All the killings outside the palace were caused by a single, casual remark or word spoken in the inner palace.
The word "kill" made the atmosphere in the palace tense.
"Tian Gui, help me up."
With his father-in-law's help, Zhou Jingyan sat down. His eyes were swollen and dark, his lips were pale, and he spoke weakly. He looked at Zhou Jinghuan and said, "Is it absolutely necessary to kill him?"
"They must be killed."
Zhou Jinghuan nodded and said, "Yang Qingzhi's willful actions have wasted a lot of money and grain from the court and caused many Southern Zhou soldiers to die in vain! After the Northern Expedition, Southern Zhou needs at least three years to recuperate! The letter handed over by Zuo Zhu clearly states that this was not Yang Qingzhi's decision alone. Yang Zhanbei was the planner, and Yang Qingzhi was the executor."
"Brother, the Yang family has betrayed you and the court!"
Zhou Jingyan said, "Tenth brother, you've always been a gentle person since you were little. How come you've become so bloodthirsty now? Cough cough... Don't learn from Mo Bai. His methods don't suit you."
Zhou Jinghuan said, "I am not imitating him, but simply stating the facts."
Zhou Jingyan's eyelids drooped slightly, as if he were about to fall asleep, and he said, "I ask you, if you want to kill Yang Zhanbei and his son just for the crime of defeating the army, many people will feel indignant on their behalf. When that time comes, can you suppress their grievances?"
"Your Majesty, I am prepared and unafraid of battle."
"But are they the only ones fighting you? Mo Bai won't let go of this opportunity to use this situation against you."
Zhou Jingyan coughed a few times and said, "I am still alive and do not want to see our Zhou family fighting amongst ourselves."
Zhou Jinghuan said, "Your Majesty, I will know what I'm doing."
Zhou Jingyan shook his head slightly, beckoned to Zhou Jinghuan, and then patted the bed beside him: "Come here and sit with me for a while."
"yes."
Zhou Jinghuan sat down next to Zhou Jingyan quite naturally, which was obviously a common occurrence.
Zhou Jingyan said, "Zuo Zhu's ability to produce evidence of the Yang family's crimes is a good thing for the court. This will allow the Yang family to be convicted as soon as possible, thus avoiding many conflicts and struggles between you. In that case, you should go with the flow and stop the fighting with a light punch."
Although the emperor's intentions differed from Zhou Jinghuan's, Zhou Jinghuan listened attentively and nodded from time to time.
"I know you want to kill the Yang family father and son because you fear they might have a chance to rise again in the future, and that the Southern Zhou will produce another Zhao Huan and Zhao Cheng. But you must understand that my Southern Zhou is different from the former Great Jing. Whether it was Zhao Huan or Wen Tai, they were all traitors and rebels. But my Southern Zhou has Mo Bai, and you."
"Strip the Yang family of their honors, remove the Yang father and son from their posts, and dismiss, imprison, or exile the Yang family's confidants who should be dismissed. As for Yang Zhanbei and Yang Qingzhi, spare their lives and let them live as wealthy men."
"Yang Zhanbei spent his life on the battlefield, guarding the borders of the Southern Zhou Dynasty. He was meritorious."
Zhou Jinghuan said, "Your Majesty is benevolent and righteous."
Zhou Jingyan said, "If they can accept this arrangement, then this matter ends here. If they are unwilling and have other plans, then you can decide what to do."
Zhou Jinghuan stood up, bowed to Zhou Jingyan, and said, "Your subject accepts the decree."
"I know you've always wanted to lead troops. I didn't give it to you before because you were still young. Now you're in your early thirties, so you can take the position of Grand Commander of Southern Zhou."
After speaking, Zhou Jingyan coughed twice and looked at Tian Gui. Tian Gui immediately and carefully helped Zhou Jingyan lie down.
Zhou Jinghuan knelt down to accept the order: "Your Majesty, I thank you!"
Zhou Jingyan waved his hand, signaling Zhou Jinghuan to step down.
Tian Gui said, "Your Highness, His Majesty is tired."
"Eunuch Tian, I'm entrusting my brother to you."
With that, Zhou Jinghuan got up and left.
After Zhou Jinghuan left the palace, Tian Gui patted the emperor's back and said, "Your Majesty, you have given the Grand Commander to the Prince. I'm afraid the Second Prince won't be so obedient."
Zhou Jingyan said, "I've given him the position. Whether he can hold onto it depends on his own abilities."
"Cough cough!"
“If he can’t hold his position, it means Mo Bai is stronger than him, and everything will fall into place naturally. If he can hold his position, then it’s time for Southern Zhou to establish a crown prince.”
"Your Majesty is wise."
After Zhou Jinghuan left the palace, Hao Qing followed behind him. Just as the two of them stepped down the stairs, a young man leaning against a stone pillar called out to him.
"Uncle, you walk briskly, you seem to be in a good mood!"
Zhou Jinghuan turned his head and saw Zhou Mobai giving him a strange smile. However, Zhou Mobai was only in his early twenties, but his expression and demeanor always made him look like a man who was older than his age.
"It's Mo Bai, here to visit your elder brother?"
Zhou Mobai said, "Without Father Emperor's summons, I dare not go in casually. After all, I am different from my Imperial Uncle, who has special privileges."
"Look how sour you are!"
Zhou Jinghuan rolled his eyes at Zhou Mobai, then tapped his forehead with his finger and said, "You are destined to be the crown prince, so you should be more open-minded."
Zhou Mobai said, "Uncle, stop making empty promises. Everyone in the palace knows that Father has said several times that although he has many sons, none of them can compare to you, Uncle. He hasn't established a crown prince for so many years, so the position is probably reserved for you."
"Mo Bai, be careful what you say!"
Zhou Jinghuan looked around and said, "Are you trying to kill me by saying such things in front of the palace?"
"Your nephew wouldn't dare," Zhou Mobai said, clasping his hands in a fist salute. "But seeing that Your Majesty is in such a good mood, you must have already secured the Grand Commandant?"
"Um."
Zhou Jinghuan responded softly, unaware of the sinister glint that flashed in Zhou Mobai's eyes.
"What should be done about the Yang family father and son?"
"Your brother has instructed me to handle this matter entirely, so you don't need to worry about it, Mo Bai."
"If there is anything I can do to help you, please feel free to do so. I will take my leave now."
After Zhou Mobai walked away, Hao Qing stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, the Second Prince left in a hurry after hearing that you had taken down the Grand Commander. I'm afraid he will make a move."
"As expected."
Zhou Jinghuan snorted coldly and said, "He can't get anything good from the Emperor. All he can do is try to win over the generals in the army."
Hao Qing said, "I've heard that some of Yang Zhanbei's confidants have already defected to him. He can protect those people and get them out of this mess with the Yang family."
Zhou Jinghuan said, "These next few days you'll have to work hard. Have someone keep an eye on him. Whoever he tries to recruit, you recruit them. Zhou Mobai has never been on the battlefield and has no experience in the army. I, on the other hand, accumulated considerable military merit and connections last year in the battle of Yun Jing, and now I've become the Grand Commander. I believe those people know how to choose."
“Tell them that I have no personal grudge against the Yang family, and that differing political views are a matter of state. As long as they put aside their prejudices, I will naturally not care about their past status.”
"The failure of the Northern Expedition was due to Yang Qingzhi, and had nothing to do with the soldiers."
Hao Qing clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes!"
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