When Prince Yi’s faction were all pleading for Ji Li, there were a few exceptions.
Qin Shiyu, Yu Shaoqing, Minister of Personnel Peng Yuanhai, and Lord Qu from the Office of Transmission.
How strange!
Previously, when the Ministry of Personnel memorialized about Jingrong interfering with official appointments, Peng Yuanhai had been extremely enthusiastic. By logic, he should now be standing on Jing Yi’s side, helping to plead for Ji Li together. Why did he have this attitude of staying aloof and uninvolved?
That Lord Qu from the Office of Transmission was the same.
How interesting!
To be honest, Emperor Qizhen truly didn’t dare do anything to Ji Li.
After all, Ji Li held military power in his hands. Although it wasn’t supreme power, it was still the lifeline of Dalin. Moreover, he claimed it was his duty that caused him to obstruct forcefully, and only when obstruction failed did he issue the order to “kill without mercy”—this was indeed correct! If he were dragged to the Meridian Gate and beheaded for this, the moment he died, Ji Huan would probably bring troops to attack. Unless, like Jing Yi, they could catch evidence against someone in the Ji family, otherwise, those soldiers who had gone through life and death with the Ji brothers would certainly rebel.
Even if the rebellion ultimately failed, it would definitely cause Dalin to lose troops and generals.
More loss than gain!
Thinking of this!
Emperor Qizhen could only let it go.
Yet he glared furiously and said, “Ji Li, your order was unwarranted and nearly took Jingrong’s life. With just one phrase ‘kill without mercy,’ I could invoke Dalin’s laws and have you pushed out the Meridian Gate for beheading, but…” He paused slightly. “All the civil and military officials in court are now pleading for you, and I also know you were bound by duty, an act of desperation. If I truly killed you, I fear all the civil and military officials would be dissatisfied. In consideration of your years of devoted service to this court, I can temporarily spare you, but while the death penalty can be waived, punishment cannot be escaped. For now, you are dismissed from office and sent home, to be decided later.”
What?
Dismissed from office and sent home!
How was this different from being dismissed and investigated?
More accurately speaking, it was an indirect stripping of his authority in the Ministry of War.
It must be said, Emperor Qizhen was truly cunning and calculating—he had even thought of this move.
Hearing this, Jing Yi’s brows tightened sharply. He quickly stepped forward with clasped hands, intending to persuade, “Father Emperor, although Minister Ji…”
Before he could finish—
“Enough!” He slammed the table. “This matter is settled. If anyone says another word, I will deal with them the same way.”
Uh!
Jing Yi was fearless. He continued, “Even if Minister Ji erred, the crime doesn’t warrant this. Your son implores Father Emperor to impose lighter punishment.”
“I have decided. Jing Yi, you need not plead for him.”
“But Father Emperor…”
“Enough.” Emperor Qizhen was displeased.
Jing Yi had no choice but to unwillingly shut his mouth.
And no one else in court spoke up, fearing they would be implicated.
Of course, Ji Li was extremely dissatisfied. Being forced to work for Jing Yi was one thing, becoming the scapegoat was another, but who knew Emperor Qizhen wouldn’t play by the rules and would actually strip him of his position!
Damn it, over such a trivial matter?
Ten thousand alpacas galloped through his heart.
Immediately after, Emperor Qizhen suddenly asked him, “Ji Li, do you accept this?”
I don’t accept!
This lord doesn’t accept.
Won’t accept even unto death.
“This subject willingly accepts the punishment.”
Old friend, doesn’t it hurt your heart to speak such insincere words?
Emperor Qizhen waved his large sleeve.
Ji Li could only slink dejectedly into the crowd of ministers, becoming a mute fish.
But Ji Huan standing beside him was full of rage. He tilted his head and said quietly, “Elder brother, I think His Majesty is clearly doing this deliberately.”
“Of course I know.”
“Then just now you still…” Agreed?
