Chapter 130

The army passed through Zhengyang Gate and waited quietly in front of Wumen for an audience.

Three ten-zhang-high city platforms are connected, with the east and west goose-wing towers and pavilions standing on top. The main hall has double-eaved yellow tiles, and the armored Jinwu guards with swords are lined up inside the white jade fence, looking solemn and dignified.

In front of this tall city platform and palace, the square below that can accommodate nearly 10,000 people seems cramped.

Fan Changyu was gazing up at the beast-like palace from his horseback, wondering if, after living on that high platform for too long, he would no longer be able to see the sufferings of the common people, and instead would regard their lives as insignificant.

Otherwise, why would the emperor on the throne decide to get rid of her just because he was worried that she would affect his marriage when he was killing the enemy on the front line?

When drought struck the city the year before last, in order to promote the Li family, he suppressed Wei Yan. He also acted like Qi Min and joined forces with the Li family to condone corrupt officials under Wei Yan to embezzle disaster relief funds. Only when enough people died did he turn around and hold Wei Yan accountable.

The people were suffering terribly, and they cursed corrupt officials, hoping that their "Heaven" would open their eyes. However, they did not know that their "Heaven" had been watching them all the time, but was just a bystander.

The emperor was obsessed with power, and those who sat high in the temple were not concerned about the suffering of the people, but about how to overthrow political enemies and continue the prosperity of their family.

Fan Changyu suddenly found that the glazed yellow tiles on the eaves had become dazzling, and he lowered his eyes and clenched his palms.

Once inside the Meridian Gate, civil officials were not allowed to ride in sedan chairs, and military officers were not allowed to ride horses. While they were waiting here, palace servants would come and lead the war horses away.

Tang Peiyi saw that Fan Changyu looked strange and thought that it was her first time to see the emperor. He was nervous. He looked back at the solemn palace and said, "Our ancestors wrote in poetry, 'There is a White Jade Palace in the sky, with twelve floors and five cities.' The White Jade Palace mentioned in the poem must look like this. Many scholars and warriors in the world have lived in poverty all their lives and are not qualified to go in and take a look. Commander Fan is so young that he can see the emperor in the Golden Palace. He is really a young man to be feared. We are summoned to the capital to reward our merits. Commander, don't worry. You will go into the palace to receive your title later."

Fan Changyu did not explain anything, but only clasped his fists and said, "Thank you for your advice, General."

Tang Peiyi patted her shoulder and said nothing more.

After waiting for about another quarter of an hour, the voice that came from several palace gates finally penetrated the layers of palace walls and reached outside the Meridian Gate.

"Announce, General Tang Peiyi and his subordinates from Yunhui are here to see you—"

The eunuch who was delivering the message outside the throne room had a high-pitched, long voice.

"Announce, General Tang Peiyi and his subordinates from Yunhui are here to see you—"

The voice of the Jinwu Guard standing with sword in hand at the foot of the white marble steps was deep and rough.

"Announce, General Tang Peiyi and his subordinates from Yunhui are here to see you—"

Finally, the summons that echoed outside the Yanchi Building set off countless echoes between the ten-foot-high city platforms on the east and west sides, sounding majestic and solemn.

Even the generals who had just fought in the battlefields of the northwest and were covered in blood could not help but tremble in their hearts, and truly understood what it meant to "serve the emperor."

The east gate slowly opened, and Tang Peiyi led the way, with the military officers neatly lined up behind him. They entered the Meridian Gate, crossed the Jinshui Bridge, and passed through the Taihe Gate, which was the Golden Palace where all civil and military officials came to court.

Everywhere you look, there are red walls and yellow tiles, and the stone bricks paving the ground are all white marble. It is truly worthy of the title "White Jade Capital in Heaven".

Many of the accompanying military officers were visiting the capital for the first time to see the emperor, and they were so overwhelmed by the solemn palace that they dared not even breathe.

