Chapter 1642: Fifteen Counts of Crimes

Emperor Liu looked in the direction of the voice. With age, his eyesight had grown somewhat dim, and with the distance, his vision seemed blurred. After a moment's deliberation, he said, "Wang Yucheng! Step forward and speak!"

"Yes!" Wang Yucheng hurried forward upon hearing this.

Emperor Liu sized Wang Yucheng up for a moment, a hint of expectation seeming to appear in his eyes. He said softly, "Go on, tell me — what do you have to report?"

Wang Yucheng's face was full of solemnity. Before answering, he took a deep breath, then clasped his hands and bowed: "Your Majesty, I wish to impeach Director of the Chancellery Lu Duoxun!"

Wang Yucheng's voice was clear and loud, his tone certain, his expression grave. The moment these words were spoken, the entire court was startled. The gazes of the assembled ministers swept in perfect unison among Wang Yucheng, Emperor Liu, and Lu Duoxun. After a brief silence, an uproar was inevitable.

Seeing this, Yan Tuo sang out "Silence!" as a reminder. After this brief disturbance, Chongyuan Hall fell quiet once more. But the atmosphere was utterly different from before — the oppression remained, yet it could not suppress the lively thoughts churning in the ministers' minds.

The expressions of the assembled dignitaries were most colorful — some were shocked, some surprised, some pensive, and some clearly carried a hint of excitement.

Still others turned their gazes toward Zhao Pu, who stood at the front with an expressionless face, instinctively assuming this was Zhao Pu's doing — that the Zhao-Lu feud had reached a new climax.

But the more perceptive, upon reflection, realized this was unlikely. Wang Yucheng was a stubborn copper pea — even Zhao Pu would find him hard to subdue. Moreover, launching an attack at a grand court assembly, in such an open and face-torn manner, was not Zhao Pu's style.

Whatever thoughts churned in the ministers' minds, Emperor Liu's expression remained unchanged as his gaze fell upon Zhao and Lu. Zhao Pu was perfectly composed, his face calm and unruffled, seemingly unaffected. Lu Duoxun's face showed visible change, but he still restrained himself, not losing his composure — he had that much depth.

Withdrawing his gaze, Emperor Liu looked with a smile at Wang Yucheng, who stood stiffly formal with both hands holding an impeachment memorial, and teased him: "You rascal, Wang Yucheng, you've got quite the nerve — daring to attack a sitting chancellor on such an occasion!"

"When speaking for the state, how can one avoid the powerful?" Wang Yucheng replied with righteous indignation. Had anyone else said such words, Emperor Liu would surely have thought it posturing, but Wang Yucheng — there was no need to doubt him. This was his lifelong conviction.

"Minister Lu!" Emperor Liu still wore a slight smile as he asked Lu Duoxun with cutting intent: "Someone wants to impeach you. Do you have any objection?"

Startled by this, Lu Duoxun, who had been lost in thought, looked up and briefly met Emperor Liu's gaze before quickly lowering his head. Cold sweat seeped out unbidden as he said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, the pure are naturally pure, and the foul are naturally foul. Your servant's heart is utterly loyal, open and sincere — how could I fear slander from petty men!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu smiled, leaning slightly forward as he fixed his gaze on Wang Yucheng below and said flatly: "Go on, then. I am listening, and so are all the assembled dignitaries!"

"Yes!" Wang Yucheng showed no sign of stage fright. He didn't even need to consult his prepared memorial, speaking straight from the mouth: "I impeach Lu Duoxun on fifteen counts. First, forming cliques for private gain; second, uniting with partisans to attack dissenters; third, blocking the sacred ears of the throne; fourth, deceiving the sovereign and defying superiors; fifth, scheming to concentrate power; fifth, disloyalty to the state; sixth, whitewashing the scales of justice; seventh, bending the law for personal gain; eighth, complying in public while opposing in private; ninth..."

"Enough! Enough!" Emperor Liu and the ministers were listening with great relish, but Lu Duoxun could bear it no longer. He roared in fury, rose from his seat and stepped out, eyes blazing with fire as he glared hatefully at Wang Yucheng, then said excitedly to Emperor Liu: "Your Majesty, such a petty man slandering and attacking — you must not lend him credence! The crimes he lists are fabricated and trumped up, utterly without evidence. I beg Your Majesty to judge clearly!"

Having said this, he turned and angrily rebuked Wang Yucheng: "Wang Yucheng, you have gone to such lengths, fabricating rumors to attack this chancellor — what exactly is your intention?"

Facing Lu Duoxun's intimidation, Wang Yucheng showed not a trace of fear. He said with a stern countenance: "Your servant speaks only impartially and truthfully, wishing to rid the court of a great pest. My words are selfless, my heart devoted entirely to the public good. If Chancellor Lu's conscience is clear, why be so nervous!"

Lu Duoxun was practically bristling: "This chancellor cannot tolerate a petty man like you, under this bright heaven, in this grand hall, spewing vicious slander, sowing discord, and corrupting the laws and discipline!"

Watching the two go at each other, Emperor Liu seemed to have little patience and did not indulge them. He said flatly: "Is there anything more damaging to court decorum and more corrupting of discipline than ministers squabbling and cursing like fishwives in the market?"

"Your Majesty!" Lu Duoxun was somewhat alarmed by Emperor Liu's attitude.

Sweeping his gaze over the two men, Emperor Liu said slowly: "If I heard correctly just now, Wang Yucheng had drawn up fifteen counts of crimes and had only reached the eighth. Why not let him finish? Minister Lu, tell me — would you call that blocking the sacred ears of the throne?"

