Chapter 10
Inside the Fengtian Hall, there was a dead silence.
Daylight streamed in through the cracks in the smashed-open palace door, piercing the dimness within. Like a spotlight on a stage, it accurately illuminated the figure crouched in a pool of blood on the threshold—Han Zhenshan. His withered hands, like a torch burning the last flame of his life, held aloft the shocking, dark-red cover of "Border Guard Records (Incomplete)"! Warm blood gushed from the fractured corner of his forehead, meandering down his graying temples and dripping onto the cold, hard gold bricks. It merged with the rapidly expanding dark red beneath him, juxtaposing the dark brown bloodstains on the volume, which had long since dried fourteen years earlier, emitting a soul-shattering, eerie, and tragic light.
The knife marks and bloodstains on the Jingbei Army's old battle jackets were exposed in the sunlight. The injustice of 30,000 soldiers and the blood and tears of 14 years seemed to be condensed in this small booklet and this old body that had died in the palace!
"His Majesty--!!!"
Feng Zijing's cry, tinged with tears, resembled the final roar of a wounded beast, shattering the deathly silence once again! Tears welled in his eyes, and his forehead slammed heavily onto the gold brick, making a dull "thud" sound! Blood instantly stained his official hat red! The several censors and upright officials behind him, as if ignited, kowtowed in grief and indignation, their foreheads clashing against the ground one after another!
"Here is the blood letter! A loyal soul weeps blood! Your Majesty, please open this letter and review it——!!!"
The sound waves were like a surging tide, impacting the silent golden palace and the shaky nerves of the young emperor on the throne!
The emperor's body trembled violently. He clutched the armrests of the dragon throne, his knuckles bluish-white from the strain, his nails practically digging into the cold gilded metal. His face was as pale as paper, his lips trembling, and his eyes, hollow and confused, darted back and forth between the bloodstained booklet, Han Zhenshan, crouched in a pool of blood, Qingliu, kowtowed like a madman, and the dark figure below, still as still as the abyss. A surge of horror, pity, and a sense of powerlessness, swept away by the torrent of history, like a cold, giant python, clenched its grip around his heart!
"Open... open the letter..." The emperor's voice was hoarse and dry, like sandpaper rubbing against the ground. It carried the bewilderment of someone cornered and a hint of the final resolve that had been awakened within him. "Wang Defu! Take... take the blood letter!"
"I...I obey your order!" Wang Defu's voice was also trembling. He almost rolled and crawled down the imperial steps and staggered towards the palace door.
Everyone's gaze, as if drawn by invisible threads, followed Wang Defu's hunched figure. Zhang Xian, Li Mao, and the others were pale, their bodies shaking like leaves in the wind. The fear and despair in their eyes seemed to be tangible! They stared intently at Wang Defu's hand reaching for the bloodstained book, as if it were a devil's claw about to open the gates of hell!
Wang Defu's hands trembled, and with an almost pious fear, he carefully and extremely slowly removed the heavy "Record of Border Defense (Incomplete)" from Han Zhenshan's stiff, cold, yet still tightly raised hands. As he touched the book, a strong, bloody odor mixed with rust and stale mold hit him, making him almost nauseous! He held the blood-stained book, which seemed to be burning with the fire of hell, in both hands, as if holding thunder that could explode at any moment. He walked back to the imperial steps with a pause and trembling step, raised the book high above his head, and presented it to the emperor.
The emperor looked at the dark brown blood stains on the cover and the dark red handwriting on the edge of the title page, his stomach churning. He suppressed the urge to vomit and reached out his trembling hand. His fingertips, with a fear that was almost spasmodic, slowly touched the rough cover...
At this critical moment, when the entire court held its breath—
"Your Majesty! Wait a minute——!!!"
A deep, old roar, which carried an unquestionable pressure and cold anger, suddenly exploded from the side door of the hall like thunder!
Everyone looked at it in horror!
Xie Yong, the retired former Prime Minister and leader of the Qingliu movement, proudly entered the Fengtian Hall, flanked by several guards in formal attire, their auras as profound as the depths of the sea. He wore a dark blue uniform, his hair and beard white, his face gaunt, yet his eyes were as sharp as a hawk's, carrying the intimidating aura of years of accumulated authority. He ignored the tense atmosphere and the countless suspicious glances within the hall, striding through the kneeling ministers and heading straight for the steps. His gaze, like lightning, pierced the blood-stained book in the emperor's hand!
