HCB Chapter 1007 Two Chief Officials Enter the Palace to Meet the Emperor
Chapter 1007 Two Chief Officials Enter the Palace to Meet the Emperor
Emperor Hongde's question was quite serious, and as the commander of the Imperial Guard, Dong Wen naturally answered it with even greater seriousness.
"Your Majesty, I dare not speak presumptuously!"
"This is indeed true. I personally went to confirm it after receiving the report!"
At this moment, Fu Yinglan, the Minister of Justice, also stepped out from the civil officials' ranks and reported to Emperor Hongde: "Your Majesty, the one who died suddenly last night was not only the former Vice Minister Zhang Jinyan in the imperial prison!"
"I received news early this morning that Wang, the wife of former Vice Minister Zhang Jinyan, along with her two legitimate daughters, Zhang Miaoying and Zhang Miaotong, as well as two concubines and two illegitimate sons, all of whom were imprisoned in the Shuntian Prefecture prison, died suddenly in the Shuntian Prefecture prison at midnight!"
"what?
What... what exactly is going on?
At the same time, a family died suddenly in two different prison cells... Is it really that coincidental?
Can the officials of the Imperial Prison and the Shuntian Prefecture government conduct a thorough investigation?
Did you find the results?
Emperor Hongde asked urgently.
Judging from Emperor Hongde's reaction, he seemed both shocked and furious, not at all like someone who knew beforehand!
At this moment, Xiao Jingyu stepped forward to present his memorial, "Your Majesty, as far as I know, the chief official in the imperial prison—Tan Wen of the Northern Garrison Command, and Zheng Tong, the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture—both rushed to the prison immediately after the incident, and the coroner conducted an examination. It seems that preliminary results have already been obtained."
Tan Wen, the commander of the Northern Garrison, and Zheng Tong, the prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, should be waiting for imperial orders outside the palace gates at this time.
If Father wishes to know the details of these two places, he may summon them to the palace for questioning!
Upon hearing this, Emperor Hongde immediately ordered, "Summon Zheng Tong, the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, and Tan Wen, the Commander of the Northern Garrison, to the palace for an audience!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
A young eunuch, responsible for delivering the message, left after receiving the decree.
During the time they waited for Tan Wen and Zheng Tong, Emperor Hongde did not speak again;
Since the emperor did not speak, the court officials below naturally remained silent as well, and the hall was unusually quiet.
Beneath the surface of silence, people's thoughts were churning wildly.
Upon hearing this news, almost all the civil and military officials in the Golden Hall immediately thought that this was clearly Prince Yi silencing them!
Everyone's thoughts are exactly the same!
As for whether their conjecture is the truth... there's absolutely no doubt about it!
However, whether the charge of murder to silence witnesses can ultimately fall on Prince Yi, Xiao Jingyi... depends on whether there is substantial evidence!
In other words: Did His Highness Prince Yi leave any obvious and definite evidence to cover up the murder?
Even if the whole world knew that the deaths of the Second Grand Secretary Zhang Jinyan's family were murdered by Prince Yi, Xiao Jingyi, to cover it up, it still wouldn't be enough to convict Prince Yi, Xiao Jingyi, because... there was no evidence!
Conviction requires evidence!
Moreover, His Highness Prince Yu is the current emperor's own nephew...
During this waiting time, some of the civil and military officials below stood there silently, like old monks in meditation, with their eyes downcast and mouths down.
Some whispered among themselves to their colleagues, discussing something amongst themselves.
Sitting on the dragon throne, Emperor Hongde was thinking about... the feast of magical weapons he had seen on the table after enjoying a roast duck dinner at the Duke of Anguo's mansion!
Yue'er said that she could find some time to show me the power of those weapons.
I really want to see it!
I really want to see it soon!
How about... tomorrow?
But... if I want to skip the morning court session tomorrow and leave the palace for a whole day... what reason can I come up with?
Emperor Hongde was sitting on his dragon throne, secretly thinking... pistols, rifles, sniper rifles, machine guns...
And that... oh... and grenades, landmines...
Emperor Hongde advised himself that he could not think about it any longer!
The more Hongde Emperor thought about it, the more it felt like a mischievous little hand was tickling him, making him incredibly itchy!
The treasures held by my precious daughter-in-law are vital instruments for the stability and prosperity of Jingyue Kingdom!
With Yue'er as our daughter-in-law, and with all the treasures she possesses, how could Jingyue not prosper? How could we fear being surrounded by wolves and tigers?
Fortunately, Emperor Hongde had honed the skill of keeping his emotions hidden from others since childhood; otherwise, if what he was thinking now were reflected on his face, his eyebrows would have curved and the corners of his mouth would have turned up!
Finally, a young eunuch's voice came from outside the hall, "Your Majesty, Prefect Zheng Tong of Shuntian Prefecture and Commander Tan Wen of the Northern Garrison are waiting outside the hall for an audience!"
"Xuan!"
Emperor Hongde only said one word.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Yu Feng, who was standing beside him, hurriedly bowed to receive the imperial decree, then turned and shouted loudly towards the palace entrance: "By imperial decree, Zheng Tong, Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, and Tan Wen, Commander of the Northern Garrison, are summoned to the palace to see the Emperor!"
"The minister obeys the order!"
"The minister obeys the order!"
Two loud responses came from outside the hall.
Soon, Zheng Tong, the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, and Tan Wen, the Commander of the Northern Garrison, appeared side by side at the palace gate.
The two men strode into the Golden Hall and knelt before the steps, bowing in reverence. "Your Majesty, I, Zheng Tong, Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture (Your Majesty, Tan Wen, Commander of the Northern Garrison), pay my respects! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
"The two beauties are equal!"
Emperor Hong De raised his hand to signal.
"My lord, thank you, Your Majesty!"
Prefect Zheng Tong of Shuntian Prefecture and Tan Wen of the Northern Garrison rose and stood respectfully.
"My two ministers, tell me the truth of what happened last night at once!"
Emperor Hongde gave the order.
"Yes, I obey your order!"
After exchanging a glance, Zheng Tong, the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, and Tan Wen, the Commander of the Northern Garrison, stepped forward and reported first.