The Grand Court dispersed, and the officials retreated in an orderly fashion.
Xiao Yu felt extremely uncomfortable!
But the moment he stepped out of the palace gate, he felt a powerful force kick him from behind.
Followed by a stern shout.
"Old man Xiao, I've tolerated you for a long time!"
His footing unsteady, he fell directly to the ground. Turning his head, he saw Zhangsun Wuji approaching him with a fierce expression.
"Who gave you the guts to ruin my affairs!"
Saying this, he stepped over and sat on Xiao Yu, his fists raining down like a barrage.
The Emperor wanted to step back, and there was nothing he could do about that.
But once this matter truly began, it would mean the pinnacle of the Zhangsun family's glory, and then they would begin their decline.
For this, he had been worried for a long time.
He had thought about the marriage alliance with the Fang family, but Fang Er was a stubborn fellow who wouldn't budge!
The marriage decree had been issued for so many years, and the daughters of several dukes had long passed the age, yet they remained unmarried.
Everyone knew the reason why!
Now that he finally saw a glimmer of hope, this old fellow Xiao Yu popped out to object. What was he doing?
This was no longer just about stopping a marriage; it was about undermining the Zhangsun family's future!
Damn it, could he tolerate this?
He couldn't act in the Grand Court, otherwise he would be impeached for being a domineering maternal relative.
But now that the Grand Princess had changed the law, and the marriage was set in stone, what was there to hesitate about?
If he didn't beat him until his face was bruised and swollen, did they really think Zhangsun Wuji was a good-tempered man?
For many years, the Empress had been advising him to retire to his home to avoid the charge of maternal relatives interfering in politics.
For this, he had endured countless indignities. At this moment, it seemed all the pent-up frustration had found an outlet.
"Fuji, Fuji, stop!"
"Ah!"
"Gently, gently, listen to me!"
Xiao Yu, pinned beneath him, shielded his head with his hands, begging for mercy. But Zhangsun Wuji acted as if he heard nothing.
Meanwhile, after leaving the palace, Wei Zheng felt uneasy.
He walked cautiously, looking left and right, ready to flee at any moment.
Seeing he was close to his home, and that no one had rushed out, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, his pounding heart finally calming down.
Entering the door, he shut it.
"Bang!"
He hadn't even taken five steps inside when the main door behind him was kicked open.
Chai Shao stood at the entrance, staring at him menacingly.
"Wei Tie Wa, come, let's have some fun!"
"Qiao, Duke of Qiao, perhaps it's best not to, I've recently contracted a severe illness, it's contagious..."
Wei Zheng's face was pale, and he couldn't stop backing away, stumbling and knocking over a flowerpot by the screen wall.
"A severe illness? Don't worry, I'll have someone bring Old Sun back. As long as he has a breath left, I guarantee three doses of medicine will make you as energetic as ever!"
Chai Shao approached with a cold smile.
Damn it, bullying my son-in-law, and I'm supposed to tolerate this?
My wife said that if I don't beat Wei Tie Wa until he shits himself, I won't be allowed in bed when I get back...
"No, no! I was merely offering counsel for the sake of counsel!"
"You should recall, I had only just begun."
"The Emperor appointed us as remonstrating officials. It's improper if we don't speak up when something happens..."
"I was just showing my face, you shouldn't have chased me home to beat me..."
Wei Zheng had retreated to the moon gate. The servants in the house gathered around.
"I don't care why you were remonstrating, you're getting beaten today no matter what!"
Chai Shao finished speaking and kicked him.
Wei Zheng felt bitter.
Damn, being a remonstrating official in the Zhenguan era is really damn difficult...
"This is Wei Zheng's house, right?"
"Let's go, let's go in, damn, my hands have been itching for days!"
"Let's be clear about this, when the fight starts, no one is to hold me back!"
"Tch, who would hold you back..."
Wei Zheng was kicked to the ground. As he got up, he heard the voices of Cheng Yaojin, Yuchi Jingde, Zhang Gongjin, and others from the main entrance.
Damn, are they ever going to let anyone live!
Wei Zheng and Xiao Yu were getting beaten.
Meanwhile, the city of Chang'an was also becoming lively. Squads of the Hundred Guard Division, riding single-cylinder Harley motorcycles made in Shenyang, like biker gangs from European and American films.
With short-barreled shotguns slung across their waists, they followed their captains and smashed open the doors of officials' homes.
At the home of the Left Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, the subordinate opened the door. Qi Wudao powerfully lifted the handlebars, and the big Harley roared straight into the courtyard across the steps.
He kicked down the stand, removed the shotgun from his waist, and began loading it himself, ordering without looking up.
"Take them all down!"
"Search!"
The Left Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Personnel was still on duty. The servants in the house panicked at this sight.
"Sir, why is this happening, why!"
"You're arresting someone in broad daylight, you must give us a reason!"
The steward, in a state of terror, quickly stepped forward, pulling a deposit slip from the Chang'an Bank from his sleeve and stuffing it into him.
"Get lost! Stop this nonsense!"
"The Left Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Mao Budan, is accused of corruption, bribery, and dereliction of duty. The evidence is conclusive. His property will be confiscated, and he will be handed over to the Dali Temple for trial!"
...
The entire city of Chang'an was like a boiling pot. The citizens watched in astonishment as the Hundred Guard Division arrested people everywhere.
"What is happening!"
"Why are so many people being arrested all of a sudden?"
"Is the Emperor going to initiate a mass purge?"
"Look quickly, that's Minister Dai of the Ministry of Rites! Even he has been arrested!"
"We've only had a few good days, are we going back to chaos?"
"Pah! What are you saying? The current Emperor is wise and virtuous. These people are surely arrested for serious offenses, otherwise, why would the Hundred Guard Division be involved?"
"You're talking about chaos in the realm, I think you have ulterior motives!"
"You few, come and lend a hand, help me escort this fellow to the yamen..."
In an instant, the Dali Temple was overflowing with people.
Xiao Residence.
Xiao Yu sat in his rocking chair, his old face bruised and battered.
Several maids were applying medicine to his face. A servant rushed in.
"Reporting to Your Grace, the city is in chaos, the Hundred Guard Division is arresting people everywhere!"
"The Left Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, the Chief Official of the Ministry of Works, the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War, the Deputy Minister of the Dali Temple, the Magistrate of Wannian, the Officer of the Ministry of Revenue, and even the Minister of Rites have all been arrested!"
"Ever since you returned from court, it hasn't been peaceful outside!"
Xiao Yu's mouth widened in shock, and his three-colored false teeth, which seemed to be ill-fitting, fell out.
He skillfully caught them, rinsed them with tea from the table, and casually stuffed them back in.
"The storm is coming!"
"It seems today's court session was merely a facade..."
After a moment of contemplation, he raised his eyebrows and said to the servant.
"Go, tell the steward to proceed according to my previous arrangements!"