Chapter 416

The Emperor wearing the dragon robe sat on the dragon throne.

Li Fei, who had truly achieved the fusion of law and martial arts, perceived more details from the Emperor this time.

He vaguely felt a similar power from the other party's magnificent momentum; that was also the power of the fusion of law and martial arts!

The power displayed by the killing artifact and the military formation is the fusion of law and martial arts, which is the strongest collective power in the world.

"Peak" Lin Lin Tianyi is the fusion of law and martial arts, which is the strongest individual power in the world.

Now, the Emperor also displayed the fusion of law and martial arts.

He represents the highest power in the world!

"Could it be that the Emperor possesses very powerful strength while in the Imperial Palace?"

Such a thought arose in Li Fei's heart.

He had participated in the Grand Court Meeting twice before, but only felt that the Emperor's momentum was very majestic, and he hadn't truly felt the majestic power belonging to the Emperor!

But now, he vaguely perceived it.

"No wonder the imperial court can suppress so many peak powerhouses."

Li Fei thought to himself.

Although the peak powerhouses of this world are not as exaggerated as destroying heaven and earth, they can still fight ten thousand troops alone and destroy cities and move mountains!

In this case, if the person sitting on the dragon throne were just an ordinary person who didn't know martial arts or spells, wouldn't they worry that their head might suddenly be gone one day?

Even with imperial guards loyal to the master and the Imperial Camp army protecting them at any time, there might still be loopholes.

Now it seems that the person who can sit on this dragon throne should be able to bring great power to themselves through some method!

Even if this power can only be limited to the Imperial Palace or the Imperial City, it can at least ensure that the majesty of the imperial family is real.

Possessing supreme power inside and the Imperial Camp army suppressing all directions outside, plus the powerhouses loyal to the imperial family.

This is the foundation of the imperial court's rule over the world!

"Begin."

On the dragon throne, the Emperor said indifferently.

"Your subject Su Su Xuesong, pays respects to Your Majesty!"

As soon as the Emperor's voice fell, a person stood out from the queue of civil officials and performed a kneeling kowtow to the Emperor.

It was Su Su Xuesong, the Inspection Envoy of Gan Province, who had rushed all the way from Gan Province to Lanling City.

This frontier official performed a kneeling kowtow as soon as he appeared, making a group of officials feel horrified.

The Great Lan Dynasty was founded on martial arts and treats martial artists very favorably; Dao Ji stage martial artists do not need to kneel to the Emperor.

As for civil officials, once they become fourth-rank officials, their treatment is the same as that of Dao Ji stage martial artists.

Su Su Xuesong is a fifth-rank cabinet official, a level 17 official, and also a frontier official.

Naturally, such a person does not need to kneel.

On the dragon throne, the Emperor frowned slightly:

"Why does Su Qing perform such a great ceremony? Stand up and speak."

Su Su Xuesong still knelt on the ground, crying:

"Your Majesty, your old subject wants to plead guilty to Your Majesty! Leaving the jurisdiction without permission, this is your subject's first crime!"

As an Inspection Envoy, he indeed cannot leave his jurisdiction without permission.

"I said, stand up and speak."

The Emperor increased his tone.

Su Su Xuesong's body trembled; he stood up tremblingly and bowed:

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Continue to state your crimes."

"Yes."

Su Su Xuesong finally raised his head, and his voice sounded in the hall:

"There is a folk organization in Gan Province called the Rushi Society, which everyone present today must have heard of. This organization gathers elites from all walks of life in Gan Province and has a pivotal position in Gan Province.

In the officialdom of our Gan Province, many officials have joined the Rushi Society, and many officials are very close to the Rushi Society.

Over the years, the Rushi Society has become like a towering tree, almost covering the sky in Gan Province!

Your subject is incompetent; as an Inspection Envoy, I could not control the Rushi Society, eventually making it a tumor; this is your subject's second crime!"

"Previously, Your Majesty sent the Lan Xun Special Envoy to investigate the Altar of Heaven assassination case; Marquis Jing'an investigated all the way to Gan Province, and your subject failed to cooperate well with the investigation team, so that the Rushi Society and the New Heaven Sect colluded in secret without anyone knowing; this is your subject's third crime!"

After this was said, many people in the hall changed color, and their eyes looking at Su Su Xuesong also changed.

