Chapter Thirty-One
Empress Yu's mother, who was also the mother of the Imperial Brother-in-Law, was surnamed Yu. As for the biological father of the two siblings, they rarely mentioned his name or surname, seemingly deliberately concealing the well-known fact that they shared the same mother but had different fathers. Therefore, officials who were often dissatisfied with the Imperial Brother-in-Law's behavior speculated that he was intentionally encouraging his sister to share his mother's surname. In truth, the Imperial Brother-in-Law didn't need to go to such lengths. Empress Yu treated her brother with great respect, and in her presence, he was completely trustworthy.
Emperor Zhaoming glanced at his brother-in-law, who was about the same age as him and looked like a round, chubby ball. Even the head steward, no matter how fat, still had a human shape. But his brother-in-law was simply round to the extreme, with a round head, round eyes, round upper body, and round lower body. His mouth was pouting and his hands were clenched into fists, making him even rounder.
A bitter smile played on his lips as he couldn't help but think of the virtuous and graceful Empress Yu in the harem. She was perfect in every way: she didn't interfere in politics, she wasn't jealous, and she never gossiped. Perhaps because of her humble origins, she understood forbearance and contentment. Under her rule, the harem was a picture of peace and prosperity. Those who had submitted impeachments had all fallen silent.
There was one thing that displeased Emperor Zhaoming: the empress listened to her brother too much.
After sensing Li Fenglu's gaze, the emperor's brother-in-law gave him a vicious look with his round eyes.
Suddenly, Minister Wu stepped forward, cupped his hands and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I have received your report. The Princess has privately incorporated 50,000 Iron Cavalry from Dongliang into the Yunzhao Army."
In Yunxiu Kingdom, all officials, whether civil or military, are required to attend the morning court session. If the head of one of the six ministries has to take leave, his deputy may attend the court session in his place.
Upon hearing Lord Wu's words, all the civil and military officials, including the Emperor's brother-in-law, were filled with astonishment. Immediately, another round of whispers arose in the court. Only Mo Qiming seemed to have expected this, calmly watching the Emperor on the dragon throne.
A hint of surprise flashed across Emperor Zhaoming's face, but it quickly disappeared. He clenched his fist, coughed lightly to signal everyone to be quiet, and then smiled and said, "The Eldest Princess had already informed me of this matter in advance. I was just about to tell my ministers, but I didn't expect that Minister Wu of the Ministry of War would take my worries into consideration in advance."
The emperor's brother-in-law chuckled and agreed, "Yes, as a subject, it is only natural to do our best to help the emperor solve his problems." He paused, glanced at Minister Wu beside him, and said with a forced smile, "Minister Xia is truly all-knowing, both in heaven and on earth."
Lord Wu was already uneasy after hearing the Emperor's ambiguous words, and with the addition of the Imperial Brother-in-law's embellishments, his face immediately turned red and white, and he couldn't utter a single word.
Seeing this, Mo Qiming calmly said, "The Ministry of War is in charge of the selection of military officers nationwide, as well as military registers, weapons, military orders, post stations and many other affairs. Naturally, it must pay close attention to important military matters. I have heard that the 50,000 Iron Pagodas are the most powerful weapons of the Eastern Liang Kingdom. If they are incorporated into the Yunxiu Kingdom, they will become an elite force to subdue the various northern barbarian tribes."
These words not only eased the Xia Guan Shi Lang's predicament but also clarified the purpose of the Princess's subjugation of the 50,000 Iron Cavalry.
Like a gentle spring breeze and nourishing rain, their wisdom and foresight are truly admirable.
Emperor Zhaoming nodded to his elder brother, "That's right, the Princess is making such a plan. The northern frontier is vast, and the Xiongnu states are constantly migrating and have no fixed abode. The Princess said that this iron cavalry is invincible and will surely make the Xiongnu people tremble with fear."