"Thank... Thank you, Lord?!" The emperor's hand jerked back as if burned, his face filled with astonishment and disbelief. Xie Yong had long since retired and was not allowed to enter the palace without imperial decree, let alone barge into the court! How... how dare he?!
"Your Majesty!" Xie Yong's voice was like a resounding bell, filled with a deep sense of grief and indignation, instantly drowning out all the noise in the hall. "This old minister is shocked to hear that there has been a disturbance in the court! A demon is at work! He has even used a forged blood letter to frame loyal officials! He is confusing the emperor's mind! He is shaking the foundation of the country! Although this old minister has retired, I have received the emperor's grace for three generations. How can I sit idly by and watch our country be destroyed by the hands of scoundrels? I risk my life to break into the palace just to purge the emperor's side! I set the record straight!!"
Forgery?! Frame-up?!
Xie Yong's words were like pouring ice water into boiling oil! The court erupted in an uproar! Countless eyes flickered between Xie Yong, Gu Linzhi, the blood letter, Zhang Xian, and the others, all in a state of shock and uncertainty.
Zhang Xian and Li Mao were like drowning men grabbing the last piece of driftwood, their eyes instantly bursting with ecstasy! They pointed at Gu Linzhi and Feng Zijing, crying out at the top of their lungs:
"Your Majesty! Thank you for your insight! It was Gu Linzhi! He was the one who forged the blood letter! He was the one who ordered Feng Zijing to frame us! He was the one who forced Shen Ziqing to death and silenced him! He is the true traitor to the country! The culprit who brought chaos to the government! Your Majesty! Capture this beast immediately!!!"
"Yes! It's him! Your Majesty! Thank you, Lord, for your loyalty and courage! Please save us! Capture Gu Linzhi!"
"Your Majesty, please make a holy judgment! Severely punish the traitor Gu Linzhi!!"
Officials who were attached to Zhang Xian jumped out one after another, shouting in agreement as if they had been injected with chicken blood. Their spearheads were once again pointed directly at Gu Linzhi! The atmosphere in the Golden Palace instantly ignited and became extremely dangerous!
Feng Zijing suddenly raised his head and glared at Xie Yong: "Xie Ge Lao! Stop confusing right and wrong! Here is the blood letter! Every word is written in blood! How can I allow you to slander me?! You..."
"Slander?!" Xie Yong suddenly interrupted Feng Zijing, his eyes as cold as a knife, piercing him. "Censor Feng! You keep saying it's a bloodwritten document as evidence! Where did that 'Record of Border Defense' come from?! But Gu Linzhi gave it to you?! How could he, a powerful official of unknown origin who rose to power after the defeat of the Northern Frontier Army, have obtained this 'relic'?! How could he gain the trust of the court with such an unknown origin?! How could he not carefully fabricate false evidence to eliminate dissidents and frame loyal officials?!"
Xie Yong's voice was like a hammer, each word piercing the heart! He didn't even bother to question the authenticity of the blood letter, but directly questioned its origin and Gu Linzhi's motives! This blow, which cut off the fire from the bottom of the pot, instantly made Feng Zijing and a group of upright officials change their expressions! Yes, this blood letter... was indeed "accidentally found" on the desk! The source... indeed pointed to Gu Linzhi!
Without giving anyone a chance to breathe, Xie Yong's gaze suddenly turned towards the emperor, who was perplexed and in doubt on the throne. His voice was filled with sorrow and all-seeing compassion:
"Your Majesty! I, an old minister, dare to speak frankly! Gu Linzhi is a man of deep scheming and cruel methods! He used the Jiangnan flood incident to stir up trouble and bring down Shen Ziqing! He then used Chen Bingzhi's sudden death and the assassination of the Prime Minister's residence to confuse the public! Now, he has even thrown out this 'blood letter' of unknown origin to incite court debate and frame important officials! His evil ambitions are obvious! His real purpose is not to redress the grievances of 30,000 soldiers! It is clearly to seize this opportunity to eliminate dissidents and seize power! To do the same... Dong Zhuo and Cao Cao! Your Majesty! Do not be deceived by this beast! Do not let the Great Yong Dynasty fall into the hands of such an ambitious traitor! --!!!"
"Dong Zhuo! Cao Cao!"