Previously, Su Su Xuesong publicly impeached Chi Chi Chengyu, the head of the Zhige Department in Gan Province, mainly because he accused the other party of murdering his only son.

In the end, Su Su Xuesong even rushed to Lanling City in person to "file a complaint with the Emperor."

In the eyes of many, this Inspection Envoy was overwhelmed with grief because his only son had died, and he was desperate, so he made such an intense choice.

As a result, today at the Grand Court Meeting, Su Su Xuesong didn't mention the death of his only son at all.

Every sentence was pleading guilty, but every sentence was stabbing into the hearts of Chi Chi Chengyu and the Rushi Society!

In fact, as a frontier official, making such a move, and now confessing his crimes in front of the Emperor.

His political future is basically ruined, and whether he can continue to be an Inspection Envoy is an unknown.

From this point of view, although Su Su Xuesong didn't mention his only son, in fact, in order to avenge his son, he was willing to ruin himself to severely damage the Rushi Society!

On the dragon throne, the Emperor looked at Su Su Xuesong below and spoke slowly:

"Do you have solid evidence for what you said?"

"Yes!"

Su Su Xuesong said immediately, "Everything your subject just said has solid evidence! Your subject is willing to guarantee with his life that everything just said is true!"

"Lou Lou Hongtao."

The Emperor suddenly called out.

"Your subject is here."

Lou Lou Hongtao walked out of the queue.

"The Supervision Pavilion is responsible for this case; investigate and verify the evidence provided by Su Su Xuesong within one month."

"Your subject accepts the decree."

"Su Su Xuesong."

The Emperor looked at Su Su Xuesong again:

"You left your post without permission and pleaded guilty; temporarily suspend your position as Inspection Envoy and wait for the investigation results of the Supervision Pavilion."

Su Su Xuesong's face turned pale, revealing a miserable look, and he said tremblingly:

"Your subject, accepts the decree!"

He had expected such a result long ago; it could be said that he brought it upon himself.

"Ni Xuan."

The Emperor called out a name again.

Ni Xuan, the Pavilion Master of the Zhige Pavilion, walked out of the queue:

"Your subject is here."

"Send a cabinet member to Gan Province to temporarily take over the position of Chi Chi Chengyu, the head of the Zhige Department, and let Chi Chi Chengyu return to the capital to defend himself."

The Emperor said indifferently.

As soon as the voice fell, Su Su Xuesong burst into tears!

He didn't hesitate to sacrifice his future and official position just to make the Rushi Society pay the price.

With this result, he at least managed to forcibly trade with Chi Chi Chengyu!

"Your subject accepts the decree."

Ni Xuan bowed and saluted.

A group of ministers in the front row looked at Su Su Xuesong, their expressions complex.

Using such means to forcibly "trade" with Chi Chi Chengyu was simply too ruthless!

And Su Su Xuesong doing this was largely to avenge his son.

This made people feel a bit of admiration.

Being heartless is not necessarily a true hero.

How can one who pities his son not be a man?

Just like that, the first of the "three major cases" finally had a result.

As for what the final result will be, we have to wait for the investigation of the Supervision Pavilion in a month.

After dealing with the first major case, the Emperor took the initiative to ask Lou Lou Hongtao:

"How is the investigation of the case of the Prince Cheng Mansion and the New Heaven Sect going by the Supervision Pavilion?"

Lou Lou Hongtao replied:

"Reporting to Your Majesty, under the interrogation of the Supervision Pavilion, Ji Ji Xiuyong, a guest advisor to the Prince Cheng Mansion, has confessed the entire process of his collusion with the New Heaven Sect; after confirmation, it is completely true."

"There are seven other people in the Prince Cheng Mansion who are Ji Ji Xiuyong's accomplices, namely..."

"There are eleven officials involved in this case, all of whom have been verified, eight of whom have clear guilt, and three of whom claim to have been deceived..."

He clearly reported the results of the investigation of this case.

After listening, the Emperor asked:

"Was Qin Qin Ziyu involved?"

"The Crown Prince was not involved and even actively cooperated during the investigation, helping the Supervision Pavilion clarify the case."

"Hmm."

The Emperor nodded, "Qin Qin Ziyu."

"Your subject is here."

Qin Qin Ziyu stepped out and bowed.

"You were lax in your management, allowing such a thing to happen in your mansion; fortunately, you discovered the clues in time and cooperated with the Supervision Pavilion to clarify the case, making up for your faults. I will punish you by closing your doors in the mansion to reflect, and you are forbidden from going out for half a year."

