C626 Request for removal of feudalism (2/2)
”Pan Ruochu, your father asked me to dismiss him?” Zhou Chengdi frowned and asked.
”Yes, your majesty. I have already brought the seal of my father's vassal state and returned it to your majesty.” With that, Pan Ruo gestured to the guard behind her, who walked over with a cloth wrapped around his shoulders.
Pan Ruochu unwrapped the silk cloth, and everyone took a look. It was actually King An Qing's seal.
”May Your Majesty retract your seal and annul your position as the vassal lord of An Qing.” Pan Ruochu raised the seal high up and shouted loudly.
Since the seal had already been handed in, there was no way it could be fake.
”Why did King Anqing suddenly ask to be dismissed?” Zhou Chengdi asked.
Back to the emperor, because my father had been aware of the ambitions of King Anping and King Anguang, he was worried that one day, those two vassal lords would do something against the imperial court and the emperor and involve him in it. In order to avoid being misunderstood by the emperor in the future, my father made the decision to request the removal of the vassal lords. Pan Ruochu presented the imperial report.
”Quick, bring it over!” Zhou Cheng Di ordered impatiently.
In the memorial, Prince An Qing explained in detail why they had to be dismissed, and every word he said was filled with sincerity. In the end, he even said that he was proud to be the Emperor's subject, so he was willing to hand in the marshal seal that led an army of eighty thousand soldiers.
As Zhou Chengdi watched, a smile finally appeared on his face …
This was both a seal and a memorial, enough to express King An Qing's intentions.
Pan Ruochu continued, ”Your majesty, actually, the reason my father finally made the decision to request the removal of the vassal lords was inseparable from His Highness.”
”Oh?” Zhou Chengdi's gaze fell on Feng Yunzheng and he asked, ”Where do we start?”
”When the Ninth Prince was in Qingnan, he had a secret conversation with my father for three days and three nights, persuading my father to give up the position of vassal lord and express his sincerity to the Emperor. In the end, my father listened to the Ninth Prince's advice and ordered my daughter to bring a imperial report and seal to the capital to see the Emperor.” Pan Ruochen explained in detail.
When Zhou Chengdi heard this, he was extremely happy. Just now, his anger towards Feng Yunzheng had completely vanished. He clapped his hands and said, ”In that case, Yunzheng has accomplished a great merit that has solved the great problem in my heart!”
Feng Yunzheng's face revealed a humble expression, and he said, ”Royal father, this is something this son, as a prince, should do. ”But …” He paused and looked at some of the people around him. ”This son has just heard from someone here that Prince An Qing is conspiring against us. How could there be such a rumor? If this matter were to spread to the ears of King An Qing, then this son's efforts would have been in vain. ”
Feng Yunzheng's last sentence contained a tremendous amount of formless energy, causing everyone in the sect to shudder. Especially Fan Ming, who frequently raised his hand to wipe away the sweat on his forehead.
”Yes, Your Majesty. This is related to my father's reputation. I hope that Your Majesty can give justice to my father, this loyal official!” Pan Ruo Chu asked as his eyes fell on Xiao Zhen Hai. ”Your majesty, was he the one who said bad things about my father?”
Xiao Zhenhai's face tightened as he said hoarsely, ”Little girl, don't push your luck!” There was a hint of warning in his words.
”Fan Ming, what are these letters between Prince An Qing and Qi Dan all about?”
Fan Yu prostrated on the ground and said, ”Your Majesty, Your Majesty, this humble subject has been thinking about these letters. These letters were most likely written by Prince Anqing before he requested that the vassal lords be dismissed.”
When Feng Yunzheng heard this, he looked at the sweating Fan Ming and said, ”General Fan, you must take responsibility for what you have said.”
Fan Ming's heart trembled. Sweat poured down his forehead as he looked at Xiao Zhenhai. ”This humble subject, this humble subject …”