boyutpedia Chapter 202 The Emperor is ready to take down the enemy
Chapter 202 The Emperor is ready to take down the enemy
Inside the palace, the vermilion walls appear particularly solemn under the setting sun.
Yan Feibai was brought into the palace gate by the imperial guards at full speed. The sound of horse hooves echoed in the empty palace road, sounding particularly hurried.
He closed his eyes tightly and tapped his fingers on the back of his hand.
Suddenly the carriage stopped and Eunuch Wu's voice came from outside the carriage, "Prince Zhennan, we're here!"
As soon as Yan Feibai stepped into the square in front of the hall, he saw Qin Yu standing at the bottom of the steps waiting, wearing a dark official uniform and with a stern expression.
The two men's eyes met, and they instantly understood each other's situation - the emperor was going to settle the score later.
Qin Yu nodded slightly, a complex emotion flashed in his eyes, and he whispered, "Prince Zhennan, how are you?"
Yan Feibai smiled faintly, his tone calm but with a hint of sarcasm: "General Qin seems to be free, but he also came to join in the fun today."
Eunuch Wu urged, "You two, the emperor is still waiting in the palace, please hurry up."
The two said no more and followed Eunuch Wu into the hall.
The hall was brightly lit, yet the atmosphere was oppressive and suffocating. The six ministers of state sat on either side, the Grand Tutor holding a jade tablet stood beside the emperor, and several princes sat to the side, their expressions varied.
What made Yan Feibai's heart sink even more was that several of their deputy generals were also standing in the hall, with their heads lowered, not daring to look them in the eye.
The Emperor sat upright on the dragon throne, his gaze sweeping over the two of them coldly. He spoke slowly, "Prince of Zhennan, my beloved Qin, do you know why I summoned you here today?"
Yan Feibai stepped forward, cupped his hands and said, "I am a foolish person. Please enlighten me, Your Majesty."
The emperor sneered, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrests of the dragon throne. "Stupid? Humph, I see you're all too clever. I thought you'd been missing for months, so I ordered you to rest well. But what have you done? How dare you lie to me!"
When Yan Feibai heard this, a look of astonishment instantly appeared on his face. He hurriedly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I really don't understand where you are getting this from."
The Emperor was furious and slammed the dragon table. "Excellent, excellent! Even at this point, you're still playing dumb! I've already established that your disappearance over the past few months was a deliberate plot between you and General Qin!"
When Yan Feibai heard this, his heart sank, but he remained calm.
He raised his head slightly, looking directly at the emperor, his tone calm and firm, "Your Majesty, I am loyal to the court and have no second thoughts. My disappearance was due to a conspiracy that nearly cost me my life. Fortunately, I was rescued by a noble person and was able to return to the court. General Qin can also testify to this."
Qin Yu stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, every word the Prince of Zhennan said is true. I also received the news at the time and learned that the Prince of Zhennan was in danger, so I sent people to search everywhere. This was definitely not a deliberate plot. I hope Your Majesty will understand."
The Emperor sneered, his gaze sweeping across the two of them like a knife. "Oh? Really? Then I ask you, why did the army have such a huge hole after you disappeared? Where's the food? Where's the weapons? And most importantly, where are my over a hundred soldiers? You've made it so difficult for me to keep this a secret."
Yan Feibai's expression changed, and he already understood why these deputy generals appeared in the hall. Someone must have said something to the emperor.
But he suddenly felt relieved. He took a deep breath and said calmly, "Your Majesty, during my absence, military affairs were handled by my deputy general, and I did hear quite a few rumors. However, I was truly unaware of the loss of food and weapons. As for the over one hundred soldiers, I would like to ask Your Majesty to have the Imperial Guard bring me something from my residence that can prove my innocence."
The emperor was slightly stunned when he heard this, and subconsciously looked at the deputy generals, but they were also confused and naturally could not give any answer.
At this moment, Eunuch Wu stepped forward and whispered something in the emperor's ear. The emperor's expression suddenly became solemn. "Order the commander of the imperial guards, cavalry, and infantry to go to the Zhennan Palace immediately and bring the things back."
Soon everyone left and the hall fell into silence again.