Qin Qin Ziyu said hurriedly upon hearing this:

"Your subject accepts the decree, thank you, Your Majesty, for your forgiveness!"

The Emperor looked at his nephew below and finally said in a gentle tone:

"Qin Ziyu, you are already an adult; if you want to inherit your father's title in the future, you must be more steady in your actions."

Qin Qin Ziyu's body trembled, and a flash of ecstasy appeared in his eyes.

He said loudly: "Yes, your subject will follow Your Majesty's teachings and will definitely act carefully and manage the mansion well in the future!"

Regarding this major case, the ministers in the hall knew very well that Qin Qin Ziyu would definitely be fine.

It's just that they didn't expect the Emperor to take the initiative to draw a "pie" at the end.

Prince Cheng's title is hereditary, and when it is passed to Qin Qin Ziyu, it will no longer be a Prince's title.

But the meaning of the Emperor's words just now was that he intended to let Qin Qin Ziyu inherit the title of Prince Cheng in the future!

Even if it was just a "pie," it was enough to make Qin Qin Ziyu ecstatic.

"Qin Qin Ziheng."

After speaking about Qin Qin Ziyu, the Emperor called the name of the First Prince.

"Your subject is here."

The First Prince stood out from the queue.

"I heard that this time, you contributed a lot to the Prince Cheng Mansion case; the Supervision Pavilion was able to solve the case so quickly, do you have a share of the credit?"

"Sharing the worries for the Father Emperor is your subject's duty. Besides, your subject also believes that Qin Ziyu was deceived by others and wanted to help him prove his innocence."

The First Prince said neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"Hmm."

The Emperor nodded, "You did well, you should be rewarded."

After speaking, the eunuch Feng Cheng took out an imperial edict that had been prepared long ago and read out a series of things rewarded to the First Prince:

Treasures, mansions, and various cultivation resources!

On the chair, the Crown Prince's expression remained as usual.

The Third Prince in the front row of the queue glanced at Qin Qin Ziyu and revealed a playful smile.

After Feng Cheng finished reading the imperial edict, the Emperor looked at Lou Lou Hongtao again:

"The Zhengfa Pavilion case that I asked you to investigate personally, is there a result?"

Lou Lou Hongtao's expression became more serious:

"Reporting to Your Majesty, regarding the Zhengfa Pavilion case, your subject has investigated a total of seventeen officials involved; they all participated in the illegal resale of exotic beasts and Dharma artifacts, and the evidence is conclusive."

"Oh?"

The Emperor's voice turned cold, "Then who were these exotic beasts and Dharma artifacts resold to?"

Lou Lou Hongtao immediately said a series of names of forces, including chambers of commerce in Lanling City, martial arts sects in various places, and aristocratic families!

And these forces were all related to the Third Prince, either openly or secretly.

Some were working for the Third Prince openly, and although some were not "openly branded," many people knew that they were people from the Third Prince's faction.

"Since it has been investigated clearly, then those who should be arrested should be arrested, and those who should be killed should be killed!"

The Emperor said coldly.

This was to severely punish these buyers!

The Third Prince stood in the queue with a calm expression, without any intention of standing out to plead for anyone.

"Yes."

Lou Lou Hongtao bowed and accepted the decree.

"Mi Han."

The Emperor called out a name again.

Mi Han, the Deputy Pavilion Master of the Zhengfa Pavilion and a top-level True Person, walked out of the queue:

"Your subject is here."

The Emperor looked at him: "You are responsible for the procurement of the Zhengfa Pavilion; such a loophole occurred, how do you explain it to me?"

The huge pressure pressed on Mi Han like a mountain!

This top-level True Person's face was pale, and he bowed his head:

"Your subject managed poorly and failed Your Majesty's trust; I resign!"

"Granted."

The Emperor didn't hesitate at all and directly agreed to Mi Han's resignation.

Up to this point, the three major cases had already caused an Inspection Envoy, a head of the Zhige Department, and a Deputy Pavilion Master of the Zhengfa Pavilion to lose their official positions!

As for the other officials and people involved, there were many!

On a normal day, any one of the results caused by the three major cases would be a huge change.

But now that the three major cases were concentrated together, it could be considered an "earthquake" in the imperial court!

