Han Qi, the censor Zhongcheng who was kneeling on the ground, said in a deep voice: "The Holy Emperor has treated Yihui Marquis favorably. His eldest son now guards the mausoleum, and the Tian family also rewards him during every year and festival. How can Liu Chun, who has committed such a heinous crime, be protected by me?" Under the grace of man!”
Hu Weiyong cupped his hands and said, "Liu Chun is guilty and deserves to be punished. However, considering his youth and ignorance, as well as his righteousness and benefit to the marquis, it is better to give him a fifty-fifty rod and send him back to his hometown."
Chen Youzong, the Minister of General Affairs, glanced at the back of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and stepped forward and said: "Liu Chun is not too young to be over thirty years old. What Hu Xiang said is too slight. Liu Chun used his power to bully others and bully kind people to death, not to mention beatings. The imperial envoy is the best, but the humble minister thinks he should be questioned and executed!"
Lu Zhong, the Marquis of Ji'an, retorted: "Beheading is too much. After all, he is the brother of Marquis Yihui!"
Han Qi snorted coldly: "The prince is guilty of the same crime as the common people, let alone the younger brother of a mere marquis. Is it possible that the Marquis of Ji'an thinks that the noble children are not bound by the laws of the country?"
Hu Weiyong silently glanced at Han Qi. Unexpectedly, Qian Tang and the stubborn donkey Han Qi were gone. Then he glanced at the Minister of the Ministry of Finance, and both sides understood at the same glance.
The fingers under the sleeves of the Minister of the Ministry of Finance moved slightly, and the Minister of the Ministry of Finance on the side immediately pointed at Han Qi and scolded: "Then where will you take the Holy Emperor? Can't Han Zhongcheng think about it for the Holy Emperor? What will happen to the world if Liu Chun dies? When it comes to the royal family, do you want the Holy One to be known as ungrateful?"
"presumptuous!"
"How dare you say such arrogant words without kneeling down to apologize!"
After the Minister of Household Affairs finished speaking, he immediately received a baptism like a storm. He knelt down happily and kowtowed several times: "Your Majesty, I am devoted to serving the public. Liu Chun is a minor matter, but the reputation of the royal family is more important." Ah, the Prime Minister Han Qi and the Minister of Dali Temple Yan Donglai are both people who are afraid of the chaos in the world. They are in the temple but they don’t know how to share the worries of the emperor. They only want to use their direct invitations to invite the emperor to punish these two officials!"
The superior Zhu Yuanzhang remained sullen and silent, while Yan Donglai knelt down and argued calmly: "How can there be anything wrong with enforcing the law impartially? What Li Shilang said is extremely ridiculous. Since Liu Chun is guilty, he should be severely punished according to the law. People all over the world have heard of it." This will only be applauded, but if Liu Chun is indulged, it will discredit the Holy Emperor, the royal family, and the court!"
Han Qi also answered: "If you don't kill Liu Chun, the law of the country cannot be tolerated. If you show mercy outside the law because of his ancestors' meritorious service, then you will lose trust in the people. Over time, what dignity will the laws of the country have? Killing Liu Chun will benefit the country and the people. Please, Your Majesty, think carefully!”
Zhu Yuanzhang slapped the imperial case fiercely and said sternly: "Yi Huihou was very kind to us. Now that we have become emperor, can't we even protect the blood of our benefactor? You should be loyal to the emperor if you eat the emperor's salary. Kill him." Without Liu Chun, why do you want us to have the face to meet our benefactor a hundred years later?"
The emperor's anger was like the weight of a mountain. All civil and military officials knelt down and kowtowed: "I am guilty, please calm down your anger."
Zhu Yuanzhang breathed heavily as if he had suppressed his anger for a long time: "You are so ignorant and contemptuous of the king. It is obviously to make us infamous in the world. Did I say that the descendants of the Liu family will enjoy wealth and honor in peace and prosperity, just like the Ming Dynasty?" Hugh, there are some of you who don’t take our orders seriously, okay, someone will force Han Qi, Yandong, Chen Youzong and others out and behead them in public!"
As soon as these words came out, many people in the court begged for mercy. Even Hu Weiyong advised: "Your Majesty, please calm down. Although Han Zhongcheng and others made mistakes, their sins are not worthy of death. Please forgive me."
