When Emperor Hongyuan heard this, he was so angry that he slapped his palm on the dragon chair.
Su Ming added: "Your Majesty, please calm down. Not only that, under the instructions of King Li, the people also built merit monuments for him and composed songs to praise him.
This merit monument can only be owned by outstanding emperors or good ministers and generals who have made significant contributions to the country.
King Li was only given the emperor's order to control the flood, but he was greedy for heaven's merit and took credit for the emperor and the people as his own.
King Li's behavior clearly shows his intention to rebel, and I ask the emperor to punish him in order to set the course of the dynasty."
"I second the proposal."
"I also second the proposal."
All Su Ming's party members stood up and seconded the proposal.
Emperor Hongyuan's face was furious. He said angrily: "Where are those anti-poems? Why don't you submit them quickly?"
"Here, please take a look at it, your Majesty."
As Su Ming spoke, he handed several poetry books to Eunuch Xu.
Eunuch Xu quickly presented it to Emperor Hongyuan.
Emperor Hongyuan got the collection of poems. After looking through them for a few times, he was so angry that he smashed them all to the ground and said angrily: "Bold Chu Xuanchen, I regard you as my own son and I treat you well, but you treat me badly."
With the heart of a minister, you intend to rebel, what crime should you be guilty of?"
After Chu Xuanchen watched everyone's performance coldly, he raised his hands and said: "Your Majesty, they are clearly making false accusations.
When I went to Jiangzhou to control the floods, I always adhered to the emperor's orders and worked conscientiously. I never took great pleasure in my achievements, nor did I show disrespect to the emperor.
At that time, the emperor issued an imperial edict, and I wanted to return to Beijing with Eunuch Xu to report on my duties. Unexpectedly, a flood suddenly struck.
In order to protect the safety of the people in Jiangzhou, I had to postpone my return to Beijing.
As for these anti-poems and merit monuments, I had no instructions and had absolutely no knowledge of them.
I have absolutely no intention of treason, but I suspect that someone wants to sow discord between me and the Emperor, and I would like to ask Your Majesty to warn you!"
Emperor Hongyuan said: "Whether the anti-poetry was inspired by you or not, it all started because of you, and you can't escape it! This time, I will never indulge you again, and I will definitely deal with it severely!"
Upon seeing this, Taifu Han hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, His Royal Highness King Li has made great contributions to the Chu State since he went to the battlefield.
As a general who protects the country, he has hundreds of thousands of troops under his command. He has great prestige in the army and cannot be severely punished.
If the emperor deals with it, it may chill the morale of the army and cause it to lose morale, and the emperor may regret it!"
"Yes, Your Majesty, Prince Li has been doing his best when he was providing disaster relief in Jiangzhou.
He spent his own money to buy grain from Tiansheng Kingdom and donated it to the people in order to save the people. How can it be said that he was building up his personal prestige and winning people's hearts?
If this is the case, who will dare to do good deeds in the future?
Won’t it cause everyone to be in danger and the government and the public to panic?”
Taishi Li said.
Su Ming said coldly: "Master Li's words are wrong! Those who have no purpose are not afraid of doing more good deeds. King Li donated generously to the people. It is a good thing to help the people, and the emperor also rewarded him.
But he should never be so happy about his achievements and give all the credit to himself alone.
The emperor took the lead in controlling the floods, and only the king and the people could work together to achieve success, but now everyone in the world attributes all the credit to King Li.
Everyone in the world praises King Li, but no one praises the emperor. Is it possible that King Li, a minister, wants to surpass the emperor?"
Taishi Li said angrily: "Master Su, His Highness Prince Li has always served the country and the people, and everyone sees the practical things he has done for the people.
You are simply making things up out of thin air and deliberately fabricating accusations in an attempt to frame him for injustice."
"That is, King Li's character is well known to everyone. He will never be happy with success, and he will never have any intention of rebellion.
He is a magnanimous man and has a broad mind. He would never instruct others to write these anti-poems and erect merit monuments. There must be something else going on in this matter. Please order a thorough investigation and give justice to King Li."