Chapter 373 Demoted to Commoner

Emperor Xuan's face was ashen.

Ning Chen has been preparing to attack South Vietnam. It is ridiculous to say that he is colluding with the fourth prince of South Vietnam.

Ning Chen captured King Zuo Ting alive, captured Fuzhou, regained the border, and brokered peace talks with Wu State.

He invented muskets and artillery and worked hard to improve Daxuan's military strength.

What can a barbarian country like South Vietnam give Ning Chen?

Official position?

Ning Chen is now a marquis, a second-grade general, and the future consort.

money?

Can Nanyue be richer than Daxuan? Can the king of Nanyue give more rewards to Ning Chen than himself?

Unless Ning Chen has something wrong with his mind, he will go to collude with South Vietnam and destroy his own future.

These pig-like things, who can't even understand this, actually believe that Ning Chen is colluding with South Vietnam?

Emperor Xuan knew very well that most of those who criticized Ning Chen were seeking revenge for their own sake.

Because Ning Chen cheated their money.

But Ning Chen did not keep the money for himself, but kept it in his hands as military supplies to attack South Vietnam.

The most troublesome thing now is those secret letters... and the fact that Ning Chen secretly withheld supplies and enriched himself.

This bastard, didn’t I give him enough money?

According to Daxuan laws, this is a capital offense.

The key thing is that Ning Chen also got evidence.

However, Emperor Xuan was not mediocre. Who among the civil and military officials of this dynasty had not committed corruption?

Throughout the ages, corrupt officials have been purged... But when people have power, can they really stick to their hearts and control their own hands?

Therefore, as long as it is not too much, Emperor Xuan will usually choose to turn a blind eye.

If we have to care about the issue of corruption, if the civil and military officials of this dynasty kill every other person, no one will be unjustly punished, and on the contrary, there will be fish that slip through the net.

But the trouble now is that Ning Chen's matter has been brought to light.

Emperor Xuan said coldly: "Fan Aiqing, it would be too arbitrary to say that Ning Chen collaborated with the enemy and treason based on these few letters."

"Ning Chen is corrupt, and he has admitted it himself, but considering that he has made great contributions to Daxuan, I feel that the crime is not worthy of death, and the punishment is enough!"

"As for the accusation that he collaborated with the enemy and treason, I will send people to investigate to the end. If he really collaborated with the enemy, I will definitely kill him without mercy."

"This is a big matter. This matter cannot be investigated in a short while. Let's stop here today...dismissal!"

Fan Taihe shouted: "Your Majesty... this matter cannot be delayed."

Emperor Xuan was furious: "Why, do you insist on putting Ning Chen to death?"

Fan Taihe shouted: "Your Majesty, I am the emperor's salary, and I should share your majesty's worries... I am the censor, and I have the responsibility of supervising all officials and guarding the laws of Daxuan."

"Ning Chen's crime is unforgivable. Can't I just pretend that nothing happened just because the Marquis has a noble status and is favored by His Majesty?"

"Your Majesty, I am not targeting the Marquis... I am just doing it for Your Majesty, for Daxuan, and to protect the Daxuan laws issued by Emperor Taizu."

"I beg your majesty to grant Ning Chen death in order to rectify the country's laws."

Emperor Xuan was trembling with anger and furious, "Fan Taihe, are you threatening me by moving out Emperor Taizu?"

Fan Taihe held his head high, with an expression as if he was ready to die, "I don't dare! I'm just fulfilling my duty as a minister. Guarding the Daxuan laws and regulations is the responsibility entrusted to me by His Majesty."

"Today, even if His Majesty takes off my hat, I must still be loyal and responsible and uphold the laws of Daxuan."

Emperor Xuan's chest heaved violently.

"Okay, you don't want your black gauze hat anymore, I'll give it to you!"

"Come here, take off his black gauze hat and official uniform for me."

The ministers were shocked.

