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On the evening of the fifteenth, the only messenger hawk in the Northern Border flew to Chang’an, bringing news.
To rescue the missing crown prince, Marquis Pingxi and General Zhenbei Qin Yue, annihilated the Qianghu tribes, beheaded their leader Bushang, and General Qin Yue died for his country. Unfortunately, despite all their efforts, the crown prince was killed by Bushang on the day he was captured.
After reading the news, Emperor Kang Cheng remained expressionless and unmoved. Someone had to be held responsible for the crown prince’s death, otherwise, his prince would have died in vain?
He read the news again. The Qin family was truly useful. They did what needed to be done, and they didn’t say a word they shouldn’t.
Qin Yue was so wise, so he wouldn’t go too far, but he needed to be suppressed. Otherwise, it would be difficult for the new emperor to control them.
Is this what the Emperor has been waiting for? Wei Zili thought.
The sixteenth, a grand court assembly.
Early in the morning, while it was still dark outside, the wind howled with heavy snow, and the ministers arrived at the side hall of the Golden Hall one after another.
Recently, the Emperor hadn’t been holding court, so they didn’t know if he would appear today. But they had to be present. It was an honor for them, as pillars of the dynasty, to be able to attend the court assembly.
Even though the Emperor had been absent from court recently, they came anyway, knowing it was futile. But they dared not complain about the hardship, nor did they dare to not come. If they dared to be slack and miss even once, they could be sure that there were plenty of people who would want to replace them.
If the Emperor didn’t appear, someone would come to inform them that there would be no court assembly today, and they could go home or to their official offices to handle matters.
Lu Desheng also arrived. The new carriage he bought had excellent insulation, so he got off the carriage, put on a large cloak, and then took it off when he reached the side hall, so he didn’t feel cold at all.
As soon as he entered, Xie Mingtang followed closely behind.
Compared to the festive spirit on Lu Desheng’s face, Xie Mingtang’s expression was gloomy.
Yesterday, his eldest son Xie Zhan married the eldest daughter of the Zhao family. However, only a few ministers came to offer congratulations, and the pomp and circumstance was not as grand as when his nephew got married! Upon inquiry, he learned that those who didn’t come were afraid of offending Lu Desheng. How could he not be annoyed? When did their Xie family become inferior to Lu Desheng?
As soon as Lu Desheng entered, someone approached him and asked, “Lord Lu, do you think the Emperor will come to court today?”
“Yeah, the Emperor hasn’t held court recently. I heard that His Majesty’s health is not good. We, as ministers, are also very worried.”
“Lord Lu attends to the Emperor every day. Tell us, is His Majesty’s health alright? It would put our minds at ease.”
Lu Desheng laughed and said, “How would I know? Just wait and see.” Want to get information about the Emperor’s true condition from him? No way.
Until the end of the fifth watch, no one told them to disperse. The ministers knew that the Emperor would appear today! So they began to tidy up their clothes.
Lu Desheng also realized this. He was surprised. The Emperor’s health was now barely strong enough to handle the intensity of attending court. In his surprise, he also had a premonition that something big was about to happen.
Soon, it was time for the court assembly.
When Emperor Kang Cheng appeared, he looked gaunt, and the dragon robe on him seemed loose and empty.
Seeing the Emperor in this state, the ministers were truly shocked.
The Emperor looked like he was nearing his end! The ministers’ hearts pounded.
After completing the rituals between the monarch and his subjects, a loyal and upright old minister couldn’t help but speak up, “Your Majesty, please take care of your health.”
Others also realized this and spoke up, “Your Majesty, take care—”
Emperor Kang Cheng raised his hand to stop these empty words, then glanced down and saw Minister Lu Desheng looking at him with concern. A thought crossed his mind that perhaps Lu Desheng was the only one among them who genuinely wished for both him and the crown prince to survive.
“Let’s talk about official business, no need for flattery.” Emperor Kang Cheng said in a hoarse voice.
The ministers thought to themselves: We care about you, and you think it’s flattery; Lu Desheng cares about you, and you think it’s genuine concern? How unfair!
If they had to say, it was actually Lu Desheng who was the real flatterer!
Regardless of what the ministers thought, Emperor Kang Cheng nodded towards the left.
Grand Marshal Xiao Qun stepped forward and presented a report, “I have an announcement to make to all ministers!”
Seeing the Grand Marshal in charge of military affairs stepping forward, the ministers felt a chill in their hearts.
“I believe all ministers are aware that the crown prince set out to inspect the northern borders and boost the morale of the soldiers on the 25th of November.”
Yes, they all knew, and then what?
“Unfortunately, while the crown prince and his entourage were passing through Baihe Town, they were ambushed by a group of elite Qianghu forces, and their whereabouts are currently unknown.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the ministers began to stir.
“What? The crown prince’s whereabouts are unknown?!”
“The Qianghu tribes are audacious!”
“Did the northern army perish? How could they allow the Qianghu people to enter the territory of Da Li?”
“Qin Yue is derelict in his duties!”
What happened to the crown prince in the end? Was he rescued? This was the most pressing question for all the ministers.
After Grand Marshal Xiao Qun managed to quiet them down, he continued, “Two days later, Marquis Pingxi and General Qin Yue led a large army to besiege the official stronghold of the Qianghu, completely annihilating the enemy forces and killing their leader, Buchang.”
