Chapter 477 – He’s Laughing (Request for Subscription)

The fall winds are strong and whistling as they roll across the octagonal platform.

Chief Wang’s body seemed to be shaken by the wind.

After a long time, he opened his mouth and a hoarse voice came out of his throat, “King Huai’s massacre, he had a hand in it, didn’t he.”

Supervisor Zheng didn’t respond, silence, signifying acquiescence.

This old man who was over half a hundred years old, his face went a little bit pale, and his eyes were dead gray.

“You, why did you never stop it?” Chief Wang’s voice was hoarse.

“The kingdom is his, isn’t it.” Supervisor Zheng smiled and asked rhetorically.

Chief Minister Wang was speechless, with a strong sense of incomprehension and confusion in his eyes, precisely because the Jiangshan is that person’s, which is even more incomprehensible and difficult to understand.

Until he stepped into the Stargazer Building, before this conversation, Chief Wang remained skeptical of his guesses.

The Supervisor then added, “But this river and mountain is also the people’s.”

After saying this, he stopped talking.

Chief Minister Wang walked to the edge of the gossip platform, looking out in the direction of the palace, the gaze of grief and anger confusion grief and disappointment are all there.

Your Majesty, why the rebellion?

Chief Minister Wang bowed again, but this time he did not inquire, but turned away.

………..

The seventh floor of the Stargazer Building.

In the bedroom, Xu Qi’an lay half-dead on the edge of the bed, and a white-robed warlock was changing his medicine.

Song Qing was watching from the side with a group of white-clothed warlocks who looked up to Duke Xu.

“Ah, this, the injury is so serious.”

“If you’re hurt this badly, even if you’re healed, you’ll still be sick, right?”

“Why don’t we give Mr. Xu a new body, I think it will be very interesting.”

“And then, this body was left for Brother Song to experiment with bio-alchemy?”

“Mr. Xu has been obsessed with alchemy all his life, so I’m sure he’d be happy to dedicate his life to it.”

The white-clad warlocks exchanged words.

Are you guys devils? Li Miaozhen’s eyes widened and she was close to carrying her sword to drive them away.

Song Qing pressed his hand to stop the clamor of his senior brothers, and said in no uncertain terms, “Nonsense, how can we use Duke Xu’s body for experiments. Let’s at least ask for his opinion, it’s basic courtesy.”

“Go go go!”

Li Miaozhen spat and drove all these obnoxious warlocks away.

“None of the Supervisor’s disciples are normal.”

She grumbled towards Chu Caiwei at the table.

Chu Caiwei sniffed and nodded her head with deep empathy, “Of the several senior brothers and sisters that Teacher personally passed on, I am the most intelligent and normal.”

Dare I ask the girl, where does the confidence come from? Li Miaozhen gave her a look.

………..

The Imperial Palace.

Inside the opulent chambers, the old eunuchs reported the rumors in the streets in colorful detail.

“Between the city wells, they are all spreading the praises of Xu ……. Xu Qi’an that dog thief’s deeds, some say he killed 100,000 enemies, some say 150,000, some say 200,000, some even say 500,000 elite soldiers.”

The old eunuch’s voice was soft: “Or not to say that people’s words can be feared ah, never mind good things or bad things, the rumor is more, it will be changed. However, although this Xu Qi’an is hateful and killable, he is not entirely useless.”

Emperor Yuan Jing glanced at his eldest companion whose joy was hidden, and said with little expression:

“Call Yuan Xiong and Qin Yuandao to me.”

The old eunuch knew how to read people’s words, and when he saw that His Majesty did not seem to be happy, he wisely retired.

Emperor Yuan Jing’s face twitched fiercely as he took a deep breath, forcibly holding back the sky-splitting anger in his chest.

Witch God religion is so bad, 80,000 elite was killed by a kid loss of troops, even the two main generals have died in his hands.

If we can’t slaughter the three states of Xiangjing and Henan, we can’t wear out the Da Feng’s luck and spoil his good deed.

“Wei Yuan, ah Wei Yuan, it seems that it is destiny that you should die with a stench for years to come!”

Emperor Yuan Jing murmured with a gloomy expression.

Half an hour later, the old eunuch came in to resume his orders, “Your Majesty, Qin Yuandao and Yuanxiong are waiting outside.”

Emperor Yuan Jing nodded, “Let Qin Yuandao come in first.”

“Yes!”

The old eunuch retired, and in a few moments, led Qin Yuandao, the Minister of the Ministry of War, into the room.