Fan Changyu followed behind Tang Peiyi and walked side by side with He Jingyuan's eldest son. Because she had too many heavy things on her mind, this magnificent palace with its gold and jade carvings everywhere did not arouse much interest in her.

The white marble steps in front of the Golden Throne Hall were also filled with Jinwu Guards. Each of them was of sturdy build, but most of them had a look of arrogance in their eyes rather than the bloodthirsty aura that came from experience on the battlefield.

After entering the hall, Fan Changyu didn't even look around, she could feel the magnificence of the entire hall. The civil and military officials stood on both sides of the hall, making way for them to come and meet the emperor.

However, the positions of the head of civil officials and the head of military generals were both vacant. Xie Zheng specifically requested to return to the capital a few days later, while Wei Yan claimed to be ill and had not attended court for many days. Fan Changyu guessed that those were probably the positions of Wei Yan and Xie Zheng.

Tang Peiyi led a group of generals to kneel down on one knee with their fists clasped: "Long live our emperor!"

Fan Changyu also followed suit and bowed. She had originally intended to reveal in the Golden Palace that she was a descendant of the Meng family and force the emperor to investigate Wei Yan, but too many things happened later. It seemed that the Li family and Wei Yan both had backup plans. What was Xie Zheng planning? So she had to hold back for now.

From the huge lacquered and gilded dragon throne at the top came the emperor's joyful voice: "Stand up—"

Fan Changyu was standing behind Tang Peiyi. When he stood up and looked up, he saw the emperor in a bright yellow dragon robe sitting on the dragon throne.

He looked much younger than the emperor Fan Changyu had imagined. He wore a crown and tassels on his head. When he smiled, he looked unexpectedly friendly, as if he was just a teenager and not an all-powerful emperor.

Qi Sheng naturally also saw Fan Changyu. When his eyes swept over her, even though she was still smiling, she felt uncomfortable all over, just like the eunuch who announced the imperial decree when she met outside Chongzhou City.

Qi Sheng pointed at them and said to the civil and military officials in the Manchu Dynasty with a smile: "My dear ministers, please take a look. These are the ministers who are the backbone of our Dayin!"

The civil and military officials on both sides of the hall exchanged glances and a low voice of discussion arose, but no one agreed with the emperor. The civil officials were still able to keep a straight face, but many of the military officials showed their dissatisfaction on their faces. However, because this was the Golden Palace, they did not have the audacity to refute the emperor's words.

The main reason is that the compliment of being called a “backbone minister” is really inappropriate.

Even the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers could receive such praise. The lowest-ranking official who accompanied Tang Peiyi to the court this time was Fan Changyu, a fifth-rank cavalry captain.

Those who could attend the court and see the emperor had to be at least fifth-rank officials in the capital, holding important positions. Only those who could listen to government affairs had no right to make suggestions. Local officials had to be at least fourth-rank officials to see the emperor.

Qi Sheng's words undoubtedly made enemies in the court for the military generals who had made great contributions in suppressing the rebellion.

Even Fan Changyu, a newcomer to the officialdom, noticed something was wrong. When Tang Peiyi heard the emperor's praise, cold sweat started to fall from his forehead. He clasped his fists and said, "I am ashamed to accept this. It is the duty of a minister to be loyal to Your Majesty. Moreover, it was Lord He and Marquis Wu'an who made great contributions in the battle to suppress the rebellion."

He Jingyuan devoted his entire life to the cause and has passed away. Xie Zheng's great military achievements were admired by everyone in the court, both civil and military officials.

Tang Peiyi was worthy of the emperor's praise only when he singled out these two men.

Qi Sheng's smile did not fade, as if the flattering words he just said were not intentional: "Congratulations, my dear minister, and Marquis Wu'an are indeed the pillars of Dayin. The severe winter is approaching in the north, and Marquis Wu'an has reported that he wants to return to Jinzhou to inspect the military defenses before returning to the capital. With Marquis Wu'an in Dayin, I and all of you dear ministers can rest assured!"

