Chapter 652
: The Grand Court Meeting Begins, Su Jinyan, a Junior Official of the Inspectorate, Wants
Inside the Fengtian Hall, the atmosphere was as tense as a bowstring about to break.
The air in the hall seemed to have frozen into ice, so heavy that it made it hard to breathe.
Everyone held their breath and kept silent, their eyes filled with anxiety about the changing situation, waiting quietly for the next development.
Zhu Gang stood in the hall, his eyes sinister and deep.
It is like a bottomless pool, which is daunting.
There was an elusive chill in his slightly narrowed eyes.
At this moment, Zhu Gang's heart was like a surging river and his thoughts were tangled like a tangled mess.
"Humph, this sudden change is quite interesting."
Zhu Gang pondered secretly in his heart, but his expression remained unchanged.
"If it is true as Su Jinyan said, that there is a powerful force behind this, then this is undoubtedly a good opportunity that can be exploited.
Maybe we can use this to suppress dissidents and expand the power of the Prince of Jin’s Mansion.”
Thinking of this, a barely perceptible excitement quietly surged in Zhu Gang's heart.
His fingers tapped his thigh unconsciously, and his mind began to imagine how majestic he would be in the court after his power grew.
However, this excitement did not last long.
After years of working in the court, Zhu Gang was well aware of the complexity and dangers involved.
Any seemingly favorable opportunity may hide a huge crisis.
So the instinct of caution gradually took over.
"But is what Su Jinyan said true or false? Is there a conspiracy against me behind it?"
Zhu Gang frowned and thought in his heart.
"In this ever-changing court, one wrong step could lead to eternal damnation.
We still need to plan carefully and never let the advantages we have gained slip away."
He clenched his back teeth, and a cunning gleam flashed in his eyes.
The light was like phosphorescence in the dark night, fleeting.
Zhu Gang's mouth corners slightly raised, outlining a faint arc.
Then he regained his stern look, like an ice-cold statue.
Driven by ambition, Zhu Gang's desire to improve his own status burned like a raging fire.
However, at the same time, his vigilance against the unknown situation was like a solid shackle that bound his actions.
Zhu Gang did not dare to make a rash decision and could only carefully seek a way out in this complicated situation.
His gaze shifted to the throne, where Zhu Yuanzhang sat high, emanating the majesty of an emperor.
The throne was made of finely carved rosewood and inlaid with gems and pearls.
In the morning light of candlelight, it shines with luxurious and solemn light.
He was dressed in a gorgeous bright yellow dragon robe, dazzling.
The nine golden dragons on the dragon robe are lifelike, with their fangs and claws bared as if they are about to break through the wall.
The golden dragons are all embroidered with gold thread, with delicate needlework.
The scales are lifelike, showing the royal majesty.
The cuffs and hem of the robe are embroidered with patterns of sea water and river cliffs, with turbulent waves, symbolizing the stability of the country.
Zhu Yuanzhang sat upright on the throne, with an upright posture and a majestic look without even being angry.
His face has firm lines and his eyes are deep and sharp.
He scanned His Highness's ministers like an eagle, as if he could see through everyone's thoughts.
Under the high nose bridge, the lips were tightly closed, revealing a sense of courage and determination.
Zhu Yuanzhang raised his eyebrows slightly and shouted in a deep voice: "Su Aiqing, please continue talking!
If there is any falsehood, I will not forgive it easily!
Our Ming Dynasty will not tolerate treacherous villains causing trouble! "
Zhu Yuanzhang overcame many difficulties throughout his life and established the foundation of the Ming Dynasty.
As an emperor who had been on the throne for a long time and was well versed in the ways of the court, Zhu Yuanzhang knew too well that the hearts of people in the court were unpredictable. Behind every word and every action, there might be a mystery.
Su Jinyan's words were like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples in Zhu Yuanzhang's heart.
Deep down in his heart, he really hoped to take this opportunity to purge the court of treacherous elements.
Zhu Yuanzhang knew very well that if the treacherous officials were not eliminated, the court would be in turmoil and the foundation of the country would be shaken.
For him, this may be a perfect opportunity to reorganize the government and restore the imperial power.
However, the emperor's caution and suspicion were like a warning bell ringing in Zhu Yuanzhang's ears.
He had to wonder whether Su Jinyan had ulterior motives in doing this.
Is there someone behind the scenes who is trying to use me to achieve some ulterior motive?
In this court, various forces are intertwined.
If one is not careful, one may fall into a trap carefully laid by others, causing turmoil in the government.
At this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang's face remained expressionless, still exuding his innate majesty.
However, deep down in his heart, he has already started careful considerations and planning.
At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes seemed calm, but in fact they were scanning the faces of his ministers one by one.
He tried to catch some clues from everyone's expressions.
To judge the authenticity of Su Jinyan's words and the complex situation hidden behind it.
Zhu Yuanzhang knew very well that in the center of this vortex of power, every decision was related to the rise and fall of the country and the people, and there was no room for any carelessness.
Su Jinyan trembled slightly and said, "Your Majesty, although the Lin family has committed illegal acts, there are more powerful forces behind them.
According to my investigation, Lord Mao Xiang has long been targeted and his family members are also under surveillance.
He secretly collected evidence not only to uphold justice, but also to protect his family.
Everything I said is true. I am willing to guarantee it with my life!
If I tell you even a lie, I will be cut into pieces!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the court was in an uproar.
The ministers were whispering to each other and discussing the matter.
Some officials who were involved with the Lin family or the forces behind them turned pale in an instant, with fear and anxiety revealed in their eyes.
Other officials were curious and waiting to see how the drama would develop.
At this moment, Zhou Huaijin, the current Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, suddenly stood up and shouted at Su Jinyan.
"Stop spitting blood!
Su Jinyan, do you have any real evidence?
What is the intention behind slandering the ministers and civilian forces in this way? "
Su Jinyan looked directly at Zhou Huaijin, and then said righteously: "Sir Zhou, since I dare to expose this matter in the court, I must have solid evidence.
There are traces of the Lin family's various illegal activities in their business activities and the covert manipulation of the forces behind them.
The evidence collected by Lord Mao Xiang is the best proof."
Zhou Huaijin's face was gloomy, and he sneered: "Humph, empty words are not enough!
Just based on your one-sided statement, you want to slander the Lin family and the so-called forces behind them?
Are you trying to take this opportunity to curry favor with the rich and powerful and seek personal gain for yourself?"
Su Jinyan said angrily: "Master Zhou, you are so protective of the Lin family, could it be that you have some hidden relationship with them?
I, Su Jinyan, have always been law-abiding. This time I am revealing the truth for the integrity of the court and for the welfare of the people. I have absolutely no selfish motives!"
Seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang said in a deep voice: "Stop arguing!
Su Jinyan, please present the evidence for everyone to see.
Zhou Huaijin, don't rush to refute. It won't be too late to make a conclusion until the evidence is solid."
At this time, Su Jinyan was not afraid at all. He took a step forward and said loudly: "Of course there is evidence!"
As he spoke, he took out a stack of documents from his arms and presented them to the eunuch in front of the emperor, who then passed them to Zhu Yuanzhang.
"Your Majesty, this is the evidence that Lord Mao Xiang secretly collected, as well as what I found out through my subsequent investigation. It is enough to prove that what I said is true." (End of this chapter)