Chapter 548 Jiaojiao is JealousChapter 22: What Wrong Has Been Done

Zhaoxuanji's palace coup came simply and directly, leaving Li Chen with only one path to walk.

That is obedience.

If Li Chen refuses at this time, there is only one outcome.

30,000 imperial guards entered the capital city and placed the crown prince under house arrest.

In any dynasty, the most intense political struggle within the court boils down to the contest for military power.

After all, words can't kill a person, but a soldier's sword can.

Li Chen understood that Zhao Xuanji had many opportunities to completely control the most powerful military force in the capital region, the Imperial Guard, over the past ten years of holding power, especially during the last two years when the emperor was gradually becoming ill.

The atmosphere in the Xizheng Hall was so oppressive it felt like you could suffocate.

The entire hall was eerily silent, with not a single word spoken.

The air was still, but it felt heavy and oppressive. Like a hidden current beneath the surface of the sea, if one wasn't careful, it could turn into a raging storm that would shatter you to pieces.

This was also the first time Li Chen had directly confronted Zhao Xuanji, the most powerful figure in the court, since his transmigration.

He deeply felt the danger in political games, every step a hidden threat, terrifying and bloodless.

Bang.

A loud clap echoed through the room, shattering the silence.

Li Chen slammed his fist on the table, pointing at Zhao Xuanji and roared, "Presumptuous!"

"This palace was personally bestowed with the power of regency by the Emperor. You old men dare to say you'll take it back When did the territory of the Great Qin Empire become yours instead of the Li family's domain"

"You say this palace is cruel and bloodthirsty, very well, then I ask you."

"First, Wen Yuan Ge scholar Chen Huaizhi, charged at this palace in front of the emperor. When the Imperial Palace asked you about it, did you say he should be executed Is that true"

Zhao Xuanji frowned slightly and replied calmly, "That's true."

"Second, Chen Zhi, the head guard of Fengxi Palace, entered the East Palace without a hand seal from this palace. Should he be killed or not"

This time, before Zhao Xuanji could speak, Li Chen continued, "Thirdly, Wei Xian, the eunuch in charge of drafting documents in the Imperial Secretariat, managed the process of marking imperial edicts. He knew that the imperial edicts were not personally approved by the Emperor and that no one in the palace should interfere, but he still showed the edicts to the Ninth Prince and claimed that he was following your orders, Zhao Xuanji. Speaking of which, I have a question for you, Lord Zhao, is what the deceased Wei Xian said true"

Zhao Xuanji furrowed his brows even deeper. He said calmly, “That’s impossible. This old minister never issued such an order. Besides, as the chief eunuch, he is not under my command. How could this old minister possibly order him around”

In any circumstance, officials from the previous dynasty interfering in matters concerning the prince and involving imperial edicts is a grave crime. Zhao Xuanji certainly cannot be implicated in such affairs.

"Then, in that case, this Wei Xian wasn't unjustly killed by this palace" Li Chen pressed.

Zhao Xuanji's face gradually lost its balance, but he still said: "It's not unjust."

"Very good."

Li Chen laughed heartily, with an air of confidence and vigor: "As for Qian Han, this palace caught him red-handed with bribes from merchants worth hundreds of thousands of taels on the street. Such a huge sum! This palace will execute both the giver and the receiver of bribes. The people would cheer such justice; what's wrong with that"

Sentence after sentence of questions, each one a sharp rebuke, echoed like thunder. All those present save Zhao Xuanji remained impassive.

No one expected this; even though it was they who had come to force the emperor's abdication, they were now being countered by the prince.

This well-reasoned and irrefutable argument allowed them to speak with conviction, pleading for the people's interests. They effectively carried out a palace coup.

This is the last thing they want to see.

After all, the sky of the great Qin Empire still belongs to the Li family.

As long as the Li family remains powerful and hasn't reached a point where they are universally despised and facing retribution from heaven and earth, no one would dare openly challenge them. Otherwise, this wouldn't be a matter of political maneuvering but outright rebellion.

"This palace knows you're still unsatisfied, and this palace has long been prepared. Three treasures, bring up all the heads this palace has killed these days, and all the houses this palace has raided, everything!"s officials from the Six Ministries, Guozijian, Hanlin Academy, Tongzheng Si, Six Departments, Ducha Yuan, and the Cabinet."Every department in the central government has a share."You all are here to...