Yin Jin'an took out the letter from Duke Xun, which surprised everyone present.
Except for Zhou Shaoyu.
Before his death, Duke Xun entrusted the military tally of the Yin family army to Yin Jin'an, begging him to take it in.
"Go back and tell His Majesty for me, Duke Xun, let this line end with my generation!"
He still wrote the memorial, though the handwriting was trembling, the meaning was still there.
"Before the Duke passed away, he wrote a memorial stating that his title would end with this generation. After returning to the capital, I will submit the memorial to His Majesty on his behalf," Zhou Shaoyu said. "This is the Duke's last wish. With the memorial and witnesses, Chief Yin can go to the court at any time to inquire with the Emperor."
Yin Jin'an handed the letter in her hand to the clan chief: "There's no need to ask His Majesty. Here is a letter that my father wrote before he went to the battlefield."
The letter was clear and the handwriting was unwavering.
Firstly, the Yin family army was entrusted to Yin Jin'an. If Yin Jin'an did not want it, the military tally would be handed over to the imperial court.
Secondly, the application for the title of peerage is terminated in this generation.
The Duke of Xun said, "The titles bestowed upon our ancestors are a testament to their merits. If our descendants rest on their laurels and fail to strive for advancement, they will become a burden on the court. It would be better not to have such titles at all. Anyone who desires wealth and honor should earn it through their own abilities."
In the letter, he apologized to Yin Jin'an, saying that he felt he had wronged his youngest son the most in his life.
"If there is an afterlife, your father will make it up to you... Son, would you still like to be my son?"
Madam Song's face turned pale and then red. She threw the letter aside and angrily said, "Yin Jin'an, what are you up to? Since you knew all along that the Duke had submitted a memorial requesting the termination of his title, why didn't you tell me?"
Yin Jin'an spread her hands: "You didn't ask me!"
"But everyone's been talking about this these past few days, why haven't you said anything?"
"My father's body is barely cold, and I've been keeping vigil every day. How was I supposed to know you were fighting over this?"
Yin Jin'an's words were a slap in the face to Song Shi, Yin Jinzhuo, and others.
“When your father dies, someone will have to break the pot for him and inherit his mantle.”
"Didn't I say that Yin Jinzhuo is the eldest? If he wants to smash the pot, I won't stop him. If my elder brother doesn't allow it, I'll smash it myself. What, are you still not satisfied?"
Song was so angry that she felt dizzy.
Without the title of Duke, what is there to inherit?
The title of nobility ends at the rank of Duke, which not only severs the title and status, but also means that the court will take back all the fertile land that was granted to him.
This includes taking back military power.
Otherwise, what about an ordinary family? Would you really allow them to raise an army and rebel? Besides, could they even afford it?
The remains of Duke Yin Xiushan were displayed in the family mourning hall for only two days before the funeral procession and burial on the third day.
Yin Jin'an broke the basin.
Anyone with eyes can see that Marquis Xiaoyao, Yin Jin'an, has made outstanding contributions in this campaign against Wei in the northwest and in resisting foreign enemies. He will surely be richly rewarded.
Who else could be more courageous and responsible than his ancestor, Duke Xun?
If he doesn't break the basin, who will?
The entire city's residents spontaneously came to see off Duke Xun, and the procession stretched for ten miles on that day.
Empress Xie remained silent during these days.
Xie Anfeng also knew that Empress Xie was at Huiyue Villa.
He ordered Xie Yu to take 5,000 Xuanyi Guards to Huiyue Manor to invite the Empress back to the palace.
Upon arrival, they discovered that Huiyue Manor was heavily guarded.
Xie Yu felt utterly disheartened when he saw the guards.
No wonder when his father asked to arrest the Empress, Emperor Hui said, "Take the Xie family's Black-Clad Guards with you!"
The guards of Huiyue Manor were originally the Black-Clad Guards that Xie Anfeng had personally given to Empress Xie; they could be considered part of her dowry.
The Imperial City Guard should have already found out.
Empress Xie dragged Xie Shi step by step into the abyss, from which she could not even crawl out.
"Please, Your Majesty, return to the palace!"
Xie Yu ordered someone to shout loudly.
The empress did not come out. The scouts standing on the watchtower of the manor shouted loudly, "Summon Zhou Shaoyu to come and talk in person."
Xie Yu said sternly, "Your Majesty, summon the Empress back to the palace immediately."
However, the person on the lookout tower kept repeating the same thing: "Summon Zhou Shaoyu in person, or there's no point in talking."
Xie Yu shouted to the Black-Clad Guards of Huiyue Manor: "You all, quickly lay down your weapons, don't make unnecessary sacrifices..."
However, although the other party was once a member of the Black-Clad Guard, they now serve different masters.
Left with no other option, he ordered: "Prepare to attack the manor. Anyone who blocks our path, kill them!"
Just as he was about to attack the mountain villa, he suddenly saw smoke and dust billowing from the south of the villa, and tens of thousands of soldiers were charging in.
A young general led the way, followed by about ten other military officers.
"Anyone who dares to touch a hair on Her Majesty's head will face the consequences of my spear!" The man was tall and handsome, holding a long spear and wearing silver armor, exuding an imposing aura.
The Imperial City Guards, sensing something was wrong, immediately rode back to the palace at top speed to report the news.
"Your Majesty, the enemy has tens of thousands of troops. I'm afraid Minister Xie is no match for them."
Emperor Hui showed no surprise and said, "The Military Command will mobilize 100,000 troops and raze Huiyue Manor to the ground."
Xie Anfeng knelt down, not begging for mercy, but only saying, "Your Majesty, I am guilty, please punish me."
Now, whatever he does, there is no turning back.
Emperor Hui said coldly, "She has long been a royal consort; it is not your fault, my dear minister."
Zhou Shaoyu said, "Father, in this bloody battle, it is our brave sons and common people who die. If Your Majesty agrees to a bloodless war, I am willing to go and negotiate."
"No."
"Your Highness, you mustn't."
"Your Highness, you mustn't!"
Empress Xie repeatedly urged Zhou Shaoyu to go alone, determined to use him as a hostage to coerce the court.
Zhou Shaoyu said, "If I don't go, how will I know what the Empress is planning? If I can use my own strength to retreat the troops and avoid disaster, I think it's worth it."
Emperor Hui shook his head: "I know you care about the soldiers, but we cannot act rashly at this time. She is threatening us with her army; do you think I'm afraid of her?"
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