20demayo Chapter 297: Death as a Warning
Chapter 297: Death as a Warning
Chen Guo.
There was still singing and dancing in the palace.
The Hu girl from the Western Regions is graceful and charming.
The sound of stringed instruments, accompanied by fine wine and beautiful women, is quite intoxicating.
The aged Emperor Chen was still indulging in wine and women and did not care about state affairs.
Now the court of the Chen Kingdom was facing internal and external troubles, and the people were living in misery. As the supreme ruler, Emperor Chen was only concerned with his final enjoyment and completely handed over the government affairs to his relative Liu Xiangguo.
The news of the defeat at the front had already reached the capital three days ago. Throughout the entire Jiankang city, even the bun vendors knew the news, but Emperor Chen was still kept in the dark.
The powerful ministers headed by Prime Minister Liu pretended to obey the orders but actually disobeyed them, deceiving their superiors and hiding the truth from their subordinates, which led to increasing corruption in the court.
Zhou Bolin, the Minister of War, felt a little powerless at the moment.
War reports from both inside and outside Chen State continued to reach his ears, but even as the Minister of War, he had no way to do anything.
Almost all military and political power was in the hands of Prime Minister Liu, and no one dared to raise any objection.
Today, Zhou Bailin put on his brocade and jade official uniform, explained all his affairs to his wife and children, and headed towards the Queen without hesitation.
This time, he wanted to die as a warning to the emperor, so that he could wake up completely, work hard to govern the country, and save the crumbling Chen Dynasty.
Although there was singing and dancing in the palace at this moment, in Zhou Bailin's opinion, there was a bit of depressing atmosphere.
He walked slowly with heavy steps to the front of the Palace of Rites and Music.
Soon, the guards in front of the palace gate stopped Zhou Bailin.
"Minister of War Zhou Bolin requests to see His Majesty. Please go and report."
Zhou Bailin's eyes were firm and his tone was deep.
The guard at the gate said grimly, "The emperor has ordered that no one is allowed to disturb us."
After hearing this, Zhou Bailin had no intention of backing off. Even if he died today, he would meet the emperor and tell him everything that happened in the court.
"I have an urgent matter to report. Please get out of the way."
Zhou Bolin's attitude was extremely tough.
"No matter what your urgent matter is, no one is allowed to enter without the emperor's order."
The guards also refused to move aside.
But Zhou Bailin didn't care about that. He found an opportunity, forced open the palace door, and entered the Palace of Rites and Music.
The guards were startled and were about to grab Zhou Bailin, but the latter had already rushed into the palace.
"Go and tell Prime Minister Liu."
The guard whispered.
At this moment in the Palace of Rites and Music, Emperor Chen was listening to music and watching dance, holding a wine glass in his hand, looking drunk.
Zhou Bailin ignored the guards beside him and forced his way to the emperor, kneeling and saying, "Your Highness, I pay my respects to you, your Majesty!"
As soon as he finished kneeling, he was controlled by the guards.
"Zhou Bolin? You broke into the Palace of Rites and Music, do you know that you are guilty of the death penalty?"
Emperor Chen looked displeased, and felt a little angry at this minister who suddenly appeared.
Zhou Bailin struggled hard and said, "Your Majesty, I have something urgent to report. Please let me finish. I am willing to die as an apology!"
Emperor Chen did not speak, but slowly closed his eyes. After a moment, he said, "What's the urgent matter? Tell me..."
As he spoke, Emperor Chen looked drowsy.
Zhou Bailin broke free from the guards' control, knelt forward, and said, "Now our dynasty is facing internal and external troubles, and the empire is about to collapse. Your Majesty can no longer enjoy himself all day long! Please wake up, Your Majesty!"
Hearing this, Chen Di, who was still drowsy, immediately opened his eyes and glared at Zhou Bailin with an angry look.
"Zhou Bailin, you are so brave!"
At this time, the eunuch behind the emperor shouted loudly.
But Zhou Bailin was not afraid at all, and continued: "The Yan army is now attacking in a large scale and has captured Guangning City. If our army does not resist, I am afraid that the Yan army will march straight into the capital and threaten the capital. Please ask the emperor to order the front-line troops to withdraw to the defense of the capital and consolidate the defense truth."
In Zhou Bailin's opinion, now is the time to make a choice. Only by defending the capital can the Yan army be stopped.
It would be fine if the Yan army had made any movements, Zhou Bailin would still be able to judge the enemy's intentions, but now there has been no news since the Yan army entered Guangning City. No one in the Chen army knows where the main attack direction of the Yan army is.
Emperor Chen still stared at Zhou Bailin closely, his slightly drunk face becoming more serious. He thought for a moment and finally said, "We will discuss this matter after Prime Minister Liu arrives."
"Prime Minister Liu again?"
Zhou Bailin was filled with hatred.
No matter how big or small the affairs of the court were, the emperor had handed everything over to Prime Minister Liu.
Thinking back to the beginning, the emperor was not such a foolish and incompetent monarch, but since Concubine Liu came to favor, everything has changed quietly.
Capable ministers like Zhou Bailin, who were once highly trusted by the emperor, have now been marginalized and are lucky to be able to keep their lives.
But this time, Zhou Bailin no longer wanted to live on.
"Prime Minister Liu has great power in the government, deceives his superiors and subordinates, and persecutes loyal officials. The emperor cannot trust him anymore!"
Zhou Bailin shouted excitedly, trying to wake the emperor with words.
But at this moment, Emperor Chen was obviously in such a state that he was unable to think about these questions.
"Zhou Bailin! How dare you slander Prime Minister Liu in front of the emperor? Come, beat him up!"
The chief eunuch Wang Gonggong screamed at the side.
As soon as these words were spoken, the guards in the Palace of Rites and Music once again controlled Zhou Bailin.
Then I heard the eunuch Wang say, "Slap him on the mouth, so he dares to talk nonsense!"
The sound of applause resounded throughout the Palace of Rites and Music.
The guards slapped Zhou Bailin hard, but the latter showed no fear and did not even make a sound to beg for mercy.
A moment later, Zhou Bailin's mouth was already bleeding and he looked miserable.
"All right……"
It was at this time that Emperor Chen spoke up to stop the fight.
The guards below finally stopped.
Half of Zhou Bailin's face was already red and swollen, and bleeding, but he still forced himself to hold back his agreement without making any sound.
Eunuch Wang continued to speak up, "Your Majesty, Zhou Bailin was probably sent by the rebels to slander Prime Minister Liu. This traitor must not be let off. His entire clan should be killed to deter other traitors!"
Emperor Chen remained silent and stared at Zhou Bailin.
At this moment, the emperor's eyes seemed to have the majesty of the past.
Zhou Bailin raised his head and looked directly into the emperor's eyes. Even though he was in so much pain that he could hardly speak, he still forced himself to shout, "Your Majesty, please wake up. If you continue to indulge in pleasure, the State of Chen will be in danger! This time, the State of Yan is determined to destroy our Great Chen!"
"You, a traitor, are becoming more and more arrogant. You dare to speak so alarmist. Come, drag him out and execute him!"
Without waiting for the emperor's order, Eunuch Wang personally ordered Zhou Bailin to be dragged out.
"and many more……"
At this time, Emperor Chen spoke.
Seeing that Emperor Chen was moved, Zhou Bailin felt a little more hopeful.
"Is the Yan Kingdom about to attack the capital?"
Emperor Chen said in a low voice.
Zhou Bailin was about to answer, but at this moment, he heard someone shouting outside the palace.
"Prime Minister Liu is here!"