The First Prince, who returned to the queue, glanced at the Third Prince, the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

In the three major cases, he gained a lot by relying on the Prince Cheng Mansion case.

While the Third Prince suffered heavy losses because of the Zhengfa Pavilion case!

With one increase and one decrease, the gap between the two was immediately widened.

Currently, it seems that the Third Prince has almost lost the qualification to continue competing for the throne!

This change is even more far-reaching than the removal of the three cabinet officials!

"Who else has a memorial?"

After dealing with Mi Han, the Emperor asked.

"Your Majesty, your subject has a memorial!"

At the end of the queue, near the gate, He Situ Jian, with graying temples, stood out.

The Emperor was expressionless: "Speak."

He Situ Jian bowed and said:

"The Zhengfa Pavilion case was reported by your subject; your subject believes that there must be a bigger mastermind behind this case, and it is related to someone in the imperial family!"

This made the ministers in the hall stir.

Many people turned to look at He Situ Jian, their expressions astonished.

They only felt that this person was really too brave!

The Emperor severely punished those buyers and also dealt with a Deputy Pavilion Master; in fact, it was already very severe, clearly indicating that he didn't intend to investigate further.

But He Situ Jian still wouldn't give up.

"Your Majesty, your subject also has a memorial!"

At this moment, a young voice sounded.

A golden figure walked out of the queue; it was Li Fei!

He cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty previously ordered your subject to be responsible for supervising the Altar of Heaven assassination case; your subject and Lord He investigated the case together and have found many key clues. Previously, your subject even captured an important witness alive, and we were only one step away from solving the case!

But this important witness died in the Zhengfa Pavilion, and Lord He happened to discover the resale of exotic beasts and Dharma artifacts by the Zhengfa Pavilion during the investigation."

The Emperor looked at Li Fei expressionlessly: "What do you want to say?"

Li Fei: "Your subject wants to say that the Zhengfa Pavilion case should continue to be investigated in depth; it will definitely be possible to find more clues, which will not only ferret out the mastermind but also solve the Altar of Heaven assassination case!"

After he came out of seclusion, he applied to see the Emperor for the first time.

When the Emperor knew about his affairs, he spent a lot of effort and gave full support.

Now that he has solved his own problems, he naturally wants to report to the Emperor for the first time.

But the Emperor didn't see him.

In the past five days, Li Fei applied to see the Emperor every day, but was rejected every time.

Li Fei knew why.

When the Emperor knew that he intended to take the path of "cultivating martial arts with spells, refining the body as a vessel," he expressed opposition.

But he didn't listen and still went his own way, choosing this path that no one had ever succeeded on before.

Setting aside the results, this choice had actually already failed the Emperor's trust and importance in him.

A qualified loyal official should not make such a choice.

But Li Fei knew from the beginning that he would never become the qualified loyal official in the Emperor's heart.

The Emperor didn't see him; he was beating him.

Li Fei knew this well.

Just like now, he also knew well that the Emperor didn't want to continue investigating the Zhengfa Pavilion case in depth, but he still chose to stand out and support He Situ Jian.

The Emperor no longer looked at Li Fei, but at Lou Lou Hongtao:

"Lou Qing, you are responsible for investigating the Zhengfa Pavilion case; have you found any connection between this case and the Altar of Heaven assassination case?"

Lou Lou Hongtao said immediately: "Your subject has not found any."

The Emperor then looked at Li Fei: "Li Fei, did you hear?"

Li Fei: "It is a fact that someone in the Zhengfa Pavilion colluded with the New Heaven Sect, and the biggest suspect in the Altar of Heaven assassination case is the New Heaven Sect, so your subject believes that continuing to investigate the Zhengfa Pavilion case in depth will definitely yield results!"

As soon as his voice fell, a cabinet member of the Supervision Pavilion stood out from the queue:

"Your Majesty, your subject also participated in the investigation of the Zhengfa Pavilion case; the buyers in this case have all confessed, the evidence is conclusive, and there is no mastermind, nor was the New Heaven Sect involved. Your subject thinks there is no need to investigate again for an uncertain guess. The Supervision Pavilion has the time and energy; it is better to invest it in cases that have not yet been solved."

After he finished speaking, officials stood out one after another.

These people all opposed Li Fei and He Situ Jian's proposal to continue investigating the Zhengfa Pavilion case.

After everyone finished expressing their opinions, the Emperor made the final decision:

"The Zhengfa Pavilion case ends here."

