Eternal Life as False Emperor-Chapter 148 - 116: Treason and Betrayal
"You...!"
Wang Ze was shocked. How could the letters between their Wang Family and Wu Country end up in Yuan Qichang's hands?
Could it be...
He turned his head abruptly, looking at Your Majesty with horror.
"Your Majesty?"
"Put it forth!"
The eunuch presented the letters, placing them respectfully on the table.
Zheng Yi opened and looked at them; although he had already read the content before, he felt increasingly shocked and furiously angered as he read them now.
He tossed the letters off the table in anger and shouted, "Wang Ze, Wang He, what more do you have to say?"
The two shivered, kneeling on the ground, Wang Ze still wanted to resist, gritting his teeth and saying, "Your Majesty, Yuan Qichang is just a small fifth-grade Imperial Censor; how could he obtain such important letters?"
"These letters must be forged, I implore Your Majesty to discern!"
"Forged? Very well, very well..."
Zheng Yi was enraged to the point of laughing; still struggling at such a time?
"Your Majesty, I have something to report!"
Suddenly someone else spoke up, everyone turned their heads to find a figure in a blue court robe, embroidered with a third-grade tiger pattern stepping out.
General Chao Yi, Jin Peng!
This person was not an Imperial Official, but originated from the Dragon-soaring Army, the chief of Xu Mujun's personal soldiers, and a general who had made significant contributions.
Reported to the court after half a month's return to the capital, simultaneously reporting personnel involved in occupying two states of Wu Country.
Also, the representative of Xu Mujun in the court.
Zheng Yi said indifferently, "Jin Aiqing, what do you wish to report?"
"Replying to Your Majesty!"
Jin Peng said, "Grand General Xu Mujun recently sent a message, he dispatched tens of thousands of surrendered troops to clear Black Mountain Pass, excavating all the ruins and rubble within Black Mountain Pass."
"In the government office of Turga, the garrison commander of Black Mountain Pass, they found numerous letters and contact methods with Noble Families and merchants from Bingzhou, Youzhou, and other places; the most profuse belonged to the Taiyuan Wang Clan of Bingzhou."
"Additionally, we dug out a large number of weapons and armor engraved with 'Great Yu Border Army' from the ruins, these weapons were brand new and unopened, clearly indicating someone sold them to Black Mountain Pass!"
"From the warehouse, we also uncovered accounting books detailing transactions with Wu Country's garrison by numerous Bingzhou merchants, recording detailed summaries of each sale of materials..."
Before Jin Peng could finish speaking, Wang Ze and Wang He collapsed to the ground, trembling violently and sweating profusely.
The faces of other officers who had always followed them were equally ugly, trembling and standing there helplessly, some even collapsed from fear.
Xu Mujun!
If he's able to dispatch Jin Peng to report the matter, it evidences that this is irrefutable proof!
The Wang Family, is finished!
After Jin Peng finished speaking, Zheng Yi looked indifferently at the kneeling Wang Ze and Wang He, and said, "Two beloved officials, do you have anything more to say?"
"Your, Your Majesty, I, I! This, This is nothing more than Grand General Xu Mujun's words..."
"Your Majesty, I have something to report!"
Another person stepped forward, drawing the eyes of most present.
Among them, the most surprised was none other than the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Kong Xiangsi.
For the latest person to step forth was someone from his Ministry.
Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Cai Dashi.
This person was in charge of foreign affairs, wielding limited power but occupying an extremely important position.
Yet, Cai Dashi wasn't conspicuous within the Ministry of Rites, rising through his wife's family; typically subjected to disdain and exclusion by others in the Ministry.
Primarily because, Cai Dashi is not a Great Yu person, but rather a Wei country person bordering Binzhou.
Being a Wei person while serving in Great Yu, one could imagine his literary talent and capability.
Unfortunately, his identity led to exclusion from peers, unable to fulfill his aspirations, yet couldn't resist.
Eventually, through the investigation by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he caught Zheng Yi's eye and was recruited into the Emperor Faction.
After joining the Emperor Faction, Cai Dashi found his direction, constantly striving to repay Your Majesty's appreciation.
"Your Majesty!"
