Red Mansion: After being expelled from the family, I was granted the title of Marquis of Mobei

Chapter 132 The Four Kings' Schemes to Suppress the Rumors
Seeing Consort Yue's confident demeanor, Marquis Yue was bewildered. He couldn't understand where Consort Yue's confidence came from.

After hesitating for a moment, Marquis Yue tentatively looked at Consort Yue and asked.

"Your Majesty, if you truly have a solution, could you...?"

Consort Yue's gaze was incredibly sharp upon hearing this, which made Marquis Yue feel somewhat intimidated.

Then Consort Yue said calmly.

"What you should know, I will naturally let you know; what you shouldn't know, don't meddle."

"Okay, let's go down."

Seeing Consort Yue's reaction, Marquis Yue could only nod and say something.

"Then I'll take my leave."

After Xiao Yuehou left, Consort Yue looked towards Kunning Palace, sneered, and said...

"You bitch, we've been fighting for so many years, it's time to settle things once and for all."

Inside the Qianqing Palace, Gu Qianfan was reporting the results of the interrogation the previous night to Emperor Yongping.

Gu Qianfan bowed and then spoke.

"Your Majesty, last night I surrounded Xuanzhen Temple with my troops. Jia Jing, the bandit leader hiding in Xuanzhen Temple, felt powerless to turn the tide and committed suicide by poisoning himself."

"After interrogating the young Taoist priests in the temple, I learned that for the past two months, Jia Jing has been using the guise of alchemy to produce large quantities of gunpowder in the Xuanzhen Temple."

"In Xuanzhen Temple, I found 50,000 catties of already made gunpowder, as well as a large amount of saltpeter, sulfur and charcoal."

"At the same time, at the site of the Nancheng explosion, I also discovered many collapsed tunnels."

Traces of black powder explosions were found in the tunnel.

"Combined with the flow of gunpowder raw materials in the entire capital over the past three months, it can be confirmed that the explosion in the South City was caused by thieves secretly digging tunnels to transport the raw materials to the underground shops in the South City."

"And this gunpowder came from the Xuanzhen Temple."

After listening for a moment, Emperor Yongping spoke.

"Jia Jing is just a hermit living in the Xuanzhen Temple. Where did he get such great power to purchase so much saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal?"

"Have you managed to extract the identity of the person behind this from the young Taoist disciple?"

Gu Qianfan shook his head and said.

"No, Jia Jing was too decisive in committing suicide by poison."

"The Taoist boys were only responsible for making and storing gunpowder properly; they knew nothing else."

No useful clues, such as correspondence, were found inside the Taoist temple.

"As for the merchants who purchase raw materials for black powder, they are all puppets. They are only responsible for purchasing and then transporting these raw materials to designated places."

"I am incompetent; I simply cannot find any other clues."

Emperor Yongping waved his hand and said.

"It's quite impressive that you were able to find so much information in just a few days."

"The Nancheng Explosion is a shocking case."

"The person behind the scenes is naturally meticulous and cautious, and will not easily reveal any flaws."

"Alright, seal the remaining gunpowder in the underground of Xuanzhen Temple and order someone to guard it carefully."

"During this period, we will be on high alert around Xuanzhen Temple. Anyone who dares to approach Xuanzhen Temple at will will be captured, thrown into the imperial prison, and interrogated severely."

"The minister obeys the order."

After Gu Qianfan left the hall, a murderous intent appeared in Emperor Yongping's eyes.

At this stage of the investigation, it's practically the same as playing your cards right.

Jia Jing was also a founding father, but after failing to win the throne, he had to seek survival by practicing Taoism at Xuanzhen Temple.

Now, the Ningguo Mansion has been ordered to be searched and confiscated by Emperor Yongping, and its noble title has been stripped.

Jia Jing had lost all hope, which is why he cooperated in making gunpowder.

As for the person behind it all, even a fool could guess that it was definitely related to the four princes.

These people have been causing trouble for Emperor Yongping for quite some time now, and it seems it's time to close the net.

Just as Emperor Yongping was plotting how to get rid of the four princes, at the Prince of Beijing's residence, the four princes gathered, each with an extremely solemn expression.

The Prince of Nan'an asked first.

"Brother Shui, has something happened at Xuanzhen Temple?"

Prince Beijing nodded and said.

"Last night, the Embroidered Uniform Guard launched a surprise attack on Xuanzhen Temple, and now Xuanzhen Temple is completely surrounded by the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Upon hearing this, the Prince of Dongping spoke with great anxiety.

"What about Jia Jing? What's his situation?"

"He knows us, though."

"If he were captured by the Imperial Guards, the consequences would be unimaginable."

"The Nancheng explosion killed and injured over a thousand people. If this case comes to light, we'll probably all be wiped out."

