Chapter 202 Make up for the mistake
Jiang Qingxi and his mother Xiao said goodbye to the others and returned to Ning Pavilion.
In the carriage, Jiang Qingxi held his mother's hand, and only then did he have time to tell her in detail about the changes in the capital in recent months, his grandmother's removal of the eldest branch from the family tree, and his eldest sister Jiang Qingning's forbearing planning to take back the property bit by bit.
Mrs. Xiao burst into tears and felt heartbroken when she heard this, but she was also very proud of her daughter's tenacity and intelligence.
"Mom, don't cry. We are back now. Sister will be very happy when she knows about this." Jiang Qingxi comforted her.
Xiao nodded heavily, wiped away her tears, and her eyes became firm: "Yes, I'm back. No one can bully my Ning'er and Xi'er anymore."
A cold light flashed in Xiao's eyes. How dare those old ladies Jiang and Xun take advantage of her absence to bully her daughter like this? When everything is over, she will definitely bring her husband and son to seek justice for her eldest daughter!
And that son of a bitch Xun Chen, no one will have an easy time!
Imperial Palace, outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Lu Bing ignored the emperor's demeanor and waited at the palace gate in person.
Concubine Qin was by his side, comforting him with sweet words, but in her heart she despised the emperor's behavior. However, she did not show it on her face, instead appearing to be deeply affectionate.
"My beloved, you are the best. You have been with me all these years." Lu Bin said with emotion, patting Concubine Qin's hand. "Once this difficult time is over, I will make you my empress. Yong'er is also the best child."
Concubine Qin sneered inwardly, but appeared flattered. "Your Majesty, you are too kind. Yong'er and I only wish Your Majesty good health and a long-lasting rule."
Seeing that Concubine Qin was neither arrogant nor impatient, Lu Bing was even more satisfied with his decision. Besides, if he gained immortality, he would be an immortal, and the mortal world would naturally be handed over to his beloved son.
As he was speaking, Lu Yong's voice came from a distance: "Father! General Jiang and the Major General are here!"
Lu Bin looked over immediately and saw Jiang Baichuan and his son striding towards him with Lu Yong.
Although the father and son were dressed in ordinary clothes, they could not hide the awe-inspiring demeanor of veterans from many battles.
"My dear, I have finally waited for you!"
Lu Bin actually took the initiative to step forward.
"Your humble servant Jiang Baichuan/Jiang Qinghuai pays homage to Your Majesty!" The father and son of the Jiang family lifted their robes and were about to kneel down to pay their respects.
"My dear ministers, please get up! Please get up!" Lu Bing hurriedly helped them up, his face filled with guilt and anxiety. "In the past, I wronged you by believing in slander. Now that the country is in crisis, I am grateful that you two, my dear ministers, have put aside past grudges and rushed to our aid. I am deeply relieved."
Jiang Baichuan refused to rise, and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, please prioritize state affairs. Along the way, His Royal Highness Prince Yong has explained to us the urgent military situation. The Northern Di barbarians have invaded our territory. As high-ranking military commanders, we have the responsibility to defend our territory. Your Highness, Jiang Baichuan, and your subordinate, Jiang Qinghuai, request your permission to lead our troops to the battle immediately to support General Qin. We will not return until we defeat the Northern Di!"
These words are powerful and their loyalty and bravery are evident.
Lu Bin was so excited after hearing this that he almost burst into tears. There was no reason for him to refuse.
"Okay, okay, I grant your permission, I grant your permission!"
He said repeatedly, "I have mobilized 50,000 elite troops from all over the country, with all the necessary food, fodder and weapons. They are all under your command, my dear minister. I hope you can quickly repel the barbarians and enhance our country's prestige!"
fifty thousand?
Jiang Baichuan and Jiang Qinghuai sneered in their hearts. There were obviously more troops in the capital. More than 50,000 had been dispatched back in recent days. They knew exactly where these remaining troops were used.
The emperor was afraid after all.
He thought to himself, but his face was full of gratitude: "Your Majesty, I accept your order and thank you. I will not let you down. However..."
When Lu Bin heard his words, his expression became conflicted.
…
On that day, the father and son of the Jiang family gathered their troops, took the excess food, fodder and medicine extorted from Lu Bin, and marched out of the capital to the front line.
Lu Bin stood on the city wall, looking at the army going away, with mixed feelings in his heart.
He said to Lu Yong beside him: "Yong'er, you see, the Jiang family is loyal after all. I was confused back then..."
