Daily Intelligence System: Don't Kill Me, Honey!

Tuotuo bowed his head even lower as the Emperor angrily rebuked, "Ruyang King is my cousin, his loyalty is commendable, and yet you treat him like this? Isn’t this chilling his loyalty? Moreover, you want to reduce the vassal without reporting it. This is an act of overstepping authority, how can it be condoned!"

"If I continue to indulge you, how will the civil and military officials perceive me, and how will the people of the realm perceive me?"

The Emperor said to Tuotuo, who, upon hearing this, knelt straight and replied, "Your Majesty’s words are indeed pointed. Regardless of what punishment Your Majesty metes out, I will accept them without complaint!"

After hearing Tuotuo’s words, all the civil and military ministers below collectively spoke up, "Your Majesty, Lord Prime Minister has no selfish motives, we ask Your Majesty to discern clearly!"

"Indeed, although Lord Prime Minister has overstepped his authority, it was all out of loyalty to the nation. He had good intentions but did wrong, we ask Your Majesty to show leniency outside the law. I believe Lord Prime Minister also realizes his mistake, is sure to mend his ways, and we ask Your Majesty to grant him a chance for redemption!"

Upon hearing this, the Emperor furrowed his brows. Actually, to make up his mind to deal with Tuotuo was truly a difficult decision.

After all, Tuotuo really understood his heart. When he liked beauties, Tuotuo helped him select concubines. When he liked entertainment, Tuotuo helped him indulge.

One could say, his position was akin to Yan Song of the Ming Jiajing era, to He Shen of the Qing Qianlong era.

The Emperor was quite dependent on them because they could satisfy all the Emperor’s needs, which is exactly why this situation arose.

Therefore, when the Emperor saw Tuotuo kneel and all the court officials persuade him, he thought for a while, sighed, and said, "It is I who have indulged and ruined you. You shall no longer serve as Prime Minister, first be demoted and return home, and we will consider other matters later!"

The Emperor spoke, his meaning clear. He removed Tuotuo from the position of Prime Minister, but didn’t touch other matters for now, intending to perhaps promote Tuotuo back when the time was right in the future.

Having thought through this, the Emperor had made up his mind, but at this moment suddenly heard Old Hama shout, "Your Majesty, I think this is inappropriate!"

Upon hearing this, the hall was in uproar, for this old man, usually weak and easily bullied, had never been so firm before. This made everyone present extremely shocked, not understanding what had gotten into this old man, how he suddenly seemed like a changed person.

Hama now knelt on the ground without a word, yet his attitude was very resolute, seeming like he was truly forcing the Emperor to make a decision.

The Emperor looked at Hama with a frown, wondering since when his uncle became so unruly, and looked at Hama saying, "Old Chancellor, what are you doing?"

Hama replied, "Your Majesty, I have a statement to present!"

Upon hearing this, the Emperor looked at him and said, "What statement do you have, speak quickly!"

Upon hearing this, Hama said, "Your Majesty, dealing with Tuotuo’s matter is of great importance, it absolutely cannot be treated so frivolously by just dismissing him from his position."

"If Your Majesty does so, it will chill the hearts of the vassal kings of the realm because he captured the Ruyang King and even planned to reduce the vassals, which has already caused a stir in the realm. If Your Majesty does not severely punish, these princes will not agree."

"If the princes rise in rebellion, then our Daqian will truly never have peace! Your Majesty!"

Old Hama spoke with tears, and upon hearing this, the Emperor said, "Is it really so serious? Can’t the princes understand my good intentions, though Tuotuo has made mistakes, they are somewhat excusable."

Upon hearing this, Wang Baobao, who had been silent all along, secretly raised his head to glance at Old Hama, full of surprise in his eyes. He might not have expected this Emperor to be so benighted to such an alarming extent.

Historically, no Emperor had favored treacherous ministers so absurdly; he was even going to reduce the vassals, which shakes the very foundation of Daqian, jeopardizing the Emperor’s very base.

Thinking this, Old Hama was silent for a moment, then slowly pulled a scroll from his sleeve and said, "Your Majesty, perhaps the princes truly do not understand Your Majesty’s good intentions."

The Emperor looked at Old Hama in surprise, then looked at the scroll he presented with both hands, and said, "What is this?"

Old Hama said, "This is the Eight Kings’ Biography brought by Kuo Kuo!"

What!

Upon hearing this, everyone in the court widened their eyes in disbelief. Eight Kings’ Biography, is this the Eight Kings’ Biography?

For a moment, everyone widened their eyes and looked at the old Emperor. They knew all too well what the Eight Kings’ Biography represented. It was the Imperial Sword bestowed by the Grand Ancestor for the kings to check the ministers, also representing the princes’ stance.

To put it plainly, although the Daqian court ruled centrally, offending the vassal kings would have unimaginable consequences, especially in this era of rampant rebels. A slight misstep could shake the national stability, which was a tremendous blow to the whole of Daqian.

Moreover, the implication behind the Eight Kings’ Biography was even more alarming. What is the Eight Kings’ Biography? It is the princes’ joint memorial, and if the Emperor does not approve what the princes memorialize, then it is likely to escalate to using arms to command the sovereign.

That’s right, this military command is the legendary cleansing of the court.

It is always a precursor to vassal kings’ rebellion, and this has already become the final ultimatum from numerous vassal kings.

It also signifies that this matter has thoroughly angered the many vassal kings, and if the Emperor does not give them a satisfactory answer, then they will make their own satisfactory answer!

Understanding all these, the Emperor’s expression became grave, whereas Tuotuo, who had seemed to be avoiding this calamity, suddenly appeared desolate, his face turning ashen and gloomy.

At this moment, all the civil and military officials held their breaths, for they were aware of the weight of the Eight Kings’ Biography.