Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

Chu Ning's accusation made Xiahou Yan realize that something was wrong.

If Chu Ning continued to speak, there would be nothing the emperor could do even if he wanted to help him.

With a glare, Xiahou Yan roared, "These are just your one-sided words. You just came back to see His Majesty and you don't know much about the situation, so you dare to speak nonsense here.

My four brothers just wanted to go to the palace to ask you for an explanation, but you said they led people to surround the palace. This is really too much!"

After saying this, he looked at the emperor with a look of grief on his face: "Your Majesty, my Xiahou family has been loyal for generations and has worked diligently for the State of Chu for decades. I really cannot accept such an outcome."

"Your Majesty, please make a decision for our Xiahou family and severely punish the King of Chu!"

This matter will only go on endlessly if it continues, and only the emperor can make the decision to end it.

He was gambling that the emperor would stand on his side.

Otherwise, there would be no need for the emperor to show up tonight. Wouldn't it be better to let Chu Ning kill him and then come out?

Since the emperor rescued him from Chu Ning's knife, he must have wanted to use him to check and balance Chu Ning.

As long as the emperor opens his mouth, he will have a chance to turn defeat into victory!

The emperor looked at Xiahou Yan, whose face was filled with grief, and a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes.

If Xiahou Yan didn't even have this much eyesight, he wouldn't have to go to such great lengths to save this person.

"General Xiahou, why do you have to do this? I am now upholding justice for your Xiahou family. Stand up and speak."

The emperor's words made Xiahou Yan very happy, as if he had taken a reassurance pill.

This clearly shows that they want to stand on the side of the Xiahou family.

Upon hearing this, all the ministers at the scene turned their heads and looked at each other. They all understood the meaning of the emperor's words.

However, Chu Ning seemed to have anticipated this and stood there with a blank expression on his face.

Only Xiahou Yan, who was filled with joy, was very excited and bowed quickly: "Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Your Majesty!"

The emperor has chosen sides, Chu Ning, you are in trouble!

Xiahou Yan knew that he had made the right bet!

While thinking, the emperor narrowed his eyes and looked at Chu Ning, and said in a deep voice: "Although what you said just now sounds reasonable, it does not stand up to scrutiny."

"Even if the general was wrong, as a prince, you can just arrest him. Why do you want to behead him in public?"

"It is only natural for the Xiahou family to take action after the general was killed, but you used this as an excuse to drag the general's body back to the capital and humiliate the Xiahou family!"

"After hearing the news, the four Xiahou sons wanted to go to the palace to seek an explanation. This is what a son should do, but you took the initiative to bring people to kill them!"

The emperor's tone became more and more severe, and more and more unfavorable to Chu Ning.

But Chu Ning did not refute. He just stood there expressionlessly listening to the emperor's rebuttal.

Seeing this, the emperor was too lazy to bother with Chu Ning. His face darkened and he said in a cold voice:

"This time, you've gone too far!"

Chu Ning still didn't speak.

The emperor raised his eyebrows at the abnormal behavior, and for a moment he was unsure of Chu Ning's thoughts.

But no matter what, he must make Chu Ning hand over the power in his hands completely today!

Thinking of this, the emperor stared at Chu Ning and asked, "What else do you have to say?"

Chu Ning suddenly grinned: "Father, you have already said everything. Just tell me how you want to deal with me."

Even a fool could see that the emperor was so partial to the Xiahou family and clearly had other plans.

Chu Ning wanted to see what the emperor wanted to do!

The emperor's eyes were cold: "Since you have nothing to say, I will take back your autonomy in Bingzhou and deprive you of your generalship!"

When these words were spoken, all the officials present were shocked. No one expected that the emperor would actually take action against Chu Ning.

Without Bingzhou and his official position, Chu Ning only retained his identity as a prince. This was equivalent to cutting off Chu Ning's two arms, leaving him helpless in the future.

But at this moment, Chu Ning said calmly: "Since Father thinks this matter is my fault, why not revoke this prince's status as well."

The emperor glared and said, "Do you think I dare not? Humph, if it weren't for your great victory in Yunzhou this time, I would definitely deprive you of your status as a prince!

Considering your great victory this time, your merits and demerits will be offset and your status as a prince will be retained for the time being."

Anyone can understand the meaning of these words.

Keep your status as a prince for now!

This means that if there is a chance in the future, his status as a prince will be stripped!

Such a result was beyond everyone's expectations. No one had expected that the emperor would go to war against Chu Ning just for the sake of the Xiahou family which was about to be destroyed.

Even the Prime Minister and the Grand Tutor couldn't help but look at each other with confusion, but no one dared to speak at this time.

This is the emperor's order, and they can't change anything even if they speak up.

Moreover, although the Xiahou family suffered heavy casualties this time, they still had the support of many generals in the army, and they did not dare to offend the other side.

In front of Xiahou Yan, they didn't dare to plead for Chu Ning at this time.

But Liu Shouren and Deng Hongwen were different. As recognized members of the King of Chu faction, they felt that the emperor's punishment was too harsh.

Liu Shouren was the first to step forward, and he saluted with a serious expression: "Your Majesty, during this period of time, His Royal Highness the King of Chu has pacified Zhao, made friends with Zhou, and defeated Yan. His military exploits are outstanding. Such a punishment is disheartening."

Deng Hongwen was even more blunt: "Your Majesty, the troops of Bingzhou are now at war with the State of Zhao. Severely punishing the King of Chu at this moment will surely demoralize the soldiers on the front line, which will give the State of Zhao a chance to counterattack."

The emperor glanced at the two of them and said calmly, "You two adults are so anxious to plead for Chu Ning, is it because you have a good personal relationship?"

As soon as these words came out, Liu Shouren and Deng Hongwen immediately knelt on the ground and said, "Your Majesty, we dare not form a clique for personal gain."

The emperor's words were very serious, and it seemed that he was going to take action against the two men if they disagreed with him.

Liu Shouren and Deng Hongwen were both smart people. How could they not understand the meaning of the emperor's words? They could only kneel down to express their feelings.

This is the power of imperial authority!

One word can determine life or death!

The emperor looked down at the two of them coldly and said, "It's better to be like this, otherwise I will show no mercy!"

After a pause, the emperor's expression eased a lot, and he said in a deep voice: "But what you just said does make sense, and I can't let the soldiers on the front line feel disheartened.

How about this, Xiahou Yan will take up the post of general immediately, be promoted to the rank of Minister of War, command the entire army, and be in charge of the Bingzhou war!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Xiahou Yan was overjoyed and immediately knelt down to express his gratitude.

And Chu Ning finally reacted.

It turned out that the emperor had deliberately targeted the crown prince and a group of princes in order to find an excuse to drive this group of people away.

Without the obstruction of the prince and others, there would be no resistance for Xiahou Yan to become the general.

After all this time, it turns out that the emperor's goal was to make Xiahou Yan a general!

While deep in thought, the emperor suddenly looked over and said, "Chu Ning, do you accept my decision or not?"

Chu Ning grinned: "Since it is the decision of the emperor, how dare I disobey it?"

The emperor raised his lips slightly and stroked his beard. He was about to praise Chu Ning for his sensible attitude, but Chu Ning continued:

"Father, since I don't have any official position, I will focus on business from now on!"

"It just so happens that our dynasty and Zhou Kingdom have been trading frequently recently, and I want to take my family to Liangzhou Dunhuang County to do business!"

After saying that, Chu Ning bowed, turned around and left.

The emperor stood there in a daze.

What does Chu Ning mean?

Are you quitting this job?