"A traitor!"
"Take all the power!"
These words were like poisonous needles, piercing the emperor's sensitive and fragile nerves! He suddenly looked at Gu Linzhi, his eyes filled with anger at being fooled and even deeper fear! Xie Yong's words were like a venomous snake, instantly biting the most sensitive string in his heart! Yes, Gu Linzhi was powerful and ruthless! Was he really doing all this for the so-called "loyal souls"? Or... for himself?!
"Your Majesty!" Xie Yong struck while the iron was hot, taking a sudden step forward. His voice was filled with determination, "Your Majesty, this old minister implores you! Issue an immediate decree! Arrest Gu Linzhi and his accomplices, Feng Zijing, and others, and bring them to justice! At the same time, send the Imperial Guards to immediately seal off the Prime Minister's residence and search for the source of the false evidence! We must not allow this scoundrel to disrupt the government again!"
"Your Majesty, please issue an order! Arrest Gu Linzhi!"
"Seal off the Prime Minister's residence! Search for false evidence!!"
Zhang Xian, Li Mao, and the others, as if grasping at straws, echoed with all their might, their voices nearly lifting the roof of the hall! The atmosphere in the hall instantly reached its peak! Several generals standing near the hall gate unconsciously pressed their hands on the hilts of their swords at their waists! The imperial guards beside the throne also cautiously moved half a step forward, their eyes fixed on Gu Linzhi!
The emperor's expression shifted wildly, as suspicion, anger, fear, and an instinctive distrust of power entwined his sanity like poisonous ivy. He looked at Xie Yong, who was speaking passionately below, the air of a loyal minister ready to die for his cause. Then he looked at Gu Linzhi, who remained as silent as a mountain but seemed increasingly unfathomable. Finally, he glanced at the blood-stained booklet in Wang Defu's hand, emitting an ominous aura... The immense pressure nearly suffocated him! His lips trembled, his eyes were confused, and the word "take" was on the verge of blurting out!
At this critical moment, when the murderous intent of the entire court pressed down on the dark figure like a substance—
Gu Linzhi finally moved.
He did not argue, was not angry, and did not even look at the aggressive Xie Yong.
He just raised his right hand slowly and calmly.
His movements were steady, like brushing off non-existent dust from his robe.
The sleeves of his wide, dark python robe fell, revealing a slender, powerful wrist with distinct joints. His fingertips, perfectly natural and with a strength as heavy as a mountain, gently grasped the seemingly ordinary ebony hairpin that held the jade crown in place...
Then, under the gaze of countless pairs of surprised, horrified, and puzzled eyes—
“Zheng——!”
An extremely slight but extremely clear sound of metal friction was heard!
Gu Linzhi's fingertips moved slightly, and he actually pulled out a section of the ebony hairpin...slowly!
What was exposed was not the end of the hairpin, but a piece of black metal that was only an inch long but gleamed with a cold and dark light!
The metal had a unique texture, neither gold nor iron. Its surface shone with a dull sheen like ripples, its edges razor-sharp, as if it could easily slice through light! Even more disturbing was the fact that, carved into that inch-long, cold blade was a remark, inscribed with extremely fine cinnabar, that was crystal clear and exuded an aura of murderous intent—a broken sword!
It is exactly the same as what Xie Yong saw on the plain paper in the secret box!
This sudden change made everyone speechless instantly! The hall was as silent as a vacuum!
Xie Yong's impassioned face, reminiscent of a loyal minister's death-defying remonstration, suddenly froze! His pupils constricted as he stared intently at the shimmering, dark-colored blade at Gu Linzhi's fingertips, the mark of the broken cinnabar blade! A chilling fear, emanating from the depths of his soul, instantly spread like venom throughout his body! It was him! It was indeed him! Gu Han! The son of Gu Chengyuan who should have perished in the snowstorm of the northern border! The evil spirit who had crawled back from hell for revenge!
The emperor was also completely stunned. He stared blankly at the unusual black broken blade in Gu Linzhi's hand, his mind going blank.
Gu Linzhi's gaze finally lifted slowly. It was calm and undisturbed, like an eternally cold pond. It passed over the maddened Zhang Xian and Li Mao, past the horrified and speechless Xie Yong, and finally landed on the utterly distraught young emperor sitting on the throne.
