Seeing Yang Xian's confrontational actions, Zhu Yuanzhang, seated on the dragon throne, raised an eyebrow and asked, "Oh? Minister Yang, you also have an impeachment against Minister Qian? Speak, what do you wish to impeach him for?"
Yang Xian first scanned the officials behind him, then loudly declared, "Your Majesty, I impeach Minister Qian for corruption and slandering officials!"
"I have never falsely reported my achievements, nor have I collected any exorbitant taxes in Yangzhou."
"My loyalty is known to heaven and earth, yet Minister Qian maliciously defames me, claiming I am a corrupt and wicked official..."
"Such slander and defamation not only damage my reputation but also the dignity of the court, making it utterly unbearable for me. I implore Your Majesty to dispense justice on my behalf!"
After speaking, Yang Xian turned to face Qian Zhengzong and Crown Prince Zhu Biao, who stood behind him.
In recent days, a whirlwind of events had swept through the court, with major figures from the Huai West faction successively falling, vacating numerous positions.
Yang Xian and his "Pure Stream" faction, seizing this opportunity, had rapidly expanded their influence, built their reputation, and increased their strength.
As of now, they had become the foremost political faction in the court!
This meant that, though unwilling, if Yang Xian truly pushed, he could still confront Crown Prince Zhu Biao head-on.
"Your Majesty..."
Key officials from Yang Xian's faction, such as Lin Jun, Minister of Rites, and Feng Yu, Minister of Justice, stepped forward to support Yang Xian.
...
Unbeknownst to them, the Crown Prince Zhu Biao and his faction had fallen into a disadvantage.
Seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's expression seemed exceptionally grim, and he directly inquired, "Where are the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot?"
As Zhu Yuanzhang's words fell, the Commander-in-Chief of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Mao Yifan, and the Director of the Eastern Depot stepped forward.
Then, Zhu Yuanzhang asked the Commander-in-Chief of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Mao Yifan, "I ordered the Embroidered Uniform Guard to investigate Yang Xian's performance during his tenure in Yangzhou yesterday. Have the results come in yet?"
Mao Yifan, who already knew the Emperor's thoughts, naturally did not side with Yang Xian.
Upon hearing Zhu Yuanzhang's inquiry, Mao Yifan loudly replied, "Your Majesty, the matter has been thoroughly investigated. In order to maintain his reputation and achievements, Yang Xian has been oppressing the people and collecting vast amounts of exorbitant taxes in recent years..."
"However, when facing the outside world, he deceived the public and the court, obtaining the title of an upright official..."
"According to the court's laws, Yang Xian's offenses are sufficient to warrant his execution."
Concurrently, Li Zihao, the newly appointed Minister of Personnel, seeing the situation clarify, finally made up his mind and eagerly stepped forward.
He cupped his hands and reported to Zhu Yuanzhang, "Your Majesty, half a month ago, I received complaints from several commoners in Yangzhou, stating that Lord Yang had turned Yangzhou into a living hell..."
"Due to Lord Yang's high official position, it took considerable effort to investigate the truth, and it was finally confirmed to be true..."
"The Ministry of Personnel is the most important department of the court, responsible for managing officials throughout the empire. My colleagues and I feel the weight of our responsibility and have never dared to be negligent, always working diligently and cautiously..."
"This matter was handled impartially, with no intention of targeting anyone. I beg Your Majesty to discern the truth!"
Zhu Yuanzhang did not address Li Zihao's report, but instead turned to the officials of the Crown Prince's faction and asked, "Then, has the Ministry of Revenue's investigation into Yang Xian yielded any evidence? Be absolutely certain not to wrongly accuse Yang Xian?"
Upon hearing Zhu Yuanzhang's question, Qian Zhengzong, Minister of Revenue, and the Minister of Works exchanged glances.
Finally, Qian Zhengzong, as the representative, reported to Emperor Deqing, "Your Majesty, this matter has also been largely investigated. Yang Xian, during his years as prefect of Yangzhou, has been secretly collecting excessive taxes from the people..."
"He inflated the agricultural output, leading to many common people, unable to pay their land taxes, losing their homes and being separated from their families. Currently, over a hundred thousand people in Yangzhou have been forced to flee their homes and become refugees due to their inability to pay taxes."
"Empty pronouncements, feigning purity..."
"Furthermore, the crimes of Yang Xian's younger brother have also been proven..."
"As for whether Yang Xian harbored any rebellious intentions, that is still under further investigation. However, regardless, with Yang Xian's current crimes, confiscating his property and executing his entire clan would be entirely justified."
Upon hearing Minister Qian Zhengzong's report, the members of the "Crown Prince's Party" revealed joy, while the members of the "Yang Party," especially Yang Xian himself, turned ashen.
Everyone knew that in this struggle for power, the "Crown Prince's Party" had won! The "Yang Party" had not only been utterly defeated, but Yang Xian himself was about to face confiscation of his property and execution!
On the other side!
Li Shanchang and Hu Weiyong exchanged glances, a cold sneer appearing on their faces.