Prince Bei Jing shook his head and said.

"Xuanzhen Temple is now completely inaccessible, so we have no way of knowing whether Jia Jing is alive or dead."

"However, Jia Jing is a smart man, and since the Ningguo Mansion was raided, he harbors resentment. I think he probably won't betray us."

The Prince of Nan'an hurriedly said.

"That being said, everyone has heard about the methods of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"Even a person made of iron would find it difficult to withstand the torture inflicted by the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"Brother Shui, we can't put our hopes on Jia Jing. We need to make plans as soon as possible."

"If you take chances, you might not even know when your home will be raided."

The Prince of Dongping and the Prince of Xining echoed this sentiment.

"That's right, that makes sense. We can't just sit here and wait to die; we have to think of a way."

After thinking for a moment, the Prince of Beijing spoke.

"With our current strength, it is impossible for us to stage a coup in the capital."

"If you want to protect yourself, there are only four words: support the enemy and value yourself."

After hearing this, the Prince of Nan'an pointed to the west and said...

"Brother Shui, you mean the Western Sea, right?"

Prince Beijing nodded and said.

"Indeed, it is the Western Sea."

"Our dynasty has been in a standoff with the foreign tribes along the western coast for many years."

"The barbarian tribes of the Western Sea have been like this for so many years, surrendering and then rebelling, rebelling and then surrendering again."

"The last major battle in the Western Sea was more than twenty years ago."

"The main generals in the Western Navy are all our fathers' confidants. This is our last trump card."

"We absolutely need to make some noise in the West Sea now."

"As long as war breaks out in the Western Sea, His Majesty will be hesitant and will not dare to touch us."

"We must not leave the Western Sea unpunished, but we cannot completely annihilate it."

"As long as the Western Sea vassal states exist, the Western Navy will remain."

"With the Western Navy, no matter who sits on the throne, they won't dare to do anything to us."

Upon hearing this, a glint appeared in everyone's eyes, and they spoke.

"Yes, Brother Shui is right."

"Then let's send a message to the Western Sea. It won't be long before the battle report from the Western Sea reaches the capital."

After the four finished their discussion, they began their operation.

Time flies, and several days have passed in the blink of an eye.

That morning, after a ten-day hiatus, Emperor Yongping resumed court proceedings. Seated on his throne, he received the homage of civil and military officials and then spoke calmly.

"My lords, please make peace."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After the civil and military officials had lined up in order, Emperor Yongping looked around at his ministers and spoke.

"These days, I have been unable to sleep at night because of the earth-shattering explosion in the southern city."

"On my imperial desk, memorials are piled up like a mountain."

"The contents of the memorials are all very similar, and they all say that I am guilty of changing ancestral rules and offending the emperor."

"Therefore, Heaven sent down divine punishment to warn me, and I should issue an edict of self-reproach."

"I was also wondering if it was because of my lack of virtue that I angered Heaven."

"However, it's quite a coincidence that I encountered an immortal in my dream last night."

"The immortal said that the Nancheng explosion was not a natural disaster, but a man-made one."

"At noon today, the immortals will descend with divine punishment to punish those who have abused their divine power."

"My beloved ministers, would you like to come with me to witness the divine punishment?"

Upon hearing this, the civil and military officials looked at each other in bewilderment, wondering what Emperor Yongping was up to.

Nevertheless, all the civil and military officials bowed in unison and then spoke.

"We are willing to accompany Your Majesty."

Not long after, Emperor Yongping rode in his imperial carriage to the outskirts of the city.

As for the ministers, they naturally didn't have this privilege and could only follow the imperial carriage on foot.

The distance from the palace to the outskirts of the city was more than thirty miles. These ministers, who were used to living in luxury, developed blisters on their feet before even leaving the city. They were all wincing in pain, but not one of them dared to fall behind.

Two hours later, the group finally arrived at a hilltop near Xuanzhen Temple.

Emperor Yongping stood atop the mountain with his hands behind his back, gazing into the distance at Xuanzhen Temple.

Then Emperor Yongping looked at the line of officials and spoke.

“Prince of Beijing, Prince of Dongping, Prince of Xining, and Prince of Nan’an, come forward.”

After being called by Emperor Yongping, the four men felt a jolt of fear and quickly stepped out of the queue to bow before the emperor.

"Your Majesty, we are here."

Emperor Yongping looked at the four people meaningfully and said.

"My four ministers have submitted numerous memorials recently, recounting the matter of divine punishment."

"You four just watch and see what happens, this divine punishment is about to descend."

At this moment, all the civil and military officials were puzzled by what they saw.

Most people are unaware of the truth behind the Nancheng explosion; they simply think it's a very good excuse.