Cai Dashi said, suppressing his excitement, "When receiving the Wu Country's delegation the other day, a Wu Country envoy was moved by the grandeur of Great Yu, willingly surrendered, and offered information and secret communication of Imperial Court's high officials who had previously contacted Wu Country."
"Among them, it included the two honored officials, Wang Ze and Wang He, along with several other colleagues."
"While serving within Great Yu, these officials schemed to betray Great Yu's interests solely for personal gain."
"Selling national intelligence, smuggling military supplies, and trafficking salt, iron, and armor..."
"Each case, vivid in memory. Every letter, alarming!"
Saying this, Cai Dashi took out a package from his bosom respectfully, "This is evidence presented by the Wu Country's envoy, with the personal handprints and private seals of each esteemed official, undoubtedly without forgery!"
"Put it forth!"
A eunuch hurried to accept and bring up the package.
Only now did the numerous court officials realize, today's Great Court, was a banquet set for the Wang Family!
Your Majesty had already mastered all the evidence, only sought the process and righteousness!
The leading Lu Xiangqing quickly realized, just as he intended to step forward, someone moved faster than him.
Zheng Xuanyue!
"Your Majesty! This case involves extensively, remarkably including two Cabinet Ministers, but I earnestly understand the righteousness of house and country, and thus request to release the two esteemed officials from their positions for investigation, held by the Three Ministries."
Zheng Xuanyue spoke with dignified righteousness, "Once the truth is ascertained, severe punishment should be applied."
Zheng Yi didn't respond, continuing to examine the documents in his hand.
After half an incense burns worth of time, he asked indifferently, "If the truth is found, as several beloved officials mentioned, what then?"
Zheng Xuanyue responded without hesitation, "Conniving with an enemy nation, smuggling salt and iron, selling intelligence on our Great Yu's border... punishment by the extermination of nine clans!"
"I second the motion!"
Lu Xiangqing promptly stepped forward, speaking.
The other officials quickly followed:
"I second the motion!"
"I second the motion!"
"I second the motion..."
"Your Majesty!"
Wang He suddenly shouted, "Injustice! I am wronged...!"
Zheng Yi, no longer interested in pretending, casually tossed aside the letter in his hand and said, "Announce the decree!"
The Chief Eunuch of the Ritual Department, Ma Dehai, who closely followed Zheng Yi after Liu Cheng'en left, quickly drew out the Holy Decree and loudly declared:
"The Emperor, by mandate of heaven, proclaims:"
"Herein, in Datong County of Bingzhou, the eight great merchants led by the descendants of the Wang Clan have conspired with the bandits of Wu Country, betraying the nation for personal gain, secretly selling salt, iron, weapons, armor, and even the deployed intelligence of the border army..."
"Ordered for a trial by the Three Ministries, striving for justice."
"This case has clear evidence, certified testimonies and documentation are present. However, I, moved by compassion for the world, also remember the past merits of the Wang Family to the nation, thus this case will spare the accomplices while punishing only the principal offenders lightly!"
"Instruct the Embroidered Uniform Guard and county soldiers nationwide to arrest all involved with the eight great merchants of Bingzhou. All lands, properties, and shops under their names are to be seized, and no one is allowed to obstruct."
"After ascertaining the truth, the principal offenders will face execution including the Nine Clans, with the entire clan's property absorbed into the national treasury. Take heed!!!"
Ma Dehai's voice fell, and the entire grand hall fell silent, everyone unable to believe their ears.
Execution of the Nine Clans.
Again, the execution of the Nine Clans!
Since Your Majesty ascended the throne just six years ago, how many have already faced the execution of the Nine Clans?
King Tang, Yang Xuansu, King Yan, Tian Wenjing, and now a whole group with the Bing Merchants adds to it.
At this rate...
What thoughts linger in the hearts of the courtiers?
Yet Zheng Yi gave them no chance to ponder.
"Jin Peng."
"At your service!"
"Where is Grand General Xu now?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, Grand General Xu has led the troops to Bingzhou, rallying the Bingzhou border army with no one daring to oppose!"
In order to deal with the Noble Clans of Bingzhou and the eight great merchants, Zheng Yi even recalled Xu Mujun back to the central government under the guise of "reporting for duty."
