Chapter 370: The Lady of the Marquisate vs. the Younger Prince 113
The emperor fell into a coma again and did not wake up until late at night. The empress was so anxious that she burst into tears. She ordered the imperial physician to step up his treatment, but at the same time she kept the news secret and announced to the public that the emperor had caught a cold.
In order to allow the emperor to recuperate in peace, all state affairs could not disturb the emperor. The concubines took turns to serve him, from the empress to the four concubines below, to Liangpin and Tongpin. Others did not have a turn and could only pray for the emperor outside the palace.
The Empress helped the Emperor to treat everyone equally, so that no one suffered any loss. No one dared to raise any objections, and the harem was peaceful and orderly.
Liangpin wanted to take the opportunity to pester the emperor. If she was by the emperor's side when he woke up, she might be able to get an imperial edict to make the second prince the crown prince. Unfortunately, the four concubines kept a close eye on her and didn't allow her any extra time to get close to the emperor.
Even though the previous dynasty was without an emperor, there were still many state affairs.
Ji Shoufu resigned, Pei Ci Fu died under unclear circumstances and his body was never found. No one in the cabinet was convinced by the other and the quarrels continued. The emperor instigated disputes among the officials, and the drawbacks were revealed at this time. Once the emperor fell, the government became a mess.
In addition, the emperor did not appoint a crown prince, and the people in the court were in panic. There was no one to take charge of the situation for the emperor.
The second prince wanted to make some noise, but unfortunately Pei Ci Fu died suddenly. He lost a great general and was in a mess. He couldn't even manage the Ministry of Personnel, let alone intervene in other departments.
The cabinet ministers are all proud scholars. No matter how good their ability in governing the country is, they are all arrogant and look down on the Second Prince.
Jing Yu had already taken control of the Ministry of Justice and was enforcing orders. He quickly arrested several of Pei Ci Fu's accomplices and threw them into the Ministry of Justice's prison, arrogantly declaring his control over the court.
If you don't listen to him, you will be put in jail first. It is hard to say when you will be released after the trial. It is hard to say whether you will lose your official position or your head after you are released.
There are few completely clean people in the court. Kong Liang and others are still watching there covetously. They have just entered the court and are still a breath of fresh air. They haven't had time to do anything bad, so they are not afraid of anyone and will be punished if they are scolded!
At the grand court meeting, everyone performed the ritual of three bows and nine kowtows to the empty dragon throne, and then did what they were supposed to do.
Even though the emperor is not here, there is still the third prince. It is the same to discuss matters with the third prince.
The people in the cabinet received a hint from Prime Minister Ji, and with a few people taking the lead, they stopped arguing for the time being and started to act in a daze following the Third Prince.
The first thing to be addressed is how to deal with the victims and the 10,000 troops outside the city.
Jing Yu bowed to the empty dragon throne and said respectfully, "My father is ill. The army cannot move without the emperor's order. Otherwise, it will be regarded as treason. I think it is better for them to stay where they are."
"The current situation is unstable. Having an army guarding outside the city can also calm the people's hearts."
The second prince was also in the court, and he immediately jumped out to object, "How can I allow others to sleep peacefully beside my bed? We should transfer the people back to Datong Pass. I wonder what Third Brother is thinking? Do you want these 10,000 people to be your private army?"
Jing Yu was surprised and said, "Transfer back? What for? Does second brother have a tiger talisman or a jade seal that can issue an imperial decree? Second brother is confused. If this gets out, outsiders will think that you are taking advantage of your father's illness to plot something bad."
"Of course, I know that's not what my second brother meant. He just speaks his mind without thinking."
There was a burst of laughter around, but it was quickly suppressed.
The Second Prince's face flushed red, he did not think he was stupid, he just felt that he had lost the initiative. Jing Yu, this villain, actually threatened all the officials directly, and he usually presented himself as a gentleman and easy-going person, so naturally he was a step slower.
The second prince retorted: "We can't leave the army outside the city. If someone harbors evil intentions, the capital will be in danger!"
Jing Yu nodded in agreement, "Second brother, what you said makes sense. Then let the army withdraw 30 kilometers away to protect the capital. This way, we will be safe."
Everyone in the court had no objection to this. As for the refugees, the Third Prince said that they had to investigate thoroughly before making a final conclusion. With a large army watching along the way, the refugees would not dare to cause trouble.
"Don't worry, everyone. I will never let a bad guy go, nor will I wrongly accuse a good guy. If Pei Ci Fu is truly innocent, I will report the truth to my father, confer an official title on Pei Ci Fu, and give him a grand funeral!"
Jing Yu spoke in a murderous tone, and the officials of Pei Ci Fu's lineage shrank their necks, feeling that the Third Prince also wanted to give them a grand burial together.
They suddenly felt that Pei Cifu's death was a good thing. It was an unclear death and it became a mess. They felt at peace now.
Wulang was still the commander-in-chief of the 10,000-man army. Although his position was temporary, he should have stepped down after the 10,000 men had defeated the victims. However, the emperor was in a coma and no one could issue an order to remove him from the position. The 10,000-man army still had to listen to him.
Wu Lang was so proud that he walked with the wind. Commanding an army of 10,000, even if there was no real fighting, it would be enough for him to brag about for the rest of his life!
From now on he is no longer just a playboy, he is a playboy who has commanded tens of thousands of soldiers and horses, and is a top talent in the playboy circle!
Wu Lang went to the military camp outside the city and ordered the army to retreat thirty miles and not to camp around the capital.
Shangshu Zhao was particularly generous and brought a lot of food and military pay to reward the army. The ten thousand soldiers did nothing but received the reward for nothing. They all shouted that the emperor was in great grace. In less than half a day, they retreated thirty miles away.
The most conspicuous place thirty miles away is Mulan Paddock. It is surrounded by mountains and rivers and has a flat terrain, making it suitable for camping. The army did not intrude into private territory, but settled down in camp nearby.
For the first time in his life, Minister Zhao abused his power for personal gain. He tampered with the accounts and allocated part of the military pay to the refugees.
Tens of thousands of refugees were scattered around the outskirts of the capital, and finally no one would starve to death.
In the hottest July, the capital city was as hot as a steamer.
Another massive petition broke out at the Penglai Restaurant. This was the third time. The scholars gave passionate speeches at the door of the restaurant, and then went all the way to the gate of the palace, sat still, and asked to see the emperor!
The guards at the palace gate wanted to drive away the scholars, but they found that these people were escorted by the royal guards. The guards at the gate and the royal guards were of the same lineage, but the royal guards protected the royal relatives at close range, so naturally they had a higher status than the palace guards.
Chen Peng put his arm around the guard's shoulders and said with a smile, "The Third Prince cannot bear to see blood, brothers, please make it easier for them. They won't break in, so it won't hurt to have them sit for a while."
The guards did not dare to offend the third prince, and even less did they want to confront Chen Peng, so they pretended to be deaf and dumb and pretended not to see anything.
After such a long time, everyone in the capital knew that the second prince had embezzled disaster relief funds, causing public outrage. Unfortunately, the emperor was unwilling to punish the second prince.
The turmoil continued until August, when the emperor, who had been in a coma for more than a month, finally woke up!
The situation is out of control at this point. If he doesn't deal with the second prince, he will become a tyrant.
The emperor imprisoned the second prince and ordered a thorough investigation of disaster relief matters and to appease the refugees outside the city. The scholars spread the news, and the lights in the Penglai Restaurant were kept on all night. They sang and beat drums to celebrate the eternal existence of justice.
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