Jinluan Hall.

The officials were in an uproar, arguing endlessly.

There were many different opinions on how to deal with Xu Changqing.

The two fires last night, and the fact that the imperial prison was lost, proved that Xu Changqing was indeed framed, and someone else destroyed the ancestral temple.

Therefore, the ministers in the court were in complete disarray.

On one side were the loyal ministers supporting Jiang Chen, such as Su Wen, Minister of the Dali Temple, and Zhao Chengyou, Minister of the Ministry of Works, who proposed to release Xu Changqing without charge.

But on the other side, Mei Wenshi and his party, as well as a small number of stubborn royal relatives such as Prince Fu, expressed their opposition.

"Your Majesty, even if Xu Changqing was framed, it is a fact that he damaged the ancestral temple and disturbed the peace of the late emperor. If he is not severely punished, how can we convince the public?" Prince Fu's eyes widened, his usually kind face occupied by anger, like a tiger whose whiskers had been stroked.

"I second that. The dignity of the royal family cannot be violated. Xu Changqing destroyed the sacrificial utensils of the ancestral temple and must be severely punished. It would be best to exile him to the frontier and take back control of the four battalions of the imperial capital!" An official from the Ministry of Revenue came forward, his words impassioned.

Mei Wenshi remained silent, standing calmly in the ranks of the civil officials, as if it was none of his business.

Zhao Chengyou, Shi Ping and others stepped forward to argue with the ministers and royal relatives who advocated severe punishment, and almost came to blows.

How important was the control of the four battalions of the imperial capital?

What they were protecting was not just Xu Changqing, but Jiang Chen's absolute control over the army and the imperial capital!

As ministers under the emperor, they naturally hoped that the person they were loyal to would be in power, so that their status could rise!

Moreover, their recent actions could be considered a complete break with Mei Wenshi, and they had become mortal enemies, so naturally they could not let the Mei family benefit.

Jiang Chen looked at the noisy hall below, which was like a marketplace, feeling a headache, but not surprised.

Mei Ruoying's palace was burned down, and the female assassin named Xia Liu was her personal maid. Her resting place was naturally destroyed by the fire, and everything in the room was burned clean.

Even though the imperial guards searched many times, they could not find any useful evidence to help Xu Changqing clear his name of destroying sacrificial utensils.

Therefore, after Jiang Chen received the news last night, he guessed that officials would definitely use this matter as an excuse to attack Xu Changqing and strip him of his military power today.

He suspected, could all of this be Mei Ruoying's scheme?

Putting aside his divergent thoughts, Jiang Chen said lightly, "Silence!"

"I have made a decision on this matter, you don't need to argue!"

The ministers in the hall instantly fell silent, all bowing their heads, waiting for Jiang Chen's instructions.

"The palace maid Xia Liu and others destroyed the ancestral temple and attempted to frame a current general, sentence them to be cut in half at the waist."

"As for Xu Changqing..."

Jiang Chen paused, glanced at the ministers, and said, "I will fine him three years' salary, and strip him of his title, and let him lead the four battalions of the imperial capital as a second-rank general."

"Are you all satisfied with this punishment?"

Although it was a question seeking opinions, Jiang Chen's tone carried a faint warning.

The ministers in the hall all understood the emperor's meaning, and since this punishment was considered fair, they did not speak.

After all, General Xu Changqing's status had been taken back, directly demoted from the first rank to the second rank, from a transcendent existence to an ordinary general, what else could they say?

Although they were not happy to see the rise of the Xu family, it did not mean that they wanted to completely break with the Xu family!

Just when everyone was silently agreeing, Mei Wenshi stepped out!

Cupping his hands, he said, "Your Majesty, this humble minister believes that this punishment is somewhat inappropriate!"

Jiang Chen did not speak, his eyes narrowed, and he looked coldly at Mei Wenshi.

This old thing, he had not even bothered with the assassin's matter yet, but he dared to jump out and stir up trouble at this time, truly courting death!

A cold arc appeared at the corner of his mouth, Jiang Chen said lightly, "Is that so? Then, according to Minister Mei, how should I punish him?"

Mei Wenshi looked respectful, without the slightest arrogance, and bowed, "Your Majesty, the matter of the ancestral temple, coupled with the night attack last night, is truly shocking!"

"Mei Guifei's palace was burned down and she was seriously injured. She is still recuperating in the deep palace. This humble minister believes that this case should be thoroughly investigated to find out who is behind Xia Liu and other maids!"

"To restore the Guifei's innocence, and also restore the reputation of my Mei family, to prevent those with ulterior motives from using this matter to suppress the Guifei and the Mei family!"

Mei Wenshi did not clearly state his position on the matter of dealing with Xu Changqing, but at the same time, he cleared the Mei family and Mei Ruoying of any connection with the assassin.

Jiang Chen could not help but be puzzled at this time, what made this old fox so confident?

Although Xia Liu was an assassin trained from childhood, she was, after all, a flesh and blood body, and there were always weaknesses. To pry open the mouths of these assassins was nothing more than wasting some time. As long as the punishment was in place, it was not difficult at all.

What made this old thing so sure that I could not find evidence to deal with their Mei family?

At this time, civil officials in the hall stood up one after another to echo Mei Wenshi, suggesting that the case be thoroughly investigated, the mastermind be found out, and the Guifei be cleared of suspicion.

Jiang Chen remembered this scene in his heart, and did not speak out against it.

Before gaining the absolute upper hand and controlling the situation, he would not publicly break with the Mei family.

So he nodded in agreement and said, "Minister Mei, you are overthinking it."

"The Guifei was seriously injured by those assassins and is a victim, so how could I suspect her innocence?"

"I believe that she was framed and has nothing to do with those men in black. As for saying that the Wang family was involved in this case, it is all rumors and not credible!"

After hearing this, a smile appeared on Mei Wenshi's old face, and he knelt down and shouted, "Your Majesty is wise, this humble minister is very grateful!"

Seeing that the monarch and his ministers had reached an agreement, the other ministers looked at each other and all cupped their hands and silently agreed, "Your Majesty is wise!"

At this point, on the surface, this matter was considered to have been turned over.

Xu Changqing was released and returned to the military camp.

It was just that his status was no longer as respected as before, and there were also people who rigidly adhered to etiquette who looked at him with strange eyes from time to time.

At the court meeting.

Yuan Buyi reported that the breach of the Wei River had been initially resolved.

The first batch of disaster relief supplies had been safely distributed to the victims, and now they were just waiting for the second batch of supplies to arrive.

Jiang Chen was not stingy, and immediately allocated 500,000 taels of silver, and also transferred 500 dan of grain, and ordered the states and prefectures along the way to provide support and transport them to the Wei River basin for disaster relief.

During this period, he rectified the court and cleaned up many corrupt officials. The silver and treasures seized from their homes were enough to provide relief to two Wei Rivers, and he would no longer have to worry about money.

In general, these corrupt officials could be considered to have done a good deed before they died.

Another important matter.

It was that the old man, Prince Fu, led a group of members of the royal family to request Jiang Chen to select beauties to fill the harem and have children.

The reason was simple. The selection of concubines for the Dawei Dynasty was held every three years, and this year happened to be the year for selection. According to the rules, preparations had to be made.

Moreover, Jiang Chen had not yet had any children since he ascended the throne, which was also a major problem. Naturally, he had to select many beautiful women to continue the bloodline...