The Good Grandson of the Red Chamber

Chapter 70: Ultimate Technique

The trial of the Crown Prince's treason case involved not only the Three Judicial Offices, but also the Imperial Clan Court.

After the trial by the three judicial authorities, it was determined that the Crown Prince was disloyal and had conspired with Prince Yizhong to rebel. According to the law, he should be demoted to a commoner and sentenced to death.

The crown prince is the ringleader. Once the ringleader is eliminated, the case can be closed quickly and no further investigation can be conducted.

The Imperial Clan Court, however, believed that the Crown Prince had been misled by Prince Yizhong and officials of the Eastern Palace. Although he was guilty, his crime did not warrant death, and he should be placed under house arrest.

The Three Judicial Offices did not agree with the Imperial Clan Court's ruling.

After all, if this ruling is accepted, then the matter must be investigated further.

The imperial court simply could not afford the expenditure.

Therefore, the two sides were deadlocked.

The matter eventually reached Emperor Yonglong, who decided to convene a court meeting to resolve it.

Because the Crown Prince was involved, all the princes would also attend the court assembly, and even the grandsons of the emperor who were studying in the main hall would be present.

That evening, Xia Chengzong was taken back by Prince Zhongzheng.

When the Crown Prince's rebellion was overthrown, Prince Zhongzheng felt both grief and joy.

These two extremely opposing emotions are inherently difficult to coexist.

But for Prince Chungjō, it was a real and tangible existence.

The reason for his grief was that the Crown Prince was his own elder brother, and he had once been a member of the Crown Prince's faction.

Now that the crown prince is in trouble, he can't help but feel sad.

Huanxi, on the other hand, believed that the crown prince's rebellion meant he would have no chance of inheriting the throne.

Then his chances of ascending the throne will greatly increase in the future.

In the past, he only dared to dream about such wonderful things.

Now, a real opportunity has presented itself.

How could he not be overjoyed?

Therefore, he became anxious and insecure.

He feared that if he made a wrong move, his father would dislike him and he would lose this opportunity.

Thinking about the Crown Prince's trial at the morning court tomorrow, he also wanted to participate.

From a familial standpoint, he should plead for the Crown Prince.

From a self-interest perspective, he should support killing the crown prince to eliminate future troubles.

On one hand, she was tormented by her conscience, and on the other hand, she was unsure whether she would offend her father.

Therefore, he wavered and could not make a final decision.

In the end, they simply brought Xia Chengzong home to ask for his advice.

In the study, Prince Chung-machi expressed his confusion.

Xia Chengzong spoke up, "Father, your identity is that of a prince, but also that of a subject."

"A subject should be concerned with what the king is concerned about and help him solve his problems."

"Father, whose will does the Imperial Clan Court represent? Doesn't it represent the will of our Imperial Grandfather?"

"It is because the Emperor does not want the Crown Prince to die. Therefore, I believe that Father should plead for the Crown Prince and obey the Emperor's wishes."

Upon hearing this, Prince Chungjang's face showed a thoughtful expression.

He hadn't thought of this before, but he hadn't thought about it so thoroughly or with such certainty.

He sighed, "Even though the Crown Prince has rebelled, Father Emperor still cherishes the bond between father and son and is thinking of saving his life. It's clear that Father Emperor's favorite son is still the Crown Prince!"

"Although we're going to depose him this time, as long as he doesn't die, we might be able to reinstate him as crown prince in a few years."

Listen carefully to the underlying meaning; Xia Chengzong could tell from his father's worry.

He feared that if he pleaded for the Crown Prince and the Crown Prince actually survived, what would happen if Emperor Yonglong made him the Crown Prince again a few years later?

He explained, "Father, I think it's perfectly reasonable for Grandfather not to hate and despise the Crown Prince."

"It's just that in recent years, my grandfather has started to care about his posthumous reputation. The fact that the crown prince rebelled against him shows that he, as a father, has failed in his duty to educate his son."

