Dou Kui and others' faces were ashen. Sima Lan changed the subject and said to Longtai: "Your Majesty, although the prince committed suicide, there are not a few followers who followed the Huainan King in his rebellion." Not far away, he glanced at Qian, the Minister of Punishment. Rao Shun glanced at it and said: "I learned that the King of Huainan was planning to rebel. It was Mr. Qian who reported it privately."
Qian Raoshun hurriedly came forward and knelt on the ground, looking a little embarrassed.
Everyone around him couldn't help but look at Qian Raoshun, with different expressions, but most of them showed disdain.
Qian Raoshun has been very close to the King of Huainan for many years. Everyone in the civil and military circles of the dynasty knows that Dou Kui of the Household Department and Qian Raoshun of the Punishment Department are the two most important figures in the Huainan King's party. Today Dou Kui even spoke out for the Huainan King. Two sentences, but Qian Raoshun rebelled against the King of Huainan at a critical moment. Such a duplicitous person was naturally despised by everyone.
"Qian Raoshun, did you know in advance that King Huainan was plotting rebellion?" Long Tai stared at Qian Raoshun with sharp eyes: "Why didn't you report it to me?"
Qian Raoshun was lying on the ground, not daring to speak. Sima Lan had already said: "Your Majesty, Lord Qian is actually not to blame for this matter. The King of Huainan conspired to frame the old minister with Hu Bowen's case at the sacrificial ceremony, and even revealed to Lord Qian that he was going to The imperial mausoleum rebelled. Mr. Qian was loyal to the court. He knew that this matter was serious, so he reported it secretly to the old minister. The old minister also wanted to report to the emperor, but he thought that the king of Huainan was the uncle of the great king of Chu. How could he have such a rebellious heart? , I am worried that what Mr. Qian said is untrue, and I am even more worried that it will disturb the emperor, so I did not report it. This is my negligence, and I beg the emperor to punish me!"
Longtai frowned slightly, glanced at Qian Raoshun, and just hummed.
"Although I don't believe that Huainan will plot rebellion, it is related to the safety of the emperor, so we have made some arrangements in advance." Sima Lan said slowly: "If the King of Huainan has no intention of plotting rebellion, then what Master Qian told him , naturally it is a false accusation, and I will report to the emperor that Mr. Qian has slandered King Huainan and be punished severely. But if King Huainan really has the intention of treason, and I have made preparations in advance, I can naturally protect the emperor." He sighed and said: "I never thought that what Mr. Qian said would come true. King Huainan...!" He shook his head with a solemn expression.
Sima Changshen, who was standing by, finally said: "Your Majesty, the King of Huainan conspired to rebel. It was definitely not planned by one person. There must be many party members involved in it. If the rebellious party is not eliminated, there will be endless troubles."
Dou Kui heard it clearly and felt a shiver all over his body, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured from head to toe, making his whole body feel cold.
"Sima Changshen, who is the gangster you are talking about?" Longtai looked cold.
At this time, Qian Raoshun had already knelt and moved forward, took out a fold from his arms, presented it with both hands and said: "Your Majesty, I... I learned that the King of Huainan had the intention of treason, so I became vigilant. This document contains a list of officials who had close ties with King Huainan. Many of them must have been involved. As long as they are interrogated according to the list, they can find out the members of King Huainan. I was previously coerced by King Huainan and forced to Hu Bowen wrote a confession that slandered and framed the old prince, and he deserved death. I am willing to ask Ying to interrogate the case and make amends."
Sima Lan nodded slightly and said: "Your Majesty, Master Qian can be regarded as a good minister if he can find his way back from his lost ways. However, he has violated the national law after all and has committed a crime. Now that he can ask Ying to atone for his sins, the old minister also recommended Master Qian to the emperor to interrogate this person. The case. Mr. Qian is indeed outstanding in his criminal reputation, and he is the right person to try this case."
Many people's hearts were even more chilled, thinking that the King of Huainan had just died on the front leg, and Sima Lan was about to take action with the rear leg. Sure enough, he acted quickly.
Everyone knows that since Qian Raoshun rebelled against the King of Huainan and surrendered to Sima Lan, if he started a major case this time, it would definitely be a bloody and heinous case. In order to express his gratitude to Sima Lan, Qian Raoshun Loyal, he would naturally eradicate those officials who had interacted with King Huainan at all costs.
Yuan Laoshangshu had been following Longtai, and naturally knew that once the emperor agreed to Sima Lan's request, a major case would be launched, and the court would immediately be in chaos. He took two steps forward, cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, there are changes in the Northern Han Dynasty. The situation in the world is still uncertain. If a major case breaks out at this time, I'm afraid...!"
"Old Minister Yuan, I am not afraid of the Northern Han Dynasty, I am only afraid of civil strife." Sima Changshen immediately interrupted: "The King of Huainan is causing trouble today. If his followers are not wiped out, drastic changes will occur sooner or later."
At this moment, a man was snatched from among the officials, knelt down on the ground, and said loudly: "Your Majesty, what Zhongyi Hou said is absolutely true. If we can't wipe out the remaining members of the Huainan King, those people will come back with hatred." I'm worried that a big mess will happen sooner or later, so I ask the emperor to issue an order to investigate this case thoroughly."
Everyone knew that the person who came out to speak was none other than Chen Lanting, the Minister of Civil Affairs.
Sima Lan also serves as the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Chen Lanting is the second-ranking figure in the Ministry of Personnel and one of Sima Lan's most trusted confidants. When this person came out, no one was surprised.
