After the censor who had fainted from anger was carried away, no one was able to speak for a long time, so long that Miao Wan felt a little pain in her heels.
Those ladies who wanted to confront Miao Wan in Ganlu Palace but didn't have time to speak, couldn't help but feel a little more sober in their hearts. This Madam Qiao was too fierce. Fortunately, they didn't have time to speak, otherwise they would have been slapped, scratched on the face and head... Aren't they the ones?
Even Wang couldn't help but take a deep breath in her heart. She exchanged a glance with Uncle Jingyang, and both the couple felt a little more frightened.
If Miao Wan had not been standing in front of the True Dragon Emperor, they would never have dared to believe that this was Miao Wan. It was clearly like an evil ghost possessing Miao Wan's body.
Wang thought so, her eyes flickered, and she clenched the handkerchief tightly in her hand, but she was no longer in a hurry to speak.
Miao Wan was not in a hurry to continue arguing with others.
She can be high-profile, but she cannot be arrogant and domineering.
Now she was standing at the commanding heights. There were so many censors and ministers who could criticize others, but they didn't say anything. It wasn't because they couldn't criticize her, but because they couldn't bear the stigma of being inferior to a woman and a sinner for all eternity, so they kept silent for a while.
Once she becomes the domineering one, reason will no longer be on her side. This group of old foxes, each with dozens of people, can devour her in minutes.
And being high-profile does not mean being provocative.
Since she entered the palace, she has been unruly in many ways, but this does not include being unruly in front of the saint.
We cannot only focus on the present and ignore the future. We must have the ability to be high-profile and also the ability to abide by the rules. Otherwise, the example of Nian Gengyao is there for us to see.
Miao Wan just lowered her eyes and glanced at her armor set. There were bloodstains on it, which was really an eyesore.
She casually pulled out a handkerchief from her wide sleeves, slowly wiped the blood off it, and threw it away... There was no place to throw it for the time being, so she glanced at Qiao Bailao out of the corner of her eye and secretly put it into Qiao Ruichen's palm.
Ever since she knew she was going to enter the palace, she prepared many things and hid them all on her body. The two eunuchs sent their maids to check and found that there was nothing dangerous, so they let her go.
Miao Wan was thankful many times that the palace robes now had wide sleeves so that she could wear them into the palace.
As for the hand-wiping thing, firstly, she really liked the scene in "Spring" where Qi Wangshu wiped his hands to scare people. She felt that this behavior was very pretentious, and Miao Shiren deserved it.
Secondly, she was indeed a little nervous. She was not good at being so high-profile in front of others. She was fighting with so many people at once, and they were all Dayue's right-hand men. She was so nervous that she almost floated away. Wiping her hands could help relieve her nervousness.
Qiao Ruichen looked at his wife, feeling both amused and helpless. Miao Wan's passionate words just now had made her face flushed red. Her long eyelashes drooped and trembled slightly, covering her fair face, making her feel particularly cowardly.
He knew that his wife was probably a little scared, so she ignored it. Now all the attention in the hall was on them, and even the smallest movement would be noticed. There was no need to do it secretly like this.
But Qiao Ruichen didn't care about other people's eyes. He calmly tucked the handkerchief into his sleeve, held Miao Wan's little hand, and when Miao Wan looked at him, he gave her an encouraging look.
"You did a great job!" Qiao Ruichen told Miao Wan with his eyes.
Miao Wanlue's somewhat disordered heartbeat slowly stabilized. She looked at Qiao Ruichen with bright eyes, shook her hand gently, and her courage returned.
"You have good taste." She smiled and gave Qiao Bailao an appreciative look, and her fingers moved quietly in his palm.
The corners of Qi Wangshu's lips twitched. It was really hard to adapt that his cousin, who had been gentle and silent to the point of being dull since childhood, could be so corny at times.
The sage secretly thought about learning it, while at the same time complaining in his heart, what kind of place is this? You two are getting together, and you think the censor’s scolding is not harsh enough?
At this time, there was actually an imperial censor who came to his senses and spoke with a righteous face:
"I am not afraid of eternal infamy! Since ancient times, the people of a prosperous state suffer, and the people of a declining state suffer. Why is that? Whenever war breaks out, the men of Dayue and the people of the borderlands must suffer. Clearly, all we need is defense and deterrence. Why must we demonstrate Dayue's magnanimity by sacrificing the lives of the people? The people are more important than the king, Your Majesty!"
He knelt on the ground with a look of desperation, "If a mere infamy can bring peace and prosperity to the country and allow the people to live and work in peace, then the right and wrong and the merits will be judged by future generations.
If Your Majesty is a benevolent ruler, how could you so easily start a war? If the border fighting expands and the Great Yue Kingdom is destabilized, how will Your Majesty explain this to your ancestors? Your Majesty!"
The others also reacted and knelt down like dumplings, "Your Majesty, please reconsider!"
