The civil servant retreated repeatedly after hearing General Chen's words.
I couldn't help but point my finger at the other person.
"You, you are just making a fuss! You are changing the subject! We are talking about the 300,000 soldiers of the Rong Kingdom! Don't bring up anything else!"
General Chen pressed on, furious. His face was a demonic one, filled with hatred, as if he wanted to devour the other's flesh and drink his blood. "We fought bloody battles on the border to defend our country, while you were in Kyoto, enjoying life by eating, drinking, and having fun. And after winning the battle, you pedants accused me of being too murderous and violating the laws of nature. Let me ask you, don't you have a son? Don't you have a father? Have you ever thought about whose fathers and sons those brave men on the border are? How many people would be heartbroken if they died?"
"If your son were fighting on the border, would you still say the same thing you did today? Would you still have the time to speak up for the enemy?!"
General Chen’s roar lingered in the hall for a long time.
It seems like he is venting the dissatisfaction accumulated over the years.
The border troops are obviously the most important line of defense, but the officials in the court don't care about them, as if they were born by a stepmother. Every time they come to ask for military pay, some of it is always deducted. Most of the soldiers are busy farming, training, and guarding the city.
The situation improved a lot after the new emperor ascended the throne. At least military pay was paid on time.
Everyone was shocked by the ferocious expression on his face.
After calming down, General Chen said expressionlessly, "I have no regrets about killing 300,000 soldiers of the Rong Kingdom! If there is a next time, I will still make the same choice! I will bear all the sins. When I go to hell, let the King of Hell find me and punish me."
Yan Su didn't say a word from beginning to end, just quietly observing what was happening below.
"Well, I have already made a decision on this matter."
Yan Su's words attracted the attention of everyone present.
Yan Su stood up and said, "General Chen has served the State of Yan with great loyalty and dedication. It is thanks to General Chen that the border of Yan has been stable for so many years. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to General Chen and all the soldiers who guard the border."
After saying that, he bowed to General Chen.
General Chen quickly waved his hands, "Your Majesty, this is not allowed. How can this old minister be worthy of such a gift? This is my duty, and I cannot bear such a great honor from Your Majesty."
"General Chen, you're welcome. This is what you and the other soldiers deserve."
These words brought tears to General Chen's eyes. Their efforts were seen by others.
Yan Su flicked his sleeves and strode back to the throne. "Yan State won a great victory in this war, and we should reward them accordingly."
"General Chen deserves the greatest credit! Grant him the title of Duke of Zhenguo and promote him to General Zhenbei, commanding all border military affairs!"
"Your Majesty, this is unacceptable! How can this person deserve such a great reward?!"
The civil servant who had previously opposed General Chen jumped out again.
Yan Su looked at him coldly, "Lord Lin, you are deliberately speaking for the soldiers of Rong State. Are you trying to pledge allegiance to the Emperor of Rong State? It seems that Yan State can no longer tolerate you. Come, take away his official uniform and drag him away for me to investigate. If he is guilty, deal with him according to the law. If not, let him go home."
"Your Majesty, please spare me! Your Majesty, please spare me! This is not what I meant!"
"Your Majesty, please spare my life. Please consider how hard I have worked for the court for so many years! Please spare my life, Your Majesty..."
No matter how desperately he begged for mercy, Yan Su didn't even look at him.
He was dragged out by the soldiers at the door.
Everyone else knew this man was finished. Although His Majesty had said that if he had done nothing wrong, he should be allowed to return home, who in the court knew who? How could he have done nothing wrong?
Other court officials were even more cautious in their words and actions, not daring to speak carelessly for fear of getting into trouble.
Yan Su's cold voice rang out in the hall, "Anyone else objects?"
Everyone looked at their noses, their noses at their hearts, and kept their heads down without saying a word.
Waited for a moment.
"Since that's the case, draft an edict and have it spread throughout the country as soon as possible."
Just when everyone thought the matter was settled, General Chen said, "Your Majesty, wait a minute."
Yan Su still had some patience towards an old minister who had worked hard and made great contributions.
"General Chen, what else do you want?"
"Your Majesty, I am old. After this great war, I believe that there will be no more major wars between Yan and Rong in the short term. I would like to resign from your majesty."
Yan Su's porcelain-white index finger tapped lightly on the table. "General Chen, don't worry. I will never kill a meritorious official in vain."
General Chen knew that the other party thought he was worried that someone would come after him to settle accounts, so he chose to resign.
He quickly explained, "Your Majesty, I have absolutely no worries. It's just that I'm old. I've been living on the border since I was a teenager, and my wife has suffered with me for many years. I want to spend the rest of my life in the capital with my wife, and I hope Your Majesty will grant my wish."
Yan Su looked at the other person with a firm look, not like he was lying. Looking at the other person's gray hair, Yan Su said:
"Since General Chen is so determined, I will grant you your wish and allow you to retire. I will grant you a house, and I hope you can live a long life and see the Kingdom of Yan prosper."
General Chen bowed in thanks, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Everyone in the court looked at the scene in front of them, their eyes flickering.
Some people think that General Chen is smart and is retreating at the right time. He is already the Duke of Zhenguo, the highest noble in the dynasty. If he goes back to fight and get rewards, how should His Majesty reward him?
The next step is to be a king or a prince, but since the founding of the Yan Dynasty, kings and princes have not had a good ending, and no king has been conferred since the last emperor.
By then, even if you have done something meritorious, it would become a crime.
No matter what these people think, what General Chen said is indeed what he thinks in his heart.
After being stationed at the border for decades, he and his old wife were rarely together. He watched her grow from a young girl to an old woman with white hair. Unable to bear the bitter cold at the border, he had no choice but to return to Beijing when he got older.
The two of them had even fewer opportunities to meet.
"I'm back."
General Chen stood at the door and said to his wife:
"I'm back. I won't leave anymore. We'll spend the rest of our lives together as an old couple."
General Chen's wife's eyes filled with tears. "Okay."
The imperial edict of Yan Su's enthronement was soon passed on. The imperial edict not only rewarded General Chen with gold, silver, jewelry and a large house, but also awarded General Chen's old wife with a first-class imperial decree.
Yan Su did not take back the title of General Zhenbei, and still let General Chen claim it, but he did not have actual military power.
Everyone in the army thought that General Chen was going to be defeated this time, but they didn't expect that their emperor was so wise. Not only did he not punish General Chen, but he rewarded him greatly. For a while, all the soldiers in the army praised him.
Yan Su's prestige in the army reached a new peak.
Soldiers far away on the border also received another round of rewards.
As for the other civil servants in the capital, they were sent to play Tai Chi with the envoys sent by Rong State.
Anyway, the other side is weak now and there is nothing we can do to them. Besides, Your Majesty is a warlike person. If they show too much weakness, wouldn’t that be handing a knife to Your Majesty?
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