Daily Intelligence System: Don't Kill Me, Honey!

Upon hearing this, Old Hama immediately spoke: ”This, can’t be right. Within the Imperial Palace, Master Dharma Ba is guarding. How could thieves be allowed to enter? It shouldn’t be!”

”Dharma Ba, humph!”

The Emperor coldly responded upon hearing this: ”He hasn’t regarded me in a long time, in his eyes. Last night, he didn’t even attend his duties, otherwise, I wouldn’t be in this life-and-death dilemma.”

Upon hearing this, the civil and military officials were taken aback. Such a matter, the renowned Qincha Eight Guards actually did something like this while on duty. It’s simply unbelievable!

Thinking about it, among the civil servants, the Imperial Censor, known for his sharp tongue, stepped forward: ”I accuse Qincha Eight Guards’ Dharma Ba of dereliction of duty. Please, Your Majesty, punish him severely!”

Upon hearing this, some opportunists in the court immediately went with the wind and collectively submitted memorials, accusing Dharma Ba of negligence. That’s the way it is in the officialdom. Seeing a change in the wind, they immediately start attacking, and their fighting strength is formidable.

At this moment, presenting a memorial to the Emperor, the Emperor listened to the officials’ submissions without comment. At this time, Old Hama spoke: ”Your Majesty, Master Dharma Ba is a disciple of the Living Buddha. Logically, he wouldn’t be so disrespectful, there must be something unknown to Your Majesty.”

Upon hearing this, the Emperor paused slightly and then asked: ”Oh, so the old Chancellor means there is another truth to this matter?”

Hama replied: ”I believe so too, otherwise Dharma Ba wouldn’t abandon his duties. There must be hidden truths.”

Upon hearing, someone suddenly spoke up from below: ”Your Majesty, I know the hidden truth!”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was stunned, then saw a military general kneeling. Upon seeing, everyone was shocked because this person was the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Palace, He Litu. At this moment, he was seen kneeling, saying: ”I know the hidden truth.”

Upon seeing him, everyone was slightly surprised, knowing that although He Litu is Deputy Commander, he was recently promoted by the Emperor in the past two years, considered a close minister to the Emperor.

As for the Commander of the Imperial Guard, all court officials knew that he was Tuotuo’s man.

And now, when He Litu spoke up, could it be that the Emperor instructed him? The crowd exchanged glances, full of thoughts.

But they didn’t speak out, as they were all old hands knowing that making a blind stand before the matter becomes clear is the way to death.

”Oh, He Litu, you know how to say!”

The Emperor spoke.

At this moment, He Litu spoke: ”Your Majesty, although I was not responsible for yesterday’s city defense, I was in charge two days prior. Dharma Ba wasn’t temporarily called away yesterday; he was invited five days ago.”

”What!”

Upon hearing this, the Emperor’s eyes turned cold: ”He’s been absent for five days. Does that mean I haven’t been protected for five days? What do they take me for!”

The Emperor roared angrily. Hearing this, Old Hama immediately added: ”Your Majesty, I just heard Commander He Litu say Dharma Ba was called away five days ago. Who has such power to remove your trusted aide? If he can remove your aide, then his hand has reached Your Majesty’s side. If he has disloyal intentions, and wants harm upon Your Majesty, then...”

”Oh no!”

Old Hama inhaled sharply: ”Wouldn’t Your Majesty be in danger!”

The Emperor felt a chill down his back, and all the officials were secretly alarmed. Some old figures knowing the inside story exchanged glances, understanding the situation wasn’t right today — not to rashly intervene and wait to see what happened.

Thinking this, each remained taciturn, observing calmly, keeping their mouths shut fully, maintaining serenity, like meditating monks.

The Emperor glanced around, cursing inwardly at the cunning foxes, then looked at He Litu and asked: ”Speak, who pulled out my trusted aide?”

He Litu, hearing this, knelt: ”I, I am fearful!”

This was what he and the Emperor had rehearsed, thus at this moment, he immediately feigned fear. Then the Emperor would apply pressure, reluctantly revealing Tuotuo, intending to charge Tuotuo today. Though the Emperor didn’t truly want to harm Tuotuo, as this Prime Minister was quite useful to him.

The Emperor only wanted to pressure Tuotuo a little, to express his dissatisfaction, leading him to better behave in the future, keeping the issues minimal.

After all, very few could match Tuotuo’s usefulness as a loyal tool. Of course, if possible, he wanted a bit of Tuotuo’s power to be transferred to Old Hama for balance.

Thinking this, the Emperor spoke: ”He Litu, I command you to say, who pulled out my trusted aide?”

He Litu was just about to speak when, unexpectedly, Tuotuo himself stepped forward: ”Your Majesty, it was me.”

Hmm!

Everyone was astonished at Tuotuo, even the Emperor looked at Tuotuo in surprise — what is this situation with him?

Why did he voluntarily confess?

The Emperor was caught off guard too, but after a moment, he and Tuotuo responded gravely: ”Tuotuo, explain why you pulled my trusted aide, are you attempting a coup?”

Tuotuo replied smoothly: ”Your Majesty suspects wrongly. I merely borrowed Master Dharma Ba to oversee prisoners. You know the Capital has seen many Jianghu people recently, fearing the Heavenly Prison is unstable, so I asked Master Dharma Ba to monitor the prisoners.”

”Master Dharma Ba is your trusted aide. How could you act lightly? Tuotuo, you’re committing grand treason!”