jdhmnovel Chapter 119 The Fate of the Huo Family
Chapter 119 The Fate of the Huo Family
The Prime Minister's Mansion was under surveillance by people sent by the Emperor. Huo Kai, the commander of the patrol camp, quickly discovered something was wrong and hurried back to the mansion to call his father and two brothers to the study.
"Dad, I discovered that someone is monitoring the Prime Minister's Mansion, and they are all highly skilled in martial arts. There are only a handful of people in the capital who dare to monitor the Prime Minister's Mansion."
Prime Minister Huo's face was solemn. He sat at his desk, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "It seems that the emperor has become suspicious of me. We must come up with a plan to deal with it."
"Dad, what did you do wrong that made the emperor send someone to monitor you? Tell us!"
Prime Minister Huo paused for a moment, sighed deeply, and said, "Your Majesty, over the past three or four years, I have slowly taken back power and balanced the power of the major families, from the He family to the Xue family. The Xue family was defeated, and the Ye family rose. In the future, more families will rise."
"Father is unwilling to see the Emperor take his power back like this. It was Father who helped him ascend the throne, but now that he has grown stronger, he has turned his back on me. He can use others but forgets about me, his trusted minister."
"Father, you should understand the principle that the more meritorious you are, the more you will be able to surpass your master. Moreover, the Emperor has not treated the Huo family unfairly. The three of us brothers hold very important official positions. He has made my aunt the Empress Dowager, my eldest sister the Empress, and the Second Prince the Crown Prince. All the power and influence in Da Qi comes from the Huo family, and you are also very powerful. Why are you still not satisfied?"
"What on earth did you do to make the emperor send people to monitor our Huo family? Tell me! If you don't tell me, how can we discuss countermeasures?"
Prime Minister Huo paused for a long time before saying, "Dad was involved in both Prince Mu's injury and the war in Youzhou."
The three sons were shocked. They never thought that their most respected father would do such a thing.
The third son, Huo Kai, was furious and said, "Dad, Prince Mu is your own nephew, how could you have the heart to kill him? Don't you understand what a war between two countries means? How many innocent lives have been sacrificed, how many families have been torn apart, and how many people have died?"
"I have always looked up to you as my role model, but you actually committed such a despicable act of collaborating with the enemy and treason, killing the commander of Youzhou. I don't know what to say to you."
"You are already the Prime Minister, second only to the emperor and above everyone else. The Huo family of Daqi is already a symbol of the top family. What else do you want?"
Prime Minister Huo roared, "I just want justice, but the emperor is ungrateful and wants to destroy the bridge. I won't accept this, I won't accept this."
"Why are you unwilling? As a minister, you are already a powerful official in the entire court. If nothing unexpected happens, the future king of Da Qi will be your grandson. But now, because of your ambition, the crown prince has been exiled from the palace by the emperor for over a year and has not returned yet."
"Perhaps the Emperor has discovered your thoughts and, in order to dissuade you, he has expelled the Crown Prince from the palace, taking Jing'er and Shuang'er with him."
"I was just warning you, asking you to reflect on your actions, but you went ahead and did something even more outrageous. Do you want to sacrifice your entire family before you're satisfied?"
The eldest brother, Huo Chao, remained calm and said quickly, "Third brother, now that things have come to this, there's no point in blaming Dad. The most important thing is to think of a solution as soon as possible."
"Dad has caused such a big mess, let's think of some way to fix it."
The second son, Huo Chang, thought for a moment and said, "The Emperor's shadow guards have just escorted Qu Yi and Ma Ming back to the capital. They must not have explained everything yet. Otherwise, they wouldn't be here to monitor the Prime Minister's residence, but the Imperial Guards would be here with the Emperor's imperial decree to confiscate the property."
"The Prime Minister's Mansion is now under surveillance and is already in a passive position. It will be difficult to eliminate the two people in the prison."
"Second brother, your method won't work. Getting rid of them now would be silencing them. It would only anger the emperor and leave no room for the Huo family."
"What should I do?"
"Father, first send a reliable servant from the mansion to send the two younger generations of the Huo family away, so that the Huo family can have some blood. If you also go to the emperor and admit your mistakes in advance, you can buy a glimmer of hope for the Huo family. Otherwise, the entire Huo family will be exterminated!"
"Third brother, what's the difference between this and waiting to die?"
