Chapter 1076

He himself was also close friends with Su Dingfang.

At this moment, by backing Su Dingfang so openly, even if Wu Chengsi, the Zhou Wang, was the emperor's favorite, he dared not defy him.

Upon hearing this, Wu Chengsi merely sneered, but said nothing more.

"Your Majesty, Di Ge Lao, Prince Zhou, what Grand General Su just said has reminded this old minister of something."

Seeing the atmosphere turning sour, Zhang Jianzhi also stepped forward.

He had risen to his current position only through Di Renjie's patronage, and thus always followed Di Renjie's lead.

"Hmph! What is it? I strictly remember Your Majesty's teachings and never meddle in state affairs. If this matter of yours is about state affairs, then don't bring it up with me!"

Wu Chengsi gave Zhang Jianzhi no good face, retorting sharply.

Since the female emperor of Great Tang ascended the throne, she has consistently suppressed the Li Tang clan.

She then promoted her own Wu clan members, such as Wu Chengsi and Wu Sansi, granting them heavy appointments.

Later, the Tang civil and military officials all opposed the Wu clan's excessive interference in state affairs.

The female emperor, ever open to advice, stripped both the Li Tang and Wu clan members of their rights to participate in governance.

They could still attend court sessions as observers.

But they were forbidden from participating in policy deliberations or criticizing state affairs.

Wu Chengsi's position as Zhou Wang was simply too illustrious.

Even the Linzi Wang paled in comparison to the Zhou Wang.

Thus Wu Chengsi could occasionally voice an opinion, but dared not truly involve himself in state decision-making.

Zhang Jianzhi, after being rebuffed, merely smiled faintly.

He showed no anger at all, and spoke calmly,

"It is indeed a strict law of our dynasty that imperial clan members may not participate in governance.

But this matter concerns Prince Zhou, so this old minister can only seek your Highness's counsel."

"Hmph! What matter?"

Wu Chengsi was extremely arrogant; even though Zhang Jianzhi had entered the Luantai, he still held him in contempt.

"Have you been associating too closely with the Liang Wang?"

Zhang Jianzhi did not beat around the bush—he asked directly.

"What do you mean by that?"

Wu Chengsi was greedy for power and lustful; when the Heavenly Dao Hundred Flowers List was announced,

his entire attention was fixed on the three beauties' distinct charms.

Had they not been in the Ming Tang, he likely would have sought out someone afterward for wild debauchery.

Now, suddenly questioned by Zhang Jianzhi, he had not yet reacted.

But a faint unease stirred within him, so he asked in return.

Seeing Wu Chengsi did not take the bait, Zhang Jianzhi spoke directly,

"Prince Zhu Wen of the Liang Wang, originally a rebel,

once participated in the treason of the criminal Xu Jingye, capturing our southern Yangzhou city in a single day.

But our sovereign, wise and discerning, recognized talent.

Moreover, Prince Zhou, you have been close friends with that Liang Wang since childhood.

You personally vouched before our sovereign that you could persuade the Liang Wang to surrender.

Our sovereign approved, and offered you the rank of Right Guard Grand General as leverage, sending you to recruit and pacify the rebels.

Indeed, Zhu Wen, moved by heavenly grace, defected and surrendered immediately upon your arrival.

Thereafter, he achieved great military feats—not only quelling Xu Jingye's rebellion, but also expanding our territory by a hundred li in the south.

Our sovereign, moved by Zhu Wen's merits and your counsel, granted him the title of Military Governor of Xuanwu Army and the rank of Liang Wang.

Have I recounted these events inaccurately?"

In truth, securing Zhu Wen for Great Tang was a great achievement of Wu Chengsi.

Later, Zhu Wen expanded his territory by a thousand li in the south and was promoted to Liang Wang—all due to Wu Chengsi's careful planning.

Though separated by distance, they constantly exchanged letters.

In his letters, Zhu Wen always referred to himself as a subject.

Wu Chengsi was delighted, convinced he had Zhu Wen as a powerful ally beyond the capital.

Even if he could not participate in governance, he held far more leverage than the Li Tang clan princes like the Linzi Wang.

Thus, regarding Zhu Wen, he was genuinely proud.

Yet he failed to notice that today's Heavenly Dao Hundred Flowers List had exposed Zhu Wen's disloyal ambitions.

Now, when Zhang Jianzhi brought up these matters, he was truly setting a trap for Wu Chengsi.

But Wu Chengsi himself paid no attention, nor did he notice his subordinates frantically signaling him to deny any connection with Zhu Wen.

Instead, he proudly and confidently admitted,

"The matter of Zhu Wen was entirely due to Your Majesty's discerning eye for heroes—I merely selected talent for the state.

Lord Zhang, such matters need not be discussed in court."

Hearing this, all civil and military officials in the hall stared at him as if he were a fool.

The Heavenly Dao Hundred Flowers List had already exposed Zhu Wen's rebellious ambitions—yet you, Wu Chengsi, still dare claim you selected talent for the state?

And you say our sovereign has discerning eyes for heroes?

Are you praising the sovereign?

Or insulting the sovereign?

For a moment, the entire Ming Hall was filled with an eerie atmosphere.

Wu Zhao, seeing Wu Chengsi's stupidity, couldn't help but feel a headache.

In the Wu Zhou world, the power of the Wu clan's royal family, under Wu Zhao's support, far exceeded that of the Nine Provinces' Great Tang.

The representatives were precisely Wu Chengsi and Wu Sansi.

In the Wu Zhou world, Wu Chengsi, though greedy for power and lustful, was a cunning fox of a man.

Who would have thought that this Wu Chengsi of the Nine Provinces' Great Tang had nothing but greed for power and lust, not a shred of ability?

Wu Zhao, upon seeing this, could not help but be greatly disappointed, and she snapped,

"Fool! Get out of my sight!"

"Huh? Your Majesty…"

Wu Chengsi was stunned, not understanding why his own cousin was angry with him.

"Get out!"

Wu Zhao was too tired to waste words on him; if he was useless, what was the point of talking?

"Yes…"

Wu Chengsi saw Wu Zhao's impatience; though he didn't understand why, he knew he had been tricked by Zhang Jianzhi.

He could only glare fiercely at Zhang Jianzhi, then slink away from the Ming Hall, head hung low, under the stares of the ministers who looked at him as if he were a fool.

Di Renjie couldn't help but feel like laughing.

The emperor's own relatives, except for Wu Sansi, were all useless.

Yet Wu Chengsi was not someone easily offended; Di Renjie couldn't help but worry for Zhang Jianzhi.

862 Could there truly be gods in this world?

After Wu Chengsi withdrew from the Ming Hall, Di Renjie stepped forward again and said,

"Your Majesty, the matter of Zhu Wen mentioned by Lord Zhang must be taken seriously."

The Heavenly Dao's Hundred Flowers List has already declared Zhu Wen has disloyal intentions — that must mean he does.

Unfortunately, Shi Yao fled with the evidence after the Head of the Bad People died and the Bad People were destroyed.

Otherwise, with that evidence, there would be no need for discussion.

We could simply have Su Dingfang dispatch the army to crush the Xuanwu Army and the Youming Sect outright.

But now, we cannot.

Zhu Wen is not only the Liang Wang of the Great Tang, but also has the merit of expanding territory by a hundred li.

If we act against him without evidence, merely on the word of the Heavenly Dao's Hundred Flowers List,

I fear all the regional lords of the Great Tang will grow anxious.