20demayo Chapter 408: An ancient story!
Chapter 408: An ancient story!
After Li Ye left, the second brother looked at the contents of the note and felt very hesitant.
Just now Li Ye said that Emperor Wen did not want to kill him. Whether it was true or not, at least it was so on the surface. It seemed that his good elder brother was very worried about how to deal with him and his mother.
On the one hand, he had to maintain his dignity as the new monarch, and on the other hand, he had to show his magnanimity and respect for etiquette to the outside world!
Regardless of whether it is true or false, he has a chance to survive. As for whether he can survive, it depends on tomorrow's court meeting!
Although he was prepared to die, it didn't mean he wanted to die. How could he refuse if there was a chance to survive?
He endured the long day with this worry until someone came the next day.
……
At the first court meeting of the new dynasty, Emperor Wen walked up to the Danbi with a hint of excitement. Looking at the majestic throne, even though he had sat on it yesterday, he still felt it was not enough.
He sat on the dragon throne, and after the ministers paid their respects, he looked at them silently.
Not surprisingly, Wei Xuan stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I, Wei Xuan, am here to report. Your Majesty has ascended the throne, ruling the world! Your grace is bestowed upon the four seas, and a general amnesty has been granted. This is a testament to Your Majesty's undeniable benevolence, and the people are in awe..."
"We in Great Xia have a wise and benevolent ruler. This is the world's good fortune!"
As he spoke, he held up a memorial and said, "This is the detailed amnesty proposal drafted by the cabinet, and I am about to submit it to Your Majesty!"
"Oh?"
Emperor Wen's eyes flashed with a smile. He instantly understood Wei Xuan's thoughts and said with a smile, "Since it was drafted by the cabinet, it must have been carefully considered. Why does it still require my approval?"
"His Majesty!"
Wei Xuan said sincerely, "Thunderbolts and raindrops are all grace from the Emperor. Your Majesty is bestowing favors upon the world, so naturally I must ask Your Majesty to know! However, there is one matter that I have pondered for a long time, but I do not know whether it should be included in the amnesty list!"
As soon as Wei Xuan opened his mouth, the ministers immediately knew what he meant!
Emperor Wen said silently: "I know about the King of Wu's affairs! But..."
He sighed softly and said, "But treason is a serious crime. If we don't punish him, it will be a loss of dignity for the court. But if we punish him... The King of Wu is a beloved friend, a brother! I can't bear it..."
"I, this is difficult!"
Emperor Wen sighed heavily, his embarrassment evident in his words.
"His Majesty!"
Li Ye stood up and said, "Your Majesty, as the saying goes, Heaven is merciful. Your Majesty has just ascended the throne. If you were to stain your hands with the blood of your brothers at this time, it would damage your Majesty's virtue. However, the serious crime of treason cannot be tolerated..."
"Therefore, I think it would be better to summon the King of Wu to the palace and give him a chance to decide whether to punish him or pardon him... Perhaps after meeting him, everything will be settled!"
After hearing this, Emperor Wen was silent for a long time, as if he was really thinking about it.
After a long pause, he spoke, "Well, whatever! The King of Wu and I are brothers after all. The late emperor's body is still warm, so how could I bear to do this? I'll just listen to the Duke of England and give him a chance!"
"Come on! Tell King Wu!"
The eunuch immediately took two small steps forward and shouted to the outside of the hall: "Your Majesty has ordered... Prince Wu to come to the palace!"
"pass……"
The voices were passed down layer by layer, and soon, the soldier brought the second brother into the hall.
Looking at the second brother, who was wearing a lining and looked a little shabby, Emperor Wen seemed to feel sorry for his brother. He hurriedly stood up and couldn't help but shouting, "Second brother..."
The second son knelt calmly and said, "Your Majesty, I, your humble servant, kowtow to you! Your Majesty has ascended the throne. I, a guilty servant, dare not come to congratulate you, fearing that I may tarnish your majesty's dignity. I beg Your Majesty to forgive me!"
"Second brother..."
Emperor Wen shouted, then sighed softly, and said with some heartache: "You and I are brothers, how can I bear to kill you..."
"Ugh!"
"It's just the crime of treason..."
"If it were just me... for the sake of brotherly love, then it would be fine to pretend this never happened! However, before the late emperor's body is even cold, you and I, brothers..."
"Ugh!"
Emperor Wen raised his head at a 45-degree angle, as if he didn't want his ministers to see the tears in his eyes.
The second brother naturally knew that it was his boss who was acting, but in order to survive, he had to cooperate at this time.
"Your Majesty is benevolent! I, a guilty subject, feel ashamed! It's just that my uncle is plotting a rebellion, and this matter..."
He lowered his head to the ground with an indescribable look on his face. Seeing this, Emperor Wen knew that it was about to begin.
He said sternly, "King Wu, I'll ask you one last time. Were you secretly plotting the Yin family's rebellion?"
"Your Majesty, I am innocent!"
The second son raised his head and said, "Not only I, your humble servant, but even your mother was kept in the dark about this matter! If your humble servant truly harbored rebellious intentions, how could he have followed Your Majesty by his side?"
"Well!"
Emperor Wen nodded slightly: "What the King of Wu said does make some sense. Even I don't believe that the King of Wu has any intention of rebellion!"
Upon hearing this, the second brother felt slightly relieved. Although he didn't know how sincere Emperor Wen's words were, he knew that since he had spoken, he could not go back on his word. He still had a chance to survive!
Then he kowtowed again and said, "Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful!"
"Ugh!"
Emperor Wen sighed, "Brotherhood and national law cannot be confused! Although I am willing to trust my brother, there is no evidence to prove your innocence in this matter. I..."
"His Majesty!"
Wei Xuan suddenly said, "Although there is no evidence to prove the King of Wu's innocence, it also cannot prove his guilt!"
"If we look solely at the motive, the Yin family's rebellion... and the greatest beneficiary is certainly the King of Wu. However, while the Yin family is a royal family, they belong to two separate families from the royal family! The purpose of the Yin family's rebellion is truly difficult to determine!"
"Since Your Majesty is mindful of our brotherly love, why not find a different method to deal with this matter? This will firstly give an explanation to the world, and secondly, it will also preserve the dignity of the court!"
As soon as Wei Xuan said this, people in the court immediately started discussing it.
Frankly speaking, not many people want the second son to die. After all, his power has been cut off. There is really no need to force the emperor to kill his brothers at this time!
Even if the King of Wu really had a way to seek death, and killed his brother and mother after ascending the throne... such a reputation will never be good!
The quick-witted court officials stepped forward one after another and said, "Your Majesty, we believe that what the Prime Minister said is reasonable. Please approve it!"
"Your Majesty, please grant my permission!"
"..."
Emperor Wen looked at his ministers, seemingly feeling somewhat embarrassed. However, upon seeing the Second Prince kneeling respectfully in the middle of the hall, he still said, "Well..."
He said with a cold gaze, "King Wu, I can forgive you for the sake of our brotherly love, but starting a war during a period of national mourning and disturbing the spirit of the late emperor... is wrong!"
"My ministers have advised against this matter, and what you say is not without reason. So... I will give you a chance!"
"You have always had a refined taste. The late emperor once praised you for your love of reading poetry and literature. I imagine your literary talent must be extraordinary! Let's put it this way..."