Looking at Tai'an from the full moon

Chapter 310 Resigning from old age and returning home

"Your Highness Prince Yun has won a victory!"

"Hey~ Have you heard that His Royal Highness Prince Yun led his Shura Army to defeat the Cangyan Kingdom with zero casualties? It's amazing!"

"That's His Royal Highness Prince Yun, of course he returned victorious!"

"Tai'an can leave anyone, but not His Royal Highness Prince Yun~"

"Hey! Don't say that!"

"Look at my mouth. I just slipped up."

"..."

On the streets of Tai'an City, the people cheered and celebrated. In the palace, Xiao Zuoming's face was extremely dark. A man in casual clothes was kneeling on the ground and trembling.

"Tai'an can leave anyone, but not King Yun? Is that what he said?"

Xiao Zuoming sat in a wheelchair with the attitude of a superior, but at this moment his expression was a fake smile.

"This...I think I heard it wrong..."

"Oh, did you hear it wrong? How could you have heard it wrong? I had heard this before you came back!"

Xiao Zuoming held his chin with one hand, his elbow resting on the dragon chair, his eyes half-closed, and no one knew what he was thinking about. Until the person on the ground spoke again.

"Your Majesty, I have something to say but I don't know if it's appropriate or not."

Xiao Zuoming looked at him with a look that seemed to determine the life and death of an ant, and it took him a long time before he spoke coldly.

"explain."

Xiao Zuoming wanted to hear what useful things he could say.

"Your Majesty, Prince Yun has taken advantage of the late emperor's love for him to raise troops privately. Although he is now leading the Shura Army to defend the country, there is no guarantee that he will not have evil thoughts in the future. We should not leave him alone!"

"Oh?"

These words instantly aroused Xiao Zuoming's interest.

"Then according to your opinion, what should I do?"

The man on the ground saw that the emperor was interested in what he said, and his eyes were shining. He knelt on the ground and moved a few steps in the direction of Xiao Zuoming, speaking loudly.

"In my opinion, the prince should be prohibited from raising troops privately, and the number of guards should be limited. The Shura Army has made great contributions this time, and the emperor can incorporate them into the army and let them continue to serve the country!"

Xiao Zuoming's fingers were tapping the dragon throne quickly one by one, and at this time, Eunuch Fu came in from outside. As soon as he opened the door and before he could greet the emperor, Xiao Zuoming suddenly changed his face, grabbed the teacup beside him and smashed it to the ground, and yelled at him.

"How dare you! Prince Yun has made great contributions to the country, and the Shura Army has made great contributions to the country. How can you speak nonsense and slander the prince here! Come here, drag him out and beat him to death! To serve as a warning to others!"

The people on the ground were stunned for a moment.

"Your Majesty, no! Your Majesty! It wasn't you who asked—"

Before the man could finish his words, he was dragged out by the guards who rushed in from outside the palace. Eunuch Fu, who was standing by, quickly stepped aside, fearing that he would be hit by the guards. When he reached the front of the palace, Eunuch Fu looked at the emperor cautiously and asked tentatively.

"Your Majesty, what are you doing..."

Xiao Zuoming waved his hand as if he was tired.

"Nothing, just a talkative person."

When Eunuch Fu saw that the emperor stopped talking, he didn't dare to speak anymore.

However, the news spread quickly. Before the morning court the next day, the ministers were all discussing that the emperor had ordered the execution of a small commander last night. No one knew the specific reason, but they only knew that it was related to Prince Yun.

"Still discussing? I can hear your discussion from far away!"

Accompanied by Eunuch Fu, Xiao Zuoming entered the room and sat on the dragon throne. He was now completely different from the person he was when he first ascended the throne. At this moment, Xiao Zuoming's serious expression and the majesty that began to emerge from his body made the ministers below shut up obediently.

"Come on, someone tell me what you were talking about just now?"

Everyone looked at each other in silence.

"No one said it? Then I will say it~

A guard leader who was dragged out of the hall yesterday was beaten to death with clubs. I'm sure you've heard about it~

Some time ago, the Cangyan Kingdom raised an army to invade, and Prince Yun was ordered to go to the border canyon to fight the enemy. As a result, the enemy suddenly attacked Wangyan City from Miaojiang. Prince Yun knew about it in advance, so he secretly dispatched troops to sneak back to Wangyan City and finally won a great victory. I believe you all know about this matter~"

The ministers just nodded after hearing this, but did not dare to say anything more.

