After hearing his words, not only did Zhao Zhen feel a little regretful, but even the Emperor felt a sense of unfinished business.
However, this was the imperial court, and continuing the performance at this moment would indeed be inappropriate.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, your student Chen Dong implores Your Majesty to re-examine the case of Liu Fa, and to restore the reputation of Liu Fa, the Commissioner of Xihe Circuit who died bravely outside Tong'an City, General Yang Weizhong of the Vanguard, General Jiao Anjie of the Rearguard, General Zhu Dingguo of the Left Army, and those twenty thousand loyal souls!"
Just as Fan Zhengguo finished his preamble, Chen Dong immediately stepped forward and knelt directly before the Emperor.
Liu Zhengyan followed closely, holding Liu Fa's memorial tablet, and knelt beside Chen Dong.
Regardless, the main event of the day had finally arrived. Under the Emperor's signal, Zhang Bangchang had no choice but to bravely step forward again:
"Liu Fa lost the battle and disgraced the nation. What is the need to re-examine this matter?"
"What does Prime Minister mean? Is Prime Minister so forgetful? Reporting to the Emperor, your student has irrefutable evidence here. I implore Your Majesty to examine it!"
As Chen Dong spoke, he untied a linen package he had been carrying on his back.
As soon as the package was opened, bloodstains were visible through the white linen, and at this sight, the officials fell silent.
"What is this?"
After scanning the assembled ministers, Zhao Ji finally spoke and asked.
"Reporting to the Emperor, this is a blood letter left by the three thousand veteran soldiers who survived the Battle of Tong'an City! Every sentence, every word, and every person on it can be verified by the Emperor's men. If any word on it is false, Chen Dong is willing to bear all the blame alone!"
As Chen Dong spoke, he kowtowed heavily and remained prostrate on the ground for a long time without moving.
The entire Daqing Hall instantly fell into a deathly silence. Chen Dong had spoken to this extent. At this point, no one questioned the authenticity of the document.
Could it be that Tong Guan was truly in trouble today?
Zhang Bangchang's mouth twitched uncontrollably, and his mind raced. If Tong Guan fell out of favor, he would most likely be next!
Seeing the Emperor's grim expression, Zhang Bangchang began to hesitate. Should he stubbornly resist to the end?
He glanced at Chen Dong kneeling on the ground, and then at Liu Zhengyan, who was glaring at him with hostility. Zhang Bangchang, who had been somewhat hesitant, suddenly became resolute.
Even if Tong Guan was beyond redemption today, he would drag a few others down with him!
"Reporting to Your Majesty, Prime Minister Tong is, after all, the Grand Councilor of State. If he is to be condemned based solely on this item, I fear it will be difficult to convince the world!"
Having thought everything through, Zhang Bangchang stepped forward and bowed to the Emperor again.
After hearing his words, Fan Zhengguo felt bitter. The letter in Chen Dong's hand, if revealed, would likely bring him unnecessary trouble.
It was obvious that obtaining such a document must have involved extraordinary channels. This was the original confession of a nation's prime minister!
Once this item was brought out impulsively, his path would be immediately cut off. Unless he memorized it himself and used his own life to fill this pit, a bloody storm would erupt immediately.
At this thought, Fan Zhengguo's gaze towards Zhang Bangchang was filled with hatred.
"Prime Minister Zhang speaks wisely. Do you have any other evidence? If it is only this, how can you deal with a Grand Councilor of State!"
With the excuse provided by Zhang Bangchang, Zhao Ji spoke again.
At this, Zhang Bangchang's lips curved into a cold sneer. He had now cornered Chen Dong. If this item were revealed, heads would roll immediately!
But if this item were not revealed, then the matter he had planned today would be completely ruined.
After the Emperor finished speaking, all eyes in the hall were fixed on Chen Dong.
"Replying to Your Majesty, your student has another piece of evidence, which is the deathbed letter written by the current Prime Minister Cai before his demise!"
Hearing this sentence from outside and hearing it in the Daqing Hall were two completely different matters. After Chen Dong finished speaking, the officials immediately began to whisper.
Chen Dong, who had been kneeling on the ground, straightened his back and reached into his sleeve, taking out the letter.
"Deathbed letter?"
After hearing these three words, Zhao Ji, wearing the Nine Dragon Tongtian Crown, his face also began to darken.
A young eunuch serving him quickly walked to Chen Dong's side, took the letter with both hands, and placed it before the Emperor.
"You and Prime Minister Cai were old acquaintances?"
After receiving the letter, Zhao Ji did not look at it but asked in a sinister tone.
"Replying to Your Majesty, although your student has met the Prime Minister a few times, we have no personal relationship!"
This was something the Imperial City Department could easily investigate, so Chen Dong did not try to quibble and stated it directly.
"You have no personal relationship with Prime Minister Cai, so why would his deathbed letter be in your hands?"
As expected, the Emperor, without even looking at the letter, began to question him directly.
Although he had been prepared, Chen Dong fell silent at this moment.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, I believe this item's authenticity should be verified by Your Majesty, shouldn't it?"
Seeing Chen Dong's silence, Fan Zhengguo immediately spoke up, wanting to stall for time for Chen Dong.
"He has no personal relationship with Prime Minister Cai, nor is he a blood relative. Even if this item is genuine, how could it have fallen into his hands? In my opinion, this is clearly the boy trying to spread seditious rumors. I implore Your Majesty to charge him with deceiving the emperor!"
Having been suppressed for so long, Zhang Bangchang finally had an opportunity to strike and did not hesitate.
If he failed to protect Tong Guan today, the imperial court would soon become Zhao Zhen's domain, and he would be the next to suffer. He was certainly unwilling to watch himself slide into the abyss step by step.
"Reporting to my father, your son believes that whether he should be punished or not should depend on whether this item is genuine! Prime Minister Zhang repeatedly mentions the crime of deceiving the emperor. If this item is real, I wonder how Prime Minister will conduct himself?"
The matter had reached this point, and Zhao Zhen could only step forward to help Chen Dong stabilize the situation. After all, if everyone started shouting for his head, the situation would be completely different.