All the civil and military officials gasped in shock. The princess had finished conquering the south, west, and east, and she wasn't even planning to catch her breath. Did she intend to lead the Yunzhao Army and this Iron Pagoda Army, which was said to strike fear into the hearts of the enemy, all the way to the north?
East, west, south, north, and all corners of the world—where in Yunxiu Kingdom could she not go? If that were truly the case, how would the Marquis of Beiding and the Prince of Hongwei, who were stubbornly guarding the northern barbarian lands, bear it?
Furthermore, isn't it too far-fetched to expect surrendered troops to fight for their lives?
...
After the court session ended, the civil and military officials gathered in small groups, whispering amongst themselves.
"Do you think the Eldest Princess would really lead her troops to attack the Northern Barbarians directly?"
"Impossible. The late emperor has always forbidden sending troops deep into the northern border."
"Yes, since the new emperor ascended the throne, he has strictly prohibited the private pursuit of Xiongnu soldiers who have invaded the border. To this day, the emperor has not lifted the ban. No matter how powerful the princess is, does she really dare to disobey the imperial decree?"
"..."
"It seems that the Imperial Brother-in-law was defending the Eldest Princess just now. The Eldest Princess is away from home most of the year. As far as I know, Empress Yu only entered the palace two years ago. The Imperial Brother-in-law should not know the Eldest Princess."
"Hmph, can't you win people over if you don't know them? Look at how many people Yu Guojiu has won over in the past two years, especially those 'outsiders' and those rich kids."
"He's a greedy and ruthless man. Minister Zhuo of the Heavenly Palace and Vice Minister Xiang of the Spring Palace only submitted memorials to impeach him, but one was forced to resign by him, and the other was murdered and died tragically in prison."
"And then there's the matter of the Jiangnan Ancha Commissioner, Master Shi. He only gave him a little less silver than the year before last, but the Emperor's brother-in-law whispered in the Emperor's ear, nitpicking and demoting Master Shi to a minor county magistrate. Master Shi was so angry that he almost died from a mouthful of blood."
"In the current court, the people who can most influence the Emperor's attention are none other than Mo Qiming and the Imperial Brother-in-law. However, the Imperial Brother-in-law is, after all, a relative of the Empress Dowager, so..."
"So he's in a hurry to win over the Eldest Princess. If she returns to the capital, the court will be a completely different place. Don't forget, Mo Qiming is the First Prince, while the Eldest Princess was the late Emperor's most favored daughter. There have been many instances of princesses succeeding to the throne and seizing power in previous dynasties..."
Before he could finish speaking, he was immediately interrupted by an official with graying hair beside him. They exchanged glances and understood each other, not daring to say anything more.
Not far away, Li Fenglu was about to walk home when he saw the Imperial Brother-in-law riding an old horse, walking unsteadily up to him, and jokingly saying with a round face, "Lord Li, would you like me to give you a ride?"
Li Fenglu was a tall, strong man, and Yu Guojiu was riding an extremely old horse. Yu Guojiu was also quite round, and even though he was sitting on the horse, he still managed to maintain a commanding presence. However, Li Fenglu turned his sullen face away, causing the old horse to whimper and wheeze a couple of times, before speaking irritably.
"You've gone to so much trouble, Your Excellency. Is it because you don't have the money to buy a horse? I advise you to accumulate some merit and stop torturing this old horse." After saying that, he flicked his sleeve and strode back to his own home, ignoring what the Imperial Uncle had said.
At the palace gate, however, a scene of auspicious clouds drifting by was quite discordant.
"Thank you for your help earlier, Your Highness," said Xia Guanwu, the Vice Minister, bowing to Mo Qiming.
Mo Qiming smiled gently and politely, "Lord Wu, you flatter me. I am merely stating the facts."
The two mounted their horses and walked and talked as they went, heading out of the palace.
"How has the Minister's health been lately?"
"Still the same as always."
"I will consult with the Emperor tomorrow and have the imperial physician go and take a look."
"Thank you for your trouble, Your Highness. I thank you on behalf of my father."
...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
