manynovel Chapter 528: A transfer in name only, but actually a demotion
Chapter 528: A transfer in name only, but actually a demotion
The expression on the Second Prince's face was very complicated, showing a mixture of gloating, disappointment, and some worry.
"This is a major hidden danger. This move is tantamount to letting a tiger return to the mountains. The court has been infiltrated by these people. If they can assassinate us princes today, they can assassinate the emperor tomorrow."
The second prince poured himself a cup of tea and said, "I don't believe that my father can sleep. The threat to him is greater than the threat to us. How can we allow others to sleep soundly in front of our bed? I'm afraid my father must be furious at this moment, right?"
The second prince guessed correctly. At this moment, the imperial study was in a mess.
"Tong Fengming is such an idiot, what can he do? We sent so many people to guard the Dali Temple, which is guarded by layers of guards, but they were killed. What are those good-for-nothings in the Dali Temple doing?"
The emperor was furious and swept away all the memorials on the table.
Zhou Zhong tried hard to move himself closer to the corner. He knelt there tremblingly, not daring to say a word.
Who dares to go up and offend him now? The emperor is so angry, I am afraid that Master Tong will not be able to escape this time for dereliction of duty and incompetence. Deducting salary is a light punishment, I am afraid he will lose his official hat.
The emperor pointed at Tong Fengming below, his hands shaking with anger.
"They are incapable of doing anything good, but always capable of causing trouble. Why don't you quickly take people to investigate and catch those traitors?"
Tong Fengming was so frightened that sweat covered his forehead. Upon hearing this, he quickly crawled out of the imperial study.
The third prince, who was kneeling beside him, dared not utter a word. It was his grandfather who had caused the trouble. What could he say at this moment? He dared not say anything.
The emperor glanced at the kneeling Third Prince and said, "You get out too."
"Father, please calm down. Please take care of your health. I will take my leave now."
The Third Prince left the Imperial Study, his face livid. He had clearly sent a large number of soldiers to guard the place, but they still allowed those people to take advantage of the situation.
There must be a spy in the Dali Temple. With a sullen face, he strode towards the Dali Temple.
Jiang Youzhen finally understood the whole story and couldn't help but shook his head.
"This is a good opportunity to track down the rebels, but unfortunately those people are too cunning and have already planted pawns in our court. It will be difficult to find such an opportunity next time."
"Yes, they will become more and more cautious in their actions." The second prince also nodded.
"The third brother is such an idiot. He can ruin anything. I don't know how lucky he was to have caught those assassins. Even the fourth brother fell behind him."
When he said this, he looked at Jiang Youzhen, but found that Jiang Youzhen looked normal, so he put aside his suspicions.
"It was originally a great achievement, but now it will be recorded as a serious offense. Deducting salary and suspending from work are minor matters, but if I am demoted, I will lose all my face." The second prince shook his head.
"Tong Fengming has been in this position for too long. He simply doesn't have the ability. It would be better for him to abdicate and let someone else take over." The second prince narrowed his eyes slightly, and this time he was determined to cut off one of the third prince's arms.
Jiang Youzhen's heart moved slightly, it seemed that the Second Prince was going to add fuel to the fire.
"I hope you won't interfere in what happens next, otherwise we'll be at loggerheads. As for the fourth brother, he's just sweet-mouthed but bitter-hearted. You don't have to work for him."
The second prince stood up and climbed over the window, disappearing into the night without looking back.
It turned out that he was here to warn me. Although it was a pity to let the mastermind go this time, the heirs to the throne were not in a hurry, so why should I be in a hurry? I might as well go to bed!
The five-day deadline soon arrived, and Tong Fengming turned the Dali Temple upside down and finally found the murderer who poisoned him.
However, he was still a step too late. When the jailer who poisoned the prison was discovered, he had already been killed by a sword in the throat.
Tong Fengming knelt in the imperial study with sweat all over his forehead. It should have been a great achievement, but now it turned out like this, which made him very upset.
"The Supreme Court Justice!" The Emperor pointed at Tong Fengming and said coldly, "You are simply incompetent!"
"There were only ten jailers and cooks on duty that night. You said the murderer was not one of those ten, but that he gave one of the jailers on duty croton, causing him to have diarrhea, and took the opportunity to change the guards?"
The emperor had a cold face. Although he looked calm now, Tong Fengming always felt that a storm was about to come.
"Yes!" Tong Fengming's voice trembled a little. "When the two of them changed shifts, they did it privately and it was not registered. Moreover, the murderer killed the jailer and pretended that he committed suicide out of fear of punishment, misleading me. I thought I had lost the clue, so I started from the leopard tattoos on the assassins, and took a lot of detours."
The emperor seemed to have calmed down. "Oh? So what did you get?"
"I have searched many documents and consulted many martial artists, but found nothing. It seems to be a mysterious organization." The sweat on Tong Fengming's forehead dripped onto the carpet in front of him, but he didn't dare to wipe it off.
He knew that whether he could continue to hold on to this position depended on today.
"In other words, you have been busy all this time but haven't found anything?" The emperor's tone became very cold.
"I haven't found it yet, but if Your Majesty can give me a few more days, I will definitely find it out."
Tong Fengming felt miserable! He was only given five days, how could he finish the work in time?
"Wen Zheng! I remember that you have been promoted to the position of Dali Temple Minister for 17 or 18 years, right? It has been a long time. When you were promoted to the position of Dali Temple as a civil official, it was me who overcame all objections and suppressed the complaints and resentment of those old officials."
Tong Fengming's heart skipped a beat. It was over! He knew it was over! Wen Zheng was his courtesy name, and when the emperor called him that, he felt that something bad was going to happen.
If the emperor was angry, he would still feel a little relieved, but the emperor was so calm that he panicked.
"Your Majesty, I am loyal to you and serve my country. I am willing to help you solve your problems. Although I was a civil official at the beginning, as a subject, I have no choice but to do it."
The emperor laughed. This old man was unwilling to give up his throne! However, Tong Fengming's performance in recent years was really mediocre. He was promoted to the position of Dali Temple Minister because Concubine Yun was pregnant with the heir.
The emperor looked at Tong Fengming below, and suddenly found that his hair had turned gray, and he couldn't help but feel pity.
"Although you have a heart of loyalty to the emperor and the country, you are old after all, and there will inevitably be times when you are unable to do what you want."
Tong Fengming just felt his body go weak, this time it was really over!
Although he had performed poorly in the past, the emperor's punishments on him were always loud but little effective. I didn't expect that he would take this assassination so seriously.
It was his negligence that the person who was assassinated this time was the prince. Especially in the imperial city, the emperor also felt the danger.
In fact, he had no idea that the emperor was more worried about the imperial teacher's divination predictions.
"I appreciate your hard work and great contributions. It just so happens that the old minister of the Ministry of Rites is about to retire. I will transfer you to the Ministry of Rites. It is considered a lateral transfer, but it does not need to be so dangerous, and it will also prevent Concubine Yun from always worrying about your safety in front of me."
Tong Fengming's heart finally settled down, and he smiled bitterly.
Taichang Temple is in charge of the sacrifices to the mausoleums and temples, as well as rituals and music.
However, the Dali Temple of this dynasty holds great power. Which official in the court would not be terrified when hearing about the Dali Temple? They have arrested many officials in recent years.
This means he is being sent to the Taichang Temple for retirement! It is called a transfer, but it is actually a demotion. However, the emperor has made up his mind and will not allow him to object.
"My lord, thank you Lord for your kindness!"