"Father, a conflict between us and the Emperor would be like hitting a rock with an egg. Retreating in order to advance is the right path. The Emperor will show leniency in consideration of your hard work and the Empress Dowager's kindness."
"Otherwise, by the time the Emperor has all the evidence before you, it will be too late. Think about it yourself!"
Prime Minister Huo stood up, walked to the window, looked at the scenery outside, and sighed in his heart.
He knew that this crisis was of great importance. If it was not handled properly, the Huo family would face a devastating disaster.
The eldest brother, Huo Chao, also quickly echoed, "Dad, don't even think about resisting. How many men and horses do you have to contend with the Emperor's million-strong army?"
"We can't leave the capital if we make any noise now. Don't rush into a flame and commit suicide."
The second son, Huo Chang, quickly asked, "Brother, is there no other good idea?"
"As long as Dad goes to the Emperor and admits his mistakes, gives up his power, and the entire Huo family's honor and medals, at best he will be demoted to a commoner, at worst he will be exiled. This is much better than having the whole family beheaded."
"Father, I think what Big Brother said is feasible. After all, the Emperor is wary of the power you hold. As long as you have no power and influence, and the Empress Dowager is there to plead for you, the Emperor will definitely show leniency."
Huo Cheng had been an official for his entire life, so how could he be willing to give up his power suddenly? However, when he saw the expectant look in his third son's eyes, he hesitated. After all, life and death depended on his own decision.
Prime Minister Huo was silent for a long time. "Let me think about it. You guys go back! Don't make any moves and wait for my decision."
"Dad, please think carefully. You must make a decision at court tomorrow morning. The lives of dozens of our family members depend on your decision."
He nodded helplessly. "I know what's going on. You guys go back!"
The three brothers walked out of the study with heavy hearts, "Brother, what choice do you think Dad will make?"
"He has been vying for power in the court for many years. It will definitely take time and determination for him to suddenly give it all up."
"The Emperor will definitely send people to interrogate Qu Yi and Ma Ming strictly. We don't know how long they can hold out. If the Emperor gets the evidence in advance, it will be too late."
"That being said, it will only work if Dad figures it out. Otherwise, it's useless for anyone to force him. After all, this matter is beyond your and my control."
"Go talk to Madam and ask her to persuade Dad. Only Madam's words can shake Dad's mind."
"Okay. I'll go find mother now, hoping she can change father's mind. Second brother, send someone to quietly send Xi'er and Yun'er back to the mansion through the back door. I hope they're safe and sound. Once our family is safely through this difficult time, we'll go pick them up."
"I see."
At the back door, the two youngest grandsons of the Huo family were hidden in a bucket of泔水 (swill) cart and were being escorted out of the house.
The eldest brother quickly walked out of the main courtyard of Prime Minister Huo and Madam Huo.
Prime Minister Huo tossed and turned at night, unable to fall asleep.
Mrs. Huo asked quickly: "Master, I haven't seen you so anxious and uneasy in all these years. Did something happen?"
Prime Minister Huo sighed, "Madam, what would you do if I had nothing?"
"What can I do? Marry a chicken, follow the chicken; marry a dog, follow the dog. I've been married to you for over thirty years. I've experienced both good and bad times. You carefully consider every decision you make. If you make a mistake and it affects the entire family, I accept it. After all, everyone makes mistakes. As long as you make amends in time, the final outcome will be up to fate."
"Do you really think so?"
"We have been married for so many years, don't you know me well?"
Prime Minister Huo said excitedly: "I am so lucky to have you in my life. If I can get through this difficult time, the rest of my life will be all about you."
Mrs. Huo smiled as she listened to Prime Minister Huo's words. "Master, I believe you can get through this difficult time. Our Huo family's glory is gone, but being together as a family is more important than anything else, don't you agree?"
Prime Minister Huo and Mrs. Huo chatted for a very long time, from their youth to their old age, until the sky turned white.
It was already Yinshi, and the couple hadn't slept all night. "Master, let me change your clothes."
"it is good."
Mrs. Huo put on the court robes for Prime Minister Huo and praised him: "Master, you are still in high spirits in your court robes. I support you no matter what decision you make."
Prime Minister Huo patted Madam Huo's hand gently and said gratefully, "Thank you for your trust and support. I know what to do now."
Mrs. Huo walked out of the main courtyard with firm steps and reluctantly, looking at Prime Minister Huo who was leaving with a worried look on her face.