Zhang Rang stared at the conflicted Emperor Ling, and spoke urgently, "Your Majesty, I do not wish to trouble you, and am willing to kowtow and beg for forgiveness!"
What kind of person was Zhang Rang? A favored official of Emperor Ling, and he was certain Ye Feng would not agree. Yet, Ye Feng merely watched him with a gentle smile, remaining silent.
Seeing no reaction for a long time, Ye Feng stopped pretending. He spoke coldly, "Did the eunuch not just say he wanted to kowtow and beg for forgiveness? What now?"
Zhang Rang looked at the indifferent Emperor Ling, and his heart sank. He had intended for Emperor Ling to speak on his behalf and smooth things over. He hadn't expected Ye Feng to be so persistent. In a moment of desperation, he let out a roar!
"Although I have served His Majesty since childhood, to kneel and beg forgiveness from the King of Chu for the sake of the realm is no issue. However, what exactly does the King of Chu intend to do with me? I beg you to provide a clear course of action!" Zhang Rang said slowly, shaking his head.
Ye Feng's expression changed instantly. Zhang Rang's intention was merely to show his deep affection for Emperor Ling, which was impossible. More importantly, he had only knelt to Emperor Ling. Now, being forced to kneel to Ye Feng, did this imply Ye Feng harbored treasonous thoughts?
With this realization, Ye Feng remained in his spot, awaiting Zhang Rang's kowtow. This action, however, caused many officials to whisper among themselves.
"I think this King of Chu is utterly unreasonable! To make His Majesty's close attendant kowtow and beg for forgiveness, does he truly think he is His Majesty?"
"Who says not? The King of Chu deserves death for his crimes; it is only thanks to His Majesty's magnanimity!"
"I beg Your Majesty to kill the King of Chu as a warning to others!"
A single stone stirred a thousand ripples, and in an instant, the entire court was filled with voices calling for Ye Feng's death. This made Emperor Ling's face turn cold, as Ye Feng was currently his vital minister!
"Do all my ministers truly believe Ye Feng deserves death?" Emperor Ling asked calmly, his voice unwavering. "If there are any dissenting opinions, please speak them."
These ministers were either from powerful families or had intricate connections. They hated Ye Feng to the bone and would never speak up for him.
"Your Majesty, while Zhang Rang's words may be biased, they are not entirely without merit. I beg Your Majesty to make a decision and kill Ye Feng!" a minister spoke urgently.
Ye Feng stared at everyone below, remembering them in his heart. He would not let them off for their malicious attacks this time.
As for his own safety, it was a joke. Emperor Ling still needed Ye Feng to expand his territory, balance the aristocratic families, and Ye Feng had already made great contributions. Who dared to act against him?
Emperor Ling sighed softly and said slowly, "If any of you still have different opinions, please voice them. I shall grant you leniency!"
He had said this three or four times, but the ministers remained unmoved, filled with righteous indignation, wishing they could flay Ye Feng alive.
"Very well, very well! All you ministers are truly capable!" Ye Feng sneered and said slowly, "I see that if His Majesty were not here, this king would have long ago perished without a burial place!"
"Bold Ye Feng, you dare to speak with such a silver tongue! Quickly surrender and be bound!" someone exclaimed. Ye Feng felt as if he were drowning in spit, yet he remained unhurried.
"Have you all discussed and decided clearly that you will only be satisfied if I perish without a burial place?" Ye Feng's casual remark made the faces of many ministers darken. To them, Ye Feng had saved their lives. In this context, it would be ungrateful of them.
"We are all for the prosperity of the Han Dynasty. We beg the King of Chu not to blame us!"
This single sentence instantly washed away all guilt from their hearts, elevating them to the moral high ground.
"Well said, Ye Feng! You hold the Emperor hostage and command the lords, yet dare to be so insolent? Do you truly think we have no mettle?"
"Ye Feng, I wish I could kill you and let you never be reincarnated!"
"Ye Feng, you will surely die a terrible death!"
"..."
Such words were incessant. Ye Feng sighed heavily and after a while, said slowly, "If you all truly wish for me to perish without a burial place, you are indeed going to great lengths."
"We have already received His Majesty's grace. This is only natural. If the King of Chu wishes to blame us, we shall accept it!"
This speech made Ye Feng's expression turn cold. They had placed him in a position of disloyalty, unfilial conduct, and lack of benevolence and righteousness. This matter could not be let go.
"May I ask which of my esteemed colleagues was so indignant just now? Please step forward so this king can get to know you properly. Otherwise, wouldn't your earnest efforts be in vain!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a young official stepped forward slowly and said with a stern voice, "I receive the ruler's salary and bear the ruler's worries. I beg the King of Chu not to blame me. I am merely speaking the truth!"
Ye Feng walked over and gently patted the man's shoulder, saying slowly, "If all of you were like this gentleman, why would the Han Dynasty not be restored!"
The man's face flushed and paled for a moment. After a while, he recovered and replied slowly, "Thank you for your praise, King of Chu. I assure you, I will not lose my original intention."
This was originally a remark meant for Emperor Ling, but now it was said to Ye Feng. It had to be said that this was quite ironic. After a while, the remaining ministers were heard to voice their agreement!
