Chapter 935: Chapter 933: Originally Reluctant to Say More
When Xing Yuyue said this, others felt it was none of their business and didn’t react much. Duke An’s calm gaze slowly returned to the front, he glanced indifferently at Xing Yuyue and then calmly looked away.
The emperor still gave Xing Yuyue some face and followed his words, saying: "Grand Tutor’s words hold some truth. I also feel Jiang Yifan is not fit to remain in the Ministry of Revenue. As for how to reassign him, we shall discuss this later."
Xing Yuyue frowned, what he wanted was severe punishment, yet the emperor spoke of reassignment. He didn’t often attend court sessions, but the emperor was brushing him off?
That said something, "Your Majesty, I think that in recent years, etiquette and customs in the capital seem to be deteriorating. I respectfully request Your Majesty to strictly uphold the laws and rules passed down by our ancestors. Respect and hierarchy are the foundation of stability in the realm, and cannot be corrupted. Someone like Jiang Yifan, who disregards the ways of the sage and is intent on exploitation, is truly unworthy to be a minister in court, much less qualified to act as a parent official to the people."
As Xing Yuyue spoke, he once again glanced sideways at Duke An, his anger and disdain clearly displayed.
The emperor slightly furrowed his brow, what was going on with this Grand Tutor Xing, biting at Jiang Yifan and refusing to let go.
Although he felt Jiang Yifan was a capable and shrewd official that could be utilized, Jiang Yifan was ultimately not his own child, and compared to Duke An, his relationship with Jiang Yifan was several layers removed.
Since Duke An was present, perhaps he could step back, let Duke An handle Xing Yuyue, so as not to appear too dismissive of Xing Yuyue’s status, giving the impression of burning bridges, and disrespecting a venerable minister of three dynasties.
As for Jiang Yifan being accused, whether he would really be implicated by Xing Yuyue... he just couldn’t believe it, if Duke An were present, yet Jiang Yifan was still brought down, given Ye Xinyan’s temperament, would Ye Tang not go to Duke An’s Mansion and turn the household upside down.
Duke An lowered his eyelids, not hearing the emperor respond for a long time, he couldn’t help but lament the ancient heartlessness of people.
The originally clear and decisive emperor, had become more and more unscrupulous in his actions over the past two years. That boy Jiang Yifan fought for them father and son, only for Xing Yuyue to seize upon it as leverage. The emperor surprisingly remained silent at this critical moment, letting things take their course.
Xing Yuyue didn’t wait for the emperor to speak, and once again bowed, saying: "There is a distinction between hierarchy, the Crown Prince is the designated heir, yet Jiang Yifan, a minister, secretly targeted the heir, a crime that cannot be forgiven. I earnestly request Your Majesty to investigate Jiang Yifan’s crimes."
"Beloved Minister Ye, I seem to recall that Jiang Yifan is your granddaughter’s husband, correct?" Duke An didn’t intervene, the emperor had to name him.
Duke An took a step forward. He couldn’t afford to provoke the emperor, but his old self and his family’s granddaughter could provoke Jinrong. He would step forward now to block Xing Yuyue, telling his granddaughter to find a way to make a stir with Jinrong afterward.
It is a timeless principle that the son repays the father’s debts.
"Your Majesty, Jiang Yifan is indeed my granddaughter’s husband," Duke An said, turning to Xing Yuyue, "I wonder what Grand Tutor Xing means by this? My granddaughter’s husband is upright in conduct and cautious in words and actions, I wonder what he has done to cause the Grand Tutor such indignation?"
The matter had already reached this point, yet the old man was still feigning ignorance! Xing Yuyue scowled, he couldn’t disrespect the emperor’s face, but who did Duke An think he was?
"Duke An, don’t pretend to be ignorant with this old man. In yesterday’s Ministry of Revenue affair, if Hao Ruhai intended to confess, he could have gone directly to the Cabinet with the account books, no need to offer his own incriminating evidence to the investigating officials, and then go to seize and even lose his life over it. Before he presented the account books, he only had contact with Jiang Yifan. This old man believes, Jiang Yifan acted entirely to frame the heir."
