Tuotuo bowed his head even lower as the Emperor angrily rebuked, "Ruyang King is my cousin, his loyalty is commendable, and yet you treat him like this? Isn't this chilling his loyalty? Moreover, you want to reduce the vassal without reporting it. This is an act of overstepping authority, how can it be condoned!"
"If I continue to indulge you, how will the civil and military officials perceive me, and how will the people of the realm perceive me?"
The Emperor said to Tuotuo, who, upon hearing this, knelt straight and replied, "Your Majesty's words are indeed pointed. Regardless of what punishment Your Majesty metes out, I will accept them without complaint!"
After hearing Tuotuo's words, all the civil and military ministers below collectively spoke up, "Your Majesty, Lord Prime Minister has no selfish motives, we ask Your Majesty to discern clearly!"
