AMLFS Chapter 61

Chapter 61: Honest Advice is Harsh to the Ear

Chapter 61: Honest Advice is Harsh to the Ear

Song Zigen, as the Minister of Personnel, was in charge of matters such as the appointment, assessment, promotion, and demotion of officials in the court.

However, this position of Minister was merely a title; the real power in his hands had long been hollowed out.

These days, the atmosphere in the court was turbid.

As long as one pleased either the Crown Prince or the Chancellor, even a good-for-nothing could use ten thousand taels of gold to obtain an official position.

What’s more, both sides were wary of each other’s power. If they were just ordinary good-for-nothings, they wouldn’t pay attention. But if other forces that broke the balance of power joined in, the two sides would start fighting.

Wanting to get any official position in the court was simply a matter of these two forces moving their lips. Similarly, dragging someone down from their position was effortless.

How could it be Song Zigen’s turn to intervene?

Seeing this scene, Song Zigen felt even more indignant. Several times he recommended aspiring individuals to the emperor, hoping that new people could restrain the power of the court.

Unfortunately, all ended in failure, and he didn’t even get to see the emperor’s face.

This time was the same. Minister Song was known for his integrity and uprightness. Seeing the corruption in the court, he felt stifled and determined to do something to change the status quo.

Therefore, he constantly advised the emperor.

He implored the emperor to punish corrupt and incompetent treacherous officials, open up avenues, and appoint aspiring individuals from all over the country.

Unexpectedly, the memorial was intercepted before it even reached the emperor’s hands.

Minister Song was already living in the cracks between the two forces. This time, touching upon both sides’ interests made it even more difficult for him to move forward in the court.

On this day, Zhao Fangye claimed illness and did not attend court, giving the Crown Prince’s party another handle.

The emperor looked at the empty seat and felt somewhat relieved.

“Why is Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district absent from court?”

“Your Majesty, Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district said he caught a cold and is recuperating in his mansion.”

The Censor-in-Chief heard this, narrowed his long and sinister eyes, and stepped forward.

He bowed to the emperor and reported, “Your Majesty, Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district is ill? But this humble servant clearly saw Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district’s carriage speeding on the street, frightening many common people. Truly worthy of being called the Jade-faced Rakshasa; even when sick, he is still so imposing!”

As soon as these words came out, various discussions arose in the court.

The emperor’s originally relieved expression also darkened, “Is what you say true, esteemed minister?”

“Your Majesty, this humble servant saw it with his own eyes. Galloping on Chang’an Street. Who doesn’t recognize the luxurious carriage of the Ning Wang Mansion?” The Censor-in-Chief said with certainty.

That day, Zhao Fangye took Song Huaixi back to the mansion. They did indeed take Chang’an Street, and the carriage was fast but did not disturb pedestrians. He never thought this matter would also become a handle to impeach him.

A minister from the Crown Prince’s party immediately jumped out to fan the flames.

“Your Majesty! Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district’s recent actions have been presumptuous more than once. He has no respect for Your Majesty, and Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district has a large number of troops in his northwestern fiefdom. Could this behavior mean that he has long harbored rebellious intentions towards Your Majesty?”

“Your Majesty does not know, that Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district relies on the battles in the Northwest. The common people are spreading his fame everywhere. Saying that only with Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district’s protection can the people have peace. It’s outrageous! His Majesty is the wise ruler who protects the world.”

As soon as these words came out, the entire court was in an uproar.

The emperor’s face immediately darkened, with a hint of anger on his face. He had always disliked Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district, letting him go to the Northwest was just out of sight, out of mind. But he did not expect it to strengthen his power instead. There was a faint trend of rebellion.

Seeing that his face was not good, the Chancellor knew that the emperor had been hit where it hurt.

In the beginning, he valued the emperor’s lack of ambition and indecisiveness. That’s why he supported him to the throne, making him an easy-to-control chess piece in his hand.

Unexpectedly, that unfilial daughter not only failed to control the emperor well but also pushed the emperor to Noble Consort Xiao. In just a few years, he was momentarily careless and allowed Xiao Taiwei to reach the point where he could now contend with him.

Before the Chancellor’s people could think of a rebuttal, someone stood out from the crowd.

Everyone’s eyes focused on Song Zigen, who had always been inconspicuous in the court.

Unexpectedly, he stepped forward at this moment.

Song Zigen cupped his hands towards the emperor and reported, “Your Majesty, Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district’s pacification of the Northwest war was a great achievement. Galloping on the street must have been for a reason. He would never have the intention of disrespecting Your Majesty as the Censor-in-Chief said. Please, Your Majesty, be discerning and do not listen to one-sided words.”

