The first 198 lines.
What are you saying?
You can't even enter through the main door?
Senior Grand Secretary, the Heir Consort doesn't allow us t report.
We can't forced an attack into a Prince Manor.
Don't you have the decree from the Empress Dowager?
Minister, the Heir Consort said the decree isn't for her,
she doesn't allow us to announce it.
Both of you leave first.
Yes.
Feizhan, things have come to this end,
why do you still think I'm in the wrong?
The Chang Lin Manor repeated said they are loyal to His Majesty, but what about their actions?
Xiao Pingjing has just gotten hold of the military authority,
he dared to defy the decree.
Isn't it because his father is assisting His Majesty in court, and His Majesty is young?
If the late emperor is still alive, would they be so bold?
If the later emperor is still alive, this ridiculous decree
wouldn't exist right from the beginning!
It is the right way to follow the rules while the nation is in mourning period, how ridiculous is that?
Uncle, you know this better than anyone else!
What do you mean by this?
Uncle, there's no point in
arguing over this.
No matter what happened behind the scene, in the eyes of others,
that decree was clearly in your hands.
Pingjing defied and refused to accept the decree, it was as insult to His Majesty's authority.
The decree mentioned about the mourning period of the late emperor,
His Majesty's filial piety as a child is on the line.
Uncle, you repeatedly say that you are doing this for the sake of His Majesty's future,
but have you thought of this before? When things don't go your way,
His Majesty's reputation and interest will be affected!
Empress Dowager has always been lacking in foresight,
she can't see clearly the biggest bargaining chip you have in your heart.
That bargaining chip isn't about principles of right and wrong or status,
it's not about those ministers whom you have drawn to your side.
Actually, Uncle, you know it very well in your heart that the fact that Pingjing voluntarily returns to capital for interrogation,
it's not for anyone else's
but His Majesty's dignity.
I'm not wrong, am I?
So what if you are right?
So you go all out to suppress Chang Lin Manor,
to prevent powerful ministers from getting too powerful and making the king feel insecure. For this very motive,
yet you are placing all your bets on Xiao Pingjing's loyalty to His Majesty.
Aren't you being paradoxical?
Feizhan, do you still not understand?
A person's heart will change.
The late emperor has just passed on. There isn't adequate time
for Chang Lin Manor to have ulterior motive yet.
But what about in the future? Once they are used to wielding power and authority,
once they are used to act without restrain,
who would still be willing to be submissive and bow to the king?
Who would be willing to go back to the past?
So the crime of Chang Lin is in the future!
It's better to take precautions now than to regret later.
Uncle, you have always view others as bad.
I can't persuade you at all.
Since Pingjing has returned, it shows that he has no wish of evading.
Why do you still send people to the manor and push them so hard
to the point of bringing insult on yourself?
Alright.
I will wait.
This prescription is good.
I think after resting for a couple more days, I will be well.
Royal father, you don't have to attend court with me.
Rest and recuperate.
I can handle it myself.
Sit.
No, some things have to be done
for everyone to see.
I know your temperament very well.
I also know what kind of mental preparation you have done.
Us, father and son, to this point, we have achieved what we want with a clear conscience.
There's nothing to feel bad about it.
Yes.
His Majesty is young and his disposition and temperament are not matured yet.
He's easily swayed by others. For the sake of his future,
there are some words in my heart I must tell him personally.
I must stand by your side during this crucial moment.
Say something. Do I look good?
Never been better.
I'm going.
Royal father.
Let's go to court.
Your Highness, please have your breakfast.
How is His Majesty doing?
His Majesty has woke up and washed.
After breakfast, he would leave and attend court for the interrogation.
Today is different than before.
You must keep a close eye on every movement in Chaoyang Hall.
Yes.
Your Majesty, it is time.
I have always hope that my relationship with royal uncle and Brother Pingjing
will be the same as before.
But at the same time, I don't wish for them to keep treating me like a child.
I have grown up.
I am the ruler of Great Liang, as with the late emperor.
Am I contradicting myself with these words?
Your Majesty, arguments will arise at the imperial court today.
Your Majesty, once you have listened to all parties, you do according
to what you want.
His Majesty is leaving now.
Let us just go together.
No one can say what the result will be in the court today.
But Elder Prince surely will need us.
