Chu Yan said to Captain Jin: “Who sent the letter?”
Captain Jin said: “It’s the messenger who delivers letters at the ordinary time.”
Chu Yan’s expression immediately changed: “No, this messenger, I’m afraid that he won’t be able to enter the capital. Immediately, let’s set off to return to the capital.”
If it’s someone else who delivers the letter, it would be fine. But if it was the messenger, who always delivers the letters, it was estimated that it have been targeted long ago. How can Chu Feng, who spent a lot of thought in this scheme not think of this?
From Qingyang City to Jinyang City, he sent three letters to the capital in just three days. No wonder he hasn’t received a response until now. It seems that these letters have been intercepted. His imperial father was still waiting for him to bring the envoy to the capital.
*
At 11:00 in the morning.
Six palace ministers participated in the impeachment of Prince Jin. They mentioned a lot of negative words. They said that Prince Jin didn’t return for a long time. He didn’t have respect for the emperor. He couldn’t do things well but act domineering. He was unworthy to be a prince.
Chu Feng pretended to be standing up for his brother. He spoke a few words on behalf of his brother, gaining another good reputation for being a loving brother.
The emperor coldly watched the good performance between Chu Feng and the palace ministers, then said: “Have you all finished?”
When all the palace ministers heard that the tone of the emperor was not right, they didn’t dare to say another word. However, Chu Feng said: “Imperial Father, please calm down your anger. These several ministers are only thinking about impeaching imperial brother for the sake of our country. After all, this matter is related to the relationship between the two countries. If there is a slight mistake, it is possible to ignite another war. Now that the state of Jin is becoming more and more powerful, it is really inappropriate to engage battle with them.”
The emperor snorted: “I, the emperor, need you to teach me how to do things? Who is treacherous and who is loyal, I know who is it. If you want to impeach Prince Jin, come up with the evidence. As palace ministers, standing in the palace hall, can’t you tell what’s wrong with your actions?”
The six ministers knelt immediately.
The emperor added: “You have no evidence, but you are accusing an imperial prince. Do you know what crime you are committing?”
The backs of the six ministers had a cold sweat. They opened up their trembling mouth, but they couldn’t utter a word. In the past, when they joined forces to impeach someone, the emperor never asks them any questions. Most of the time, he likes listening to it.
Ke Daren, who was standing in his position said to the emperor: “The emperor, since Prince Jin went to the battlefield at the age of 13, he made great achievements for the state of Chu. He was killed by a traitor 3 years ago and luckily survive. When the northeast part of the country needed help the most, he stood up once again to fight against the strong enemy and returned the peace and order of our borders. However, in the eyes of some ministers, they called him unworthy. This minister couldn’t understand what is their meaning of worthy and unworthy.”
“Prince Jin went to the battlefield to kill the enemy, greatly defended our country, but never been ostentatious, instead always act in a low-key. If such person is not worthy of being prince, then how about those who hang around in the street of willow alleys all day long, lazily staying and enjoying their wealth at home, disliking the hardship of studying under the cold window, abandoning the sage books, to pursue small profits and work leisure? I don’t know how many of them had entered various departments and academies, but no one asks to impeach such people. Is it because their father and ancestors are officials, so they can run rampantly everywhere and do all kinds of evil?”
Ke Daren was an upright person. Every word he said was like a knife that stabbed the heart of the palace ministers. There were more or fewer such people in their family. Even if they didn’t do all the things mentioned, they still did some of it.
Ke Daren has always been rigid and strict. This was their family’s famous style in the capital. So no one dared to refute him face to face when he talked like this.