If this can persuade Emperor Yongping to abandon his new policies, it would be a good thing for everyone, preserving many interests.

But judging from Emperor Yongping's current demeanor, he's clearly putting the four princes on the hot seat.

However, the four kings knew perfectly well that Emperor Yongping had already figured out the real reason for the explosion in the southern city and was deliberately trying to frame them.

The four of them didn't dare to say anything more and could only nod obsequiously.

Then all the civil and military officials stood on the hilltop, looking down at the Xuanzhen Temple.

Time flies, and it was noon in the blink of an eye.

Then, something happened that shocked everyone present.

With a deafening explosion, the entire Xuanzhen Temple was razed to the ground, leaving behind ruins and a raging fire.

This scene bears a striking resemblance to the Nancheng explosion.

The violent explosion shocked everyone present, leaving them stunned for a long time before they came to their senses.

At this moment, Emperor Yongping looked around at everyone and said calmly.

"My esteemed ministers, what do you think of this divine punishment?"

The civil and military officials looked at each other, stunned for a moment, and then knelt down in unison and said.

"Your Majesty is wise and mighty, aided by gods and men. Long live the Emperor!"

Emperor Yongping snorted coldly.

"Shut up, all of you! Do you really think this is the power of a god? How utterly ridiculous!"

Where is Gu Qianfan?

"The minister is here."

Emperor Yongping continued.

“Come, tell them what this so-called South City Explosion and today’s divine punishment are all about.”

Gu Qianfan nodded and said.

"The minister obeys the order."

Gu Qianfan then recounted the Embroidered Uniform Guard's investigation into the South City explosion, and then continued.

"The so-called divine punishment at Xuanzhen Temple just now was actually the Embroidered Uniform Guard using the same methods as thieves to bury gunpowder underground at Xuanzhen Temple and then detonate it, which caused this earth-shattering explosion."

"Therefore, the explosion in the South City was not a divine punishment at all, but was caused by the thieves using gunpowder made from Xuanzhen Temple to detonate in the South City."

"Their purpose was to obstruct the court from implementing the new policies, and to try to incite rumors in the name of divine punishment and coerce His Majesty into issuing an edict of self-reproach."

"For his own selfish gain, he caused the deaths of more than a thousand people in the southern city. He deserves to die ten thousand times over."

After hearing Gu Qianfan's words, all the officials were stunned.

Although, by all accounts, very few people present were willing to implement the new policy.

But if you ask them to do such tough work, they don't have the guts.

Everyone turned their gaze to the four kings, who instantly felt as if they were being pricked by needles.

After all, the person who has the ability to manipulate these things and command Jia Jing must be related to the Four Kings.

At this moment, the four kings felt as if they were watching someone strip naked.

Emperor Yongping snorted coldly and said.

"You receive salaries from the imperial court, yet you have encountered the bombing incident in the southern city, which was planned by thieves. Instead of sharing the burden of the court, you have joined forces to submit a memorial for your own selfish interests, thus confusing right and wrong."

"Xia Shouzhong, draft an imperial edict: anyone who submits a memorial stating that the Nancheng bombing was divine punishment shall have their salary reduced by six months and shall not be eligible for promotion for three years."

"Prince of Beijing, Prince of Nan'an, Prince of Dongping, Prince of Xining."

“You have received the Emperor’s favor for generations, yet you do not think of repaying the country. For your own selfish interests, when danger comes, you collude with court officials to use the ways of gods and ghosts to bewitch and cause trouble.”

"The four princes will be demoted one rank and renamed Dukes. The right to inherit the title without fail will be abolished. From now on, the title will be inherited in a lower rank."

Upon hearing this, the Prince of Beijing and others hurriedly spoke up.

"Your Majesty, our four princes have hereditary titles that have been bestowed by the Emperor Taizu himself. You cannot treat us like this."

Emperor Yongping said calmly.

"Is that so? The founding emperor personally conferred the title. Very well. If you are dissatisfied with my decision, then go and complain to the founding emperor."

"Aren't you the most skilled in supernatural arts? If not, why don't you have the Great Ancestor Emperor appear?"

"Humph, I don't know what it means."

"Come on, prepare to return to the palace."

After Emperor Yongping finished speaking, he ignored the group and returned to the city after boarding his imperial carriage.

The four kings looked at each other in bewilderment, as if they had lost their parents.

They understood that Jia Jing had not betrayed them, so Emperor Yongping did not have evidence that they were involved in the South City bombing.

However, Emperor Yongping was fully aware of this, so he made a big fuss about the matter of him and others colluding with court officials to submit memorials, and directly abolished the hereditary princely titles, turning the four princes into four dukes.

This was a huge blow to the four kings.

This means that the four royal families have lost the capital to share the fate of the nation.

(End of this chapter)