As soon as these words were spoken, all the civil and military officials echoed them.

Qi Sheng smiled and said, "When you come to the capital, I will give you nine kinds of silver."

As soon as these words were spoken, the ministers looked at each other, no one dared to speak, and the entire court fell into dead silence.

Fan Changyu stood at the bottom of the hall with his head bowed, thinking to himself, could it be that Jiuxi is something that is taboo, otherwise why are all the officials so cautious?

Fortunately, Qi Sheng quickly changed the subject himself: "My beloved He died in the battle of Lucheng. I am deeply saddened and have not been able to eat for many days. I will posthumously confer the title of Duke of Jingguo on him and allow him to be enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Is his son He Xiuyun here?"

He Xiuyun, who was standing side by side with Fan Changyu, stepped out immediately, clasped his fists and bowed his head, saying, "I am your humble servant."

He Jingyuan was a famous Confucian general during his lifetime. His eldest son inherited his Confucian character. Although he knew some martial arts, he was more proficient in Confucianism. During the time when He Jingyuan went to Chongzhou, He Xiuyun took care of all matters in Jizhou, and Zheng Wenchang stayed behind to be his deputy.

Qi Sheng said, "You are a successful candidate in the imperial examinations and have been training in Jizhou with your father for many years. You will be the governor of Jizhou in the future."

He Xiuyun thanked the emperor and said, "I thank your majesty for your great grace. I will never fail to live up to your expectations."

Qi Sheng asked him to return to his original position. When he glanced at Tang Peiyi, he might have heard something from the eunuch who went to Chongzhou to announce the imperial decree. Although he was still smiling, he gave people a sense of malice: "Mr. Tang, you have been far-sighted in the war to quell the rebellion and have used people appropriately. I hereby appoint you as the General of Pingxi and reward you with a thousand taels of gold and a hundred pieces of silk."

After Tang Peiyi also came out to express his gratitude, Qi Sheng's gaze fell on Fan Changyu.

He said, "I have heard about this a long time ago. There is a female general from the common people in our Great Yin Dynasty. Come out and let me see her."

Fan Changyu stepped out and clasped his fists: "General Fan Changyu, I pay my respects to Your Majesty."

Qi Sheng said: "Raise your head."

This remark caused great agitation among the ministers. Fan Changyu was a military commander with great military achievements, and Qi Sheng's frivolous words sounded as if he was selecting a concubine from the harem.

Fan Changyu's brows unconsciously furrowed, and she raised her head with a determined look. There was not a trace of the shyness of a little girl on her face, but only the heroic spirit of a veteran in the battlefield.

Qi Sheng's lips curved up as he praised, "What a beautiful golden peony!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of the ministers became even more interesting, and even Tang Peiyi was worried about Fan Changyu.

The emperor did not praise her achievements, but instead praised her appearance. This sounded strange, and Fan Changyu also felt that everything was strange.

Especially since she knew that the emperor on the dragon throne had long thought of killing her, and now being stared at by his half-smile, she felt like a thorn in her back.

Sure enough, the next moment, Qi Sheng asked, "Are you married, my dear?"

Fan Changyu felt a chill in her body, and her fists tightened unconsciously. She felt insulted and despised, and she pursed her lips and replied in a sonorous voice, "Your Majesty, I already have a husband."

Although Xie Zheng used a false name when she first entered the palace, her marriage was actually recorded in official documents, so this could not be considered deceiving the emperor.

Qi Sheng seemed quite disappointed and continued to ask, "Where is your husband now?"

Fan Changyu said calmly, "At the beginning of the year, my husband went to Chongzhou for conscription. I was worried about him so much that I accidentally joined the army on the way to find him. The war to suppress the rebellion was brutal, and my husband's life or death is still unknown."

During wars, there are bound to be soldiers whose whereabouts are unknown. Some of them became deserters, some were trampled into a pulp by the army and their identities were difficult to identify, and some died accidentally in the wild. There are countless such cases.