As soon as Chen Lanting came out, Huangfu Zheng, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, immediately stepped forward and knelt down: "I ask the Holy One to order a thorough investigation of this case!"
More than a dozen courtiers came forward at one time, each of them requesting an order for a thorough investigation into the Huainan Wang Yu Party case. The other officials looked at each other, and some of them gritted their teeth and knelt down: "I request an order for a thorough investigation!" It only took a moment. During this time, most of the hundreds of officials knelt on the ground.
The corners of Longtai's eyes twitched, but Sima Changshen's face showed a look of disdain that could not be concealed. He cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, all of you have requested an order to investigate this case thoroughly. It can be seen that this case is of great importance. For the sake of the government of Da Chu, It’s safe, please give me the emperor’s decree!”
As soon as Sima Changshen finished speaking, he suddenly heard loud laughter.
The laughter came very suddenly, and everyone was shocked. They thought how could anyone dare to be so unrestrained here at this time. When they followed the sound, they only saw Jin Yihou Qi Ning raising his head and laughing.
Sima Changshen frowned and said coldly: "Jin Yihou, I don't know why you are laughing?"
Qi Ning came forward, glanced at Qian Raoshun, and said calmly: "Prince Zhen Guo, Qian Raoshun tortured to extract confessions and created an unjust case. Although he confessed voluntarily, he violated the national law. Should he be allowed to interrogate the case with a sentence of repudiation and meritorious service? This is Is it punishment or reward?”
In fact, this is what many ministers are thinking, but no one dares to say it.
Sima Changshen said coldly: "If Master Qian had not reported King Huainan's rebellion intention in time, my father would not have made preparations in advance, and perhaps King Huainan would have succeeded today. Jin Yihou, although Master Qian is guilty, it is not without merit. Now Master Qian has volunteered to investigate the case thoroughly and atone for his crimes, is there anything wrong with that?"
"Of course there are mistakes." Qi Ning's eyes were sharp and he sneered: "Rewards for merit and punishment for delinquencies. Since Qian Raoshun can concoct a confession to frame the old Duke, who can guarantee that he will be interrogating Wang Yudang of Huainan Wouldn't other confessions be concocted in one case? The matter of criminal charges is related to human lives. How can such a big thing be allowed to take charge of such a big thing again? "
Sima Lan turned to look at Qining, with a gentle look on his face, and asked, "I wonder if there is a more suitable candidate for Jin Yihou?"
"Whether there is a suitable candidate or not, it is not up to me, nor to the old Duke." Qi Ning said calmly: "The Emperor is here, so of course he will appoint you." After a pause, he glanced at Qian Raoshun and said: "Furthermore, in the list that Qian Raoshun presented, is there any evidence that the name on it is related to King Huainan? King Huainan is also a courtier of our country. When handling state affairs, he will inevitably deal with many officials. Is it possible that the name on it is related to King Huainan?" Are the people who have interacted with King Huainan all the remnants of King Huainan?"
When Dou Kui and other members of King Huainan heard Qi Ning's words, they were like a drowning man grasping for life-saving straws.
Chen Lanting had already raised his head and said sternly: "Jin Yihou, are you going to intercede for Huainan Wang Yudang?"
"Chen Lanting, I am speaking, and it is not your turn to interrupt." Qi Ning cast his eyes at Chen Lanting like a knife blade: "You said that I am interceding for the remnant party of the Huainan king. What's the point? Your Majesty is here, how can you allow you to accuse you of arbitrary charges? ?”
Many ministers secretly admired Qi Ning's courage, thinking that the Black Knife Camp was right under the sacrificial altar, yet Qi Ning still dared to confront the Sima family here. It would be difficult to do this without full courage.
Chen Lanting opened his mouth slightly, but before he spoke, Qin Ning had already taken two steps forward, pointed at Chen Lanting and said, "If you can't make sense today, you are slandering me. How can I, the Jinyi Qi family, allow you to slander me here? You Tell me, which of my words is interceding for Huainan Wang Yudang? What kind of love are you talking about?"
Qi Ning's eyes were like daggers, and his expression was fierce. When Chen Lanting saw Qi Ning's eyes showing murderous intent and his imposing aura, she felt a little afraid.
At this moment, everyone suddenly heard another burst of horse hoofbeats. They couldn't help but be surprised. They secretly thought that the Black Knife Camp was actually moving. When they followed the sound, they saw that the Black Knife Camp was still looking like a stone sculpture. At every turn, the sound of horse hooves came from the west.
Sima Changshen raised his eyes and looked over, only to see another group of cavalry appearing in the distance. The horses' hooves rumbled. Looking at the momentum, there were nearly a thousand people.
At this time, the Black Knife Battalion had quickly turned their horses around, re-lined up, and faced the incoming cavalry. Amidst the rumble of horse hooves, the cavalry team was getting closer and closer. Under the sun, they saw only one person in front who was also wearing iron armor. Following a cavalryman holding a flag high, the flag was fluttering in the sun. Chi Fengdian looked down and murmured: "It's... the black scale flag!"
Under the sun, the flag of the cavalry team that came looked very worn, but the six scale patterns on the flag were kept intact. The six patterns were combined to form a complete scale armor. The cavalry galloped hard, the flag was unfolded, and the hunting sound was heard. .
The leader of the Black Knife Battalion was naturally Chu Cangge, the heavy-eyed general. As the sword was swung, the Black Knife Battalion quickly formed a formation and faced the cavalry. The cavalry swept forward like the wind. Some distance away, the leading warrior raised his sword high, and the team began to slow down.
Chu Cangge stared at the broken flag flying in the air, with a solemn expression, and said word by word: "Black Scale Battle Flag!"