Demoness, where are you Fleeing to?
Chapter 654 - 537: The Reason (Seeking Guaranteed Monthly Tickets)_1

Chapter 654: Chapter 537: The Reason (Seeking Guaranteed Monthly Tickets)_1

Liang Heng looked at Li Xuan, feeling both shocked and angry, yet also terrified. A chill spread throughout his body.

He immediately turned to face Princess Changle and said, "Regent! This man is spouting baseless accusations, framing a minister. I request that the regent apprehends him and punishes him for his crimes."

Sikong Huaji, an Imperial Censor from north Zhili, gave a cold laugh after hearing this. "Whether I am indeed framing a minister or not can easily be determined by an investigation. May I ask, General Liang, did you not meet with MarquisGuo Ziming of Gongchang, and Earl Li Sidao of Taining last night?"

At this time, except for Liang Heng, about thirty nobles and military officials, led by the Marquis of Gongchang and the Baron of Taining, had either turned pale or were sweating profusely.

Liang Heng snorted angrily, his gaze towards Sikong Huaji seemed to want to tear him apart: "Yes, I met them, but does this mean that I am harboring malicious intentions, or plotting a rebellion? Am I not allowed to have a drink and chat with my subordinates?"

"Having a drink and chat is of course acceptable, but the timing, just after you obstructed Marquis of Guanjun in his case execution, can easily lead to speculations."

The censor Sikong Huaji retorted, "May I ask General Liang, do you dare to disclose to everyone what you discussed last night?"

Liang Heng found himself short of breath. They had indeed been discussing how to frame a false charge against someone, and also how to remove Li Xuan from his position as a military judge in the Central Army.

But could they disclose these plans in court?

At this time, Sikong Huaji, with piercing eyes, was glaring at someone among the ranks of the military officers: "What’s more, I indeed received a report. Someone has betrayed you, Liang Heng."

His gaze was as sharp as a blade and became increasingly fierce.

Just as Sikong Huaji’s patience seemed to be running thin, and he was about to press harder, an old man in his sixties, dressed in a 3rd-rank military official uniform, with white hair and beard, stepped out of the crowd in a determined manner.

He knelt down in the middle of the hall with a solemn face, "Regent, after being humiliated by Marquis of Guanjun in public yesterday, General Liang gathered us to plot for revenge. During the meeting, not only did we discuss how to impeach Earl Chengyi, but we also discussed how to force the regent’s hand in today’s court meeting.

Just happened yesterday, Baihu Fan Yuan of the Shen Ce Army committed a bribery offence. General Liang said that Fan Yuan would be dead in the Central Army Judge’s prison by the hour of Zi at most. General Liang said Marquis Guanjun’s lenient rule led to the officer’s death, which can be used as a pretext for us to revolt. In any case, we must force the regent to remove Marquis Guanjun’s position as the ’Central Army Judge’."

Liang Heng’s face turned pale, this was exactly what they discussed last night.

This plan would kill two birds with one stone – not only would it remove Li Xuan from power, but it would also help retrieve Li Yueer from the Xiuyiwei.

Li Xuan had arrested Li Yueer on the charge of being involved in the bribery case of Baihu Fan Yuan of the Shence Army.

He didn’t necessarily need to protect Li Yueer, but he was afraid that she would say something that would involve him. In the process, he could also vent his anger.

As long as this woman was in his hands, Liang Heng could be at ease.

However, Liang Heng didn’t understand why this old general named Fei Qing would betray him?

Liang Heng knew the old saying that if the ruler is not secretive, he will lose his ministers; if the minister is not secretive, he will lose his life.

For this reason, he didn’t announce his intentions widely last night. Those who were summoned to discuss the matter secretly were either his trusted subordinates or those who had grudges against Li Xuan, or there was an irreconcilable conflict between the two sides.

And this Fei Qing had been his old subordinate for more than twenty years, now serving as a deputy commander in the Jingying.

At this time, the old man with white hair, looked at Liang Heng, who had bloodshot eyes, seemed to want to devour people, hesitated for a moment, then clenched his teeth: "Regent, during the secret meeting, Liang Heng defamed the government several times and criticized the Emperor!"