His voice was low and clear, like an icy spring dripping into a deep pool. Every word carried an icy power that penetrated the soul, echoing in the deadly silent hall:
"His Majesty."
"This minister is Gu Linzhi."
"My real name is Gu Han."
"My father, the commander-in-chief of the Jingbei Army, Gu Chengyuan."
"boom--!!!"
This calm self-narration was more shocking than any thunderclap! Like a meteorite from the sky, it slammed down hard on the hearts of everyone in Fengtian Hall! The entire court instantly fell into complete silence and petrification! Countless pairs of eyes widened as they stared at the dark figure in disbelief!
Gu Han!
Son of Gu Chengyuan!
The young marshal of the Jingbei Army who was rumored to have died in the snow and wind of the northern border, with no trace left!
He's actually... still alive? !
And, standing right here! Standing on the Golden Palace! With the status of the current powerful minister Gu Linzhi?!
The immense impact of this information caused everyone's brains to freeze in thought! The ecstasy on Zhang Xian and Li Mao's faces instantly froze, transforming into extreme fear and despair! Feng Zijing and a group of upright officials were also completely stunned, their eyes wide open! Xie Yong's body shook imperceptibly, and his face instantly turned pale!
The emperor was struck by lightning! He stood up abruptly, his body shaking violently with extreme shock! He stared at Gu Linzhi, no, Gu Han! Looking at his cold and calm face, at the broken black blade gleaming with a faint light... The snowstorm in the north fourteen years ago, the demise of the Jingbei Army, the news of Gu Chengyuan's death... countless fragments instantly flooded into his mind!
"This broken blade," Gu Linzhi's voice continued, his voice so calm it made one's heart tremble. His fingertips gently stroked the dark edge, "It is the remnant of my father's sword, 'Po Jun'. In the last battle in the northern border, my father was trying to protect the central army from breaking through the siege, but the blade broke... and he died." He paused slightly, his eyes like a cold probe, sweeping over Zhang Xian and Li Mao who collapsed on the ground, finally fixing on Xie Yong's pale face. Every word was like a dagger tempered with ice:
"And the culprit who destroyed the lives of 30,000 Jingbei Army soldiers and caused my father to die with regret was not the Di cavalry."
"That's exactly what you call 'loyal and good'!" His voice suddenly turned harsh, like the fiercest gale in the north, carrying fourteen years of blood, tears and hatred, sweeping across the entire hall!
"You are in cahoots with me! You're reselling military supplies! You're using moldy and poisonous food to sever the lifeline of our army! You're treating the lives of our soldiers at the border like grass for your own selfish ends! You're treating the safety of our country like a joke!!"
His gaze was like a solid icicle, fixed on Xie Yong's face.
"Lord Xie! You keep talking about clearing the emperor's court and setting things straight! Then tell His Majesty, tell this entire court! Tell the people of the world! In the winter of the eleventh year of Tianyou, why did the last three batches of high-quality new rice that were supposed to arrive at the Jingbei camp turn out to be moldy, sandy, and even suspected of being poisonous?! Why is the name on the warehouse signature record exactly the same as the one written in Shen Ziqing's blood?! How much of the mountains of gold and silver piled up in your Xie Mansion's treasury... was stained with the blood of thirty thousand soldiers?!!"
Every word is as sharp as a knife! Every sentence is tearful and blood-curdling!
The immense pressure and the overwhelming hatred woven into those cold words were like an invisible giant hand, gripping Xie Yong's throat! For the first time, his gaunt face revealed an unconcealable look of terror and... a hint of embarrassment at having his disguise completely ripped apart! He opened his mouth, wanting to retort, but found that all his words paled in the face of Gu Linzhi's tangible murderous intent and the broken blade!
"Your Majesty!" Gu Linzhi turned abruptly towards the emperor, his voice carrying an undeniable penetrating force. "I have lain dormant for fourteen years, enduring humiliation and bearing heavy burdens, taking every step carefully. This was not for power! It was solely to uncover the truth! It was solely for the thirty thousand comrades who died unjustly! It was solely to avenge the loss of my father's sword! I demand justice! Today, I write in blood and knock on the palace gates. The evidence is both there and there! Your Majesty, I beg you! Issue an immediate decree! Arrest Zhang Xian, Li Mao, Xie Yong, and the other traitors who interfered in the case! Thoroughly investigate the old Jingbei military grain case! Severely punish them! Uphold the law! Comfort the loyal souls!"
