Protect Our Clan Leader

Chapter 1071: Chapter 70: Suppressing the Second Class! Plotting Against the Emperor’s Son Chapter 1071: Chapter 70: Suppressing the Second Class! Plotting Against the Emperor’s Son …

Emperor Longchang leaned back in his chair, watching Prince Dede’s impassioned performance, puzzled.

In the past, Prince Dede had been a man of loyalty and honest straightforwardness.

Years ago, he had even secluded himself to a manor by the Western Sea due to major disagreements with Prince Dexin over political ideologies and ambitions, spending his days fishing and drinking tea, without involving himself in politics or military affairs.

How was it that after centuries of self-cultivation, he had become even more shameless?

Whether the Wang family was guilty or not was another matter, but even if they were, they hadn’t treated your family, the An Commandery Prince, poorly… How could you disassociate yourself from them at the first sign of trouble, burning bridges so shamelessly?

“This matter has been taken up by the three departments working together, with Meng Yuanbai leading the investigation. I believe Meng Yuanbai will not bend the law for personal gain, and will not show leniency to anyone involved,” Emperor Longchang said impatiently, waving his hand, “Dede, if you are tired of fishing in the Western Sea, why don’t you go to the Eastern Sea and catch some Dragon Whales or something? Do not stir trouble in Shangjing City.”

“If Your Majesty tells me to stay out of it, then I will not interfere,” Prince Dede said, appearing to comply obediently, “However, it’s rare for this son to come to Shangjing City. I will spend these days attending to the Old Ancestor.”

Before Emperor Longchang could object, Prince Dede put on a teary expression, “It’s been a long time since I last saw the Old Ancestor, and I miss him dearly. I often recall the days of my youth when I followed the Old Ancestor to campaign against West Jin and conquer South Qin, how spirited and bold we were.”

“To think that in the blink of an eye, both the Old Ancestor and I have grown old.”

Hearing this, a nostalgic gleam appeared in the slightly clouded eyes of Emperor Longchang, and he too couldn’t help but reminisce about the times when Prince Dede had been by his side.

The older one gets, the more nostalgic one becomes, and the more one tends to hold onto old affections.

“Very well, in consideration of your filial piety, stay with me for a while,” Emperor Longchang finished speaking, then turned to Zhao Hongbo with a somewhat kindlier expression, “Zhao Aiqing, have you come to see me about some important matter?”

“Your Majesty, indeed I have an important matter to report,” Zhao Hongbo gave a bow, casting a reluctant glance at Prince Dede. With this old man sticking around, how could he plead for leniency?

Originally, he had thought to sacrifice Zhao Zhikun, seek the emperor’s mercy, and then mitigate the whole affair.

But now, with the situation as it was, the moment he pleaded before the emperor, Prince Dede would surely blow the matter out of proportion, vigorously suppressing the Zhao Clan’s influence.

Zhao Hongbo, having served many years as the Prime Minister, was a clever man. He knew that the opposition had likely guessed the Zhao Clan’s intentions. Prince Dede’s sudden involvement was surely meant to disrupt their plans.

He knew that the Zhao Clan could not afford to let this scandal reach a public trial; should a dramatic reversal occur during a highly watched judicial review, the entire Zhao Clan would be dragged into the mire.

The Zhao Clan could not afford this.

Seeing that his opponents were seeking to escalate the situation, he decided to offer them another sacrifice.

Zhao Hongbo, a man of decisiveness, immediately made a choice and, taking a deep breath, he stated, “Your Majesty, it has come to my attention unexpectedly that the smuggling and colluding with the enemy has nothing to do with the Wang family. In reality, it was our Zhao Clan’s Zhao Zhikun, a vile creature overwhelmed by greed, who foolishly committed a grave mistake.”

“The reason for this was a gambling loss in the Immortal Dynasty that was far too large, leading him to harbor wicked thoughts. After becoming aware of this affair, I could not allow the loyal and good Wang family to be wrongly accused, so I immediately came with this scourge, Zhao Zhikun, to confess.”

At these words, Emperor Longchang was first stunned, then his expression gradually darkened. Clearly, Zhao Hongbo’s statement had far exceeded his expectations.

Previously, he had only suspected that someone was plotting against the Wang family, setting them up with a colossal false charge. Whether it was true or not, with Old Yao around, it would soon be found out. If it were false, it would be a good chance to do a favor for young Wang Shouzhe. However, to think someone did actually commit smuggling and collaborate with the enemy, and moreover, it was the Zhao Clan’s young rascal!

Smuggling and collaborating with the enemy was a serious crime. How dared the Zhao Clan do this! How dared they?

Due to geographical factors, both South Qin and West Jin were in short supply of metal ores, especially iron, which made them inferior to Da Qian in terms of military arms and equipment, along with other factors, allowing Da Qian to compete against both.

Thus, one of Da Qian’s military strategies was to cut off most of the metal ore trade, including iron, as well as high-quality salt and premium grain seeds between Da Qian and the countries of South Qin and West Jin – the former concerned military affairs, the latter two were vital for civilian life!

To smuggle contraband to South Qin was thus to aid in enhancing the national power of South Qin, which would in turn pose a threat to Da Qian. To condone it would be unimaginable.

“Audacious in the extreme, this is an act of collaborating with the enemy and treason!” Prince Dede immediately jumped out to denounce, “Is the Zhao Clan plotting rebellion?”

“Your Majesty, Prince Dede,” Zhao Hongbo bowed deeply towards Emperor Longchang, his face filled with the utmost remorse, “This conduct is indeed extremely vile and unforgivable. I cannot and do not wish to defend it. Although this crime was committed by the miscreant Zhao Zhikun alone, I, as the patriarch of the Zhao Clan and Prime Minister, indeed failed in my duties of oversight regarding my descendants. For the crimes committed by Zhao Zhikun, I cannot shirk my responsibility.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by novlove.com