Imperial Palace

The Imperial Court was filled with ministers.

When the guard announced the arrival of the Emperor, the ministers kneeled down.

"Paying respects to the Emperor."

The sounds echoed in the large Imperial Court.

After sitting on the throne, Zhao Wang Lei raised his hand and said in his deep voice.

historical

"Beloved subjects may rise."

As soon as the court started, Minister Xin stood up from his seat and walked to the center of the large hall.

"Your Majesty, this subject has completed his investigation about Ji Clan."

"Then, Minister Xin did you find out anything suspicious?"

The Emperor asked and Minister Xin answered respectfully

"Reporting to Your Majesty, this subject didn't find anything suspicious. Your Majesty can rest assured that from Ji Clan there is not anyone who could scheme against the Imperial Clan."

Those who knew more about Ji Clan already knew the results of investigations.

How could Ji Clan scheme against the Imperial family?

Commander Ji has three sons but all three of them were only troublemakers. Except drowning themselves in lust they have achieved nothing.

And what could those concubines in the inner courtyard do?

Even when Minister Xin revealed that Commander Ji was appointed by General Yun because he bribed him with a large sum of money, they were not a bit surprised.

After Minister Xin finished, the Emperor spoke attracting everyone's attention.

"Since Minister Xin had finished investigating Ji Clan. Today, Zhen announce the closure of the case of treason done by General Yun and Commander Ji with no change in their punishment for their sins."

Since the case was closed, everything related to it was to be returned back to their honest owners. This thing applied to the book of war strategies left by ancestors of the Li Clan also.

Minister Xin already had the book with him. So he walked towards General Li and was about to hand him the book when he heard a shout.

"Stop."

The shout made everyone looked towards the owner of the voice.

Clad in green robes, Zhao Zhuang Chen stood up from his seat righteously.

As he walked down from his chair and bowed in front of the Emperor, Zhao Zhang Wei frowned seeing his new pretense while Xi Ying's eyes flickered with interest.

He was really looking forward to the act the father-son had prepared.

"Father Emperor, the subject son feels guilty for interrupting Court's matter like this. However, this is something that the subject son wanted to say since General Li has come back."

With no change in his expression, Zhao Wang Lei raised his hand and said

"The Crown Prince can continue."

Zhao Zhuang Chen bowed his head humbly and thanked the Emperor.

"Thanking Father Emperor for giving this chance to this subject son."

He then looked towards General Li and said

"General Li, what this prince is going to say it might be harsh and rude, however, it involves the safety of Xin so as a Crown Prince, it's my duty to let this matter come to light."

Returning his gaze back to the Emperor, he continued

"Father Emperor, being unable to save yourself from the enemy's trap is a weakness and General Li did the same. Hearing the events described by General Li, this one can only say one thing. General Li is no longer able to manage the Li Clan's large army."

"The second thing that this Prince wants to bring attention to is, General Li said that he could not fight against the enemy soldiers because they had detained Commander Li and soldier Yi Lei and both of them are related to him. This thing only indicates that how the relationship between General Li, Commander Li, and soldier Yi Lei made the situation more vulnerable."

"This time we, fortunately, were able to win against enemy's attack but what will we do the next time when there will not be any General Yun who had asked Commander Ji to be prepared in advance. Though he schemed against someone, he never put Xin at risk. But having such a large army in the hands of a weak General is putting Xin in a dangerous situation. So this prince thinks that Li Clan should no longer be able to have such a large army and so much power anymore."

After Zhao Zhuang Chen finished, the Imperial Court was silent.

His words seemed reasonable to every minister but they could not say anything either in the agreement or in disagreement.

The silence seemed to have satisfied Zhao Zhuang Chen because it meant that he was able to make them agree with himself to some extent.

From the corner of his eyes, he glanced at General Li who was sitting on his eat without any expression. He could imagine in his mind how the old General was raging behind that calm face.

Just because the General was given some power, he thinks that he can threaten Father Emperor to remove him from his Crown Prince's chair.

Ha..he was not that weak and stupid that he would just stand silently and see his dethronement being announced.

Silently, he couldn't help but appreciate his own mind to think of such a plan and convincing Father Emperor.

He sneered.

Now when the General would lose his power how would he prove that he was involved with General Yin in framing him?

As soon as he would step out of the Imperial Court, he would send his man to abduct him.

No longer a General, he would not have any soldier to protect himself.

Then he would see the begging General on knees in front of himself and would kill him with enjoyment.

His happy imagination was broken was when he heard Prime Minister Xi's voice.

"So what does the Crown Prince suggests? The Li Clan has a large army and Xin's protection lies solely in Li Clan's hands now. So what can be done if Li Clan is weak and can no longer manage the large army."

Zhao Zhuang Chen was told by his father that Prime Minister Xin has convinced General Li to hide the truth about him. That's why his impression of the young Prime Minister now has improved somewhat.

Now hearing the question that he eagerly wanted to answer, Zhao Zhuang Chen felt satisfied with Xi Ying.

Approval flashed through his eyes and he opened his mouth to answer the question unaware that his attempts to save himself were in the end going to be waste.

Xi Ying coldly looked at the Crown Prince hopping around in the Imperial Court.

Let him play because when he will start to play no one will get the chance.