Yesterday, many people in the Ministry of Revenue saw, that before the incident, Jiang Yifan had supported Hao Ruhai. At that time, Hao Ruhai held the bundle of account books that cost him his life.
However, this matter involved the emperor, Crown Prince, and Prince Yu, if the emperor wished to conceal, others dared not to pursue investigations.
Now Xing Yuyue publicly revealed the matter, what did Duke An have left to say?
Duke An would not be rendered speechless, it was not his style.
The old man immediately darkened his face: "Grand Tutor Xing, there is a saying that you can eat in chaos, but you cannot speak in chaos. Yesterday’s events are known to this old man, Jiang Yifan didn’t know what would happen next, are we to assume he would watch Hao Ruhai fall without helping him up? As for how the account books were given to Qin Hao, Grand Tutor Xing should seek verification with the Capital Prefecture’s yamen, the Ministry of Punishments, and the Ministry of Justice, rather than here grasping at straws to falsely accuse."
"You, this is not grasping at straws! Everyone present saw, only Jiang Yifan had close contact with Hao Ruhai."
Duke An glared fiercely, "The account books were held in Hao Ruhai’s hand, under everyone’s watch, how could Jiang Yifan stealthily slip them inside? If he could pull this off, who knows, might these account books initially have been in Qin Hao’s possession, and when Qin Hao received the account books, opportunistically mixing them in would be easier? Even those around Qin Hao had a better chance than Jiang Yifan.
How do you know, when Hao Ruhai left, who he spoke with, or had tea with, any scribe or official? During the preparation of the account books, who was by his side?"
Turning to Xing Yuyue, Duke An snorted coldly, then turned to the emperor, bowing deeply: "I earnestly request Your Majesty to report yesterday’s event to the Ministry of Justice, let them detain and interrogate all who contacted or interacted with Hao Ruhai on that day; I will not shield Jiang Yifan, you may seize him too. Without concrete evidence of Jiang Yifan’s actions, I request Your Majesty to stand up for this humble servant, and ask Grand Tutor Xing for an explanation."
The emperor cast a displeased glance at Duke An and then looked away. This old fox, concrete evidence? Where would concrete evidence come from? Who could find concrete evidence when items were secretly taken from Hao Ruhai’s home?
The emperor appeared deep in thought, not making an immediate response.
Both Han Yanhui and Liu Chengzhi frowned, not to mention the current tense situation, even if the situation was not tense, with a case as widespread as this, it couldn’t be tried following ordinary procedures.
If following Duke An’s suggestion to have the Ministry of Justice detain all the relevant people for interrogation, how could the matter then be suppressed?
The Minister of War displayed a conflicted face; Duke An the old man was truly an unusual figure among military generals. Able to be reckless and unreasonable, while also able to use crafty tactics, and, holding onto others’ oversights with sophistry, he was an equal match to anyone.
Xing Yuyue was so furious he kept rolling his eyes, his beard trembling uncontrollably, pointing at Duke An, speechless for a long time. This old man was just entangling with sophistry, a clear matter being so tangled, lost all order.
Grand Tutor Xing was already in his seventies, if he were to hold his breath in anger before the emperor that would be dire.
The emperor quickly intervened to mediate: "Grand Tutor, indeed there is no direct evidence pointing to anyone. Grand Tutor knows the current situation is tense, the Ministry of Revenue’s corruption involves too many, it’s really not appropriate to make it public. My intention is to temporarily shelve this matter, and resolve it when the situation eases."
Xing Yuyue angrily knelt: "This humble servant originally didn’t want to speak more. But now the matter is truly stuck in my throat, unable to suppress, I ask Your Majesty to forgive this humble servant’s rudeness."
"Then," the emperor helplessly, "Grand Tutor, speak your mind, I along with the beloved ministers will listen to Grand Tutor’s words. Zhang Cunhai, help the Grand Tutor up to speak."