If Yang Xian's matter were merely a secret struggle and confrontation between the "Crown Prince's Party" and the "Yang Party," then Yang Xian, using his influence, might have had a chance to win.
However, they had already poisoned Zhu Yuanzhang's mind, and Yang Xian still believed Zhu Yuanzhang would continue to support him as usual, so it was no wonder he suffered such a devastating defeat.
Then, Hu Weiyong signaled to the officials of the "Huai West faction," indicating that the opportunity to strike a fallen foe had arrived!
Hu Weiyong had once sworn in secret to make Yang Xian wish he were dead and lose everything. Now was the chance to fulfill his vow!
Following Hu Weiyong's secret signal, the officials of the "Huai West faction" stepped forward to express their stance before anyone else could voice their opinions.
Although the officials of the "Huai West faction" had lost their power, their titles themselves were quite formidable.
Among them, Chang Shanliang, the Left Vice Minister of the Secretariat, looked filled with righteous indignation, as if he had suffered a great injustice.
He cupped his hands and said to Zhu Yuanzhang, "Your Majesty, I beg you to dispense justice on my behalf..."
"After being assigned to the Secretariat, although I hold the position of Left Vice Minister, I have been unable to manage the court's affairs, big or small..."
"My sincere intentions have been manipulated and controlled by that Yang Xian..."
"Even when something goes wrong, that villain Yang Xian would shift the blame onto me."
"Over time, everyone has come to believe I am incompetent and useless. I have been truly wronged. Now that the truth is revealed!"
"Yang Xian's current fate is entirely his own doing!"
"However, my reputation has also been damaged because of that villain Yang Xian. I implore Your Majesty to uphold justice and restore my good name!"
Then, General Lan Yu, with a somber expression, slowly stepped forward and reported, "Your Majesty, the truth has now surfaced. Yang Xian's actions have chilled the hearts of the officials."
"I implore Your Majesty to seize this opportunity to rectify what is wrong and restore proper order!"
However, the matter was not yet over.
As the situation gradually became clearer, those few officials who had intended to remain neutral now firmly solidified their positions and found their opportunity, stepping forward one after another to declare their stances.
"Your Majesty, I believe that Yang Xian, as the Left Vice Minister of the Secretariat, failed to set an example. Instead, he allowed his own relatives to violate court discipline, colluded with his clique to suppress dissent, acted out of personal vendetta, and interfered with court laws and regulations..."
"He even distorted right and wrong, deceived the Emperor and the court. All these crimes are appalling. I implore Your Majesty to severely punish Yang Xian to rectify the court's order!"
"Your Majesty, to my knowledge, Yang Xian always claims to be incorruptible, yet he lives a life of luxury. All the expenses in his mansion, property acquisitions, and daily expenditures are of the highest standard..."
"I request that Yang Guo's mansion be immediately investigated and all its assets sealed!"
"Your Majesty, Yang Xian's actions have repeatedly violated court laws and regulations. Therefore, I believe Yang Xian is no longer fit to serve as the Left Vice Minister of the Secretariat..."
"Yang Xian's crimes are too leniently punished by execution. I suggest he be cut into a thousand pieces or dismembered by five horses..."
"Your Majesty..."
As the saying goes, when a wall collapses, everyone pushes. The officials in the court become particularly excited and enthusiastic when it comes to kicking someone when they are down.
As the situation cleared, everyone knew Yang Xian was in trouble. Consequently, not only were the "Crown Prince's Party" and the officials of the Huai West faction rushing to impeach Yang Xian...
Even officials from the "Shandong Party," "Henan Party," and other neutral factions stepped forward to declare their stances, requesting Zhu Yuanzhang to severely punish Yang Xian.
Zhu Yuanzhang's intentions were now known to most people, so the vast majority of officials impeached Yang Xian with great boldness.
These officials not only attacked Yang Xian but also greatly implicated many officials of the "Yang Party."
After the officials' concerted impeachment came to a halt, Zhu Yuanzhang did not immediately punish Yang Xian.
In Zhu Yuanzhang's mind, Yang Xian was already a dead man!
His gaze slowly swept over Yang Xian and the officials of the Yang Party.
Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang's attitude, Crown Prince Zhu Biao's heart sank again.
Then, Zhu Yuanzhang slowly spoke, "Minister of Justice, Minister of Rites, Censor-in-Chief of the Left, Censor-in-Chief of the Right, Vice Minister of Rites, Minister of the Court of Judicial Review... Step forward!"
Zhu Yuanzhang called out the names of over a dozen officials. These individuals were all from the "Pure Stream" faction and were staunch supporters of Yang Xian.
During the morning court session, it was these individuals who fiercely clashed with the "Crown Prince's Party," showing no sign of backing down.
As Zhu Yuanzhang's voice faded, many officials of the "Yang Party" felt a sense of unease, but they dared not disobey Zhu Yuanzhang's command!
They exchanged glances with each other and then stepped forward one by one, heads bowed, awaiting Zhu Yuanzhang's wrath.
(The new book is continuously updated. Please collect, vote for recommendations, forward, and subscribe. Support the genuine work, and come to Zongheng Chinese Network to help out. Give more, thank you friends. Your support is my motivation!)