Miao Wan wanted to step forward to refute, but Qiao Ruichen, who was holding her hand, squeezed her little hand and motioned for him to come.
Husband and wife are one, and his daughter-in-law's words are deafening. As a husband, he certainly cannot allow others to throw dirty water on his daughter-in-law. He also wants to stand hand in hand with her.
Miao Wan obediently stepped back a step. She had enjoyed the fight very much. Since her husband was willing to show off, she was of course willing to protect him.
Qiao Ruichen's voice was neither too high nor too low, like the clash of jade and stone, cold and clear. "May I ask, gentlemen, what right do you have to speak up on behalf of the common people at the border? Do you truly understand what life is like for these people?"
The censor refuted him without hesitation, "Mrs. Qiao just said that the people on the border are now living and working in peace and contentment. If a war really breaks out, wouldn't that destroy this peace?"
Qiao Ruichen nodded. "Yes, the people are living a good life now. But before you keep complaining about the war and the people's suffering, do you understand what life was like for them in the past decade or so when there was no war?"
Without waiting for others to speak, Qiao Ruichen had several paintings presented. They were all sent by Xu Yiqing. The paintings were not completed in one go, but were painted intermittently over many years by someone who was unable to bear the pain.
The figures in the painting were emaciated, and the cruelty of the content of the picture made even the soft-hearted woman tear up.
"They practically live in fear, their heads hanging on their belts in winter and spring. The Xiban people have repeatedly invaded our Dayue border. Although Northern Mongolia and the Western Regions have never colluded with them, they have turned a blind eye and given them convenience."
"Ten years ago, the Xiban people stormed into Xiping County and carried out widespread burning, murder, and looting, killing and injuring countless civilians. Why didn't you stand up for the people back then?"
The censor was speechless. The Regent sighed softly, "General Qiao has a point, but the Western Regions no longer dare to invade. If a war breaks out, the people will have to suffer all that pain again. When will the cycle of revenge end? Have you ever asked them if they are willing to endure the pain of displacement again?"
The ministers around him immediately followed suit, each one more capable than the other in speaking for the people, and even his clan members were somewhat convinced.
They don't care about the lives of people living on the border, they just support the one that makes more sense. If there is a war, people will die. Many people died before, and many more will die if the war starts.
If the northwest cannot be defended and the pass is passed, other places in Dayue may not be peaceful either. So why bother?
Prince Yu, who came from Changning Prefecture in Hedong Dao, Dayue's largest fiefdom, spoke in support of the Regent. "It's better not to fight if we can avoid it. Even though we have a strong army, the Western Regions are also brave and skilled fighters. If we really provoke them, they will fight to the death, and that will give the Northern Mongols and the Western Regions, who are eyeing us covetously, an opportunity to take advantage."
King Yu was the sage's uncle, and his words basically represented the opinions of his clan members.
But Qiao Ruichen simply looked at the Regent and said solemnly, "The Gubei Army has been pondering your question for a long time. That's why they've been wary of it for so many years, allowing the Xiban people to become increasingly arrogant. Now, I can tell you that the people don't want peace that comes from forgetfulness and cowardice."
The Regent's eyes turned cold, and he did not rush to refute Qiao Ruichen like the other ministers.
He knew that Qiao Shengwen's son was not an easy person to deal with. He must have been well prepared to say such words.
He thought that Qiao Ruichen would at most bring some people from the northwest into the palace, or present some kind of letter from all people. No matter which one it was, he would have something to refute.
But he underestimated Miao Wan's financial resources. Qiao Ruichen glanced at Miao Wan, his heart calmed down. He raised his head and looked at the sage, "Your Majesty, please allow me to take the initiative and present this blood tablet."
Seeing blood during Chinese New Year is considered unlucky.
The saint calmly put down the melon seed shells in his hand and said succinctly, "Accurate!"
Sun Cheng immediately ordered people to bring the things in. Everyone leaned over to look, and it took six eunuchs to carry all the things in. They were pieces of silk that were thicker than a man could hug.
The eunuch placed three pieces of silk at the bottom of the steps under the dragon throne and began to push them out. When they were unfolded, everyone who saw the contents was shocked.
It turned out to be a letter written in blood on silk. It contained not only names, but also a sentence after each name.
After the silk was pushed open, it almost filled the entire center of the hall. The ministers who were constantly complaining and even the regent were forced to move their feet and stand at the edge.
Qiao Ruichen was not as good at moving people's hearts as Miao Wan, nor did he prepare any petition for the people. He only brought the mark left by the blood of the people in the land of the northwest.
He lowered his eyes and said to the sage, "Your Majesty, this is the blood tablet written by all the soldiers of the Gubei Army who went out to the people's homes to ask questions. It was left in the army to remind all the soldiers of their duties. I have brought it here.
Every name in it was left by the Northwest people whose descendants are still alive. Behind the names of their ancestors are their most urgent desires.
