si-mexico Chapter 2330 Apology and Plea for Mercy
Chapter 2330 Apology and Plea for Mercy
After the eulogy was read, Deng Hongwen announced loudly, "The auspicious time has arrived. Lord Zhongguo and Lord Zhongwu Han—may they rest in peace!"
The pallbearers lifted the coffin and slowly entered the tomb chamber.
The heavy coffin was placed steadily on the stone platform in the center of the tomb chamber.
Then, the tomb was sealed.
The massive stone gate slowly closed, emitting a dull rumble.
The roar echoed in the tomb, across the fields, and in the hearts of everyone present.
Han Xing, the loyal and brave general who sacrificed his life for his country, has finally been laid to rest.
Chu Ning stood before the tomb door, silently watching the stone door slowly close and the coffin gradually disappear into the darkness, remaining speechless for a long time.
A flicker of emotion finally appeared in his eyes—a deep sorrow, an indescribable grief.
He slowly and solemnly bowed deeply to the tightly closed tomb door.
Behind him, Shen Wanying, Wu Zetian, Feng Mulan, and all the civil and military officials and imperial guards knelt down in unison, bowing to Han Xing's tomb in a final salute.
A cold wind blew by, swirling up paper money everywhere.
Paper money fluttered and fell on the tomb, among the pines and cypresses, and on everyone's shoulders.
In the distance, the leaden clouds gradually dispersed, revealing a corner of pale blue sky, as if bidding farewell to this loyal soul.
After the funeral, the procession slowly left the Martyrs' Cemetery and began its journey back to Kyoto.
They arrived with solemnity and reverence, but their departure was marked by heaviness and complexity.
Han Xing's heroic spirit has been laid to rest, but the heart-stopping incident, the corpses and blood of thousands of rebels, and the absurd farce of Chu Yun and Lü Xiuwen tearing each other apart remain.
Yet, like a nightmare, it remains deeply imprinted on everyone's heart.
On the way home, no one spoke.
Only the rumbling of wheels, the clatter of hooves, and the howling of the cold wind echoed across the empty plains.
The civil and military officials all had solemn expressions and were deep in thought.
They were all thinking the same thing—what would await them after returning to the capital?
Chu Ning sat upright in the imperial carriage, closing his eyes to rest.
His face was expressionless, but the invisible pressure emanating from him kept his entourage at bay.
Shen Wanying, Wu Zetian, and Feng Mulan stood silently by his side.
The three children nestled beside their mother, exhausted from the day's harrowing experience, and fell into a deep sleep.
The group finally arrived at the gates of Kyoto.
The city gates were wide open, and the defending troops were already lined up to welcome them.
After entering the city, Chu Ning did not return to the inner palace to rest, but instead issued an imperial decree: summon all officials to the Golden Palace for a meeting.
This decree sent a chill down everyone's spine.
As expected, what was bound to happen, happened.
An hour later, in the Golden Palace.
The palace, which symbolizes the highest power center of the Great Chu, is brightly lit at this moment, yet the atmosphere is solemn.
Inside the hall, civil and military officials stood on both sides, heads bowed, in complete silence.
Outside the palace, the cold wind howled, occasionally swirling up a few snowflakes that landed on the palace door, making a soft sound.
On the imperial steps, Chu Ning sat upright on the dragon throne.
He had changed out of his blood-stained mourning clothes and was now wearing a black dragon robe and a crown, looking majestic and solemn.
However, his face still bore an undeniable weariness and a deep sorrow.
Shen Wanying, Wu Zhao, and Feng Mulan sat slightly behind him, their expressions equally solemn.
Inside the hall, the atmosphere was so oppressive that it was almost suffocating.
Finally, Chu Ning spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but clearly echoing in every corner of the Golden Palace:
"You have all witnessed what happened today. I have nothing more to say. If you have anything to say, then speak."
After the words were spoken, the hall remained deathly silent. No one dared to be the first to speak, and no one dared to step forward rashly at this moment.
The silence lasted for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
Finally, a figure slowly stepped out from the ranks of civil officials.
Liu Shouren, Minister of Revenue and Grand Secretary.
He walked to the steps, lifted his robe, knelt down, and kowtowed heavily, his forehead hitting the ground with a muffled thud.
He didn't get up immediately, but remained lying on the ground, his voice hoarse and heavy, filled with deep self-reproach and guilt:
"Your Majesty! I...are guilty!"
These words made the atmosphere in the hall even more solemn.
All eyes were focused on Liu Shouren's prostrate figure.
Chu Ning didn't speak, she just looked at him quietly.
Liu Shouren prostrated himself on the ground and continued, "Your Majesty, I and Lü Xiuwen came from Bingzhou together and served as ministers in the same court for decades. We have a deep friendship and trust each other greatly."
"I have always believed that Lü Xiuwen is a loyal and upright man, a pillar of the state!"
"But today, I learned that he... he actually colluded with Chu Xuan to help him mobilize the troops of Youzhou! He actually conspired with Chu Yun to launch a rebellion during General Han's funeral!"
His voice trembled slightly with excitement: "I spend every day with him, discussing matters of state with him, yet... I know nothing about this!"
"Your Majesty, I am foolish! I have failed in my duty! I have failed Your Majesty's trust! I... I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"
After saying this, he kowtowed heavily again, the sound of his forehead striking the gold bricks being particularly clear in the silent hall.
Liu Shouren's words were sincere and heartfelt, each word filled with sorrow.
His relationship with Lü Xiuwen was known to everyone in the court and among the public.
The two men came from Bingzhou, entered officialdom in the same year, and served as ministers in the same court for decades, their relationship as close as brothers.
After Lü Xiuwen's son, Lü Chang, was assassinated, Liu Shouren visited him many times to comfort him and did his best to help him.
Who would have thought that this man, whom he regarded as a brother, had secretly done so many shady things?
And he knew nothing about it.
This guilt and self-blame made him feel utterly ashamed.
After Liu Shouren finished speaking, there was a brief silence in the hall before the officials began to speak.
“Your Majesty! Although Lord Liu is on good terms with Lü Xiuwen, all of Lü Xiuwen’s actions are carried out in secret. It is understandable that Lord Liu was unaware of them!”
"Your Majesty! Lord Liu is utterly loyal and has devoted himself to the court for decades without ever having a disloyal heart!"
"This matter was far beyond his foresight; Your Majesty, please understand!"
"Your Majesty! This villain Lü Xiuwen is cunning and treacherous, skilled in disguise. Let alone Lord Liu, how many officials in the entire court can see through his true colors?"
"Lord Liu's oversight was truly unfortunate; I humbly beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!"
"Your Majesty! Lord Liu's voluntary confession demonstrates his loyalty and integrity! If he is punished for this matter, wouldn't it discourage loyal ministers? Your Majesty, please reconsider!"
In an instant, cries for mercy rose and fell, echoing throughout the imperial palace.
Officials who were on good terms with Liu Shouren, colleagues who admired him, and younger generations who knew his character well all stepped forward, knelt down, and pleaded for his life.
As a cabinet minister and the Minister of Revenue, Liu Shouren also had the merit of supporting the emperor, so he naturally had a wide network of connections in the court.