"Your Majesty!" This time, Lu Duoxun's composure completely collapsed. With a thud, he fell to his knees, not daring to speak rashly again.

Emperor Liu's words once again stunned the ministers. Today His Majesty's seat was leaning decidedly to one side. Some suddenly realized — this was not Zhao Pu's attack at all. Wang Yucheng's actions might well have come directly at Emperor Liu's instigation.

Emperor Liu gestured to Yan Tuo. Understanding the signal, Yan Tuo hurried down the hall, took the impeachment memorial from Wang Yucheng's hands, and presented it to Emperor Liu with both hands, respectfully, steadily, and properly — playing his role as a tool to perfection.

Emperor Liu opened the memorial, gave it a brief scan, then looked back at Wang Yucheng, his tone turning stern: "Minister Wang, a chancellor of the court cannot be impeached on your word alone! The articles you have drawn up are hardly convincing! Where is the evidence? If this is merely your fabrication, I will certainly charge you with the crime of slandering a high minister!"

"Your Majesty!" Wang Yucheng immediately reported: "Your Majesty, Lu Duoxun's crimes — I have detailed them all in the memorial! Please allow me to speak of a few, for Your Majesty's discernment!

On Mid-Autumn of the fifth year of Kaibao, Lu Duoxun gathered with subordinate officials at the Hexi government office. When the wine had flowed freely, he said: 'All of you owe your current positions to me. From now on, you must serve loyally and support one another. I will sooner or later ascend to the chancellorship, and when that day comes, I will need your support, and I will better protect you in turn.'

In the seventh year of Kaibao, when the court launched its northern campaign and the Hexi army marched west, Lu Duoxun oversaw the raising and supply of provisions. He once boasted that Wang Yansheng and Guo Jin led the armies into battle with great pomp, but their lifelines were all in his hands — they would still have to beg him for help and dare not slight him. He also told the Hexi officers that the Hexi northwest border was a vital defense region, precisely the place to build merit and establish careers, and that civil and military officials must work in concert and support one another.

In the tenth year of Kaibao, when Lu Duoxun was transferred to Liangzhe, he was full of resentment. Before leaving his post, he gathered his confidants and instructed them, saying that although he was leaving, Hexi remained their base — and told them to hold Hexi firmly.

In the eleventh year of Kaibao, when the Central Plains suffered great floods, Lu Duoxun secretly sent his trusted men to submit memorials attacking Chancellor Zhao, saying this was a heaven-sent opportunity, intending to topple Chancellor Zhao and take his place.

In the twelfth year of Kaibao, during the Fengshan sacrifices, Lu Duoxun had people fabricate auspicious omens and report them to the court, flattering His Majesty in hopes of currying favor and advancement.

In the sixteenth year of Kaibao, Sun Cheng, the censor of Huaidong Circuit, offended Lu Duoxun, who had people impeach and attack him, stripping him of his office and rank.

In the seventeenth year of Kaibao, when sixteen censor positions were transferred and reassigned, Lu Duoxun privately controlled half of them.

In the... Kaibao..."

As Wang Yucheng laid out the matters one by one, everyone wore expressions of shock — whether genuine or feigned, they had clearly gained a new understanding of Lu Duoxun. Murmurs rose again, and a few even wore looks of righteous indignation, eager to follow Wang Yucheng in lodging their own accusations. Of course, some showed fear on their faces — especially the several officials of the Censorate.

"Enough!" Emperor Liu waved his hand.

Wang Yucheng, looking as though he hadn't quite finished speaking his fill, concluded solemnly: "Your Majesty, everything I have stated has traces to follow and evidence to verify. I beg Your Majesty to judge clearly!"

Giving a slight nod, Emperor Liu looked toward Lu Duoxun: "Minister Lu, do you have anything to say to all this?"

"Your Majesty!" Lu Duoxun had already been thrown into a panic by this sudden blow. Even with cold sweat streaming down, he answered without thinking: "I am wronged! These are all false accusations, all framed by Wang Yucheng against me. I beg Your Majesty to see clearly and restore my innocence!"

At his reaction, Emperor Liu smiled and looked toward Zhao Pu: "Minister Zhao, you are the chancellor. Such a scandal in the court is truly shocking. What do you think should be done about Wang Yucheng's impeachment?"

Unless necessary, Zhao Pu truly did not wish to speak at this moment — even if it was his mortal enemy Lu Duoxun in trouble. But facing Emperor Liu's gaze, he had no choice but to steel himself and step forward. After weighing his words, he said: "Your Majesty, this old servant believes that the one impeached is a dignified chancellor, and the matter is of great importance. It warrants caution and careful investigation. Once the facts are clarified, then a decision can be made!"

"Minister Zhao, still so seasoned and prudent in statecraft!" Emperor Liu remarked flatly upon hearing this.

Letting Zhao Pu off for the moment, Emperor Liu did not ask for anyone else's opinion. After pondering briefly, he gave his order flatly: "Place Lu Duoxun in prison for now. Have the Three Judicial Offices jointly investigate this case — with solid evidence, strictly investigated and strictly handled!"

The moment Emperor Liu spoke, Lu Duoxun jerked his head up as if struck a heavy blow, his face turning white in an instant. Meanwhile, palace guards entered the hall on orders, seized Lu Duoxun, and he offered no struggle — he merely let the guards drag him out of the hall, utterly dazed and lost.

Paying no further heed to the shock rippling through Chongyuan Hall, Emperor Liu flatly said "Court adjourned" and rose to leave.