Regardless, these individuals were all students, and many were from official families. Even those who weren't must have had a teacher's recommendation. Gao Qiu was relatively polite when speaking to these scholars.
"Grand Commandant Gao, we have already made our position clear. We are here to petition His Majesty! The situation in Hebei has deteriorated to this extent. Commander Tong Guan, as Minister of the Bureau of Military Affairs, led hundreds of thousands of troops, expending over ten million strings of imperial treasury funds, yet achieved no success, merely losing soldiers and disgracing the nation. Now, he has secretly entrusted the recovery of Yan Yun to the Jin people. As a result, the Jin forces can only return four of the sixteen prefectures of Yan Yun, and we must even pay millions of strings of silk and silver to the Jin each year. If this scoundrel is not punished, how can we face the world!"
As soon as Gao Qiu finished speaking, Chen Dong declared forcefully.
Looking at Chen Dong's overly young face, Gao Qiu almost burst out laughing. Wasn't this exactly what he wanted to say himself?
"I will convey these words to His Majesty first thing tomorrow morning. Even if you intend to submit a petition, shouldn't you wait until daylight? His Majesty has been reviewing memorials all day, and tomorrow morning there will be countless more. Causing such a disturbance in the middle of the night, what kind of decorum is this?"
Gao Qiu was counting on these students to help him get rid of Tong Guan, thus creating an opportunity for his own advancement. At this moment, he naturally chose to ignore Liu Zhengyan and the memorial tablet he was holding.
"I sympathize with you deeply. In consideration of your patriotic spirit, I will offer you a private piece of advice: even if you insist on waiting here to submit your petition, you must be mindful of your image. Sitting in protest is not an issue, but disturbing the peace of those noble lords, wouldn't that be unnecessarily creating enemies for yourselves?"
Just as Chen Dong was about to say something, Gao Qiu lowered his voice and whispered to him.
"Thank you for your guidance, Grand Commandant, but can His Majesty truly not see us?"
"That is not something I can influence. If you wish to sit in protest here, then do not make too much noise. As for Liu Fa's matter..."
Gao Qiu trailed off here, but Chen Dong understood perfectly that this man was clearly trying to divide them.
"Liu Fa was a renowned general of our Great Song. In the end, he not only died on the battlefield but was also framed by the scoundrel Tong Guan, branded with the crime of losing troops and disgracing the nation. Today, we..."
"Enough, enough. You don't need to tell me these things. I will convey them to His Majesty later. However, you must also not make things too difficult for me, must you? There are only a little over two hours left until dawn. As long as you do not cause too much trouble, I will turn a blind eye and not send anyone to disperse you. How about that?"
Hearing Chen Dong's words, Gao Qiu immediately realized that he could not persuade this young man and therefore abandoned any further attempts. He simply interrupted Chen Dong.
"Thank you for your understanding, Grand Commandant!"
Although this outcome was not what they had hoped for, Chen Dong had to admit that Gao Qiu's words held some truth. He knew in his heart that their actions here were merely a part of Han Mo's grand plan. As long as they could hold their ground here, it would be enough for Han Mo. Furthermore, in his view, Gao Qiu seemed to have his own agenda to fulfill. At least for the time being, their goals were aligned. As long as he could complete his mission, it was none of their concern what Gao Qiu intended to achieve through their actions!
"Very well, then it is settled. You will keep these people here in order and not make too much noise. As for the rest, once His Majesty is awake, I will naturally relay your message! The night is deep and the dew is heavy. You two go to the nearby shops and have them brew some ginger soup delivered! These scholars have weak constitutions; be careful they don't catch a chill! Alas..."
With a feigned sigh, Gao Qiu took out a piece of gold from his pocket and tossed it to the soldier behind him.
"Thank you, Grand Commandant!"
Seeing that he had done all he could, Gao Qiu turned and returned to the palanquin. In any case, the Emperor's directive was for him to persuade these students. Whether they listened or needed to be forcibly dispersed was not mentioned by the Emperor, so he was naturally reluctant to do so. He had said all he needed to say; if these students did not listen, it was no longer his concern. As long as these students did not disturb the rest of the noble lords in the palace, he would consider his mission complete.
"Grand Commandant, Grand Commandant, please wait!"
Just as Gao Qiu was about to return to the palace walls, a man dressed in green with a small cap, appearing to be a servant, hurried towards Xuande Gate.
"Who are you?"
"Grand Commandant, I am the steward of Chancellor Cai's residence, Cai Zhong. My master, my master has poisoned himself..."
"What did you say?"
As soon as Cai Zhong finished speaking, Gao Qiu froze entirely, nearly biting off his own tongue.
"My master poisoned himself. This is the memorial tablet my master asked me to deliver to the Office of Transmission before his death. I implore the Grand Commandant to present it to His Majesty!"
Cai Zhong spoke as he reached into his bosom and pulled out a memorial tablet. Looking at the memorial tablet in his hand and then at the students kneeling before the palace gates, even a rough man like Gao Qiu could not help but tremble all over, his hairs standing on end. These two events, seemingly unrelated, at this very moment, gave him a chilling feeling. Cai Jing had essentially participated in Tong Guan's actions. Otherwise, how could a mere eunuch, so far away, have managed to conceal it from the Emperor? If Cai Jing had not suppressed them, how could the censors and ministers throughout the court have remained so docile and indifferent? Yet, he had clearly heard that Chen Dong and the others had not mentioned Cai Jing's name at all from beginning to end!
"You wait here. I will report to His Majesty immediately!"
The Emperor could choose not to appear when these imperial students caused a disturbance outside the palace gates, but with the Prime Minister's death, let alone in the dead of night when the Emperor was asleep, he would have to force his way in and knock on the door. Moreover, Cai Jing, an aged Prime Minister, had committed suicide by poisoning!