Seeing their submissive looks, Xiao Zuoming felt very upset. He clapped the faucet handle with his big hand and couldn't stop smiling.

"Okay! Now that you all know these two things, it's much easier to explain.

Prince Yun has made contributions in defending the country this time. Although he did not report the battle of Wangyan City in time and secretly dispatched troops there, this achievement is real. But some people secretly said that Prince Yun’s achievements are now so great that he no longer takes me seriously, so he secretly dispatched troops and concealed it. I also executed those who talked about it for the sake of Prince Yun’s reputation. After all, those who slander the royal family in private are guilty of capital punishment! "

Xiao Zuoming's words were sonorous and powerful, and some of the ministers bowed their heads and kept silent, thinking that the emperor was really angry. Others knew that Xiao Zuoming was acting for these people, so they smiled and said nothing.

"Grandmaster, Grand Protector, what do you think about this matter?"

Xiao Zuoming was quite respectful to Taifu Baili and Taibao Wei. After all, they were veterans of three dynasties and all officials followed them.

Master Baili and Guardian Wei only looked at each other and understood each other's thoughts. Master Baili walked to the middle of the hall, saluted to Xiao Zuoming, and said.

"Your Majesty, the royal dignity cannot be violated. Now that this person has been dealt with, this matter has been explained to Prince Yun. I believe no one dares to discuss this matter anymore."

"Oh?"

Xiao Zuoming tapped the handle of the dragon throne with his five fingers in turn, seeming to be somewhat dissatisfied with what Master Baili said.

"You mean you have explained to King Yun... Then, who has explained to me!?"

Xiao Zuoming's words made the Grand Tutor and the others pause. The Emperor was asking them to take sides.

The ministers who had supported Xiao Zuoming from the beginning now looked like they were watching a good show. Some even walked out when they saw that the Grand Tutor and the others were silent.

"Your Majesty, I think Prince Yun is not entirely innocent in this matter. As a prince, it is my duty to share Your Majesty's worries. I should not be proud of my achievements, and I should not conceal anything when something happens!

Although Prince Yun won this battle, this is only one merit. He secretly stationed thousands of troops and concealed the situation on the battlefield, which is a second fault. One merit cannot make up for two faults. Please punish Prince Yun, Your Majesty!"

One person spoke, and a row of people followed suit.

"I hope the Emperor will punish Prince Yun!"

Xiao Zuoming raised his eyebrows slightly when he saw the people standing in a row below. The Grand Tutor and the Grand Guardian also understood that this was the effect the Emperor wanted.

"Taifu, Taibao, what do you think..."

Xiao Zuoming spoke again and put the words to their lips. After all, as long as they nodded, no one dared to say anything to Xiao Zuoming.

"Ah, Your Majesty, you said that I am old and I can't give you any useful ideas."

Master Baili laughed it off politely, but he knew that Xiao Zuoming would not let him off so easily. Putting away the fake smile on his face, Master Baili stepped forward again.

"Your Majesty, I was the top scholar at the age of 18 and entered the government. I have been in this court for forty years now. I am old and useless now, and I cannot occupy the position forever and cause trouble for others, right?"

"Taifu means..."

"Old minister, I request to resign and return home!"

After Master Baili finished speaking, he knelt on the ground and kowtowed heavily.

"this!"

Xiao Zuoming just wanted to force them, but he didn't expect that Master Baili would rather die than obey.

Seeing this, Wei Taibao, who was standing by, also came out and knelt beside the Taifu.

"I am old now and have little contribution to the court. I also request to retire and return home!"

After Wei Taibao finished speaking, he looked at Baili Taifu again. They both took off their official hats and put them on the ground, then kowtowed together.

"Eh? You two..."

Before Xiao Zuoming could say anything else, the two of them stood up and saluted.

"The grassroots resign!"

Then he left the hall directly.

Xiao Zuoming sat there with a confused look on his face. He wanted to stay, but he couldn't take the initiative to ask, right? Thinking of this, Xiao Zuoming simply waved his hand.

"Retreat!"

"Huh? This..."

"Are you going to leave court now?"

"Then the sin of King Yun..."

Now it was everyone's turn to stare at each other.