The right minister immediately came out of the queue and said hurriedly: "Your Majesty, this is absolutely impossible. Please take back your order!"

If Fan Taihe's hat is really taken off, Fan Taihe's reputation as a loyal minister will be fulfilled.

Emperor Xuan, on the other hand, will be called a faint king.

Therefore, this must not be done.

Emperor Xuan was confused by anger just now, but he came back to his senses after hearing the words of his right minister.

"You all stand down!"

He waved his hand and stopped the imperial guards who were about to take off Fan Tai and Wu Sha's hats.

Emperor Xuan looked at Fan Taihe and said kindly, "Fan Aiqing, Ning Chen has made great contributions to the country. If we kill him just because he was greedy for some money, would the punishment be too severe?"

Fan Taihe said loudly: "Your Majesty, merit is merit and fault is fault... Lord Ning must be punished severely to rectify the law!"

"I am doing this for the sake of His Majesty's majesty, for the sake of Daxuan Jiangshan Sheji, and for the Daxuan laws and regulations half-stepped by Emperor Gaozu. I have absolutely no selfish motives."

"If your majesty insists on defending Mr. Ning today... I can only express my will through death. I only hope that after my death, your majesty will be close to loyal ministers and far away from treacherous ministers."

As soon as the words fell, Fan Taihe suddenly stood up and rushed towards the pillar not far away.

Emperor Xuan was shocked.

"Stop him quickly..."

A civil servant reached out to pull Fan Taihe, but Fan Taihe broke free.

boom! ! !

Fan Taihe hit his head against the thick red lacquer pillar, and then fell on his back with blood on his face.

But he didn't die, and there was a painful groan in his throat.

The civil servant just gave him a tug, which weakened Fan Taihe's momentum and saved his life.

In fact, Ning Chen, Geng Jing, Nie Liang, and the generals all saw it.

Even if the civil servant didn't pull him, Fan Taihe wouldn't have died.

When he hit the pillar, he paused slightly before hitting it.

Emperor Xuan was so shocked that he stood up from the dragon chair.

All civil and military officials were shocked.

After today, Fan Taihe's reputation as a loyal minister will surely spread throughout the world and be famous for generations to come.

"Your Majesty, please punish Ning Chen severely. I am willing to die to show my determination!"

"Your Majesty, please keep loyal ministers close to you and stay away from treacherous people!"

"Your Majesty, please forgive me for not being able to share your worries. I will leave first..."

The censors jumped out one by one and rushed towards the red lacquered pillars in the distance.

Emperor Xuan roared, "Stop them for me."

Several imperial guards rushed over immediately and stopped the censors.

Emperor Xuan was furious, his face flushed with blood, and he trembled all over. He pointed at the censors, "You... You are so good, you dare to threaten me..."

Ning Chen looked calm.

Things have developed to this point, and he can't get through this level today!

Fan Taihe came prepared and was willing to gamble his life... It was clear that he had to kill him.

Even Emperor Xuan couldn't suppress this matter.

If Emperor Xuan continued to protect him, not only would he lose his dignity, but he would also be cursed for all eternity.

Ning Chen walked forward slowly, knelt on the ground, and said calmly: "Your Majesty, I am willing to take all the responsibilities!"

Emperor Xuan looked at Ning Chen, his fists clenched in his sleeves, and his knuckles turned white.

He was extremely angry. As an emperor, he couldn't even protect a minister he liked.

His eyes passed Ning Chen and stayed on Fan Taihe and those officials who attacked Ning Chen for a long time, with murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

After a long time, Emperor Xuan's eyes returned to Ning Chen again, biting his back teeth and said: "Ning Chen is corrupt and lawless, and he is extremely hateful."

"From today on, Ning Chen will be stripped of his Xiaoyao Marquis, second-rank general, and the position of the Supervisory Department's Silver Clothes... demoted to a commoner, and the court is dismissed!"

The last two words were almost shouted out by Emperor Xuan.