Jiang Changfeng was determined to achieve his goal, and he even summoned the already frail emperor to the morning court session.
"His Majesty has ordered that those with matters to report should do so, and those without should leave the court!" Jiang Congzhi sat on the dragon throne, now to the point where he needed someone to help him up.
"Your Majesty, your younger brother has something to report." Jiang Changfeng has become arrogant now, no longer even kneeling before the Emperor.
Jiang Congzhi looked at him with an annoyed expression and nodded.
"I would like to ask our Lord Protector of the Nation, how did you handle the disaster relief efforts when the Yellow River flooded a few months ago, affecting hundreds of thousands of people? Did the national treasury allocate very little for disaster relief?"
Jiang Changfeng looked directly at Qi Jingxuan and launched his attack. Seeing that he did not answer, he continued, "I remember that during the Battle of Hexi, the national treasury allocated a total of 400,000 taels of silver. Did you embezzle military funds at that time and use them for disaster relief? Or was that place originally your private territory, General Qi?"
"You're spouting nonsense. The Battle of Hexi resulted in heavy casualties, and most of the military funds, aside from those used for fighting, were used for compensation. The strategists accompanying me all keep accounts." Qi Jingxuan was too lazy to argue with this kind of person, but he didn't expect to see him keep throwing mud at him.
"Is that so? Someone, bring him up."
Upon hearing the clapping, the guards outside the door quickly brought up the so-called witnesses they had prepared.
"I advise you to confess sooner rather than later, so you don't die a terrible death!" Jiang Changfeng walked over a few steps and whispered harsh words in Qi Jingxuan's ear.
There were four or five people who came: two refugees from the Yellow River floods and two soldiers from the military camp during the Battle of Hexi. Their purpose was unknown.
"General Qi, don't argue with Jiang Changfeng later. How can a military officer argue with a civil official? Although he is only a minor Grand Secretary now, he has considerable power behind him. After all, he was someone who had a place in the struggle between the two kings."
The Minister quickly stepped forward to persuade him, "General, I have already spoken with the Grand Tutor. We will act according to the circumstances."
"Thank you, Father-in-law!" Qi Jingxuan still hadn't seen what Jiang Changfeng was up to, yet these civil officials were already discussing countermeasures? Indeed, it seems that only civil officials can handle such planning.
The conflict begins
“I am a native resident along the Yellow River. When General Qi came, everyone knelt down as if they had seen a savior, and he even distributed porridge to us for a month.”
“I was involved in the Battle of Hexi. I did not receive any reparations, and my brother died in the battle.”
"Have you all finished speaking? Third Young Master, what exactly do you want to say?" the Minister asked directly.
"I reiterate my previous statement: Your Majesty, please investigate thoroughly! Qi Jingxuan has long harbored treacherous intentions and has coveted the throne for a long time. His schemes are extensive; this traitorous minister deserves to be executed!"
Jiang Changfeng, unusually, knelt down before Jiang Congzhi.
"Cough cough cough!"
"Your Majesty," Eunuch Li hurriedly wiped the blood with a handkerchief, and sure enough, it was coughing up blood again.
"You!" Jiang Congzhi raised his finger tremblingly and pointed at Jiang Changfeng.
"Does Your Majesty agree with what I said?" Jiang Changfeng's eyes shone, as if he felt that his brother also agreed with him.
“Shouldn’t you have obeyed the late emperor’s decree and stayed in Luoyang? How could you! How could you leave without permission?” Jiang Congzhi said these words with all his might, and then coughed violently.
"Brother, it's all your fault! The late emperor's abdication to you was a mistake from the start, and yet you died young. In our Jiang Kingdom, the throne has always been inherited by the Jiang family in recent generations. How could it be a useless general who only knows how to fight?"
Jiang Changfeng was quick-witted, and in the main hall, only the Grand Tutor stood up and said, "The Emperor's decree has been issued. You have no talent to command troops, and as you just mentioned, our Jiang Kingdom has always been based on the abdication system. What's wrong with that?"
In the end, Jiang Changfeng gained no advantage whatsoever and was even driven out of the capital by His Majesty.
This is probably the power that comes with military authority.
"General Qi, His Majesty is tired. You will temporarily take charge of the affairs of the court!" After saying this, Eunuch Li helped Jiang Congzhi down.
The political winds in the court are now quite clear, and Qi Jingxuan also feels the thrill of being a man—powerful and wealthy.
On his way home from court, officials kept coming to congratulate him.
It was all just flattery.
Back at the mansion, everywhere was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and Liu Ruhua was already preparing for her child's 100-day celebration.
Qi Jingxuan didn't want to get involved and went straight into the study.
Green Spirit dressed up carefully and brought in a cup of tea for Qi Jingxuan.
"General, have a cup of hot tea!"
Qi Jingxuan looked up and saw it was Lü Ling! It had been a long time since he had seen this maid.
"Are you getting used to living in that courtyard?" A couple of routine questions.
"Thanks to the General's good fortune, I am doing well," Green Spirit replied obediently.
"Go down and prepare for the dinner. I'll come over and sit for a while!" Qi Jingxuan only planned to go over for a meal.
"Yes, General!" Since you're coming here, you can't blame Green Spirit. She's already put an aphrodisiac in the tea. Now that there are more and more new people in the mansion, and she has no status or background, and the old lady has also passed away.
Fortunately, his uncle Qi Shuwen brought him this rare and precious medicine.
After drinking the tea, Qi Jingxuan felt he couldn't concentrate on his book anymore; it seemed as if some primal force within him was about to erupt.
"Xu Yunchuan, let's go to the courtyard! Oh, by the way, has the south courtyard been cleaned up yet? We can't neglect the young lady of the Minister's mansion."
Qi Jingxuan stood up and prepared to walk towards the courtyard.
"Reporting to the General, it is being packed up quickly."
"Let's go. I'm getting a little hungry." It's unclear whether Qi Jingxuan's "hungry" actually refers to his stomach.
Upon arriving at the courtyard, Green Spirit dismissed everyone around her and prepared to drink and chat with the general.
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