Chapter 118 Protecting the In-Laws
On the evening of the 15th, the only messenger falcon in the north flew to Chang'an and brought a message.
In order to rescue the missing prince, Qin Yue, Marquis of Pingxi and General Zhenbei, wiped out the Qiang and Hu tribes and killed their leader Bu Chang. General Qin Yue was loyal to his country, but unfortunately, despite all they did, the prince was killed by Bu Chang on the day he was captured.
After reading the news, Emperor Kang Cheng had a blank expression on his face and was unmoved. Someone had to be held responsible for the crown prince's death, otherwise would his crown prince have died in vain?
He read the message again. The Qin family was really useful. They did what they should do and didn't say anything they shouldn't say.
Qin Yue was so aware of the current situation that he would not kill them all, but he would still suppress those who needed to be suppressed, otherwise it would be difficult for the new emperor to subdue them in the future.
Is this what the emperor has been waiting for? Wei Zili thought.
Sixteen, the morning sun
Early in the morning, when it was still dark and the cold wind and heavy snow were blowing outside, the ministers came to the side hall of the Golden Throne Hall one after another to wait.
The emperor has not been attending court recently, and they don’t know whether the emperor will show up today, but they must show up. It is an honor for them as the emperor’s right-hand ministers to be able to attend the morning court.
Even if their presence was in vain because the Emperor had recently been absent from court, their work would be in vain. But they dared not complain about the hard work, nor did they dare not come. If they dared to slack off and not come once, believe it or not, there would be many people who would want to replace them.
If the emperor did not show up, someone would come to inform them that he would not attend court today, and they could go home or go to the government office to handle official business.
Lu Desheng also came. His family's new carriage was very warm. After getting off the carriage, he put on a cloak and took it off when he arrived at the side hall, so he didn't feel cold at all.
As soon as he came in, Xie Mingtang followed closely behind.
Compared to the cheerful look on Lu Desheng's face, Xie Mingtang looked a little gloomy.
Yesterday, his eldest son, Xie Zhan, married the eldest daughter of the Zhao family. Few ministers came to congratulate him. The ceremony wasn't even as grand as his nephew's wedding! After some inquiries, he discovered that those who didn't come were afraid of offending Lu Desheng. How could he not be upset? When did their Xie family become overshadowed by Lu Desheng?
As soon as Lu Desheng entered, someone came up to him and asked, "Master Lu, do you think the emperor will come to court today?"
"Yes, the emperor hasn't been attending court lately. I heard that he's not feeling well, and we, the ministers, are worried."
"Lord Lu accompanies the emperor every day. Please tell us whether the emperor is in good health. That will put our minds at ease."
Lu Desheng laughed and said, "How would I know? Just wait and see." Want to find out the emperor's true situation from him? No way.
By the end of the fifth watch, no one had called them away. The ministers knew the emperor would appear today, and one by one they began to straighten their clothes.
Lu Desheng also realized this and was surprised. The emperor's dragon body could hardly support the strength to go to court. Besides being surprised, he also had a premonition that something big was about to happen.
Soon, it was time for the morning court session.
When Emperor Kang Cheng appeared, he looked emaciated and the dragon robe he wore looked empty.
Seeing the emperor like this, the ministers were really surprised.
The emperor is like this, it seems like his end is near! The ministers were very nervous.
After the ceremony between the emperor and his subjects, a loyal and upright old minister could not help but say, "Your Majesty, please take care of yourself."
Others also reacted and stepped out, "Your Majesty, take care—"
Emperor Kangcheng raised his hand to stop these empty talkers. Glancing down, he saw Lü Desheng looking at him with concern. A thought crossed his mind: among these people, Lü Desheng was probably the only one who sincerely hoped that he and the crown prince would survive.
"Let's get down to business. No need to flatter or praise others." Emperor Kang Cheng said in a hoarse voice.
The ministers were secretly complaining: "We care about you, and you think it's flattery, but when Lu Desheng cares about you, you think it's sincere? Don't be so hypocritical!"
If you ask them, they would say that Lu Desheng is the one who is really flattering!
Emperor Kang Cheng didn't care what his ministers thought and nodded to the left.
Grand Marshal Xiao Qun stepped forward and took out a report. "I have something to tell all the officials!"
When the ministers saw that it was the Grand Marshal who was in charge of military affairs, they were all startled.
"I'm sure all the officials know that the Crown Prince set out on November 25th to inspect the northern border and comfort the soldiers."
Yes, they all know, and then what?
"However, the Crown Prince was unfortunate. When the group passed through Baihe Town, they were ambushed by a group of elite Qiang and Hu soldiers, and their whereabouts are unknown."
As soon as these words were spoken, the ministers became obviously agitated.
"What? The prince is missing?!"
"The Qianghu tribe is so brave!"
"Is the Northern Border Army dead? Why would they allow the Qiang and Hu people to enter Dali territory?"
"Qin Yue has failed in his duty!"
What happened to the crown prince? Was he rescued? This was the question that concerned all the ministers.