Li Fei's expression remained unchanged.

For this result, he had actually expected it long ago.

He took the initiative to stand out just to help He Situ Jian share the "firepower."

Just as he promised He Situ Jian, the other party only needs to be responsible for investigating the case, and everything else is left to him to solve!

Up to this point, two of the three major cases have completely ended.

Only the case of the Rushi Society in Gan Province has not yet been concluded.

Li Fei and He Situ Jian still have a chance.

"Who else has a memorial?"

The Emperor asked again.

Just when everyone thought that today's Grand Court Meeting should end, a figure suddenly stood up from the chair.

Ye Ye Zean walked to the middle and cupped his hands to the Emperor:

"Your subject has a memorial."

The Emperor looked at this Chief Secretary: "What does the Chief Secretary want to say?"

Ye Ye Zean raised his head and said loudly:

"Your Majesty, these three major cases in the imperial court today each have their own causes, but fundamentally, your subject believes that these three cases all point to the same problem."

"Oh?"

"The imperial court's supervision of local areas is not strong enough!"

Ye Ye Zean gave the answer:

"The Gan Province Rushi Society case is particularly obvious, needless to say.

In the Prince Cheng Mansion case, although the main culprits were at the feet of the Son of Heaven, they colluded with the New Heaven Sect, and the illegal and undisciplined things they did all happened in local areas.

The Zhengfa Pavilion case is the same, and those buyers are also scattered in various places.

All along, although the imperial court has set up Supervision Courts, Supervision General Courts, and Supervision Departments in various places, flowing water does not rot and door hinges do not rust; the mobility of local officials is too poor, which has led to loopholes in the supervision system in various places."

The Emperor's expression remained unchanged, looking at Ye Ye Zean:

"Then how does the Chief Secretary think this should be solved?"

Ye Ye Zean clearly had a draft long ago, word by word:

"First, increase the mobility of local officials, especially officials within the supervision system; it is best to conduct exchanges between various provinces every two years!

Your subject has already written a "Memorial on the Cross-Provincial Exchange of Supervision System Officials," including specific exchange matters, new inspection plans after the exchange, and other details."

As he spoke, he took out a thick memorial from his wide sleeves.

With a look from the Emperor, Feng Cheng walked down the Dan steps, came to Ye Ye Zean, took the memorial in the other party's hand, and then returned, handing the memorial to the Emperor.

The group of ministers below was already stirring.

If this political decree is passed, the impact on various places will be very large!

And these ministers present have intricate relationships with various places.

The Emperor roughly flipped through the memorial in his hand and then put it down:

"The Chief Secretary's memorial is not bad; specific matters can be discussed again. Does the Chief Secretary have any other memorials?"

"Yes!"

Ye Ye Zean's "output" was not over yet:

"After solving the supervision problems in various places, it is also necessary to solve the supervision of the central government over various places, so that the problems can be solved comprehensively and thoroughly.

Previously, the central government's supervision of various places was mainly through the Lan Xun Special Envoy, but the imperial court has set up less than ten Lan Xun Special Envoys in total, and the supervision strength is too small."

This made the ministers in the hall stir again.

The position of Lan Xun Special Envoy is too sensitive, and the power is too great, just like a Shangfang sword; no one would hope that such a sword would become sharper.

Unless the sword is held in one's own hands.

Now listening to Ye Ye Zean's meaning, it seems that he wants to increase the number of Lan Xun Special Envoys, which made many people feel uneasy.

It's just that in view of the majesty that the Chief Secretary has established all along, no one stood out to oppose it for the time being.

"Does the Chief Secretary mean to increase the number of Lan Xun Special Envoys?"

The Emperor asked.

Ye Ye Zean shook his head:

"No, just increasing the number is not enough; your subject thinks that an agency independent of the cabinet should be established, specifically to patrol the world and supervise the four directions on behalf of the central government!"

These words were like a heavy bomb, falling into the hall!

Three cabinet officials removed from office.

The Third Prince's power was greatly reduced, affecting the struggle for the crown prince.

Let officials of the local supervision system exchange across provinces.

These changes are not as "terrible" as this suggestion made by Ye Ye Zean at this moment!

If this political decree is passed.

It is the real change of heaven!

This chapter is too hard to write, asking for a monthly ticket

This volume is coming to an end, only the last climax is missing~

(End of chapter)