Chapter 40 The First Morning Court Session of the New Year

"Emperor Wu brought his sister to court?" Han Xu asked with his eyes wide open. This was simply unbelievable.

Since ancient times, the harem did not interfere in politics, and even the queen had never appeared in the court. Why would Emperor Wu take the risk of the world's disapproval and bring Han Luoling to court.

"The news is absolutely true." Lin Feng said.

Han Xu fell silent. In the eyes of others, Han Luoling received the supreme favor of Emperor Wu, but in Han Xu's view, this favor was not a good thing.

While being favored by thousands of people, everyone will certainly be jealous.

Han Luoling's move to the court was equivalent to sending herself to the cusp of the storm.

What Han Xu couldn't figure out was whether this was Emperor Wu's intention or Han Luoling's own intention.

Judging from Emperor Wu's appearance that day, he was not a tyrant who was addicted to alcohol and sex. Han Xu still had this kind of vision.

Qing'er didn't say anything either. The higher Han Luoling's status, the more correct Wu Xiuxian's investment in Han Xu was, and the more difficult it would be for him to ask Han Xu for a return in the future.

Qing'er was a little worried.

Nichang had other plans. Once Han Luoling came to power, Xiaoxiang Pavilion would definitely give her a heavier task.

Thinking of this, Nichang felt a little conflicted. On the one hand, she was still loyal to Xiaoxiang Pavilion, and on the other hand, she was unwilling to betray or even hurt Han Xu.

Today's morning court was longer than ever before, because there were many political affairs that needed to be decided by Emperor Wu.

The six ministries in the court also had their own reports.

When Han Luoling appeared in the court, it really shocked everyone, and even some self-proclaimed upright old ministers were ready to risk their lives to make suggestions.

But in fact, Han Luoling just sat quietly in the corner for a while, and when the meeting began, she consciously left the court.

From beginning to end, Emperor Wu did not care about Han Luoling again. As usual, he was rigorous and serious when handling government affairs.

Although there were many things, most of them did not require Emperor Wu to think about them. The six ministries had already drafted proposals, and he only needed to nod.

After the trivial matters reported by the six ministries were dealt with, everyone knew that the highlight of the day was coming.

Qin Ling, the commander of the Tiance Army, was still kneeling outside the palace. He had not eaten, drunk, or slept for dozens of days. His originally strong body had become skinny and bone-covered.

He was waiting for Emperor Wu's judgment.

"Call Qin Ling into the palace." After Emperor Wu said this, two eunuchs went out. Not long after, Qin Ling was carried to the palace by four guards. Because he had been kneeling for too long, his legs had lost consciousness.

Seeing his appearance, many officials turned their heads away, some of them couldn't bear to look.

"Qin Ling, the guilty minister, pays homage to His Majesty." Qin Ling bowed to Emperor Wu with difficulty.

But facing his most loyal guard, Emperor Wu didn't have any pity in his eyes.

He said, "Qin Ling, how long have you been with me?"

"Fifty-three years, five months, and seven days." Qin Ling read out a number accurately without thinking.

All the senior officials knew that Qin Ling had been his personal guard when Emperor Wu was still a prince.

Over the years, he had gone through life and death, and had saved Emperor Wu from desperate situations several times. Moreover, Emperor Wu was not the crown prince before, and Qin Ling's succession to the throne was inseparable from his contribution.

Many people did not believe that Qin Ling would have second thoughts. The accident at the last wedding was at most the deputy commander being bribed by the queen. Qin Ling would never have participated, and he could not have known, otherwise the deputy commander would have disappeared long ago.

But Qin Ling's crime was that he did not know.

As the commander of the Tiance Army, he actually failed to notice.

Emperor Wu's eyes were cold. He stared at the veteran who had followed him for many years and said, "You were the person I could trust with life and death, but you let me down."

"I beg your majesty to grant me a death." Qin Ling said, his tone was resolute.

He had wanted to die, but before he died, he had to apologize to Emperor Wu.

"Please show mercy, your majesty!" At this time, an official came out to plead for Qin Ling.

