Lian Yu suddenly pressed against the table and rose. Everyone was startled, but saw the Son of Heaven wasn’t looking at Xiao Yue, still smiling slightly as he looked at Quan Feitong, “Capital Prefect He is the capital’s parent official, supervised by the Prime Minister. The Justice and Personnel Departments are also under the Prime Minister’s jurisdiction. This matter concerns Great Wei’s prince—through three consecutive offices, did no one report to the Prime Minister? Or had the Prime Minister already received reports early on? Then why detain Mochou early without reporting to me, until later when it reached the War Department, the War Department reported to Prime Minister Yan, and only then did Prime Minister Yan report to my attention!”
Lian Yu was openly questioning Quan Feitong!
Everyone was shocked, not knowing how Quan Feitong would respond… If he said He Sai, Xiao Yue, Li Zhaoting and others had reported to him but he hadn’t reported upward, it would undoubtedly be directly challenging Lian Yu’s authority. If he said his subordinates hadn’t reported, then Lian Yu might not refrain from using this to strike at these departments.
Regarding Gu Shuangcheng’s matter, Quan Feitong had already retreated. If he retreated again this time, how would his subordinates view him?
Hearing this, Suzhen also found some clues, her heart racing. That’s right—when encountering such matters, everyone here was shrewd. If Mochou dared to accuse, and Minister He couldn’t clear Scholar Xie’s name, she would certainly seek other channels. Originally, Minister He should have first detained Mochou, then reported level by level. However, starting from Minister He, no one detained Mochou until Wei Chenghui had her transferred to the Ministry of Justice for detention. Then the Ministry of Justice had problems and let the person escape, until this case reached her hands!
Quan Feitong smiled, lifting his robe as he rose, his smooth jaw lifting slightly, “Reporting to Your Majesty, they did indeed report this matter to your subject. However, your subject… felt it unnecessary to report to Your Majesty. Originally, ancestral law granted supervisory duties to the Prime Minister precisely to share Your Majesty’s burdens. If everything, large and small, requires Your Majesty’s decision, then what am I here for? Moreover, regarding supervision, that Mochou hadn’t committed any great crime. Acting this way, the people would think Your Majesty wanted to… silence witnesses. Of course, later the War Department detained the person even though they weren’t required to, then transferred her to the Ministry of Justice. When the Ministry of Justice lost the person, that was indeed dereliction of duty, and your subject will certainly punish severely.”
One phrase “the War Department detained the person even though they weren’t required to”—Wei Chenghui smiled slightly but didn’t refute him. Hearing this, Xiao Yue immediately knelt down, declaring loudly, “This official is willing to accept punishment.”
Lian Yu’s gaze darkened slightly, but he continued pressing against the table, listening to Quan Feitong continue.
“Your Majesty, a dignified Wei prince being accused by a courtesan, with the case already decided after one trial—now Great Zhou officials are accepting that fallen woman’s petition again. When Prince Zhennan hears of this, he will certainly be furious, and Wei will inevitably be shocked throughout the nation. Your subject has already met with the prince. As Your Majesty previously thought, Great Wei will raise grain and oil prices for our Great Zhou. Your subject is preparing to mediate this matter, but I fear these negotiations will be difficult, especially with Mochou’s case still before us.” Quan Feitong’s eyes shone like stars as he looked at Lian Yu with a faint smile, “Therefore, the remaining matters depend entirely on Your Majesty. However Your Majesty says to resolve this, we shall cooperate accordingly, ensuring both stable grain prices and justice for good citizens.”
Lian Yu also curled his lips in another smile, his voice sharp as peaks, his eyes and brows slightly drawing together. At this time, Gu Shuangcheng quickly walked before him, offering new tea, imperceptibly separating their direct gazes.
Quan Feitong narrowed his eyes, watching Gu Shuangcheng’s retreating figure.
Including Suzhen, everyone’s hearts rose to their throats. This time Quan Feitong didn’t retreat but advanced—this Prime Minister who held sway over the world had played a beautiful move.
He had private relations with Wei and controlled Wei’s grain and oil prices for Zhou. Though he might not be able to suppress them much, the effect would certainly be better than other ministers negotiating. How could Lian Yu rebuke his subordinates at this time?
Regarding Mochou’s case, who couldn’t see clearly that Pei Fengji must have committed grave crimes? Otherwise, how would a courtesan dare accuse a nation’s prince?
Originally, with everyone passing the buck and avoiding the issue, the matter remained in darkness, like scattered sparks that could be extinguished with a simple stamp.
But now, with the great procession and Li Huaisu publicly accepting this national case, the whole world knew.
If prioritizing the nation, they could only maintain Minister He’s original verdict, but how would knowledgeable people throughout the world view this? Even if many thought that Mochou was just a courtesan and Scholar Xie merely a pedantic scholar—compared to national trade, their deaths were insignificant—Great Zhou citizens being wrongfully killed was a matter of national dignity! A sovereign who cannot maintain national honor…
However, if they truly found evidence to condemn Pei Fengji to death, trade would certainly be severed.
Suzhen suddenly felt the pain in her knees was nothing. Gu Shuangcheng had moved away, and she stared at the man behind the desk.
Everyone was watching him.
Many people, like her, secretly looked at Quan Feitong, then at this Son of Heaven, wondering: Is the throne truly secure?
From detaining Gu Shuangcheng onward, to using retreat as advance in the imperial examinations to win a round, Lian Yu had been both domineering and subtle, gradually showing his imperial presence. However, after Quan Feitong’s two retreats, he had now advanced a step, formally declaring war on Lian Yu.
This round, Lian Yu’s defeat was already apparent.
“The Prime Minister speaks reasonably.” Lian Yu smiled, sitting back in his chair in silence. After a long while, he slowly looked at the assembled ministers, “Regarding how to judge Mochou’s case, do you ministers have any suggestions?”
“This general remembers Master Li once said that the ruler governs with policy, and we execute with policy. However Your Majesty speaks this time, we shall act accordingly. If Your Majesty must cross swords with Great Wei over this, this general will certainly lead the charge in conquest for Your Majesty.”
“Your subjects await Your Majesty’s instruction.”
As Chao Huang’s words ended, everyone knelt down one after another. Only Yan Da, Wei Chenghui, Lian Jie, and a few others remained standing.
Most of these supporters belonged to Quan Feitong, along with fence-sitters. But in such major matters, saying anything would be wrong—the more said, the more mistakes. Kneeling was the best option.
Occasionally, some would glance at her with mocking and derisive looks. Suzhen narrowed her eyes at Chao Huang, that young man with slightly upturned eyes.
Huo Chang’an stood quietly, his eyes seeming to smile yet not smile, remaining noncommittal.
Lian Yu sat in his chair without speaking. Perhaps he had nothing to say.
Quan Feitong slightly raised his eyes, “Your subject has business to attend to and will take leave first.”
Hearing this, Lian Yu finally twitched his nostrils, smiling, “Very well.”
He dismissed the other ministers as well, and everyone rose successively.
“Brother Mu, please wait. This younger brother has something to say to elder brother.”
Seeing Quan Feitong about to leave the room with Li Zhaoting and others while discussing something in low voices, Suzhen, still kneeling on the ground, suddenly spoke up.