Yan Feibai and Qin Yu had no desire to ease the awkward atmosphere. They were suspects now and could not speak carelessly. Silence was the key.
The ministers exchanged glances, and the Minister of War stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I have a few questions for the Prince of Zhennan and General Qin."
The emperor nodded and motioned him to ask!
The Minister of War bowed to Yan Feibai and said, "Prince of Zhennan, you said you were unaware of the matters concerning the food and weapons, but as far as I know, you were personally responsible for these matters. Before you disappeared, the records of those things were already unclear and their whereabouts are unknown."
Yan Feibai raised his eyebrows, "Are you saying that I transferred those food and weapons?"
The Minister of War did not say anything, but his attitude was already tacitly expressed.
"Haha! Interesting." Yan Feibai sneered, "The military's food and weapons have always been directly allocated by the Ministry of War. Since you are so sure, then show us the evidence!"
The Minister of War was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at the deputy generals, "Your deputy generals can prove it."
Before the man could speak, Yan Feibai glanced at him sharply, and he shut up reflexively. After a long while, he overcame his fear of Yan Feibai and said, "Your Highness, your signature is on all those account books."
"Oh! If there's a signature, it's really my signature? Could it be someone else impersonating me? Is there my official seal on it?"
"No...no..."
"If you didn't, you'd say I signed it? I'd also say you signed it just to frame me and replace me as the head coach."
The deputy general knelt on the ground with a thud and said to the emperor, "Your Majesty, this is absolutely not true."
At this moment, Qin Yu also stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, please investigate carefully and don't let the real traitor go unpunished."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor's expression darkened. He drummed his fingers heavily on the dragon table and sneered, "What a 'clear investigation'! What a 'frame-up'! You two are completely denying all responsibility! Let me ask you again, if it weren't for you, where would those things have gone?"
Yan Feibai immediately said, "You'll have to ask the Ministry of War about this. I've never seen these supplies before."
"It's full of nonsense!"
The Minister of War's expression changed. He hurriedly stepped forward, bowing and saying, "Your Majesty, the Prince of Zhennan is mistaken! While the Ministry of War is responsible for allocating supplies, the specific distribution and use of food, fodder, and weapons lies with the military commanders. We have kept records, but if someone in the army deliberately conceals information, it would be difficult for the Ministry of War to detect. Moreover, during the Prince of Zhennan's disappearance, military affairs were in disarray. We have repeatedly urged the army to report the whereabouts of the supplies, but have never received a clear response."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor frowned, his gaze swept across Yan Feibai and Qin Yu, and he said in a cold voice, "Prince of Zhennan, Qin Aiqing, what else do you have to say?"
Yan Feibai's expression remained calm as he spoke slowly, "Your Majesty, I have just said that during my absence, military affairs were handled by my deputy generals. If what the Ministry of War says is true, then these deputy generals were negligent in their duties, or even intentionally concealed the truth. I implore Your Majesty to thoroughly investigate this matter and clear my name."
Qin Yu also stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, I believe this matter is quite suspicious. The disappearance of the Prince of Zhennan was already fraught with doubts, and now it is implicated in the disappearance of food and weapons. It is obvious that someone is deliberately framing him. I implore Your Majesty to thoroughly investigate the person behind this to prevent any unjust consequences for loyal officials."
The emperor snorted coldly, his eyes swept across the people in the hall, finally landing on the deputy generals, and said in a cold voice: "Do you have anything to say?"
The deputy generals were already sweating profusely, and trembling all over after hearing this. One of them said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, we...we really don't know where the food and weapons are. All military affairs are handled by the Prince of Zhennan himself."
The emperor sneered, his tone tinged with sarcasm, "The military's food and weapons are the most important assets of our country. Do you all think I'm a fool?"
Upon hearing this, the deputy general was so frightened that he knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly: "Your Majesty, we have no such intention! We...we..."
"Prince of Zhennan, General Qin, since the item was taken from you, regardless of whether you are truly missing or feigning disappearance, this is dereliction of duty and you must be severely punished." The emperor ordered sternly, "Come, take them..."
Before he could finish his words, there was a sudden sound of hurried footsteps outside the hall.