With one person taking the lead, several more people came out. Although these people were not of high official rank, they were all pillars of the six ministries and upright people.

A loyal veteran who had made countless contributions should not be killed for this dereliction of duty. Although he was responsible, he was not guilty of death.

Suddenly, a strong momentum swept the hall, and the Emperor Wu stood up from the dragon chair and looked down at everyone.

"You, want to plead for him?" The voice of the Emperor Wu sounded like thunder, and everyone couldn't help but kneel on the ground.

As the king of the Great Wu Dynasty, the Emperor Wu's martial arts cultivation had already reached the pinnacle. He was one of the strongest masters in the world. Otherwise, how could he sit firmly on the throne of the king in this world where martial arts was established.

Many officials could not bear this strong pressure, their faces were pale and covered with cold sweat.

But there were still people kneeling to plead for Qin Ling.

"The old minister also asks your majesty for mercy!" The prime minister Si Nan, who was standing in the front, came out at this time and knelt down and said.

"Sinan, what do you want to say?" After Sinan stepped out, Emperor Wu withdrew his momentum and sat back on the dragon throne. Everyone felt relieved.

Many eyes were fixed on the prime minister who was the head of all officials. The queen, one of the protagonists of this incident, was his daughter.

Emperor Wu had not yet held the queen accountable, but that did not mean that it would be over. At this time, Sinan took the initiative to step out and plead for Qin Ling.

Those who were smart had already guessed that Sinan was preparing to attack as defense. Although there were some risks, there was no better way.

Sinan said in an orderly manner: "Your Majesty, this matter is all caused by my daughter, and has nothing to do with Commander Qin. I hope Your Majesty will investigate clearly."

"Investigate clearly? How to investigate clearly? Investigate how many people your Prime Minister's Office has planted around me?"

Sinan was so scared that he fell to the ground and said, "I dare not!"

"Dare not?" Emperor Wu said, "Then why did the Tiance Army enter the palace because of the Queen's words on the day of my wedding?"

"Your Majesty, the deputy commander on duty that day was once a student of the old minister, so he knew my daughter. It must be because of this reason, so when my daughter said that someone had offended the emperor, he led the crowd out in a hurry. "

"Your disciple?"

"Yes, but after he joined the Tiance Army, I had no contact with him."

"The Tiance Army has been screened many times, and there are still your disciples." Emperor Wu said coldly, "Then how do I know if there are any disciples of yours or other people in the Tiance Army?"

"Your Majesty, there are definitely not." Si Nan said.

"Whether there are, I will naturally check." Emperor Wu said, "Listen carefully, I will give you a chance. If there are still people who have planted people in the Tiance Army, withdraw them all within three days, and I can forgive them. If they are found by the Xuanyi Guards, they will be severely punished."

Hearing the three words Xuanyi Guards, all officials were shocked.

If the Tiance Army is one of the left and right arms of Emperor Wu, then the other is the Xuanyi Guards.

The Tiance Army and the Xuanyi Guard are one in the open and one in the dark. Both are directly under the Wu Emperor. The Tiance Army is responsible for protecting the safety of the Wu Emperor, while the Xuanyi Guard is responsible for monitoring the officials for the Wu Emperor.

The difference is that the people of the Tiance Army can enter through the assessment, while everyone in the Xuanyi Guard is personally selected by the Wu Emperor, and no one knows their identities.

It may be a street vendor or a lover who is lingering beside his pillow.

Their intelligence is reported directly to the Wu Emperor, and they can arrest anyone without permission and conduct secret interrogations.

Anyone who is targeted by the Xuanyi Guard means that you no longer have any secrets.

Emperor Wu glanced at the civil and military officials and continued, "As for the two of you."

"Qin Ling."

"I am the guilty minister."

"You will continue to sit in the position of the commander of the Tian Ce Army for the time being. After returning, you should reorganize your team. If there is a similar incident again, you will be beheaded."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your mercy."

"Sinan."

"I am here." Before Emperor Wu could speak, Sinan immediately said, "I request to resign from the position of prime minister. Please grant your majesty!"