"This has already made my grandfather lose face. If he kills the crown prince, he will be left with an even greater infamy, which is something my grandfather does not want to see."

"However, even if the crown prince doesn't die, he will certainly be imprisoned until his death, with absolutely no possibility of being reinstated."

"Even if the Emperor wanted to, the civil and military officials would never allow it!"

Hearing this, Prince Chungjang finally felt relieved.

He then asked, "Brother Zong, how can I plead with your imperial grandfather to save the crown prince?"

Xia Chengzong said, "Father, sincerity is the ultimate weapon. If you think of your brotherhood and cry loudly, a great scholar will surely defend you."

Prince Chung-machi asked in confusion, "A finishing move?"

Xia Chengzong explained, "It's a technique that kills with a single blow."

Upon hearing this explanation, Prince Chungjang nodded, seemingly puzzled but impressed.

……

The court assembly officially began the following day.

Xia Chengzong and the others were attending the court assembly for the first time.

They stood behind the princes like ants.

Xia Chengli and the others were extremely excited.

Xia Chengzong remained calm.

Normally, the participation of these imperial grandsons would not be necessary in court assemblies.

Even if it involves the trial of the crown prince, they wouldn't be needed.

But Emperor Yonglong sent them anyway, and something unusual must be going on.

Xia Chengzong roughly guessed what Emperor Yonglong was thinking.

Now he stands at the back of the crowd, ready to watch a good show.

He also wanted to see if the play would be performed as he had imagined.

Before long, Emperor Yonglong entered the hall, and the court officials shouted "Long live the Emperor!" The court assembly officially began.

This court assembly was not a regular meeting, but rather a meeting specifically convened to determine how to deal with the Crown Prince.

Therefore, there were no other topics to discuss, and the courtiers went straight to the point.

Officials from the Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Censorate who participated in the trial of the Crown Prince's rebellion presented their accounts of the case.

They believed that the crown prince was disloyal to the emperor and father, and that his crime of treason was unforgivable.

They should be demoted to commoners and executed as a warning to others.

Subsequently, officials from the Imperial Clan Court stepped forward to defend the Crown Prince.

After the Imperial Clan Court, civil and military officials gathered for a court assembly and expressed their opinions.

The supporters and opponents engaged in a heated debate.

The supporters outnumbered and outgunned the opponents, putting them at a significant disadvantage in the debate and causing them to suffer repeated defeats.

Xia Chengzong also witnessed the fierce debates among the most outstanding people in the Great Qian Dynasty.

They stood on their own ground, citing classical texts and speaking eloquently.

Their argument resembled a fascinating debate, which broadened Xia Chengzong's horizons.

Unfortunately, the faction that supported the crown prince was outnumbered and suffered a crushing defeat.

Next, Emperor Yonglong had to fast forward to the next step and bring out the prince.

The sixth prince, Prince Zhongxin, was the first to appear. He upheld the principle of putting righteousness above family ties, believing that the crown prince was disobedient and unfilial and should be executed.

This made Emperor Yonglong's face darken immediately.

Next came the eighth prince, Prince Kang, and the fourth prince, Prince Zhongcheng. They spoke righteously and unanimously believed that the crown prince deserved to die.

The crown prince was an obstacle to their path. Now that the crown prince is in trouble, how could they not kick him while he's down?

Emperor Yonglong, his face dark, asked Prince Zhongzheng, "Third Prince, what is your opinion on this matter?"

Prince Chung-jung stepped forward and said, "Father, when I was young, I grew up by the side of the Crown Prince."

"To me, he is both an elder brother and a loving father. The Crown Prince's earnest teachings to me are still vivid in my mind."

"And now, these people are actually trying to kill the Crown Prince. From now on, I will never see the Crown Prince again..."

"Waaaaah, waaaaah..."

Prince Chung-jung couldn't help but burst into tears.

The sound of its cries was so mournful that it broke the hearts of those who saw it and brought tears to their eyes.