“You’re doing great!”

Emperor Yuan Jing sat behind a large case covered in yellow silk and looked down at Qin Yuandao.

He didn’t say what it was about, but the monarchs and ministers knew it by heart.

Emperor Yuan Jing continued: “Cabinet university scholar is the pillar of the country, I examined for a long time, think or Qin Aiqing can be competent ah.”

“Your Majesty’s compliments, I, for one, am ashamed.”

Emperor Yuan Jing waved his hand and said, “Qin Aiqing don’t excuse yourself, when Wei Yuan’s matter is over, this dynastic situation, it’s time to change.”

Qin Yuandao bowed deeply, “Eat the king’s salary, bear the king’s worries. To share His Majesty’s worries is the duty of a human subject.”

Emperor Yuan Jing nodded in satisfaction, “You retire.”

Turning to the old eunuch, he said, “Let Yuan Xiong come in to see me.”

Soon, Yuan Xiong entered the imperial study.

Emperor Yuan Jing’s face softened and ceased to be, and he coldly and faintly said:

“It is said that the most important thing in the way of being an official is not to be for the country, for the ruler, or for the people, but the four words “harmonize with the light and dust”, and Yuan Right Royal Secretary understands the way.”

Yuan Xiong was shocked and fell on both knees, exclaiming, “The humble servant knows his sins!”

Emperor Yuan Jing coldly hummed, “Oh? What is your crime, you might as well tell me about it.”

Yuan Xiong has been practicing in the official field for many years, and understands the truth that accompanying a king is like accompanying a tiger, and he was terrified, “Not being able to share the worries of your majesty is the greatest sin of my servant.”

Only then did Emperor Yuan Jing ease his face and said:

“Now that Wei Yuan died in battle at the Witch God Cult’s main altar, Jing Shan City, the watchmen must not be leaderless, and a person is needed to oversee the watchmen, as well as the royal historian. I, originally, was favorably disposed to Yuan Aiqing.”

Yuan Xiong almost heard his thumping heart beating wildly, his excitement surging, but he remained calm on the surface, not showing the slightest bit, and made a bow:

“I, the humble servant, set my life as a sacrifice for Your Majesty.”

Emperor Yuan Jing obediently said, “The war in the northeast, what does Secretary Yuan think?”

Yuan Xiong said in a loud voice, “Please give your majesty an indication!”

………..

The following day, the court meeting was held as usual.

For the past three days, the court has been actively discussing the aftermath of the incident, but the ministers know in their hearts that the real main event has not begun.

This battle called Aid to the Demon Barbarians and Attack on the Witch God Cult was always going to be characterized.

It is only after the characterization that it can be made known to the world, giving an account to the world, and the historian has to know how to put pen to paper, whether to praise or to attack.

Yuan Jing had been dragging his feet, and some of the sharp-minded veterans of officialdom had already figured out something in the past few days.

His Majesty is waiting for someone to make a different noise.

But this is, after all, a taboo matter, and those who bear the brunt of it will be cursed.

Which civil official does not love his feathers?

This matter is different from ordinary party disputes, if you screw up, you will be branded as a treacherous minister in minutes, and then you will be subjected to liquidation, either by relegation or by dismissal, and then the history books will have to make a note of you.

Before dawn, the princes in the vibration of the bell, in order to enter from the side door of the noon gate, across the Jinshui Bridge, into the Jinluan Hall.

Lacquered gold coiled dragon candles were in rows, and the candlelight illuminated the glorious hall.

The princes entered the hall and waited for a quarter of an hour before Emperor Yuan Jing, dressed in yellow robes, slowly came.

The monarch and ministers discussed some post-war matters, and the Minister of the Household came out and said:

“Your Majesty, the matter of pension should not be delayed any longer, please top it early, give an explanation to the people of the world, and give an explanation to the families of the fallen soldiers.”

This time, Emperor Yuan Jing didn’t avoid the topic, looking down at the courtiers, he slowly said, “What do you all think?”

Imperial Historian Zhang Xingying stepped forward and said aloud, “Your Majesty, Duke Wei captured the general altar of the Witch God Sect and massacred the city of Jingshan, setting a precedent that has never been seen before in the Central Plains Dynasty, I implore Your Majesty to posthumously appoint Duke Wei as a first-class Duke of Wei, with a posthumous title of Zhongwu.”

This is definitely the highest honor after Emperor Wu Zong.

First Class Duke of Wei, the highest title.

Zhongwu, on the other hand, is the highest posthumous title for a military general.

