Chapter 653
: Su Jinyan and Mao Xiang presented evidence one after another, and Zhou Huaijin, the Lef
In the Fengtian Hall, between the golden tiles and red walls, an atmosphere of solemnity is prevalent.
The depressing atmosphere seemed substantial, so heavy that it seemed like water could be squeezed out of it.
Zhu Yuanzhang sat high on the main seat, wearing a dragon robe and gorgeous gown.
The slightly narrowed eyes seemed to hide endless majesty and depth.
He seemed relaxed, but his back was slightly straight.
Like a dormant tiger, it keenly captures every movement in the hall.
His expression was stern and his eyes were as sharp as an eagle.
After years of being an emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang naturally exuded an unquestionable aura of oppression.
It is just like the top of Mount Tai, daunting.
Su Jinyan was wearing a scarlet official robe. He presented the document with both hands with a respectful look, then lowered his head and stepped aside at a leisurely pace.
His back was always straight, like a pine tree standing proudly in the snow, and his posture revealed a sense of firmness and uprightness.
Zhu Yuanzhang took the document and slowly scanned the paper with his sharp eyes.
But after a moment, his brows gradually twisted into knots.
There was now a hint of hidden anger on that originally stern face.
Zhu Yuanzhang already knew in his heart that undercurrents were surging in the court and various forces were scheming against each other.
But I never expected that these people would be so bold as to play such tricks under my nose.
"Humph!"
He suppressed his anger and snorted coldly.
The chill emanating from his body was like the cold frost in December, making everyone in the hall dare not even breathe.
Everyone present unconsciously slowed down their breathing, as if they were afraid of disturbing the emperor's wrath.
Zhou Huaijin originally scolded Su Jinyan in a stern voice, his words full of majesty and disdain.
But when he caught a glimpse of Zhu Yuanzhang's strange expression, his heart skipped a beat and he felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, and his back was instantly soaked with cold sweat.
He and the Lin family are relatives by marriage, and he has received many benefits from the Lin family on a daily basis.
Now that the tax crisis that the Lin family once faced has been brought to light, this relationship has become a sword hanging over Zhou Huaijin's head.
It could fall at any time and chop him down with the sword.
"Master Su, please stop slandering me!"
Zhou Huaijin pretended to be calm, but his voice trembled slightly.
"The Lin family's matter was purely a misunderstanding. How could there be any secret manipulation?"
Su Jinyan looked calm and raised his head slightly.
He looked directly at Zhou Huaijin and said loudly, "Mr. Zhou, the facts are all there, how can you quibble?
If you hadn't used your connections in the Ministry of Households to find out that it was your opponent who made the malicious report.
He also secretly helped the Lin family solve their financial problems. How could the Lin family survive such a difficult time? "
Zhou Huaijin's face flushed, he was speechless for a moment, and the blue veins on his forehead throbbed slightly.
At the beginning, the Lin family's business was in dire straits. Competitors reported its tax loopholes and its capital turnover was also in a dead end.
At that time, the imperial court was implementing commercial tax reforms, tax issues attracted much attention, and the Lin family was in danger.
In order to protect his support and the relationship between the two major families, Zhou Huaijin not only used his connections in the Ministry of Households to find out that it was a malicious report by his opponent, but also helped the Lin family solve its financial problems.
But now these secret operations can no longer be concealed.
Zhu Gang watched coldly, with an imperceptible curve at the corner of his mouth.
He thought to himself: If I could use the dispute between Su Jinyan and Zhou Huaijin to see the attitude of the court and find someone who can be used, perhaps it would help my plan.
Zhu Gang narrowed his eyes slightly, observing everyone's reactions like a hawk.
He longed for his father's recognition since he was a child, but Zhu Yuanzhang had strict requirements for his many sons.
Now Zhu Gang can only try hard to find opportunities to make himself stand out in this complicated court situation.
He had a strong desire for power, but also felt a little unwilling because he had been on the edge of power for a long time in recent years. "Father, I think this matter needs to be thoroughly investigated to correct the atmosphere in the court."
Zhu Gang took a step forward, bowed and said, a sly look in his eyes.
At this time, Su Jinyan stood tall and looked calm.
Because of his loyalty to the court and his insistence on justice, he could not stand Zhou Huaijin's behind-the-scenes manipulation and was determined to expose the truth.
Just as everyone's eyes in the hall were focused on Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhou Huaijin and Su Jinyan, and the atmosphere was tense to the extreme, subtle noises were faintly heard outside the heavy door of the Fengtian Hall.
The voice was so faint that it was almost drowned out by the depressing atmosphere in the hall, but to Mao Xiang, who was hiding in a secret corner outside the hall, it was like thunder.
Mao Xiang pressed himself against the wall, his body trembling slightly.
He was originally paying attention to the situation in the hall, hoping that things would develop in a direction that would be favorable to him.
But when Mao Xiang heard Su Jinyan's powerful revelation, his head buzzed and his whole body froze in an instant.
He didn't expect Su Jinyan to reveal his secret in public, and his heart was filled with fear and confusion.
He was afraid that after the secret was exposed, the forces behind it would harm him and his family, and he wondered why Su Jinyan knew so much about the Mao Mansion.
"It's over, it's over..."
Mao Xiang muttered to himself, cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and his mind was in a mess.
Knowing full well that the forces behind the scenes were ruthless and merciless, his brain was working rapidly.
Trying hard to suppress his inner panic, Mao Xiang secretly sent out his most trusted servant.
“You must go quickly, at all costs, and move my family to the safe place arranged in advance.
Remember, you must be careful and not let any news leak out!"
Mao Xiang lowered his voice and gave repeated instructions with a serious look.
Looking at the servant's hurried back, Mao Xiang felt mixed emotions.
There is both worry about the safety of my family and despair about my own situation.
However, Mao Xiang was not willing to sit there and wait for death. He held the evidence tightly in his arms.
That was Mao Xiang's only bargaining chip and also his hope for a desperate counterattack.
Thinking about how he had served the court for many years but was dragged into this dark vortex, Mao Xiang felt a surge of resentment and anger in his heart.
He realized that if he did not take the initiative, he would become a victim of this power struggle.
At this moment, there was a loud bang from the hall, Zhu Yuanzhang slamming the table, and the sound seemed to hit Mao Xiang's heart.
He knew that the situation had reached a critical moment, so he took a deep breath and made a bold decision in his heart.
Rather than being hunted by the forces behind the scenes, it is better to take a gamble and present the evidence to His Majesty, and perhaps you can get a glimmer of hope.
He even took this opportunity to clear his name and regain the trust of His Majesty.
Thinking of this, Mao Xiang strode out of the corner.
He shouted loudly: "Your Majesty, I, Mao Xiang, also have important evidence to present. I am willing to help Your Majesty purge the court of treacherous officials!"
After saying that, Mao Xiang quickly walked into the Fengtian Hall and held the evidence in his arms high above his head. His posture revealed a sense of determination.
The situation in the Fengtian Hall suddenly became tense.
Zhu Gang's face was gloomy. He thought he had a sure win, but he did not expect this unexpected turn of events.
At this time, Mao Xiang felt even more unwilling and secretly clenched his fists.
He thought to himself: "Why did Mao Xiang suddenly come out to mess things up?
Let's see what evidence he has. If he ruins my business, I will not let him off!"
Zhu Biao fell into deep thought, frowning slightly.
He thought to himself, “This court struggle is far more difficult and dangerous than I imagined.
If you are not careful, it will cause chaos!"
(End of this chapter)