Chapter 130: Stir It Up! Stir It Up! Stir It All Up!
After many days, Old Zhu finally presided over the court session.
But unlike before, the atmosphere at today’s court session was extremely strange.
Old Zhu on the dragon throne had a dark expression, as if he could erupt in thunderous rage at any moment.
Although Zhang Biao was not present, his shadow loomed over the entire Hall of Supreme Harmony.
As expected, before any official business could be discussed, several censors eagerly stepped forward, holding their tablets, their voices impassioned, but their targets had subtly shifted.
“Your Majesty! This subject impeaches Censor Shen Lang of the Censorate!”
A censor said in a sharp voice:
“Yesterday, outside the Gate of Heavenly Acceptance, rioters stormed the palace. Shen Lang not only failed to effectively stop them but became entangled with the rioters, speaking ambiguously!”
“This subject suspects that he had long colluded with the rioters, feigning a reconciliation while actually fanning the flames and buying popular favor. His actions are suspicious, and his heart deserves punishment!”
A gasp!
Upon these words, the entire assembly erupted in a clamor!
Before Shen Lang and his colleagues could speak in their defense.
Another official from the Hanlin Academy immediately followed up:
“Your Majesty! Hanlin Academy Editor Li Mo overstepped his authority and privately recorded the allocation of military equipment and supplies. This falls under the purview of the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue! What are his intentions? Is he attempting to foster his own faction and harbor ill intentions? I implore Your Majesty to investigate!”
“And also Ministry of War Department Director Sun Gui, Director of the Ministry of Personnel Wu Nai Da, Censor Zhao Fengman of the Censorate…”
Another Supervising Secretary stepped forward, weaving a multitude of accusations, ranging from frivolous conduct unbecoming of an official to associating with military men with malicious intent, basically concocting the most serious accusations possible.
Although most of the accusations were far-fetched, they were numerous and presented with such force that it seemed these five individuals were utterly wicked individuals forming factions for selfish gain.
Soon, the spittle of the pure stream faction had almost drowned the five individuals, Shen Lang included, standing at the end of the court assembly.
Shen Lang’s face was pale, his palms covered in sweat. He could feel the malevolent gazes cast upon him from all directions, but he gritted his teeth tightly, refusing to back down.
Li Mo’s brow furrowed, his mind rapidly formulating a counter-strategy.
Sun Gui’s cheeks puffed out in anger, but he could only suppress his rage.
Wu Nai Da’s eyes flickered, quickly analyzing the distribution of power behind the impeachments.
Zhao Fengman subconsciously straightened his posture, ready to step forward and refute at any moment.
On the dragon throne, Old Zhu listened impassively, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest. No one could guess his thoughts.
He did not immediately react, nor did he allow Shen Lang and his colleagues to defend themselves. He merely cast a cold glance at the accusers kneeling on the ground, then glanced at Fu Youwen, Ru Chang, and others standing behind, their eyes focused on their noses and their noses on their mouths.
“Enough.”
Old Zhu finally spoke. His voice was not loud, yet it instantly silenced all the clamor: “Such disorder, what kind of propriety is this!”
He did not directly comment on the content of the impeachments but turned his gaze to Vice Minister of Personnel Zhai Shan: “Vice Minister Zhai.”
“This subject is here.”
Zhai Shan immediately stepped forward and bowed in response.
“The assessment of officials is the responsibility of the Ministry of Personnel. You, the Ministry of Personnel, shall investigate according to regulations based on what the ministers have said. If there are any instances of overstepping or violating regulations, they shall be dealt with according to the law, without leniency.”
Old Zhu’s voice was calm and unruffled, as if he were merely handling a routine official matter.
“This subject obeys the decree!”
Zhai Shan secretly rejoiced and quickly accepted the imperial decree.
Didn’t His Majesty’s words essentially grant them an Imperial Sword!?
Has His Majesty abandoned Zhang Biao and his cohorts?
Indeed! His Majesty can indeed distinguish between what is important and what is not!
Governing the empire still relies on us!
Fu Youwen, Ru Chang, and Zheng Ci also exchanged a knowing glance at this moment.
The first step was successful!
After the court session adjourned, the Ministry of Personnel’s notice was quickly issued.
It was not a dismissal, but a suspension of duties pending an investigation.
The reason given was high-sounding:
【 Due to recent numerous impeachments, for the sake of fairness, duties are to be suspended. A decision will be made after the Ministry of Personnel and the Censorate jointly conduct a thorough investigation. 】
This single document instantly stripped Shen Lang and his four colleagues of their official positions and power!
When the news spread, various factions reacted differently.
Fu Youwen’s group celebrated.
Although they couldn’t immediately condemn the five to death, suspending them rendered them toothless tigers, allowing them to be manipulated as they pleased from then on.
Many neutral officials sighed inwardly, realizing that Fu Youwen and his associates were beginning their purge, and they became even more intimidated.
Some minor officials who had originally sympathized with Zhang Biao or had a favorable impression of Shen Lang’s five colleagues’ performance yesterday were even more disheartened.
Meanwhile, Shen Lang and his four colleagues were meeting to discuss their next steps when they received the notice from the Ministry of Personnel.
The news arrived like a bolt from the blue.
“They… how dare they?!”
Sun Gui slammed his hand on the table, trembling with rage: “Why are they suspending us?!”
“Because they are the Ministry of Personnel, which manages all official positions!”
Wu Nai Da’s expression was extremely grim: “Moreover, His Majesty has also given his word! To investigate according to regulations…”
Saying this, he gritted his teeth: “What a thorough investigation! This is clearly an attempt to trap us! Or, to let us self-destruct!”