"Bang!"

This was Princess Changle, Yu Hongchang, her face was ashen, and she seemed to be fuming.

"Your Highness!" The Imperial Censor Sikong Huaji smiled lightly and bowed to Yu Hongchang: "The truth is very clear, Liang Heng gathered these 37 people, indeed forming a faction, discussing illegal acts.

However, in my opinion, General Fei Qing is still concealing something. There has to be more to what Liang Heng and the others discussed. I meticulously calculated; these 37 people control nearly half of the military power of Jingying. What exactly is Liang Heng’s intention by making them his followers?" Yet I remember that having...

At this, Sikong Huaji once again knelt down in the hall: "I request that your Highness issues a decree to investigate the truth of the matter thoroughly. Firstly, to ease the doubts of the officials, and secondly, to guard against dirty politicians."

At this point, more than half of the civil officials in court knelt down: "Your Highness, we also request a thorough investigation of the matter!"

Yu Hongchang did not respond; her eyes, sharp as a blade, were fixed on Liang Heng: "General Liang, is what Fei Qing said true?"

Liang Heng’s face turned pale and then turned green. Finally, he also knelt on the ground, took off his seven-beam crown from his head and held it in his hands: "Your highness, I am loyal to the Jin Dynasty, as clear as day and night!"

※※※※

After the court meeting ended, and as the officials were leaving the Yizheng Hall, Liang Heng was full of fury, his face was livid as he looked at Li Xuan: "You bastard, from today onwards, we are sworn enemies. We cannot coexist!"

If it was not for the consideration of Shaobao Yu and several nearby cabinet ministers,

He would have directly attacked and torn this man alive.

Li Xuan just chuckled: "Is General Liang not willing to go home and reflect on his actions, or is he waiting for the censor to impeach him again?"

During the previous court meeting, Yu Hongchang still gave Liang Heng a little face, not directly arresting him and putting him in prison.

She consulted with the cabinet and only stripped Liang Heng of his official positions, such as General Zhenshuo, left Dudu of Jingying, ordered him to stay at home and reflect on his crimes, and waited until the court had thoroughly investigated this case before deciding.

However, the other participants in the secret meeting did not receive the same treatment, they had to make a trip to Xiuyiwei and fully explain everything.

Li Xuan estimated that more than half of them would be removed from the Jingying troop.

Still, General Liang Heng looked steadily at Li Xuan for a long while before abruptly sweeping his robe sleeve and striding away.

At this time, Wei Zhen, the left Qiandu Yushi of the Inspectorate, sidled up to Li Xuan: "What’s the story with Fei Qing? He is known for his integrity, loyalty, and has a good reputation. He doesn’t seem like a person who would betray his master. How did you convince him?"

In their original plan, there was no Fei Qing, they didn’t need him.

A fabricated accusation alone was enough to cause more than half of Liang Heng’s subordinates to lose their positions.

Li Xuan shook his head: "I didn’t seek him out. He just showed up early this morning. Apparently, he harbors resentment against Huangfu Xuanji. More than ten years ago, when Huangfu Xuanji was waging war in Lu River and the battle was unfavorable, he forced Fei Qing’s two sons to cover the retreat. He didn’t leave enough supplies and manpower for them, so Fei Qing’s eldest and second sons both died in that year’s war in Lu River.

This vengeance for losing his sons is indeed irreconcilable. After Liang Heng secured Huangfu Xuanji as his secret ally, he naturally lost the loyalty of this old general —"

Li Xuan’s voice abruptly stopped because he noticed Shaobao Yu Jie approaching.

This man had a deep frown, forming a ’川’ on his forehead: "Liang Heng is known for his arrogance and self-assertion, but there’s absolutely no way he’s plotting a rebellion."

Yu Jie firmly did not believe that Liang Heng could commit treason.

Liang Heng simply doesn’t have the means. The ’Jingying’ is something he built single-handedly, and to date, he still holds the position of ’Jingying Commander’, effectively controlling it.

And General Liang Heng, who has been transferred to Capital City for less than half a year, didn’t wield much real power.

