Chapter 188: The Crime of Treason

Huo Guang, far away in New City Hangzhou, was handling affairs in his residence.

Recently, the site selection for the New City construction was underway, and he was also swamped.

When the servant brought news of returning to Long Peace, hearing the Son of Heaven's personnel appointments for Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian, the pen Huo Guang was reviewing gave a "pat" and fell to the ground.

He instantly rose to his feet, his face full of disbelief, as if he had heard an Arabian Nights tale.

"How... how could this be!"

Huo Guang blurted out, his voice filled with uncontainable shock and anger.

He paced back and forth in his study, brows furrowed, his heart in turmoil.

"Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian, those treacherous villains, their crimes are piled high, known to all in the court. Your Majesty, why would you make such a foolish decision? The Southern Great Development is a grand plan concerning the future of our Great Han; how could it be entrusted to such selfish, unprincipled people?"

Huo Guang paced while muttering to himself, his fists unconsciously clenching and relaxing, veins bulging on his arms.

After briefly calming down, Huo Guang immediately summoned his trusted aide, urging in a hurried tone: "Quickly go find out how the other ministers in the court are reacting, especially the Prince of Wei and his associates. Also, closely monitor Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian's movements; if they show any sign, report to me at once."

The trusted aide hurriedly departed after receiving the order.

Huo Guang turned again to look out the window, his eyes full of worry.

If this appointment is not handled properly, the court will surely fall into greater chaos, and the Southern Great Development could very well be ruined in an instant.

"No, I cannot stand by and do nothing."

Huo Guang gritted his teeth, secretly resolving in his heart to stop this mistaken appointment by any means.

Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian sat in the side hall of the premier's residence, with a newspaper spread on the table containing Sima Qian's articles and public reactions.

He casually flipped through it, a sneer of contempt appearing on his face, then tossed the newspaper aside, saying disdainfully: "Hmph, this Sima Qian is nothing but a pedantic scholar who plays with words; what does he know about state affairs? And those ignorant commoners, merely parroting others, dare to meddle in court appointments?"

Having said that, he crossed his legs, his expression extremely arrogant.

Li Xiangtian chimed in from the side, fawningly smiling: "Minister Chen is absolutely right. We are now officials appointed by His Majesty, bearing the heavy responsibility of the Southern Great Development; their idle chatter is not worth mentioning."

He picked up the teacup on the table, took a light sip, and paid no heed to the people's dissatisfaction.

At that moment, a subordinate hurriedly came to report:

"Both sirs, I've heard that Huo Guang is extremely dissatisfied with this appointment, is busy gathering information about the court's movements, and has ordered his trusted aide to closely monitor your actions."

Chen Wenjin heard this, a flash of ruthlessness crossed his eyes, then he resumed his indifferent expression, sneering: "Huo Guang? What waves could he stir up? He's just a stubborn fool who won't adapt. We have His Majesty's backing—what can he do?"

Li Xiangtian also chimed in harshly: "Exactly, if he dares to ruin our plans, we'll make him regret it. The Southern Great Development is our golden opportunity for advancement; no one should think of stopping it."

The two exchanged a glance, both revealing greedy smiles.

To the outside opposition, they treated it as wind in the ears, still immersed in their own scheming, with no intention of restraining themselves.

However, when Huo Guang's impeachment memorial against them was again presented before Liu Ju's desk, Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian et al. could no longer sit still.

It wasn't that they feared Huo Guang could sway the Son of Heaven's trust in them, but rather that they found Huo Guang repeatedly opposing them truly aggravating.

Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian decided to give Huo Guang a taste of his own medicine and thoroughly remove this thorn in their side.

The two were in a secret chamber of the premier's residence, having dismissed all attendants.

Chen Wenjin's eyes flashed as he spoke gloomily: "This brat Huo Guang has repeatedly opposed us; if we don't get rid of him, our plans in the south will likely fail to proceed smoothly."

Li Xiangtian nodded eagerly, his face full of smiles: "Prime Minister Chen is absolutely right; we need to find a way to ensure he never recovers."

Both Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian wore sinister expressions.

Li Xiangtian tapped his fingers on the table and spoke first: "Minister Chen, do you have a good plan?"

Chen Wenjin's eyes flashed with ruthlessness as he lowered his voice: "We'll just forge evidence that Huo Guang is colluding with the fugitive traitor Sang Hongyang, who betrayed the court and deserves death; if Huo Guang is linked to him, that's treason."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiangtian's face broke into a fawning smile, he gave a thumbs-up: "Prime Minister Chen, this idea is excellent—this way Huo Guang won't die but will at least lose a layer of skin."

Afterward, Chen Wenjin summoned a clerk from the premier's residence skilled in imitating handwriting, and described Huo Guang's handwriting characteristics in detail.

The clerk, as instructed, imitated Huo Guang's handwriting and wrote a secret letter.

The letter's wording was incisive, claiming that Huo Guang intended to overthrow the current court order, plotting to use Sang Hongyang's external forces to disturb the Southern Great Development, and when the time was ripe, cooperate inside and out to seize greater power.

After the secret letter was written, Chen Wenjin examined it repeatedly, nodded in satisfaction, handed it to his trusted aide, and instructed: "Quickly go to Hangzhou, take advantage of the guard shift change at Huo Guang's residence, sneak into his study, and hide this letter in the box where he usually keeps important documents—make sure not to leave any trace."

The trusted aide departed after receiving the order.

Three days later, Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian, feeling somewhat anxious and indignant, went together to the Never-Ending Palace to seek an audience with Liu Ju.

Upon seeing Liu Ju, Chen Wenjin fell to his knees with a 'thump', tears streaming down, his voice trembling: "Your Majesty, I received an anonymous secret letter yesterday concerning a matter of great importance; I could not help but present it to you at once."

Speaking, he raised the forged letter high with both hands.

Li Xiangtian also knelt down, indignant and furious, saying: "Your Majesty, the letter's contents are truly outrageous. Huo Guang actually colluded with the traitor Sang Hongyang, plotting to sabotage the Southern Great Development and shake the foundations of our Great Han. I implore Your Majesty to immediately send investigators; if true, he must be severely punished without mercy, to uphold the law."

The two spoke in perfect concert, their hearts set on consigning Huo Guang to eternal damnation.

Liu Ju sat on the dragon throne; his formerly calm expression instantly froze over with a layer of coldness upon hearing Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian's accusations.

His brows knitted tightly, his eyes revealing disbelief and deep contemplation, his gaze fixed on the letter held high, as if trying to see through it.

"Is this true?"

Liu Ju's voice was low and icy.

Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian exchanged a glance; Chen Wenjin kowtowed again, voice choked with tears: "Your Majesty, I dare not deceive you on such a major matter. Though this letter is anonymous, the handwriting is clear, the contents detailed; after many inquiries, all signs point to Huo Guang colluding with Sang Hongyang. Your Majesty, if such treason is not checked in time, our Great Han will be in peril."

Liu Ju slowly rose, hands behind his back, and paced slowly in the hall.

He was not giving Chen Wenjin and Li Xiangtian a cold glance, but lost in thought.