“Alas!”
Li Mo sighed, his brow also furrowing:
“With our duties suspended, we can no longer use any official channels or access archives. All the leads we were halfway through investigating are now cut off.”
“Furthermore, without the protection of our official status, we will be ill-equipped to deal with any underhanded tactics they employ next.”
“Even His Majesty has abandoned us!”
Zhao Fengman said bitterly: “They are trying to force us into a dead end!”
Shen Lang looked at the document bearing the official seal of the Ministry of Personnel, his fingers trembling slightly, his face ashen.
He had always been the most afraid of losing his official position, as it meant losing protection and being at the mercy of others.
A tremendous fear seized him once more.
But this time, within the fear, an extreme sense of unwillingness and anger was furiously brewing.
He raised his head, looking at his four equally angry and worried companions, his voice trembling but remarkably firm:
“They are… afraid.”
“What?”
The other four suddenly looked at him.
“I said, Fu Youwen and the others are afraid of us.”
Shen Lang repeated, his gaze gradually sharpening:
“They dare not let Brother Biao speak, nor do they dare to let us investigate further! So, they are using this method to trap us, to eliminate us!”
“What does this indicate?”
Shen Lang’s voice gradually rose: “It indicates that the direction we are investigating is correct! It indicates that the filth under their bottoms is more abundant and more foul than we imagined!”
“The more they act like this, the more we cannot let them succeed!”
Upon hearing this, Li Mo’s eyes lit up: “Brother Shen is right! Suspending our duties merely means we cannot investigate openly!”
“That’s right!”
Sun Gui also realized, and said with a grim laugh: “If we can’t do it openly, we’ll do it in secret! I’ve been in the Ministry of War for so many years, I have a few friends from all walks of life!”
“Exactly!”
Wu Nai Da quickly calculated:
“The Ministry of Personnel has suspended our duties, but the connections we’ve established previously might still be useful. Moreover, we are now ‘commoners,’ which might make certain things more convenient…”
“Hahaha!”
Zhao Fengman threw his head back and laughed, rubbing his hands together:
“Perfect, I can focus on writing the small notes Brother Biao taught me. Although they’re not as good as impeachment memorials, I can have them copied and scattered all over the streets!”
Faced with desperation, the five individuals were not crushed but instead ignited with even greater fighting spirit and ferocity.
Just as Zhang Biao had taught them ‘high-altitude three-dimensional audits,’ if conditions are not met, one must create them; they couldn’t simply defeat themselves.
Once the overt channels were blocked, they would turn to underground methods, employing every possible means!
As the saying goes, open guns are easy to dodge, but hidden arrows are hard to guard against.
“Good! Let’s do it!”
The five extended their hands together, their drive growing stronger.
…
At the same time, in the depths of the Imperial Prison.
Jiang Huan’s figure appeared again. He did not mention the turmoil in the court or the suspension of Shen Lang and his colleagues, but coldly said to Zhang Biao: “Zhang Biao, why have you not submitted what His Majesty asked you to write?”
Zhang Biao was gnawing on pork ribs sent by Zhu Gao Sui, his mouth greasy, and mumbled in response: “What’s the rush? So many cases, don’t I need to conceive properly? If I miss someone or let someone off lightly, I won’t be satisfied.”
Jiang Huan’s eyes turned cold: “Don’t play tricks! His Majesty’s patience is limited!”
“What the hell are you talking about? Are you telling me how to do my job?”
Zhang Biao threw the bone at Jiang Huan’s feet and looked at him coldly:
“Don’t forget, I’m a death row inmate, I have no obligation to serve the court anymore!”
“If you’re not happy, you can execute me immediately. I’d be delighted!”
“Of course, if your attitude were better, perhaps I might drag a few more people down with me before I die!”
“However…”
Having said that, he changed his tone and said indifferently:
“It’s too cold in this Imperial Prison, my brain is frozen, I can’t write. Go tell Old Zhu to move me to a warmer place, provide me with paper and pen, and preferably some good wine and meat!”
“Once a person is full and satisfied, their mind works faster, and they might even recall other things…”
Jiang Huan looked at his rogue-like demeanor, his teeth itching with anger, yet he was helpless. He could only snort coldly: “This Commander will report to His Majesty!”
With that, he flicked his sleeve and left.
Zhang Biao watched his retreating back, his smile gradually fading, a flicker of contemplation in his eyes.
Although Jiang Huan hadn’t told him about Shen Lang and the others, he had his ‘takeout guy,’ so he already knew.
Old Zhu suspended Shen Lang and his colleagues?
Was this move a warning? Or was he going with the flow?
Those old foxes in Fu Youwen’s faction finally couldn’t help but attack the juniors?
Well… how would the little wolf cubs learn to forage for themselves if they weren’t pushed?
After all, it’s survival of the fittest.
They couldn’t follow him around frantically forever.
With that thought, Zhang Biao lay back down on the straw pile, crossed his legs, seemingly unfazed by the storms outside.
But in his heart, an even more insane and risky plan was slowly taking shape.
He knew that before he left, he had to throw another sufficiently large stone into this murky water!
And Shen Lang and his colleagues being suspended was a perfect opportunity…
“Stir it up, stir it up, let it all churn!”
“Let’s see how many weeds this raging fire will burn, or perhaps, who planted the weeds!”
“Heh!”
A slight smile tugged at the corner of Zhang Biao’s lips.
Seeing Li Jinglong in the adjacent cell and Zhu Gao Sui in the shadows, they trembled.
Brother Biao, Censor Zhang, is about to unleash a big move?!
…
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