Wei Yuan, after all, is not a scholar from the imperial examinations, there is no merit in the body, otherwise, Zhang Xingying dare to ask for “Wenzheng” posthumous name.

The courtiers looked at each other with a rare lack of rebuttal, which included political enemies from the past.

In the past, the civil officials would have jumped out and collectively punched their faces now.

But right now, there’s no need.

First of all, Wei Yuan’s merits are enough to match these honors. Secondly, a man’s death is like a lamp going out, so what if he is given a posthumous name, won’t it just show the generosity of them, officials of orthodox scholarly origin.

Officials from the Wei Party came out in droves to second Zhang Xingying.

Emperor Yuan Jing was speechless, and glanced at Right Capital Royal Historian Yuan Xiong, who understood, stepped out, and shouted:

“A bunch of nonsense, Zhang Xingying and the others are a bunch of nonsense, Your Majesty, do not be compelled by this *** minister.”

There was a small uproar in the hall, and the princes leaned back tactically, thinking, “What is this guy planning to do again?

Emperor Yuan Jing was also upset and frowned:

“Why do you say that, Mr. Yuan? Wei Yuan was my Dafeng military god, merited the country and sacrificed his life for the country, and during his life, he was even my beloved. It is proper to posthumously honor him with a title.”

“Your Majesty!”

Yuan Xiong shouted, saying, “This person, Wei Yuan, is not worthy of death; he is a reckless man who wreaks havoc on the country and harms the people, not a meritorious minister.”

“Asshole!”

Liu Hong, the left imperial historian, was furious.

He is the heart of Wei Yuan’s promotion, and is the backbone of Wei’s party, as is the Minister of War, and Zhang Xingying is his subordinate.

Snap!

Liu Hong’s angry rebuke was rewarded with an even louder whip from the old eunuch, and the chorus, “No clamor.”

Someone backing, Yuan Xiong is not at all panicked, to the public or cold or hostile or snickering gaze as if ignored, said with emotion and excitement:

“That’s right, Wei Yuan did capture the Witch God Sect’s main altar, setting a precedent in history, based on this alone, Wei Yuan’s sin, is cozy bamboo hard to write.”

Zhang Xingying narrowed his eyes and sneered:

“Sacking the Witch God Cult’s main altar is a crime? Your Majesty, Yuan Xiong colluded with the Witch God Cult and committed treason, please behead this fang.”

Yuan Xiong was not the least bit intimidated and hummed:

“The purpose of the army’s expedition was to aid the demonic barbarians and stop the Witch God Cult’s ambition to annex the Northern Realm. However, let’s all look at what Wei Yuan has done. He led his army to the Witch God Cult’s main altar, Jing Shan City, causing more than 80,000 of my Da Feng’s generals to bury their bones in another country.

“Wei Yuan was clearly greedy for credit for his own selfish reasons, which caused such a significant loss. Your Majesty, over 80,000 generals and soldiers, they have parents to support and children to raise.

“Just because Wei Yuan is greedy for credit, causing soldiers to die in battle in a foreign land, how can such a scourge of the country and the people be awarded a title? How can he be posthumously honored with the title of Zhongwu?”

Qian Qingshu of the Wang Party came out to rebut:

“Yuan Xiong, don’t you dare spout off here and confuse the public with your demonic words. To aid the Demon Barbarians and make the Witch God Cult withdraw its troops, is there a better way than sacking the General Altar? After Wei Yuan captured the General Altar, the Jing Kingdom immediately withdrew its troops, and this is the best proof.

“Furthermore, in the battlefield, deaths and injuries are inevitable, but the capture of the Witch God Sect’s main altar is an unprecedented first, so how can you allow it to be slandered.”

Yuan Xiong let out a snort, “Slander? If you want to force the Jing Kingdom to withdraw its troops, there are plenty of ways to do so. Is it more difficult to capture the Yan Kingdom than to capture Jing Mountain City? Is it more difficult to capture the capital of the Jing Kingdom than to capture Jing Mountain City?

“Wei Yuan is a great expert in the art of war, he wouldn’t be unaware of these truths, but he chose to go with Jing Shan City, which ultimately led to the near total annihilation of the 100,000 strong army, with only 10,000 or so escaping back.

“Why? Doesn’t he, Wei Yuan, just want to start a historical precedent and remain famous in history.”

Once again, all the princes in the hall murmured and exchanged words.

Is there any truth in what Yuan Xiong said?

Yes.