Li Xuan knew that Yu Jie was expressing his dissatisfaction. Yu Jie’s character was straightforward and upright, he minded insubstantiated accusations.

However, Li Xuan didn’t dodge the issue with Yu Jie: "Shaobao, today’s trouble in the court was initiated by General Liang, not this Marquis. The report submitted by Jiancha Yushi Sikong Huaji is based on facts. The evidence is sufficient, and all the circumstances are in place.

As for whether General Liang is plotting treason, the Princess Regent has ordered the Inspectorate and Xiuyiwei to investigate thoroughly. If Liang Heng truly has no rebellious intentions, Left Du Du will undoubtedly vindicate him."

This time, Liang Heng’s case was the responsibility of the left Du Du of the Inspectorate, assisted by Xiuyiwei.

At this point, Li Xuan also smiled: "This is also for General Liang’s good. Shaobao, you know about his arrogant nature. If we don’t temper him now, we’ll be learning the lesson of the Ming Dynasty’s Lan Yu General’s power usurpation. I’m sure you, Shaobao, would not want to see such a scene."

After considering for a moment, Yu Jie looked intently at Li Xuan, but his expression had softened, and his tone had taken on some seriousness: "Since the Tumu Fort incident, Liang Heng has fought 27 battles against Meng Wu and made significant contributions to the country. This person will be a pillar of the Jin dynasty in the north in the future. Qianzhi, I hope you would prioritize matters of the state."

"I prioritized the national affairs exactly for the purpose of having the General step back from the court temporarily," Li Xuan said, looking seriously at the others. "The Shaobao’s cleansing operation is imminent. Leaving Liang Heng to mix with those Weisuo Institute nobles at this time is no way to preserve stability."

Yu Jie was startled by these words, then nodded thoughtfully.

After Yu Jie left, Head Eunuch Wang Chuanhua of the Duzhi Bureau hurried over. He came to relay the instructions of the Princess Regent; Princess Changle wanted to see him.

When Li Xuan arrived at a warm room next to the Taihe Gate, he saw Princess Changle looking grim as she sat behind a desk.

When she saw Li Xuan arrive, she waved her hand slightly to have all the Neishi and palace maids leave.

Only when there was no one within fifty feet did Princess Changle grit her teeth and fiercely say: "I never knew Liang Heng was so domineering."

This was not only due to Liang Heng’s plot to rally the Jingying military generals to force a coup but also because she had just become aware of the content of the secret discussion from Earl Taining, Li Sidao.

These bastards were truly criticizing the emperor and slandering state affairs.

Although the words were not too harsh, from this, Princess Changle could imagine that Liang Heng had limited respect for her father, the Emperor, and had little but contempt for her as the Princess Regent.

But then, Princess Changle looked at Li Xuan with a tense face, appearing somewhat helplessly frustrated.

"How did you think of this, Qianzhi? Liang Heng is the heavenly level general that my father is trying to rope in, and the Left Du Du of Xiuyiwei informed me that Li Yueer’s plot against the Crown Prince, Liang Heng should not have known anything about that."

However, Li Xuan calmly sat down and counter-questioned: "I just want to ask one question. Do you have faith in domesticating a wolfish character like him, Princess Hongshang? If in the future, for some reason, the Emperor is unable to handle state affairs and unexpected events occur in the palace, would you be able to trust Liang Heng and entrust him with important matters?"

He was familiar with the history of the Ming Dynasty in the other world, and he regarded this General Liang Heng the same way as Shi Heng in the other world.

Both men had similar characters, and their current merits and power were not too dissimilar either.

The great General Shi Heng in the other world was the major culprit behind the palace coup, leading to the demise of Emperor Jingtai of the Ming Dynasty by suffocation.

Of course, the histories of the two worlds weren’t identical; a palace coup might not take place in this world, but Li Xuan dared not be careless. And since Liang Heng had already turned against him, Li Xuan was even less willing to harbor this potential disaster.

At this, Princess Changle’s eyes flickered slightly, and she fell into a contemplation. She realized that she couldn’t trust Liang Heng indeed.

If the situation was as Li Xuan described, she would not only mistrust him, but she would also be vigilant and cautious.