Hearing his words, the emperor’s face did not soften in the slightest, obviously not accepting his explanation. After all, Zhao Fangye’s military power was a thorn in his side.

Any slight disturbance could deepen his suspicion of Zhao Fangye.

Before the emperor could speak.

The Censor-in-Chief sneered, “Minister Song, you usually do not report to the court. It is rare to see you defending Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district so much today. Could it be that you started to protect Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district as soon as you became Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district’s father-in-law?”

Seeing that he was so unreasonable, deliberately distorting the facts and causing the emperor to be suspicious.

Song Zigen immediately knelt down and said in a loud voice, “Your Majesty! This minister has no such intention. This minister is only advising Your Majesty not to listen to slanderous words without knowing the whole picture. Please, Your Majesty, be discerning.”

The Censor-in-Chief did not let him go and continued, “So anxious to prove your innocence, I’m afraid Minister Song has been hit where it hurts, right? I heard that recently Minister Song has been lobbying in front of many ministers to send some aspiring individuals to the court.”

“Why didn’t I see you plan in the past, but now you are so active. Could it be that you are creating momentum for Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district and want to…”

The Censor-in-Chief did not finish, but the implied meaning was obvious enough.

Hearing the Censor-in-Chief’s words, the emperor looked at Song Zigen with more suspicion in his eyes.

Song Zigen’s beard was trembling with anger, but he was not good at arguing, his character was refined and upright, and he could not learn that set of twists and turns.

He was clearly devoted, but he was slandered like this, pointing at the Censor-in-Chief and said, “I just can’t bear to see the court being controlled by treacherous officials like you, blinding the sage’s heart and causing chaos in the court. Resulting in loyal and righteous people being suppressed!”

After speaking, Song Zigen turned to the emperor and said earnestly, “Your Majesty! Currently, treacherous villains are all over the court, doing evil, causing the laws to be abolished, and the country is in danger! If this continues, there will be no peace in the country, and the people will have no way to live, Your Majesty!”

Song Zigen knelt on the ground, and his loyal words were sonorous and powerful.

The Censor-in-Chief immediately put on a hat, “Presumptuous! We are all sharing the worries for Your Majesty, Song Zigen, are you slandering the Holy One for not distinguishing between right and wrong?!”

The emperor sat on the dragon chair, his face already stormy, “Minister Song, do you mean that I amIncompetent and unable to distinguish between loyalty and treachery, which is why the country is in danger and there is no peace in the country?”

As soon as these words came out, a triumphant smile appeared on the Censor-in-Chief’s face. Of course, he knew that what the emperor hated most was being controlled by others.

If it weren’t for resisting the Chancellor, the emperor would not have let the Xiao family’s power grow.

And this was also the emperor’s untouchable reverse scale. Today, in front of everyone, Song Zigen indignantly revealed it.

The emperor was naturally furious.

The ministers immediately knelt on the ground, everyone knew that the current sage’s power had been slowly hollowed out. Pretending to say, “Your Majesty, calm your anger.”

The emperor’s forehead bulged with veins, his face was gloomy, and he raised his hand, “Come on, drag this rebellious person down and beat him with twenty big boards, the ministers will watch the punishment.”

Minister Song knelt in the hall, and the light in his eyes gradually dissipated as he listened to the emperor’s words. He originally thought that he could persuade the emperor to rectify the atmosphere by speaking frankly. But he did not expect such a result.

He smiled sarcastically, he should not have had hope for the emperor. A loyal heart was completely annihilated at this moment.

The guards quickly stepped forward and dragged Minister Song out. Minister Song remained motionless and let the guards drag him out for execution.

The sound of the board rang out one after another, and the ministers watching the punishment had playful smiles in their eyes, as if mocking his overestimation.

Song Zigen clearly saw the contempt and smugness on their faces.

His fists clenched tightly, his heart was filled with grief and anger, and a sincere heart was gradually covered by the smiles on these people’s faces and gradually frozen.

A sense of unwillingness, resentment, and nowhere to vent the anger accumulated in his heart. He did not understand how the world could become like this. Song Zigen’s full of sincerity turned into blood that gushed out of his mouth, and he fainted.

Zhao Fangye learned of everything, and a dark look flashed in his eyes. Such a loyal person like Song Zigen.

His mind is the most stubborn, his faith is broken, and he is publicly humiliated. The combination of the two is nothing more than a mental illness.

To the dark guard next to him, Zhao Fangye tapped the table with his fingers and said in a low voice, “Go and invite Mr. Ouyang to the Shangshu Mansion for a chat.”