"Alas, since that is the case, I beg my fellow colleagues to tell me what Zhang Rang's actions constitute, and how he should be punished!" Ye Feng said with a forced smile.
The reason they spoke up earlier was twofold. Firstly, they were all old officials brought back from Luoyang by Emperor Ling. Even if they harbored some apprehension towards Ye Feng, the King of Chu, that was a matter for later. As for Zhang Rang, he could truly cause them trouble.
Secondly, Zhang Rang's insidious whispers directly influenced their performance reviews and promotions. In this regard, Ye Feng became the best target for attack.
Ye Feng remained silent and threw the Fangtian Hua Ji in his hand heavily. It landed on the golden bricks with a buzzing sound. Many ministers' faces changed, and they quickly shut their mouths. Emperor Ling asked tremblingly.
"King of Chu, what is the meaning of this?"
Ye Feng saw Emperor Ling's embarrassment and helplessness and did not wish to trouble the emperor further. He slowly said, "Since all my esteemed colleagues are so indignant, please use the Fangtian Hua Ji to kill me, or I shall kill all of you."
As soon as he finished speaking, the faces of many ministers changed drastically. They looked at Ye Feng as if he were a demon. Of course, no one dared to speak, as Ye Feng truly would act!
"Fighting in the Golden Palace is punishable by death according to the law!"
Someone suddenly shouted this. Ye Feng looked towards the voice and said casually, "I thought it was someone else. Is it not the current Langzhongling? What, since no one spoke, they pushed you out!"
"Rebel and traitor, everyone has the right to slay him!" the Langzhongling cursed, staring fixedly at Ye Feng without flinching.
With one person speaking, the rest followed suit, wishing they could list ten capital crimes for Ye Feng. It was quite lively. Ye Feng sighed softly, "I originally thought you had more tricks up your sleeves. It seems now you are merely at your wit's end!"
How could the ministers tolerate such an insult? They all coldly prepared to charge forward, but were restrained by several people. They exchanged glances and shifted the problem back to Zhang Rang.
Meanwhile, Zhang Rang had unknowingly taken on such a heavy burden. He hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, if you do not punish this rebellious traitor, I will crash to my death here today!"
Everyone looked at Zhang Rang with pity. If his death could make Emperor Ling change his mind, it would be worth it. Otherwise, wouldn't it be a futile death? With this thought, their expressions were complex.
Seeing the ministers looking at him like an idiot, Zhang Rang could no longer contain his emotions. He lowered his head and recklessly lunged towards a pillar, only to be pulled back by someone hidden in the shadows.
"Eunuch, for such a minor matter, it is not worth dying. Please reconsider!"
Ye Feng's eyes widened. He recognized the person. He bore a strong resemblance to Sun Jian, as described by Lu Bu. His anger flared instantly.
He had saved this man's life, and now he was acting like this. It was utterly incomprehensible. He then taunted Emperor Ling sarcastically, "I said, Your Majesty, why are you acting against me? So you've found a new backer, no wonder!"
Emperor Ling looked extremely conflicted. Ye Feng's gift of Liang Province to him was a done deal and could not be denied. However, Sun Jian was the only one who could resist Ye Feng. Faced with such a dilemma, he said slowly.
"Why is the King of Chu so angry? It is merely a servant who was ignorant. Why get so furious? Just kill him!"
Emperor Ling's casual words made Zhang Rang's heart turn cold. Everything he had done was for Emperor Ling. Now that he was useless, he was being cast aside.
"Your Majesty!" Zhang Rang's eyes filled with tears, and his gaze towards Emperor Ling was filled with immense pain. Emperor Ling said slowly, "King of Chu, rest assured, I will give you an explanation for this matter!"
Sun Jian seized this opportunity and quickly bowed to Emperor Ling, "Greetings, Your Majesty. Your general from Jiangdong wishes Your Majesty a long life, and long, long life!"
"Well said, General of Jiangdong! I recall that it was you who fought bravely and protected my Han Dynasty. Now that I am confined to a corner, it is still your Jiangdong!" Emperor Ling heavily slapped the armrest of his chair. "Well said, Jiangdong! Well said, General of Jiangdong!"
Sun Jian remained silent. Zhang Rang, however, understood everything clearly from these words. Emperor Ling would not only not punish him but might even praise him for this matter. In this way, his position would naturally soar.
With this realization, Zhang Rang hurriedly said, "Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations, Your Majesty, for gaining a loyal subject! May the Han Dynasty reign for ten thousand years, and Your Majesty reign for ten thousand years!"
After a few words of flattery, everyone congratulated Emperor Ling in unison. Ye Feng stared fixedly at Zhang Rang and said slowly, "Since you wish to target this king, why be so secretive? There is one more person. Come out together!"
Zhang Rang's expression turned grim, and he let out a light laugh. Xu Gong slowly stepped forward, "Greetings, Your Majesty. I wish to accuse the King of Chu of brutally killing his subordinates, disregarding the court's laws. I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly and deliver justice for me!"
"King of Chu, is this true!" Emperor Ling suppressed his excitement. "I believe you are a loyal and patriotic minister, and you must have been falsely accused!"