Yes.
Greetings, Your Majesty!
Subjects, please rise. Elder Prince of Chang Lin, please sit down.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Informing Your Majesty, the interrogation for the crime of General of Huaihua
of refusing to accept your decree outside Ningguan Fortress
has been delayed for several days. There are already a lot of
criticisms within the government. If this goes on,
it will surely negatively affect the mighty reputation of the imperial family.
We cannot delay it any longer.
What does the cabinet suggests?
I ask Your Majesty to allow me
to interrogate General of Huaihua right in this court.
Okay. I am allowing Senior Grand Secretary to ask the questions in my behalf.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
May I ask General of Huaihua, on the 1st day of the 10th month,
outside the military camp of Ningguan Fortress,
the soldier under your service forcefully hindered us and wouldn't let us into the fortress.
Is that true?
Military governance should be strict.
While we still haven't verified your identity, how can we allow anyone to just casually enter?
When Lord Xun showed the Imperial Sword, were you not allowed to enter too?
Even if that is so, after I went through so many ordeals to finally see you,
showed you His Majesty's written decree,
what did you tell me?
I begged Minister to delay the promulgation of the decree for a few days.
Respecting one's ruler is the first rule in the cardinal rules.
What right do you have to ask for a delay? It is because you hold
the Chang Lin military seal as the Head Commander of the border army?
Cook it now so that Elder Master will be able to drink it upon returning from the court.
Yes.
I've already did as you said.
Are you and Pingjing still not talking much together?
After returning to the capital, he has a lot of problems to deal with.
I also was intentionally avoiding him.
It's already rare that you two get to see each other.
Why must you still avoid him?
For these past 2 years, he lost so many people.
I was afraid that he'll ask me about the health condition of Elder Prince.
I don't know how to answer him.
What you mean is...Royal Father, he...
I thought that
Royal Father can live up to 100 years old.
Minister Xun, to resist the main troop of the Royal Army to move southwards
will need how many military men and resources.
Do you know?
Before a battle, if the communications and deployment of each military camp suddenly get thrown in to confusion,
how dangerous will our northern borders be. Do you know?
I believe in Your Majesty.
If Your Majesty knew about it beforehand, he will not make such a decree. Am I right?
I indeed did not know of it.
Informing Your Majesty,
I think that General of Huaihua's defense is basically reversing the cause and effect.
General, base on what I know,
was it not your deliberate plot to lure the enemy army southwards?
There is such a thing?
Minister Qi is the deputy minister of the Ministry of War.
Minister Jin.
Elder Prince.
I want to know if those words earlier is the conclusion of your Ministry of War?
The Ministry of War has never had a discussion about the Battle of Ningguan.
This must be Deputy Minister Qi's own opinion.
Is Deputy Minister Qi trying to change the original crime that Minister Xun mentioned
and accuse General of Huaihua for rebellion then?
Elder Prince, I did not mean to do that.
I just realized after checking the different military reports
that based on timing, General of Huaihua
reorganized the troops and allocated and transferred military resources first before the enemy army entered the border.
During the initial stage of the war, the Chang Lin Army clearly could have
collaborated with the other camp to surround the Royal Army south of Moshan.
But he instead lured the enemy southwards,
entering Ningzhou. Beforehand, he even asked so many border town citizens
to withdraw.
Your Majesty, all these movements are clearly showing
that General of Huaihua is deliberately inciting a huge war
and not just only resisting and defending.
So in your eyes,
the way we battle in the borders is not based on any strategies or military techniques.
Both sides should only just defend one line and randomly slash at each other face to face. Is that it?
Your Lady Majesty, with Senior Grand Secretary being there, things will naturally be alright.
What are you still worrying about?
Although Senior Brother secretly sent the Donghu Yulin to guard outside the city,
that is still the House of Chang Lin.
How can I not worry?
Although that's the case, if they are able to resolve things in the imperial court,
unless there is really no more choice, who will want the capital to turn into a bloodbath?
In terms of military strength,
the Donghu Yulin Army is way smaller than the Chang Lin Army.
But older brother has already said
that it's not simply based on number.
I still feel that Your Lady Majesty is overthinking.
Your Lady Majesty, think about it.
Given the affection with the former emperor and with His Majesty being in the court right now,
it will never reach that step.
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