Taiwei Xiao Qun waited until they quieted down before continuing, "Two days later, Qin Yue, Marquis of Pingxi and General Zhenbei, led a large army to besiege the Qiang and Hu official camp, annihilating the enemy and beheading their leader, Bu Chang."
The ministers in the court were all listening attentively. After hearing this, they all thought that the prince should be rescued, right?
"Through interrogation of Bu Chang's important generals and Bu Chang's own confession, the Crown Prince was killed on the spot in Baihe Town."
What, the prince is gone?
Lu Desheng was also listening carefully. When he heard the end, he couldn't help smacking his lips. Oh my god, the emperor is so powerful. He directly took the fourth prince out. Who would have thought that the fourth prince was the mastermind behind all this?
The officials who followed the prince were so exhausted that their legs went weak and they regretted letting the prince leave the capital!
Countless ministers beat their chests and stamped their feet! Some ministers even glanced at the emperor on the dragon throne. If the prince stayed in Chang'an City, he would be able to succeed to the throne smoothly in no time, right?
Who, who originally suggested that the Crown Prince go north to entertain the troops?! Stand up, or I'll beat you to death!
Chen Bingguang, the Prince's tutor, stepped out and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Your Majesty, Qin Yue has neglected his duties. I request that Qin Yue be severely punished to comfort the Prince's spirit in heaven!" He was the head of the Prince's group.
Others echoed, "Yes, Your Majesty, the prince's death was so unjust and tragic." Wow, they invested so many years, but in the end, it was all in vain. It's so heartbreaking.
Lu Desheng scoffed. "Look at what he's spouting!" He'd noticed it just now, and the old man was still remorseful. Now he was quick to blame others. "No matter how many mistakes you make, it's all someone else's fault!" "If you can make things difficult for others, don't make things difficult for yourself."
"You old fools, you should be the ones who reflect on yourselves the most! You've been hanging around the Crown Prince all day, yet he still got into trouble. I don't know if it's just bad luck that you've brought bad luck upon the Crown Prince, and ended up killing him." Lu Desheng jumped out and started to yell at him. Qin Yue was his relative after all, so how could he let him call for war and killing?!
"Lü Desheng, you—you—" Chen Bingguang pointed at him and was speechless.
The people around him immediately followed up, "You can't tell right from wrong! You help your relatives but not the people!"
The people around him quietly stood a little further back, fearing that they would be affected. Lu Desheng was still as good as ever at framing people and making trouble.
"Am I wrong?" Lu Desheng asked back.
Prince Taifu Chen Bingguang said, "Of course not, Lü Desheng, stop your nonsense and try to divert attention! As the commander-in-chief of the northern border, isn't it Qin Yue's responsibility to protect the northern border? He is fully responsible for the prince's death in the northern border!"
Lu Desheng narrowed his eyes and said, "Old man Chen, something is wrong with you."
After a failed investment, after losing one's fortune, shouldn't one be devastated? What good will it do you to rally around and constantly hold the Qin family responsible?
My daughter said that once the Crown Prince's death is exposed, the Fourth Prince's people will definitely find a way to put the blame entirely on the Qin family. So, have you, Old Man Chen, sided with the Fourth Prince?
Lu Desheng asked, "Then General Qin was happily fighting a few foreign tribes in the northern border, and the Crown Prince's death was blamed entirely on him, right?"
He went on, "Everything should be based on first come first served, cause before effect. Wouldn't this matter have been resolved if you hadn't let the prince leave Chang'an? You miscalculated and encouraged the prince to leave the capital, which ended up hurting others and yourself! Your Majesty, I think the person who deserves to die the most is the one who suggested that the prince go north to entertain the troops! I strongly suspect that the other party deliberately sent the prince to his death." He faced the emperor and said the last sentence viciously.
"You're talking nonsense!" Chen Bingguang widened his eyes in anger.
Lu Desheng's criticism was too harsh, no one could bear it. He didn't know, he also meant well. Was there anything wrong with the prince going north to visit the troops?
Lu Desheng was about to argue with him again, but when he looked up, he was stopped by the emperor's eyes.
Lu Desheng: ??? It seems the Emperor is very protective of the Fourth Prince. Okay, he can't drag this into the Fourth Prince's hands anymore.
Taiwei Xiao Qun finally said, "Qin Yue, Marquis of Pingxi and General Zhenbei, was severely injured in several vital parts of his body and bled profusely after annihilating the Qiang and Hu tribes and beheading their leader Bu Chang. He could not be treated and finally died for his loyalty to his country at the age of 45." When he said this, his voice was low, as if he was afraid of disturbing the heroic spirit.
The entire Golden Palace fell silent.
The ministers who had just clamored for severe punishment of Qin Yue were like drakes with their necks strangled, and were all speechless.
What else can I say? Qin Yue has already died to atone for his crimes, what else can I ask of him? Not only that, before his death, he also uprooted the Qiang and Hu tribes, avenging the prince! As the saying goes, merits can't atone for sins, right? Then add my life, will that be enough?
Even the most stringent censor would not be able to bring charges against the Qin family.
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