Once the War Hall became involved, not a single Dingzhou official who had offered to resign would escape. They would inevitably confess everything without resistance. Since the officials had conspired to oppose the Hall of Punishment and the court, the blame for the Ding Prefecture Rebellion would fall entirely on their shoulders.
The various kingdoms did not kill scholars lightly, but so many people had died, including members of the Hall of Punishment. The Hall of Punishment would inevitably begin executing people.
The entire affair was now beyond the control of any official present.
The earlier talk of impeaching Fang Yun had become the greatest joke under heaven.
The many officials who had stepped forward with memorials in hand could neither withdraw them nor leave them where they were.
The atmosphere in the Golden Throne Hall was more awkward than ever before.
After several breaths, Wu Hanjiang said stubbornly, "Our impeachment of Void Sage Fang is not merely because of the Ding Prefecture Rebellion. There is also..."
He Mingxiang, minister of the Censorate, rebuked him. "Enough! Since when have the censors of my Censorate become men of glib words and ingratiating expressions?"
Wu Hanjiang shut his mouth and clenched his teeth.
He could oppose Fang Yun and impeach anyone, but if he opposed He Mingxiang, he would face impeachment by more than half the censors.
The other censors of the Censorate looked at Wu Hanjiang with differing expressions, but they shared one thing: a measure of regret.
Indeed, judged by ordinary experience, the Ding Prefecture Rebellion was far too serious. Even the Left Prime Minister could hardly escape blame. Impeaching Fang Yun should have been as certain as taking nine out of ten things already within one's grasp. Even if they could not force him to retire, they could at