Chapter 400 Confiscation of Military Power (5)
The Su and Xie families were like a tangled knot. Fortunately, the Shen family was incompatible with both, otherwise it would have become a real threat to Emperor Wenhui. If the Su and Xie families had really done what they said and exterminated all nine of the Shen family's clans, there would have been no force within Mingqi that could rival the Su and Xie families. If the Su and Xie families were allowed to grow stronger, his throne would have become even more precarious.
For the first time, Emperor Wen Hui felt that he was in a difficult situation. He just wanted to take back some of Shen Xin's military power. If the Shen family kept it, they could still check and balance Su Xie. But now, there was no one willing to speak for Shen Xin. Emperor Wen Hui felt a headache.
He slowly asked back: "Exterminate the entire clan?"
Normally, when asked this question, the ministers would be able to tell that something was amiss with His Majesty's expression, but Xie Ding didn't know what was wrong today. He just stiffened his neck and said, "Yes!"
Emperor Wenhui closed his eyes and when he looked at Xie Ding again, he seemed to be seeing Xie Ding's wolfish ambition through his skin.
Su Yu was a little worried, but he didn't show it at all. He still looked like he thought what Xie Ding said made sense.
Finally, a young general stepped forward and said, "Although General Shen acted recklessly this time, his crime does not warrant death. He also made great contributions to the court in the past, which can atone for his sins. Your Majesty is kind and kind. I hope you will show some mercy and give him a lighter sentence, considering that the Shen family army has fought on the battlefield for many years and defended the country."
This young general had a good relationship with Chen Xin. Perhaps because he saw that the situation here was not favorable to Chen Xin, he finally couldn't stand it anymore and spoke up for Chen Xin.
Emperor Wenhui had been waiting for someone to say this, but perhaps because Chen Xin was unpopular, no one spoke. As soon as the young general spoke, Emperor Wenhui's brows relaxed and he said, "My dear minister, you are right. Although General Shen is guilty this time, he has made great contributions in the past. If I say that I will execute all nine generations of his clan, it would seem that I don't care about our past."
"Your Majesty, absolutely not!" Su Yu quickly knelt on the ground: "General Shen is so capable of deceiving the emperor, who knows what will happen to him in the future!"
Xie Ding also hurriedly said, "That's right! Your Majesty, please think twice!"
The more they spoke, the more suspicious Emperor Wenhui felt. Without even glancing at them, he addressed the young general, or rather, the entire court, "When General Shen was alive, he accompanied the late emperor through thick and thin. The Shen family has been loyal for generations, and the mighty General Shen Xin was also incredibly brave. Returning from a crushing defeat against the Western Rong at the end of the year, he has redeemed himself. I am not a tyrant, so I won't punish all nine clans... Shen Xin's family is truly innocent!"
"Your Majesty is wise." The young general knelt down again and said hurriedly.
Emperor Wenhui waved his hand and said, "Even though Shen Xin acted like this, I still have to punish him. Send out orders to take back the Shen Family Army's tiger talisman and fine Shen Xin one year's salary. Only the front troops of the Shen Family Army will be allocated to him for command. The rest will be incorporated into the Imperial Guards!"
Everyone gasped, their eyes looking a little strange.
Emperor Wenhui was cruel, but he never harmed the Shen family. He was kind, however, as he initially sought to seize the Tiger Tally. The Tiger Tally commanded the armies, and for a general, having it taken away meant the death of a soldier on the battlefield.
The front of the Shen family army was just some insignificant cooks and the like, while the serious Shen family soldiers were filled into the Imperial Guards. In other words, all the troops trained by Shen Xin over the years were used to serve the royal family!
The ministers felt sympathetic. No wonder Emperor Wenhui spoke so generously. He had already grasped the lifeblood of others. Even if Shen Xin escaped, this mighty general would only be left with an empty shell. What deterrent effect would he have? The Shen family's reputation was only kept to check and balance with other aristocratic families.
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