The court ministers listened attentively, and upon hearing this, they believed that the crown prince must have been rescued, right?
“Through interrogation of important subordinates under Buchang and Buchang himself, it was revealed that the crown prince had been killed on the spot in Baihe Town.”
What, the crown prince is gone?
Lu Desheng also listened attentively, and upon hearing the end, he couldn’t help but touch his mouth in shock. Wow, the Emperor is really formidable, directly exposing the Fourth Prince. Who would have thought that the Fourth Prince was the mastermind behind it all?
The officials who followed the crown prince felt weak in the legs, regretting that they shouldn’t have let the crown prince leave the capital!
Countless ministers beat their chests and stamped their feet! Some ministers even glanced discreetly at the Emperor sitting on the dragon throne. If the crown prince had stayed in Chang’an City, wouldn’t it have been just a matter of time before he ascended to the throne smoothly?
Who, who was the one who suggested the crown prince go north to boost morale?! Stand up, I’ll beat you to death!
Grand Tutor Chen Bingguang of the Crown Prince stepped forward and shouted with all his might, “Your Majesty, Qin Yue is derelict in his duty. This minister requests that Qin Yue be severely punished to appease the spirit of the Crown Prince in heaven!” He was the leader of the Crown Prince’s faction.
Others echoed, “Yes, Your Majesty, the Crown Prince died so unjustly and tragically.” Wuwuwu, all their years of investment were in vain, their hearts ached.
Lu Desheng scoffed, look at the nonsense he’s spouting! He had noticed earlier that this old man was full of regret, but now he’s quick to blame others. Everything is everyone else’s fault! If you can make things difficult for others, don’t make things difficult for yourself, right?
“You old geezers, the ones who should be reflecting the most are you! You’re always hanging around the Crown Prince, but he still got into trouble. I don’t know if you’re naturally unlucky and bring misfortune to the Crown Prince, but you’ve brought him bad luck and killed him.” Lu Desheng jumped out and argued with him. After all, Qin Yue was his son-in-law, how could he be allowed to shout and yell?
“Lu Desheng, you—you—” Chen Bingguang pointed at him, speechless.
The people around him immediately chimed in, “You can’t tell right from wrong! You’re favoring your own side!”
The others quietly moved back a bit, afraid of getting caught in the crossfire. Lu Desheng’s skills at putting people on the spot and twisting things around were still as formidable as ever.
“Am I not telling the truth?” Lu Desheng retorted.
Grand Tutor Chen Bingguang: “Of course you’re wrong, Lu Desheng, don’t twist things around and talk nonsense in an attempt to divert attention! Qin Yue, as the commander-in-chief of the northern borders, is it not his responsibility to protect the security of the northern borders? The Crown Prince died on the northern borders, he should bear full responsibility!”
Lu Desheng narrowed his eyes, Old Man Chen, something’s wrong with you.
Normally, after an investment fails and you lose your fortune, shouldn’t you be in a state of depression? You’ve quickly recovered and are constantly pursuing responsibility from the Qin family, what benefit does it have for you?
My daughter said that once the news of the Crown Prince’s death is revealed, the Fourth Prince’s people will definitely try to shift all the blame onto the Qin family. So, Old Man Chen, have you joined the Fourth Prince’s side?
Lu Desheng asked back, “So, General Qin, who was fighting tooth and nail against several foreign tribes on the northern borders, is solely to blame for the Crown Prince’s death, is that right?”
He continued, “Everything should be considered in order of precedence and cause and effect. If you hadn’t allowed the Crown Prince to leave Chang’an City, wouldn’t this have never happened? You misjudged the situation, encouraged the Crown Prince to leave the capital, and ultimately caused harm to yourselves! Your Majesty, this minister believes that the one who should be executed is the person who suggested the Crown Prince go north to boost morale! This minister strongly suspects that the other party intentionally sent the Crown Prince to his death.” He said the last sentence fiercely, facing the Emperor.
“You’re talking nonsense!” Chen Bingguang’s eyes widened in anger.
Lu Desheng’s attack was too fierce, no one could withstand it. He didn’t know either, he was just trying to be helpful. Was there anything wrong with the Crown Prince going north to boost morale?
Lu Desheng was about to argue with him again when he looked up and was stopped by the Emperor’s gaze.
Lu Desheng: ??? It seems like the Emperor is protecting the Fourth Prince very closely. Alright, he wouldn’t be able to bring up the Fourth Prince anymore.
Grand Marshal Xiao Qun finally said, “Marquis Pingxi and General Qin Yue, after completely annihilating the Qianghu tribe and killing their leader Buchang, suffered severe injuries to several vital points, bleeding profusely, and could not be saved. He ultimately died for the country at the age of forty-five.” His voice was low as he spoke, as if afraid of disturbing the hero’s soul.
The entire Golden Hall fell silent.
The ministers who had been clamoring for Qin Yue’s punishment were like mute ducks with their necks wrung, unable to speak.
What else could they say? General Qin Yue had already atoned for his sins with his life, what more could be done? Not only that, but before his death, he had completely wiped out the Qianghu tribe, avenging the Crown Prince! That saying, “atoning for one’s sins with merit” doesn’t work, right? What about adding my life to it, will that work?
Even the most stringent censors couldn’t bring themselves to condemn the Qin family.
“Chapter 119 (1/4)”