The purpose of this expedition was to hold back the Jing State and force it to retreat. Wei Yuan only had to cripple the Yan State, besiege the city, and then cripple the Kang State that came to its rescue, so could the Jing State still not withdraw its troops?

Wei Yuan has already done it, the soldiers are at the capital of the Yan State, and the next point of enclosure will be a success.

Or, wouldn’t it be better to just make a surprise attack on the Yasukuni capital.

However, he chose to attack Jing Shan City and ended up with the general altar of the Witch God Cult, which was certainly a historical precedent, but equally buried the army.

The eighteen thousand remnants, most of which were withdrawn from the Yan Kingdom, and the surviving generals from the battle of Jing Shan City, were less than five thousand.

To say that Wei Yuan did not have the idea of being greedy and adventurous, the gentlemen present did not believe it.

Seeing that the fire was almost ready, Qin Yuandao, the Secretary of the Ministry of War, stepped out and said in a deep voice:

“Your Majesty, I feel that what Imperial Magistrate Yuan said is very true. Wei Yuan’s greed for success not only buried 80,000 troops, but even provoked retaliation from the Witch God Cult. If Xu Qi’an hadn’t happened to be at Xiangzhou’s Yuyang Pass at the time, I’m afraid that at this point, Xiangzhou would have already been turned into a wasteland, with the people brutally slaughtered in retaliation and a repeat of the tragic events of forty years ago.”

This …….. The faces of the Wei Party officials changed slightly.

Qin Yuandao went so far as to use this matter to attack Duke Wei, and this is indeed true, calling for no refutation.

Once Yuyang Pass falls and the people of Xiangzhou are slaughtered in retaliation, then Duke Wei will no longer have any credit for what he has done.

Chief Counselor Wang frowned, a strange feeling rising in his heart, this time, the allied forces of Yan Kang and the two countries attacking the Yu Yang Pass was simply another way to pave the way for His Majesty to stifle Wei Yuan’s credits.

Just for a behind the back name, not to, there must be hidden feelings behind. Or, stifling Wei Yuan s merit is only one of the purposes ……… Wang s chief minister sank in his heart and stepped out:

“Truth be told, I have already met Xu Qi’an, and he told my minister that the reason why he went to the Jade Yang Pass was because he was entrusted by Wei Yuan. Wei Yuan knew that the Witch God Cult was bound to retaliate, so he left a backhanded move.”

Beautiful!

Zhang Xingying and the others’ eyes lit up.

Qin Yuandao used Xu Qi’an’s merits to attack Duke Wei, and this move by Chief Wang was equivalent to taking the payoff from the bottom of the kettle.

This was something that could not be proven, because regardless of whether it was true or false, Xu Qi’an would inevitably be on Wei Gong’s side.

Ginger is still hot.

Yuan Xiong retorted, “Since you have already calculated the retaliation of the Witch God Cult, why didn’t you notify the court, but instead entrusted it to a grassroots person in the field? Does the Chief Minister think that His Majesty is a three year old child who can be fooled at will?”

Yuan Xiong and Qin Yuandao’s “minions” echoed in support of the right royal historian’s view.

The three parties were bickering.

At that moment, a clan county king stepped out and choked:

“Your Majesty, Wei Yuan’s greed for success has led to heavy losses for our Da Feng, and even the demon barbarians have not suffered as much as our Da Feng. Is this aiding the demon barbarians? This is cutting down our own national strength. Jing Shan City has certainly fallen, but how did my Great Feng win?

“I’m afraid that the demon barbarians are happy at this time, they are instead reaping the benefits of fishing, and if they invade the borders of Chu State again in the coming year, what should we do?”

This county king’s meaning was simple: although Jing Shan City had been captured, Da Bong had already lost strategically.

Wei Yuan deserves to die!

Several more honored clansmen came out in support of Qin Yuandao, the minister of the Ministry of War, and Yuan Xiong, the right royal historian.

“There!”

Emperor Yuan Jing revealed a mournful look and said in a deep voice, “Wei Yuan was my beloved, accompanying me for more than twenty years, and I am deeply saddened by the fact that he sacrificed his life for his country. Let’s discuss this matter tomorrow.”

He whirled around and got up, striding away.

When his back was turned to the males, the corners of Emperor Yuan Jing’s mouth slowly hooked up.

He’s laughing.

………

PS: Requesting monthly votes.

There’s been a recent event with the Daibong girl group, and the word count is a bit high, so I won’t be posting it in the main text, so see the author’s words below for more details.