Ji Li was helpless. “You saw it yourself just now—an act of desperation.”
Hmph!
Ji Huan clenched his fists, anger rising to his head.
He really wanted to drag that tyrant down from the high platform and beat him up.
But the next moment, Ji Li grabbed him and quietly stopped him, “Whatever it is, we’ll talk about it when we return to the manor.”
He could only suppress his fury.
Enduring it.
Little did he know that next would be his turn.
Emperor Qizhen said, “Now that the punishment has been meted out, let’s discuss the matter of the late emperor’s edict.”
Here came the main topic!
The late emperor’s edict was presented on a tray by a palace attendant.
Emperor Qizhen took it out and placed it on the dragon table before him, but did not open it.
“All beloved ministers know that several months ago, the barbarians caused great chaos at the border. Troops should have been sent early to suppress and eliminate them, but because of the ‘thirty-year ceasefire’ agreement from years past, we held back our troops. Who knew the barbarians would become increasingly arrogant, bullying our Dalin for having no troops. This copy of the late emperor’s edict that Jingrong sent to the capital happens to solve this major problem. The ‘thirty-year ceasefire’ agreement can be torn up and not counted, and our Dalin can also dispatch one hundred thousand troops to eliminate the barbarians.”
Hm?
What kind of edict was this?
The ministers below discussed amongst themselves.
Jing Yi seemed to realize something. He suddenly glanced sideways at the calm and composed Jingrong, his eyes inevitably darkening.
As if a war without gunpowder was quietly rising.
Just as everyone was confused and puzzled, Emperor Qizhen handed the edict to Zhang Quan beside him.
For him to read aloud.
Zhang Quan held the imperial edict as if it weighed a thousand pounds and slowly unrolled it.
“On the first day of the ninth month in the thirty-seventh year of Qianzhi, the barbarians have been attached to our border for over a hundred years, sending tribute for nearly ten years, thus establishing friendly relations. If in future years, the barbarians cause chaos and disturbance, killing and provoking trouble, troops should be ordered out without tolerance. One hundred thousand troops should be raised at the border to attack the barbarians and restore peace. By imperial decree.”
The voice echoed through the Golden Throne Hall!
The court ministers were shocked!
The late emperor had actually left such an edict?
And since ancient times, the late emperor’s edict was greater than heaven!
This edict was now a lifeline, perfectly solving one of Dalin’s major problems.
But—
Some ministers questioned, “This subject has one concern. If the edict was established by the late emperor, then why is it in Prince Rong’s hands?”
Before Emperor Qizhen could respond—
Jingrong lightly raised his eyes, turned sideways toward that minister, and said, “The edict has been in the hands of Marquis Kang all along.”
His voice was neither light nor heavy.
That minister seemed to press aggressively and continued asking, “Since it was in Marquis Kang’s hands, why was it you, Prince Rong, who brought it to the capital?”
“If Minister Zhang wants to know, why not go ask Marquis Kang and ask him why he entrusted the edict to this prince to bring to the capital.”
“This…”
Speechless.
Emperor Qizhen said, “Regardless of who brought this edict to the capital, it was indeed established by the late emperor. With this edict, the agreement no longer counts, and whether it’s the common people of the realm or other nations, none can speak against it. However…” He paused for a moment, considering. “Although dispatching one hundred thousand troops can eliminate the barbarians, the barbarians are after all savage by nature, so we absolutely cannot be careless. I thought about it all night but really couldn’t figure out who exactly should be dispatched to lead troops and eliminate them.”
Below, pairs of large eyes stared at him, waiting for what came next.
“It wasn’t until just now that I thought of a good idea.” His gaze suddenly fell on Ji Huan as he formed his plan, saying, “General Ji is a Changlin General personally enfeoffed by me, brave and skilled in battle, who has rendered great service to our Dalin. This time, having you lead the troops there would be most appropriate.”
Ji Huan had been named.