Lu Yong's eyes flickered slightly, and he said softly, seemingly unintentionally, "Father is the Son of Heaven. How can the Son of Heaven be wrong?"
Lu Bin was surprised: "Oh? What does the emperor mean?"
Lu Yong swore solemnly, "It must have been a treacherous minister who deceived the emperor and framed loyal officials. I was young at the time, so I don't know the details, but if General Jiang had gained the emperor's trust earlier, I wouldn't have had to deal with the Southern Frontier..."
He hadn't finished speaking, but his words were like a needle that pierced Lu Bin's heart, evoking a trace of guilt and remorse in his deepest heart.
The next day, the Golden Palace.
The entire court was still unaware that the Jiang family had resumed their leadership of the army. They only saw Lu Bin sitting on the dragon throne with a terrifyingly gloomy expression.
He slammed a pile of old files he had prepared long ago onto the ground, his voice as cold as ice: "Last night, I was looking through the old cases and was shocked to discover that the alleged conspiracy case against General Zhennan, Jiang Baichuan, was riddled with loopholes and injustices. It was all a bunch of treacherous villains who framed loyal officials and deceived me!"
The whole court was in an uproar, especially those officials who had participated in the frame-up or took advantage of the situation, their faces turned pale.
"Minister of Personnel Zhang Min, Chief Censor Wang Huan, and Doctor of the Ministry of War Li Zhi..."
Lu Bin named more than a dozen names in one breath, all of whom were officials who actively participated in the case back then and now hold high positions in the court.
He shouted angrily, "You have deceived the emperor and murdered loyal officials. Your crimes are unforgivable. Come! Drag these traitors out of the Meridian Gate and execute them immediately! Confiscate your property and exile your entire clan three thousand miles away!"
Before he could finish his words, a group of guards who had been prepared in advance rushed into the hall and dragged away the officials who looked as pale as death.
In an instant, all the civil and military officials in the Golden Palace fell to the ground trembling with fear, looking at the Golden Palace that had been almost completely cleaned out with cold sweat all over their bodies.
Lu Bin looked at the court, which had become much emptier, his chest heaving violently, not knowing whether it was due to fear or exhaustion after venting his anger.
He sat on the dragon throne and murmured, "I... I was also deceived... That's right, I was also deceived."
In this way, as long as the Jiang family father and son are rewarded for their merits when they return, they will definitely not harbor any resentment, right?
After leaving court.
Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Lu Bin was uneasy, and his mind was filled with the scene of the court just now. Sometimes he felt that he was right, and sometimes he regretted that his methods were too cruel.
After all, those were the ministers he had painstakingly cultivated. Would beheading and exiling them be too cruel?
He Ning and Lu Yong looked at each other and immediately stepped forward.
He Ning was filled with grief and anguish. "Your Majesty is wise. I feel that these treacherous officials deserve death. If it weren't for them, why would General Jiang have been exiled to Lingnan for so many years? Why would our country be facing the border crisis today? Your Majesty's actions are to restore order."
Lu Yong also said, "I think Lord He is right. Your Majesty has no need to blame himself. Only by eliminating the treacherous and corrupt officials can the court be clear and honest. If General Jiang knew that Your Majesty had done justice for him, he would surely be even more grateful and swear allegiance to you until his death."
The two of them sang in unison, and soon washed away Lu Bin's insignificant regret. Instead, they felt that they had done something extremely correct, wise and brave.
"Yong'er is right, and He Aiqing is right." Lu Bin nodded repeatedly, as if finding comfort. "I am doing this for the country and the people, and to vindicate the loyal ministers."
He consoled himself for a long time, but suddenly felt a sense of emptiness in his heart. He quickly shouted, "Come, summon Immortal Master Qingyangzi. I want to listen to his teachings and concentrate my mind!"
He Ning and Lu Yong looked at each other, bowed together, took a few steps back, turned around and walked out of the hall.
"If Lord He has something to do, you can leave the palace on your own. I will give you a day off." Lu Yong spoke in a mature tone that did not match his actual age, with a meaningful smile in his eyes.
He Ning looked hesitant: "But Your Majesty here..." He did not forget Jiang Qingning's instructions, and was completing the task every day.
But just now he learned that she was back, and at this moment He Ning felt a little moved in his heart.
"Don't worry, with my mother and I here, nothing will happen in the palace." Lu Yong said meaningfully.
He Ning nodded, clasped his fists and said, "Thank you, Your Highness Prince Yong. I will take my leave now!"
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