All to suppress the treacherous and ensure a smooth transition.
And the military-political matters of Mangzhou and Huangzhou Two States have now entirely been entrusted to Zheng Zongxian.
Over the years, the Bingzhou border army had long been corrupted by the eight great merchants.
Otherwise, where would Wu Country have obtained so much Great Yu military equipment? It was all sold off by the eight great merchants!
Furthermore, with the year-end approaching, Xu Mujun had not returned to the capital to reunite with his family for three years.
Zheng Yi's action was also out of consideration for Noble Consort Xu and Xu Mujun's family.
"Dismiss the court!"
"Dismiss the court!!!"
The Great Court dispersed, and numerous officials retreated like flowing water.
Meanwhile, news of the Wang Family's downfall spread like a storm throughout the Imperial Court and all of Great Yu.
"The Wang Family has fallen!"
"What happened? What occurred?"
"The Wang Family colluded with Wu Country, secretly trading salt, iron, and cloth, and even sold weapons and armor!"
"The Wang Family is despicable; they even dared to sell border army intelligence!"
"Moreover, military ordnance, including crossbows, were all sold by them."
"No wonder our Great Yu has faced defeat repeatedly over the years; only Grand General Xu Mujun could suppress the Northern Territory."
"I believe it's the advantage of the new army's firearms!"
"Indeed, indeed, the new army founded by His Majesty is truly formidable; within just a month, they suppressed all the rebels in Yongzhou!"
Numerous courtiers discussed, and in Bingzhou, led by the Wang Family, the eight great merchants and many Noble Clans, landowners, and small merchants were driven to ruin under the combined pressure of Zheng Yi and Xu Mujun.
6th Year of Zhengyong, November 20th.
Liu Cheng'en, along with Cui Xiawu, secretly arrested the heads and clan leaders of the eight great merchants and dispatched people to occupy the Eight Great Merchants Houses and Dock Fortress.
Simultaneously, they announced the Holy Decree, recognizing the Wang Family-led eight great merchants' involvement in treason and rebellion, with the entire clan imprisoned, thrown into the great prison!
6th Year of Zhengyong, December 15th.
The Great Yu Great Court.
Emperor Zhengyong announced the 21 charges against the Datong Wang Clan, with treason, rebellion, and deceiving the sovereign as the main points, sentencing the Datong Wang Clan to execution of the Nine Clans, to be beheaded after autumn!
Other accomplices were sentenced to extermination of three clans to complete eradication, exile, and other penalties.
The courtiers were trembling in fear, causing private rumors to boil and political unrest.
Many Noble Clans began dispatching people massively to the Capital City, trying to win over Imperial Court officials and scouting Your Majesty's intentions.
Privately, Noble Clans began forming tight alliances, forging weapons, strengthening Dock Fortresses, recruiting refugees, creating a tense atmosphere across all Great Yu.
6th Year of Zhengyong, December 28th.
Xu Mujun returned to the capital with his troops, citizens lined the roads welcoming and admiring the military splendor.
On the tenth day, the Emperor personally led civil and military officials from the Imperial Palace, Divine Martial Sect, to welcome them.
The Emperor warmly greeted them hand in hand, and they entered the palace with extraordinary steps.
That night, the Emperor held a grand banquet in Baiyu City, with Noble Consort Xu appearing, and the civil and military officials accompanying, congratulating Grand General Xu Mujun on his triumphant return.
Xu Mujun's granddaughter, the Fourth Princess of Great Yu, Zheng Yuxuan, performed a dance, charming and adorable, drawing praise from countless ministers.
Xu Mujun was very fond, sitting her by his side, treating her as his prized jewel.
Late into the night, Xu Mujun stayed in Baiyu City, with the Emperor personally accompanying, the two conversing into the night, enjoying the utmost favor!
The next day.
Even after a night of conversation, both remained vibrant and energetic, being prominent figures of the Innate Realm.
Days without rest were indeed ordinary.
"Your Majesty, your actions this time were too hasty!"
Xu Mujun cautiously remarked, "Your Majesty, why are you in such a hurry?"