They are so eager that only blood can express their determination. As long as the blood of their ancestors is still there, this desire will not disappear.
The saint knew about the existence of this blood-written book, but he had just seen it. He threw away the melon seeds in his hand, and his heart suddenly felt heavy.
This is the cry of the people on his land, shed in blood, and every word is a plea and accusation to him as the emperor.
Qi Wangshu was also shocked. He subconsciously turned his head to look at the saint, with distress and worry in his eyes.
Only she knew that all the cruelty and calculations of this man were for this kingdom.
The saint ordered in a deep voice, "Sun Cheng, recite!"
Sun Cheng responded seriously and walked to the first blood stele. Before he could open his mouth for the first time, his throat felt sore and choked, as if there was a knife in his throat.
"Chen Dawang, in the seventeenth year of Xuanzheng, was dragged from behind a horse by the Xiban people while trying to protect his family. His bones were broken and he died. The descendants of the Chen family are willing to take revenge until their death!"
"In the eighteenth year of Xuanzheng, Lady Liu Zhang was raped and killed by Western tribesmen while trying to protect her mother-in-law and her children. The descendants of Lady Liu swear to seek revenge!"
"In the nineteenth year of Xuanzheng, Mr. Zhou was led astray while trying to divert the Western tribesmen. They chopped him into minced meat and forced the Zhou family's descendants to eat him. Almost all the Zhou clan members went mad and died. The ninety-three people in Zhoujia Village who were rescued are willing to die for revenge!"
…
"Lin Cang Cao, in the third year of Xuanhe, was transporting supplies for the Gubei Army when he was ambushed by the Xiban people. He threatened to rebel with his family's lives, but pretended to surrender to cover for the border patrol officers' escape. He was shot by several arrows and died. Six officers of the Gubei Army and the descendants of the Lin family swear to avenge him until death!"
"A Wu family member, while visiting relatives in the sixth year of the Xuanhe era, was abducted and raped by Western tribesmen. She learned their secrets, fled back to the Wu clan's territory, covered in blood, to report the news, and then died by hitting a pillar. Nineteen members of the Wu clan are willing to die to avenge her!"
"Zheng Xueya, centurion of the Gubei Army, enlisted in the seventh year of Xuanhe. That year, the Western Barbarians secretly sneaked into the countryside of Xiyong County and set fire to the village. All 132 people in Old Zheng Village died, with only his 13-year-old son escaping the disaster by sleeping while herding cattle. Ninety soldiers in his unit swore to their death to help the centurion avenge his fate!"
…
The more Sun Cheng read, the heavier the atmosphere in the hall became. Behind each name was a bloody murder and tearful hatred.
Sun Cheng's voice was hoarse from reading, and he hadn't finished reading the first volume yet.
As the night deepened, this was probably the first time since Dayue was founded that the atmosphere at the New Year's Eve palace banquet was heavier than visiting the graves, making it almost impossible for everyone to breathe.
The Regent's eyes were gloomy. He felt powerless and knew that he could not stop this war.
He lost, not to the saint, nor to the Qiao and Cheng families, but to this blood feud.
"Enough!" The saint suddenly spoke lightly, his clenched fist placed on his knees. No one could see behind the desk, but the jade ring had already scratched his palm, causing it to bleed.
He closed his eyes and said, "Don't read it, I can hear the people crying."
He opened his eyes and glanced at everyone in the hall calmly, "You have quarreled enough and seen enough of the excitement. I don't want to say more, but if I don't, you may forget how the previous dynasty fell."
The previous dynasty did not fight wars, but was extremely corrupt. Those who fought for power wantonly harmed the people, imposed heavy taxes and levies, and layers of oppression left the people with no way to survive. The Si family relied on protecting the people to gradually seize the country.
The sage stood up, holding up the wine jar, and said, "When Taizu was alive, he once said, 'Even though I am in a low position, I dare not forget my worries about the country. I have to wait until I am buried before things are settled.'[1] I am here to share this with all my relatives and beloved ministers. I do not care about my reputation before or after my death. What I care about is that everyone in the world knows that no one can bully or humiliate a single blade of grass, a single tree, or a single person in Dayue. Anyone who insults them will be punished with blood a thousand times over."
His face was sharp and resolute, "Only by letting them remember this with their blood, generation after generation, will they remember it and never dare to offend the people of Dayue again!"
After he finished speaking, everyone stood up and knelt. Qiao Ruichen and Miao Wan also knelt in the hall, finally hearing the words they had been waiting for for a long time.
"Even if many die, as long as I can leave a peaceful and prosperous world for future generations, I will bear the responsibility and the infamy. I have made up my mind. Fight!"
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Note: 1 Quoted from Lu You's "My Thoughts After Recovery from Illness", which means that even if one is in a low position, one should not forget the responsibility of worrying about the country and the people, and only after death can one judge his merits and demerits.
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