Chapter 304: Food and Grass Lost
When the emperor first heard Chu Ci's submissive answer, he felt a little relieved and his tense expression relaxed a little.
But I never thought that this so-called obedience was just an appearance.
The emperor's face instantly darkened like a dark cloud, and anger surged from his heart. He shouted angrily, "But what? I want to hear what Princess Yixin has to say."
"Your Majesty, are you sure you want me to tell you?" Chu Ci never expected that the emperor would point the finger directly at him. For a moment, he was full of suspicion, and stretched out his finger as if he couldn't believe it, pointing it directly at himself.
The emperor became even more furious when he saw this. His eyes widened as he shouted, "Your Majesty, do not joke."
Hearing this, Chu Ci immediately relaxed. "Your Majesty, shouldn't such a shameful matter be investigated privately and slowly?"
"You've already been humiliated once before, and now you're making such a big fuss about it, are you trying to lose face again?
"With such behavior, where will the emperor's dignity be?"
Chu Ci's move of turning the tables completely stunned not only Fan Jingrui standing beside him, but also the emperor, Prince Li and Marquis Wucheng. They were all dumbfounded and at a loss.
However, if we think about it carefully, we have to admit that Chu Ci's accusation does make sense.
After all, even if we can’t find out who assassinated Tongxuan, what can we do?
Is it right to watch the dignified emperor being deceived by a fake Taoist priest, causing unrest in the court and the precarious situation of the Great Zhou?
Prince Li then stepped forward first, bowed solemnly, and then said respectfully, "Your Majesty, it is rare for you to be confused!"
Even Marquis Wucheng, under the emperor's murderous gaze, steeled himself, clasped his fists, and bowed deeply, saying firmly, "Your Majesty, the most crucial thing right now is to uncover those rats hiding in our Great Zhou. They are like termites, gradually eroding the very foundations of our Great Zhou. If we don't eradicate them in time, the consequences will be disastrous!"
Your Majesty, can anyone or two people make decisions for you, the emperor?
How disgraceful! Do you still have any respect for the law? Do you have any respect for the emperor?
"What if I insist on seeking the truth?" The emperor's eyes were like torches, burning with rage. He looked around with a stern expression. His piercing gaze seemed to see through everyone present.
Chu Ci would never admit it, "Uh, it's not me." His eyes were evasive and his voice was a little panicked.
Feng Yan, relying on the Feng family's special status, had the idea of taking on everything...
However, remembering Chu Ci's earnest instructions to him before entering the palace, he hardened his heart and said through gritted teeth: "Your Majesty, you know clearly in your heart that Feng Yan really does not have that ability."
"You, you all, are great." The emperor was furious, his chest heaving violently, his face flushed red, but he couldn't find a suitable way to ease this embarrassing and angry situation.
At this moment, the urgent news that came from eight hundred miles away was like a life-saving straw, saving the emperor's shaky dignity.
"Announce——" As soon as the emperor's order was given, a soldier covered in blood and in a miserable state was hurriedly led in.
The soldier's armor was tattered and bloodstained, and his face was covered with dust and fatigue.
After entering, without any pause, the soldier panted and said in a trembling voice: "Emergency in the northern border!"
"The Tatars suddenly and brazenly invaded the border. General Zhenbei and his soldiers fought hard to kill the enemy and fought bloody battles." The soldier's voice was filled with tears, as if the tragic scene was still before his eyes.
"But we didn't expect that when victory was imminent, the deputy general Wu Junan would suddenly betray us and stab the general in the back with a dagger coated with deadly poison. As a result, the army was leaderless, the morale of the army was in chaos, and the border town suffered extremely heavy losses." At this point, the soldier was already crying.
"Wu-Jun-An!" The emperor practically gritted his teeth, spewing out these three words one by one. Wu Jun-An was one of the emperor's own men, specially planted in the Zhenbei Army at the suggestion of the Prince of Qi.
The emperor never imagined that the person he trusted would do such a heinous thing.
"Call the Minister of Justice Xing Zhang, the Prime Minister Li Zhu. The Minister of Revenue Chen Cong..." The emperor was about to say the Minister of War, but suddenly he remembered that the Minister of War was the Marquis of Wucheng Zhao Zhi in front of him.
"Lord Zhao, you stay. Uncle, this matter is extremely urgent, you guys should withdraw first!" At this time, the emperor no longer had the heart to fight with Chu Ci and others, his mind was completely occupied by the war in the northern border.
"Yes, we'll take our leave!" Prince Li and his men looked at each other, then bowed together and said in unison.
However, this does not mean the end, on the contrary, it is just the beginning.
Ever since the terrifying 800-mile express message arrived from the northern border, the Great Zhou seemed to have suddenly fallen into an endless nightmare, with dangers lurking on all sides.
For a time, the entire situation was extremely tense, and even the number of ordinary people bustling about the streets of the capital was noticeably smaller.
There was really no other way. In just half a month, all the officials in the capital who could be sent out to handle affairs were sent out by the emperor without hesitation to provide emergency assistance.
Faced with such a chaotic situation, the Jingzhao Yin could only advocate the use of severe punishments in troubled times.
At this time, anyone with a bit of common sense wouldn't foolishly rush into the muzzle of a gun. This can be considered a form of order amidst the chaos.
However, no one expected it.
Just when everything was slowly getting back on track.
The second letter was sent urgently over 800 miles, like a drop of boiling water dropped into a boiling oil pan.
The entire capital city was instantly plunged into excitement.
There was no way around it. This news was simply too horrific. A full 500,000 dan of military rations had vanished without a trace overnight.
You must know that food and supplies must be sent before the army moves. Since ancient times, no matter how superb the military skills of a general are, he cannot win a battle without sufficient supplies.
"How long can the Zhenbei Army's food and grass last now?" Even though the emperor was very skilled in cultivating his Qi, he found it difficult to remain calm after hearing this news that was like a bolt from the blue.
"Your Majesty, the Zhenbei Army is currently using the food and fodder they have stored on a daily basis."
"According to the normal schedule, the food and supplies should arrive in three days."
"However, this situation has arisen now. Therefore, the Zhenbei Army's food and grass can only last for seven more days at most." The Minister of Revenue quickly calculated in his mind and gave an answer that made everyone feel depressed.
But this war had to be fought, and it had to be won. Therefore, the emperor, with a solemn expression, immediately issued a stern command: "I don't care what methods you use, even if you try every possible means, you must raise funds as soon as possible."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com