There is indeed a roster of soldiers who "speak the truth" in the army, but there are no such people in the army today, and what Fan Changyu said is the "truth".

She has said so much. No matter who judges her for traveling thousands of miles to find her husband, she is a man of love and friendship. Her husband is a soldier whose life and death are unknown in the Battle of Chongzhou. She can be called a heroic widow. If Qi Sheng still speaks frivolously, he is undoubtedly coveting his subject's wife, a real act of a tyrant.

Qi Sheng had long been aware of the relationship between Fan Changyu and Xie Zheng. He made trouble in the Golden Palace just to vent his anger at the time when Xie Zheng cut off one ear of the eunuch who announced the imperial edict. Now he was blocked by Fan Changyu's neither humble nor arrogant attitude, and he also lost his dignity in front of the ministers. He was almost angry out of shame.

He forced himself to maintain a smile on his face and said, "I have been on the throne for seventeen years, and this is the first time I have seen a talented female general. In the battle of Chongzhou, you cut off the head of Prince Changxin, and defended Lucheng by yourself until reinforcements arrived. It can be said that you have made an invaluable contribution. I hereby appoint you as the General of the Cloud Banner and confer the title of Second-Rank Imperial Lady."

General Yunhui was a third-rank military officer with real power, while the Lady of Imperial Concubine was a nominal title.

Fan Changyu is probably the only person in the Dayin Dynasty who has won an imperial edict for herself. The others are the prime minister's wives, who also received their titles with the help of their husbands.

Fan Changyu bowed his head and thanked him: "I thank your majesty for your great grace."

After discussing the merits, there is naturally the question of guilt.

After Fan Changyu returned to his seat, he heard the emperor ask in a somewhat weary tone, "My dear ministers, do you have anything else to report?"

The old man with gray hair and beard who had been standing at the front of the line of civil officials with his eyes downcast stepped out holding a tablet and said, "This old official has something to report."

Qi Sheng asked, "What do you want to say, Grand Master?"

When Fan Changyu heard the word "Taifu", he guessed that the old man must be Taifu Li.

Thinking of what the Li family had done in collaboration with Qi Min, she looked up at the old man standing diagonally in front of her. She couldn't see his face clearly, but his figure under the red official robe with a fairy crane pattern looked extremely thin, like a rugged old pine tree.

He clearly regarded the lives of civilians and soldiers as worthless, yet he appeared to be a loyal person who had devoted all his efforts to the people of the world.

Fan Changyu only felt it was a great irony.

From the front came the sonorous and angry words of Li Taifu: "Lucheng was lost, thousands of soldiers died tragically, and He Jingyuan sacrificed his body, all because of Wei Yan's collusion with the rebels. I earnestly request Your Majesty to punish Wei Yan and give justice to the thousands of tragically killed soldiers and Duke Jing!"

Yan took off his robe and knelt down.

Seeing this, the people of Li's party stepped out of the line one after another, and the civil officials almost immediately knelt down in a large number. Some minor officials who originally did not want to stand in line saw that the front was empty, and in order to avoid being squeezed and targeted in the court, they had no choice but to kneel down with their tablets in hand, and then shouted: "Your Majesty, please punish Wei Yan and give justice to the thousands of soldiers and Duke Jing who died tragically!"

The author has something to say:

Mini-theater:

Ear-reporting God: Lord! The emperor openly coveted his wife in the court!

Xie Zheng (holding a knife): I will go and invite him to the heavens (▼皿▼#)

Ear-reporting God: Madam said she has a husband, and she joined the army to find him thousands of miles away! All the civil and military officials praised Madam for her deep love and loyalty to her husband, but it was a pity that her husband was unlucky... and died early.

Xie Zheng: ... pass it down, I am the live-in son-in-law.

Merry Christmas to you all! I was delayed yesterday and didn't update, so I'll give you 100 little red envelopes~