Listening to everyone's pleas for mercy, Old Master Han remained calm. He kowtowed respectfully and then stood up and said: "Since ancient times, if you want your ministers to die, they have to die. But even if you want to die, I still say the same thing. Liu Chun's crime is extremely heinous and he should be punished." Kill to uphold the laws of the country!"
Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes seemed to spurt out flames, and all the civil and military officials were trembling with fear. It had been a long time since they had seen the Holy Emperor so angry. Only Hu Weiyong and others silently glanced at the back of His Highness the Crown Prince. Yan Donglai and Chen Youzong were all promoted by the Crown Prince. It was impossible to watch them being beheaded like this.
And when I thought about it more deeply, I realized that there was no need to alarm His Highness about this matter. Why did the Holy One specifically call His Highness here? Why did Chen Youzong, who had been staying out of the matter just now, start to punish Liu Chun as soon as he saw that His Highness came...
Hu Weiyong sighed slightly. The two positions of Dali Temple Minister and General Affairs Secretary were top priorities. He might not want to win them, but it was a pity that the Crown Prince came here.
Zhu Biao listened silently to the remarks of various people. He remembered that several of them were still petitioning to kill Han Qi, Chen Youzong and others, but now they began to plead for them again. It must be said that the rhythm of the court changed very quickly. , it is really difficult to distinguish between friend and foe.
Zhu Yuanzhang's thunderous wrath was naturally not over. After a while, sword-wielding soldiers entered the palace and captured Han Qi, Chen Youzong and others. There were also many imperial censors who were still urging Liu Chun to be severely punished despite Lao Zhu's anger.
Seeing that the time was almost up, Zhu Biao stepped forward and choked with sobs: "Father, your Majesty, Han Zhongcheng and others are dedicated to serving the country. Even if their words are slightly inappropriate, they will not be punished with death. I kneel down and beg my father to grant Heaven's grace. If The father is unwilling to appease his anger, and the sons and ministers are willing to be punished on their behalf.”
Zhu Yuanzhang was furious: "Prince, you are threatening me. Do you still think of me as your father? Xianyi Huihou buried your imperial ancestor Kao's heir. Do you dare to deny this kindness?"
Zhu Biao shook his head in tears: "I don't dare. I am deeply grateful for the great kindness and virtue I have shown to you. However, the laws of the country must be upheld. Liu Chun did commit a crime. Even if he is not punished, he should not be implicated." Other loyal and outspoken officials, I ask my father to think again."
Zhu Yuanzhang shouted loudly and violently: "Come here, drag the prince off the big fifty plank!"
As soon as these words came out, no one dared to stand. The officials, maids, eunuchs, and even the soldiers inside and outside the Fengtian Palace knelt down in fear: "Your Majesty, please calm down. Your Highness, the foundation of the country, cannot be punished. I am willing to act on behalf of Your Highness." I am being punished and may God have mercy on you!”
"No, Your Majesty. Your Highness the Crown Prince is the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty. If you humiliate your ministers to death, I must not just watch the Crown Prince be punished. Your Majesty, please kill me first!"
"Your Majesty, please calm down. Your Highness the Crown Prince is praised by the world for his kindness, virtue and loyalty. How could he intentionally conflict with you? This must be the instigation of the Imperial Censor, Prime Minister Han Qi, and others. Please punish Han Qi!"
Old Master Han raised his head stubbornly: "It is not a pity for a humble minister to die, but he must not sit back and watch the prince of the country be humiliated before his death. What's more, I think that His Highness is not guilty, but that the Holy One is wrong. The Holy One has repaid the kindness of Hui Hou by introducing a white body." Who can say that the Holy One is ungrateful if he goes directly to become a duke and gives him the title of wife and son?"
"Now his son does not know how to enjoy wealth and honor in peace, and relies on the kindness of his ancestors to cause trouble and oppress the good. How can he not kill to rectify the law? As the saying goes, Taoism and literature die, and warriors die in war, and the country is safe. If the general refuses to advise, the loyal and brave will be scattered. Good and evil are the same. Then the meritorious officials are tired, how could the Holy One not understand such a principle, and ask the Holy One to kill Liu Chun in order to eliminate corruption!"
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