Despite Zhang Bangchang also being a chancellor, the students’ posture made even the well-trained soldiers panic.
“Do you all want to rebel together?”
At this moment, Zhang Bangchang had no room to retreat and could only sternly berate the soldiers.
Under his threat, the few junior officers in the lead finally got scared!
“Go on, remember, do not kill them!”
After exchanging glances, the few men almost simultaneously ordered their soldiers.
“Zhang Bangchang, this is in front of Xuande Gate, and the imperial ancestor’s oath tablet is within the palace gate. Are you going to set a precedent for death for speaking one’s mind?”
Seeing that the situation was becoming uncontrollable, Fan Zhenguo directly blocked Chen Dong.
Upon hearing his words, the officials who had been watching from the sidelines suddenly fell silent.
“My lord! The imperial ancestor of Taizu stated beforehand that our Song Dynasty does not kill scholars and officials, nor those who speak their minds. Chen Dong cannot be killed!”
Since Fan Zhengguo had stepped forward, Nie Shan naturally followed suit.
“My two lords speak the truth. No matter what mistakes they have made, those who speak their minds cannot be killed. This precedent must not be set!”
With his former superior and Fan Zhengguo having already intervened, Zhang Shaoyou naturally would not lag behind.
His words quickly resonated with many mid and low-ranking officials. Although they did not agree with Chen Dong’s actions, everyone understood that this precedent absolutely could not be set.
Since ancient times, martial men died in battle, and civil officials died for remonstrance. With this rule in place, even if someone said something wrong, at most they would be sent away.
But if this precedent were set, who could guarantee that the sword swung today would not fall upon their own heads tomorrow!
In just a moment, over thirty officials of the fifth rank and above stood on Fan Zhenguo’s side.
Glancing at the palace walls not far away and the silent palace gate, Zhang Bangchang knew that the emperor was waiting for him to resolve this matter.
If he could not display sufficient strength, he feared he would have to withdraw from the historical stage along with Cai Jing.
“You are harboring rebels!”
Gritting his teeth, Zhang Bangchang again said stubbornly.
Although he knew this was a wild gamble, Zhang Bangchang now had no retreat. He was gambling on the emperor’s intentions, gambling that the imperial decree would appear before their conflict completely escalated!
“Rebels? Hahahaha, Prime Minister Zhang, you are well-read. In all of history, have you ever seen rebels kneeling before the palace gates? I, Fan Zhengguo, also want an explanation as to how Liu Fa died! If this is considered rebellion, then kill me as well!”
As Fan Zhengguo spoke, he directly sat cross-legged at the very front of the line, closing his eyes.
Nie Shan, standing half a step behind him, gave a light laugh and unhesitatingly sat behind him.
“You, you, you…”
The two were both vice chancellors and were already evenly matched. With Nie Shan, the Minister of Personnel, and Zhang Shaoyou, the Deputy Prefect of Kaifeng, Zhang Bangchang’s support group was obviously a bit weak!
The direction of the palace gate remained silent, but Zhang Bangchang saw a young eunuch holding a scroll. However, the man stood in place, seemingly not intending to come out yet.
This made Zhang Bangchang hesitate again.
To gamble further was to gamble with his life!
As he was hesitating, the sound of horses’ hooves suddenly echoed from the end of the long street in the distance.
Immediately after, the crowd of onlookers parted, revealing a long column of horsemen.
Seeing the flags fluttering in the wind, Zhang Bangchang’s face was filled with bitterness. Damn it, what he feared had come to pass!
Zhao Zhen had entered the city without imperial summons at this critical moment!
“How did Liu Fa die? I too wish to know. May I ask Prime Minister Zhang, am I also a rebel?”
He rode to the front of the students’ formation, then dismounted and walked through the path cleared by the students to Fan Zhenguo’s side, sitting down directly next to him.
“Your Highness, why must you do this?”
Seeing the resolute look on Zhao Zhen’s face, Zhang Bangchang spoke with bitterness.
“Why must I? Prime Minister Zhang, you speak so lightly. I led the army on this expedition and fulfilled my mission. Many of my subordinates are veteran soldiers from the Xihe Circuit who risked their lives for this victory. This is their final lingering wish. I happened to be here, so of course, I must seek justice for them!”
“Please convey to His Majesty that Zhao Zhen is willing to exchange the military merits gained from quelling this rebellion for His Majesty to retrial the case of Liu Fa!”
With the matter escalating so greatly, and half of Bianliang gathered here, Zhao Zhen would not miss such an opportunity to gain prestige.
“Zhong Shidao is untalented and is willing to exchange the military merits gained from quelling this rebellion for His Majesty to retrial this case!”
“Wang Xiang is untalented and is willing to exchange the military merits gained from quelling this rebellion for His Majesty to retrial this case!”
As Zhao Zhen spoke, Zhong Shidao and Wang Xiang, the Deputy Commissioners of the Six Southeastern Circuits, also sat down behind Zhao Zhen.
“Willing to exchange the military merits gained from quelling this rebellion for His Majesty to retrial this case!”
Following their lead, the meritorious generals who entered the city with them also sat down behind them in a similar fashion.
At this point, even if Zhang Bangchang possessed immense ability, the remaining officials would not dare to stand by him any longer.
“Sir, has this matter succeeded?”
In a private room on the second floor of an inn not far away, Yue Fei’s voice was filled with surprise.
With Zhao Zhen’s involvement, even the emperor had to show him respect!
“It’s not that easy. Only half of it has succeeded. Whether the remaining half succeeds depends on whether heaven shows favor!”
Pouring himself a cup of hot tea, Han Mo looked again in the direction of the imperial palace.
Everything he could do had been done. The knife had been handed to Liang Shicheng, but whether Liang Shicheng would dare to wield it, Han Mo was truly hesitant.
Without Zhao Zhen, Liang Shicheng would have undoubtedly struck without hesitation.
After all, compared to Tong Guan, Tan Zhen was not only obedient but also less ambitious! He also did not threaten Liang Shicheng’s own position. From any perspective, he was the best candidate!
However, Zhao Zhen’s appearance had disrupted many of Han Mo’s plans. If Liang Shicheng made a move, who knew if it would stimulate the emperor’s sensitive nerves and make the emperor think he was in league with Zhao Zhen!
At this moment, the situation that was a sure kill for Tong Guan had unexpectedly given him a sliver of hope, which made Han Mo feel a bit uneasy…