"I second the motion!" Feng Zijing was the first to react. He slammed his head against the ground, his voice filled with unprecedented excitement and indignation! He finally understood! He understood Prime Minister Gu's forbearance! He understood the root of all this! At this moment, he no longer had any doubts in his heart, only a raging rage towards the traitor and infinite admiration for the loyal soul!
"I second the motion!!"
"I second the motion!!"
"Catch the traitor! Thoroughly investigate the old case!!"
More and more officials were moved by this shocking reversal and the tragic and resolute power in Gu Linzhi's words. They knelt down one after another, and the sound was like a tide, instantly overwhelming the weak wails of Zhang Xian's faction!
The emperor stood blankly in front of the throne, looking at the angry courtiers below, looking at Han Zhenshan who was lying in a pool of blood holding up a blood letter, looking at Xie Yong whose face was pale and no longer had any noble demeanor, and finally, his gaze fell back on the dark figure that stood as tall as a solitary peak - Gu Han.
In his eyes, the horror, confusion, and fear... were eventually replaced by a huge sense of powerlessness, swept away by the torrent of history, and... a trace of awakened determination belonging to the emperor.
He slowly raised his hand and pointed downwards.
The fingers no longer trembled.
The voice was cold and heavy, cutting off all hesitation.
"Pass...pass on my order!"
"Minister of Works Zhang Xian! Left Vice Minister of Personnel Li Mao! Retired cabinet minister Xie Yong! They formed a clique for personal gain! They embezzled military supplies! They framed loyal officials! They caused the unjust death of 30,000 soldiers of the Jingbei Army! The evidence is irrefutable! Their crimes are unforgivable! They will be immediately stripped of their official titles and honors! They will be imprisoned! The Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Court, and the Censorate will jointly investigate this case! A thorough investigation will be conducted! Anyone implicated, regardless of rank, will be severely punished!"
"Promote...promote Gu Linzhi...Gu Han! Take charge of this case! All files, witnesses, and evidence will be under his control! If there are any obstacles, I will personally intervene!"
"Your Majesty is wise and enlightened--!!!" Feng Zijing and other upright officials kowtowed excitedly, their voices shaking the palace!
"No--!! Your Majesty! Your Majesty, please spare our lives!" Zhang Xian and Li Mao collapsed to the ground as if their bones had been pulled out, howling like pigs being slaughtered!
Xie Yong's body jerked violently, his face instantly turning from pale to a deathly pale. He stared at the emperor's cold, resolute eyes, at the angry, disdainful, and gloating gazes around him, at the gleaming, shimmering broken blade in Gu Linzhi's (Gu Han's) hand... He knew the situation was over. Fourteen years of painstaking effort, the noble reputation of a veteran of three dynasties, all shattered in this moment, with the opening of the blood-stained "Record of Border Defense" and the revelation of the broken blade!
He suddenly raised his head, his eyes, once unfathomable and deep as an ancient well, now fixed on Gu Linzhi (Gu Han). Deep within them surged a deep hatred, unwillingness, and... a hint of deep fear! His lips trembled as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he only let out a mournful, desperate laugh like a night owl!
"Gu...Han...what a...what a Gu Han!!" His voice was hoarse and broken, filled with endless hatred. "This old man...didn't lose unfairly...not unfairly!! Hahahaha——!"
Amidst wild laughter, several ferocious imperial guards rushed forward and mercilessly pinned down Xie Yong, Zhang Xian, Li Mao and others, took off their official hats and stripped off their official uniforms!
Gu Linzhi (Gu Han) slowly withdrew his gaze, no longer looking at Xie Yong and the others who were being dragged away like stray dogs. With a slight movement of his fingertips, he silently pushed the shimmering black broken blade back into the ebony hairpin.
He turned, his gaze calmly cast towards the sky outside the palace gate, which was illuminated by the sunlight. The sun pierced through the clouds and shone down, illuminating the figure of Han Zhenshan lying in a pool of blood on the threshold, and also illuminating the blood-stained "Record of Guarding the Border" in his hand.
Inside the Fengtian Hall, the dust has settled, yet it seems as if things have just begun.
The blood debt has been revealed, and the loyal souls can be comforted.
And the storm in Shengjing, after a brief period of calm, will eventually usher in a more thorough...cleansing.
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