said quickly: "I...I am afraid that your Majesty will be punished, and I am also afraid that the Queen will be sad. So many people died, and in the end, even the little prince was not saved. I am afraid..."
"You are presumptuous!"
Zhu Tianzheng was furious, "That's my son. You almost let my country fall into the hands of others. What crime should you do?"
Yang Guozhong was so frightened that he kept banging his head on the ground, "Your Majesty, please spare my life. I deserve to die. I boarded their pirate ship and have been threatened by them, but I never thought of treason..."
"You not only deserve to die, but even if I cut you into pieces, I still can't express the hatred in my heart."
Zhu Tianzheng's teeth chattered.
However, he suppressed it in the end, "Someone, put him in the sky prison and wait for his fate."
"yes!"
Several Ouchi guards dragged the person down.
All the ministers were also frightened. If something like this happened, no one would dare to be careless.
Especially those who usually have some friendship with Zhu Zhen, Yu Changqing, Yang Guozhong and others, but these three people have high positions of authority. Who dares to say that they have nothing to do with them.
Only Yan Zhenlin looked calm.
However, my uncle suddenly became a prince, and it was hard for him to say anything at this juncture.
At this time, Dong Qianjun walked in and said, "Your Majesty, the captured Red Lotus Sect survivors and the remaining members of Zhu Zhen's party have all been recruited. Most of them are unaware of it. Some of those who are aware of it say the same thing as Yu Changqing."
Zhu Tianzheng snorted, "What about Yang Guozhong?"
Dong Qianjun said: "It's basically true."
Zhu Tianzheng asked again: "Did he participate in the rebellion?"
Yan Zhenlin said: "Your Majesty, when I arrived at the imperial mausoleum, Yang Guozhong did not commit rebellion, but he was probably aware of it."
"snort!"
Zhu Tianzheng's eyes flashed with murderous intent.
Sun Yanqing, Shangshu of the Ministry of Punishment, said: "Regardless of whether he rebelled or not, Yang Guozhong is still guilty of death. He allowed the Red Lotus Sect to manipulate the prince and aided the emperor in his crimes. He turned a blind eye to this despite knowing that the Red Lotus Sect was rebellious. Even if he died ten times, it would not be a pity. "
"good!"
Guo Wankai, the Minister of Rites, also said, "Yang Guozhong's crimes were so heinous that none of the three Yi tribes could be exaggerated."
"I second the proposal!"
"..."
Voices came one after another, and all the officials seemed to be filled with indignation.
Of course, there are people who are eager to clear up the relationship. Of course, such a crime is indeed not a pity.
But Zhu Tianzheng hesitated and looked at Yan Zhenlin, "What does Yan Xiang think?"
Yan Zhenlin said: "Your Majesty, Yang Guozhong's crime is indeed unforgivable, but after all, he is the Queen's brother and Qingfeng's uncle. They are also the biggest victims in this incident. Your Majesty may want to listen to their opinions."
"you're right!"
Zhu Tianzheng nodded.
Naturally, the officials had no objections. They reprimanded him, which was actually to distance themselves from the relationship.
Zhu Tianzheng added: "Zhu Zhen and Yu Changqing have been working hard in the court for many years, and there must be many party members. Yan Aiqing, I will give you full responsibility for this case. You must find out all the remaining members of the Red Lotus Sect."
Yan Zhenlin said: "I accept the decree!"
Zhu Tianzheng said "Yes" and said, "If you have nothing else to do, just step aside!"
At this time, He Donglai, Minister of War, came out and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to do."
Zhu Tianzheng asked: "What's the matter?"
He Donglai said: "May I ask Your Majesty, will Mr. Lin's identity be made public immediately?"
Zhu Tianzheng was startled for a moment. He probably didn't expect He Donglai to be in such a hurry. This incident was so sudden that he hadn't thought about it well.
He Donglai said: "It's not that I'm meddlesome, but the influence in various places is too great. Your Majesty doesn't know something. Lord Lin's fake death has caused great repercussions among the people, and there have even been some riots."
"Especially in the southwest, many chieftains are ready to take action, and the development of the southwest has almost stalled."
"The pressure on Nanyi Pass is also extremely high, and Da ideal takes the opportunity to invade the southwest."
Zhu Tianzheng's expression froze, "Is there such a thing?"
Guo Wankai said: "Your Majesty, it is indeed true. Mr. Lin has done a lot for the people and has a great influence among the people. He is a role model for students all over the world and a good official in the hearts of the people. After Mr. Lin's fake death, there are many students from all over the country. level of resistance.”
Sun Yanqing echoed: "What's more, the Criminal Department has had more cases recently. There are even gangsters attacking the Yamen, claiming to avenge Mr. Lin."
"The same goes for the Ministry of Household Affairs. Businessmen everywhere are panicking and asking whether the court is going to crack down on businessmen."
"..."
The officials were talking to each other, and the huge imperial study room was like a vegetable market.
Zhu Tianzheng looked stunned. During this period, due to the Queen Mother's funeral and the layout, memorials in various places were suppressed. He really didn't know.
For a moment, I didn't know whether to be happy or sad.
After thinking for a while, he said: "The fact that Qingfeng is alive can be announced immediately. As for the identity of the prince, please go to the Dali Temple Metropolitan Procuratorate of the Ministry of Criminal Justice to verify it as soon as possible. After confirmation, it will be officially notified to the whole country."
The Ministry of Punishment, Dali Temple, and the Procuratorate are the three jurisdictions. To put it bluntly, they just go through the process.
This is necessary. The identity of the prince cannot be casual, and the proper procedures must be followed.
"yes!"
The officials took the order and immediately withdrew.
At this time, only Zhu Tianzheng and Eunuch Cao were left in the imperial study.
"Old man, that boy is actually my son, can you believe it?"
Eunuch Cao said: "Your Majesty may not believe it. The first time I saw Mr. Lin, I felt very friendly. Now I think it is because I have been serving your Majesty for a long time, and Mr. Lin is your Majesty's flesh and blood..."
"Ha! You old thing, your flattery is getting more and more endless."
Zhu Tianzheng laughed and cursed.
Eunuch Cao said sarcastically: "I am happy for your majesty. Congratulations to your majesty for finding the real fourth prince, and he is such an outstanding prince. God bless your majesty, God bless Dali."
"Well said! God bless Dali, hahaha!!!"
The wild laughter echoed for a long time.
…
