Not only was Liang Shicheng stunned, but Cai You was also taken aback.
How could Wang Fu possibly impeach Liang Shicheng?
Even though Liang Shicheng was no longer in charge of Wang Fu at this moment.
But could the things they had done together before be so easily forgotten? If Liang Shicheng were truly dragged down, Wang Fu himself wouldn't fare any better.
Cai You found their dog-eat-dog behavior quite incomprehensible.
"Grand Commandant Liang, do you have anything to say?"
For some unknown reason, Zhao Ji smiled as he looked at Liang Shicheng.
"Replying to Your Majesty, this subject has only four words for Minister Teng!"
Liang Shicheng said calmly.
"And what are those four words?"
"Utter nonsense! Everything this subject has done is to share Your Majesty's worries and alleviate the hardships of the people, without any selfish motives. I implore Your Majesty to see the truth!"
"Young Chancellor Wang!"
After hearing Liang Shicheng's words, Zhao Ji looked at Wang Fu again.
At that moment, he couldn't figure out what Wang Fu was up to.
In his mind, these two had always been in league. Why had they suddenly turned on each other?
"Replying to Your Majesty, Minister Teng, as a Censor, has his duties. Since he has spoken, why does Your Majesty not examine his memorial..."
Wang Fu said calmly.
At this, the court fell into a deathly silence once more.
No one present was foolish.
Everyone could tell that Wang Fu's words, though seemingly innocuous, had conveyed a crucial message to the outside world.
Wang Fu and Liang Shicheng had parted ways!
Although Zhao Ji was surprised, he showed no outward reaction, merely casting another indifferent glance at Liang Shicheng.
It had been a long time since anyone dared to openly attack Liang Shicheng.
If Liang Shicheng could not deal with Teng Yuande today, then soon more people would try to do so.
"What does the Crown Prince say?"
Looking at the stern-faced Wang Fu and the ashen-faced Liang Shicheng, Zhao Ji lightly kicked the ball to the Crown Prince's court.
Zhao Huan's heart sank. He hadn't expected that by merely standing by, a problem would fall into his lap.
The Emperor's intention was quite clear; he wanted the Crown Prince to follow Wang Fu's lead.
But the problem was that at this moment, Liang Shicheng was the Crown Prince's biggest pillar of support.
This was forcing him to destroy his own fortress!
"Your son, Your son believes..."
As Zhao Huan spoke, he looked pleadingly at Liang Shicheng.
Seeing the Crown Prince in a dilemma, Liang Shicheng gave a barely perceptible nod.
Seeing his nod, Zhao Huan finally felt a sense of relief.
"Your son believes that Teng Yuande, as a Censor, has the right to impeach. It might be best for Father Emperor to send someone to investigate, to clear Grand Commandant Liang's name!"
After hearing Zhao Huan's reply, Zhao Ji nodded with satisfaction.
At this moment, he also wanted to see what further schemes Wang Fu had.
For so many years, they had been like rats in the same hole. If it came down to Liang Shicheng, could Wang Fu truly escape?
"What you say is not wrong. However, at this moment, the court is in need of capable officials. Should we let my pillar of strength stay at home to be investigated simply because of a minor impeachment by a mere Censor? Guards, convey the decree!"
"Yes!"
"Censor Teng Yuande, for his lack of judgment and framing of officials, and considering it is your first offense, you are hereby dismissed from your position as Censor and demoted to commoner status!"
"Your Majesty, Censors are duty-bound to report any rumors they hear. Even if his words are mistaken, he should not be so severely punished. I beg Your Majesty to show leniency!"
Although he didn't know this fellow's intentions, the person being targeted was Liang Shicheng. Cai You was quite willing to keep him in court to annoy Liang Shicheng.
Therefore, without hesitation, he stepped forward and cupped his hands towards the Emperor, saying,
"Your Majesty, this subject believes Scholar Cai's words are reasonable. If we punish him today, who else will dare to report rumors in the future?"
Since Cai You had already stepped forward to support him, Wang Fu was naturally happy to return the favor.
"Shou Dao, what do you say?"
The court situation had suddenly become interesting, and even Emperor Zhao Ji was invigorated.
"This subject is Your Majesty's humble servant and will obey Your Majesty's command!"
Liang Shicheng sneered inwardly. Wasn't this a pointless gesture?
If that old man truly intended to protect him, he wouldn't have asked for his opinion.
If this matter had happened a year ago, Teng Yuande would have already been thrown out of the hall.
If the Zhongshu Sheng had acted faster, perhaps the edict for Teng Yuande to take up his post in Yazhou would have already been written!
"Since Grand Commandant Liang does not pursue the matter, let us proceed as Minister Cai suggested. Censor Teng Yuande spoke without substance, he is fined ten catties of copper!"
Had the farce ended just like that?
Bai Shizhong, who had been watching coldly from the side, looked at Wang Fu with a hint of confusion, wondering what this fellow was planning.
"Dong—dong—dong—"
As Bai Shizhong was pondering in confusion, a loud drumbeat suddenly echoed from outside the palace gates.
The expressions of all the court officials turned strange. Someone had beaten the Dengwen Drum outside Xuande Gate...
"Who is beating the drum? Bring him in!"
Before the Shenzong Dynasty, it was common for the people of the capital to beat the Dengwen Drum.
Of course, at that time, the reason for the common people beating the drum might have been the loss of a pig or a lamb being stolen.
But with Chancellor Cai's machinations over the years, the matter of beating the Dengwen Drum had become increasingly rare.
After all, when Emperor Taizu of Song established the Dengwen Drum, he also instituted the "killing the prestige stick" rule.
This meant that to beat the Dengwen Drum, one had to first endure a session with the killing prestige stick.
Previous emperors had largely turned a blind eye to this system, considering it a mere formality.
But with Cai Jing in power, the grievances of the people in the capital increased. If they were all allowed to beat the Dengwen Drum, would the Emperor have any peaceful days?
To reduce trouble for the Emperor, and for himself, Cai Jing had specifically arranged for personnel at the Dengwen Drum courtyard.
After a few dozen people were beaten to death, anyone else who dared to beat the Dengwen Drum would have to do so with a death wish.
"Yes!"
Although he didn't know who was beating the drum, Bai Shizhong felt that the situation was not good when he saw a fleeting killing intent in Wang Fu's eyes...